8. Asterion

Ireturn to my palace to find Emma frantically pacing around the hall. She jumps out of her skin when she sees me.

"Feeling guilty?" I ask with a chuckle.

"N-no, just chi-chilling," the red-head stammers. She's usually laid-back and chilled out, but something has her on edge.

I don't like it.

"What's the matter?" I ask.

"Nothing. Zip. Nada. Just strolling around, stretching my legs. Human legs need a bunch of stretching, you know. No need to look further into it."

I ignore the blabbering human and head up the stairs towards Isabella's bedroom. She bumps into my torso as she comes running out of her room, falling backwards, her bag spilling all its contents out over the marble floor.

"Going somewhere?" I ask as I help her up.

Emma's nervous. Isabella has packed her things. This means only one thing: They want to leave.

They're not going anywhere.

"N-no," Isabelle stammers.

"Don't lie to me," I growl.

"You're one to talk," she shoots back suddenly.

I cock my head to the side. "What do you mean?"

"I think you know, Asterion. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. You're keeping secrets from me."

I grimace. She is not wrong, but it is for her own good. If she knew the truth…

It is too late now. I can see it in her face — the stubborn human will not let this go.

"You want to know everything?" I growl. "Fine. Follow me, little one, but I warned you. You're not going to like it. Emma, you stay here. This is for Isabella's ears only."