Chapter 4: Partnership

Astrid vaguely felt the hot wind that carried embers from all directions. Her body was dirty under the rubble. Bodies laid everywhere. Astrid didn't know what had happened, but one thing was for sure, she was dragging her body, forcing herself away from the raging flames.

Shadows of darkness appeared from various directions and extended their hands to Astrid. The dark shadows had no face and terrifyingly dragged their bodies. Their voices were hissing, and Astrid could not understand what the dark shadows were saying. The dark shadows moved around Astrid in a circular motion. Depression and fear haunted Astrid. She averted her face and ran as far as she could to escape the siege of the dark creatures that were hissing full of evil and horror.

“A little more… just a little more…” Astrid whispered to herself as she continued walking.

The clatter of the wood burning in the fire became even clearer. Astrid tried to run faster. Her breath was breathless. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. The surroundings were getting darker. Astrid was running in the dark in the middle of nowhere. The black hands were stretching and sticking closer.

Hurry, she must hurry ...

A hand touched it. Astrid tried to shake her body against the touch of the hand while screaming.

"Noooooo!" she shouted, widened her eyes with a gasping breath.

Astrid woke up and sat in the middle of the forest. In front of her, there was a fire crackling, giving warmth to her shivering body.

Astrid looked around with a pale face and panting and realized she had just awakened from a nightmare. Her chest was heaving from trying to breathe, and cold sweat was pouring out. Astrid touched her chest as she tried to compose herself.

"Oh, thank goodness. It was a bad dream. Just a nightmare,” Astrid whispered over and over with relief. Her lips were still trembling from the fear creeping up her body.

Astrid looked down and found a large robe wrapped around her body. She looked to find the owner of this robe and found Draco rubbing his slightly reddish hand.

"Ah, you? Why are you here?" Astrid asked, confused.

"Your strength is surprisingly strong for a girl as thin as you," Draco replied sarcastically.

Astrid was confused by Draco's response, but seeing Draco rubbed his hand and said that, an understanding popped into her mind.

"Did you try to touch me? Sorry, I had a bad dream. I don't know exactly what I did,” Astrid confirmed.

"I just wanted to wake you from a nightmare, but apparently, there's no need," Draco replied warily.

Astrid nodded slowly. He knew Draco meant well.

"Where is this?" Astrid asked, looking at the location where she was. She tried to remember what happened before she passed out.

"In the forest. Eat it,” Draco said, handing her the wild berries he had gathered and the well-done cooked pheasant flesh. He also handed Astrid a leather pouch filled with water.

Astrid took the water and the food gratefully. Her stomach was sore from hunger, and her throat felt dry. She was dehydrated and thirsty. So, she drank quite a lot until her body felt refreshed. Slowly her memory returned.

"Where's Count Barney? Did you kill him? Why am I still alive? Didn't I fall from the balcony on the fifth floor?" asked Astrid shouting in surprise when she recalled the fact she had just remembered.

“I saved you before your body hit the ground. Count Barney is still alive,” Draco replied curtly. He picked up a few pieces of wood and threw them into the fire.

“Thank you for saving me. I thought you just left me,” said Astrid feeling guilty because she had misunderstood before.

“We, the dragons, know to return the favor. Unlike your human race, which repays good for evil,” snorted Draco sarcastically.

“So you really are a descendant of dragons? Gosh, I thought dragons were just bedtime fairy tales,” cried Astrid happily.

Draco drew closer and grabbed Astrid by the neck threateningly. His pair of red eyes stared intently at Astrid, exerting terrifying pressure.

“Lower your voice, human! Do you want to have me hunted down by sorcerers from your clan? You are so ungrateful! Maybe I should kill you now before anyone else finds out my secret,” Draco hissed as he tightened his grip.

Even though it looked fierce and frightening, there was actually no hatred for this woman in Draco's heart. To be precise, Draco hated himself for being lenient with the humans in front of him. What happened to him? Why did Draco like this woman? Shouldn't he hate this woman because she's human? Humans slaughtered dragons hundreds of years ago. It fitted for Draco to slaughter humans, avenging their past actions. Instead of slaughtering humans, Draco saved a human, a woman in front of him, whom he could not afford to kill.

Astrid was in pain and had difficulty breathing. But boldly, Astrid looked Draco straight into the eyes.

"Kill me. If that makes you satisfied, try it. I also choose death over a miserable life,” replied Astrid defiantly with a choked voice.

Draco felt anger burning inside him at Astrid's challenge.

"As you wish," Draco replied in a voice shaking with anger.

Draco tightened his grip on Astrid's neck. The girl seemed to be having trouble breathing. In just one jolt, Draco could crush the girl's thin, fragile neck. Draco hardened his will. He was destined to hate humans. This woman was a hindrance to him. This woman had softened his heart. As a dragon, he had returned the favor by helping this woman. If he killed this woman now, it would be fine, especially since this woman was only a human. Draco gripped Astrid's neck tighter. But suddenly, an invisible force pushed Draco away until his body bounced far enough to roll.

