Chapter 30- Wicked Forest

Drake was lying. Levi could tell. The way he had shifted his body weight and fidgeted as he spoke, indicated he was nervous. He was jealous and that wasn’t a good combination along with his already insecurities.
Levi just needed to figure out where he had been and what he had been up too.
Crystal was laughing and joking in a way he hadn’t seen before. She held a real smile on her face that lit up her eyes. He was jealous and wanted to rip Drake’s head off for just suggesting taking her out.
He stayed behind them listening to the sounds of the forest. He was feeling on edge, and he couldn’t stop the worry spreading in his mind.
***
Levi put his hand out and stopped Crystal from moving forward.
He put his finger to his lips signalling her to be quiet. Crystal gave him a sour look, one that told him she was annoyed. When she glanced in Drake’s direction, there was a change within him. It was easy for Crystal to see, his pupils expanded, giving his eyes a demon quality. His lips were pursed in a straight line with a slight tilt to the edge. He looked menacing, evil, and twisted.
Crystals knees became weak, her heart thumped in her chest as she looked from Levi to Drake. Levi was livid, his face burned with rage and his eyes shot daggers at Drake.
“What have you done?” Levi demanded. Drake gave Levi a smirk.
“Crystal, come with me, I will make sure you get back home in one piece. Levi is playing games,” Crystal looked at Levi. The hurt in his eyes was sincere. He didn’t make the choice for her, which she respected. He stood quietly waiting for Crystal’s decision, glaring at Drake.
“I am sorry Drake,” something in her heart told her to trust Levi. The look in Drake’s eyes scared her. With her words, creatures erupted from the hidden shadows of the forest, little men, giants, how they had not seen them with their sheer size was beyond Crystal. More and more creatures surrounded them.
Levi got ready to fight, his feet apart and his eyes scanning his opponents. The group of creatures in front of them moved to the side, as a woman slithered across the uneven path. She was beautiful with her golden blond hair and tanned skin. Her green, almost yellow eyes drew Crystal in.
“Echidna,” Levi spat the name with venom. The half snake woman flicked her hair over her shoulders and gave Levi a flirtatious grin. Her snake tail rattled and was the only sound to be heard.
“Levi Carmichael, I would say what a surprise but then again I have known for some days now that you have been back. Drake here was good enough to visit and say hi,” Drake moved closer to the snake lady and kissed her. Crystal felt tears sting her eyes as her heart broke. She felt Levi’s fingers clasp hers, a show of comfort. Yet it did nothing to stop the pain that was tearing her apart.
“Two conniving snakes’ together, you make the perfect couple,” Echidna’s tongue whipped out and slashed Levi across the check. He made no reaction, he stood as still as a statue with the same expression on his face. Crystal felt panic well in her chest as blood ran down Levi’s face and dripped from his chin. The wound must have been deep.
“Take the girl, I want her alive. Do what you must with the prince. However, he does not leave Athens,” Echidna and Drake walked through the crowd of creatures as they passed the monsters blocked their path and view of the wicked couple.
The creatures watched and waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. Crystal could see them assessing the situation.
“What do we do?” she whispered.
“Don’t worry, I have a plan. They won’t take you,” as soon as he whispered back to Crystal he whistled. She heard loud clapping noises and a gust of wind followed. A dragon swooped down raining fire on Echidna’s army, some turned to ash while some ducked for cover and others burned.
Levi dove into action, fighting the ones that weren’t injured while the dragon attacked from the air. In shock Crystal watched the scene unfold until she felt herself being lifted from the ground and the blood rush to her head as she was tossed over a shoulder. She screamed out as she moved through the forest at speed.
Everything felt surreal. It was like she was watching the events happen to someone else.
Kicking and screaming she attacked who ever had her in their grasp. A gust of wind knocked her attacker off balance making them both crash to the floor. The dragon picked her up and dumped her back in the heart of the battle.
She felt something hit her head, yet no pain registered as her vision went black.