Page 5 of The Exiled Dragon

I loved to imagine the perfect man. Doing creative writing exercises was always fun. The perfectly handsome man falls for the nerdy girl and teaches her about life. Yeah, that kind of romance. That sort of thing doesn't exist.

Gazing at my father one last time, I noticed his gaunt cheeks. It wasn't him. His spirit was no longer there. He told me not to cry the day before he landed here. He said I wasn't allowed to and that death was the next great adventure. I only laughed at him, telling him I wouldn't. It was a lie.

Now we are on day four, and there is no hope for him to return to me. Rubbing his hands once more, the nurses quietly walk in. One with a paper in hand for the death certificate, even though we all know his mind is gone. The nurse nodded to me, asking if I wanted to press the button to turn the machine off. I shook my head sadly, kissing my father's cheek. The room grows dark. The nurses call out the time, and I grab the bill that I know I will never be able to pay.

Despite the storm growing inside me, the weather was sunny. If only some sort of deity could realize what a terrible day it was and reflect my mood with the weather. Crossing my arms, I decide to walk back home. I needed all the money I could get. Saving fifty bucks and walking sounded like a good idea.

My steps continued to be heavy. I stopped paying attention to the noises around me. It was just me, my thoughts, and the heartache. To lose a father and have it hurt this much, how would it be for one of my characters to lose a loved one? I've never been one to write a tragedy, but it might be time for one with my mood. All the manuscripts sitting in my room still sit. All of them are happy-loving endings. Adding a random book of tragedy didn't seem too bad.

I pulled my bag over my shoulder. Gripping it tightly, I passed by a darkened alleyway. A flick of glitter was thrown in the street. Stopping, I glanced down at the sidewalk. I thought it was glitter, it was just here. Glancing down the alley, I saw nothing. My mind was playing tricks, my emotions were churning in my chest, and now it was playing with my head. I'm getting sucked into one of my father's fantasy worlds.

The flick of glitter slung out at my feet again. Pulling out my cell phone, I turned on the light. Nothing was in the immediate area where glitter could be thrown out. There could be something behind a trash can, maybe a child trying to start trouble. Walking three feet in, moving the can, a creature that could only be created by my sorrow stood flicking his wings. He was small, with dark hair and clothing to match his wings.

I rubbed my eyes; indeed, I was dreaming. Smelling too much disinfectant was messing with me. Little rings floated about my ears. The little Fairy turned, showing off a pair of dark wings. It was completely black except for tanned skin. Backing away, I knew this had to be trouble. You don't just walk into an alley, and a creature that is so out of this world is friendly to you. It was the classic trope for a novel.

Backing away, not looking, keeping my eyes glued to him so it did not jump me in surprise, I bumped into a soft body. Gasping, I turned to find a woman dressed in a dark purple cloak. Hands were hidden, but the look on her face was familiar. Her eyes were like mine. Purple in color. "It's been a long time." The youthful hand reached for my cheek. The voice was deep and sultry, the epitome of beauty. "You look just like him. Except for your eyes." Her fingers trail my cheek, too stunned to move.

"W-who are you? How do you know me?" Her dark red lips curved into a smile.

"Figured he wouldn't keep a picture of me. Why would he when you have my eyes looking into his soul every day?”

"Y-you are my mother?" My hand slapped my chest. She had been gone for so long. If I ever met her, the questions I had were all written in a notebook, one so carefully tucked away under my pillow. My heart knew never to ask my dad about her, but she was here. Why did she leave me? Leave us?

"Why did you leave? Why are you back?" The questions poured from my mouth like lava. They were hot, almost hurtful. I had just lost my father only to gain a lost mother who may or may not have good intentions. Scratch that. She did not have good intentions.

Her relaxed posture only prickled my skin in irritation. This woman had left me, just a baby, and she dared show up... now.

"I'm here because I need to pay my debt." She roamed her gaze to the streets outside. Little children giggled at the park across the street. Street vendors were selling food, trinkets, and the like. All of those things were more important to look at than the daughter she hadn’t seen in years.

"If you are looking for money, I haven't got any. In fact, I need money." Shuffling my bag over my shoulder, I went to leave only to have the little dark Fairy pull at my leg. My mother huffed, her shoes clicking towards me.

"Money?" she scoffed. "If only it were that simple, but unfortunately, payment is collected differently where I live." Her index finger brushed my jaw. The long painted claw nicked my chin. I shoved her away harshly.

"You will be able to pay your debt with your body." Jumping away bitterly, I strode back to the light, away from the alley, only to be jerked around by an invisible hand.

"Now hold still. I've got just enough for one last trip," she cruelly spoke while a green sphere collected in her hand. My eyes were dazed, watching the orb dance in her hand. She threw it above us only to blind me.

Darkness fell upon me while I shielded my eyes until I heard the soft songs of chirping. The rough hand was gone from my arm. I was stranded in a forest, with my mother nowhere in sight. My bag hung loosely at my shoulders while I turned to gaze in wonder. The sky was not the usual blue but that of deep purples, blues, and shades of pink. Small forest creatures, rabbits, and chipmunks, ran up the stump of trees while I stared absentmindedly. How did she get me to some random forest?

Trees swaying, the light was blocked by a shadow hovering over me. The warm air suddenly felt cold while I clutched my bag. Gradually turning was none other than a random passerby, or so I thought.

"Greetings," the man spoke. His skin was flawless. Not a scratch, raised indention, freckle, or mole on his body. Angelic was the term I would use, but the darkness I felt standing before him was anything but. His hair was perfect; not a single strand hung out of place. "You must be Odessa." His hand reached out to shake mine; reluctantly, I followed, watching him with wary eyes. His hands were colder than mine, but it was nothing but a summer day here.

If I was to be debt repayment, or so my mother said, he could be the one looking for me, and I had just made a grave mistake. "How do you know my name?" The man chuckled, now roughly grabbing my wrist, tying it together.

Yep, I made the wrong move.

My bag fell from my shoulder while I wrestled him. "Hey, let go!" I tried to pull my arm again, but his grip was too strong.

"Rayven Hart is your mother, correct?" I bit my tongue, not wanting to speak another word to this man. He tugged tighter on the ropes while I continued to pull. "Rayven Hart had a debt to pay. The payment was her firstborn child." A smirk played on his lips as he tugged me forward. "You belong to the Duke now, one of his blood bags.”

"B-blood bags?" I squealed. "There must be some mistake! What are you talking about?" Pulling again, I only landed back on my behind. Heat entered the man's tone, growling at my defiance. His teeth became the focal point because now I was staring at two very sharp fang-like teeth inches from my face. Surely not. This can't be happening.

"There is no mistake," he seethed. "Your mother sold you so she could become a witch of a worthless coven, and now here you are. Her own flesh and blood, sold for slaughter."

My eyes shut, and my body shook uncontrollably. My own lips began to tremble while he laughed. "Don't worry. You won't die right away. You have many years of pleasing him, a fresh young thing like you. Who knows, you might get lucky and be a pleasure mate. Then you can really live the high life.”

"No!" I screamed, pulling at the ropes. It was a fruitless endeavor. He dragged me with such force my own pants began to rip on the roots below. Barely breaking a sweat, he pulled me to my feet. "I suggest you play along like a good blood bag or you’ll find you won’t last very long. Maybe get out on good behavior when your blood begins to sour.”

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