His side of the story

[Liam’s POV]

The familiar streets of Morningside Heights seem to close in around me as I navigate my way towards Liv’s dorm. I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve made a grave mistake. My guts twist with regret, the weight of my actions bearing down on me. What was I thinking, sending her that note? It was a reckless move, and it’s only going to push her further into the abyss.

Liv’s mental state has been on shaky ground lately, and Professor O’Leary’s warning echoes in my mind. I should’ve never led her down this treacherous path of unraveling the secrets behind that damned book. And revealing my dragon form to her... that was a colossal blunder. It was supposed to be a wild joke, a moment of absurdity. Instead, it’s plunged her into a world of phantoms and apparitions.

She’s seeing things because of me. I did that to her, not Celine. Not Hannah’s book. I need to take back what I said in that note and make sure she’s okay.

I find myself outside Liv’s dorm building, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of my indecision bears down on me. Should I go up and knock on her door? Or should I just leave another message? My hand hovers over my phone, the screen a blank canvas waiting for words that refuse to form.

A glance across the street reveals a coffee shop. Perhaps a moment of respite and caffeine will clear my head. Maybe then I’ll find the right words to mend this rift.

Inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wraps around me, providing a momentary reprieve from the storm in my mind. I order a latte and choose a seat near the window. My phone rests in my hands, its screen a taunting void. I’m trapped in a mental maze, unable to find the exit.

Roni’s sudden appearance startles me. She plops down in the chair beside me, her presence unexpected and unwelcome. My guard goes up, my defenses on high alert. What does she want now? And why does she always seem to appear at the worst times?

Roni’s voice rings out, all cheer and vivacity, slicing through the hum of conversation in the coffee shop. It’s like a jolt of electricity, an unwelcome surge of energy coursing through me. Her presence is a disruption I didn’t anticipate nor want.

“Hey, Liam!” Her tone is as bright as her smile. “I thought I spotted you from my window, but then I had to double-check, you know? It’s definitely you.” Her laugh is a high-pitched trill, grating against my already frayed nerves. “I never did tell you where I live, did I? So, I had to come down and make sure it was you.”

The awkwardness clings to me like a suffocating blanket. “Thanks, but I’m not—”

“Come on, bring your coffee,” she interrupts, her words tumbling out like a cascade. “I have this amazing cheesecake in the fridge that would pair perfectly with your latte. Let’s go.”

“Actually, Roni,” I interject, trying to find the right words, “I didn’t come here to see you.”

Her expression flickers, confusion and surprise dancing across her features. “Oh... you didn’t. So, you’re just here for the coffee?”

“No, not exactly. I came here to see Liv Hartwell. Do you know her?”

“Sarah’s friend, right?” Roni cranes her neck, scanning the room, and then points. “Over there, by the vinyl shelf, with Nikko.”

I follow her line of sight and my heart sinks. Liv is there, sitting with the same guy from Sarah’s party. The sight of them together hits me like a tremendous blow in the gut. Are they dating? The question churns in my mind, but I can’t bear to confirm it.

“Do you want me to call her?” Roni offers.

I shake my head, desperation creeping in. “No— no, just... forget it, okay? I don’t wanna bother her when she’s on a date. Perhaps I’ll just see her some other time.” I clutch my aching neck, feeling the strain of the situation in my tense muscles. “I—I gotta go.”

I leave my coffee behind, the hot latte now irrelevant in the face of this revelation. I bolt from my seat and make my way to the exit, desperate to escape this overwhelming reality.

Roni’s voice follows me, insistent and almost pleading. “Wait— you left your coffee. It’s still hot.”

I ignore her, my focus solely on escaping this torment. I stride out of the coffee shop, unaware that Roni has followed me.

Outside, I spot my bike and hasten towards it. Roni’s voice trails after me, a last attempt to catch my attention. “Did you ride your bike here?”

“Yeah, it’s right there,” I nod towards it, my impatience barely contained. “Why?”

“Can I hop on for a ride? Just a quick one, please?”

“I’m really sorry, Roni,” I say, the urgency in my tone unmistakable. “I’m in a rush. I’ve got a paper to finish, which is why I needed to see Liv.”

Her disappointment clearly shows in the slight pout that tugs at her lips. “Oh, okay... but the next time you find yourself lost in the neighborhood, my apartment is just right there. You’re welcome to crash in anytime.” She points towards the apartment building next to Liv’s. “First door on the first floor. You won’t miss it.”

