Me and Shane ran through the woods as I looked back at the little map on the targets info. I folded it and slid it in my back pocket. I turned to Shane. "Just through these trees." I gave the signal with my hands and he nodded, determination in his eyes as he drew his bow and set up his arrow.

"Why are you here?" a raspy voice echoed around us. It's impossible to tell where he is. I averted my gaze from Shane's and motioned to the bush that was up ahead. He gave a swift nod as we approached from different angles. As we started to close in, our target shot into the air using it's real form. I wasn't surprised but when I heard Shane gasp, I knew this wasn't what he was expecting.

The dim sunlight reflected off his scales, which were a dark maroon, the color of dried blood. His jade green eyes watched us as he unfolded his wings. Our eyes widened when we saw the wingspan.

"Crap!" both of us said at the same time. He flapped his wings, creating a giant wind gust. I held my arms up in front of my face. Shane did the same just as the wind became stronger and we were sent flying back.

CRASH!

Shane slumped to the ground, knocked unconscious from the attack. Wincing, I staggered to my feet and slowly walked over to him. His eyes watched my movements until I stopped right in front of him. He raised his claw to defend himself but instead of attacking, I knelt down in front of him and allowed my wings to unfold to their full length. Looking up, I could see his eyes widen in surprise. "You are not a human nor dragon. What are you, child?"

I shook my head. "I am just someone seeking the answers I need."

He grunted and his body shifted until in his place stood a young man. He was about the same height as me with dark skin, jade green eyes and dark red hair. He was wearing a maroon, silk dress shirt, black dress pants and black dress shoes. He had an amused look on his face as he watched me. "Show me proof of your lineage and I shall tell you what I know."

"I was not planning to attack you. I needed to hold up the appearance that I was." I said, moving my bangs away from my left eye, revealing the mark that rested there. It was consisted of two black vines entwined with another, the tips stopping at a point on both ends which rested above my eyebrow and below my eye.

"I do not hold it against you, child." He said, his eyes narrowed when he saw the mark. It took me a second to realize that he was studying my features. "Hair the color of the moon and eyes like fire. You do resemble the late king. Very well, I will tell you what I know. The night when the royal family was killed was no accident."