The Dragon's Soul. Unveiling the Truth

Chapter 27

“I’m not just anyone,” he said quietly. “I’m Ray Flaming, darling. Heir of the House of Fire. The most gifted magician of this century… and most likely the future Supreme Dragon.”

“Exactly, Ray Flaming. And I’m just Noah Aquaris’s pathetic cousin. I’m not your match. And if you’re looking for someone to play games, you should find another lucky girl.”

“What game are you playing?” he asked sharply.

The tension between us tightened, sharp as a drawn blade.

“I don’t have time for games. I’m not interested. I already told you that I have priorities far more important than you.”

The fire in the fireplace flared and in his eyes as well.

He was angry.

A flicker of fear ran through me. I couldn’t predict what he’d do next.

“Are you afraid of me?” he asked more calmly. “Or are you afraid of yourself? Maybe… you’re afraid of Aquaris?”

“What does Noah have to do with this?” I frowned.

“I didn’t mean Noah. I meant your uncle Triton. But it seems Noah is involved too. What’s the problem, Ariel?”

“The problem is you’re not listening. Kiss me if you want. And then leave me alone.”

He leaned closer.

I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the kiss, but instead, his fist slammed into the wall beside my face.

“Put the pendant on,” he said coldly. “The scorpion should rest near your heart to feel its power. And relax, I’m not going to kiss you. But leaving you alone won’t be that easy either. And tell your cousin to stay out of anything that concerns me.”

He let go of me and walked out, leaving me alone in the glass room.

A strange heaviness lingered in my chest.

“Why are you upset?” Aria asked.

“Am I?” I replied, surprised. “I got what I wanted. The amplifier accepted me.”

“I’m inside your mind, Ari. I can feel it. You're upset.”

“Don’t make things up. I should focus on why I came here. I don’t have time to entertain the heir of the House of Fire.”

“Be careful with the scorpion. It once belonged to the Supreme Dragon of the House of Fire. It’s one of the most powerful amplifiers in existence.”

I put the chain around my neck.

Warmth spread through my body.

I looked at the fire in the fireplace. It pulled me in—hypnotic. They say you can watch fire burn and water flow forever.

Here, I felt safe.

I didn’t want to leave.

Then suddenly, I felt the scorpion on my chest move.

I touched it and lightning seemed to strike through me.

I felt its power.

“Focus on your right hand, Ari,” my imagined dragon advised.

I obeyed.

I concentrated all my attention there.

Minutes passed.

First, a burning warmth filled my little finger… then spread across my entire palm. I closed my eyes and imagined a flame, one that could protect me, warm me.

When I opened them a small fire burned in my hand.

I played with it, tossing it from one hand to the other. The flame didn’t burn me. It warmed me.

I was part of it.

“You’re talented, Ari,” the dragon said.

“It’s not me. It’s the amplifier,” I replied.

“No. The amplifier only helps your inner energy find its flow. The magic is yours.”

I smiled without meaning to.

I was starting to enjoy playing with fire.

And it felt like the Androctonus scorpion enjoyed it too. The flames in my hands grew stronger.

“Ari, stop,” Aria warned. “Don’t get carried away. Until you learn to control the magic inside you, you shouldn’t push it.”

“You’re right. Anyway… I can’t play with fire. I’m Triton Aquaris’s niece from the House of Water. I can’t let everyone see I can create flames. I need to learn to summon water.”

At those words, the fire vanished.

The scorpion on my chest twitched its tail, almost threateningly.

“It’s late. I should rest. Tomorrow, I have a lot to do. We’ll try to find out what happened to your mistress a hundred years ago.”

I left, heading toward the dance floor.

I had no intention of staying at the party. My goal was to get back to my room as quickly as possible and practice, learn to focus and to summon water.

But I didn’t get far.

Halfway to the exit, someone grabbed my arm.

Eleanor.

“Where are you coming from, you pathetic little stray?” she sneered.

“None of your business. Let me go,” I snapped.

“Let you go?” she laughed. “And then you will run to whom, exactly?”

“Why do you even care? Why are you bothering me?

“Oh, you talk back too?” she hissed. “Looks like no one taught you manners. I guess I’ll have to.”

She grabbed my hair painfully and yanked me forward.

“On your knees, pathetic. Apologize to the Supreme’s daughter.”