"What magic are you doing to me, human?" Draco hissed angrily.

Astrid was confused to see Draco suddenly bounce.

"What magic? I never studied witchcraft,” said Astrid, confused.

"You attacked me with magic just now," Draco growled. He took a swing and tried to get his sharp nails straight at Astrid's neck. Again, an invisible force threw Draco's body far enough to get caught in one of the tree trunks.

Astrid was amazed to see Draco thrown around by an invisible force while trying to kill her.

With wounded pride, felt humiliated, Draco got up and tried to attack Astrid. He lunged with his fists, trying to crush Astrid's neck. However, once again, an invisible force threw Draco's body into the air and crashed into a nearby bush. Draco fell backward in a rather embarrassing position to behold.

Draco groaned in pain as he tried to get up with a flushed face, embarrassed by being defeated by a skinny girl who didn't seem very well trained in magic?

A grin spread across Astrid's face. She started laughing so hard that her body was shaking. Clutching her stomach with a smug grin and a mocking smile, Astrid sneered at Draco.

“Are you sure you are a dragon? You can't even kill a fragile girl like me,” sneered Astrid with satisfaction.

“You witch! You are playing with me, human!” Draco hissed angrily with a very sharp gaze.

"I told you, I'm not a witch nor a sorceress either. I am filled with misfortune and bad luck. Strangely, even though my life was suffering, I always escaped death. As if I was cursed to live in pain until death refused to pick me up. So, dragon lord, do you have a solution for me? If you are truly a dragon,” asked Astrid, shrugging her shoulders.

Draco silently looked at Astrid with caution.

Astrid moved slowly closer. Draco raised his hand and swung a swing.

"Put your hands down. I have no intention of hurting you. It looks like as long as you stop trying to kill me, you'll be fine,” Astrid said casually. She raised both hands in the air to sign herself harmlessly.

"How do you know that you won't hurt me?" Draco asked warily, afraid of being lied to.

"I just know it for sure. Just prove it by yourself if you have any doubt," said Astrid approaching. Draco took a step back.

Astrid took one step at a time, holding out her hand.

“Look, I want to say thank you for saving me. Now my stomach is hungry. I want to eat in peace. So can we make peace for a moment? Peace? Please?" asked Astrid, holding out her hand for a handshake. She didn't take much to heart over the argument that had just occurred.

Draco hesitantly stretched out his hand and shook Astrid's hand. Nothing happened. Neither force would hurt or throw Draco away. Everything seemed normal. Astrid's words proved to be true. As long as Draco had no intention of killing Astrid, it didn't seem like the invisible power appeared to hurt him.

Was it true that Astrid said that an unknown power cursed her? If so, what a misfortune. Draco felt a little sorry for Astrid. Maybe without realizing it, he found someone with the same fate as him. Alone and full of misfortune.

"Nothing happened, right? I told you. Now, can we sit down, please? We can eat together and get to know each other,” said Astrid. The girl then sat by the fire and took the pheasant meat, then began to eat heartily.

Hesitating, Draco sat next to Astrid and ate wild berries.

"Why did you leave me yesterday? I told you that I want to come with you,” said Astrid, chewing pheasant meat. The meat was tender and tasted good. Draco was apparently quite adept at cooking meat.

“I need to find a safe place to recharge my energy. I almost transformed into the dragon form in the warehouse. It's dangerous if my real identity gets caught by the criminals," Draco replied as he threw the berries into his mouth.

"Oh, those magic handcuffs just drained your energy, didn't they?" asked Astrid, swallowing meat. Uh, it's delicious! She pulled out the second skewer of meat and began to cram it down to her mouth.

"Yes. Look, I can't let you out of my sight because you already know my secret. You understand what I mean, don’t you?" Draco asked.

"Understand. So, what do you want? A dragon prowls among humans. Are you looking for something precious?" guessed Astrid.

Draco stared at Astrid in silence. He couldn't trust Astrid yet. To be precise, he wasn't sure this girl would side with him or not. As far as he knew, humans tended to be greedy and selfish, so they did not hesitate to betray their fellowmen.

"I knew it. You must be looking for something important. Is that something related to magic?" asked Astrid.

Draco didn't answer and looked away. Draco's reaction was enough for Astrid to know the answer to her question.

"I'm coming with you. But I have a condition. Release me from the curse of misfortune that has haunted my life all this time. If you are a dragon, you must know-how. Or at least, you know where to find out how. How do you think about that? Good Deal?" asked Astrid, grinning widely.

"You're in no position to negotiate with me, human," Draco snorted angrily.

“Astrid. My name is Astrid. Astrid Lewis. Remember it well. I was hoping you wouldn't call me human because it sounds peculiar. Well, Lewis is the name of my favorite great sorceress. So I added Lewis to my nickname,” Astrid said with a happy giggle.

“I have an important mission as my first priority, Astrid. I’m busy. I don't have time to play and messing around with you,” snorted Draco arrogantly.

