We soared over the oceans, Draco's claws skimming the water as we went. I lay flat against his back, dragging my hand along the water behind the ripples he created. The saltwater splashed into my face. The feeling was refreshing. James and my parents would never find me. Not now. The Guild would call off the hunt. Everyone would be safe.

"Are you sure you still want to do this?" Draco asked.

"Yes. It's the only way."

"I'll be by your side through everything."

"How? They can't know I'm a dragon rider."

"I'll remain invisible."

"Only if you feel it's safe for you. I don't want you caught by them," I said.

"Don't worry."

I rolled to the side, sliding off Draco and into the cool ocean water. I glanced up through the waves and watched as he rose into the air before tucking his wings in. He slipped beneath the water in a splash less move. I could the current churn around me as he circled beneath. I kicked my legs and swam forward, enjoying the coolness. I could feel his body rise beneath me, pushing me toward the surface. We breached the surface, slowly lifting from the water. He let his wings out, water slicking off, as we zoomed toward the clouds.

"Enjoy your little swim?" Draco asked.

"Very much so."

"We're approaching Italy now."

"Already?" I asked, sitting up and staring at the small speck of brown in the far distance.

"Yes. You tend to get places much fast when you travel by dragon."

"I suppose you do."

A ship appeared below us. It was large and had an English flag flying high on the mast.

"Why is one of my father's ships out here?" I pondered out loud.

"Maybe he's doing trade with Italy?" Draco suggested.

"Of course, but that is a warship. There is no need for a warship in the Italian waters."

"I'm sure it's nothing, Evelyn."

"Or it's everything. What if they're hunting for the Guild like the Guild is hunting me."

"It'll be taken care of, Evelyn."

"Yes, by me."

Draco shimmered out of sight as we flew over the port of Livorno. The old, stone buildings stood huddled together on the island, surrounded by mountains on one side and the ocean opposite. Draco landed softly on the soft sand outside of the town. I slid off his back, rubbed his neck, and removed my goggles.

"What now?" I asked.

"I guess we start looking for anyone who may know or have seen the Guild."

"That would be a good place, I suppose."

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine. Only slightly nervous."

"This is understandable. Will you be alright going into the town alone? I'm not sure they would like the idea of a dragon walking about."

"No. I'm sure they wouldn't. I will be fine, Draco."

I rubbed his muzzle and continued into the town. People bustled about the port town, not paying much attention to me. I continued about, looking for any sign of the Guild. I didn't even know what they would look like.

Are they all women? Do they have men? Do they walk around in their all-black stuff? Do I stand out?

"Fresh fish!" a fishmonger shouted from a stall beside me.

I shook my head and continued along. Nobody seemed out of place. Frustration overtook me until a girl in a black cloak stopped and stared. The scowl on her face seemed off from the other happy, smiling villagers. I furrowed my brows and followed the girl when she turned toward the road leading out of town. I stayed a good distance behind, trying to seem unassuming. Deep down I knew she knew who I was and she led me somewhere. We walked for quite some time. The sun sank beneath the horizon before I saw a massive castle looming in the horizon.

"Are you going to follow her in?" a deep voice asked from above.

"I think so. She has to know I'm following her. If not she's awful daft," I mumbled.

"Be careful, Evelyn."

I nodded and continued toward the castle. The gates opened as the mystery girl walked through, I stopped near the tree line and watched. There appeared to be no guards. Nobody stood in the towers on either side of the gate. Torches lit the dirt road leading up the building, which was cloaked in eerie silence. The usual sounds of a castle didn't emanate from within. No sound of the head butler barking orders, no smell of supper being served, no horses whinnying. I didn't like it.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked.

"Something's not right. It's too quiet here."

"Maybe that's just how they are."

"Maybe," I replied scrunching my face, waiting for the castle gates to close.

They never did.

"They're waiting for you."

"I know," I said. "Stay close."

I headed toward the castle, the wind from Draco's wings swirling my hair about. My heart raced as I crossed through the gates. There were still no people about. Nobody greeted me and nobody attacked. The girl in the cloak stood in the doorway, looking at me. She turned and vanished into the darkened entryway.

They are most certainly waiting for me.

I took a deep breath, trying to swallow my heart which seemed to jump into my throat. My stomach did flips and my legs felt weak. I took one last look behind me and entered the menacing castle. The darkness enveloped me like an enemy's grasp. The uneasy feeling that crept over me made me second guess what I did.

Is it too late to turn back? I can fly back to Scotland in no time. Even though my family and love will be hunted down.

"My dearest dew drop! How lovely to see you have reconsidered our offer."

The voice came from everywhere. I spun around as the door slammed shut and lights erupted from every candle in the room.

"Who's there?" I cried out in surprise.

The man from Alastair's party stepped out of the only darkened crevice in the room. His porcelain skin shone in the dim light. His eyes gleamed and his smile sent shivers down my spine.

"Oh, little petunia, there is no need to be frightened. You are now among friends."

"Friends?" I asked. "You almost killed my friend. You sent one of those girls after me!"

"Assassin, sweet tart. She was an assassin." He shook his head solemnly. "One of our best. Amazing how you managed to burn her so horribly."

"Yes, well, she shouldn't have tried killing me."

"You are so much like your mother, my precious rose."

"Stop that."

"What?"

"Calling me those names."

His smile faded and his face became hard as stone. It felt as though he were boring into my soul with his piercing eyes. The tension grew in the room as he approached me slowly.

"Do not think for one moment that your status as princess will give you the right to act as you wish. You came to us, you now belong to us. You are an assassin. You are not a princess any longer. Do you understand?" his harsh whisper hit hard.

I was in far more danger than I assumed. This would not be some easy task. I could not simply walk in, kill them, and leave.

"Now that I'm here, you will leave my family alone, correct? You won't hunt down James or my friends?"

"We'll see. As long as you progress as we wish and think you will, they shall be fine. For now," another man said, approaching me from behind.

I spun on my heels and realized I was completely surrounded. The two men and a bunch of others stood around. The others wore the exact same black garb. Glints of steel shone near their hips.

I swallowed hard and pursed my lips together.

What did I walk into?