“Thanks for the offer, Roni. I appreciate it. But I really need to go.” With that, I turn away, striding towards my bike. The engine roars to life, and I speed away, the wind whipping past me, carrying with it a sense of urgency and unease.

The narrow street in Hell’s Kitchen seems to tighten around me as I navigate toward my building. A sense of foreboding prickles at my skin when I see four guys and a girl spreading out, blocking my way. They’re staring right at me, and instinct kicks in, urging me to be cautious.

I halt the bike, removing my helmet. “What’s up, guys?”

“Liam Blackthorn?” Kena’s voice is steady, eyes locked on mine.

“Who’s asking?”

The girl, taking a step forward, introduces herself. “I’m Kena… this is Gerard, Steve, Piolo, and Jeff.”

The others remain a solid wall behind her, silent and imposing. It’s an odd encounter. If they’re part of some criminal gang, they’re doing a terrible job of hiding it.

I’m on edge, my father’s warnings echoing in my mind. But her straightforward approach throws me off. Kidnappers don’t usually introduce themselves. I raise an eyebrow, wary yet intrigued.

“What can I do for you?” I hedge, ready to extricate myself from this situation.

“We can’t talk here. You must come with us,” she insists, head tilted, waiting for my compliance.

My instincts scream at me to bolt. These people are trouble, no doubt about it. I clear my throat, fingers hovering over the bike’s clutch. “Uh… there’s somewhere I need to be and I’m running late. Maybe some other time, okay? Bye.”

Without waiting for a response, I rev the engine and swerve out of the narrow street, adrenaline pumping. My mind races as I head toward the harbor. Glancing back in my mirror, I spot them sprinting after me, gaining ground. Panic surges. Fuck! How are they moving so damn fast?

For a moment, I could feel the heat growing within me, urging me to shift into my dragon form. But then I notice I’m in my favorite pair of jeans. No, no, no— I’ve already ruined a fine Prada. I can’t ruin this one, too. I force myself to think. I’m a dragon, impervious to their threats.

I slow the bike and pull over, preparing to confront them. Kena approaches, cool and composed, not a hint of exertion. Not a smear on her makeup. It’s disconcerting.

“What do you really want from me, huh?” I demand, voice raised.

“Liam… calm down,” Kena urges. “We want nothing from you, and we mean you no harm. I’m serious. We need to talk.”

“Talk about what?” I demand.

Another guy steps forward, his name slips my mind. “We know what you are, Liam… you’re just like us. You’re one of us.”

“That’s right… we’re here to help you,” says the other guy, a lopsided grin on his face. “Being a dragon in New York City can be quite challenging, isn’t it?”

The world tilts on its axis. Who are these people, and how do they know about me? My mind races, every instinct urging me to flee, yet something holds me in place.

I stand my ground, arms crossed, while my bike rests beneath me, ready for a quick getaway. The setting sun casts long shadows, adding a sense of urgency to this bizarre confrontation. My heart hammers in my chest as I demand answers.

“Alright… we can talk right here. Tell me… who are you, really? And what do you know, exactly?” I must be cautious, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

Kena clears her throat. “Fine… you must have killed yourself in your past life. That’s why you don’t remember. You, me, and these guys, we are descendants of the Endless—”

My laughter cuts her off. “Wait— you’ve obviously read Hannah’s book, right? And now you’re using that on me? Is this a joke?”

Kena’s puzzled frown suggests she has no clue what I’m talking about. “What book?”

“The Magical Beasts of the Endless?”

Kena glances at her companions. “I’d like to see that book.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “No way… you haven’t told me shit about why you’re hounding me like this—”

“Because I’m a dragon, too, just like you,” the tallest guy claims. “When you flew out the other night to save that girl, I saw you. Only a descendant of the Endless can see that.”

Kena interjects. “You’re a rogue… a lone wolf, grappling for the truth. Wondering how you’d cope in this world. But you don’t have to be… that’s why we came to you. You must have a million questions, and we’re here to give you the answers, Liam.”

The situation still feels surreal. Their words are cryptic, and my skepticism runs deep, but something in their demeanor seems sincere. I’ve been living this secret life alone, and now, it seems, I’m not alone anymore.