Trapped

Chapter 3

Twilight had shrinked her size, one of the Phoniex Shifter's ability, so she could sit on my shoulder comfortably. Ryder stopped us before a huge oak door. The door had a Dragor Dragon carved into it, Marco's favourite dragons. Ryder knocked and the door creaked open. A female Minx sat on a branch producing from the wall... Star, that's what her name was. Racing medals lined the walls, their bronze, silver and gold faces glinting in the sun. Marco looked up from his desk. Surprise sparked in his eyes when he beheld Twilight. Letting the matter pass he handed me a note.

Blare,
Your target is Grandy Olsk. He is a gem merchant who does business at the docks, your job is to assassinate him. You can keep his gems if you would like, just bring me his head. And the ring on his left hand. This is due before the first winter moon.
Marco Cloak.

First job. Marco grinned at me, and I grinned back. I slipped the note in my pocket and I was dismissed. Ryder walked with me around the fields, we had to start choosing a dragon for Ryder for this seasons racing.
"I don't appreciate the glee you find in killing people," he said. I suppose he'd seen the murderous look I'd given Marco.
"It's not like I have a choice," I gasped off into the distance.
An Angeli Dragon walked up to Ryder, male, told by his white body tipped with yellow. He stood about 5 metres tall. Beautiful creatures dragons.
"His names Raphael," he showed a lot of love to this dragon, he'd even named it after an angel.
He grinned at me, "Wanna go for a ride?" His gaze then turned to Twilight who had jumped off my shoulder and resized to 4 metres.
I nodded and we walked, our dragons following our footsteps. We saddled them up and mounted.

"Now, if you don't know how to fly, just..." Ryder started before Twilight and I kept into the air. He shook his head and joined us in the air. Raphael breathed out lightning to play around. I giggled. I pulled Twilight higher into the sky and touched her back where my father had taught me. She blazed in fire. The flames surrounding her body shimmered gold and blue. The flames wouldn't burn me though, bonding with a dragon meant you were unable to be harmed by their smoke, lightning or fire. Ryder lulled up next to me, I looked down, we were above the practice track. We grinned at each other. Plummeting down to earth we pulled up last minute. Adrenaline ran through me, speed, that's all I wanted. Ryder let Raphael take off around the track. Twilight turned her head to the side to look at me. Joy shone in her blue eyes before she looked forward again. When Ryder passed her she took off. She killed the flame around her and sped up a bit more. As we passed the stands, I saw Marco watching me and Twilight.
He wants us to ride for him as part of his team. I said to Twilight as I felt her nervous flutter in my soul. Our souls were joined, dragon and human, together.

When we eventually stopped and let our dragons out into the field to play did Marco leave and Ryder turned to me.
"Look, Princess... I'm leaving tomorrow for two weeks. My father wants me to compete in the south to earn money... Sin-eaters know why!" he smiled at me and gently put a lock of my hair behind my ear.
Friends... I repeated to myself in my head.
He leaned in and kissed me. When he pulled away I just looked at him shocked. All the kisses I'd had had been forceful by Frank... This was well... Nice.
He hugged me and when he let go he turned around and left.
"Goodbye," I whispered it softly, but as I said it he turned around before disappearing.

I skipped down the path to the mansion. I still felt all happy from Ryder's kiss. Twilight swooped down in front of me, she was back to her messenger size. Tomorrow I would start training a new Ash Dragon, and go to the docks to get some information on my target. I was wearing a short sleeve so all my scars were visible, their marks glinting gold and silver. My father had once said he wore his scars as women would wear jewelry. I would too now.

My room was dark when I walked in. Twilight lit the torch with a breath of fire. A silver dress lay on the bed with a note.

My Princess,
While I don't advise on your assain side-job, I have no say in the matter. But as a farewell gift, a dress, slim and beautiful. Let it help you catch your prey. I also have some information for you, Grandy will be attending a party on 13 Vixis Street in five days. There's a chance for you to go after him.
I will return soon, but I might change. I'm sorry for that. I love you... Even though I shouldn't... I do.
Love Ryder.

I touched the dress. It sparked in the fire light. Putting it in the cupboard I sat on the bed and pulled my father's book onto my lap.

Ash Dragons
As my studies have concluded Ash Dragons are a common species. They are quite harmless except for their strong bites and smoke producing mouths. Soft spot is in their neck and it makes the dragon snap out a second row of teeth. Average height is 2 to 3.5 metres with a speed of 60km/h. Colouring of grey for females and black or silver for males. Easy riding dragons. Difficult to tame.

I read my father's loopy handwriting. Bringing back memories of the notes he'd left all over my room when he was around telling me to come with him on rides. I regret not always going with him...
I died the book and put it in the drawer. Twilight came and snuggled in my neck and pulled the flame from the torch. I soon fell asleep, dreaming of flying with my father on Twilight.

I woke with a start. Twilight was hissing at Star. I pulled her into my lap and she calmed.
I got up and went to Marco's office as ordered by Star.
When I opened the door and all the blood and warmth leaked out of me. I was so cold and scared. His evil grin and hungry eyes... I backed up against the wall... Away from the man that had tortured me... Away from Frank...