The Chimera (Legends of the Dark Creatures Book 2)
Chapter Six: A Deal With The Chimera

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This was probably the hundredth time Ashley had tried calling Adrian. She was getting worried. It was already past six in the evening and no one among her friends had seen or heard from him. After meeting up with Robert, Ashley and the rest visited Adrian’s home but when they got there, no one was around except a man in a black suit who stood at the front door. He told them that the Captain, meaning Adrian, had traveled but didn’t reveal where he had gone.

Ashley was about to try calling again when Richard held her hand.

“Perhaps he just needs time,” he said.

Ashley remembered the look in Adrian’s eyes when he found out that she had been keeping secrets from him. She remembered the moment when Adrian aimed an arrow at her. The last time she saw Adrian was when he told her to leave and fight with Richard. Well, at least that’s what she hoped he did. In her mind, Ashley was sure she heard Adrian telling her to leave his life altogether.

“Richard, I have to talk to him,” Ashley said.

However, her phone gave the low battery notification and immediately turned off.

An exhausted sigh came out of Ashley’s mouth. Both she and Richard were sitting on the roof of his house in the woods. The stars shined brightly in the dark cloudless sky and a cool oceanic breeze swept gently across her face.

Richard had placed his hands in the pocket of his black hooded jacket. He was also wearing blue jeans and white sneakers. Ashley had put on a tight red T-shirt and wore blue knee-length denim shorts.

Like many times before, they were alone. The rest of her friends had headed back home. She looked at his blue eyes and remembered last night. That kiss they shared... the soft and warm feel of lips, her heart pumping vigorously against her chest. She did not plan that kiss but she never regretted that it happened.

Ashley clenched her hands together and slowly looked away from him. She did feel something for Richard, she admitted. But then there was Adrian who had always been there for her, who she still cared about.

“Ashley,” Richard said.

She looked at her fingers and saw that her claws had extended. Moving her tongue, Ashley could feel her sharp canines lengthening too. Whenever she got too emotional her true self would begin to reveal itself.

Ashley took in a deep breath and calmed herself. Her teeth, claws, and eyes returned to normal. Normal; it was a concept that was so difficult for Ashley to grasp these days. She was a half-breed. Part mermaid and part human; she had always been. What was normal for her? Being aware of the supernatural had brought so much into her life and now she almost wished she’d return to being the simple, ignorant, yet almost happy girl she once was.

However, did that mean she wished she never met Richard? She held his hand and rested her head on his shoulder. Neither she nor Richard said anything. Where they sat, they could see the lights that illuminated the town, and to their right was the ocean. Ashley closed her eyes and listened for the waves. She enhanced her hearing and heard the water crushing into the rocks. Richard had taught her everything she knew and he was going to be the one to teach her even more things. She didn’t want him gone.

Her heart almost rose to her throat when she remembered something the Hunters told Richard.

“I am not going anywhere,” Richard said reassuringly. It was almost as if he could read her thoughts. Perhaps he was waiting for her to remember all along.

“Besides,” he continued. “With Ethan back, I doubt they would mind the extra help.”

“Adrian mentioned something yesterday,” Ashley said. “The jar.. jaraha...”

“The Ha-Tsid Ha-Gadol,” said Richard. “It Hebrew for ‘The Grand Hunt’”

“He said that you’re his Ha-Tsid Ha-Gadol,” Ashley said. “What does that mean?”

Richard’s face fell. He looked like he didn’t want to tell her.

“Richard please, tell me,” Ashley pleaded.

With a sigh, Richard said, “Well... The Grand Hunt is a special ritual performed by the Hunters. For one to be considered a fully-fledged Hunter they have to pick a name from the Book of Condemned Souls.”

“I think I heard Sara mention that book when she told us her story,” Ashley said. “And I think I heard Mrs. Hughes say that Slayer... that Max would haunt the Hunters if my name found its way in the book. So what is the Book of Condemned Souls?”

