"Alright, I think I'm done with this lover scene. Now, how exactly do we steal this Herb D?" Natasha asked, rolling her eyes.
I didn't need to be a genius to know she was annoyed.
Angry. Jealous.
And honestly, who could blame her?
She had a crush on Zoah too. What girl wouldn't? The perfect dragon god with his cold, mysterious aura was bound to attract attention.
The only problem was... she wanted that attention directed at her, not another girl.
"We sneak in when no one is paying attention and take the herb," Zoah said calmly.
"That sounds like a nice plan... and an impossible one," Natasha replied dryly.
I couldn't stop myself from smirking.
"It's good to know the great Dragon God isn't very skilled at masterminding a robbery."
"This is theft, not robbery," Natasha corrected.
"Same thing," I muttered, frowning.
"That's because I have never stolen anything before," Zoah said.
A knowing smile slowly formed on my lips.
Was he really lying?
Because he had stolen something from me before.
My heart.
"We can't just enter any cave we find here," I said, bringing us back to the matter at hand. "It has to be the evil shaman's hideout."
"And we need to know exactly where he keeps Herb D," Natasha added. "Not just that, we need a way to get in and out without being discovered."
A heavy silence settled between us.
She was right.
The shaman wasn't someone we could underestimate.
"We won't know unless we find someone who can help us," I said. "Someone who knows this place. We need a spy."
"Okay, I'll find someone who can give us information," Natasha offered.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Do you know anyone here?"
She paused, then slowly shook her head.
"Have you ever been here before?"
Another shake of her head.
I sighed.
"Then how exactly do you plan on convincing a stranger to help you? For all we know, these people hate outsiders... they might even be dangerous."
Natasha only smiled, confidence flashing in her eyes.
"I'm counting on my charm. I can seduce someone and make him tell me everything."
She shrugged.
"Men become foolish when they fall in love."
I stared at her, unsure whether to be impressed or worried.
With Natasha, it was impossible to tell whether her plans were brilliant...
or a disaster waiting to happen.
"Hey, there is a man here who isn't stupid," I said, even though I knew Zoah was far more than a man. He was a god. But he was still male, and Natasha's words still applied.
"That's because he isn't in love yet," Natasha replied without hesitation. "Give him time. Once a man falls in love, he becomes foolish. He will do anything for the woman he loves, even risk his life for her."
Her expression turned serious.
"That's why enemies always strike when a man has a weakness. They target the woman he loves, and he will destroy himself trying to save her."
None of us spoke after that.
The silence grew heavier, filling the space between us as we each became trapped in our own thoughts.
Was Natasha right?
Did men really become reckless when they were in love?
Would they really risk everything just to protect the person they cared about?
No.
It couldn't be true.
I refused to believe it.
Her idea was ridiculous.
But somewhere deep inside my heart, buried beneath all my doubts and fears, I knew there was some truth in her words.
I just wasn't ready to accept it.
"Your charms won't work," I said, trying to dismiss the thought. "These people aren't normal. Just look at where they live. What ordinary human being could survive in a place like this?"
"You can't blame them," Natasha replied. "They are only trying to survive."
"You're right," I admitted. "They are trying to survive.
That's exactly why they won't fall in love with meat instead of eating it."
She frowned.
"I'm not meat."
"To them, you are," I said with a small smile.
Before she could reply, Zoah spoke.
"Alright. I'll be the hunter. I'll find one of them and force him to tell us where the herb is."
Natasha and I immediately frowned.
"Wait... you mean kidnap someone?" Natasha asked.
"I'm not about to add kidnapping to my list of crimes," I said.
It seemed Natasha and I were finally on the same page.
"Then what do you suggest?" Zoah asked calmly. "How else do we get Herb D?"
Neither of us answered.
Because he was right.
There was no other option.
"Fine," Zoah continued. "You both think this is a terrible idea, but I know it's the only one that will work. If either of you can come up with a better plan, I'm listening."
His eyes darkened.
"But until then, I'm the one taking the risk. I only need your help questioning our soon-to-be captive."
"This is wrong," I muttered.
"I can't believe I'm actually agreeing to this," Natasha sighed.
"We have already come this far," Zoah said. "We can't turn back now. You both know how important this herb is to me."
My heart froze.
Was this the first time Zoah had spoken about the herbs without mentioning Violet?
Why?
Why was he avoiding her name?
A strange thought entered my mind.
Was he really... falling for me?
"Fine," Natasha finally said.
"If you're doing this, then I'm in."
I looked at Zoah for a moment before slowly nodding.
I knew this was wrong.
Everything about coming here was wrong.
But if it was for Zoah...
I was willing to do things I never thought I could.