{_Get him off, get him off._} Hestia whined.
"Okay, just hold still." I said.
I had just excused myself inorder to take care of my leg, but mainly to get Tyler on a bed and make sure he was okay. He hadn't woken up yet, which was good since he was still strapped to Hestia. So with that we walked to my cabin and with some careful maneuvering, I was able to get Tyler off of Hestia and put him on the bed. While he was still unconscious, I went over to the front room and bandaged my leg. After wrapping it with gauze and thanking the lord it was only a graze, I took a chair, a wet cloth, and the first aid kit into the bedroom and made sure Tyler was okay. Hess was behind the cabin looking in the bedroom through the window, ready to bite him in half if he attacked.
Tyler was still asleep though, so I went ahead and wiped his face and unstrapped his vest and boots. I also took away his weapon, just so he doesn't end up provoking anyone with them. As I worked to make him more comfortable, I couldn't help but examine his appearance. His hair was longer than before, almost past his shoulders. The locks were tangled up and seemed to curl at the end. His face was slightly thinner, the cheeks almost appeared hollow and pale. However his torso was more defined and muscular along with his legs. Clearly he had been training with the military for a while. He had even grown taller then before. Before he was five foot ten, now he was atleast six feet tall. Definitely taller than my five foot five figure.
Despite all these changes, he was still undeniably Tyler. My bestfriend since elementary school. The one who was there for me during my turbulent childhood. The one who looked out for me when I got hurt, who dropped everthing to cheer me up on a bad day, who said he loved me despite my many flaws. The Tyler I lost the day the Haze came and destroyed my old way of life. Yeah, that Tyler.
{_Doesn't mean I trust him._} Hestia sneered.
{_You don't have to, not yet. Just give him a chance, and know I won't dare choose him over you._} I cooed. She was worried he would take me away.
Hestia went silent, pondering my words. She may not feel okay about this, but knows I would protect her if needed. I look away from her and focus on Tyler again. He was breathing alright, but seemed to be stuck in a deep sleep. I flushed, think I must've hit him harder than I thought. Hopefully he will be okay, but I'm still gonna hear it from him when he wakes up. Just because he loves me doesnt mean he won't chew me out for this. Damn, I might have to knock him out again if it comes to that.
All of a sudden his eyes flew open, clearly nervous and afraid. His eyes locked on my throat and he reached for my neck.
I fell backwards scared he would strangle me to death. Hestia growls deeply, trying to shove her whole head into the room, but can barely move, much less bite him in half. I was tense and ready to strike back, but instead he just keeps me pinned to the ground and stares at my neck. I feel a tugging sensation and look at my neck thinking he's going to apply pressure, but instead he's just holding my necklace.
It was the one he gave to me on my tenth birthday. Tyler had worked his ass off, doing anything his parents asked him to do so he could save enough money to buy me a present. The necklace was custom made by his aunt, who ran a small jewelry shop. It was made of amethyst and garnet stones, all strung together. In the middle was a heart made of quartz with my initials carved into it. I was so happy with the gift I even kissed Tyler on the cheek. Ever since I got it I never took it off, not even after the Haze came.
Tyler was transfixed with the necklace, gently stroking the heart with his thumb, as if to make sure it was real. I put my hand on his cheek and made him look at me. He was wide eyed as he stared at my face, clearly not expecting this anymore than I had. Hestia was still tense, but could sense I was okay at the moment.
He caressed my cheek, "Anna?"
I nodded. He finally let up, but then grabbed my face and kissed me deeply. His tongue slipped by mine and then wrapped around it. I was shocked by his move, almost unable to comprehend what's going on. Hestia wasn't too pleased.
HISS
Tyler snapped his head over to the window, definitely noticing the very annoyed dragon that was baring her fangs. He jumped up, grabbed my arm and backed us both against the wall. Hestia was outraged at his behavior and tried to attack through the window, but damn the thing was just to small to lunge forward. I was pleading at her through our link not to burn down the place, as she was getting antsy as hell by the situation.
"Are you FREAKING DRAGON RIDER!" He shouted, almost sounding hysterical at the end.
GROWL
"Yes, now keep it down or the other will hear you." I whispered.
"Others, what you do, bring me in for execution." Tyler said.
