The stranger asked her, "Are you interested in my ring? The creature engraved on the ring is called Basilisk. It is also known as a Cockatrice. It is born from a serpent's egg incubated by a cockerel, so the resulting creature is half-bird and half-snake."
Veronica carefully questioned him, "Who are you? What do you want? You didn't come here to explain what kind of creature on your ring is, did you?" her eyes stole a glance at the door. She wanted to distract him somehow and then run toward the door.
The stranger was still relaxed. He was lazily leaning against the wall and introduced himself, "The name is Dastan. I'm here to take you."
"Why would you want to take me?" Veronica taunted him. She acted bravely to fool him and hide her fear or nervousness. "Do I look like I'm willing to go anywhere with a stranger? And, I don't remember you asking for my permission?"
Dastan commented, "You are a curious one. Aren't you afraid of what I might do to you?"