“Think of it as a hit list of the vilest creatures on earth,” Richard said. “There are possibly over seven hundred thousand names in that book and each is ranked according to how dangerous the Hunters consider them to be.”

“And what number are you,” Ashley asked with a smile. “Not that you are vile and dangerous.”

“Number three,” Richard replied. “And though it pains me every day, I believe I deserve that number. The things I have done...”

"‘When danger is close by I can sense it but never once has Richard ever given me that feeling’ ...that was something I told Sebastian,” Ashley said. “When Sebastian had taken me, I knew you would come.”

Richard smiled at her and said, “Anyway, once a Hunter chooses a name from the book... they hunt that creature until they either kill it or capture it; the former being more commonly done than the latter.”

“So when Adrian said that you are his Grand Hunt he meant...”

Richard nodded.

“Isn’t it because he still thinks that you are the one who took away his uncle from him? Then why don’t we just clear that up and tell him that...”

“That Sara was the one who actually drove her sword through his uncle’s heart,” Richard interrupted. “Ashley I think it’s best to leave things the way they are. Besides, I think he hates me more now for an entirely different reason.”

Ashley felt her fingers interlock with Richard’s. She knew what he meant even though she was trying hard not to face the fact.

“Are we going to talk about what happened last night?” Richard asked.

Ashley tried her best to hide her smile but Richard must have seen it because he smiled too. She didn’t know what to say so instead, she closed her eyes and projected her aura.

All she felt... Richard felt it too.

“So, that’s how you feel,” Richard said with a happy sigh. “Things are still uncertain but I hope they clear up once this is over.”

“Once Ethan is defeated you mean,” Ashley said. “I suppose Ethan is ranked number one in the Book of Condemned Souls.”

“Odd thing is... Ethan is not even in that book.”

Ashley lifted her head from Richard’s shoulder.

“What do mean he isn’t in the book?” she asked.

“I had that same face when I first laid eyes upon that book,” Richard replied. “Adrian’s father was still a Grand Master back then and the only answer I ever received from him was ′It was an instruction from the first Hunter to never put the Chimera’s name in the book’ Plus, most of the Hunters don’t even believe that the Chimera exists."

“There is so much about Ethan that we don’t know huh?” said Ashley. “I mean even you don’t know how old he is and correct me if I am wrong but isn’t there a direct proportion between a dark creature’s age and their power.”

“Yes, there is,” Richard said, standing up. “As time passes, the magic that created us becomes more powerful but also... the more time passes the more we lose ourselves to the darkness.”

“You are fifty thousand years old, Richard,” Ashley said. “And you seem pretty sane to me.”

“That’s because you have not seen me at my worst, Ashley,” Richard replied. “Every day, I feel the bloodlust raging within me... the blood I take from blood bags sates me enough not to harm humans but Ashley... Sometimes I don’t know how long I can keep this up.”

Richard stood there, quiet and Ashley could hear his breathing. She rose to her feet, walked up to him, and said, “When I saw your true form in the woods last night I admit I was frightened at first. But Richard, even in that state you protected me, protected us, and protected the entire town. Listen, if people saw my true form I am sure they would rise up with torches and pitchforks...”

“Actually,” Richard chuckled. “They would call NASA or the CIA or some other clandestine organization... dissection is a real trend these days.”

Ashley chuckled at Richard’s sad attempt at making a joke. “Anyway, my point is in the eyes of others we may appear to be monsters but we truly become monsters when we lose sight of who we are and accept that about ourselves.”

“Remind me again who between us has lived for over fifty millennia,” Richard said.

“Leah’s wisdom must be brushing off on me,” Ashley smiled proudly. “I better get going. My phone is off and I am sure mom has been trying to call me.”

“I’ll walk you home,” Richard offered.

“I would love that but I think there is somewhere else you need to be right now,” Ashley said.

