Chapter Three

Mia Martinez

Castillo…what was the word? Shifted? ...shifted back to human, relieved, and sat down.

"So," I said awkwardly. "I'm supposed to figure out how to do that in the next few hours?"

"Well, you don't really figure it out, from what I remember of my first time," they explained. "It just kinda happens."

"And our eyes…everybody with dragon blood has eyes like that?"

"The lady is getting it!" said Fuss in delight.

I glared at him.

"Honey, sometimes a man's best idea is to just be quiet and let the women – and nonbinary people – talk," Rina informed him sweetly.

Castillo laughed. "Shots fired, Rina!"

"Can we get back on track, please?" pleaded Mami. "I want Mia to be prepared for tonight."

"Okay, okay, Mami," Castillo said. "Mia, what do you want to know?"

"How does it feel? What am I going to look like?"

"Well, there's a ton of adrenaline, and it feels…probably like playing soccer, actually," they responded. "Exhilarating. Awesome. Euphoric. Strong. Kind of scary if you don't know what you're doing."

"Which I totally don't," I muttered, tugging on a dark tendril of hair.

"You have me," they offered. "That's more than what I had."

"What am I going to look like?" I repeated. Was I going to be bald? I hated my hair sometimes, but I didn't want it to not be there. It was still mine.

"Probably something like me, but it depends, really. There are different kinds of dragons, from all over the world. What kind you are depends on your family history."

I sighed. I was a mix of Black, Spanish, Taino, Chinese, Indian, Italian, and French – my family history spanned three continents and at least ten countries. Not to mention at least four species (goddess, werewolf, dragon, human). I could look like damn near anything. All Castillo really knew was that I'd look reptilian, but what exactly did that mean?

"You're not helping," I informed my sibling.

"I know," they replied in exasperation. "But I'm the only other dragon you know, okay?"

"Castillo's right, Mia," said Mami, taking my hand and squeezing gently, comfortingly. "The two of you need to stick together."

"Freak solidarity," Castillo said facetiously.

"Don't tell her that," groaned Rina.

"Aye, what is all this groaning tonight?" Fuss said. "We should be celebrating the little lady's first transformation."

"It's not exactly easy, dude," Castillo informed him. "I've been there – you haven't."

Fuss went quiet, acknowledging the truth of their words.

"Speaking of," said Mami, peeking out the living room window, "It's almost sunset."