“On the contrary, you definitely need me on your mission. Honestly, your behaviors are a little awkward and easily creating some suspicion among humans, you know. You will soon get caught that you are a dragon race by humans. I can teach you to blend in and disguise naturally in the midst of humans,” Astrid said, grinning widely. She's already started negotiating.

Draco fell silent. Astrid's words have a point. He did not understand the culture and how to interact with humans. If he looked suspicious, sooner or later, his true identity as a dragon would quickly be discovered.

“As a reward, you can help me get rid of the curse I had, protect me along the way, and also feed me well. And, if possible, proper clothing and weapons. If we find treasure, I hope you can share it so I can live comfortably after your mission ends. That's enough for me," said Astrid at length.

“Ha, your request is a lot of humans. You don't even know how dangerous my mission is. You could have died on the way," Draco scoffed.

“Unfortunately, I won't die as long as this curse isn't lifted. Trust me. I've been there many times. You are also naturally curious about this strange power that haunts me, right? The proof is, you can't even kill me,” said Astrid.

"If I refuse? What does it cost me?" Draco asked defiantly arrogantly.

"If you refuse, you are clearly losing. Because I will leak to the crowd that you are a dragon, there must be many bounty hunters and sorcerers who want you. I can make a lot of money selling information about you,” Astrid replied with a sweet, sly, and menacing smile.

"I'll cut your tongue and lock you in a secluded place to prevent you from divulging my secret," Draco threatened with a cruel face.

Astrid ignored Draco's threat and smiled scornfully.

“Lord dragon, you are not in a position to bargain, as you cannot kill me or keep my mouth shut. You can't guarantee your secrets will stay safe if I'm not with you. There is no other choice but to take me with you as a hostage or as a partner. Taking hostages will be striking and eye-catching. Of course, it will be more useful for you to make me a partner. I know a lot about humans,” replied Astrid, grinning happily.

Draco paused and thought hard. He was getting persuaded because Astrid's thinking was quite logical and well-founded. He didn't know too much about humans. Right now, he couldn't attract attention and needed to avoid fighting as much as possible. He needed to focus on carrying out his mission because the time he has was increasingly limited. Draco found himself getting weaker. He had to complete the mission immediately. After all, if Draco managed to get back his Golden Dragon Heart, getting rid of a curse would be fairly easy to do.

Could Draco trust humans? No, humans were cunning creatures. Draco had to have a guarantee on making sure humans didn't cheat and break promises. It was too early to believe in a human.

"Very well, I agree with your proposal. Let's make a magic contract," Draco replied.

"Yes, deal!" shrieked Astrid happily.

Draco took out a magic parchment and let it float in the air. He took out a dagger, then slit the tip of his finger, and then dripped blood onto the parchment.

“I, Draco Black, accept Astrid Lewis as a partner on a mission to find the Golden Dragon’s Heart. I will cooperate, protect, and be loyal to Astrid Lewis until the mission is completed. If I betrayed, then the pain she received will be mine," Draco said solemnly. Draco's blood floated in the air and stuck to the parchment in writing, just like the sentence he had just spoken.

Astrid was amazed to witness this kind of magic treaty. She felt that it was the first time she saw it. The magic pact with the dragon was amazing.

Draco threw the dagger into Astrid's hand. He glanced at Astrid, wishing she did the same. Astrid nodded. She advanced toward the magic parchment, then slashed the tip of her finger with a dagger. She then dripped her blood onto the magic parchment.

“I, Astrid Lewis, accept Draco Black as a partner on a mission to find the Golden Heart’s Dragon. I will cooperate, protect, and be loyal to Draco Black until the mission is completed. If I betrayed, then the pain he received would be mine,” Astrid said solemnly.

Astrid's blood floated in the air and stuck to the parchment in writing, just like the sentence she had just spoken.

The rest of their blood splashed together in the air and scratched Astrid's and Draco's wrists. The blood ink painted ancient rune characters on Astrid and Draco's left wrists. Astrid's rune paired with the rune inscribed on Draco's wrist.

"What is this?" asked Astrid.

“Those are ancient rune characters belonging to the Dragon race. On my hand is your name written. On your hand is my name written. This is a sign of our bonding as partners. Our bodies and souls are linked in the bonds of the ancient magic of the Dragon race. This mark will disappear when the agreement is accomplished," said Draco.

Astrid raised her hand and studied the ancient script tattooed in blood ink on her wrist in admiration.

"Calm down. Humans won't understand the meaning of the runes. I'll put a spell on the tattoo so that the other human eyes won't see it," Draco said while snapping his fingers for a simple magic spell.

"Wow, that means we are completely bound by magic contracts with each other," muttered Astrid in awe.

“The bonding ritual is done. From now on, you are my partner, Astrid,” Draco said as he rolled up the parchment and then removed it from the air with a single flick of magic.

"Please help me from now on, partner. Nice to meet you, Draco,” Astrid replied, smiling happily.

Suddenly flames of torches appeared from all over.

“They are here! Surround and catch the slave!” shouted one of the men carrying the torches.

Astrid's face turned pale at once.

It was an ambush!