Chapter 1Don't be merciful in the end.

A relentless blizzard had gripped the city for over sixty days, burying it under a suffocating blanket of ice and snow, bringing all life to a standstill.

I volunteered to find supplies, only to be locked out by my family when I returned with them.

I begged and pleaded, but they never opened the door. I froze to death right on my own doorstep.

After I died, my dad dragged the supplies inside. My brother, Mark, then hauled my body out to the curb, kicking me one last time for good measure.

"If you hadn't been such a busybody, our Leo would have been born in the Year of the Dragon! This is all your fault! See? This is your punishment for messing with our true Dragon Child!"

It was then I realized my whole family resented me for causing my little nephew to be born prematurely!

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the night my sister-in-law, Sarah, was about to go into labor.

My mom, Debbie, was clutching my hand, her grip like a vice. "Our Leo is a true Dragon Child! He *must* be born in the Year of the Dragon!"