A Fifth Daughter [Book 2: The Dragon Warrior]

Chapter ~ 12

~ Chapter 12: Puns and I aren't Friends ~

"I'm leaving."

Filly glances up at me from where she's been fiddling with the window, trying to open it. She said the room was stuffy with my temperament. I don't know what she's talking about. I am being completely civil. I'm in total control of my temperament.

"Why?" She huffs when the window still fails to obey her struggling urging. A little dark shadow dashes around her feet. I've yet to actually get a good look at the two legged dragon that follows her around like a cat's shadow. She seems to be a mirage of colors, always collect one and emitting another. I can't tell if she's actually trying to hide from me, or if creeping the walls is just her specialty.

I shrug, falling back against the comforter and cocking my head at the ceiling. "I have to find Cai, my mom and Esston."

"Sure you're not just making excuses for being mad at Nyt."

I have to pause before answering. After last night everyone still thinks we're having friendship – or whatever we are – problems. And no one seems to know about my fight with Tempest. "He gives me headaches."

Filly gives up with the window, or maybe it's her giving up with me, and sits at the end of the bed. "We tried so many attempts to get you out of Graceland, all failed obviously. And then Nyt just made it happen. He said there was something..." she struggles with the next word, but I'm sure I can guess what it is, "dark about you. Said you could save yourself, and yet he still went in. He being a Vin'tery makes everything easy, walking through walls like they're silk curtains, killing guards with the flick of his wrist, or simply teleporting in and out like breathing." She shrugs. "I don't know, seems like he's been all about saving you since the first day Coven asked him to come."

I nearly scoff, because she has no idea. "I don't need saving. And I'm not dark." It's the second time, from the same person, that that word has been used to describe me. I'm not dark. What does he see, what can he see? Filly shrugs slightly, as if trying to disagree with me. "Do you think I'm dark?"

"No." She says quickly. She blushes. "I... I think you're powerful and I guess dangerous, but I don't think you're dark in the context I think he's using."

"And what do you think he means?" Because I'm terrified of what I think he means.

"I'm not sure. I don't know if he means you as a person, or you as in your powers. I don't... It's hard to read Nyt when he talks in circles and riddles, sometimes it's better to agree or zone out."

I nod. We got way off topic. "So..."

"Oh, yeah, you're leaving. Why are you telling me?"

"Cause I want you to come with me."

Filly blinks a couple dozen times. "Excuse me... what?"

I sit up and lean forward, feeling secretive. "I want you to come with me."