The Dragon's Mark by Alex Archer

This collection of excerpts introduces a narrative centered around Annja Creed, a historian and co-host of a television show, who carries the mystical sword of Joan of Arc. She becomes entangled with Roux and Garin, two men granted extended lifespans due to their past association with Joan. An attack on Roux's estate by individuals leaving an origami dragon prompts Annja to investigate, leading her to discover a notorious international assassin known as the Dragon, who also wields a significant sword. The story follows Annja's efforts to understand this new threat, protect Roux, and decipher the connection between their unique swords and the Dragon's pursuit. The narrative culminates in a tense confrontation and a desperate rescue in a Japanese garden.