Chapter Chapter Eighteen

Maya enjoyed the visit into the city. She had to stop and breathe in hard, still not believing that she was no longer in her human world. The buildings were impossible to even contemplate. Some had glass bridges connecting them to each other. They stood high and proud into the blue skies. The grounds was littered by people just like back home. There were restaurants with people enjoying food with their families and friends, some teens were skate-boarding on one side while toddlers and small kids were being ushered to a playgroung outside a mall on the other. The only difference was that there were several people flashing about the square, some taking off with their glassy wings flapping behind them or the occasional face contortions when someone was angry and was trying to make a point.

“How do you like it?” She felt a hand go around her shoulders before she was pulled closer to a tight body. She felt warm lips against her temple and looked up at Drake.

“This is amazing, Drake.” she admitted. “I feel like I am in an entirely new planet. It’s exhilarating!”

“Oh, look, isn’t that the king?” Maya heard someone whisper. A few girls standing a few meters from them gasped and squealed behind their hands as they started waving towards them.

“It is the king--and the queen!” someone exclaimed.

“There is the Jinn King and Lady Lyrah!”

Noelle sent Tyran the I-knew-this-would-happen look but the Lord Mage merely shrugged, following the two guards in front of them.

“Long live the King and Queen Mage!” Someone called out as the crowd grew larger.

Cell phones were whipped out and photographs were being taken as they followed them through the square.

“Hey, that’s the Dragon Commander!” a teenager giggled as she pointed towards Drake.“He is so hot!” she said and the group of blushing girls giggled.

Drake pursed his lips to stop a grin from spreading across his face and that had Maya frown. “It seems you are enjoying the attention from those teens.”

“I am the Sexy Dragon Commander. I can’t help it.” there wasn’t even an ounce of modesty in that comment, Maya thought vehemently.

“Commander Drake!” Someone called out.

Drake turned to the crowd and waved. A wave of squeals and cheers rang as they entered one of the malls. Two bulky guards remained outside to keep the crowd at bay while the royal convoy did their shopping.

“Maya, come over here.” Noelle pushed away from Tyran and apprpached a cosy looking shop. “This is my favorite shop. It has very good stuff.”

Maya shrugged off Drake’s hand but before she could leave, Drake grabbed her. “Not even a goodbye kiss?”

Maya shook her head though her entire body protested against the severed contact. “You can go get that from the teens.”

She turned around and walked off hearing the chuckle behind her. Maya was glad Drake was returning to his old self because she had missed him. He was too consumed with his work that he forgot to have good time and just let loose for a moment.

She followed queen Noelle and Lyrah into the shop where there were three asistants ready to help out. Drake, King Rhol and Lord Mage were standing outside keeping an eye out.

The shop had beautiful clothes made of materials Maya didn’t even know existed. She found herself running her hand over the clothes. An assistant quickly came to her.

“This is trending right now. It is a must-have.” She said excitedly touching the turquoise short dress that had matching accessories around it. “It is a hundred percent grisal.”

Maya nodded speechlessly because she had so many questions that she didn’t even know where to start. Her hand fell on the price tag but she wasn’t sure of the exchange rate.

Noelle touched Maya’s hand lightly. “Don’t worry about the price tag.” then unhooked the dress from the rail and turned to the assistant. “She’ll try it on.”

Maya turned to her in surprise. “No, I couldn’t.”

“Nonsense!” Noelle dismissed her objection with the wave of her hand. She made her way to the changing rooms. Maya noticed the way she stopped suddenly and turned to her, shoving the dress to her. ” Go on in. Don’t lock the door because we want to see how it looks on you.”

Maya had no choice but to try it on. She loved the way it held onto her overly moulded African-American hips and butt. It emphasized the small waist she had not to mention it gave a hint of her cleavage. It was such a beautiful dress. The material made it look like it was meant to be worn by a goddess.

“Are you done?” Maya heard the light knock on the door and turned to open it. Her face lost all color when she opened it and found three man eyeing her with intense glares.

“She cleans up nice.” A wicked smile appeared on Lord Mage’s face.

Noelle jabbed him on his ribs. “Be nice.”

A growl of warning escaped Drake’s lips as his hungry eyes scanned over her.

