After she and her 'new friend' had bonded, they exited the cave together, and found a smiling group of Riders. Jack stepped forward and presented her with strips of meat for the hatchling. She felt the familiar sensation of another mind connected to hers, but his was much stronger than any before. She fed her new best friend, and then walked back to camp with the group of people.

-----------------

This can't be. Why would she get a dragon? I mean, she is... halfbreed scum. I'll have to take her out sooner than I thought.

-----------------

Leila awoke to pale grey scales curling up next to her. Nobody else was awake yet, or so she thought. She picked up her new friend, and tried to tell it they were going for a walk. In her mind, she felt it trying to understand. She moved forward with it in her arms, and the dragon seemed to understand. She walked to the edge of the beach, and threw stones into the water.

"Don't move," a hoarse voice whispered. She felt an unfamiliar pair of arms encircle her neck, and a cold steel blade at her throat. She heard her dragon squeak, and became infuriated. What was this man doing to the poor thing? He has no right! Again, the pure fury she felt transformed her. Startled, the man almost cut her throat, but her quick reflexes protected her. She turned to face... Nex? He was quivering, but his resolve was admirable. Her visage was altered yet again, and she stood in full fury against Nex.

"What do you want, Nex?" She tried to say, but a unreadable muttering escaped her mouth. She approached him, and he backed away slowly. She grabbed her dragon, and told it, "be safe." She picked up a nearby branch and hurled it at him as hard as she could, which considering her new unnatural strength, whizzed through the air like a bullet. He tried to parry but it struck him dead on the side, slicing his tunic though it wasn't that sharp. Her ruby eyes gleamed in the flickering sunset, as she watched him fall to the ground. As she looked away, she resumed her natural appearance at the sight of her dragon. My dragon, she thought while she walked back to tell everyone what happened.

-----------------------

I can't believe she got the best of me. It's a good thing she doesn't know anything of magic, I would be dead. I won't make that mistake next time. Her dragon will die, too, but I am willing to sacrifice it for a greater cause.

-----------------------

When Leila walked back to camp, she talked to her dragon. It didn't use words yet, so she tried to teach it by speaking to it as often as she could. Faolin greeted her, and she told him about Nex's failed assassination attempt. He mentally contacted a few people, then rushed off in the direction she pointed them in. Ryu came too, but stopped when he reached her.

"Leila? Are you alright? Jack said that you were attacked!" She looked at him with sorrowful eyes and said, "Nex did it. Before he tried to blame something horrible on me and now he's trying to kill me? Why? WHY?" She sobbed, but didn't change quite yet. Ryu sat next to her as she sprawled on the ground, putting his arm around her tenderly. She rested her head on his chest, and cried into him. He realized he was comforting a good version of a shade, because her hair changed again, even though he couldn't see her eyes he felt her entire body changing. She was still the same person inside, he knew, not evil. Just emotional.

He was caught by surprise when her felt her lips against his. There was nothing he could do but accept her plea and they both gave in to sweet romance.

A few minutes later, Leila and Ryu were laying down together, watching the stars. Their dragons were curled up peaceably next to them, and Leila was 'normal' again. Ryu said something she didn't understand, but she knew he loved her. And even though they hadn't known each other for that long, she also knew that she loved him back.

Leila didn't think it would get any more perfect.

----------------------------

That traitor. He needs to burn in hell for what they were doing together. He knows full well what she is, but he still carries the illusion that she could be human. Pitiful scum.

Now they should both die.

------------------------------

All behold the master of cliffies! But, it's not so much a cliffie when I'm on an updating spree. No writers block this time! A dollar of store credit goes out to my reviewers, past, present, and future! Look for another chapter soon, and I know they're short, but they get to the point, right?