Myth's Friend (Book 3 of Seven Series)

Chapter 7- Zanaya's POV

I stayed near Eira and kept glancing at Arzon. A feeling of danger filled my body, and I had a feeling it was because I was near a lion with no bars between us.

He was free and moved around as if he owned the place that we walked in. Even I could tell that he was magical, and I had not met someone like him before. Eira respected Arzon, and she trusted him, but that didn't mean that I trusted him. He was still a wild animal.

I pushed closer to Eira's side while I kept an eye on him, and I was surprised that she didn't push me away like I thought she would. My grip on her hand was tight, and it took all of my self-control not to shake from fear.

"I won't hurt you, Holder," Arzon said, stopping the conversation he had with Eira. He turned his head and looked at me with a soft smile on his face. Kindness filled his eyes while he studied me, and I couldn't help but look down and blush.

"I know," I said, finally talking to the lion. I licked my lips and cleared my throat. "I-I just didn't think I would talk to a lion..."

Arzon chuckled and nodded. "I know," he said. "I am not like other lions as you had gathered." He flicked his tail as if he gestured around the area we were in. "My job is to watch over this place and tell Eira what has happened or is happening."

"There are many animals that help us out," Eira said. She squeezed my hand reassuringly while she turned her gaze to look at me with soft eyes and a smile on her lips. "I have some animals watching over my adopted family, and they keep me updated on everything that they are doing."

"How?" I asked. "How is it that some animals talk and interact with humans, but..." I trailed off and didn't look at them. I was nervous, not knowing if I wanted to know or not.

Yes, I was curious, but I was nervous. I had no idea if it was dangerous or not. But then again, I was already in danger, especially since I could now see past the Veil and see what creatures lived amongst us.

"Magic," Arzon replied. "An old magic that fills our body. It is the reason why we can talk to you, and you understand us." He looked forward, and he looked older than he did in the past couple of minutes. "Some animals have forgotten the magic, which is why they do not interact with humans in that way." His voice was grave and sad. "It means that their offspring will not know the magic either."

Eira rubbed the top of Arzon's head, and the lion closed his eyes and purred, and I could tell that he enjoyed Eira's touch as much as I did. "They do hear the stories even if they can not do it themselves," she said. "They still know that there are those that can talk to us, even if Huyters can't hear them either."

Arzon chuckled and nodded. "I know," he said. "New Earth is filled with a lot of interesting creatures that do not know the way that we have lived." He flicked his tail, and I had a feeling that he was annoyed. "They lost touch with the magic that is around them."

"The magic is hidden from them," Eira reminded him. "You know this." She gave him a pointed look, and he grinned. "You know the legends that surround New Earth and the dimensions in between them."

"I know," he confirmed. "However, I find it quite entertaining for you to explain it over again," he said. He looked at me and winked. "Wouldn't you find it entertaining?" he asked, playfully, and Eira scowled.

I blushed and looked down, not used to being called on by a lion. "Ummmmm," I cleared my throat and licked my lips, "I'd rather read it in a book..." I replied hesitantly. I had no idea how to respond and hoped that they didn't mind it.

Eira snorted and squeezed my hand reassuringly, and I felt a little better than what I had in a couple of seconds. "Thank you," she replied. "Books are much more informative than me anyway," she added.

Arzon chuckled. "No, you are just lazy," he teased. He brushed up against the other female, and she rubbed his head until he purred again.

I wonder how soft his fur is, I thought, watching them curiously. Is it as soft as it looked?

Eria shrugged. "Not really," she replied. "I just don't want to repeat it, especially when you're teasing me, Arzon."

Again, he chuckled, and he nodded as if he knew that he was teasing her. "But it makes for quite an interesting conversation, doesn't it?"

She shook her head and snorted. "Not when you keep asking every other time that I come in here," she replied. "It would be much more interesting if we didn't do it as often."

Arzon shrugged. "I don't think it would be, to be fair," he replied. "It is interesting only because your facial expressions change every time I ask you about the magic and the Veil that keeps us hidden from view. It keeps you on your toes, Eira, and you know it."

"It keeps me annoyed," she shot back, earning a laugh from the lion. She turned and looked at me, smiling apologetically. "This is just our way of talking to each other," she said softly. "I'm sorry if it bothers you."

My eyes grew wide, and I shook my head because it didn't bother me. I didn't care about how they talked with each other, and to be fair, it helped me view him more as a "human" than as an animal with claws the size of my head. "Oh, no, no, no," I said quickly. "Don't be." I blushed and looked down, not wanting to meet their gazes any longer. "It... helps me view him as a person the way you two interact with each other," I mumbled, not looking at them, "than an animal."

Arzon chuckled. "So, does it make you a little less afraid of me?" he asked gently, and I hesitantly nodded. "Does that mean you want to touch my fur?"

I paused and looked at him with wide eyes. My heart pounded in my chest, and my grip on Eira's hand grew tighter, and I was surprised that she didn't complain at all while I stared at the lion before me.

Was he really going to let me touch his fur? Why would he do that? He was still a "wild animal" and should be afraid of a human's touch.

Besides, he didn't know me. What if I hurt him?

Eira stopped and pulled me to a stop before I ran into her. She studied me with her intelligent blue eyes, and I wondered what she saw in mine. "We're at the stop, anyway," she said. "This is where we'll be getting out, so this is your only chance to touch a lion's fur."

I looked down, blushing. "But what if..." I trailed off because I had a feeling that it was a stupid question but one that got stuck in my head anyway.

"I won't hurt you," Arzon promised. "Eira would have my head if I did." He walked closer to me and sat down. His ears were pricked toward me, and I could tell that he was relaxed and interested in me.

"I will be right here," Eira said. "If it makes you feel any better, I will use the hand that I have and pull you away before something goes wrong, ok?"

I licked my lips and nodded. "Ok," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I trust you.