Gigi wouldn’t have admitted it, but she immediately felt intimidated by the dark elf. Her dark purple, almost black, skin had an almost sheen in the lamp light. When Adriana stood, intimidation congealed into a nervous jealousy. The woman before her seemed like the very picture of beauty to Gigi. Her long platinum hair flowed freely to her waist. A modest black dress hugged her curves while concealing most of her. She had the kind of body Gigi had always wanted, but goblin genetics killed that dream before it even began.

Adrianna strode over to the anxious couple with purpose. Her pink eyes fixed on Drake, looking right through Gigi.

“Um, we have a delivery for...” started Gigi before she was interrupted.

“You may throw those away.”

Gigi was baffled, this was a first. “Throw them away?”

“Him. He is why I called you here.” Ariana brusquely grabbed Drake’s free hand and pulled him forward. However, Gigi refused to let go. Drake was being pulled between the two women, looking between the two of them nervously.

“I will give him back,” the witch said flatly.

Reluctantly, Gigi relinquished her grasp. Drake was dragged to Ariana’s desk where he stood, looking pleadingly back at Gigi. She nodded back at him, ready to do whatever she needed to help him, even if she doubted she could do much against an angry witch. She would try though.

Ariana took Drake by the wrist and raised his hand into the light, looking over the tattoo-covered hand with great care. She rolled up his sleeve, continuing to examine the runes, mumbling to herself as she did so. The witch inspected Drake as if he were the archaeological find of the century.

Gigi hated seeing the two of them next to each other. They were practically the same height, the same build. Despite being different races, they looked cut from the same cloth. A natural fit together in her mind. The thought made her bristle. She bit her tongue to keep from saying anything she was thinking out loud.

“Name?” asked Ariana.

“Drake.”

“Surname?”

“Uh, Drake,” he shrugged.

“Where are you from?”

Drake looked at Gigi to see if he should answer. She nodded cautiously. “Paxia,” he said.

“Well, Drake of Paxia, these are some very interesting markings you have here.”

“Good interesting?”

“This is not magic I’ve seen before. My scanner spell should have picked you up, but it didn’t. That’s intriguing...however, it was running into some men, some knights,” Drake stiffened, “They, I believe were looking for you, that piqued my interest.”

“Is that so?” Drake said, rolling his sleeve back down.

“It is. Now take your shirt off.”

“WAIT A MINUTE!” Gigi interrupted.

“Relax, it’s for science,” Ariana assured.

“No offense, lady, but why would I trust you?”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“None taken.” The drow waved her hand dismissing the thought. Ariana reached out her hand and her notepad came whizzing, followed by her quill. She furiously wrote down some notes before turning her piercing pink eyes back to Drake. “I’m guessing you are phenomenally powerful, yes?”

Drake said nothing for a moment. “Can’t say that I am.”

“No? That’s a shame. If you were, maybe I could help you figure out the source of the aforementioned phenomenal power. Maybe even understand it; control it a little better.”

Drake balled his fists. “I don’t want to understand it better. I just want it to go away.”

“Well... Perhaps then I can help with that too.”

Gigi stepped forward. “You know you never really said why we could trust you,” she said, folding her arms.

“Whether he will admit it or not, your friend here,” she motioned to Drake, “is extremely dangerous. He may have put the entire village in harm’s way merely by being here.”

“No, he isn’t! He’s making me babysit for the sake of the gods.”

“Who are you again?” Ariana asked.

“My name is Gigi! Drake happens to be under my care so-”

“Does this goblin speak for you?” Ariana cut her off. Gigi seethed with rage.

“Sometimes, but this I can say for myself - I’m not interested.”

A slight frown played on the drow’s dark features. “That is a pity, but should you change your mind, you know where to find me. Thank you for indulging me, Drake of Paxia, and...”

“GIGI,” she growled.

“Yes, well, off with you then.”

Adriana snapped her fingers, and a rush of air flowed around Drake and Gigi. Before they could protest, the gusts pulled them off their feet and up the stairs, being deposited in a heap in the courtyard. The iron door brusquely shut behind them.

“I don’t like her, nope, not one bit,” Gigi said, dusting herself off.

“Could work on being a bit more friendly for sure,” Drake sat on the ground for a moment. “How much do you think she knows?”

Gigi shrugged. “Probably more than us, but still! That’s no excuse for bad manners.” Gigi helped Drake to his feet.

“Any deliveries left?” he asked.

“Just one. Lady Beatrice.”

They climbed into the cart for their final delivery, riding in silence as they thought over the events of the day. And Adriana’s offer. The thought of letting Drake spend any more time with that woman made her blood churn with fury. If Drake wanted her help, then she would just have to go with him.

She had read more than a few romance novels. Gigi recognized a love interest when she saw one. Yeah, sure, Ariana was cold now, but Gigi bet she melted pretty quick if she got to ‘examine’ him the way she wanted. Looking at him with those big pink eyes. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

Why was she so angry? It’s not like she owned him. She hardly knew him after all. Gigi took a deep breath and blew it out.

“Does Lady Beatrice live in a graveyard by any chance?”

Gigi was pulled back to reality. “Yeah, why?”

“Because I think she’s standing out in the graveyard looking at the sun.”

Gigi turned to meet his gaze. Sure enough, there she was. The ghostly figure didn’t notice them as they dismounted and approached.

“Is she...okay?” Drake whispered.

“Oh yeah, she’s always like this,” Gigi waved at the woman. “Lady B, we have your treats!”

The cursed elf slowly tilted her head from the sky and redirected it toward them. “Ah, Gigi, is it that day already?” Gigi handed over the box of goods with a smile, knowing this meant their day was done. “Oh, I see you found your adventure too,” she motioned to Drake.

“Adventure?” Drake mouthed to Gigi. She just blushed and shrugged.

“Lovely. Just lovely,” Lady Beatrice said.