Welcome back everyone to Hello Charlotte I hope that everyone is enjoying the book. Please remember to COMMENT and VOTE it means a lot to me, plus I like talking with you guys. Also, remember to click the video it goes with the chapter. ~XOXO BUTTERBALL~

The song is Believe by Hollywood Undead.

____________________________________________________________________________

-Charlotte-

I opened my eyes slowly. At first I had no idea what had woken me up especially this early in the morning, before the sun was even up. Despite not having a hangover I did feel cold, tired and a bit tipsy.

It's not out of my system just yet.

I shivered moving my tail underneath the blanket. I looked to my right and saw Atlas lying next to me completely lost in his world of dreams.

I must have climbed into his bed when I got cold.

I stood up and grabbed my blanket wrapping it around myself as I left the room.

Ivo's room was 205. Right?

I frowned as I walked down the hallway in search of Ivo's room. I soon found it, the door was surprisingly unlocked. I entered the room gently closing the door behind me.

I approached Ivo's bed trying my best not to make any noise. When I reached his bedside I just stared at Ivo carefully examining him.

This is one of the few times that Ivo can look peaceful.

He was lying on his left side, his hair free of his usual ponytail. A small grin covered my face as I slid into his bed snuggling myself into his familiar warm grip.

Ivo opened his eyes a bit and for a moment he stared at me, strands of his long hair falling into his face. A small content smile spread across his face before he pulled me close to him. "Hello, Charlotte. Welcome back," he whispered as he held me close.

After a moment or two his eyes closed and he drifted back to sleep. I stared at him, a small smile on my face.

So he does have a certain time when he's not a constant asshole.

I leaned up to whisper in his ear. "You still owe me a drink for destroying my flask. You gigantic asshole."

There was no hostility in my voice as I spoke.

It sort of like the days we stayed in my village after I summoned him.

I ran my fingers over my amethyst bracelet on my wrist feeling the worn string and elastic.

It's not enchanted but I can't help wearing it whenever I go to a bar. Now that I think about it Ivo usually puts up with a lot of my selfish desires.

"Thank you for everything. I'm glad I summoned you," I said softly. For a moment I stared at him running my finger over his lips.

I let out a sigh and snuggled closer.

Strangely soft...that's odd. I don't think I've ever asked Ivo what happens when I get drunk.

My mind immediately went to that Chimera girl from my village.

He wouldn't let me roast that bitch. It probably would've made unneeded difficulties though. We're the last group of people who need cops and demon hunters after us.

Eventually, though I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep once again.

~~~~

I was standing on top of a hill facing my village. The streets had run red with blood and body parts were strewn around as though someone had gotten bored of using them as toys.

"Charlotte are you ready to leave?" Ivo asked as he appeared beside me that's when I realized how tall he actually was.

He's a giant! I think he's at least six foot six!

I took my flask out and took a deep swig which caused him to sigh.

"Don't drink too much, I really don't want to carry an intoxicated mini dragon in my arms," he told me as he crossed his arms.

I gave a small shrug before I chuckled. "It's liquid courage. I've never been outside the village so this is like science fiction to me."

Ivo smiled gently at me as I put my flask away. He held out his hand and I grabbed, his hand practically swallowing mine.

Strangely though as we began walking to the unfamiliar forest, I wasn't scared. I let out a small giggle of excitement as I tried my best to match his pace.

No matter what happens I'll at least have Ivo. He'll always protect me and I'll do my best to protect him. I promise.

~~~~

I opened my eyes and yawned stretching out slightly.

Ivo chuckled as he looked at me. His hair was still out as I snuggled up in his arms.

I let out a huff. "I was cold and tired. Atlas wasn't warm enough," I said softly.

A large grin spread across Ivo's face as he stretched. "And yet you still didn't try cuddling Delilah?"

I frowned as I realize what he meant, a small blush covered my face as I fiddled with my bracelet and flicked my tail out.

"I...um...," I took a deep breath before releasing it. "I'm familiar with you. You're always here when I need you. I'm used to sleeping in your arms."

I glanced at Ivo to see him staring at me with wide eyes and a slight blush covering his usually pale face.

He looked away from me as he ran a hand over his face. "Fuck. You're an adorable idiot."

At first, he said it so low that I could barely hear what he had said but, I did catch the words, adorable idiot.

I let out a snicker as I shifted in Ivo's arms. "Something wrong?" I asked slightly smug.

Ivo sighed as he sat up, he reached over and grabbed his ponytail holder. After a few seconds, he had his hair up and out of the way.

Ivo usually slept shirtless, and as I watched him move around the room I noticed these small scars covering his body.

