The Hidden: Draco

Chapter Two

I'm not really sure how long we had been driving but it felt like hours with little much else being said between the three of us. Often Zane and Michael would say something to one another, but it made no sense to me. I just kept staring out the window as town after town, city after city would come and go. I was getting really tired but was too scared to sleep and was dying of hunger.

I was just mustering up the courage to ask if we can stop to get something to eat when we pulled up to an enormous double iron gate. On either side of the gate was a tall wall that stretched further than could be seen and was clearly too high to climb.

The gate opened automatically though I did not see either of them push a button. We drove forward and through the gate. It seemed to just be a gate and wall inside a vast wooded area. We drove on and on. At any second, I expected to see some kind of home, but only more woods came as we followed the windy road through the trees. Their property was so vast there would be no way for me to get back to the gate without getting lost, even if I could somehow magic my way past the gate. Navigating woods was unfortunately not one of the gifts I inherited.

With every tree passing and every turn of the wheel I felt my anxiety growing inside my stomach. Dreading what I would find at the end of this road but also wishing it would just come so I could get it over with.

Finally, lights could be seen through the trees and my heart gave a hard thump along with what felt like a swarm of bees being let lose in my stomach. I took a deep breath as a house came into view.

Not really a house so much as old stone castle. It looked like they had taken it straight out of a Brad Stoker novel, minus the gargoyles and thunder in the night sky. I would have thought it was breath taking if it didn't go hand in hand with what I assumed would be something terrible.

We drove around a fountain set in the middle of a circle. The other SUV was parked along the side as well as about seven other really expensive looking cars. Zane pulled the car up to the big double doors and switched the car off. Without waiting for anyone he got out and walked up the steps to the door which opened before he touched them. I couldn't see who had opened the door but only the light spilling from inside.

Michael got out as well and opened my door. Waiting for me to get out. I grabbed my bags and got out, taking deep breath to calm my nerves and followed Michael up to the door. The door was double my height and the room beyond it was nothing like I was expecting. It was warm and modernly furnished. It had very high ceilings and a grand staircase leading to two floors above. The granite floors had nice modern carpets laid on it, making it feel cozier than a room this big ought to feel.

"Hey baby. Fun trip?" the woman's voice startled me. I had not been expecting to see a woman here. Let alone one hugging and kissing Michael.

Of course, they had wives, how else would there be more generations of Draco I said dumbly to myself.

"Not too bad baby. How was your day?" he asked her. It was unnerving to see him be so gentle and loving. I didn't know to take this as a good sign or if this girl was just mad. Before answering him, she caught sight of me and smiled. Not a 'happy to meet you smile' but one full of pity.

"Hi there darling my name is Layla." She held out her hand for me to shake and on instinct I hesitated as I've taught myself to do. Prepare the mind first if you can help it before everyone thinks you're a freak. I also knew sometimes my pupils would dilate to the extent of my green eyes becoming black if the visions took too long so I had thought myself to look down when it was necessary to touch someone.

I faked wanting to put my bags down as I went to shake her hand so as to not seen rude. Her hand grasped mine and instantly flashes started swarming behind my eyes.