Maya turned red all over. She felt Drake’s eyes on every part he looked at her starting with the column of her neck, down to her cleavage, all the way to her small waist and flared hips and finally to the long sexy legs.

“What do you think?” She asked him, bitting her lower lip thinking he might say it was too much.

“I think it’s a keeper.” Rhol gruffed.

Lyrah frowned and turned to him. “She wasn’t asking you.”

Everyone turned to Drake and he pushed his fingers through his hair before breathing in hard. “I--Maya--” he stuttered leaving Lyrah and Noelle laughing.

“I think that is a yes.” Noelle clasped her hands together. “We are taking it!” She said to the asistant who was suddenly overwhelmed by the male presence.

Maya sighed and smiled then nodded. She liked it too. She went back inside the changed back they followed the two queens as they went around for more shopping. The men were right behind them.

By the time shopping was over, Maya was exhausted. The sun turned red and bloody as the fiery orb descended quietly down into the horizon by the time they made their way back. Maya felt happy because she was in the company of two amazing women. She would not have known them to be queens if she had just met them in the streets because they didn’t act pompous and stiff.

Maya was bobbing into sleep by the time the cars parked at the entrance. She dragged herself out as several servants came over to help them with their bags. Maya wanted to object but she didn’t want to offend the servants so she pursed her lips and turned to the men coming out from their car and stretching.

“I am starving.” Rhol grumbled as he approached his wife and pulled her into his arms before placing a long kiss on her lips. “Should we order in?”

Lyrah nodded softly.

Maya blushed on their behalf and turned away. Lord Mage tangled his fingers with Queen Noelle’s and took her inside muttering. “You need food and rest.”

Maya stood awkwardly before Drake. “Long day, huh?”

“You must be exhausted.” Drake noted. “Come on up. Dinner will be brought up in our quarters.”

She liked the sound of that but before she could answer, Drake’s phone rang. He cursed softly muttering along the lines of not liking being disturbed at night and answered it.

Maya watched as Drake’s face changed from being relaxed to being stunned. “What--how bad is the situation--who else was hurt--where is Serensa now?”

Maya felt her heart cease in her chest. Something must have happened to Serensa to get Drake that frightened, especially when she was put under his care.

“What did she say?” Drake growled in frustration. “Fine, I’ll go and find her there. In the meantime take care of Shancy and Twiska--alright, keep me posted.” he hung up.

“What happened?” Maya asked wrapping her hands around her arms to ward off the evening chill.

“There is a situation back in Tacinia. Serensa is gone and she injured Twiska and Shancy in the process.”

“Are they alright?” Maya asked.

“Their conditions are critical but they are being taken care of. Serensa has gone back to the Realm of Fire. We need to get there tomorrow.” Drake explained.

“Alright.”

Drake moved forward and placed his arms around her. “Heavens, you are freezing.”

Maya didn’t protest because suddenly she was feeling very cold. Drake took her upstairs and ran a hot bath for her. When he left, she thought he had left her to her privacy but as she sank into the hot water, Drake returned and started shedding his clothes and boots in front of her. Maya sank deeper into the water leaving behind her nose and eyes. She just couldn’t keep herself from watching him.

When he was done, he slipped behind her into the slick water and lifted her up before depositing her into his lap, facing him.

“You are so beautiful.” he whispered to himself as he pushed away the wet locks from her face. He looked so besotted by her that Maya was left wordless.

Drake rested his head against her chest and sighed softly. She could tell that he was very tired and she wished there was a way she could help him. Instead she reached for the soap and lathered it on his body, gently massaging his shoulders and back while he rested his head on her chest.

He purred at every stroke she did, the spikes on his back raising every once in a while. Maya caressed them downwards being very careful that they didn’t prick her.

After she was done with his back, she shampooed his hair and rinsed it before applying the same treatment on the other parts of his body.

They stood together under the shower rinsing each other.

“I am sorry I am not very attentive with you today...” he murmured as he kissed her shoulder while standing behind her in the shower. “It’s been a long day.”

Maya turned to him running her hands over his wet chest. Though she wanted him with with every fiber of her being, he was exhausted and the last thing she wanted was to have him pass out on her. “I know. You should eat and go straight to bed.”

