Chapter 26: Secrets in The Wind

Elias's mouth slanted downward and his eyes widened. His mind started racing with a bunch of thoughts running around inside of his head.

*I don't get why we are still in the same spot since we had arrived. Yet, I wish we would get going. I don't want to be in this desolate desert any longer.* He pondered while trying to get ahold of the path we were on.

The more he tried, the harder it became for him. So, anger took ahold of his emotions, and words that he couldn't take back, started spewing out of his mouth. "Can we get on with this journey?" Elias asked Zara, uneasy about the whole situation that we were in.

While listening to Elias, I tried to wrap my brain around what he was saying. But it was hard, since the wind was whipping violently.

**Why is he upset all of a sudden? I thought he was okay with allowing Zara to help us further on the journey. Especially because of how hot and humid the desert is.** I thought while trying to enjoy flying on top of a dragon/wolf hybrid.

Zara nodded her big head, a sign of assurance that she will help us.

"Yes, of course," she spoke. Then she slowly flapped her huge wings faster and faster, until we were high in the air. As we flew higher and higher, the wind satrted whipping my hair around.

**I hate having the hair in front of my face. I wish there was some way to keep it away!** I whispered under my breath, as I tried to keep my hair off of my face. However, as the wind was wipping my hair fast, it made it difficult to pull it back.

Desperately, I tried to keep it out of my face, but the wind was stronger than I had anticipated. Looking for help, I turned toward both Elias and Gabriel, a sense of desperation filling my eyes.

"Elias, or Gabriel, can one of you hold my hair back?" I asked them over the loud sound of the wind. Although I spoke loudly, they didn't hear me, so I tapped them on their shoulder.

*What was that? Did the wind touch my shoulder?* Elias wondered, and then his eyes scanned the air, until they landed on mine. Shock reverberated through him, "I'm sorry, what did you ask?" Elias questioned, just as we spiraled downward.

As we flew downward, Zara slightly cocked her head to the side. She tried to get a good look at us before speaking above the high winds . "Hold on. We are going to be flying faster!" She yelled over the wind, ensuring that we could hear her.

I nodded my head, acknowledging that I could. While listening to what she was saying, I stared into Elias's eyes. I could have sworn that his eyes were widening for a second.

*Was he afraid of something that we can't control? If he was, how could I dispel his fear?* I wondered, then an idea formed in my brain. *That's it, I will be there for him on our journey.* I mumbled to myself.

While I was mid-thought, he grabbed my hand, and squeezed it tightly. This was a sign that we are in this together no matter what.

"Before you know it, this will be over." He said to me in a high pitched voice, trying to reassure himself and both Gabriel and I. Hearing those words, I sighed a breath of relief.

*Good, I am glad he knows how to calm my beating heart down.* I pondered, as my gaze followed the clouds that we were flying past. Everything was wonderful. My heart beat rapidly as my mind raced.

As she flew faster, I gripped his hand, trying to ease my unease fluttering through my chest. As we flew faster, the air around us grew colder, until Zara finally landed us in a new oasis.

Bending her head, she spoke, "We are here." Right before fully laying herself down. The ground shook slightly as the weight of her body landed on the ground.

Slowly, I breathed deep, taking in our new surroundings. Everything was gorgeous. Ahead of us, a pearl white castle stood, and other creatures were surrounded the building.

Before I could climb down off of Zara, an figure dressed in white came barreling toward us. Stunned by their sudden appearance, I looked between Elias and Gabriel, before looking back at Zara.

"Good Evening, Zara. Wait, can you please transform into your human form?" The stranger asked her before taking a step back from her.

As she stood there, the air around us shifted. *Who is this woman? And how does she know Zara?* I muttered under my breath while trying to find out more information.

I couldn't understand how this person, or figure was here all of a sudden. I believed that we were the only ones here, so how is it possible?

She turned and faced us, a look of dismay and her hand laid across her chest. "I'm sorry. My name is Dara, and I am a witch/wolf hybrid. Zara is my adoptive mother, who took me under her wing." The woman revealed with a smile etched on her face.

Sighing, I looked at her, *Should I trust this woman? She did appear out of nowhere. I don't know what to do.* I wondered as I scanned her from head to toe, trying to depict her true intentions.

Gabriel spoke, his voice a sense of calm in my racing thoughts. "I feel the same way. But don't you think it would be a good idea to stop for a moment, and take everything in?" He asked me, as his eyes bore into mine.

Hearing him, I sighed, **I know he is right. There is no reason to overthink it. I will have to take it one step at a time. If anything happens, I know have my two mates with me every step of the way.** I thought to myself, before my eyes started scanning our surroundings again.

As I continued observing her, I couldn't help but notice that she has the most beautiful complexion I have ever seen. But for a split second, Dara's expression changed from a smile to squinted eyes.