ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 3: THE DRAGON'S KEEPER
Chapter Twenty-One

This chapter contains very sensitive material at the end and I wanted to point out that I am 110% against rape and any sexual violence against women and men alike but I had to write this. It made me cry but I had no choice. I apologize for it a thousand times over and hope you will understand why I had to write it once you read the chapter.....

Maya couldn’t believe what she was seeing. This was the man she was worrying over because she thought he was wounded trying to save her. She saw him get stabbed by the dragon’s claws several times over. He had blood spurting out his mouth and for all she knew was that he was dead!

“How could you do this, Aleric? How could you do this to Drake?” Maya asked, feeling overly exposed to his eyes now that she was sitting naked in front of him. He didn’t hide his lust as he looked down at her.

“For so many years, I had to sit around and hear about all the glories Drake had achieved. Drake did this, Drake did that! Do you know what that does to a male? I was the favoured one! I was the one who had to achieve all those things....but no. The Lord Mage chose him, trained him to become the best dragon warrior to ever walk these lands. And not only that, he went on to become a Second in command!” Aleric snarled.

His frosty eyes were no longer friendly and smiling. They were angry and hostile with a sliver of insanity gleaming in them.

“I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for hand-me-downs to come my way. I made my own destiny and soon I will live that destiny--” His face undulated with scales when suddenly Serensa groaned at the wall.

His eyes flew her way. Maya could tell that nothing was going to stop him from taking advantage of her. He gritted his teeth as a light sweat broke against his skin. He was fighting the urge to go to her but Maya knew he was only prolonging her misery.

“Why are you doing this?” Maya whispered, afraid that he was going to hear her fear.

“Why am I doing this?” He quirked his eyebrow at her. “Because I want to, because I can! Look around you, Maya. This is the future of the Realm of Fire, a realm with pureblood beasts, beasts stronger than any other in the entire enchanted world. Once I am King, all those pregnant pureblood females will give birth to a pureblood race that will make the army of tomorrow. No one will be able to stop us from taking over this world and finally your world.”

“You are not a god to make such decisions, Aleric. You will never succeed.” Maya assured him.

“I already have. I have my army in the Fire Fortress awaiting my command to carve off Queen Malenna’s head not to mention that idiot Wren. He didn’t even see it coming. Thanks to him I was able to bring in the rogues into their ranks.”

“Drake will not let you win this--”

“I already have won this, Maya!” Aleric roared getting up. He was fighting Serensa’s heat period so he was very volatile. “Everyone is the Fire Fortress believes that I got poisoned and died. Thanks to my beautiful healer over there--” He pointed to the young woman who was standing with Orisidia. “--I was able to fake a death like no other. The Dark Energy is more powerful than you can ever imagine, Maya. Add a little Iyr, a spell and you get the perfect death.

“Drake cried when he thought I was dead, the poor thing. He mourns my death especially when he saw me trying to supposedly help you away from Lode. He must feel he is indebted to me and the fact that you are gone....he is in a mess right now.” Aleric spoke casually as if he was telling her about the weather.

“Then you don’t know Drake.” Maya said bitterly. “You should hide while you have the chance.”

Aleric smirked shaking his head lightly. “You think you can make me squirm by your words? I knew Drake long before you did. I have seen him at his worst and I know of his weaknesses--” He leaned forward, his frosty eyes smouldering with untold hate. “--and just between you and I, I know where his mother is. I know he has been looking for her after his father destroyed half of the Realm with blind greed.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “What?”

Aleric grinned maliciously. “Drake’s father was the first Rogue Leader. He believed in the purity of the dragon bloodlines and he went out of his way to make sure the dream he had in his head came true. He slaughtered hundreds of men, women and children in the cleansing war and he would have overthrown Malenna and become king if Lord Mage didn’t intervene. Everyone believed that his mate was part of the pack and sought out to kill her but she disappeared into thin air. Not even her own son knew where she went to....but I did my research and I know how she disappeared and where she is. If Drake thinks to stand between me and the throne, I’ll kill his mother.”