Drake grinned as he flashed his body against hers and leaned down slowly before kissing her tenderly. Maya felt the vicious clenching of her womb but she pushed the feelings aside and enjoyed the thorough kissing that Drake was giving her.

Food didn’t take long to be eaten and within half an hour, the steady chest movement and light breathing of Drake told Maya that he had fallen asleep. He looked so young and handsome in his sleep. Maya couldn’t help but outline the contours of his face with her fingers. He was perfect....more than perfect. He was exactly what she wanted and more. Her friends would have been green with envy if they met him.

She sighed and snuggled closer to him. She was going to stand by him no matter what. Though Piper warned her of the hard times to come, she wasn’t going to let him face whatever it was alone. Drake muttered her name in her sleep and pulled her into his arms.

“Give me your hand, Maya.” Zach tried to get Maya to accept his outstretched hand but Maya wouldn’t have it.

“Why can’t we drive there?” She turned to Drake feeling panic streaking through her veins.

“It’s a four day drive from here, there are no planes and the express trains get me queasy.” Drake answered. “This takes a few seconds. You won’t feel it so much.”

Maya looked at Zach then back at Drake. “What if we get lost in time? Haven’t you read about that?”

“That happens if you use gateways. The worst that could happen is if I take you to the mountain peak instead.” Zach assured her.

Maya didn’t feel at all comfortable with that but Drake took her hand and squeezed it softly. “I will be with you.”

“Count to three--it helps for first-timers.” Zach said when finally Maya allowed him to take her hand.

Maya turned to the three women standing beside their mates. She got to meet and talk to Eva, the first vampire she had ever come across. She was very nice...a little clumsy and spontaneous but very nice. “I guess I will see you around? She asked nervously.

They nodded.

“Have a safe journey.” Queen Noelle said.

“Call us when you get there. Queen Malenna is a good female. She will take care of you.” Queen Lyrah added.

Maya nodded and turned to Drake and Zach. She sighed and started counting. “One--”

The air around her shifted as if there was a slight breeze. She felt a little light headed as her surroundings were suddenly blurred. She tightened her hold on Drake’s hand and closed her eyes. When she opened them, the were no longer at the Mage Fortress but in front of a huge brown and black stone Fortress.

Maya looked around and everything was different; the landscape was different and even the air around it. “You lied to me.” Maya accused Zach. “You said to count to three!”

Zach grinned. “It always helps not to think about it.”

“Welcome to the Realm of Fire.” a man dressed in a dark green uniform approached them dressed in a dark green uniform. He had two guards dressed in different uniforms.

“High Lord Wren.” Drake inclined his head and so did Zach.

Maya stood awkwardly between the two men, feeling slightly uncomfortable when Lord Wren’s eyes fell on her.

“Finally I get to meet the human mate.” He moved closer to her and Maya had to refrain from moving behind Drake. “Come over here sweetheart, I can’t do anything to you if I want my head to remain where it is.”

Maya looked at Drake who had suddenly stiffened but he gave a small nod. Maya slowly shuffled towards the man who looked a little older but handsome nonetheless. She accepted his hand and had to grit her teeth at the sudden shiver and discomfort that passed through her body. Lord Wren pulled her closer and inhaled deeply. He smirked at her.

“Honeysuckle.” He said then inclined his head to her as if she were a queen. “Welcome to the Fire Fortress.”

“Anymore ass-kissing, Lord Wren and the female is bound to run away.” a teasing voice came from behind as three more men joined them.

Irritation skittered on Lord Wren who slowly turned to the man behind. “Know your place, Aleric.”

“Aleric?” Drake’s voice trembled slightly catching the man’s attention.

He moved from behind Lord Wren, his angel face brightening with a grin as he laid his eyes on the confused Drake. He was slightly larger than Drake but they stood at the same height.

“Drake.” He flashed his straight teeth at Drake. “I have been waiting for this day for a long time.”

Drake was utterly stunned by the man standing in front of him. Emotions not even Maya could describe danced his eyes. “You are here?”

“He is the second in command.” Lord Wren said with distaste.

Drake’s eyebrows snapped up as Aleric approached him. As he grinned, Maya noticed the little cute dimples that appeared on his cheeks.