"Ivo where did you get those tiny scars? Did another mini dragon put you in your place," I asked as I smirked.

Ivo rolled his eyes as he buttoned his suit. "You're not a mini dragon. You're a teacup dragon. But no, these tiny scars are from when I made and nullified my contract with Kessel. He has scars like this too. It's something that brands you as a traitor even if you don't have the red contract marking," he explained.

I frowned as I squeezed my eyes shut trying to picture Kessel. As his image and appearance formed in my head I remembered the tiny scars lining his hands, arms, and face.

When I opened my eyes Ivo shuddered a slight scowl on his face.

"If you're hungry I could cook you breakfast. Just like I used to," Ivo offered.

I grinned as I stood up after I brushed my hair a bit on both my head and tail I went back to the room Atlas and I shared to splash some water on my face and change clothes.

Ivo may be one of the biggest assholes in existence but strangely he's an amazing cook.

I continued smiling as I met him at the hotel entrance.

He glanced at me. "Stop smiling it's...strange."

I shrugged. "I'm just happy to eat your food."

Ivo let out a small chuckle before he frowned. "At least it'll go better than the first time I made you food."

I winced. "I'm sorry I honestly thought it was poisoned back then. I mean after what we had just done I really didn't know if I could trust you." I said softly.

As we entered the town we stopped in the plaza. As Ivo stood there frowning and concentrated probably thinking about the recipes he knew I spoke.

"By the way Ivo how did you learn how to cook? I don't think this kinda thing came naturally after all you can't taste test. Honestly, though you're a good cook, and I'm thankful for that," I said as I stretched and almost instantly I realized what I'd said.

Reflexively I covered my mouth and looked away from him my tail waving frantically in the air.

Ivo glanced at me. "Delilah and Kessel taught me. Also, I wasn't completely asleep you know, I heard some of the stuff you said last night. Honestly, I thought that it was a dream. Thank you for confirming that I haven't gone completely off the deep end."

Ivo turned to me a smirk on his face. I continued to look down at the ground and strangely my face felt very warm especially as I flick my tail around.

Ivo leaned down a bit as he stared into my eyes. "Would you like to talk about your feelings Charlotte? I can understand 
if-"

I cut him off quickly. "Shut up and forget about it right fucking now!" I snapped almost frantically.

Ivo gave a deep chuckle as he patted my head between my horns. I jumped up a bit and nipped him slightly however he just drew back with a large smile on his face.

Fucking wine! I should've kept my mouth shut when I snuck into his room!

I strangely wasn't angry though. A part of me was actually giddy with excitement it felt...strange.

What is this feeling?

Ivo looked at me, "So do you want to eat?" He asked looking me.

"Meat and fruit. Maybe some strawberries or something, some bacon, and eggs, maybe," I said slightly hesitant.

Ivo looked at me, "You haven't had enough fruit?"

I crossed my arms and sighed. "That was peach wine, not strawberry, you tasted it too. It's how you instantly knew where I went. For all, you knew I could've gone to the convenience store," I reminded him.

Ivo gave me a slight smile. "I knew where you were not just because of that. It's the contract mark when I need to find you it shines brighter than ever. We literally share a soul remember?"

I just nodded as we entered the store and instantly it felt like every single person was staring at us. I looked up at Ivo to make sure he wasn't floating or slightly incorporeal.

I don't know why people stare like this. It might be my markings though, after all, I'm not wearing a long sleeve shirt. Plus I look like the textbook definition of a circus freak.

Ivo let out a chuckle which made me remember he could read my thoughts. "Well sweetie, if you're a circus freak then I'm the whole damn carnival," he said as he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes as Ivo calmly walked over to the shopping carts and carefully pulled one free. "That's true but, I think that they believe you're an evil dragon that's taken on a human form. You have more scales than I do! Not to mention everything about you screams pissed off creature," I told him.

He looked down at me as I walked beside him. "I have fewer scales than you today. Last night you were covered in purple and black scales. I don't know if it's a thing with people who have dragon chimera in them but it's odd," he told me as he stopped near the fruit aisle.

"I honestly wouldn't know, other than my father I never met another dragon chimera. Apparently they're endangered and rare or at least that's what most nature reserves say. They encourage breeding with other creatures and bullshit like that," I sighed.

Ivo picked up a carton of strawberries and stared at them for a moment or two seemingly checking for imperfections. He smiled slightly before gently placing them in the cart. "Interspecies relationships can be interesting as long as someone's not fucking their pet dog or some shit like that. Although someone fucking a dragon is how you got here so you know pros and cons," he said shrugging.

I smiled a bit as I looked up at him. "Have you ever had some interspecies relationships?" I asked.

