Lurking

Liana turned the tap off to sush the sound of the running water.

"Did you get the television on all by yourself? "

Liana peeped over from the kitchen sink as the sound from the Hall blasted her ear drums.

Draco looked at Liana with such an expression that was a mixture of disbelief with wonder.

"What does your question even mean? " Of course he sounded very offended.

" Oh! So you did switch it on by yourself. My bad. I thought you were some kind of an ancient Dad. I mean like from the books - 'Old, grumpy, rustic dragons, vicious and wild, eager to take over lands'... "

but yet again Liana was cut short as Draco jumped over the couch and was beside her even before her eyelids could move up half a milimeter.

"I don't no about the rest but they did get the vicious part correct, " He pulled her close with one hand behind her waist as she lifted both her dirty hands, still inside the washing gloves.

"and if you so insist, we can check about the authenticity about the Wild, title, " his lips curled up in such an unholy suggestive manner, Liana almost chocked on her own saliva and coughed, as she moved away.

"Did you just try to flirt with me? " She actually asked looking at him from behind the cabinet.

He laughed , twirling around, as if it was the best amusement.

"Well, if you are so capable, I guess you could atleast try being a little sensitive as well. The reason I asked if you switched on the television was because you have kept it on at full blast. And if you remember, there is a baby sleeping just next room. Turning the volume down wouldn't hurt your ego or sentiment. "

Liana blinked as Draco stared at her with what seemed like an expressionless avatar.

" You are right. "

He leaped back on the couch with the remote in his hand.

" Did he just admit I was right? "

Liana just turned around, slowly walking back to the kitchen, contemplating.

"Come here. Look. "

She had to turn immediately back after his sudden command.

Draco had the news on.

The anchor read about -

Strange occurrences across the city. Thunder clouds sighted at odd locations followed by severe lighting strike and property damage. A total of ten lives lost till count and several others missing.

Liana turned towards Draco, her brows lifted up.

" Are those the Shadows? "

Draco simply nodded as he browsed on. The incidents were everywhere, however none were able to say anything specific about it anyway.

" What are those things? "

Liana wondered aloud, looking again back at the screen. There was another footage of a building being ripped apart as the 'thunder cloud' hovered away.

" Those are our hunting dog. They can be very usefull in warfare. "

" But then if you are their King, aren't they supposed to have listened to you back there? "

Liana was clearly mentioning about the incident back at the top storey where Raba and Calix had to intervene for the Shadow to be retracted. Liana seemed to have noticed how it had clearly disobeyed Draco, back there.

" They don't have a working brain. They act upon what's fed inside their head. They would not be deterred unless they are once again held back. They have been our deadly offense against the most fierce of enemies."

Liana could tell if he detested of actually cared about those beasts.

"It must be someone from amongst my top closest men, who mobilised them here. And I can't leave unless we can surely tell. "

"Tell what? Your men mobilised something that's killing people in this world. And you goa round calling yourself mighty, sitting in the couch, loking at some news. "

Liana's voice was very different this time and even Draco understood.

He turned towards her and said,

"that is precisely the reason we haven't yet left, "

he was of course referring to Damian and himself.

" There is something big going behind my back in my kingdom. I can't possibly take my son back and put him in harm's way once again. I can't even leave him alone back here with these Shadows everywhere. But if I show myself right now, whoever is behind all this would surely know Damian is also nearby. For me keeping him safe is for the time being ,the top most priority.

At least till we have a lead as to who is behind all these. " He added with a paused.

At that moment Liana found he wasn't as invincible after all as he had seemed.

"You said 'in harm's way once more'.Tell me, did something happen to Damian before this. "

Draco looked at her as if she had stabbed him in the spleen.

" You sure have a lot of guts for a human. Do you think the Dragon Lord is here to discuss his state affairs with a earthling? I just shared a little bit about what Damian is already up against since you have been taking his care. Consider it a favour and don't dare to cross your sphere. "

Liana smiled. She was glad Draco was back to himself again. But she wasn't thick enough to atleast get the fact that her Damian has been facing hardships since his birthing.

" Ahhh! Correct. I still need to do the sink load of dish. "

Liana stood up and streched, her hands soggy, still under those washing gloves.

" You can skip it, "

Draco declared out of the blue as he swished his hands facing towards her kitchen.

Liana, had to almost hold the table's edge as she watched her dishes bathing themselves in the sink pool, drying in the towel then dancing their way back to their shelves, and she felt her knees were almost out of power.

" Keep that closed, " Draco banged her lower jaw shut as she had her mouth wide open, taking a full grasp.

She jingled behind Draco who switched off the television and walked towards the terrace door.

" You could have done that all along. But you kept sitting with your snout. "

" Are you complaining? "

Draco turned around with yet another swift jerk.

" I can put them back just like they were, with every single spot. "

" No! No! No!I was just going to thank you"

Liana turned immediately around, quickly changing her mood.

" You can take the living room couch or sleep in the spare bed beside Damian. I will get going first to my room. "

She bowed and ran on her toes back inside as Draco stood at the door watching her fool around.