Richard had agreed to meet up with Sara and Ashley hoped that someone else would show up; Talya. Even though she didn’t fully trust her, Ashley couldn’t neglect what she felt from Talya’s aura; hope. When she talked about this someone who was coming to even the odds against Ethan, Talya had so much hope. Ashley couldn’t even explain it. According to Richard, Talya was probably the one who helped Sebastian awaken Ethan So why would she want him gone all of a sudden?

Talya, however, was a dark creature born of Ethan’s very own blood. Ashley couldn’t let her guard down and also...

“Richard,” Ashley said. “I don’t mean to pry into the past but... um... did something happen between you and Talya?”

“You ask if Talya and I shared an intimate relationship. The answer to that is yes. But before I speak about her I would like to ask you a question simply out of curiosity... how many times do you think someone like me can fall in love?”

“You have lived for fifty thousand years so I can say about... close to a hundred... Just kidding. I guess it depends. So, how many times have you fallen for someone?”

“Seven,” Richard answered. “And every time the same thing always happened... Ethan always happened. When I met Talya she was just a young innocent mermaid whose magical abilities were surpassed only by her love for others. She had a dragon, Roagu, and the two were inseparable.”

“So what happened?” Ashley asked.

“The day I met Talya, she had been gravely injured by some dragon hunters who wanted Roagu; her dragon. I don’t know if you know this but our blood as dark creatures has the ability to heal all wounds and most all ailments. So, that day I fed Talya my blood and healed her. When she came to she thanked me and offered me a place to stay for the night. Because of my curse, I couldn’t go with her underwater. However, she insisted that we visit a nearby human village and we were there for a while. A night turned into days, days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and eventually, Talya and I grew... close.”

“You don’t have to give me the details,” Ashley said, a pang of jealousy surging through her.

“When I realized just how much I had fallen for her, I decided to leave because I was afraid Ethan would replace me and do what he did best... taking away those I cared about. He had done so five times before and I was sure he would again. The day I tried to leave, Talya found out and tried to stop me. Fearing for her safety, I left and Talya’s hatred for Ethan began that day. But leaving was the worst thing I could have done for her.”

“I loved Talya but I guess I underestimated the feelings she had for me. Talya did the unthinkable and went in search of Ethan. When she found him, she pleaded for my sake and begged him to leave her and me in peace.”

Ashley once again witnessed a rare occurrence; Richard shedding tears.

“She didn’t know who she was dealing with,” he said, his voice cracking. “Ethan told her that if she wanted to be with me then she would have to do so for eternity. So Ethan did to her, the same thing he did to me... he turned her into a dark creature; an immortal sea witch. She took a human life that day and completed the transition and when she returned to her kingdom everyone knew what she had become. They tried to kill her but she managed to escape and fueled by her hatred for Ethan, Talya eventually found a way to stop him.”

“The dagger,” Ashley said.

“Hmm, and when I heard what had happened, I tracked her down and she told me of her plans,” Richard said. “She had changed but I just didn’t realize how far she was willing to go.”

“You mean how she summoned those demons to attack Trarisia,” Ashley said.

“I was too late,” Richard said. “A lot of people died that day and Talya did get what she wanted... But in a way so did I.”

“You are not her, Richard,” Ashley said.

“Perhaps,” Richard replied in a low voice. “I better get going... wouldn’t want to keep the Hunter waiting.”

Richard was about to leave when Ashley asked, “Richard... you said that before Talya, Ethan had taken away five people you cared about. That meant Talya was the sixth time you had opened your heart to someone. So who was the seventh?”

Richard’s lips curled into a beautiful smile and he disappeared into the night. Maybe Ashley had gone too far with that question.

Ashley jumped off the roof and landed on the ground. She dashed through the woods and headed towards the ocean. When she reached the beach, she leaped into the air and dived into the waters. The last time she had done what she was about to do was when she was captured by Sebastian.