“You are a terrible coward, hiding behind others. Why don’t you challenge him openly?” Maya raised her chin defiantly to him.

Disgust and loathing entered his eyes. “You are in no position to say such things. You have been bared for me to use as I please--and you have nothing going for you. You should be begging for your life, not challenge me.”

“It’s only in a cold day in hell will you see me begging for mercy from the likes of you.” Maya spat and Aleric back-handed her sending her staggering across the cold room.

Maya whimpered touching her prickling cheek.

“Orisidia, take Serensa to my quarters and prepare her while I have fun with this one.” Aleric gripped Maya’s hair and forced her to get up.

Serensa dropped to the floor as Orisidia relieved her from her invisible shackles. She mentioned for the woman standing beside her to help Serensa out while eyeing Maya with undiluted hatred.

“You shouldn’t waste your time with that vermin.” She told Aleric but he growled in warning and turned to her.

“Get out.” He commanded.

Orisidia pursed her lips and nodded before she turned around and walked out. Once she was outside, Aleric turned to Maya. “Now, I want to see what Drake sees in you--”

Maya kneed Aleric between his legs with all her might. His grip on her hair loosen and Maya was able to escape him. Her eyes looked around frantically for any sort of weapon but there was nothing. Suddenly hard arms grabbed her shoulders and pushed her against the wall. Maya saw stars as her head came in contact with the stone. A large body pinned her on the cold stone, hindering her from moving anywhere.

“You are making it very hard for yourself.” Aleric snarled against her ear but Maya pushed against him and fought him off.

Aleric’s hands bit hard into her soft flesh and made her whimper but she didn’t give up.

No! She cried silently. Please don’t let him do anything to me. Someone help me!

Suddenly she felt something swell up inside of her. It burst out from inside of her.

“Fucking hell!” Aleric jumped from her as her entire body was engulfed in liquid flames. “What sort of sourcery are using, you raging bitch?”

Maya panted as she closed her eyes. A soothing feeling went around her as if warm hands were caressing her, assuring her that everything was going to be fine.

“Thank you, Danya.” She whispered softly feeling the bruise on her cheek heal. She turned around and snapped her eyes on Aleric. “I will kill you first before you try anything on me!”

Aleric looked down at his burnt hands, his Dragon scales undulating back and forth on the places he got burnt. “You are using the Scarlet Shield to protect yourself. Where is it?”

“I will tell you what I told the witch, I dont know where it is.” Maya moved back when Aleric took a baleful step towards her.

The flame on her skin increased, warding him off. Aleric ground his teeth and clenched his fists tightly. Maya could tell that he wanted to do something to her, strike her again maybe but he feared the liquid flames Danya had engulfed her in. She was surprised that she wasn’t burning like in her dreams. Danya was full of surprises, Maya thought quietly.

“Whatever charade you are putting up will not last for long and when you slip, I will make sure Drake is the first person to replace your broken and bloody corpse.” Aleric breathed in between his teeth.

The look on Aleric told her that he wasn’t lying even for a second. She was stunned at how the man changed so much. “So, what you said to Drake about being glad to see him was all a lie?”

“I meant every word I said to him. He and I are starting a new chapter where I am the victor and him the defeated. The rogues are going to have their chance and when that happens, not even Drake can stop us. Kruk was stupid and thoughtless and that is the reason why he didn’t succeed....but I will.”

“You will not get away with it. Once they replace your missing body, they will suspect something and come after you.” Maya told him.

Aleric chuckled sarcastically. “This is not the human realm where you disturb the dead by uncovering them. Here, once a warrior is pronounced dead, they are cleansed and wrapped in their last piece of clothing, waiting for their cremation. No one is allowed to uncover them so that he arrives pure and clean in the after life.”

“You won’t get away with this!” Maya exclaimed. “You will lose. Goodness always wins over evil.”