“I told myself I will do this the moment I see you.” Aleric said as he stood in front of Drake.

“What?” Drake asked.

No one was prepared for what followed because Aleric punched Drake on his stomach and sent him staggering to the ground. Maya cried out and would have moved towards him if Lord Wren didn’t obscure her path.

“That is for disappearing without word, you coward.” Aleric growled, his eyes flashing. “I was like a brother to you. I took care of you and watched your back at every chance I got but what did you do? you fled!”

“Aleric.” Drake breathed in hard still clutching his stomach. “I’m sorry.”

Aleric straightened up and his hand shot out, clasping Drake’s and helping him to his feet. “That is all I wanted from you, you overbearing late bloomer! An apology.”

Drake was pulled into a bro hug as Aleric chuckled.

“You packed out quite well for a late bloomer.” He teased.

Drake smirked. “Don’t fuck around with me, I pack a mean fight as well.”

“That, I will like to see. It’s great to see you again--charm caster.” Aleric turned to Zach who stared at him with stormy eyes. “You have over-stayed your welcome.”

Zach stuck out his middle finger towards Aleric as He vanished right in front of them. Maya still wasn’t used to seeing people disappearing like that but she was suddenly brought back to be the center of attention.

“Not only have you packed out well, you have a mate.” Aleric breathed in hard turning to her.

Maya felt color stain her entire body as all the males turned to her.

Drake held his hand out to her and Maya didn’t even stutter in accepting it. She was glad to move away from the suspicious Lord Wren who eyes were scrutinizing her like a bug under the microscope.

“This is Maya.” Drake introduced her to his childhood friend. Maya was glad to meet someone from Drake’s past because he looked awfully alone and lonely most of the time.

“Pleasure meeting you, Miss. I am Aleric, second in command to the Royal Fire Army and Drake’s older brother.”

Drake scoffed. “More like that one person you couldn’t help hating and envying.”

Aleric’s eyes smouldered. “I hope the past is in the past and we can start afresh. Now, I am the one envying you--with her and all.”

“The Queen is waiting. We better go in before the two of you stand out here the whole morning--where is Serensa?”

Drake’s face turned grim. “We need to talk about that.”

Lord Wren narrowed his eyes but gave a short nod before they were taken inside.

Drake held Maya’s hand as they were taken into the Fire Fortress. So many memories kept replaying in his mind. He remembered walking those hallways when they defeated Kruk and Queen Malenna had called for him. Drake thought the Queen was going to throw him into a dungeon for the rest of his miserable life because he was the son of the male who brought grief and death in the lands of the Fire Realm but instead she had asked him if he wanted to join her ranks, become one of her warriors because, though he had not gone through his transformation, she saw the determined spirit he possessed.

She was not the only one who saw it. The Lord Mage was there too and once Queen Malenna was done speaking, the Lord Mage got up and asked that he let Drake train with the best warriors to become the best. Everyone in the Enchanted World knew the Realm of Spells had the most feared warriors under the strict rule of the Lord Mage. Being asked to join his ranks was a priviledge.

“He is allowed to return home whenever he feels like it, I will not stop him.” Tyran had told the Dragon Queen.

Queen Malenna was a little distrusting because of what happened in her own lands but Drake assured her that he would return to her army whenever the need arose.

Drake’s heart twisted in his chest. He felt like he broke that promise because he never returned to the ranks of the Fire Army. One of the reasons was that he didn’t believe anyone would accept him standing among them when his father was the one who started the great war. Like Aleric had said ealier, Drake was a coward.

The light squeezing of his hand from Maya brought him back to reality. He turned to her and smiled lightly as they were taken into one of the conference rooms. When they entered, Drake was surprised to find several of the Nobles there and the Dragon Queen sitting up in her throne. When she laid her eyes on him, they flashed showing Dame, her dragon was judging them, scanning for any malicious intentions around him.

A smile appeared on her lips as she got up, her royal gown swishing around her. Four of her guards quickly jumped up in attention and accompanied her down the steps.

“Drake!” She grinned.