{_Maybe_}. Hestia hissed.
"No, I brought you here because it was chaos and you probably would've gotten left behind" I explained.
Tyler stared, he was still tense though.
"I knew you cared, but what if the giant lizard eats us both?" he said.
{_Just you._} Hess whispered.
I sighed. How will this get better if they keep fighting? If one tries to kill the other, it's going to piss me off and get everyone's attention.
"She's not going to eat us, it would be too much trouble." I said,
"She!" He croaked.
{_Did he think I was a boy!_} Hess yelled.
"Hestia, keep it down!" I looked at Tyler, "yes she, I've known her for almost four years."
I explained how I woke up and found a shack to take shelter. The time her mother arrived and made a nest, when she discovered me feeding her scraps. The day Hestia bonded us and how it enhanced my strength, sense, healing, and overall intelligence plus durability. Our training sessions, encounters with the military, battles with monsters and basically everything else but Averia and what she says.
I was telling him how I met other dragon riders when Connor and Monti came around looking for Hess and I. He knocked on the cabin door while Monti peaked around the back.
"Hey Anna you alright?" Connor asked.
Tyler stood up. He glared towards the front of the cabin. I contemplated opening the door, or just waiting for Connor to leave, but then Tyler just had to open his mouth.
"Tell me that's not your boyfriend," he said. I shook my head, utterly annoyed at his attitude and for giving himself away. God, doesn't he know dragons have a good sense of hearing. Well with him outed, I had know choice but to let Connor in.
{_What the… WAIT, how did he get here?_} Monti shouted. He was looking through the window at Tyler and I. Connor was in the room now and quietly observed Tyler.
"I brought him here." I explained how we knew each other, and why I decided to take him with us. They both relaxed a little, but Tyler was still tense. Connor continued staring at Tyler the whole time. Hestia and Monti were doing their best not to draw others to us. Tyler was looking at me and Connor, trying to see if there was something between us.
"So you two used to be friends." Connor said.
"We're still friends, close friends." Tyler corrected.
{_Can you believe that Anna wasted her time with him?_} Hestia said to Monti. Tyler looked at them, then looked at me.
"Why didn't you come to Dallas?" He asked.
{_Why would she go to Dallas? She has an amazing dragon._} Hestia teased. Monti snickered, even Connor smiled.
"What, something funny." Tyler sneered.
Connor smiled at me and said. "It's been so long since I've been around other people, I forgot that dragon riders could only understand what a dragon says."
I sighed, it was going to be difficult to make sure no one got hurt. I turned to Tyler and told him that I couldn't go because I wouldn't leave Hestia. He seemed to understand, but looked a little hurt about it. Once everyone could calm down and compose themselves we decided to carry on our conversation outside. So we went behind the cabin where I had set up a fire pit. Hestia and Monti circled around us while Connor, Tyler and I sat on lawn chairs I had brought with me when Hestia and I moved here. We talked a little more about what happened earlier and why the military is pushing towards Galveston. According to Tyler it was because dragons had been spotted around here, which was just the conformation the Knights needed. Eventually Connor said we need to talk to Leonard.
"If we're going to avoid trouble, we have to tell him about this." he explained, "Leo hates secrets and won't be happy if we tried to sneak him out, and we need to tell him that the military is aware of our presence."
"yeah I know" I sighed, it would be tough saying goodbye, but for the best of both of us. Tyler would need to headback and we needed to get the heck out of dodge.
"So I'm supposed to go back without you." Tyler said.
"Yes." I answered, knowing where this was going.
"Not happening." He said, "Its been four years since I've seen you, everyone thinks your dead. I can't just go back and not tell them about you, they didn't even go to leave Texas. We're all still here, and they deserve to see you alive even if just for a moment." He went on telling me that I deserve to be around my friends, that they will accept me for who I've become and that all of them will help protect Hestia.
{_So this human wants to take Anna to the shelter in Dallas._} Daenerys implied.
We jumped at the sight of him and Leo. Connor immediately got up from the chair and walked to his brother.
"Leo, we were going to tell you." Connor stuttered, but Leonard held his hand for silence.
"If he's not going to hurt anyone here, it's fine," Leo turned in Tylers direction, "Anna can't go back to Dallas. If they find out she's a rider, they will capture her, and she can't be separated from Hestia or they will both grow weak."
