I was brought back home by my parents, and the Draconic girl followed me. My parents were not happy to find out I snuck off to a slave auction. Dad especially.
"Gia Jade Daulton, what were you thinking, going to a slave auction of all places?!" Dad said, pacing in front of me. I kept my head down. "Do you realize what could have happened if you weren't careful?!"
"Dad, I wasn't alone." I tried to reason with him.
"That isn't what we are talking about, and that Mano girl, was she a part of this?!" Dad said, looking absolutely pissed.
"She refused to let me go alone!" I explained. "She knew she couldn't stop me from going, so she kept insisting till I agreed."
Dad scoffed and turned away. I sighed, and Mom rubbed her forehead.
"Okay, look, I'm sorry I lied about where I was going." I started, "But if I didn't, then this kid would have been sold off for who knows what reason!"
Dad sighed and turned to me. "That isn't the point, Gia!"
"I know, Dad-"
"You don't know!" Dad cut me off. "Those buyers were looking for demon-blessed! If any of them found out, you would have been taken and auctioned off! You could have been through a life far worse than any death this world could ever give!"
I kept my head down. I knew this; Dad always checked with the slave sellers on everything. Every time I was almost found out, he sent guards to the individuals and burned what they had documented. Dad sighed and made his way to me and kneeled in front of me.
"Gia, you are my only daughter. I can't risk anyone taking you away, or stealing away the life you have fought so hard to keep. Your mother and I have been doing everything we can for you." Dad reached up, brushing hair from my face, and cradled my face in his palm. "Gia, I am hard on you like this because you are everything to your mother and me. We can't afford to lose you, no matter what."
"I know," I said quietly. Dad stood up and petted my head. The draconic girl pressed against my side. I stayed put, and my parents headed to another room. Next time I go out, I'm telling them the truth, and I will have to deal with that Teranetza, like me, she has reincarnated in this world. Now, I am going to have to work out this curse, taking care of the kid, working with my parents, and the min villain. Once I break the curse, I will have my blessing at full power. And Crystal can finish the fight that was started by Teranetza's god. Phoenix will tear through that god's heart, and Mano can go all out. I can and will continue to fight till this is all over. My parents still don't know the full story, and that is the only secret I will keep from them.