Mated to the Dragon Twins
Chapter Eight

I walked through the maze of people in the station holding my bagclose to me. I had no idea where I was staying or where I was going butfor once I felt free and happy.

The buzz of the station was toxic. The people were laughing andhugging each other making their way out of the station, I made my wayto the exit and out onto the bustling street outside.

I stood there taking in the sight before me. There were shops,restaurants and bars. Everything you could need was here, I startedwalking down the street not knowing where I was headed but I was in adaze at the sounds and lights around me.

I continued walking. I decided to replace somewhere to stay as it wasgetting late into the evening. I brought up the maps on my phone whileI carried on walking looking for somewhere nearby, suddenly I hit abrick wall. Well, what I thought was a brick wall except this wall hadfeet, legs and a very hard chest. I looked up into the most beautifulroyal blue eyes I had ever seen. They were like the night sky. I was lostin them before the wall they belonged to said something.

"Are you ok, you seem lost?"

I just stood there staring at him until I willed my mouth to move.

"Uhh sorry I wasn't looking where I was going, just trying to replace a placeto stay” I took a step back from the giant of a man in front of me, hedidn't seem dangerous nor was I afraid of him which was strange tome.

"New to the city huh” he chuckled and gave me a dazzling smile,showing off his perfectly white teeth.

"Yeah I just came from Azira so I'm trying to replace somewhere to stayand hopefully a job," I said looking up at him. He had an aura aroundhim that was friendly but deadly at the same time yet I didn't feel theslightest bit worried that he would hurt me.

"Why don't you come with me? I'm meeting my sister and some friendsin a bar down the street. I'm sure we can replace you somewhere to staybetween us” he smiled.

"That would be nice, thank you," I said and he offered me his arm. Ilinked my arm with his and we started to head down the street.

"I didn't catch your name”

"How rude of me” he chuckled, “my name's Declan, and what yourname, pretty lady?" he smiled down at me.

"Aria" I managed to get out as we continued down the street.

After a few minutes we arrived at the bar. Declan said he was meetinghis friends and sister when he opened the door for me and motionedfor me to enter, as I took a step inside I was met with the cold breeze ofthe aircon and the sounds of laughter and chatter music played in thebackground to some upbeat pop songs.

Declan guided me through the bar to a booth sat in the corner of theroom. As we got closer, four people were sitting at the table. When wearrived at the table the four people sitting their heads snapped up atme and Declan.

"What's up?" Declan asked as the others just sat there looking at me Ishifted from one foot to the next feeling awkward.

"Aria this is Sinclair, Dana, Drake and Landon, guys this is Aria” heintroduced us. I gave a small wave to the four sitting at the table. Theysmiled in return and I felt my anxiousness start to dissolve.

Declan slid into the booth beside Landon and gestured for me to sit."Aria's new in town. she's from Azira," Declan said while taking a swigof his beer. Landon turned to me and studied me for a minute.

"Nice to meet you Aria, what brings you to Arcadia?" he asked whileeating some crisps from the bowl on the table.

"Oh, I erm I left to escape my brother and father. let's just say theyweren't very nice to me," I said I didn't want to give too many detailsaway. I had only just met these people and I didn't want to put my trustinto them just yet.

Landon seemed to frown at this but didn't push any more. I was gladand before long they all started talking about things that hadhappened during the week. I sat quietly watching the exchangebetween the group, anyone could see they were close and more of afamily than friends.

"Aria's looking for some place to crash” Declan announced and thegroup looked over at me. I wanted to shrink back into my chair underall of their gazes.

"You can always stay with us, I know we've only just met but I like youAria and I could use some help with these dumbasses always teamingup on me" Dana smiled as she looked at me.

I didn't know what to say. I'd never met people so close before, and itwas refreshing. I didn't know what to say I had only just met thesepeople but something in my gut told me I could trust them.

"That would be amazing really, I don't have a job yet, but once I replaceone, I'm happy to pay my share of everything,” I said as they all lookedat me before they burst out into a fit of laughter. I was confused. Did Isay something wrong?

"Oh you are funny Aria I think we're all getting along fine," Declan saidwhile wiping his eyes.

"We own the house so you won't have to pay any rent and we all chipin for food and bills but don't stress yourself too much about replaceing ajob" Sinclair smiled at me and I found myself returning the smile.

After a few more hours of chatting and drinks, everyone decided it wastime to head back to the house. I followed them aimlessly out of thebar and back out into the street outside. The guys started walking and Ifound myself beside Dana as we followed a few steps behind.

"Don't worry about the guys, they can be annoying but they're prettyharmless" we carried on down the street for another 5 minutes beforewe got to a set of black gates in front of a massive townhouse. Theguys pushed open the gates and walked inside. I was in shock as wewalked down the path to the front door of the house. It was 3 storieshigh, massive bay windows, ivy growing up the wall it looked likesomething right out of a storybook.

Sinclair opened the front door to a huge reception room with its highceilings and chandelier hanging in the centre. I gawked at the purebeauty of this house before I heard a chuckle beside me, I turned to seeLandon looking at me.

"Bit over the top huh" he shook his head as he continued to chuckle atmy response.

"It's beautiful,” I said as I surveyed the room

"Let me show you to your room"

I followed Landon up the stairs as the others disappeared down thehall. He led me to the third floor where I assumed all the bedroomswere. We passed by several doors before we finally stopped.

"This is your room. My room is across the hall over there and Sinclair'sis next door" he pointed to the two rooms.

