I am Drake "Drago" Ward of the House of Ward in England...about five hundred years ago.
I crossed the seas to the Americas for a better "life" three hundred years ago.
Today, I run a successful business with my partner, Dr. Darius Chiron. Instead of...
I took one last look at Hatley Castle, and sighed. I hoped I'd see it again, but I doubted it. I was going to meet a vampire who haunted my dreams in the most sinfully enticing way. Was I crazy? Maybe it was the fire in his eyes-sometimes a blaze that licked and snaked over my body and threatened to flare out of control and other times warm embers that made me want to get closer and find out more...even if it meant getting singed...or burned...
"You are really going to leave?"
I turned to see Stuart. He looked so alone. He was supposed to be inside!
"I told you I have to. I believe that I know where Charlotte is."
"Why can't I come?" His eyes shone with tears. "I can help, you know that!"
"Because someone needs to stay with the others--"
"We are at a school, and I'm big enough to--"
"Please, Stuart, trust me on this." I hugged and kissed him on the cheek, turning to go.
"Like you're trusting him?"
I froze in my steps. "What?"
"You might think you know where Charlotte is, but you are also going to him."
"Who?"
"The man whose glove you have."
I turned back to him. "Why would you say that?"
"You say his name in the darkness at night," he whispered. "I hear you. I think he has bewitched you, Shanti!"
"I think you still need to trust me, Stuart," I whispered back. "Please."
Stuart blinked. "I believe you will return...someday."
"I hope to."
"And I believe you will bring a dragon to live among us." His eyes glowed.
"Stuart--"
"Just be careful." He hugged me tightly. "Send us something in the mail, will you?"
"I will, when I can." I promised. I ran down the steps and into the night.
"Stuart!"
I heard Garrick's voice and scampered for the woods.
"Hi, Garrick," Stuart greeted.
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"What are you doing out here? We're about to have dinner."
"But--"
"Don't worry, all will return as soon as the bell sounds," Garrick clapped Stuart's shoulder. "Never fails." He chuckled deeply. "You trust my leadership, don't you?"
"Always, Garrick."
"Then, come on, all come home in time."
I felt my throat tighten as Garrick led Stuart away. I was really going to do this. The golf club and woods looked so different in the darkness. Keep moving, I told myself. Don't think about the conversation I had with Garrick a few days ago. Not far...
