Chapter 3
Lily’s POV
The moon hung low in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the deserted streets as I made my way back to the scene of my father’s accident. A thick tension filled the air, an unease that weighed heavily on my heart as I retraced his last steps, each footfall bringing forth a mix of dread and determination.
My pulse quickened as I approached the very spot where his life had been cut short. The memory of that fateful night lingered painfully in my mind. Yet, amidst the grief and confusion, a steely resolve ignited within me, urging me to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
With trembling hands, I reached out to touch my father’s car, its cold metal looming before me like a silent sentinel. As my fingers glided over the surface, searching for any sign of the mysterious scratches I had noticed earlier, my heart raced when I felt the rough texture beneath my fingertips.
There, on the driver’s side door, were unmistakable gouges—deep marks that marred the smooth metal, jagged edges a grim reminder of the violence that had unfolded on this desolate stretch of road. A chill ran down my spine as I studied the scratches, realizing they bore a striking resemblance to the wounds I had seen on my father’s hospital bed.
But the discovery of the scratches was just the beginning. My gaze fell upon something even more unsettling—a dark stain marring the pavement beneath the vehicle, its deep, inky blackness swallowing the surrounding light.
A sense of foreboding knotted in my stomach as I crouched beside the stain, reaching out to touch it. My fingers came away slick with the viscous substance. Blood. The realization sent a jolt of horror coursing through me.
But this was no ordinary blood. It felt wrong, sinister. My mind whirled with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. Had my father’s death been more than mere chance? Was a darker force lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike again? The questions threatened to overwhelm me.
Amidst the chaos, one truth emerged with sickening clarity: My father’s death was no accident. It was murder. And whoever—or whatever—was responsible was still out there, hiding in the darkness.
As I knelt beside the dark stain, my fingers slick with the viscous substance, I reached into my pocket for a small vial to collect a sample. But before I could unscrew the lid, a sudden movement from behind froze me in place, my heart racing.
Powerful arms wrapped around me, pinning me with a strength that took my breath away. I struggled against my assailant, fear and confusion coursing through me as I fought to break free.
But it was no use. A sudden blow to the back of my head sent me spiraling into darkness.
When I awoke, I found myself lying on cold, hard ground, pain throbbing in my head as I struggled to regain my bearings. Slowly, I pushed myself up onto my elbows, my eyes widening in disbelief at the sight that greeted me.
I was no longer on the deserted street. Instead, I found myself in a vast chamber adorned with gleaming jewels and precious metals, their brilliance reflecting in the soft light of a thousand torches.
But the most startling sight of all was the creature before me—a majestic dragon, its scales a fiery red, eyes glowing with an otherworldly light as it regarded me with curiosity.
For a moment, I could only stare in awe, my mind struggling to comprehend the reality of my situation. Dragons were creatures of myth and legend, spoken of only in whispers. Yet, here one stood before me, larger and more magnificent than anything I had ever imagined.
As I watched, the dragon inclined its head in a gesture of greeting, its voice a deep rumble echoing through the chamber.
“Welcome, mortal,” it said, its words resonating in my mind like a primal force. “I am Drakar, guardian of this realm. What brings you to my domain?”
I struggled to find my voice, still reeling from the shock of my unexpected arrival. “I… I don’t know,” I stammered, my words barely above a whisper. “I was… investigating my father's death, and then… then I was attacked…”
Drakar regarded me with a knowing look, eyes piercing as if seeing into my very soul. “Ah, yes. I knew your father. And I knew you as a child. Your father owed me a debt. His death is the consequence of that.”