“We’ll see.” Aleric turned to the door. “Serensa is waiting for me so, make yourself comfortable while my sorcerers cook up a spell to stop that flame of yours.”

“Leave Serensa alone! She has suffered enough. Don’t you even have a heart? Can’t you see that what you’re doing is wrong?”

“Serensa is the last remaining unmated Saphyr dragon, a bloodline more ancient than even the royal bloodline. She is in heat meaning the chances of her carrying my baby are very big, why would I stop now?” He gave her a side glance.

Maya’s eyes widened when she realized what Aleric was planning to do. She had to replace a way to escape and warn everyone. She had to replace a way to reacue Serensa before she met her doom in Aleric’s hands. “No, Aleric!” She called out but Aleric was already making his way out.

Her gut tightened in dread and devastation. Aleric planned to violate Serensa. He would have done the same to her if it weren’t for Danya. The heavy door closed behind her and Maya could only imagine what Serensa was about to go through. Tears stung at the back of her eyes. Though she had not known her for a long time and misunderstood her the time she eyed Drake with longing, she didnt deserve what Aleric was about to do to her. No one did.

Maya felt so helpless as she sank down on the cold floor, the fire engulfing her slowly reducing on her skin and leaving behind a golden glow of power.

“Danya, you need to help me escape this place before the witch replaces a way to harm me. I need to help Serensa too. I know you can hear me. Please help me.” But Maya was greeted by the deathly silence. She pulled her knees up again and rested her head on them.

She didn’t know how to interact with Danya. She didn’t know what triggered the orb to help her but at that moment she was desperate for her life as well as Serensa’s.

Wren got off from his car and stood in front of The gated estate. Two guards came to him and quickly stiffened and bowed when they saw who it was.

“Open the gate.” Wren commanded and the two guards looked at each other then back at the High Lord.

Wren didn’t tell his sister but he had been quite suspicious about Aleric for a while. At times the male disappeared for long periods of time and no one knew of where he went. Wren’s males had also told him that there were unexplained activities that took place in that specific estate of his. Now that he was dead, every property he owned went back to the Royal possession and protection since he didn’t have anyone to take over.

“What seems to be the problem, Lord Wren?” One of the guards asked.

Wren hated being questioned especially when he was in a hurry. “I don’t have the time to answer twenty questions, now open this gate. We are under the queen’s order to collect some things that belonged to the deceased commander Aleric.” He lied.

The guards’ eyebrows shot up to their hairlines. “Deceased?” One echoed.

“Yes, the commander met his death today and there are several things that the queen has asked us to fetch.”

The guards looked at each other again and Wren could see that there was a silent communication occurring between the two.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled. I have a bad feeling about this. Wren used a channel of communication he established with his close warriors and broadcasted the thought to their dragons and Phoenix.

Yes sir. The warriors answered as the large and heavy iron gates groaned and opened.

Two of the cars drove in while Lord Wren stalked up towards the three storey stone building. It was awfully quiet with only the crunching of boots against gravel to be heard. Several males came out from different places around the estate and watched them as they walked to the front entrance. Wren didn’t question how Aleric came to own such a place. He was not from a humble background. Being the sole heir to his father’s fortune when the male died, Aleric had enough to buy a small country.

From what he learned, Aleric had lost his family during the war with Kruk which should have made him loath Kruk but Wren couldn’t ignore the fact that Aleric’s voice had a ring of admiration every time he spoke about the killer.

“Open the door.” Wrench stopped in the front door and turned to the guard closest to him.

The male hesitated for a moment then moved forward and wanted to open the door when suddenly it was quickly opened by someone inside.

A golden haired female looked up at them and a smile danced on her face.

“We have guests.” Her eyes sparkled as she eyed them all.

Wren ran his eyes over the scantily dressed female. It was not surprising for males to keep harems so Wren guessed this luscious looking female was one of Aleric’s mistresses. He had to give it to the boy. He sure knew how to pick them.

Be careful, keeper. Czear crooned, his senses flared as he picked up a disturbance in the air. It is a trap....She is not what she seems.

