Heina: The Red Demon Dragon

Talking About Heina

IRANA

Aslan and me drove into the Black Flame Academy, quiet and moody. Technically, he was behind the wheel while I occupied the passenger seat.

It was the next day and we almost didn't want to come to school, especially me. But for Heina's sake, we had to. We didn't want her to go through today all by herself understanding how ruthless students could be.

Another car drove in barely a minute after we'd stepped out of our car. The eyes on us didn't bother us. We were used to the looks — admiration, envy.

But never mocking — dear Mother Dragon, no one would dare mock the Finchs, else they called for their death.

It was the car that usually dropped Heina and Sirra everyday.

Aslan and me observed the vehicle, it was just Sirra that alighted and the driver zoomed off.

Her face lit in a smile as soon as she spotted us. "Hey, you two." She greeted as though she had not just clashed with me at the cafeteria the day before.

"Where's Heina?" Aslan hit the nail on the head.

She shrugged. "She's home. Receiving treatment. Don't worry about her. She'll be fine." Then she turned to me. "I'm truly sorry about yesterday, Irana. It's just I really want us to be friends. You're supposed to be seen with someone like me. We're of royalty. Not Heina."

"Why did you expose her like that?" She was beginning to grate my nerves and I seriously didn't want that. It was too early for quarrels and confrontations.

Another nonchalant shrug. "She deserved it." Upon hearing a low growl from Aslan, she moved back a bit, wary.

"You're just so mean." He spat.

"Aslan, don't talk like that. There's a reason I did what I did. Heina is not all that she pretends to be." She pouted, wanting our support. Our friendship.

Or to put it more aptly — friendship with me, a relationship with my brother.

"I don't care what she might or might not be, Sirra. But I bet my dragon that girl is worth being seen around with than you." His voice had gotten intense.

"Leave us alone, Sirra." I decided to step in because I didn't want my brother riled up so early in the morning that his dragon had to make an entrance. "I do not want to be friends with you. My brother doesn't want to be your boyfriend. Come, let's go find you a quiet place to settle your emotions." I entangled my arm in his and led us away from there, leaving Sirra standing like some hypnotized fool.

"I feel like pummeling that girl." Aslan hissed under his breath.

I rubbed his arm. "I know. But she's not worth it, plus, I don't want you hitting a girl." I took him to the bleachers and had us sitting at the far end, away from distractions.

"Do you believe her?" He asked, taking a sit beside me.

"Sirra is not a nice person but I'm willing to give her the benefit of doubt in this." I shrugged.

"Why? What if Heina is not receiving treatment?" He was really concerned as I was.

But there was nothing we could do, except maybe visit her, that wasn't such a good plan. The Clawthornes refused visitors...mostly. They preferred being on their own.

"We just have to wait and see." I reasonably replied.

"Why don't we go visit her?" He suggested, meeting my gaze.

I paused in my response to wave at a friend who had waved at us — Aslan was in no mood for greetings.

"You must really like Heina." I nudged him playfully, trying to make him cheer up even if it was a little.

He allowed a smile grow but nothing too wide or teeth-showing. "I sound pathetic talking about her, don't I?"

"I like her too, Aslan. And I've only just met the girl. I guess if I was a guy, I might probably be interested in her."

A smirk in place, he shook his head lightly. "Thank the Creator you aren't. It'll be awkward having two brothers go after one girl."

Happy that my plan to get him to lighten up was working, I continued in that path. "It would have been one hell of a clash. Mom would be even more confused and dad, frustrated and angrier."

"True." The smirk disappeared, a sigh in its place. "I just wonder what Dad might be planning with his elders right about now?"

"I wish I knew." Was the only answer I could give.

"Me too." He said quietly, looking thoughtful and full of sighs.

I released a sigh too. After that argument between my dad and us yesterday, the rest of the day had been filled with tension and bridled anger.

Mom had just been in the midst of it all, at loss for who to stand with. The poor woman had tried to bring back the laughter and peace that used to be the order of the day to no avail.

Especially between dad and Aslan. And because I had stood up to him and was supporting my brother, the blanket of tension spread to me.

I knew Dad loved us and he was trying to keep us safe, do his duty by the tribe but we couldn't... wouldn't let him kill an innocent girl because of what she was perceived to be.

To be honest though, I was a bit scared. There was a small part of me that believed that Heina was the demon dragon and that part wanted her gone, but the greater part of myself that liked her. Accepted her. Cared for her. Was ready to fight tooth and nail to ensure she remained alive and well.

She had gone through enough already and after the horrific way her parents had died and on her birthday, it was...wait.

"Aslan, her birthday." I mentioned as though I was just remembering an important detail. The wheels in my head were working fast.

"What?" He gave me a clueless stare.

"Her parents were killed on her birthday by four dragons — she was specific about the numbers. They intruded and destroyed her house." My heart was racing now.

"She told us both the story, what are you thinking?" His brows furrowed, in his gaze, lay curiosity and interest.

"How many elders did we see yesterday?" I asked.

He was still clueless, but he answered. "Four." Then his eyes widened, he was just realizing. "Dad and the elders had gone to the human world."

"Exactly. Dad is responsible for the death of her parents." My heart sank. "And Heina is yet to put two and two together."

His expression turned sullen as well. "What the hell, dad?" He rubbed hands on his face. "Do you think we should tell her?"

"We could lose her. She'll be devastated and get angry with us."

"But we didn't do it. And we weren't even aware Dad had done it." He reasoned, but I could also see he was understanding my point.

"I know. But still, he's our dad. We're related to him. She can't get mad at dad, so she shifts it to us." That was my fear.

Without another word, he expertly leapt over seats, exiting the bleachers, heading for the school's car park. I ran after him. "Wait for me, Aslan. Where are you going?"

"Home."

That one word came out as a growl. I released a weary sigh and hoped that he'd have cooled off on the way home, else, tension would snap and there might be two powerful Finch dragons going at each other like sworn enemies.