Page 11 of Stolen By Dragons

"Why just me?" I wondered aloud, fear creeping into my voice. "Is it because I'm human? Or..." I trailed off, not sure how to even frame the questions swirling in my mind. The idea that I might have been specifically targeted was terrifying.

"Add it to the list of things to ask about when we get the chance," Christopher said, his tone reassuring but his eyes betraying his concern. He leaned forward, his posture protective. "We'll figure this out, Aria. You're not alone in this."

Just then, the vampire from earlier returned from the dining hall. This time, he glanced our way as he passed, his dark eyes lingering on me for a moment. I felt a shudder course through me, a mix of unease and... something else. Now that I had a better chance to look at him, I couldn't help but notice how strikingly handsome he was, with sharp cheekbones and an air of ancient mystery about him. His gaze was intense, almost predatory, and I found myself unable to look away.

As he disappeared down the vampire corridor, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. The tension in the group eased slightly, but an undercurrent of wariness remained.

"Okay," I said, turning back to the others, my voice a bit shaky. "I think I'm going to need a lot more information about vampires, too."

Zephyr grinned, a mischievous glint returning to his eye. "Oh, that's a whole other crash course, my dear. But don't worry, we've got time." His lighthearted tone seemed to break some of the tension, and I found myself smiling despite everything.

As our conversation continued, I couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and excitement. I was in over my head, that much was clear. But I was also at the threshold of something extraordinary. And as I looked at the faces around me - Christopher's steadfast concern, Zephyr's ethereal otherworldly air, Lydia's calm curiosity - I realized that whatever came next, I wouldn't be facing it alone.

"Alright then," I said, leaning forward with renewed determination. My fear was still there, but alongside it was a growing sense of purpose. Whatever was going on here, whatever I was part of now, I was determined to understand it. "Tell me everything. I've got a lot of catching up to do."

As they began to delve deeper into the intricacies of their hidden world, I settled in, ready to learn. This was just the beginning, I realized. The start of a journey that would change everything I thought I knew about the world – and myself.

5

CHRISTOPHER

As we entered the dining hall, I couldn't help but glance at Aria. Her soft brown eyes were wide with wonder, taking in the magical ceiling and the shimmering dragons locked in their eternal battle overhead. Even though she'd seen it before, the awe hadn't faded from her face. It was... endearing.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the protective instinct that had been growing since I first caught her human scent. She was alone here, the only one of her kind among us supernatural beings. It struck a chord with me, reminding me of my own outsider status within my pack. Not to mention there was something else, something that drew me to her, made my wolf pace within me.

"Come on," I said, gently touching her elbow to guide her. "Let's find a seat before all the good spots are taken."

Whilst we’d been talking in the communal area, Elowen had returned with another group. People had been asking questions, but she dismissed them as well, giving them the same spiel. There had to be thirty or forty of us total now, and from thescents in the communal room, Aria was still the only human. Plenty of werewolves and shifters, along with an array of fae. Only a handful of vampires total though, which I was grateful for. Ever since I’d first smelled their uniquely dead scent, I’d never been a fan. There was just something wrong about them.

We made our way to a table near the middle of the room, Zephyr and Lydia following close behind. As we settled in, I watched Aria marvel at the spread before us. Platters of food covered every inch of the table, some familiar, others completely alien. Her fascination with the strange, colorful fruits and shimmering vegetables was almost childlike. A wonder that a fair few of us mirrored.

At the far end of the hall, on a slightly raised dais, sat another table. Elowen and Eirian were there, along with several other Dracarians. Even from this distance, the aura of power they exuded was pressing. I noticed Aria shrink slightly in her seat, clearly intimidated. She wasn’t alone in that sensation, but many of us fought the need to withdraw in on ourselves.

"Hey," I said softly, leaning in so only she could hear me. "You okay?"

She nodded, offering a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, just... it's a lot, you know?"

I did know. The urge to protect her, to shield her from all of this, surged through me again, confusing me. I tamped it down, reminding myself that she was stronger than she looked. She had to be, she’d stood up to one of them, impressing all of us, which, ultimately, would come in her favor, as some supes looked down on humans as a lesser species. She needed the boost in the ranks here.

Elowen's voice rang out across the hall, silencing the murmur of conversation. "Welcome, all. The food before you is from the lands of Dracaria. I assure you, it is safe for consumption by all beings present. Please, enjoy your meal. Once we have finisheddining, I will explain why you have been brought here. Please do not demand answers before. Enjoy our hospitality and the foods our lands have to offer. Then we will share everything, you have my word.”

Clearly, she’d noticed the unease and lack of people eating as they surveyed the foods on offer. I half-expected someone to shout something out and to demand answers, but it was obvious we all sensed their power enough to bide our time and see how this played out.

To my surprise, Aria appeared to be the first to take Elowen at her word, picking up a bright pink fruit of some kind and biting into it.

“Ohh, this is sweet!” she exclaimed, and Lydia shrugged as she plucked one for herself, chomping into it and nodding in agreement.

Slowly, people began eating when there was no signs of poisoning or whatever else they were waiting for.

I wouldn’t lie and say I wasn’t starving either. Wolves ran hot and our metabolisms were fast, so I was always hungry and ready to eat an entire cow when given the chance.

As the room filled with the sounds of eating and quiet conversation, I found my gaze drawn to the five figures at a table on the far side of the room. Vampires. My hackles rose instinctively, especially when I saw the dark-haired one staring intently at Aria. There was only one woman amongst them, and they sat with no food before them, just watching the rest of us eat.

“All vampires?" Aria whispered, following my gaze.

I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the growl building in my throat. "Yeah, looks like there's five of them total. Best to keep our distance for now."

She turned her attention back to our table, but I could see the unease in the set of her shoulders. Protectiveness surgedthrough me again. Whatever was going on here, whatever reason we'd been brought to this strange realm, I knew one thing for certain: I was going to do everything in my power to keep Aria safe. As to why, I couldn’t say for sure. Maybe it was her innocence among all of us, the fact she was a loner, much like I’d been.

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