Page 27 of Stolen By Dragons

We didn’t need to wind up in a sad state. My own parents and I weren’t close, but it didn’t bother me. I was my own person, a free spirit, and I didn’t see an issue with it.

Eventually, Aria yawned, the events of the day finally catching up with her. "I should probably get some sleep," she said reluctantly. "We probably have another long day of training ahead of us tomorrow."

I nodded, rising to my feet. "Indeed. Rest well, Aria. And remember, if you ever need someone to talk to..."

She smiled, warmth radiating from her expression. "I know where to find you. Thanks, Zephyr. For everything."

As I watched her walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness wash over me. Aria was so new to this world, so vulnerable in many ways. And yet, there was a strength in her that I admired. A resilience that shone through despite everything she'd been thrown into.

I made my way back to my own quarters, my mind swirling with thoughts of fae courts, shifter bonds, and the strange twists of fate that had brought us all together.

And the fascinating Aria with all her wonder.

10

ARIA

The soft glow of twilight filtered through my balcony doors, casting long shadows across my room. I paced back and forth, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. Ossian's desperate request from earlier echoed in my head, mingling with what Zephyr had told me of the bloodlust, of what Ossian had expressed he was afraid of.

I paused, glancing at the door. The vampire halls weren't far. I could easily slip out, find Ossian's room, and... what? Offer myself as a meal? The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on me. Just days ago, I was a counselor in a community center, my biggest worry being about calling protective services on a teen whose parents drank too much and verbally abused her. Now, I was in a magical realm, contemplating letting a vampire feed on me.

"What am I thinking?" I muttered as I shook my head. Helping a vampire feed? It was crazy. Dangerous, even. And yet...

We were all in this together, weren't we? Thrown into this strange new world, facing an unknown threat. If Ossian needed help, shouldn't I offer it?

Ossian's words about falling into a bloodlust state if he didn't feed soon haunted me. The idea of him losing control, potentially hurting others or himself, made my stomach churn. We couldn't afford that kind of chaos, not with everything else we were facing. Besides, with how the others spoke of vampires, it was not going to end pretty.

I was the only one who could help him. Who was willing to.

I thought about Chris, about the growing connection between us. What would he think if he knew I was considering this? But then again, we weren't officially together. And this wasn't about romance – it was about survival, wasn't it? Not to mention he’d shut me out after our kiss.

I clenched my jaw at the horrible memory.

We were going to be at war in a matter of months, a war we might not survive.

I swallowed down the dark thought, not wanting to even entertain it. We needed all of us, vampires included.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I opened my door and stepped into the hallway. The corridor was quiet, most of its occupants likely in their rooms this late at night. I made my way towards the vampire section, my heart pounding with each step.

As I approached the first door in the vampire wing, uncertainty gripped me. Which room was Ossian's? I hesitated, then knocked softly, hoping I wasn't about to make a terrible mistake.

The door swung open, revealing a statuesque woman with long, dark hair and piercing green eyes. She looked me up and down, her gaze cold and assessing. I felt like a mouse being sized up by a cat.

"Well, well," she drawled, leaning against the doorframe. Her voice was melodious, with an accent I couldn't quite place. "What do we have here? A little human, all alone in the vampire halls. How... delicious."

I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to take a step back. My heart was racing, and I knew she could probably hear it. Chris and Zephyr had said they had heightened hearing, most supes did. But vampires had a knack for hearing the blood pumping through your veins.

Still, I forced myself to stand my ground. "I'm looking for Ossian," I managed to say, proud that my voice didn't waver.

The vampire's lips curled into a smirk. "Are you now? And what business could a human possibly have with one of us?" Her tone was mocking, but I detected a hint of genuine curiosity beneath it.

"That's between me and him," I replied, lifting my chin slightly. I might be out of my depth, but I wasn't about to be intimidated.

Mind you, she could rip my throat out before I could even blink, I realized.

No, I wouldn’t let that scare me now.

She chuckled, the sound both musical and menacing. "Oh, you've got spirit. I like that." She jerked her head towards the next door. "He's down there. But word of advice, little one? You might want to stay away from our halls. For your own good."

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