In the water, she brought her legs together and closed her eyes. Her body started to change from her waist going down and Ashley gritted her teeth in pain when her legs began to twist. Eventually, she was swimming with her tail. She looked at the beautiful ring on her right middle finger. It was a gift from Richard; a suppression ring. It was enchanted so that Ashley’s merform wouldn’t appear involuntary and it also, somehow, made sure her clothes remained intact after a transformation. She looked at her chest and saw a gorgeous blue outfit covering her. Ashley could feel fins on her back and her teeth and claws had also lengthened; she was able to retract them too.

“So this is my true form,” she said and immediately realized that she could talk and breathe underwater.

Ashley wanted to test her limits. She whipped her tail and her body launched forward. It was exhilarating. She was moving faster than she ever did on land. She swam downward, made a graceful turn, and began to swim to the surface of the water. Ashley splashed out of the water and launched herself in the air like a dolphin. Staring at the waters below her, Ashley raised her hand and a large mass of water, the shape of a huge tentacle, shot out and caught her.

Ashley's tail was in the water she had controlled while the rest of her body was outside and Ashley kept rising higher. She stopped when the water she was controlling felt kind of heavy to handle but still, wow... she could see the whole town from where she was and above... meters higher and she was sure she would have been able to touch the clouds.

The water below her was pulling down her hand and Ashley started to lose control of the tentacle of water. She gestured her hands and began to lower herself until she returned back into the ocean. Ashley swam out of the waters and eventually found herself walking in some woods that were very close to her home.

By the time she was walking along the tarred street her clothes were already dried; using her abilities of course. Ashley reached her place and was surprised she heard her mother laughing inside. Also, there was a shiny black two-seater convertible car packed right in front of the house.

Ashley opened the door and, without warning, someone grabbed her and pulled her to the living room; it was Leah.

“Hey, Leah what’s up?” Ashley said with a smile.

“Whatever you do, do not freak out,” Leah said. Her voice was serious and commanding.

“Wait... sounds like mom’s entertaining a guest in the Kitchen. Who is it?”

Leah was quiet. Ashley stood up and started walking towards the kitchen. Suddenly, Leah was in front of her, holding her hand.

“Leah, what’s wrong?” Ashley asked.

“Just, try to keep it together okay?”

What's up with my little sister?

“Ashley is that you?!” her mother shouted from the kitchen. “Come on here quick. There is someone who’d very much like to meet you.”

“Really who is...”

No... Ashley lost control of her body. She couldn’t move and almost couldn’t breathe. In seconds, her mind had already mapped where all the sharp objects in the kitchen were and where the exits were. She felt like she had stepped on a landmine and she didn’t know whether to act or to stay still.

He was here... inside the house. Ashley watched as her mother handed him a glass of orange juice. A deadly grin formed across his face when he stared at her.

“Good evening,” he said, waving his hand. “My name’s Ethan... Ethan Thane.”

This wasn’t happening. He had been invited in.

“You hear that Ashley... Thane,” her mother said. “...as in Richard Thane. Ethan is Richard’s brother.”

This had to be another one of his illusions, she thought. She tried commanding her legs to move but still couldn’t.

She remembered him clearly; that dark red leather coat, those dark red leather jeans, and boots. He was also now wearing a black T-shirt.

“Uh... Ashley? You okay dear?”

Ashley felt a small hand grab hers.

“Calm down,” Leah whispered and pushed Ashley a little bit forward.

Ethan was sitting casually on a chair next to the largely white kitchen table while Ashley’s mother was busy cooking.

She walked over to him.

Ethan stood from the chair and stretched out his hand to greet her. Instead of shaking his hand, Ashley wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him.

“Ethan!” she exclaimed. “Richard talks about you all the time.”

“Playing along... a prudent move, half-breed,” Ethan whispered in Ashley’s ear.

“What are you doing here?” Ashley whispered back.

“Knowing my enemies,” Ethan replied.

“Wait, you knew that Richard had a brother Ashley? Why didn’t you tell us? And where is Richard... I have been trying to call you all day. I wanted you to invite him over.”