The Dragon Queen had a honey-gold flawless complexion with midnight hair that flowed down to her back. Her brown eyes were intelligent as she took him and his mate in. Drake was very sure she must have sensed it before they even entered that room. Though she was smiling, Drake could see the sadness in her eyes. There was so much she was doing but the rogues were proving difficult. Drake had never seen someone give their very soul to achieve peace in their lands like the way Queen Malenna did. She gave up the search of her mate and didn’t even have a child to take over, all because she concentrated her attention on her Realm and people.

She extended her hands to him and Drake quickly accepted them as he bowed down low to her. “My Queen.”

“I am happy to see you here, finally. And you bring a mate?” She turned her attention to Maya.

“I told you so, sister mine.” Lord Wren sauntered and stood beside his sister. “And she is human. Isn’t that interesting?”

“Wren, stop your nonsense...come here dear, let me look at you.” Queen Malenna turned to Maya. Maya moved from Drake and stood in front of the Dragon Queen. “My! Aren’t you enchanting? Dame thinks so too. ”

“You have a dragon too--like Serensa?” Maya blurted out then her entire face reddened as she muttered I’m sorry which made Drake chuckle softly.

Queen Malenna laughed. “Yes, I have a dragon. Dame is her name. You might meet her one of these days.”

“Hopefully it is not within the Fortress walls, sister mine.” Wren teased his sister, taking her hand and leading her back to her seat. “Juliet, show the young human to her quarters. We have some serious talks with her mate.”

A female came forward and bobbed before she took Maya away. Drake turned his entire attention to the five Nobles who were sitting quietly watching him with loathing, admiration and disblief dancing in their flagrant eyes. Drake wasn’t there to make friends with anyone. He was there to make sure the Queen’s life was not in danger and also to see an elder because of Maya’s condition.

Drake and Aleric took their seats in front of the Nobles while Wren and Malenna sat up on the podium and the guards took their positions beside the two seats and at the doors.

“I am sorry that four of our Nobles could not make it but their messengers will take the message to them. I think most of you remember Drake, son of Kruk.”

The Nobles grunted and turned their eyes to him, their distrust discerning in them. For all he knew, their might think he was the new Rogue leader.

“And second in command to the Royal Mage Army.” Aleric added, his deep voice echoing through the room.

When Drake turned to him, Aleric was grinning but his eyes were hard at the judgmental lot in front of them.

“He is a male of worth, a warrior unlike any other and we should be grateful that he is here.” Queen Malenna said.

“Why is he here in the first place?” One of the Nobles asked.

Queen Malenna turned to the Noble then to Drake. “Because the Realm of Fire is under threat once more from the rogue dragons.”

Drake didn’t miss the stiffening of Aleric’s body next to him. He was surprised that not even the Fire Army’s second in command knew of the threat hovering over his Realm.

Murmurings burst out in the conference room as everyone was trying to figure out what was happening. Drake got to his feet and they all fell silent looking up at him. “Several days ago, Ron spoke to the Lord Mage and told him that he had a message for me from the new Rogue leader. At first we thought he was toying with us but several events happened in the Northern sector that prompted me to sought him out and listen to him. These events included the Possession of Serensa and the killing of the rogue dragons using spells. It meant that the new leader has aligned himself with a sorcerer.”

“Where is Serensa?” Lord Wren’s face tigthened in fear. “Did something happen to her?”

“Serensa has escaped. She wounded two of my people and disappeared but she left the message that she is waiting for me here, in the Realm of Fire.” Drake asnwered.

“What did Ron tell you? Did he give you anything that could help us find out who this fucker is?” Aleric asked, his knuckles crackling under the intense fists he curled.

“Ron didn’t say a name but he told me that the Realm of Fire throne is in the danger of being taken from Queen Malenna once more and that the Rogues are mobilizing as we speak.”

“Where is Ron? We need to question him further.” Lord Wren stood up and from his, his anger evident. “The Lord Mage must agree to bring him here because this is larger than just the Realm of Spells.”

“Ron is dead. The Lord Mage killed him right after he started talking in riddles and threatened the Mage Queen.” Drake gritted his teeth. He was still angry at the fact that the Lord Mage killed Ron just before he could get good information from him.

Lord Wren went back to his seat. Queen Malenna’s face was as white as a ghost.

