Isabel and Helen didn't say another word to each other until they joined the council for a more thorough talk.

By now, almost the whole colony had gathered outside of the largest hut to witness what was happening. As much as the council didn't want an audience, there was no way they could keep people and leave them in the dark. Rumors of Isabel's heroics to save the explorers had spread far and wide. Within the crowd, Isabel could notice a very proud smile etched across Jess's friend, as if she was proud that her friend was finally getting the recognition she deserved.

Isabel should have been happy. Yet, she felt like she was on trial, especially with the way the high council member, Sir Lucan was glaring at her.

''And you didn't see my son at any point afterwards?''

She wanted to sigh with frustration. It felt like she was going around on a wheel with this old man. She couldn't blame him. He was desperate to know where his missing son was. But, that didn't mean Isabel liked the way he seemed to be indicating that she was involved in his disappearance.

''No, after I awoke, I returned to the other explorers. Giovanni got a search party to look for him and you've been told the rest of the story.''

She didn't mean for that statement to come out so harshly, but she could feel her anger growing. For all they know, this time stalling with repeating questions probably meant that Thane was getting closer to death. Even if he was a scumbag, Isabel didn't want to see someone from her home die.

Lucan narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before he then turned to Giovanni. ''Is she speaking the truth?''

Giovanni nodded. ''Her story matches up with mine. My party was ambushed by this Angelique and her group. I thought we were to meet death, or worse, be taking to the surface. But, Isabel arrived to save us…''

''With these miraculous abilities she's acquired?'' Lucan scratched his chin. Isabel wasn't sure if she was going to be treated like a hero, a prisoner, or ancient lab rat. The council member turned his eye towards Helen next. ''And did you get a sample from your daughter?''

''I beg your pardon?'' Helen gasped. Her and Isabel's faces turned bright red, much to the confusion of everyone watching. When Helen realized what Lucan was implying, she calmed herself. ''Oh, yes I did. It's unlike anything I've seen before. We've never found a substance anywhere that matches. The only thing I'm certain of is that it's not contagious. Isabel is unique.''

As much as Isabel's heart warmed at the compliment, she couldn't help but feel a certain heat return in the pit of her stomach. Her mind went back to the moment earlier where Helen watched her. Her own mother watched her stroke her cock, and neither of them were shy about it. Isabel couldn't imagine her doing something like that before. Yet, the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. It was like there were two sides of her fighting to tell her what she liked.

She kept her head bowed, avoiding all eye contact with her mother. ''I'm just as in the dark about this as everyone else,'' she admitted. ''I swear, if I knew what this was, I would tell you everything. I saw my colony was in trouble and I reacted. Besides, shouldn't we be questioning the gunwoman? She indicated that they had your son!''

''Yes,'' Lucan stressed. ''We are bringing her in next. I wanted to see you first. If I understand correctly, you're the last one from this colony who saw my son alive. He is next to succeed me as head of the council. It is of great importance that we find him.''

Isabel almost barked back. From what she could understand, it sounded like Lucan and the rest of the council were willing to sacrifice lives if it meant letting the powerful ones survive to lead. The only thing from keeping her snapping was her mother reaching down to hold her hand. Her body turned warm as she felt her mom's soft finger stroke her hand.

It calmed her and excited her at the same time.

Helen leaned closer to Isabel's ear so that she could whisper. ''Don't lose your temper. I don't want the council to know that your emotions are effected too. They might see you as uncontrollable.''

Isabel slowly nodded and grasped her mom's hand. At first, she was afraid her strength would crush Helen's knuckles, but she resisted the anger and power so that she could enjoy how her mother's hand felt. She'd always liked to hug her mother growing up, but this felt different, yet familiar at the same time. It's like feelings that had laid dormant for so long were bubbling to the surface thanks to her new powers and heightened senses.

Eventually, Lucan stood up and beckoned for another group to enter. ''Bring forward the prisoner.''

Everyone turned and watched as a group of colony warriors carrying spears guided Angelique to the front row. Much to their surprise, she didn't fight back or need to be forced. All she did was clutch at her aching hand with a motionless expression. However, the moment she locked eyes with Isabel, she smirked.

''You know,'' she licked her lips. ''You're all trying to guess what she might be, I can give you my theory.''

Giovanni stepped before her. ''All we want to know from you is what you've done with Thane.''

''You dirt-walkers are so simple and naïve. I know so many things you don't…like the power of a Drake!''

The mere mention of the word sent shivers down the spines of everyone listening. Isabel could feel the air turn cold as everyone looked at her suspiciously.

Immediately, Helen was up on her feet to defend her daughter. ''You can't make that comparison.''

Angelique looked at Helen up and down. ''Are you the girl's mother? Tell me, what's dragon dick like?''

''My daughter has human parents. She doesn't have the physical appearance of a Drake from what we know of them. She didn't develop these powers until today. Nothing about her gives the idea she's a Drake.''

''Perhaps not…'' Angelique paused to glance around the room, seeming to enjoy the fear on display. ''But she's definitely not human. Congratulations, it's a freak of nature.''

The roles had reversed. Hearing her daughter being mocked almost drove Helen to beating the life out of the devilish woman. It was only when Isabel grabbed her arm that she calmed herself and stopped.

Isabel stared at Angelique for a long time before grinning. ''A freak of nature that kicked your ass.''

Angelique's smile faded at the taunt.

Lucan slammed his hand against his chair to silence the area. ''Enough of this! I demand that you tell me where you have my son. If you cooperate, your punishment will not be so harsh.''

The woman turned to Giovanni and tilted her head. ''I've come something in my shirt pocket. Get it for me, will you?''

''You really think I'm going to fall for that?''

''Unless you have physical proof, you won't believe what I have to say.''