“Sorry Mom, my phone was off,” Ashley replied. “But who would have thought that Ethan would show up?”

“I know right? It was such a pleasant coincidence. I met Ethan at Old Man Sam’s electronic shop. He was asking about Richard,” her mother said.

Ashley forced a smile on her face as she sat on one of the chairs. Ethan sat on the one on her right.

Ashley then heard a phone ringing upstairs.

“That’s my phone. No, wait, Leah, I’ll go get it... it will give you and Ashley a chance to get to know our guest.”

Ashley’s mother was still wearing her white apron when she left the kitchen and went upstairs.

“Don’t worry half-breed,” Ethan said as he took a sip of juice from his glass cup. “I’ll neither harm you nor anyone you care about tonight and depending on how things go, I might not even have to harm anyone in this town. Once my plans are successful, everyone can live in peace.”

“What plans exactly?” Leah blurted out.

“Leah, go to the living room,” Ashley ordered.

“But Ashy...”

“Now!”

Leah left the kitchen and Ashley could hear her little sister’s sobs.

“Sometimes we hurt the ones we love to protect them,” Ethan said.

“What do you know about it?” Ashley retorted.

“More than you realize,” Ethan responded. “In any case, I am sure Richard has given you quite a number of history lessons about our pasts. To be honest, I care less about what you think of me and more about what you can do for me.”

“You said I would be of use to you somehow,” Ashley said. “Is that why you are here?”

“All in due time half-breed,” Ethan said. “Actually I am here to give you a gift... a warning if you will. You see, creatures like me..." He paused and looked at her. "Creatures like us attract a lot of unwanted attention. I have enemies all over the realms and you... You might have some in the very near future. A half-breed; part human, part mermaid. Not only is your magical signature the only one of its kind but your blood is too.”

Ashley instinctively raised her hand when a sharp shard of ice almost pierced the back of her skull. The shard had stopped when Ashley had raised her hand and it fell on the floor. But the thing was, this particular shard of ice was orange; as orange, as the juice, Ethan was drinking. Ashley was sure Ethan had controlled it but she didn’t notice him making any hand gestures.

“See,” Ethan said. “Now I am sure Richard has taught you that Water Element Master like you can’t control water unless said water was entirely pure; like that which flows in the ocean. While that is true to some degree, dark creatures like me can control water wherever it exists. Even in places, you’d least think of replaceing it... Places like...”

Suddenly, Ashley’s hand rose but she wasn’t the one moving it. She saw her hand turning red as her veins dilated.

“Do you know how much water is found in the body... and in your blood?” Ethan said.

Ethan was controlling the water inside her blood. Ashley clenched her fist and Ethan’s hold over her hand disappeared.

“Yes half-breed,” he said. “With just the right level of concentration and willpower, you can break someone’s link. Just like you took over that shard from my control...”

“Why are you showing me all this?” Ashley asked.

“Oh, I know you’ve realized it already. You were able to control that shard... a shard that contains only a small amount of water and a shard that only dark creatures like me can control. You are not a dark creature half-breed but you have the potential to become an even more powerful being. I want you to realize your potential,” Ethan replied. “Unfortunately, I am not the only one who might see the latent power whirling up within you. There are many others who will wish to get their hands on you; especially if they knew what you are. Thankfully, word of the half-breed hasn’t spread across the world and the realms. I simply came here to warn you to keep your identity a secret.”

“So you can have me all to yourself?” Ashley said.

“When you put it like that it sounds... vulgar. Let’s just say that it’s for your family’s sake as well.”

Ashley stood up.

“You threaten my family one more time and...”

“Relax half-breed... I would never resort to such meager tactics. But there are those who would. I’ll repeat what I said... Creatures like us can and will attract a lot of attention and believe me; it won’t be as civil as I am.”

Ashley stared at Ethan coldly. What was his goal here? To scare her? What was it that he wanted from her?

