Free The Inner Kingdom: Quest One (Dragon Quest Book 1) by S.R. Gibbs

are ushered to their room,” Nolin commanded. “There is no end to Zarf and Raven’s madness.”
    “So, you expect us to just go along with this?” Ashley questioned, clutching the side of her waist.
    “At this point, you have no choice,” Leo answered, holding out his arm toward the stairs. “After you.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
    The Complication
    Location: The Bedroom
    ◑ Apri l ◐
     
     
    On the long walk back to the room with the silver floor, better known as our bedroom for tonight, no one was more disappointed as I was, knowing that I couldn’t return home to my mom and dad, also famous for being the guardians who failed their mission.
    Leo bowed in front of the room door as we walked in, as the reality of the situation finally hit us.
    “You may retire from your duties now, Leo,” I could hear Mina whisper at the doorway . “Rest easy. I will be on guard only until I am replaced by two of my most trusted men.”
    “It’s just that you seem to agitate one of the young ones.”
    I already knew who she was referring to, as I glanced back into the room to see Angie pacing beside the huge canopy bed.
    “I have noticed.” Chuckling, Leo closed the door behind Mina.
    The sound of the door closing must have alerted Ashley and Angie to the fact that we were no longer alone as they turned to glare at Mina.
    “Before you begin to vent your gall, let me explain,” Mina nervously said.
    “Vent what?” I asked
    “Meaning to display your anger at me. Just listen to what I have to say.” Brushing back her hair with a shaking hand, she continued. “I am not at liberty to tell you many things yet, but what I can tell you is that you are very important to this kingdom and all of Eupai. You are much needed here.”
    “That does not change the fact that you lied to us,” Angie interjected marching closer to Mina from across the room.
    Surprising everyone in the room, including myself, I rushed in between Mina and Angie.
    “What are you doing? Why are you protecting someone who lied to us?” Ashley probed sounding confused.
    “This is not the answer. Yelling at Mina is not going to get us home any sooner,” I said, trying to reason with my sisters.
    “This makes twice today that you have been the cool one,” Angie teased, as she smiled.
    I moved to the side to let Mina finish speaking, after making sure that Angie wouldn’t try to attack her again.
    “You didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t going to maul her,” Angie muttered with her hands on her hips.
    “It’s not you that I am afraid of; it’s the new abilities that we have developed. Earlier I don’t think Ashley really wanted to harm Prince Leev, or anyone else for that matter,” I responded, reminding them about how dangerous things have become.
    “That is what I have to talk to you about.” Mina walked to the bed, motioning for us to sit. “Always remember that the powers you have been experiencing are normal. You just need proper training; also, we have already figured out where you come from based on your abilities. Soon, you will be able to meet your parents.”
    “Our real parents?” I asked, dumbfounded at the idea of getting to meet my biological mom and dad, since our adopted parents told us when we were older that our parents were no longer alive.
    “You are lying again. That’s impossible. The orphanage told our adopted parents that all of our real parents are gone.”
    “I thought this would make you happy, but I underestimated the devastation that your guardians have caused.”
    “They wouldn’t do that to us,” Ashley murmured, her voice cracking from the overwhelming emotions.
    Ashley has always been very close to our adopted parents. They always pushed us to make more friends and to be normal; and Ashley would do anything to make them proud, even turn her back on her sisters.
    “Hypothetically speaking, let’s just say I believe what you are telling us,” Angie said while rubbing Ashley’s