Isabel and Helen stepped away from each other, but it was already too late. In the dim light, Helen could faintly see Jess's confused expression. She turned to her daughter, unsure if she should stand between them and explain the situation, or if it would be better to let Isabel talk with her friend. Either way, there was no going back.

''What's going on?'' Jess gasped. She didn't look repulsed or angry. The only way Isabel and Helen could describe her would be lost. ''What…why…you two…''

Sighing deeply, Isabel slowly approached her friend. ''This is what I wanted to tell you earlier.''

''Did…'' Jess said hesitantly. ''Did you two find out you're not related or something?''

''No.''

Jess lowered her gaze to the ground as if she was expecting a rational answer to sprout up like trees used to do in the old days. ''Did I cause this?''

''Huh?'' Isabel replied.

Jess turned to Helen, blushing furiously. ''When you saw Isabel and me…did I trigger some kind of mating instinct so you would have sex with the closest woman?''

Isabel didn't know whether to laugh or cry. ''No, that's not…mom and I haven't even had sex yet.''

She didn't mean to include that last word, but it just slipped out before she could stop herself. Jess stared at the two of them wide-eyed and even Helen didn't know what to say after Isabel's statement. She rubbed her face and tried to catch her breath. The older woman had mixed feelings about whether or not Isabel should tell Jess about their growing feelings. This was the worst possible way she could have discovered them. Actually, Jess could have discovered them together in other ways. Helen shook away those thoughts so that she could focus on the here and now.

Helen stepped forward to try and take control of the situation. ''Jess, I understand you must have a lot of questions. We'll explain everything to you as soon as we can, but right now, we need to return to the colony and get everyone to hurry to the surface. Isabel has a plan for how to stop the Drake.''

Jess seemed to calm down a little, but she still looked unsure. Her eyes flickered down to the walkie-talkie in Isabel's hand. ''Does it have something to do with that thing? I could hear it make a funny noise and that's why I came back to check on you.''

Isabel nodded. ''Yeah. There are Vipers waiting for us on the surface. They're going to help us. I think I know how to win against Lacron.''

''You think?''

''It's a long shot, but it's the only one we've got.''

Jess swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded. She turned away, looking dejected. ''Your secret is safe with me.''

''Thank you,'' Helen smiled.

Isabel reached forward, but Jess was already walking ahead. Her friend didn't look back once, stroking her arm and slouching her shoulders. Isabel groaned and ran her hand through her hair, close to pulling it out in frustration. It wasn't until Helen grasped her hand that she finally looked up. With her mother's help, Isabel continued down the tunnel. She wanted nothing more than a moment with Jess to properly explain herself, even if she wasn't sure how to explain it. However, the fate of the colony was in Isabel's hands now. She remembered her plan to stop Lacron. There was no time to waste.

XXX

''You made it!'' Jon beamed as he rushed to the mouth of the tunnel as soon as he saw Isabel, Helen and Jess come into view.

His words caught the attention of more in the colony, and soon, the three women found themselves being crowded with an endless sea of questions washing over them. It shouldn't have mattered too much to Isabel, but she wasn't sure how to feel being surrounded by dozens of eyes while wearing nothing but a cloth that didn't do a good job of concealing her private area. She could feel the gaze of a few women trying to measure what she was carrying. Without a word, Helen stepped between her daughter and any prying eyes.

''Where are Lucan and the council?'' Helen asked Jon.

''They are on the far side of the cavern. They're preparing the diggers to start work on new homes and…''

''We can't stay!''

Jon flinched. The crowd murmured amongst themselves. Isabel didn't need super sight or hearing to know that everyone was tired, hungry, scared and angry. But she was all of those things too, and she didn't have time to get everyone up to speed.

''The Drake is still after us!'' Isabel called out. ''He's toying with us. He's given us time to run away before tracking us down, and he will find us here.''

''So, we're supposed to humor him and let him chase us?'' Jon questioned.