Ashley was about to speak when she heard a loud hissing sound coming from the stove. She quickly rushed over and lifted the lid off the pot of boiling soup. Even as she slowly stirred, Ashley still kept an eye on Ethan. He was just staring at her with a smirk.

“Sorry, that took long,”

Her mother came back.

“Work?” Ashley asked.

“Yeah... Um... Missing documents. But that's nothing for you to worry about. Why don’t you show Ethan to the dining room and help me serve the food.”

“It already smells fantastic,” Ethan said as he stood up. “Shall we?” he said to Ashley

Dinner was served and everyone was seated in the dining room. Ashley sat next to Leah and across her was Ethan. He was digging through his meat and potato stew like a child.

“Forgive my manners,” Ethan eventually said after finishing his third plate. “It’s just that I haven’t had this much food in a while and I didn’t have much to eat today as well. This is very delicious... can I have some salt?”

“Please, help yourself,” Ashley’s mother said. “It’s finally good to have someone appreciate my cooking.”

“So Ethan, you said that Richard’s your brother,” Ashley’s mother spoke.

“Half-brother... We only share the same father,” Ethan said. “I am sure you can see even from our appearance that we are indeed different.”

Yes, you are, Ashley thought. Ethan was probably referring to the difference in physical traits but Ashley was thinking of how gentle and kind Richard was. True, he had his demons, Ethan being one of them, but Richard was someone who always tried his best to do good.

“Here is a question I often replace amusing to ask,” Ethan said, looking at Leah. “Who do you think is older, me or Richard?”

Leah said, “Well, I know Richard looks older than you but I think... you are.”

“Excellent,” Ethan applauded.

“Really, but you look so much younger than him. Ethan and Richard,” Ashley’s mother said with a chuckle. “It’s strange... no don’t get me wrong Ethan. It’s just that, when Ashley was a child I would tell her many stories about a legend with the names Ethan and Richard in it.”

“Ah... Let me guess, I was the evil villain,” Ethan said.

“Well... Um... Yeah but on the upside you were Ashley’s favorite character,” her mother said.

“Really now... And these stories... What were they about?”

“Hmm... let’s see... basically you Ethan were the ruthless Fire-Demon hell-bent on destruction and Richard was the immortal warrior who would one day defeat you.”

Ethan stopped eating.

“Is that so?” he said. “And what, if I may ask, are Fire Demons?”

“They are Element Masters that can control fire,” her mother replied.

“Element Masters huh?” Ethan asked.

“You know what... ask Ashley about it if you ever get the chance.”

“I sure will”

Everything else that evening went on smoothly. After the main course, Ashley’s mother brought out her homemade apple pie for dessert and got to learn more about Ethan. To her, Ethan had traveled from London just to see his little brother and bury years of hatred.

“It is getting late,” Ashley finally said. “Ethan, it usually gets dangerous at night, especially near the area where Richard lives.”

“Really?” Ethan asked, flashing a sinister smile. “But I would love to at least help with the dishes.”

“How considerate of you,” Ashley’s mother said. “But Ashley is right... Driving this late isn’t very safe.”

“Well then thank you so much for having me and to show my appreciation...”

Ethan reached for his pocket and pulled out a rusty old bronze object. It was some kind of blade but had an odd curvy shape and had a wooden hilt pivoted at its end. He handed the blade to Ashley’s mother, who looked as if she would faint from excitement.

“Is this authentic?” Ashley’s mother asked. “A Chinese letter opener. These were used during the reign of the Ming dynasty if I am not mistaken.

“I found out, after asking around, that you’re a passionate archeologist,” Ethan said. “That has been in my home for as long as I can remember and since I had no use for it...”

“Why Ethan... Thank you...”

“And for Leah...” Ethan said.

Ethan pulled out a small, smooth, and deep blue rock from his pocket and handed it over to Leah.