I know. Wren answered and smirked at the female. “You must be Aleric’s housekeeper.”

The female clasped her hand over her mouth and giggled. “Oh no, my Lord. I am more than just a housekeeper. Come on in and I will show you.”

Wren turned to his men and nodded. They all entered and were greeted by several females standing in the hallway, each one advertising their assets to them. Wren heard several of his warriors hiss and purr and Czear zapped their minds.

Keep focused. Wren growled at them.

“How can we help you gentlemen.” One female who laid on one of the settees stretched suggestively and looked up at them.

Wren straightened as Czear scanned all the people present in the house. Thanks to his royal blood, he was able to stretch his abilities to the extreme. “We are here to pick up some of Commander Aleric’s belongings so if you will be kind as to point out where his home office and his sleeping quarters are we will do our job and leave you ladies to continue whatever....” Wren’s voice trailed off as the blonde female made her way to the one on the settee and they began making out. Sweat broke on his forehead. “....whatever it is that you were doing.” He cleared his throat.

“Come with me, Lord Wren.” A pretty black haired came to him and looped her hand over his before leading him away. “While my sisters take your warriors upstairs to Commander Aleric’s quarters.”

Four more females appeared and took the warriors about the house while the two females on the settee were all but making love in public!

Interesting how distracting those two are. Czear had reprimand underlying in his voice as he talked to Wren.

I am a potent male if you haven’t noticed. Wren growled at him.

Czear hummed softly. There are three warriors where you are headed and about ten more on the second floor. I can’t seem to read the third floor but there is something dark and balmy in this house.

Wren let the pretty black haired lead him through a series of corridors until finally they arrived the one particular door. The female leaned against the frame and stuck her hips out then crossed her arms and eyed him with unabashed interest.

“Lord Wren, might I ask why the Commander asked you to come here and collect his stuff instead of him coming on his own. It surprises me a male of your power and status would let a mere commander command you.”

Wren flashed his teeth at her. “Your master is dead, killed by a rogue Dragon today.”

The female’s face leached of all color. “Commander Aleric is dead?” Sorrow skittered in her eyes.

Wren nodded and turned to the solid door in front of him. “Is this his office?”

“Yes.” It was amazing how fast her had suddenly recovered from her supposedly moment of grief.

Wren saw right through her. For all he knew she was an assassin. The way she carried herself and that look in her eyes told him a thousand stories.

“Wanna see inside?” She offered, placing her hand on the door knob.

Arm yourself. Czear growled to Wren.

Wren pushed his jacket from his gun holster and narrowed his eyes at the female. “Open the door.”

She grinned and twisted the knob the door flew open and as Wren turned to see whatever that was going to jump out of the room, the female pushed him inside and closed the door behind them. She giggled as Wren landed unceremoniously against the large and hard desk.

He breathed in hard and turned to the female. She pushed herself from the door, the look on her promising nothing but pain and blood. She tucked her hands behind her and stalked him like a jungle cat stalking its prey.

“You should have not told me that the commander is dead. That has a different meaning around here.” She told him softly.

“Do you actually believe I came here without knowing what I was getting into? Are you that daft?” Wren looked around the office then turned back to her.

She shook her head lightly and pouted. “I am not the daft one, you are.” With that she removed two rattling and undulating whips from her back. They hissed like live snakes and moved around her in the serpent fashion.

She’s a sorceress. Czear chimed in.

Wren rolled his eyes as his removed his double guns from his holster. Ya think?

Wren pointed his guns at the female and she smirked. He shot the first bullets but the whips slithered in front of her and stopped the bullets from harming her. The bullets came into contact with the shiny metal rattlers and fell harmlessly into the floor.

“You shouldn’t waste your time with such things. Rather, let me kill you quickly and quietly.” She moved forward with astounding speed and Wren caught sight of the dangling amber around her neck. Sabine had warned them about the people who wore the gemstone but he never gave his reasons.