Her choice of words and her tone left everyone on edge. Lucan's face paled as he turned to Giovanni. ''Do as she says.''

Hesitantly, Giovanni approached the woman and reached into a small pocket at the front of her shirt. The others around him kept their spears closer to Angelique's neck just in case she tried anything. Even Isabel was ready to jump in if it was a trap. Giovanni flinched as he touched something. He pulled out a small thing, gasped and then dropped it to the floor.

Screams passed around as everyone saw the severed finger on the ground.

''No…'' Lucan gasped.

''Don't worry,'' Angelique giggled. ''Your son still has 9 more.''

''What have you done to my son?'' The council man screamed, needing to be restrained by the other members.

''Here's the thing. He was alive and well when I left camp. But, if I don't return to my camp soon, my partner might think something is up. If I'm not around, he calls the shots, and he might not be too merciful if I'm not back soon.''

''What is it you want? Our resources? If you need slav-something, we can make a deal.''

Angelique's smile curled upwards. ''I'm listening.''

Watching on, Isabel couldn't believe what was happening. Despite being the one trapped, Angelique was getting what she wanted. Lucan was willing to trade people for his son's life. She could see the panic on people's faces, but there was nothing they could do. If the council deemed it a good deal, they would go through with it. No one had the power to stop them.

Well, no one except her.

''Wait!'' She called out before Lucan could offer the terms of agreement. Ignoring the glares from everyone around her, she walked over to Angelique. ''You're not getting anything more from us.''

Lucan stared at Isabel furiously. ''You're just going to let my son die…''

''You're just going to trade your people like goods?'' Isabel snapped back, silencing Lucan. There was so much venom in her voice that everyone was rendered speechless. ''She can't tell us what to do. I crushed her force by myself. Even if there is more at this camp of hers, I could get Thane back and leave them broken. But, I can make my own deal with them. One person for another. We give them Angelique back, we get Thane back. That sounds like the fairest deal to me. Or, do you want to debate with me you yellow mole!''

Either too stunned or scared, Lucan said nothing. Everyone watched on with their mouths agape, refusing to believe what they had seen. Even Jess was speechless. She had never seen her friend with this kind of fury with anyone, let alone someone so high up in the colony. The only one who felt something that didn't resemble fear was Helen. Something about seeing her daughter stand up for what's right filled her with so much pride. And the strength in her words left her trembling with happiness and excitement.

Finally, Angelique chuckled softly. ''Are you sure you don't have any dragon in you?''

''I'll figure that out later.'' Isabel said. ''I'm taking you back to your camp, and you're trading me Thane, alive and well. Once we get there, you'll let your people know not to cross me because you've seen what I can do. If you try anything, I'll break your other hand.''

Giovanni approached her. ''You can't go alone. What if it proves too much for you?''

''Then I'll go with her.'' Helen spoke up. She could see Isabel about to protest, but she raised her hand, throwing everyone into a bigger state of shock that the one who silenced the council could be silenced by her mother. ''There could be something to discover. We're journeying into uncharted territory. Who knows what recourses we might find along the way? And I'm not letting my babygirl go off alone.''

''Mom…'' Isabel grumbled bashfully.

''Deal.'' Angelique said. ''I'm up for an adventure. You know, my partner is quite the animal hunter. I hope that you don't die before you two go at it.''

''I'm not looking for a fight,'' Isabel replied. ''I just want Thane back, and I want you to stay away from our home. If you don't, you're going to have to deal with me. Whatever I am, you know what I'm capable of.''

A shaky Lucan returned to his seat and turned to the other council members. ''Prepare everything needed for Isabel and Helen. Bring it all to my private hut.''

As everything was getting prepared, Isabel and Helen walk together. ''Did I do the right thing, mom?''

''There's only one way to find out. Going to the surface might also shed some light and what you've become.''

Isabel nodded and then looked at her mother with doubt in her eyes. ''I'm not…really part dragon, am I?''

''Of course not, that's impossible. But, it seems like you've inherited their powers into your human body somehow. Whatever that skeleton was might have had a similar story. Whatever the case, I'm proud of you for wanting to do the right thing.''

''I didn't really know what I was doing. I'm saying exactly what I think and feel. It's like I don't have anything to switch on the rational side of my brain anymore. I'm all fire. Is this what puberty is like?''

Helen chuckled lightly. ''No, this is unique to you. But, I'll be with you through it.''

XXX

SALUTATIONS MY SWEET SUPERSTARS! DID YOU LIKE THIS NEW CHAPTER? ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO ISABEL AND HELEN'S ADVENTURES TOGETHER? CAN THEY SAVE THANE? WILL WE LEARN MORE ABOUT ISABEL'S ABILITIES? AND WHAT KIND OF MISCHIEF WILL THE DAUGHTER AND MOTHER DUO GET UP TO TOGETHER ON THEIR QUEST? ALL THIS AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED VERY SOON. I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU ARE ALL ENJOYING THIS STORY SO FAR. IT MAKES ME SMILE THAT SOMETHING I'M WRITING AND CHARACTERS I'M BREATHING LIFE INTO ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT. NOW, I WANT TO ADDRESS SOMETHING, I'VE HAD PEOPLE ASK ABOUT JESS AND IF SHE'LL HAVE SOME MOMENTS WITH ISABEL AND IF SHE'LL BE A POTENTIAL LOVE INTEREST. I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO SPOILERY AS I FEEL IT'S MORE FUN TO BE IN THE DARK WITH THIS STORY. BUT THERE WILL BE SOMETHING. IN FACT, THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL SEE A BIT OF A FUN SCENE WITH ISABEL AND JESS. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT, AS WELL AS MORE STUFF WITH ISABEL AND HELEN. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THEM GET UP TO?

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING THE BEST READERS EVER. KEEP STAYING AMAZING. TA-TA FOR NOW.