Chapter Forty-Eight (Amaya)

I headed back to my room and readied for bed; I was exhausted. How could Hell be so draining? As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out cold.

I awoke in the middle of the night, and it was still dark outside. I still couldn’t believe how beautiful the sky was. During the day, it was a lime green, but at night it was a dark emerald.

I sat up and looked around my room and turned on the light when I saw a shadow moving around. When the light flicked on, Hellebore stood at the end of my bed.

“What are you doing in my room?” I asked her as her shocked expression shifted to a more relaxed one.

“Sorry dear, guess I got turned around.”

“You have lived in the castle for years and you got turned around?” I accused as my sleepiness left me and my guard went up.

“Well, to be honest, I wanted to speak with you.” She smiled as she sat on the end of my bed.

“What would you like to speak about?”

“I want you to choose Lazarus, he has always been left out by his brothers and he has been so lonely for so long he deserves happiness.” She smiled.

“I can’t just choose one over the other because you want it that way and besides, I haven’t chosen either, they made this stupid bargain and apparently I have no say in the matter.” I frowned.

“I see.” She frowned, her eyes flickering purple before returning to their normal pink color. “Well, I hope you make the right decision when the time comes.” She replied, patting my leg.

“I will make the decision that is right for me.” I retorted as I stood up. “Please don’t come into my room when I am sleeping, or without knocking.” I frowned, “How did you get in here, I know I locked the door.”

“I have my ways,” she smiled evilly, “I will let you get your rest.” She stood and let the room I followed her, closing and locking the door behind her.

I felt the floor shake and heard Leviathan's voice, “Do not trust that one. She is out for herself and is very dangerous.” He said into my head.

I walked out to the balcony to meet him. “How do you know she is dangerous?”

"I can sense intentions and I can read people, she can not be trusted, even the people in the villages do not trust her."

“How can you know that? I thought people ran from you. How can you get close enough to hear the rumors?” I questioned, narrowing my gaze.

He laughed in my head, “You trust no one, do you?”

“Not really, especially lately.” I retorted.

“I will share a secret with you and maybe earn some trust. There are many types of dragons and also many sizes of dragons. Some of the smaller ones are mistaken as lizards, we use them as spies to find out what the humans are up to.”

“Why would you want to spy on the demons?”

“To make sure they are not planning to rise against us, we just want to keep ourselves safe and we do that anyway possible. You should understand this as well.”

“I do.” I paused, “Would it be possible to have one of your spies stay with me?”

“Why? Do you believe you are in danger?” Leviathan asked angrily.

I nodded, “I believe Hellebore is up to something and that my mother and I are not safe.”

“I have the perfect dragon in mind, I will send them here.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“It is nice to have someone to talk to, I would hate to lose my new friend, your safety is important to me.” he replied, bowing his head.

“Can I ask you something?”

He nodded.

“Are you the creature I saw when I was on the earth plane?”

“No, I only met you here, what did the creature look like?”

I told him about the meditation training and what the creature had said to me. “He told me I wasn’t ready yet and called me little one like you do.” I finished.

“Hmm, I am not sure who you spoke with, but I will look into it, you should try to communicate with him again and see if he has anymore information.”

“I’ll try.”

“I will send a dragon to help you, in the meantime, be watchful of Hellebore and trust nothing she says.”

I nodded as Leviathan bowed to me, turned around, and took flight. It would be morning soon.

I headed back to my bed and slept for a while longer before waking up, showering and getting dressed.

I sat cross-legged on the floor and cleared my mind like Abigail had taught me to do, unlike with the earth plane the energy here was darker and had more reds and oranges than greens. I found the thread of the creature that I had followed before and followed it, hoping he would have more information this time, only when I reached the creature he was still asleep.

I called to him, and his eyes opened. This time, I could see his form. He was a dragon, a giant blue and green dragon. He lifted his massive head and looked at me.

“You have finally made it here. Little one.” He declared.

“Where is here exactly?” I asked, looking around.

“Hell.”

“Why do the threads lead to you?” I asked.

“you are still not ready, but you will be soon.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You will.”

“what is your name?”

“Gibbes.”

“Who are you?”

“I protect the Hell Gate Envy. Now you must go.” Without warning, I was sent back, and my eyes opened, and I was back in my room.

“That’s just great. I got more questions than answers.” I mumbled to myself.

Hearing wings flapping, I turned my head and saw a small black dragon with ice-blue eyes flew through the curtains and into the room towards me.

“Hello.” I smiled when it landed on the floor in front of me.

It bowed its head, “Hello, my name is Cana, Leviathan asked me to come help you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Cana. I am Amaya.”

“What do you need me to do?” she asked.

“I believe someone is plotting against my mother and I and I want to know what she is planning. I also think she has been sneaking into my room at night, but I am not sure what her purpose is.”

“I can help with that.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

Cana reminded me of a cat with its lean features and pointed fangs. “Can you get around the castle without being seen?”

“I am one of the best spies Leviathan has.” Cana boasted. “I can change my appearance to blend into the background when needed.”

“That is exceptional, thank you so much for your help with this.”

“My pleasure, I have always wanted to meet a Druid. I will be back tonight.”

I nodded as she took flight; I opened the door to my room, letting her out before closing it again. Finally alone, I made a coffee and sat down in the sitting area. I am so glad they put a coffee maker in my room.

I took a sip of the heavenly liquid when there was a knock at my door. "Bloody hell, what now?" I snapped, putting my cup down and going to answer the door.