Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Pretender characters.
...Present Day...
The man sat in front of the computer screen and frowned angrily. Damn her. She was violating orders. His best operative was breaking protocol. He was going to have to bring her back in for reprogramming.
A firm knock and then the door opened to admit a monk in red robes. "Your cell phone." The monk held out a silver platter with a cell phone on it.
Without acknowledging the monk, Master grabbed the phone and grunted a terse, "What?"
He listened for a moment before closing the flip phone, a thoughtful look on his face.
So, the Trio wanted him to fetch the Dragon home. He would do that and then he would tame her, again. He grinned maliciously at that thought. He always loved breaking a person's spirit.
He snapped his fingers and the monk came up to him. "Master?"
"I want you to get a tracking satellite to follow this signal. Let me know when the Dragon comes to roost. We shall send out three teams to return the Dragon to China where it belongs."
"Yes, Master." The monk bowed and left the room.
Master looked at the screen and the childhood photos of Serafina. She had been such an easy child to manipulate….
...Twenty years ago...
A loud banging at the front door startled the monk on duty. It was after midnight and a fierce storm was raging outside. Curious to see who would be seeking shelter so late, he hurried to the door and opened it.
On the steps stood one of the richest men in the province. Next to him stood a little girl, no more than five. Her gaunt face only made her startling blue eyes stand out.
The monk stood gaping but he quickly closed his mouth when the man shoved the girl inside to him.
"Keep the little piece of filth. I will pay you nicely to stay silent about the events of this night. Rename her, give her away, keep her as a servant, I don't care. Just don't leave any trace that she is mine!"
The monk nodded mutely as the man handed him three huge wads of money and disappeared into the night. He looked down at the girl who was regarding him with very grown-up eyes. He had the distinct feeling that she could see into his soul and it unnerved him.
"Come along. I will put you to bed and in the morning our Master shall figure out what to do with you."
Obediently, the little girl followed him to a very Spartan room and lay down on the hard cot with only a thin blanket to cover her small frame.
The next morning dawned, the chilly sting of the mountain air nipping even the hardiest individual's with its bite. The monk peered in the room where he had left the young girl, only to discover her gone.
In a panic, he hurried about, trying to locate her. He was nearly in a frenzy when he stopped outside the martial arts training room and spotted the young girl sitting cross-legged in front of an instructor.
The monk started to hurry in to fetch her, but he was brought up short by the instructor's shake of the head. The monk stayed still and belatedly realized the young girl was talking in very quiet tones to the instructor who was listening with rapt fascination.
After a moment, the girl grew quiet and the instructor rose and hurried to the monk. "Brother, this child is a miracle. Her intelligence is astounding. How did she come to be here? When I asked, she grew pensive and refused to answer."
"She was left on our doorstep. I know not her parentage or how she got here. It is not our custom to take in little girls," the monk replied.
"I know, but I think an exception will be made. She is little and very bright. I do not think she will be much trouble at all," the instructor replied.
"I hope not. The other brothers may deem it prudent to place her with a village family," the monk said sadly.
"No! They are not educated enough for her. I will keep her and train her!" The instructor was passionate in his plea.
"Only the Master can say, one way or the other," the monk responded with a shrug.
The instructor composed himself. "You are right. We should take her there now and check with him."
The two men collected the little girl and made their way to the head monk's office.
The little girl looked around intently as she was led through the monastery and into a lower level where a cavern, with a myriad of candles was lit. Not once did she make a sound as she was led up to a muscular man who sat on a pillow in the middle of the room.
The man looked down at the girl. He reached out and tilted her chin up. "Who hit you, my child?" His voice was deep and soothing but the little girl tensed and refused to reply.
The monks that had brought her looked startled and peered closer. She did indeed have a bruise. How they had missed it, they did not know. But they hoped the Master would not think they had done it.
"What is your name child?" he asked.
"Serafina," she replied.
"That name means "angel". Are you an angel?" he demanded.
"No, sir," she answered.
The two monks twitched in surprise. What manner of child was this that would admit to being evil?
"No? Are you, evil?" he questioned further.
"No, sir," she answered.
"If you are not an angel nor are you evil, then what are you, my child?" His eyes were steely as he awaited her response.
"I am Serafina." She stared back, her gaze never wavering.
The two monks were astounded. This child was truly amazing. She had the poise of an adult but the simplistic answers of a child.
The Master looked at the child. "I know who we will give you to. He is always looking for children like you. Yes, I will give you to my brother. He is also known as "Master". You will serve him and our country." He turned to the two monks. "Feed her, give her a bath and then dress her in a simple robe reserved for the young boys who come to learn. I will call for transport. You will be given wings, little Serafina, but you will not be a good angel, no you will be an avenging one."
The two monks bowed to him and ushered the little girl from the room.
...Twenty years ago - Two weeks later...
Serafina sat sandwiched between the two monks who had been her constant companions since arriving at the monastery. They were nearing the remote retreat where she was to be given over to the Master's brother. Her bright interested gaze took in everything.
Finally the car stopped and she was bustled out. She looked up the short flight of stairs and then higher up, taking in the large castle that exuded menace and mystery. She shuffled nervously back and forth but said nothing.
The monks were uneasy but they each took her hand and together, they walked up the stairs and into the now open door. Inside was warmer and a large mastiff sat near the entrance growling softly.
Serafina looked at the dog. She growled low in her throat and said, "hush."
Instantly the dog quieted and the two monks fearfully stepped back away from the girl.
"Very good. You do have the gift. You two cowering simpletons may leave. You, girl, walk down the hall and take the first door on your left," the voice instructed.
Serafina gave only a quick glance at the monks before obediently going down the hall and taking the door on her left.
The monks hurriedly left. One whispered a prayer of protection for the poor girl on his way to the car. It would be the last time they saw the little girl.
Once inside the room, Serafina walked to the center and stood there. She didn't have long to wait. A masked man entered in the room, a whip in one hand.
Serafina didn't move. Her eyes were on the masked man's face. The man circled around her but her head did not move. Her eyes remained on the doorway as she waited for his next move.
With a quick flick of his wrist, the whip lashed out and struck Serafina's cheek, leaving a gash. Serafina didn't make a sound. She did tense but made no other movement.
"Impressive," the masked man said. He circled again, snapped the whip and opened a matching gash on the left cheek.
Serafina's bottom lip trembled but no noise did she utter.
"Hmm, let's see what this does for you," he said as he reached out, grabbed her arm and dragged her over to the desk. "You will place both hands on this desk. You will not move. You will make no sound. For every noise you make, you will receive an extra five lashes. Do you understand, Serafina?"
"Yes sir," Serafina replied softly her eyes focused on the desktop.
"Good girl," the masked man said before he ripped open the back of the robe she was wearing, exposing her back.
Stepping back, he raised the whip high and brought it down. The snap of the whip was like a gunshot and Serafina tensed, her hands clutching tightly at the edge of the desk.
The whip sang through the air, again and again. After ten minutes, Serafina's face was streaked with tears and her bottom lip was bleeding but no sound did she make.
The masked man stopped and walked up to her side. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder. He admired the bleeding welts on her back. He had done good work. She wouldn't scar too badly.
"It hurts, doesn't it?" he asked calmly.
Serafina nodded her head, too in pain and too afraid to speak aloud.
"Everything in life is meant to hurt. Take nothing for granted, abuse and use everyone, and always remain alone. Emotional attachments will lead you to an early grave. I will train you to have none. You will learn many things with me and you will be the best. Now, come, let us get something for your wounds."
Tenderly he lifted her hands from the desk, slid his hand over her smaller one and led her from the room.