Ivo sighed as he pushed the cart. "A few, sometimes it can be interesting. And before you ask I mostly look like my father, he's a Therion too. Although he mostly uses it as a form of torture, you know eat one body part at a time," as Ivo said this I saw a female were-creature with a shopping cart slowly creep back into one of the aisles.

"Apparently you don't have to eat people to scare them," I said.

Ivo shrugged looking proud of himself. "Whatever works,"

I picked up the eggs once we reached the freezer section. Carefully I opened the two cartons and examined the eggs before I placed them carefully in the cart. Ivo was looking over the bacon when I walked over.

"Turkey bacon?" he asked as he glanced at me. I just nodded.

"The strawberries are yours. The rest we're sharing with everyone else," he told me as he placed it in the cart.

As we paid for the food and walked outside Ivo suddenly just stopped walking. He narrowed his eyes as he watched the crowds of people walk by.

"What the hell?" I heard him mutter under his breath.

I turned to him as I adjusted the bags in around my wrist and away from my claws. "What is it?" I asked frowning.

Ivo said nothing as he continued to stare into the crowd but after a moment his eyes widened. As if he just realized I was still there he turned and spoke to me quickly, "Charlotte, I want you to listen to me. Please go back and wait for me at the hotel. I...need to go talk to someone."

Normally I would've put up a bit more of a fight but there was something in his voice that just made me go silent.

He sounds frantic almost like he's...scared.

He smiled gently at me but it looked forced. "Just go okay? I'll be alright," he told me gently.

I bit my lip as I stared at him. "Okay...I'll go. Come back soon please," I pleaded with him.

That got a more genuine smile out of him. "Okay, I promise teacup-dragon," he told me before he left.

I watched him as he disappeared into the crowd then I headed back to Atlas and Delilah.

~~~~

When I got back Delilah and Atlas were awake and had chosen to congregate in the room Atlas and I had shared. When I walked through the door Atlas looked up from the TV and smiled at me.

"There you are Charlotte, I was actually worried about where you went but I didn't have any clue. Plus Ivo didn't tell me anything last night," He said as he stood up.

I smiled back at him, "Sorry about that, Ivo and I got up early this morning to get food. I was also cold when I woke up so yeah," I told him as I held up the grocery bags.

I noticed a slight smile on Delilah's face as she gave me a hug. "You know that you can cuddle me anytime Charlotte."

I sat down on one of the beds as I took out the food, Atlas reached over and took one of my strawberries. "I would've but when Atlas isn't around you apparently sleep naked," I pointed out.

Atlas started coughing, in fact, he sounded like he was choking.

"Don't eat my strawberries, Ivo got them for me," I said as I moved my strawberries out of his reach.

Delilah had a sly smile on her face as she spoke to me. "Did Ivo tell you that or did you take a peek for yourself?" She asked.

I shrugged as I ate one of my strawberries. "Ivo told me a while ago about you sleeping naked," I informed her which, caused her to snicker.

She floated above the bed as she looked down at the food. "I'll cook us breakfast since Ivo isn't here," she said as she leaned down a bit and gathered everything but the strawberries in her arms.

I froze about to tell her that Ivo had offered to cook but I stopped instantly.

I don't know what time he's coming back today. Fuck...at least I know how he feels whenever I just get up and leave. He sounded scared though, the only other time I've heard him sound scared is...back when I was younger and used to get sick a lot. He was also scared though when he found out that I knew Kessel.

Delilah looked at me as she headed toward the small table in the mini-kitchen.

"Charlotte, how many eggs do you want?" She asked looking a bit concerned.

I let out a small chuckle. "I just want my strawberries at the moment."

Eventually, time passed and it turned to night, so I headed out to the bar again. "Just a few drinks to get my mind off things," I whispered to myself as I played with my bracelet.

"Excuse me, but I need to talk to you miss."

At first, I thought it was Ivo it sounded so much like him but something was off about his tone.

Ivo always has this commanding, know it all tone that usually irks the shit out of me. The voice and tone it sounds like Ivo but it's too nice, almost polite.

As I built up my fire in my throat I turned around but almost instantly I put it out swallowing it back down. The man I was looking at was wearing a high ranking Aevon uniform, but he looked exactly like Ivo. From the scales to the horns and pitch black eyes he looked exactly like Ivo.

For a moment we just stared at each other in pure shock. However, a smile eventually spread over his face exposing the shark-like teeth.

"Charlotte, I need you to come with me," He said carefully.

I backed up and tried to build up my fire again but for some reason, I couldn't.

He's not Ivo! He's not Ivo! I just...I have to run.

As he reached for my arm I took off running.

Ivo where are you? I need you!