As the bear approached, Arie felt something come over her, like a warm weighted blanket. Her body and mind calmed itself, and she stared right into the bear’s eyes.
The bear, obviously not expecting a little girl to challenge her authority, again rose up on her hind legs, bared her teeth, and roared. Arie stood firm. A single thought entered her mind, and she spoke calmly and confidently. “Enough.”
The goliath of a bear obeyed. She dropped to her feet and then sat back. She grew calm, as if she and Arie were about to have a tea party.
“Go away.”
The bear turned around and lumbered down the path with her baby hopping quickly behind her.
Arie stood tall and strong. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Soon she could hear Luke and Zyler’s footsteps in front of her. “Hello in there,” said Luke, snapping his fingers in front of Arie’s face.
Arie opened her eyes and looked at both of the boys, who were staring at her as if she were some sort of circus sideshow freak. “What?” she snapped at them.
“Remarkable,” said Zyler. “You are one brave young lady.”
“Yeah, one brave and stupid young lady,” said Luke.
Twelve year old Arie is frustrated–her abrasiveness and impulsiveness constantly lands her in trouble, and she feels doomed to a future as a passive housewife, like all women in her country. While on a trip to the capital city with her mother and older sister, Hannah, Arie’s life explodes into chaos. After a brazen attack on the city gates, Hannah is presumed dead and Arie comes face-to-face with a terrifying red eye, one that will haunt her dreams and sanity.
While the family mourns, Hannah’s boyfriend, Luke, rushes to the farm to deliver news that Hannah is alive but in mortal danger. Arie sneaks off with Luke on a perilous journey to save her sister. On the way, Arie is thrust into dangerous situations and must rely on her courage and resourcefulness to survive. She also uncovers a shocking realization: she can communicate with animals, and they are more than willing to do her bidding.
Arie’s mission derails when Luke betrays her and hands her over to the diabolical King Aamon, ruler of her country. Plus, Aamon reveals that he is Arie’s uncle and wishes to mold her and her magic into the next powerful queen. Should she align with Aamon and fulfill her desires of respect and importance? Arie’s choice triggers the manifestation of her nightmare: the climatic, red-eye dragon, devoted to Aamon and determined to kill her. In the end, however, one thing conquers all: the unshakable bond between sisters.