“What is it?” Leah said with a cold voice.

“It is a moonstone,” Ethan replied and didn’t say anything else after that.

Ashley’s mother’s eyes were so focused on the gift Ethan had given her that she didn’t even notice when Ashley and Ethan left the house.

“Those were just genuine gifts,” Ethan said when they reached Ethan’s car. “It’s a habit of mine... I don’t like owing people who provide aid to me, one way or the other.”

The rage Ashley that had been boiling within her finally manifested into a fast and powerful punch. Ethan didn’t even try to dodge it. The punch landed on his face but he didn’t appear to even feel it.

“Granted, I may have been extreme when I put you in that illusion last night and I certainly deserved that,” Ethan said. “Now, on to more pressing matters”

Ethan walked ahead of Ashley.

“As I said before, they are many who are after me. Most wish to destroy me but there are those who seek to serve me. I meant what I said half-breed... a storm is coming. Most of it will be directed at me but if you are not careful the winds might just blow it towards you and those you hold dear. Call me selfish, but you were right when you said I want to keep you all to myself.”

“For what purpose exactly do you want me?” Ashley asked. This time her voice was calm.

“I can’t reveal that yet but I assure you, it will bring no harm to anyone you care about,” Ethan replied.

“And what about me? Will I be harmed?” she asked again.

Ashley had noticed now that there was something about the way Ethan spoke. Putting aside a strange, yet oddly charming accent, Ethan seemed to always be unconsciously careful with his words. Just now, he had said that no one Ashley cared about would be hurt but he didn’t say anything about what would happen to her.

“Even I can’t answer that question,” Ethan admitted. “That’s simply because even I am not sure just how much your worth is to me. But here is a way we can test that. I know Richard. He wants me destroyed more than anyone I know and honestly, I can’t blame him. However, I can’t have him or you hindering my plans. So why don’t we make a deal?”

Ashley chuckled and said, “You want me to make a real deal with the devil?”

“You flatter me, half-breed,” Ethan replied. “But here is my proposal. You can go on and try to replace ways to defeat me and as long as I don’t replace out about them and as long as they don’t get in my way, I give you my word that I shall not harm anyone in this town. Go about your lives and I promise you, my plans will not even involve any of you... well, at least not until you become a necessary requirement. Fair enough right? So, do we have a deal?”

Ethan opened the door to the driver’s seat and got into his car.

Ashley’s nostrils flared. “Why don’t you just shove your stupid deal up your...”

“I’ll give you time to think about it,” Ethan interrupted.

The engine of his car roared. Ethan closed the door and drove away. The sound of his car slowly faded until Ashley couldn’t hear it anymore.

“You can come out now, Leah,” Ashley said looking at the tree that grew on their yard.

Leah came from behind the tree and threw her arms around Ashley’s waist.

“How much of that did you hear?” Ashley asked.

“Enough,” Leah replied. “Both you and Ethan knew that I was behind the tree.”

“And what do you think I should do?” Ashley asked as she and Leah walked towards the door.

“I am not sure, Ashy,” Leah said. “But all I can say is that Ethan was serious about his deal and also... um...”

“What?”

Leah shook her head.

“It’s nothing”

“I see you kept his moonstone,” Ashley said, staring at the blue rock in Leah’s hand.

“I felt I should,” Leah replied.

Ashley and Leah walked into the house; a house where the Chimera could now enter at any time he wanted. Dark creatures could only enter places where they had been invited.

Something else was bothering Ashley. She had tried sensing Ethan’s aura to see if Ethan was telling the truth but every time she had tried... nothing. Ashley had a special natural defense mechanism; she always knew when danger was near. When she approached the house she didn’t get that feeling and she certainly didn’t feel it when she was around Ethan.

She sighed as she closed the door.

Thunder rumbled in the sky. A storm was coming and Ashley had a feeling that getting soaked was going to be the least of her worries.

***

Find out how things turn out in the next chapters of The Chimera.