“Did he give you a hint on when all this might happen?” She asked, her voice weak.

Drake shook his head. “He just said that the clock was ticking and that this time around, the throne was going to be taken.”

“No one is taking anything!” Aleric got up from his seat and banged his fists on the table. “Not when I am the second in command of this Realm.”

“You need to mobilize your army as soon as possible. The Lord Mage is ready to give a helping hand where it is needed.” Drake turned to his friend.

Aleric gave a short nod and turned around to leave.

“Hey, what is that?” Maya’s eyes widened as she passed an open room where there was a large crystal carved version of her pendant displayed on a podium.

Juliet stopped at turned to see what she was pointing. “That is a very sacred stone for the Realm of Fire.”

“I have something just like that--well, I had. I lost it.” Maya explained and Juliet’s face ashened.

“You--you what?”

“You had something like this?” A man opened the door and narrowed his eyes at her. “And how do you know it is exactly like this?”

Maya got a little upset that the man was calling her a liar. She approached him. “I had a pendant that belonged to my grandmother and it was of the same shape and cut except of the size. My Ruby Red Teardrop on the Fiery Terrain.”

“Oh heavens!” Juliet gasped taking a step back from her. There was utter stun on her face.

“What did you just say?” The man asked her softly.

Maya didn’t know what she said wrong. She remembered when she said the same thing to Piper, the woman’s face turned as white as paper. Did those words mean something in the enchanted world. “My grandmother used to call it, Her Ruby Red Teardrop of The Fiery Terrain.”

Both Juliet and the man looked at her as if she had suddenly sprouted horns. But that wouldn’t have shocked them as much because she bet something like that happened often in that world.

“You can go, dear.” The man turned to Juliet then looked at her. “Why don’t you come on inside and we talk about this pendant of yours.”

Maya didn’t trust the man but she was curious as to how he got the exact replica of her grandmother’s pendant in his office. When she entered, he closed the door softly behind her and walked to the crystal monument.

“My name is Sabine and I am a Dragon Elder. Do you know what that is?” He asked her tracing the small words carved on the podium.

Maya shook her head. “You are a million years old?”

He chuckled. “No, I am a scholar and historian in the Dragon and Phoenix legands and myths. I study the past in order to forge a better future. I am also the Queen’s advisor.” he moved from the monument towards a book shelf of very old books. His deft fingers went over the leather covers as if he was looking for a particular book. “Where are you from, my dear?”

“Earth,” Maya answered and Sabine stopped before he turned to her in confusion. “I’m human.” she explained.

“Well, that explains a lot.” He said as he continued to look through the books. “How did your grandmother find her pendant?”

Maya shrugged. “I don’t know. She told me it had been in the family for generations. It’s a bugger that I am the one to finally lose it.” She grumbled.

“It may disappear but it is never lost.” Sabine muttered almost to himself.

“That’s exactly what she used to say!” Maya exclaimed in surprise. “How did you know that?”

Sabine pulled out a book and shuffled several pages before approaching her. “Because before it was lost to the human Realm, my family was protector of the Scarlet Shield, The Ruby Red Teardrop on The Fiery Terrain--the last salvation for the people of the Realm of Fire from damnation of the Dark Energy. It was believed to have been created from the blood tears of the war gods Sijen and Ijuan. If you have been to the city of Agore, I think you would have seen their monuments on the Agailan Bridge.” He said pushing the book towards her and pointing to the well-drawn illustration of the pendant.

“Oh my Goodness!” Maya breathed as she caressed the page. “This is my grandmother’s pendant!”

Sabine sat down in front of her and placed his hands under his chin. His green eyes studied her carefully. “How is it that you came to possess it in the first place?”

Maya pursed her lips as her eyes scanned over the strange writing scribbled on the pages. “When my grandmother died, it was the only thing that I inherited from her even though she had millions in her bank accounts not to mention all the houses, cars and businesses she had.”

“Then your grandmother must have known what it was when she entrusted it to you. She must have known of its importance. The Scarlet Shield was lost to this world after the great war with Kruk. One of the rogues took it to the human Realm. This rogue dragon could be one of your ancestors.” Sabine explained.

Maya felt her entire body go cold. Her family had roots with dragons? Rogue ones to make it worse? “It can’t be. How come no one told me about it?”

