The group piled into the car and set off toward the coordinates Relena had punched into the GPS. They drove in heavy silence, the tension thick enough to choke on, until Drake finally decided to break it.

  ?"So, meeting the in-laws for the first time," he said, glancing in the rearview mirror. "Should I lead with my world-class dad jokes? You know... the grass is always greener over the septic tank?"

  ?"Please don't," Relena whispered.

  ?The voices in her head were growing louder with every mile they put behind them. Sensing her spiraling, Noko pulled her closer, gently brushing her hair back to soothe her. Drake reached a hand toward the backseat, and Relena grabbed it tight, anchoring herself to him.

  ?Despite their support, the internal screams clawed at her: “You are the worst daughter I have ever birthed.” “I should have let you die.” “You’ve ruined this family.”

  ?The darkness was closing in, but then Drake began to hum. He was thinking of the song that had been playing the very first time they all met: R.E.M.’s "It’s the End of the World as We Know It." The rhythm began to drown out the hate in her mind. A rush of good memories flooded back, pushing against the shadows of the Peacecraft Manor.

  ?“It’s the end of the world as we know it!” LT started to sing out loud.

  ?Drake joined in, his voice gaining strength: “Six o'clock, T.V. hour, don't get caught in foreign tower! Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn!”

  ?Even Noko chimed in: “Lock him in uniform, book burning, bloodletting! Every motive escalate, automotive incinerate!”

  ?By the time the car reached the front gates, the entire group was shouting the lyrics at the top of their lungs, a defiant wall of sound against the looming house. The heavy iron gates swung open as they approached. As the car finally screeched to a halt directly in front of the main doors, the song ended, leaving a ringing silence in its wake. Crisis came down the marble steps opened the passenger side door and welcome " uncle lot " Lt said in a lay back smooth deep voice and right behind him came noko dressed in dress blues uniform as she snap to antion did an about face and bow with her hand out to revive Relenas hand drake came sound and did the same as noko Relena step out of the car your silver dress sparkled in the moon light it not only flow with your figure but every curve was boosted by your dress miss Relena it is a wonderful night to see you again crisis said in a bow Relena taking the hands of drake and noko and locking arms together to walk in to the manner as they walk up the marble stairs uncle lot walked behind them thinking there is no force that could break these three up but the weird thing was they all three kept thinking about songs from the 80s and 90s ad some how they were able to mash them up in there head like a rave party music as the 4 entered the main doors they saw a massive fora the smell of polish wood and linen wafted throw the room and there stood Relenas mother and father middle-aged couple in their late 50s standing together. The father has a tall, athletic build with short, salt-and-pepper hair and sharp, intelligent blue eyes. The mother is about 5'9", slender and fit, with vibrant natural red hair and fair skin with light freckles. They are dressed in smart-casual attire, looking warm and intellectually high class like they can not be bothered by this Relena are these your lovers yes father this is my wife noko moko and but before Relena said anything drake stepped up and stuck out a hand and said my name is Dragonis dragoolThe look on Mr. Peacecraft’s face shifted instantly to one of intense interest. "Well then," he mused, "if I had known our daughter was marrying a Dragool, I wouldn't have been so cross—assuming, of course, that is your real name."

  ?Relena’s mother snapped her fingers, summoning a servant. She whispered a sharp command into his ear, and he was off. "You wouldn’t mind if we verified that, would you?"

  ?"Not at all," Drake replied smoothly. "But if you don’t mind—since you are to be my father-in-law—please, call me Drake."

  ?Drake watched the servant disappear down the hallway. Mrs. Peacecraft turned her gaze toward the older man in their company and gestured. "And who is this?"

  ?"This is my uncle," Noko interjected smoothly. "He is visiting from home."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  ?Before the conversation could continue, Crisis entered the room. "Dinner is ready, everyone. Crisis, please go call for Narcis and his lady."

  ?Relena stopped in her tracks. Narcis is here? Why? An image of a dark room started to form in her head. Both Drake and Noko, trained in keeping perfectly neutral expressions, saw the flicker of the memory: a younger Relena screaming as an older boy held her down.

  ?A murderous fire ignited in their eyes, but Lot spoke to them mentally, his voice echoing so only they could hear: We are going to step into your mind, Relena.

  ?Just like that, the three of them shined, their presence lighting up the darkness of her thoughts. There, they saw a boy with piercing green eyes, the face of a gorgeous man, and perfect blonde hair.

