The evening was calm, with a cool breeze brushing against the windows of Alice's dorm. She sat cross-legged on her bed, flipping through a spellbook her grandmother had given her. The day's events replayed in her mind, and despite her composed demeanor, a small part of her couldn't shake the image of Demian's fiery eyes glaring at her.
A knock at her door broke her train of thought.
"Come in," she called, setting the book aside.
The door creaked open, and Michael stepped inside. His usual confident smile was in place, but there was an excitement in his eyes that Alice hadn't seen before.
"Hey," he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Got a minute?"
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Do I have a choice?"
Michael chuckled. "Not really." He stepped forward and extended a hand toward her. "Come on. I want to show you something."
"Now? It's late," Alice said, eyeing him suspiciously.
"It's worth it. Trust me," he said, his tone light but insistent.
Alice sighed and got up, slipping on her shoes. "This better not involve any Amazons or flaming eyes."
Michael laughed as he led her out of the dormitory. "No Amazons. I promise."
Once outside, the air was cooler, and the moon hung low in the sky, casting its silvery glow over the campus. Alice followed Michael to a secluded area near the edge of the forest.
"Alright," Michael said, stopping abruptly.
Alice frowned. "What are we doing here?"
Michael turned to face her, his expression serious for once. "I'm about to show you something I've never shown anyone else here."
Before Alice could respond, Michael's body began to change. His skin shimmered, and his figure grew larger. His arms extended into massive, scaled wings, and his entire form transformed into a magnificent dragon.
Alice's mouth dropped open in shock. "You're... a dragon?"
Michael lowered his massive head to meet her gaze, his emerald eyes gleaming. His voice, though deeper and more resonant, was still recognizably his. "Hop on."
Still stunned, Alice hesitated for a moment before stepping closer and climbing onto his back. The scales beneath her hands were smooth and warm, and as Michael spread his wings, she felt a rush of exhilaration.
With a powerful leap, he launched into the sky, the wind whipping past them as they ascended higher and higher.
The journey was breathtaking. The world below them was a patchwork of forests, rivers, and mountains, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. Alice couldn't help but laugh as the wind tousled her hair.
Eventually, they reached their destination: Dracarys, the legendary land of dragons. The air here was warmer, and the skies were filled with dragons of various shapes and sizes soaring gracefully above.
Michael landed near a grand palace carved into the side of a mountain. The structure was imposing yet beautiful, with intricate carvings of dragons adorning its walls.
Alice slid off his back, her eyes wide with wonder. "This place... it's incredible."
Michael shifted back into his human form, his grin returning. "Welcome to Dracarys, my home."
As they approached the palace, a pair of regal figures emerged from the entrance. Michael's parents.
Michael's mother was a stunningly elegant vampire, her sharp features softened by a warm smile. His father was a towering dragon in human form, his golden eyes exuding power and authority.
"Michael," his mother said, embracing him briefly before turning her gaze to Alice. "And who is this?"
"This is Alice," Michael said. "She's a friend from school."
His father raised an eyebrow. "A friend?"
Michael quickly clarified, "Not like that. I see her more as a sister than anything else."
Alice's stomach twisted slightly at his words, though she quickly brushed the feeling aside.
His mother chuckled. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Alice. Any friend of Michael's is welcome here."
The family led Alice into the palace, where she was given a tour of the grand halls and lavish rooms. She learned more about Michael's lineage—how his father's dragon blood made him a natural leader, and his mother's vampire heritage gave him a unique strength that set him apart from others.
It explained why people at school respected and feared him, despite his approachable demeanor.
That night, as they sat on a balcony overlooking the glowing landscapes of Dracarys, Alice turned to Michael.
"Why didn't you tell me all of this before?" she asked.
Michael shrugged. "It didn't seem important. Besides, you're not exactly one to judge. You've got your own secrets."
Alice smirked. "Fair enough."
After a moment of silence, she added, "You know, I've never really had a brother before. But if you're serious about seeing me as a sister..."
Michael grinned. "You want to make it official?"
Alice nodded. "Yeah. Let's be siblings."
Michael reached out and ruffled her hair playfully. "You've got yourself a deal, little sister."
Later that night, Michael carried Alice back to her dormitory. She clung to his back, her mind still buzzing with everything she had seen and learned.
When they landed, Alice climbed down and turned to him. "Thanks for tonight, Michael. It meant a lot."
Michael smiled. "Anytime. Goodnight, Alice."
As he walked away, Alice watched him go, a small smile playing on her lips. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she had someone she could truly rely on.