"No..No.. Just no.."

Those were the only words Ireena could manage to get out. Her trembling lips could not form any other word. Soulglade stood there staring, silent, waiting for her next response. He shifted himself on his feet a few times, then stood tall and towering over Ireena. "Well, than I guess we should be going then."

"What!?"

Before she could say anything else, Soulglade snatched Ireena up, and took off swimmimg at a dizzying speed. She was much smaller than she thought she was compared to the White Wolf's grandeur. He carried her in his forelegs. Massive, spectacular white feathered wings suddenly appeared from his back. Ireena would feel very comforted if it weren't for the delusion her mind was in right now. She screamed for about a minute straight without stopping; Soulglade kept on swimming. He sped upward, toward the surface. He flew out of the water in a magnificent display of white, and he slowed his pace, heading for dry land.

As soon as the thrill ride Ireena was on diminished to a calmer speed, she opened her eyes gingerly. Her panic attack began to go away and was replaced with utter confusion. She had just met this guy not even 30 minutes ago, and he tells her this whole saga and now here he was, carrying her hostage to who-knows-where. Ireena was suddenly angry. She whipped her head around to face Soulglade and yelled up at him.

"Hey big guy, do mind spilling the beans?" Ireena's attitude was pungent. She launched a question assault at him. "What is up with this? Where are you taking me? What are you going to do with me? What do you mean by me having some special role? Are you even a good guy? How do I know you really work for The Master? Why aren't you answering me?!"

Even though Soulglade was a spirit, his good deeds on earth having gotten his soul to eternal paradise, Ireena's persistence pinched at his patience like a swarm of insects. As he was carrying the wild blue wolf in his forelegs, he tightened his grip on her as a warning sign that she was testing his tolerance of her. Ireena quieted for a moment. But her panic attack got to her once again, and she began thinking about her dire future out loud.

"What is going to happen to me? I'll never see my family again! I'll never get to see the beautiful beaches or sparkling blue oceans, or hear the sound of playful little sea creatures bantering among one another, or Eli's sweet smile when I need it! Or-"

Soulglade came to an abrupt halt in midair. Ireena stopped despairing. The white wolf held Ireena up to him so they were face to face.

"Ireena, you seriously need to calm down," He said as cool and collected as he could. "Your anxiety will always make everything worse. You are letting silly things mess with your head. So-"

"They are NOT silly things!" Ireena interrupted, tears running down her cheeks. Soulglade remained calm, and continued speaking.

"I understand. I was a normal wolf like you once; I know what hardships feel like." He hesitated a moment before continuing, his eyebrows furrowed in a crestfallen expression. He shook his head. "The Master is watching over everybody you love. Do not worry." He smiled at Ireena.

His smile was disarming and as bright and brilliant as the setting moon overhead. His large fangs glimmered liked jewels in the soft light, and Ireena could feel love and security from looking at those great big, blue eyes that could be mistaken for tiny blue stars. The exhausted blue wolf sighed, and bowed her head. Soulglade set her in his forelegs once again, and continued on his flight over the ocean, while the wild wind blew in its night song from the North.

                                                                                                      *  *  * 

Something was nudging Ireena in the behind and she did not like it at all. She was determined on staying put, but the object bumping her did not cease. She swatted and pawed at the air, twisted and squirmed, groaning and mumbling. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept so well, and she was not about to have it taken away form her.

A sharp and painful prick in her neck finally jolted her awake. Ireena wheeled in circles, a virulent expression taking her over. She stopped her little tantrum and noticed Soulglade sitting a few meters away, a long sharp stone in his paw. Ireena wanted to scream at him but thought the better. She growled deeply and plodded over to the white wolf.

"Time to get up, sleepyhead," He said to a brooding Ireena. She stood before Soulglade and flopped right down, sitting on the cold, wet sand. He had brought her to a beach, which was chilly and gloomy. Heavy rain clouds and fog hung over them, with the threat of rain imminent.

"Why did you bring me here?" Ireena mumbled. "I cant stay on land forever you know."

"As a matter of fact, I do know. So the longer we stay here and do nothing, the longer we will be on land." Soulglade replied. "So, let's get a move on."

After walking for a few minutes into the seaside wilderness, Soulglade spoke. "Oh, I almost forgot. Hold out the jewel medallion I gave you."

Ireena held up the precious object, grateful it was still there. Even with the sun in hiding, the gem on the thin rope necklace did not cease to sparkle.

"Perfect. Keep it right there," He said. "Now, don't freak out. Stay perfectly still."

In an instant, Soulglade's magnificent body glowed with the force of a bonfire. He twisted around several times, very fast, scaring Ireena nonetheless. "What are you doing!?" She cried, forgetting to hold up the medallion, shielding her face with her paws. Suddenly she felt a blow like she had been hit by an explosion, right into her torso. She even flew back a few feet, stunned. Souglade reappeared out of nowhere, grabbing Ireena and holding her in his compassionate arms. He analyzed her. She was in a state of shock, burn marks streaking across her chest, eyes closed. Soulglade felt powerful remorse flood through him. He stroked her soft, wavy hair. He said to the sky with a voice of fear, "Master, what do you want me do to?"

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Hey guys! Sorry it's been taking me a while to update-- lots of stuff going on with school and other things. But I just want to say thank you to all of my readers so far!! Love all you guys :3