''No, I have a plan. But I can't be worried about the colony if he goes after them first. So, we need to get everyone to the surface. There we'll…''

''To the surface?'' Lucan cried out. He, Thane, Giovanni and the rest of the council had come over to check on the commotion. ''We'll be forced to confront the dangers of the outside world along with a Drake?''

''I have a plan. I've already called the group of Vipers that helped us before. They're setting up something that will help me. I couldn't beat Lacron last time, but I know I'll get the better of him this time. But time is almost up, we need to get everyone moving again now.''

Giovanni scratched his chin. ''If we go, people will pass out from exhaustion.''

''If we don't go, people will die by the hands of a Drake. Take your pick!''

Her tone was harsh and to the point, but Helen and Jess knew it was what was needed. They had no idea how much time they had before Lacron came after them. Jess had been keeping a mental count in her head ever since Isabel told them about her conversation with the Drake. While she couldn't be certain of her accuracy, she estimated they had no more than 15 minutes to get everyone to the surface.

Lucan turned to his son. ''Do you trust these Vipers that Isabel speaks about?''

''Yeah…'' Thane clicked his tongue. ''They helped before.''

That was all Lucan needed to hear. He sharply turned to Helen. ''You will guide the colony. I trust that you know where this meeting point with the Vipers will be?''

Helen nodded. Next to her, Isabel stepped forward. ''I'll cover the rear. If Lacron starts coming after us, I'll hear him.''

XXX

The word had been given and once again, everyone in the colony was up on their feet and on the move. Those that had brought their belongings and set them out for their new homes, unfortunately, had to leave them behind. Helen and Giovanni raced to the front so that they could lead everyone to safety. The trek was slower and more sluggish than before. Isabel could see people limping and gasping for breath. It wasn't good to have so many people travel through compact tunnels underground. She didn't know if it was because of her abilities or because she had spent time on the surface, but she could feel the difference in the air. The people weren't used to air like this outside of their home.

Isabel ran to everyone she could, helping them to their feet and encouraging them onwards. She wished she could pick them up and carry them there and back, but that would take too much time and she feared that if she left her post, that would be the moment when Lacron would strike. Looking back, it was still eerily quiet. She clenched her teeth in anger. She could imagine the smug look plastered over the Drake's snout as he waited to hunt them down.

She heard someone else trip in front of her and hurried to help them. She almost froze when she saw it was Jess stumbling around. Her stomach groaned loudly. ''Are you okay?''

Jess nodded. ''It was my turn to search for water before you returned. I haven't eaten since before then.''

''That was hours ago!'' Isabel gasped. She grabbed her friend's arm and hooked it around her shoulder.

Pressing Jess's body against her, Isabel could feel her friend's warmth. She picked up on Jess's heartbeat racing. She was only meant to be helping her, but Isabel couldn't help but feel a little spark of excitement course through her body. It didn't help that she was still naked apart from a cloth that was beginning to tear whenever she got hard. She cursed her stamina. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Jess was trying not to look at the bulge.

The two of them remained silent as they followed the colony through the tunnels. They travelled through the darkness, making their way over rocks and small critters that crossed their path. More people started to collapse from exhaustion. Isabel would ease Jess to the wall and rush to help them. It was easy with her strength, but she had to be careful with how she handled others, especially the elderly. As she helped everyone she could, Jess watched on and wasn't sure what to think. She had always suspected that Isabel would find someone other than herself. She was too kind and strong a person to attract no attention. But, with her own blood mother? Jess didn't know what to think. Was this something that happened in the old world? Did they always feel this way about each other? She knew that Isabel was always close with her mom, but she didn't think they would get that close.

''Jess?''

Jess looked up to see that Isabel had returned to help her. She grabbed her friend's arm and they walked forward together.

''Isabel…'' Jess said softly so that only her best friend could hear her. ''It's okay.''