Cold metal shredded across Wren’s cheek as one of the whips whizzed beside him. It curled around his neck but Wren quickly stuck his guns up to stop the whip from tightening around him. Razor sharp spikes on the whips bit on his neck. He gritted his teeth against the pain and kicked the female on her stomach. He wasn’t the male to hit a female but there were those who asked for it and the one in front of him was begging!

The female staggered back but didn’t lose grip of her whip. She coiled it around her arm and pulled it tightly. The spikes snagged harder on his neck. Czear immediately covered his skin with scales. He emerged long enough to pull apart one of the whips before he returned to that pleasant thought in Wren’s mind.

Thanks. Wren said.

He felt the dragon shrug. Meh.....

The female growled as something began rippling on her skin. Bronze scales began covering her arm and neck all the way to one side of her face. Wren’s eyebrows snapped up. He would have mistaken her for a Dragon but her scales were smaller and two sharp fangs stuck out from her mouth. She was half serpent.

“Heavens, you are hideous!” Wren blurted out loudly.

The female snarled and charged towards him with the remaining whip. She kicked him back but Wren was ready for her. He caught her leg and twisting but it didn’t result in that satisfying cracking sound. Instead, the female twisted over the caught leg, kicking Wren’s wounded cheek in the process.

Wren toppled over and before he could get up, he felt the whip scrape on his back. He gritted his teeth as his scales rippled on his skin. “That’s it! Play time is over, doll.” He turned over and caught the whip before the female could pull it back and tagged hard.

The female shot forward and Wren stuck out his blade. The female’s eyes widened when the blade entered her stomach. She groaned and wanted to move back but Wren wrung her own metal whip around her neck and twisted it tightly.

Black blood spurred from her mouth as the whip spikes grazed against her neck all the way to the bone. She whizzed.

“You.....won’t leave....this house--alive....” She gasped.

“Watch me.” Wren tightened the whip until he heard the bones of her neck crack and splinter from the pressure. Her eyes turned up into her skull and she sagged against him.

Wren sighed and pushed her off him using his leg. He cleaned his blade on her corset and tagged the amber stone off from her neck. It was pulsing with power.

Where is her staff. We need to destroy it before she regenerates. Wren communicated with Czear. He knew a little about killing a sorceress because he once had a nasty experience with them.

She doesn’t have one. Czear assured him.

Wren cursed out colorfully and stepped over the mangled body towards Aleric’s desk. He pulled out the drawers and went through the documents. None of them were suspicious. It was obvious that Aleric was intelligent and didn’t leave incriminating documents lying around. Must have had some sort of safe.

Wren passed his hands over the surfaces of his desk. It was not long until he felt a loose piece of wood underneath. He pushed against it and the floor underneath heaved before it started opening, sliding the desk to the side.

Wren looked down at the dark area and heard what sounded like a whimper.

There are several people down there, keeper. Female dragons....pregnant female dragons. Czear stuttered.

Wren’s mouth went dry as he hurried down while calling for backup. This was no longer a hunch he was going on, it was the real thing!

Maya woke up to the loud slamming of the iron door. Aleric re-entered with his eyes wild and his mouth curled into a sick smile. Maya felt something cold and terrifying go through her as she took in his appearance. His hair was disheveled, his chest shirtless with nail marks and blood. His skin glowed with sweat as he walked into the light.

Ma pushed herself up and took a step back. “What did you to her, you sick animal?” She asked her body trembling with the rage that was pooling inside of her.

“I did what a normal unmated male would to to a female in heat.” He smirked.

“You monster!” Maya charged towards him with nothing but rage searing every sane thought of self preservation. Flames ignited around her once more. She wanted to kill him for violating Serensa. She wanted to gorge his eyes out and castrate him so that he did not do that to anyone else ever again. She wanted to punish him and smack that disgusting smile of satisfaction from his face.

Aleric avoided her and kicked her, sending her staggering to the floor. The fire around Maya increased as her eyes glazed over with an eerie red flame.

