Chapter 22 Germaine pulled at the heavy metal chains binding her hands and stared balefully at her surroundings. She felt with her feet, the odd-shaped ridges jutting from the ground. Hot mist seeped out and heated the dark cell she was locked inside. It was a good thing because she had begun to get cold. She tried to stretch her legs fully but found out the cell she was in did not have enough space for that. Good thing she was not claustrophobic otherwise she would not have been able to stand it. Echoes of clangs of metal rang out from the walls all around, keying her into the possibility that there were other prisoners. At first she had not believed it was possible. It was crazy to conceive that other creatures and beasts inhabited the earth, apart from humans, animals and insects. After the appearance of Storm and Keratin in her bakery as well the vampires, her eyes had gradually opened to the truth. Something strange indeed was afoot. She still did not understand why she was ch

Chapter 24 When she finished speaking, she felt a great burden lift off her shoulders and a gentle nudge in her mind. It felt like an encouragement from Storm, even though he remained silent. Surely, he had been listening. The elderly dryad looked pensive. The twigs on his face deepened, if that were even possible. He turned to his counterpart who was still standing behind Germaine, and said something to him. Suddenly, the twine around her hands were removed and a stool appeared. "You may seat." The elderly dryad said to her kindly. Relief poured through Germaine and she smiled and thanked him before sitting. Murmurings rose amongst the other dryads in front of her. "Listen to me, fellow tree spirits. The elderly dryad addressed them, the earthling will stay for the feast. After that, I will decide if what she says is the truth or not." Turning to Germaine, he continued. "If I find out you speak anything but the truth, mark my words, your blood will be spilled directly on the Or

Chapter 26 "It's a unicorn!" One of the guards exclaimed, wonder coating his voice. "But - there has not been a unicorn in this forest in the past one thousand years." The second guard said, as if speaking to himself. The elderly dryad took two steps towards the creature, the Ork pressed close to his chest once more. "Every thousand years, a unicorn appears on its own in the forest. It comes with good luck and good tidings." He stepped closer to the creature with a reverent awed look on his face. Lifting one of his hands, he petted its head. It was a massive thing, all white and beautiful to look at, it's long horn glistening. It's flank rippled with energy and the hair on its body was blindingly stark and white against the darkness of the forest. It was too beautiful for words, even Germaine was spellbound, and she too moved forward, wanting to be close to it, but something stopped her. She spied a chain hanging snugly around its neck. She was certain she had seen it before. Wh

Chapter 28 "So, lady Germaine, tell us about earth?" Gilga asked as she worked on Germaine's hair. "Are the men comely?" One of the girls working with her, giggled, but she continued. "And is there magic? What special skills do people have there?" Germaine felt the attention of the other four girls peak as they waited for her to reply. They were making her look suitable enough for the send-off ball the chiefs were given her and the others who were going in search of the talisman. She figured talking about earth was the least she could do. She cleared her parched throat, wondering how she was going to word what she had to say. They had been working on her for the better part of twenty minutes, if her assertion was correct. "Well, earth is beautiful. It's got a sun like here in Rim, it's divided into different countries, and it's got a very organized system with some countries more organized than others. About the men. . ." She shrugged. "Yeah, some are handsome, others, not so mu

Chapter 30It was at times like this, Keratin knew strongly in his guts, Germaine was meant for him. An exception to the rule. Thoughts of everything fled his mind except what he was doing with her. The way she clung to him with such fervor, took his breath away.He hauled her against his chest and stole the words and sighs from her mouth. He cupped her cheeks and sipped from her lips as if she provided him with an elixir to life. She moaned and curved her body against his, returning his passionate embrace."I needed to do this." He groaned against her mouth. "I damn well have craved doing this ever since I set eyes on you."He ravished her sweet mouth with deep glides of his tongue against hers. He had never kissed a lady with such a desperate burning hunger before, not even Tekenna. He did not constrain himself with Germaine. Unexpected yearning made him dizzy and greedy. He walked her backwards to the jutting