"But- But—" she protested. What about Quetz? How would he relocate? Everything else paled in front of her dragon. Azura stood there like a stubborn mule. He didn"t budge from his offer and at the same time it was something she couldn"t let go. This was like once in a lifetime opportunity. "I need time to think Mr. Fraziers," she requested.
"Okay," he added quickly. "If I don"t hear from you in a week, I will give this position to someone else." He could sense her enthusiasm to join the job and so he threw that threat. He had to pressurize her.
Dawn"s excitement ebbed. She licked her lips at this sudden peril. But what could she do? He was the employer and he had most of the cards.
"Also, you need to confirm that you will join before I leave," he throttled the deal further.
The last part hadn"t sunk in well and the next one shook her. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again. She looked like a fish at that moment. In a warbled voice she said, "I have to inform the Company I have been accepted in. I need to do a lot of things. Moving isn"t easy."
"Sure," he replied with a tight smile. "Take your time but reply me as soon as possible." After keeping the wine gla.s.s on the parapet on the balcony, he dug his pants pocket and took his business card out. "Here, call me on this number when you have decided." Saying that, he left her standing there. He was going to keep a tab on her activities for the next two days. While walking back to the Dean and other dignitaries, he called a number.
In the balcony, Dawn leaned on the railing as soon as he went inside. There was an adrenalin gush in her body, no there was an explosion in her brain. She could imagine the possibilities this carried. There were thousands of ideas that bounced across her mind, hundreds of ways to go back and claim their rightful place. This came so out of blue that for a moment she thought that it was a path that awaited her. Whatever lied ahead was going to be filled with challenges, tears, revenge and eventually happiness, but it was her chance, her risk, her adventure that she couldn"t let go. She took in a deep breath, smiled, straightened her hair and dress and took a step forward.
Cole was talking to his newfound friends when Dawn approached him. She had met Elize and s.h.i.+na on the way. They squealed and screeched and clicked numerous pictures before going to have lunch. She didn"t tell them about her new offer. It was an hour after that they dispersed promising to meet again.
"We need to leave now," said Dawn.
"Yes, sure!" Cole replied. Someone"s eyes followed them.
The siblings left the University Campus. Dawn told Cole about the job when they reached home.
"Are you sure sister? It is going to be dangerous if they find out about us," Cole rubbed his eyebrow as if in an effort to calm himself.
"We have to go there, Cole. That"s final," she was adamant. There were no second thoughts about it.
Rest of the day was spent on making a list of things that needed to be winded up.
Dawn called Azura the next day and confirmed that she would join his Company.
In the evening she called Arawn. She had to meet Quetz.
While she was riding with him to the Fals.h.i.+re Forests, she told him about her decision. Arawn slowed his pace. He didn"t turn to look at her. "I didn"t know that this day would come so soon," he said in a quavering voice.
Dawn could sense his sadness. She hugged him from behind and said, "Arawn, thank you so much for all the help you gave me. You were like my father."
Arawn tapped her forearm and said, "Yes kid! Don"t you forget me."
"I will never," she replied hoa.r.s.ely.
Soon they reached the woods. Quetz was sitting on the top of the tree. He had heard her long back. As soon as he saw her with his sharp vision some hundred meters away, he glided in the air and with strong beats of his leathery wings came to her. He flew with her until they reached Eoben.
Dawn jumped off Arawn. Quetz came right next to her. Standing at her height, he looked at her with his deep blue eyes. Quetz, she wrapped her arms around his strong, corded neck. Quetz opened his wings and wrapped them around her covering her fully. No one could see even a small part of Dawn from the outside.
"I want you to come with me," she said.
Yes I will. He replied.
"How?"
There are many mythical lands, Dawn. I am sure there would be one next to Bainsburgh. And if there isn"t, I will create one.
Dawn"s eyes became wide. "Really?" she asked releasing him.
Quetz folded his wings back and nodded.
"But how will you reach there?" She wondered if he would again become an anklet. But that was going to be one huge anklet.
Quetz ignored her query and instead asked, Have you agreed to the job proposition? "What about your salary and perks? How many employees does the Company have? You better get it fixed. He talked like a real business graduate accomplice.
Dawn laughed. "Yes things are fixed."
Nice. he replied. What day you plan on flying out?
"In a week."
Okay. In that case I will start my journey tonight.
"What do you mean?" Dawn asked, putting her hand on his neck. She was wary of his plans. She became worried as h.e.l.l.
I have so many mountains, rivers, oceans and countries to fly over. I would need that much time. He said tapping her head lightly with his wing. Don"t worry. Let us meet on the other side of the world. He a.s.sured her. Her hair got tousled.
She held his wing and stroked the rim gently. The strong leathery feel was evident of the powerful beast he was. "Are you sure?" she wasn"t sure how he would be able to fly such a long distance. Her heart ached at the thought of them covering thousands of miles.
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