Accept my power and I will save you and Serensa, take you far away from this place. Danya’s voice came through.

I have to kill him first. Maya snarled attacking Aleric once more this time catching him on one side of his face and hair.

He roared pushing her away from him. His skin sizzled and his hair melted against his scalp.

You are not strong enough to go against him while he is using the sake powers. Accept my power and let me help you! Danya said.

A shudder went down Maya’s naked body. “I accept your power, Danya.” She rasped out loudly, loathing and disgust churning in her stomach for the male before her to the point that she wanted to throw up.

“What?” Aleric shielded his eyes from Maya as power and energy burst out of her. The entire room quakes and Aleric was sent flying across the room as the sheer power of it.

Mas felt liquid heat coursing through her body, covering every part of her body with its energy. Her bones and joints ached as the heat pooled around them shaping them to accommodate Danya’s power. Her skull felt as if it were about to explode.

Suddenly heat sizzled around her neck as the gold chain emerged from her skin with the big red pendant.

“The Scarlet Shield!” Aleric exclaimed but he was tightly pressed against the wall as winds blew around them.

Maya arched her head back and roared at the great power that was swelling in her. The ruby detached from the chain and levitated in front of her, increasing in size until it was as large as the orb she always saw in her dreams. Red flames engulfed it and it started cracking.

“No!No! No!” Aleric started fighting the winds and heat, trying to get to it but couldn’t.

Maya watched as the pendant shuttered and a fire unfurled from inside. The fire writhed and suddenly two tiny fiery wings shot out and a small fiery tail unfurled from behind.

A baby fiery Dragon hovered in front of Maya blinking its big eyes at Maya.

“Danya?” Maya muttered.

Yes. Danya flew around the crumbling room so fast changing back into a fireball before it went back to Maya and entered her body through her tattoo.

Maya’s body convulsed as she turned into brilliant light and faded out of the falling room....

Serensa.....

Every bone on her body ached and her stomach and channel throbbed in pain. She felt dirty and disgusted that she wanted to die. Aleric was a monster that needed to be put down! Hot tears rolled from her eyes as she tried shifting but pain shot through her paralyzing her in place

She looked down at her naked and bloody body. She had bruises all over because she tried fighting him off by he was too strong and she was weakened by her heat period and dark spells. Oh, how was she ever going to face her family and friends again? How was she ever going to forgive herself for being so stupid and naive? Her mother warned her over and over again but she refused to listen and, thinking about her siblings, got herself into all that trouble.

She was very sure she was pregnant because the heat period reduced when the female was able to get impregnated.

Aleric took her body more than once, not giving her a chance to breathe. She could still feel him thrusting in her and squeezed her thighs together as hot tears ran down her eyes. She wanted to die.

I will help you, keeper. Sonia chimed softly, tears ringing in her voice as she tried to soothe her.

Serensa believed that coming from a more prominent bloodline she would have been stronger than Aleric but he used dark powers to keep her down and humiliated her, taking everything from her. Serensa could never hold her head up again.

She was totally ruined and didn’t deserve to live with all that shame.

Taking your life will not solve anything. This baby doesn’t deserve death. Sonia crooned.

It is the child of a monster! Serensa cried.

It is an innocent life created by a violent act. It doesn’t make it a monster, keeper.

I can’t let this baby come into such a world! Serensa cried. “A world without humanity, without forgiveness, without remorse and regret.” She said out loudly as more tears ran down her cheeks.

Suddenly overwhelming sense of peace and serenity washed over her.

I’ll take you somewhere where you will be free of all this pain. A voice Serensa didn’t recognize shimmered in her mind. More of the relief and easiness engulfed her broken body.

Promise? Serensa asked.

Promise. And Serensa felt the truth behind the words.

She closed her eyes and nodded. Okay....

Her body shimmered with a brilliant light, engulfing her in warmth and assurance that she was in good hands before she slowly disintegrated and disappeared into nothingness.....