Chapter 32 Royal Blood

"What? Shape shifter?" Raymond asked confused. He turned to look at Mary and realized her eyes had lost focus. Her eyes seemed distant and cold. Raymond knew at that instant, Mary was hypnotized. Of course! He should have known it earlier! That's Anthony's speciality. That's what Anthony could do best.

"I'm not under any form of hypnosis, Raymond" Mary replied.

Raymond almost jolted out of his seat.

'Can she read minds now?' he thought.

"Anthony, did try to hypnotize me but it didn't work this time. We have company, Raymond. " Mary said and turned to look at the back seat. "Show yourself. I know you're there"

Raymond stared passively into the rear-view mirror and jolted suddenly which made the car jerk. Luckily, the road was empty and had only his car moving at that time.

"Damn it!" Raymond cursed anxiously.

"Calm down, Ray" Mary said as Raymond parked the car at the side of the road.

"Wait, how did that person enter the car? And for how long has she been with us?" Raymond asked almost as if was shouting.

"Hi, Maya. I didn't know you were here" Mary cheerfully greeted the feeble, scared young girl who sat behind them.

"I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I'm sorry I scared you" Maya replied and began to tear.

"Hey, Maya. It's ok. I'm sorry I mistook you for a shape shifter. I'm glad you still have the invisibility cloak i gave you" Mary replied calmly trying to stop the young girl from crying more.

'Maya? Who is she? She looked kind of familiar but I can't recall where i met her. She looks so feeble. What could be the matter? Why is she so scared?' Raymond thought as he watched the two women.

"I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean to. Honestly, i wasn't exp...ex..expecting... my mind is so messed up. I don't even know what to say " Raymond apologized looking at the fragile girl. For unknown reason (s), he felt sorry for the girl.

"Ok. I didn't mean to scare you too" Maya replied apologetically.

"Why didn't you show yourself the moment you walked in?" Mary asked.

"I didn't because you weren't alone. I was going to reveal myself to you later. Probably when you are alone." Maya replied

"Why are you here?" Mary asked Maya.

"I...I..." Maya stuttered casting worried glances at Raymond.

"Don't worry, Raymond is harmless. He's with us" Mary replied.

"This afternoon, in the land of the elves, there was a sudden darkness. The bright sky suddenly darkened, with no sun nor light in sight. Then, two Rigel stars appeared in the sky. They shone brightly and strong enough to eliminate the darkness. It occurred for a few seconds. The King called for the shamans. They told the King, it meant the rightful heir of the throne has found his rightful one and they were soon going to take back everything that rightfully belonged to them. Because of that, the King has ordered his men to search for Raven and his mate and eliminate them as soon as possible" Maya narrated.

"Why should they kill Raven?" Raymond asked innocently.

"Because he's the only elf left from the pure blood and true royals lineage. He's the only true royal family member left. He was the only one who could escape the massacre of the entire royal family. Even King Carl didn't know of his existence, not until recently, when a shaman told him, Raven was still alive. One thing is for sure, they know not, where he is" Maya replied.

"But we do, and that puts us a step ahead of them" Mary said with a smile. "You still haven't told me why you're here, Maya".

"I escaped from the dungeon. All the shackles that bound me to the dungeon loosened and I found myself in the Cragen forest. I had nowhere to go. That's why I came to you. Besides, i am a descendant of the servants of the royals. I guess my release has something to do with finding Prince Raven" Maya replied.

"For how long were you in the dungeon?" Mary asked sadly.

"A decade" Maya replied.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know" Mary replied tearfully. "You shouldn't cry. I heard all your calls, wishes and whispers, but i couldn't answer them because i was in the dungeon" Maya replied.

"Can anyone explain what's going on to me?"