A Fifth Daughter [Book 2: The Dragon Warrior]

Chapter ~ 14

~ Chapter 14: Getting Help from Kelp – Again ~

"Smoke."

I jolt up and stare into the darkness around me. There's nothing but that; pitch black, echoing darkness. The hotel room we rented in Folkstone is gone, white walls replaced with the hollow gazes of trees.

"Calm your heart." The voice whispers against the edges of my mind. It is not Willow, even though it is feminine. It's the lyrical voice of the Kelp, she's calling, her voice pulling at my muscles, trying to get me to move.

For a moment I'm actually awake in the real world, the feel of a soft bed under my stiff body, and I'm able to freeze myself from moving. But then her voice comes back twice as strong, calling my name and I'm pulled into the faulty sleep again.

"I mean you no harm, like before." She says. "We just need to talk."

So, I relax and my arms lift me, my knees fold and straighten until I'm standing, and then I'm moving, one dragging foot in front of the next. I don't stumble or fall as I'm maneuvered through the darkness and once again toward the ocean. Even though I'm miles from the salty water, the Kelp has dragged dream-me to her. Soft waves crash, pulling to and fro. The darkness peels back, and that neutral orange light, like the rising sun, allows me to see the Kelp bobbing in the water. Her shadow doesn't pull me forward this time, instead she waves a webbed hand, beckoning me to her.

She smiles when my body stop before her, the waist high water, tugging at my clothes. "Congratulations on finding the Catholic, he was a nuisance."

I glare. "You weren't completely truthful with me last time."

Her gills bring a harsh gasp of breath. "No."

"Why?"

"You were not ready for the truth, you are not ready now, even though you know."

I curl my fingers inward under the water, but stop them from forming a complete fist. "Why didn't you just tell me? I've been believing that Rayn was under her control this whole time, I believed that Damitri was looking for Esston when he's known the whole time. What was your motive?" I want to step forward but whatever control she has over my body doesn't allow the movement.

"All I've ever wanted was for you to defeat Darcy, so I told you what you needed hear to find Coven, although even then you didn't see the Werewolf. And now you're exploring the country again." She sighs. "I came now to tell you good luck and goodbye. Beware of the green-eyed man."

And then she's gone and I'm gasping awake, her emerald scales dancing behind my eyes.

•~•

The day moves quickly. Folkstone is only a two day horse ride from Red Village, and Willow makes it look like a short jog. She lands outside the quaint town, towering over it all. A few other dragons are also around, each one curled up and sleeping.