  ?"Hello, dear cousin," the beautiful man said, descending the steps with a woman on his arm. The same boy’s face reappeared, accompanied by that voice. The woman on his arm was someone all three recognized. Kay walked beside him, looking smug in a form-fitting black designer dress.

  ?While the others stared, Drake noticed a small glint: a tiny pin shaped like a dragon holding a sewing needle. At that sight, a smirk pulled at Drake’s lips. Noko and Relena saw the expression, and a wave of cold fear washed over them. It wasn't darkness they sensed, but the realization that Drake was about to reveal a side of himself he usually kept locked away—and for good reason.

  ?The group gathered around a large redwood table. Mr. Peacecraft sat at the head, with his wife to his right and Narcis to his left. Kay sat next to Narcis, while Noko sat beside Mrs. Peacecraft. Relena took the seat across from Kay, and Drake sat next to Relena, his head down as he continued to smirk.

  ?Lt stood off to the side, watching. "Is your uncle not eating with us?" Mr. Peacecraft asked, looking toward Noko.

  ?"No, he’s fine," Noko replied. "He understands this is a dinner for Drake and me to get to know Relena’s family—and for mine to get to know hers." As she spoke, Noko shot Kay a look of death. Relena joined in with a look of utter pity, but Kay ignored them both, acting as if they were beneath her notice.

  ?"So, I see you were in the Coast Guard. How nice," Narcis said condescendingly.

  ?Maids emerged from the hallway, placing plates in front of each guest before stepping back. "Just so you know, I was in the Army," Narcis bragged, taking a sip of red wine. "I was offered a spot in the Special Forces, but I turned them down."

  ?Lt’s voice rang inside Noko’s head: He never even made it out of boot camp.

  ?What did he do to get kicked out? Noko asked through the mind link.

  ?He got caught trying to 'relieve' himself over a female Drill Instructor, Lt replied. She woke up, dropped him to the floor, and laughed at his "size." She told him her pet guinea pig was bigger. He only made it to E-2.

  ?Relena nearly snorted, losing control of her facial expression.

  ?"So, Narcis," Noko asked, eyes narrowing. "How long were you 'in' for?"

  ?Narcis glared at her. "I was not imprisoned. I served our country. You should know this. Oh, wait—that’s right. You just wrote speeding tickets." ?"You’re right. I wrote speeding tickets for small c**k-suckers like you," Narcis Noko said, putting a bit of steak in her mouth.

  ?"Narcis, total height 6'3", inseam 34... not much there, really," Drake said in a low tone, just loud enough for the table to hear. "I can see why Kay likes being with you; she has to make everyone else small around her. But you don't have to feel small. You are small already," Drake said, his smile becoming bigger and his eyes growing darker.

  ?The servant from before came into the dining hall and whispered in Mr. Peacecraft’s ear.

  ?"How dare you insult me like that! You—who do you think I am? I am a Peacecraft! How dare you insult me!" Narcis screamed out, standing up and pointing a finger.

  ?All three—Lancelot, Noko, and Relena—poised to jump Narcis, but Drake placed a hand out to them. At that point, all three of them sat back down. Both women had never seen this side of Drake before; they were not only scared by him, but excited. The way he stood up was slow and menacing.

  ?Drake walked to the head of the table, repeating the same words: "We are the ones who hold the needle."

  ?The servant that was whispering in Mr. Peacecraft’s ear moved away as Drake approached. The look on Mr. Peacecraft’s face was one of sheer fear; the color drained from his face. As Drake passed by Noko and Relena, the feeling of cold darkness swarmed them. Instead of fear, it made them so excited that both ladies could feel the urge to have that darkness wrapping around their necks.

  ?Narcis sat down, shocked by the look of his uncle, Mr. Peacecraft. Lady Peacecraft also started to lose color. Drake kneeled down and whispered in Mr. Peacecraft’s ear, "I am the memory. The dragon that never forgets."

  ?Drake straightened and walked back to his chair. As he sat down, he gave a look to Crisis and placed a small list on the table. Crisis looked to Mr. Peacecraft, and Lady Peacecraft told Crisis, "Get them what they need. No questions asked."

  ?Narcis looked shocked at this and was about to say something, but Mr. Peacecraft looked at him with murder in his eyes. "Keep your fking mouth shut, you small little fk! You say anything and I’ll make sure you will never be seen again—you and your little whore. Understand?"

  ?The trio of Noko, Relena, and Lancelot looked at Drake. And just like that, Drake changed again.

  ?"This steak is amazing, everyone!"

  ?The feeling of warmth and happiness came back to him.