●●● Mathias' POV

I was five when I first asked who my mother was.

"It's not the first time we're discussing this, Mathias. Please get back to your work," Bertrand muttered as he dismissed me with an airy wave of his gloved hands. Father was in America, again. This time on a business trip. He wasn't due to return till two days later.

I frowned. Why wouldn't he give me a definite answer?

I made my way up to my bedroom. My wooden work desk was just as cluttered as it was dusty, and the chaise longue wasn't spared either. My room held a glorious collection of literature, as did every other room and corridor in the place. Shakespeare and Wordsworth, amidst a crowd of dictionaries and spell books.

I never liked any of those antiques father brought home. Far too many of them. Who'd ever need Qing dynasty vases or ivory pianos? Why are we wasting good space for books on pianos?!

I hate how I have father's brown eyes and hair. His stares terrify me. Bertrand sometimes asks me jokingly if I've been born with a suit and tie. I… I can't deny that. Navy suit and tie, to be precise.

The mansion is occupied by a family of two, three if you include Bertrand.

Bertrand is the caretaker. My caretaker, rather. I rarely speak with anyone but him. At least he appreciates my literature. I think he does. He's the only one in the household without any special abilities of his own. Silly human.

I called forth a book from the third bibliotheca on the second floor, and there it came soaring into the room. An interesting, refurbished incunabula on shapeshifting. Father told me that he's only ever heard of a few wizards able to shapeshift, while retaining innate abilities of the entity in question. I'm one of them. Now, if only I could master the simpler spells.

I wish it'd stop raining so much.

●●● Hector's POV

Hector found himself waking up with a searing headache, and for the fourth time that week. He roughly knew what to expect, but wished it'd come sooner. A month from now would be his fifteenth birthday.

"Good morning, dear! How's your head this morning?" his mother piped merrily. Hector wasn't remotely as cheerful as his mom was. In fact, he couldn't understand why she was always so cheerful. Or perhaps, he just felt moodier than usual.

"It's back," he grumbled.

He had been anticipating this for quite a while now. The symptoms were supposed signs of his draconic development, namely the ability to transform into a dragon and back. Having been born into a family of dragons, it came as a shock that he hadn't changed at the age of thirteen- or fourteen.

Hector as usual slid down the bannister as usual to join the rest of his family for a breakfast of flapjacks.

"G'morning, young man. Your mom and I will be going grocery shopping later. Wanna come?"

"I'd rather not dad, I'm meeting Alex for skateboarding."

"Suit yourself."

●●● Mathias' POV

Father finally came home today, clutching a large envelope with a red seal of wax.

"What's that, father?"

"That's not important. What is, is that we're moving to New York."

●●● Hector's POV

The pancakes were fairly satisfying, slathered with chocolate sauce. Mmm.

Now for a nice, long shower.

I looked into the mirror for the last time after before sliding into my clothes. Looking good, Hector. Gyming paid off big time. I comb and smear my luscious black hair with wax, spray on a film of deodorant, and manoeuvre into a grey polo tee- wait. What was that I saw? A glint of silver... on my left forearm.

Scales! My forearms are covered in gleaming, silver scales! How did I not see those in the shower…?

Shoot. I can't let Alex see me like this.

I hastily put on a grey jacket over my polo tee. It's uncomfortable, but I don't have a choice, do I?

●●● Mathias' POV

"What?! How are we going to fit all those books in an apartment this tiny?!"

I found myself reacting more than I would have liked. Father merely eyed me sedately.

"We'll have to make do, Mathias. I've got an amazing job offer, and I'm not forgoing it. We can, of course, buy more space if we need it."

I crushed the already crumpled property brochure showcasing those pathetic houses. I lamented the idea of moving. Where would all my precious books go? And would I... have to go to school?

"But… but what about my wizard training?"

I could see the annoyance building up in his eyes. I had best not ask any more questions.

"I'll continue to tutor you as per normal," he said irritably. "However, you will be going to a public school for your regular education."

Good grief. At least transportation wouldn't be an issue.

●●● Hector's POV

"Dude, you feeling alright?" Alex remarked with concern. "You look very... pale,"

Uh oh. What now?

"Uhhh, I feel fine!"

Alex's eyes widened. "Are you sure you don't want to take off that jacket? You're sweating buckets!"

"Nah, I'll keep it on."

I could sense him shooting me weird looks. Knowing Alex, he'd insist I take it off.

"Seriously bro, take it off!"

"I'm... I'm… There's nothing beneath it."

"Oh."

●●● Mathias' POV

The last of the books and our worldly possessions were packed. Apparently, dad already had the title deed of the place over at New York.

At the snap of his fingers, a portal was opened, rippling and radiating with violet. In it, I could make up an outline of our new place.

It looked awful.

●●● Jake's POV

"G, but I've plans! Please don't make me do this!" Jake begged. He knew that his grandfather was not to be pleaded with, but Trixie had invited him to her place for videogames.

"No young dragon, you must welcome your new neighbours to town for a good first impression. The dragon council has told me that they're a bit... magical."

"Aw man!'

End of Chapter 1!