"And you know how?" Tyler challenged.
"If they don't, they'll use her against us." Leo said.
By then everyone was watching them, and it couldn't be more intense. A quick glance and anyone would realize that a fight was close to breaking out. Although Leonard is older and a dragon rider, it didn't mean Tyler was a pushover. He could hold his own just fine, even against groups of other people. The dragons would end him fast, but only after Tyler did his damage.
"Are you brain dead or something?" Willam yelled, "she can't go back."
Hannah folded her arms. "As much as I like to see Anna gone, if it means we could die, then hell no."
"I'm not asking your permission. Don't tell me how to protect my girl." Tyler shouted.
After he referred to me as "his girl" the tension only grew. Hestia was hissing and wanting to pounce, Connor's shoulders had tense, Willam went from shocked to anger, even Hannah was ready to fight. As if it couldn't get worse, Willam got in Tyler's face.
"I'm sorry, when did she become your girl." Willam put his arm around me, which definitely did not help, and pulled me to his side, "she's one of us, and nothing you do can keep her safe. Just being here puts all of us in danger."
{_Don't put my rider in the middle of this._} Hestia snarled. She had taken her claw and pulled me closer to her by the collar of my jacket.
Willam glared in Hestia's direction, and when seeing this, Draco stepped closer ready to back Willam up. Leonard noticed and decided to put an end to this.
"Enough! Anna isn't going with you!" He shouted, which scared everybody but Tyler and I.
Willam and Connor looked stunned, Hannah backed up into her dragon, Ethan and Pang were trying to calm down Kyle. I never thought my old life would collide with my new one. If Tyler was going to leave, I would have to come with him. The risk was high and the consequences fatal, but I did want to see my old friends. Almost four years without them had been hell. Hestia was the only thing keeping me alive. Without her, I would've surrendered to the new world. Hestia would have to stay away, which would be the hardest thing she and I would have to do.
"Yes I am." I declared.
"Anna you could die!" Connor shouted. But god I wanted to see them.
"Only if they find out," I explained, "If I'm discovered, I'll leave and go west to keep them away from everyone. We all know it's only a matter of time before we are discovered. Hell, accordingto Tyler they already know we're here. If needed, I'll reveal myself and then go on the run to let you all escape."
They thought it through. It could work, and might give them the chance to relocate. Hopefully Hestia would be willing to go with them. She couldn't come with me, but that didn't mean we would never see each other ever again.
"It's a gamble, but could save our lives." Leo admitted.
"Are you serious!" Willam shouted, "What if he leads her into a trap, then comes back with more men and ambushes us."
Even Connor and Hannah were scared by that thought. Yet I knew Tyler wouldn't do that. We've been friends since the first grade, he wouldn't do anything to put me in danger.
I might even find people who would be willing to cooperate with dragon riders. If we could make some peace, then I wouldn't have to fear for Hestia. She could start to develop trust with humans.
"I wouldn't let anyone hurt Anna." Tyler demanded.
"Because she's your girl." Willam sneered.
I gave them a menacing look. Everyone but Tyler went pale. He knows I can get my way and no one can stop me. Nothing pisses me off more than when someone thinks they can speak for me. I know the risks and that death could be my fate, but it's my choice.
"I'll take the truck I fixed and drive to the outpost." I said. Leonard took notice of my stance. He knew there was no convincing me otherwise.
"With the danger we'd have to leave this place immediately … for everyone's safety." He mumbled. Ethan nodded. Then looked me in the eye.
"Understand, if we see you again, you won't be trusted." He said.
It felt like he stabbed me, but it was true. I nodded to him letting them all know I understood. Leonard then announced to everyone to pack up and walked away. Everyone but Hestia left to prepare. She held me in her gaze and then gave a look of love and grief. To stare right back, tears started to fall. Hess then headed towards Connor and Monti. She would be safe with them. Tyler took my hand, and asked if I was okay.
Squeezing my tears out, I assured him I was fine and led him to the truck.
Once we were out of sight, he held me in his arms and kissed me again.
"I don't want you to be upset, so don't have to be with me forever." He whispered.
I started the truck and put it in drive. Once again we were on the road to friends and family, though unsure if we would reach them.