Isabel's neck twisted so quickly, it almost snapped. ''What?''

''I remember before you left that you said if there's anyone in the colony you would mate with it would be me. But I also remember you talking about wanting to choose someone because you loved them not because you just wanted to mate and make children. If you love someone else that way…even if it's your own mother, I won't stop your happiness.''

Lost for words, Isabel slowed down and waited for Jess to face her before responding. ''My heart does burn for my mother. I know it's not right, but I can't deny the truth. There is another truth. My heart burns just as brightly when I think of you. It's just easier to admit with you because you're not blood-related.''

''What are you saying?'' Jess pouted. ''You can't love us both. It's meant to be two people united…''

''Jess, the world is so much bigger than the colony! Who's the say that it's only meant to be two people together? Who's to say that we should only mate to have children? I have discovered feelings for my mom that I shouldn't have, or never thought I should have. I have abilities that seemed impossible just a few weeks ago. There's so much we don't know, not only with the old world but our current one. Who says I can't love two people with all my heart? If it's how I feel, I won't deny it.''

Jess's lower lip trembled. ''Love?''

''I think so,'' Isabel smiled. ''When this is over. We may need to talk about what to do next.''

At last, Jess's smile returned and Isabel felt warm again.

However, her skin turned cold when she heard something in the distance. A low rumbling that was growing louder after every second. She looked behind them and felt sick in her stomach as the strange feeling returned.

''Time's up,'' Isabel said. A chill raced up her spine. She hooked her arm under Jess's legs and carried her in her arms before rushing to the rest of the colony. ''Hurry! Go, go, go!''

She didn't need to state the reason why she wanted them to move faster. People were screaming and rushing down the tunnel. At the front, Helen could just about see a faint light coming from the mouth of the tunnel. She did her best to stay in the lead as she guided the colony out of the tunnel and up to the surface. The sun was peering over dark clouds, shining a light on the world that was alien to everyone apart from Isabel and Helen. Some in the colony was too scared to go out, but after a few hurried pushes from Isabel, they had gotten everyone out of the tunnel.

Isabel stared into the distance and spotted the monument that Helen had told Cruise about. She remembered it from the private history lessons her mother would give her about the ancient world. The statue of a woman holding a torch aloft felt like a beacon of hope to them all as Helen charged towards it and everyone else followed. Isabel's ears were burning. She had a feeling that Lacron had reached a point where he could hear them because it sounded like he had picked up the pace. It was only a matter of seconds before he would be upon them.

''Hey! Over here!'' A voice cried out. Helen looked up and saw it was Pitt and a few from the Crew standing on sandy hills and waving at them.

Isabel gently helped Jess down onto the ground and as soon as her friend was on her feet, Isabel sprinted to the Crew. She ran around the colony and had blitz past her mother in the blink of an eye, kicking up a wall of sand in her wake. Despite the head start, Isabel was able to find Cruise before Helen could.

''Cruise! Is it ready?'' Isabel shouted.

Cruise turned around and grinned like he didn't have to worry about death any time soon. Behind him, a few of the Crew were slowly walking around, careful not to step on specific spots. They ran to the hill where Pitt was, leaving Cruise as the last man to inspect their work before Isabel arrived.

''We just finished the last one.'' He said to her as she stopped next to him. ''I wouldn't recommend your people come this way unless you want to witness a bloody rendition of an ancient tradition called the 4th of July.''

''My mom will lead everyone up there. You need to hurry too. The Drake is coming.''

''Don't ya want me to tell you where we laid…''

''I can see them.''

Cruise glared at her. ''Well, that's not good. If you can see it, then tall, dark and scaly will spot them too. Not that it will matter. These things will feel like a small splinter in the foot for him.''

Before Isabel could retort, she heard Lacron getting closer. ''He's here. Hurry.''

Cruise smirked and started to walk to the others. ''Here's looking at you, kid.''

