BRITTISLAVA

The days continued to pass with Nicholas showing up at her dormitory every morning. She didn't really care much about it and there was even a time that he volunteered to bring her things to school, which was to make sure that her parents won't be bothered by it.

Friday night, Serina went home to see her parents even though she didn't want to see him in her house. They had dinner together and because Nicholas was there, she could no longer practice with her power. Her father forbids her from using it no matter what happens. Being the good girl, she didn't disobey and just read books about supernatural beings.

'Knock! Knock! Knock!'

The sound of the knocking on her door disturbed Serina's reading time but she didn't get mad. She knew who it was and there's no point getting mad at him because he wouldn't really care.

She stood up from her bed and opened the door a little, not giving him the chance to step into her territory. "What is it?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow." Nicholas stated as he stood in front of her room. His blue eyes were staring straight at her as if it was beckoning her soul. His lengthy hair was tied with a rubber band and looking down on his body, she could make out the abs underneath his shirt. "I have found the apartment that could cater to my needs."

"Ha?" she shook her head to clear her thought and disperse his image in her mind. "You were saying that you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Unless…"

"Unless what?"

"Unless you don't want me to?" he even cocked his eyebrow at her and the corner of his lips was raised to a teasing smile.

"Get lost! I don't mind." She said which made Nicholas chuckle in front of her.

Serina wanted to slam the door on his face but before she could close it, he put his leg on the way to stop her from closing. "I hope you will still talk to me in the campus."

"Whatever."

Nicholas looked at her one last time before taking his foot back. "Good night, ma chèrie."

Serina was just closing her door when she heard those words and she couldn't be wrong. "Did he just say 'ma chèrie'?" She asked herself with a frown. She opened the door again to clarify it with Nicholas but he was no longer at the corridor. "He walks really fast huh."

The next day was Saturday. The sun was brightly shinning outside and some lights peeked through her window curtains. Serina woke up really late this time because of reading too much last night. While thinking of last night and Nicholas' parting words, she suddenly heard her father's car being turned on.

Without thinking straight, as if her body has its mind, she got out of bed and pulled the window curtains to see what's outside. She already had a faint idea but she still wanted to see it herself.

Nicholas placed the last suitcase containing his personal belongings and closed the back of the car. He could feel someone's eyes on him and when he looked up, he saw Serina at the window. She rolled her eyes at him and closed the curtain. 'She's really cute even when she's irritated.' She thought to himself before walking towards Irene.

"Mrs. Wentworth, thank you so much for your warm hospitality this whole week. I'm so glad that my parents have people like you working for us."

"No big deal. I'm glad we could help. It's not much compared to how your company helped us. Come and visit us sometimes."

"Sure. I'd be very happy to do that." Nicholas answered with a wide smile. 'Why not? It gives me more chances to get close to her family.' he added in his mind while keeping a warm smile.

Serina didn't come out and see him off but he can definitely see her eyes peeking from her window.

"Hon, I'll leave you and Rina for a while. Make sure to lock the door." Michael stated while waiting for the Nicholas to get inside the car.

"See you later." Irene waved her hand at him, watching Nicholas open the car and got inside. "Don't forget to buy some fruits on your way home."

Upstairs, inside her room, Serina was peeking outside to see Nicholas one last time. She was sure that he didn't know she was looking so, she boldly looked at his face. 'Damn this handsome ogre!' Serina irritatingly cursed while looking at him.

'Are you glad that he left?' Serina heard the voice deep in her head but she knew it wasn't her. Her voice would never sound so deep like it came from a cave.

'Dad, did you just communicate with me?' Serina asked through mind link but Michael didn't respond. He didn't want to take the risk of getting himself exposed.

On the back seat, Nicholas stiffened like a statue and that didn't escape Michael's observation.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." Nicholas answered while looking outside the window. In his mind, the black dragon appeared. It was so sudden which stunned him for a moment.

Back inside the Wentworth residence, Serina was sitting on her bed with her pale face. She heard about the dragon spirit living within her but it was the very first time it spoke to her.

"Are you real?" Serina asked herself. If someone could see her right now, they'd think she's crazy.

'I'm real. I'm within you. My name is Brittislava.'

"That's kind of difficult." Serina retorted to the dragon. "Why did you come out now? What's the matter?"

'Nothing much. I just wanted to give you a little surprise.'

"Yeah?" Serina wasn't stupid. Since the dragon finally spoke to her, it must be something of importance. There's no way for a dragon, who was supposed to come out in hundred years, to show up right this instant. "Is it because I'm in danger?"

'You're not in danger." The dragon answered almost instantly. 'Rina, do you want to help the Blue Moon Pack's Luna?'

"You mean the werewolf pack that the previous dragon-bearer cursed?"

'Yes.'

"I'm thinking of doing that but I know a little about curses and sorcery. My father had no idea of what really happened as well and I don't even know whom I should go to in order to learn about my history."

'I'll tell you everything. I'll help you but we must not communicate outside this room. Do not speak to your father about dragons as well – not verbally and above all, not through mind link.'

"I'm really in danger, am I?"

'You will be in danger if you disobey me.'

"Alright. I'll do what you said."

Serina busied herself learning about dragons and their origins. Her questions whom her father couldn't answer were now given answers by Brittislava. She told Serina a lot of things and they would only stop when it's time for meal or when it's for her to talk and play with her friends.

Brittislava didn't want to rob off the time of Serina being youth. She wanted her to live her normal life despite the abnormality that she brings to the child. She never wanted to hurt anyone but because she's powerful, the previous dragon-bearer abused her power and hurt someone. Brittislava couldn't accept it. To make things right, a sacrifice is needed.

When Monday came, Nicholas didn't come to the dorm since he knew that Serina will be coming to school directly from home. Instead, he roamed around the campus, feeling the atmosphere as well as trying to sense if he has any possible mate in the place. He's not planning to cheat on her but his wolf, Kiro, was still adamant to accept Serina. He could only follow his instinct and look for another possible mate.

"Rina!" Hillary was waving her hand at her as soon as she saw Serina walking towards their school building. "Come over and look at this. Your chance has finally come."

"What chance?" Serina questioned while approaching the bulletin board where many students gathered around to check something. "Is there a contest or something?"

"It's more than that." Hillary answered while pointing to a poster that the faculty has posted for the students. The poster was about a scholarship for a study-abroad program as well as a student exchange program with a duration of one academic year.

"Is this for real?" Serina asked with her eyes wide open. "They're not joking, right? How do we apply for this?"

"Let's ask the teacher about it later. I have this feeling that you will be accepted if you apply to any of these two."

"I hope so. I really want to go to Europe."