Chapter 94: Chapter 94
DARAN
Without thinking twice, I grabbed the window handle, yanked it open, and let the cold night air wash over me. Shifting to my lycan form, I jumped out from the second-floor window, landing silently and swiftly in the backyard. Every muscle in my body tensed as I sniffed the air, trying to catch a whiff of that mysterious figure’s scent.
My sharp lycan eyes scanned the dark yard, piercing through the thickening fog. There was nothing here except an unsettling, unnatural calm. Still, I knew that figure couldn’t have just disappeared. I decided to follow its trail, heading quickly to the fence where I first saw its shadow.
When I reached the spot, I found... nothing. The thick night fog hung all around, making the shadows of trees and the fence seem even more ominous. No sign of life or any other presence. I growled softly, frustrated by the strangeness of it all.
"What does this even mean?" I muttered to myself, trying to calm down.
Even though the figure had vanished, I could still feel a faint trace of the energy it left behind. There was an intense, threatening presence in the air, like the lingering scent of a dragon that had recently passed by. I crouched, examining the ground by the fence. There were no footprints, no signs that anything had just been here—but that distinct dragon scent hung in the air, haunting the night.
I looked up, scanning the surroundings. The trees and bushes around me swayed slightly with the breeze, their shadows dancing in the darkness. In the silence, I heard a faint sound from the opposite direction—a sound so soft, but somehow familiar.
I turned immediately, alert. Moving quietly, I crept toward the source, making sure each step was silent. I had a feeling this wasn’t just coincidence. Whoever—or whatever—had come tonight seemed to be playing with me, drawing me into the shadows.
When I reached the other side of the yard, the sound vanished, leaving a silence that felt even sharper. I searched for any trace left behind, but once again, there was nothing. It felt like I was being toyed with by an invisible presence. I stood up, staring into the darkness, trying to plan my next move.
Whatever this creature was, it was strong and clever. The only being able to manipulate shadows and disappear like that had to be a dragon—and not just any dragon. This was likely one from the Sapphire Kingdom—probably someone sent by Luke Draken himself.
When I returned near the second-floor window, I glanced up at Jonea’s room. The soft glow from her room was visible, almost like the only point of light amid the darkness surrounding the house. My mind drifted back to Jonea, and that vague worry grew deeper. What would I do if there really was a dragon watching us?
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Keeping a clear mind was the only way to handle this right. Losing control would just lead to mistakes. Back in human form, I climbed back through the window, closing it carefully behind me. With quiet steps, I made my way toward Jonea’s room, checking that she was still safe in her sleep.
Standing outside her door, I felt my mind flood with possible scenarios. If this dragon threat continued, Jonea would have to be prepared for something more terrifying than she could ever imagine. And as someone who had sworn to protect her, I couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was just the start of something much bigger.
I sat on the floor, leaning against the wall outside her room, deciding to stay on guard all night. No one knew if that creature would come back or if it was still watching from afar. But I knew one thing: this threat was real, and I wouldn’t let Jonea be in danger.
As dawn approached, my mind hadn’t truly relaxed. The image of the dragon from the night before was still clear in my memory. I knew this wasn’t just a small threat; it was a sign that something much bigger was coming—something that could involve my past and the entire world I’d tried to keep hidden from Jonea.
Finally, I let out a long sigh. Whatever happened, I wouldn’t back down. If they wanted Jonea, they’d have to get through me first.
The morning came quickly, but I was still awake, alert as ever. I started to wonder if this was too much, but I couldn’t shake the bad feeling. When the sun began to rise, I was already up, standing by her door.
Jonea opened the door and looked a bit startled to see me. "Daran? Did you stay up all night?"
I shook my head. "I’m a creature of the night, remember? Are you heading to campus? Let me give you a lift!"
She seemed hesitant but finally nodded. “Daran, I know you’re worried, but you’re making me feel... uneasy. You’re being super possessive today. You’re even driving me to campus? I thought Owen was enough. Don’t you have work?”
I looked at her, wanting to explain everything. But the words seemed stuck in my throat. Should I tell her about the danger lurking? That her life might be in danger just because she’s connected to my past?
“Jonea, don’t overthink it. I happen to have work near your campus today. So why don’t we just go together from now on?”
“Really?”
I couldn’t look her in the eyes. “Yeah,” I said. “You know the new gallery near your campus? I need to check out their collection before the exhibit opens.”
She let out a soft laugh. “Sorry, I thought you were giving me a ride for other reasons.”
As we headed to the garage, Owen suddenly appeared, twirling his car keys and whistling. The three of us exchanged curious glances.
“So, I’m not the chauffeur today?” Owen asked, confused.
I glared at him. “Nope! You’re off today!”
“Yes!” he said, punching the air in victory. “Finally, I’m free from that fussy girl!”
Jonea glared at Owen. “You were the one who insisted on being my driver every day,” she grumbled.
Owen shouted back, “Uncle, does this mean I’m unemployed now? You’re not gonna give me any extra allowance?”
Ignoring him, I led Jonea to my car. But secretly, I sent a rune spell to Owen. It was our way of communicating. I asked him to check out whatever had managed to break through my protective spell on the house last night.