“It could be that they didn’t know it themselves. When enchanted beings go into the human world, parts of them lose their energies because the human world does not support enchanted energies. No one believes in magic and in other beings apart from the human race there. When dragons are there, their dragons go into deep hibernation and if they stay there longer than necessary, this part of part them disappears completely and they become almost human.” Sabine said.

“So, you are trying to say I might have dragon blood running inside me?” Maya looked down at herself. This was all too much to take in.

Sabine nodded. “And by your scent, I can tell that you are mated to a dragon.”

“I am mated to Drake.”

Sabine’s eyes widened. “Drake, son of Kruk?”

“Yes.”

Sabine nodded as if something had suddenly made sense to him. “I see. I think when you mated with Drake, something in you changed. You must feel a little different, right?” When she nodded he continued. “It could be that the mating and claiming might have tiggered the dragon blood in you, making you half human, half dragon.”

“But I don’t have scales and a forked tongue.” She felt panic well up in her gut. “I am still human.”

Sabine smiled. “Dragon females don’t change into fully fledged dragons unless they are from royal bloodline or from a very ancient bloodline like Serensa and her family. She is from the Saphyr Blooodline, very--very ancient bloodline thought to be the bloodline of gods but had perished a long time back. Serensa and her family could be the last remaining Saphyrs in the whole of the enchanted world.”

But that didn’t help Maya with her increasing fear. “Will I go into heat? Will my baby be a small dragon?”

Sabine chuckled. “You have nothing to worry about. I think with the generations of your family, you only have about a pint of dragon blood in you though if you are mated to a dragon, you will do into heat and yes, your baby will be a dragon--well technically it will be human for the first eighteen--nineteen years of its life but will undergo the tranformation to become a dragon during puberty.”

“Oh, God. I think I am going to be sick.” She touched her heaving stomach. “And what about the pendant, did it chose me because I have dragon blood in me? Was it why I appeared to Drake?”

Sabine nodded. “That could be it. It could be it guided you to the person who would protect you and it.”

“But it is just a pendant! It has always been a pendant. I have not seen anything special happen.”

“It is The Scarlet Shield; one of the five Mortal Locks used to banish the Dark Energy from this world.” Sabine told her.

Two things came into mind when Sabine was talking; it was either the man was a total nutcase, or she was for listening to him. “So, what does it do?”

“It is a shield. It protects the wielder from any possible danger to their lives. Everyone wants to possess it but it only appears to the one it feels is worthy and in this case, it is you.”

“So, that is the reason why that hideous thing in my dreams thought I could find it?” Maya muttered.

“They know you have it.” Sabine’s head snapped up in alert. “Your life may be in danger, dear. You need to be careful on who you associate with. We need to know where it is so that we protect it. There is a book that has the words to make it show itself but I don’t know where it is. I’ll look for it but in the mean time, you keep yourself safe, okay?”

Maya was getting scared. It seemed like everywhere she turned, someone was trying to harm her. “How do I keep myself safe when I don’t even know who will try to hurt me?”

Sabine smiled. “Let your heart tell you who to trust and who not to. If the shield is close by, it will always protect you from those who would want to harm you.” He quickly got up and started searching in his shelves for the book.

Suddenly, Maya heard the light clicking of the door. She turned around and saw the handle being released.

Someone was listening to them! She quickly jumped up from her chair and rushed out. A dark head disappeared around the corner. Maya ran towards it, her heart beating tumultously in her ribs but as she rounded the corner, the person was long gone. She turned around and smacked her face on a warm chest.

“Hey there, are you okay?” It was Aleric and he looked so worried as he looked down at her.

“I’m fine but someone was watching me in Sabine’s office.”

Aleric narrowed his eyes. “What were you doing in Sabine’s office?”

“We were just talking and there was someone listening to us. He ran that way.” She pointed down the corridor.

“Get back in Sabine’s office and keep the doors locked.” Aleric removed his blade and started for the corridor. “I’ll take care of this.”

Maya heeded his words and went back to find Sabine still looking for the book. She entered and closed the door behind then took in a deep breath to try and calm herself down. She wished Drake was done wherever he was so that he came to take her away.