"There's a bathroom just here and the other room is a library, just aword of warning, Sinclair doesn't have much dignity when it comes tonudity, so if you see him wandering around with nothing on, don't besurprised” he laughed as I felt the heat creep up my neck and my face."Thank you I will bear that in mind"

"I'll leave you to get settled in, we all be in the entertainment roomdownstairs just follow the hall last door on the left"

I nodded as I entered my room and closed the door, taking in the highceiling and large four-poster bed in the middle of the room. I droppedmy bag on the floor and flung myself on the bed as I sunk into themattress, I couldn't help but giggle.

I unpacked my clothes into the walk-in wardrobe and decided I neededa shower and to change. I took out a pair of shorts and a baggy t-shirtand headed to the bathroom a few doors down.

As I opened the door to leave my room I jumped as Sinclair stood theresmiling at me.

"Sorry didn't mean to scare you" he grinned down at me, I had myhand covering my heart and while I tried to calm my breathing.

"That's okay I was just heading for a shower" I gestured to the clothesin my hands.

"ok, third door on the right will you be joining us after?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to get freshened up before I came down. Thankyou again for this. I mean it no one’s ever helped me, let alone this" Igestured to the room behind me.

"Don't sweat it. you seem cool we don't mind helping" I smiled up athim as I could feel the sincerity in his words

"Ok, I'll see you in a bit then" I nodded my head before stepping out ofthe room and closing the door behind me. Sinclair went down the halland I went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Once I had taken my shower and dressed I padded my way down thestairs to the bottom floor and followed the hall as Landon had said, Ifound the entertainment room with everyone inside.

I made my way towards the couch where Dana sat.

The guys were playing a game of pool and Dana was sitting on thecouch reading a book. Dana looked up from her book as I sat downnext to her.

"How's your room? I hope you managed to replace everything ok?"

"Oh yeah it's more than ok thank you again for this I never expected tobe somewhere like this and you guys are great!"

She chuckled at me as the guys made their way over to the couches."So Aria we have one rule in this house and that's not to keep secretsfrom each other” Declan says before he drops into the sofa oppositeme. I look round the room at the others as they all take seats on thecouch and armchair, they stare at me intently and I can feel myself startto sweat and my eyes dart around the room trying to focus on anythingbut their intent stares.

My eyes land back on Dana and then shift to Landon who gives me asmall smile before I sigh and look down at my hands.

"So how come you left Azira,” Dana asks while looking at me. I don'tsay anything for a few moments. The silence is deafening. I ask myself ifI should trust these people. I've only just met them and I don't knowwhether or not to let myself open up to them. That small voice insideme telling me that I should tell them that I can trust them, they've donemore for me than anyone else, so I decided to tell them.

"So I left Azira because my brother, he used to beat me because hethought I was sleeping around the school which I wasn't. His girlfriendused to pick on me and she was just as bad. My father never stoppedthem since he didn't give a shit about me. On the day I left my brotherbeat me in the middle of the school cafeteria, in front of the wholeschool because he thought I'd slapped his girlfriend. I decided to leaveafter that. I couldn't take it anymore so I ran from the school, packedmy things and left"

I glanced up from looking at my lap to see the shock and anger in all oftheir eyes, I looked back down, not knowing if the anger was directedat me or not. tears were streaming down my face as I told themeverything that had happened. I wiped my face with the back of myhand when Dana put her hand on my thigh and gave me a gentlesqueeze.

I wrapped my hands around my side and winced when my hand madecontact with the bruises on my side, Dana looked at me confused withher hand still on my thigh.

"It's just some bruises, I'll be fine," I say, trying to play down my injurieshoping they wouldn't ask to see them. I wasn't that lucky.

"Can I see I might be able to help get you something to help with thepain?" Dana asked, still looking at me. I looked at the others to see theconcern on their faces. I sighed before standing up and lifting my topso they could see.

I closed my eyes as I heard the gasps from around the room. After afew seconds I lowered my top and sat back down on the couch keepingmy gaze on the floor.

"Why didn't your dragon heal you?" Declan asked as I looked up tomyself with glistening eyes trying to blink back the tears. This was it,this is where they throw me out and want nothing more to do with me.I thought to myself. I braced myself for their indubitable reaction beforeI said.

"I haven't shifted yet. I don't think I have a dragon, that's also why myfamily hated me. I was a disgrace to them and their name"

It was quiet for a few moments until Landon's voice filled the room."You must have a dragon Aria you smell like one so maybe you're just alate bloomer. there is no shame in it. There are a few people who'sdragons don't show until they turn 18, sure it's not common but itdoesn't mean there is anything wrong with you" he smiled softly and Icouldn't help the small smile that spread across my lips at his response."So you don't want me to leave, I won't be embarrassing to be seenwith you?" I asked, looking at all of them waiting for their responses."Don't be stupid we wouldn't throw you out because your dragonhasn't shown up yet. I'm sure there's a reason for it. When are you 18?we will help you in any way we can” Sinclair says from across the roomand there's a series of nods from the others clearly in agreement withhim.

“In two weeks from now" I whispered.

"So we have two weeks to wait and see when your dragon awakens”Declan winks at me giving me a goofy smile at the same time. Danahugs me at the same time and I feel like I actually fit in somewhere withpeople who don't think I'm a freak.

"You're one of us now, so keep your head up I'm sure everything willwork out" she smiles at me and we hug once more. The others comeover and we have a group hug that I'm glad for and I thank the starsthat I found people that care.....

Authors Note

Hey guys thanks so much for reading the book so far i know therewasnt many chapters at first but im working on them everyday and ithank you for your patience :)

I would love some feedback on what you think so far so please leave areview or a comment i make sure to read them all thank you.DanahLouise