Isabel didn't know if Cruise was trying to encourage her or tease her. Either way, he was already moving out of the way. She could see everyone perched on top of the hill. Some were trying to move to the front so that they could see what was happening while others crowded to the back to hide. Isabel searched for a moment before her eyes fell upon Helen and Jess. Both of them watched on, frightened but with a faint slither of hope in their eyes. That was all Isabel needed. She tilted her head up to gaze at the sun. The heat stroked her face like a parent welcoming their newborn into the world.

When her eyes fell back to the tunnel, she saw Lacron marching out with a sinister smile. He threw back his hood and stretched his talons. The colony gasped in shock. Apart from Helen, this was the first time any of them had seen a Drake in the flesh. It would be an image that would haunt their nightmares until their last days.

The Crew weren't sure what to do either. A few of them readied their weapons. Pitt looked at Cruise. ''If the kid doesn't pull this off, we'll be easy pickings.''

His words fell on deaf ears as Cruise stared at Isabel curiously. ''Why is she standing between the Drake and the mines?''

Lacron glanced up at the colony and Crew, licking his lips and chuckling darkly. ''It's not often you see dinner come to enjoy a show.''

''You wouldn't have let me go if you were serious,'' Isabel replied. ''You wanted a bit of fun. So, here I am. If you leave them alone and come after me first, I'll give you the fight of your life. Or, I should say the last fight of your life!''

''You are bold for someone who is still licking their wounds from…'' he paused and then looked beyond Isabel. He noticed lumps in the ground that didn't appear natural. He sniffed the air and stuck out his tongue, tasting metal in the air. He laughed harder than before. ''Is this a joke? You ran all this way just to trick me into standing on land mines?''

''No…'' Isabel smiled and lifted her foot. ''I ran all this way so that I could do this.''

Before anyone could say or do anything, Isabel stamped her foot on a land mine.

XXX

HELLO ALL YOU AMAZING AND SWEET SUPERSTARS! DID YOU LIKE THIS NEW CHAPTER? I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT IN THIS ONE, BUT I WANTED TO HAVE A LOT OF SET-UP BEFORE THE BIG FIGHT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. IT'LL BE THE BIG ONE. ISABEL VS LORD LACRON ROUND 2. WILL ISABEL FIND A WAY TO WIN THIS TIME? IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO SEE YOU ALL WONDER ABOUT ISABEL'S PLAN. IT WAS ALSO FUN TO SEE YOUR REACTIONS TO JESS STUMBLING UPON ISABEL AND HELEN KISSING. THERE IS MORE DEVELOPMENT COMING BETWEEN THESE THREE. HOPEFULLY THEY'LL HAVE TIME AND SPACE TO TALK EVERYTHING OUT. BUT WILL THAT HAPPEN? I CAN'T SAY FOR NOW. YOU HAVE ALL BEEN THE BEST READERS EVER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO READ THE NEXT CHAPTER.

JUST IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ON MY PROFILE, I'M NOW ON TWITTER. I FIGURED THAT IT WOULD BE AN EASY WAY TO POST ANY NEWS OR UPDATES RATHER THAN ALWAYS DETAIL EVERYTHING IN BIG CHUNKS ON MY PROFILES AND P/A/T/R/E/O/N. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. SPEAKING OF P/A/T/R/E/O/N, I'VE NOW ADDED SOME GOALS DEPENDING ON HOW MANY SUPPORTERS WE GET. PLEASE DO NOT FEEL PRESSURED INTO DONATING IF YOU CAN'T. I KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH NOW. IT'S ONLY FOR THOSE WHO CAN SPARE SOME CHANGE AT THIS CURRENT TIME. EACH OF YOU ARE AMAZING IN YOUR OWN WAY, AND I LOVE YOU ALL THE SAME.

STAY SAFE. WASH YOUR HANDS. WEAR YOUR MASKS. AND STAY EXCELLENT. TA-TA FOR NOW.