Chapter 10: Hearts and Minds

Rose struggled slightly as she lugged her suitcase across the hall to the Huntsman's office. She was going to say good-bye to him when she heard voices. It was her uncle talking to someone she didn't recognize. She leaned against the closed door to eavesdrop.

"So, why do you take care of Rose if she's not your real niece?" The voice asked.

"Because," The Huntsman replied "I needed an apprentice to help me slay dragons. I rescued her from her fathers' wrath after he killed her mother."

"So what's the plan?"

"Since the American dragon has been under the influence of the hallucinating potion, he thinks his grandfather is dead. He'll think it's his fault. Overcome with grief and guilt, he'll want to be slain. After that, we kill Rose and the Chinese dragon."

Rose gasps silently. Oh, crap. I have to get Jake out of here!

Jake felt proud. He just remembered he still had his cell phone. He called his mom to let him know he's okay. Jake's mom told him all about how Gramps and Fu came to rescue him and the Huntsman poured a hallucinating potion over Jake to make it look like he was dead and to make him think Gramps and Fu are dead. He was just chuckling to himself when Rose barged in looking scared. It was then that Jake realized she didn't have anything to do with all this.

"We have to get out of here!" Rose cried as she ran to unlock the cell.

"Rose?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

Rose beamed as she opened the cell, pulled Jake out and kissed him. All of a sudden, the Huntsman and his companion burst in. Jake and Rose gasp as they pulled apart.

"Aww, isn't that cute?" the Huntsman sneered. "Friends again just as they are about to be slain."

"You!" Jake growled. "Who's your friend?"

"I'm glad you asked. This is my new apprentice in training, Rhett Wills."

"Nice meeting you. Not!" Rhett laughed.

"You are just like your mother, Rose. She left the Huntsclan for a dragon. Fortunately, I tricked your mother into thinking he betrayed her. Then I told your father your mother never left the Huntsclan. Thus, resulting to your father killing his wife. Then I disposed of him!"

Rose was shocked by this revelation. "NO!" She cried. "I hate you. I HATE YOU!" She shouted as she kicked and punched hard at the Huntsman. Jake pulled her back. Then he turned furiously to the Huntsman.

"So, this was your plan? To do the same thing you did to Roses' parents to Rose?"

"Figures. I thought you were too dense to figure it out. You're a lot smarter than I gave you credit for."

"That tears it! Dragon up!" Jake transforms and grabs the front of the Huntsmans' shirt. "You're dead." He throws back his fist, but is interrupted by Rose.

"No, Jake! Not like him."

Jake thinks for a second, then grabs Rhett and throws them both into the cell against the wall. Rose slams the door shut, locks it, and tosses the key into the corner. She then gets on Jakes' back and they speed off into the night.

Relax, there's still more to come!