(Elira POV)
"Go back to where you came from. Because if you're thinking of taking me with you… I'm not coming."
I didn't hesitate when I said it. My voice came out steady, sharp, like I had already made that decision years ago and was just repeating it out loud. No shaking. No doubt. Just… done.
Maria didn't react the way I expected. She didn't get angry. Didn't argue. She smirked. Actually smirked. Her eyes filled with amusement like I had just entertained her instead of rejecting her.
Did I say something funny? Because I was pretty sure I didn't.
I got my answer the moment she spoke. "How do you know we want you to come with us?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, that same annoying smirk still sitting on her face like she owned the situation.
I rolled my eyes slowly, exaggerating it just enough to make my point clear. "Let me enlighten you—I'm not stupid enough to not understand the situation," I said, crossing my arms. My tone dripped with sarcasm, because honestly, what did she expect?
I took a step forward, narrowing my eyes slightly. "You don't just appear out of nowhere, glowing like some fantasy disaster, casually drop my mother's name like you were childhood besties, and expect me to think you're here for tea."
They stayed quiet. Watching me. That alone irritated me more.
"It's obvious," I continued, gesturing vaguely at them. "This is one of those cliché stories where strangers show up on an orphan's birthday, tell them magic is real, and suddenly their long-lost parents want them back for some mysterious reason."
I scoffed under my breath, shaking my head. "Yeah. I get it. I've seen enough movies to know how this goes, so please, spare me the drama. I don't want to act like some clueless—"
"Yeah, you're right. We came to get you on your sixteenth birthday."
The sentence cut through mine like a blade.
I froze.
That was Cain—the dragon—his deep voice calm, almost bored, as if he had just confirmed something completely normal. And then green light started pouring out of his body, bright and blinding, swallowing his entire figure until I couldn't see him anymore.
I frowned, blinking against the light. How does he know what I was thinking? That thought came instantly, sharp and suspicious, because I definitely didn't say that part out loud.
Then another thought hit me, even worse. Is he reading my mind? Because if he's a dragon… honestly, at this point, nothing sounds impossible.
As that idea settled in, the light slowly dimmed. My eyes adjusted, and where the dragon had been…
There was a man.
No—scratch that. A ridiculously handsome man.
I blinked once. Twice. Just to make sure my brain wasn't glitching.
Green hair. Golden eyes. Sharp jawline. Tall. Lean. And—
Oh hell no.
He was completely naked!
I turned around so fast I almost gave myself whiplash. Nope. Not happening. Absolutely not. I am not dealing with this today. My face heated anyway, a faint blush creeping up despite my best efforts to stay composed.
I mean… I did see the six-pack. And that stupidly perfect waist.
Seriously, how can someone have a body like that and just stand there like it's normal?
I shook my head hard, mentally slapping myself back to reality. Am I seriously thinking about this right now? Out of all situations, this is what my brain decides to focus on? Yeah, no. Get a grip.
"Cain, wear some clothes. She doesn't know how things work in our world," Maria said, her voice sharp now, clearly annoyed. "And even if she did, you can't just transform into your human form naked."
Our world?
Of course. Because why not? Let's just casually confirm they're from another dimension or something. At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if they said they came from the moon.
"Maria, it's our nature. Nakedness doesn't affect us. Or are you jealous and don't want others to see me?" Cain teased, completely unfazed.
I raised an eyebrow, still facing away. Are they a couple? Because that definitely sounded like it.
Smack.
The sound was sharp and sudden, making me flinch slightly.
Yep. She slapped him.
Okay… I like her a little now.
"Ouch! How can you do that to your husband?" Cain complained, sounding genuinely offended.
Ah. So they are married. That explains a lot.
"Shut up," Maria snapped. "Explain things to her—and wear proper clothes."
After she said that, the light flared again. I kept my gaze firmly on the ground, refusing to turn around yet. I was still wearing my skates, wheels pressing lightly against the floor as I shifted my weight, waiting.
When the light faded, I cautiously glanced back over my shoulder.
Okay. Safe.
Cain was now dressed in a robe, proper clothes underneath, looking far less… illegal.
Wow. Magic really does have its advantages.
He cleared his throat, drawing my attention fully back to him. "So… where was I?" he muttered, frowning slightly like he had genuinely forgotten.
I stared at him, unimpressed. Seriously? When he was a dragon, he looked all intimidating and serious, and now he's acting like this?
"Yeah!" he snapped his fingers suddenly, his expression lighting up. Then his face shifted again, turning serious as he looked straight at me.
Is he bipolar or something?
"Yeah, you're coming with us," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument, like it was already decided.
I scoffed, pushing down the flicker of unease rising in my chest and replacing it with something sharper. Defiance. Always defiance.
"And who are you to tell me what to do?" I shot back, crossing my arms and stepping forward, meeting his gaze head-on.
He didn't step back. Instead, he stepped closer, tilting his head slightly as if studying me.
"Cain. Cain Nevermore," he said. His voice was calm now, steady, carrying a strange weight behind it. "I am Cain Nevermore—your parents' best friend. I've come to take you to where you truly belong."
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