Once we were inside the house we shared near campus, Paz motioned for me to sit beside her as she collapsed on the couch. Her eyes were troubled and she seemed unsure how to begin as I sat and waited for her explanation.

“I guess I should start from the very beginning.” Paz said. “I’m from another world. Technically.”

“Technically?” I asked, confused.

“Yeah, it’s pretty complicated but I’ll do my best to describe how it works. Your world isn’t all there is.” Paz continued.

“Okay...”

“So you know how there are seven continents?” Paz asked.

“Yes,” I said, unsure how it was important.

“There’s an eighth one, and that’s where I’m from.” She said.

“What?” I said, surprised. “How’s that possible?”

“Magic. That’s the easiest explanation.” Paz explained. “The eight continent is hidden by a magic veil from the other seven. The veil is like a shield of energy and it’s kinda in a pockets dimension too. You need to use a portal to get back and forth.”

“Are these portals pretty easy to access?” I asked.

“No,” Paz looked uncomfortable. “Actually they’re illegal.”

“What?”

“Leaving the continent is outlawed. So are outsiders coming to the continent. The leaders of each country agreed on that when the veil was created and the current leaders still enforce those rules.”

“What is this place even?” I burst out.

“The continent itself is called Haruhi. The country I’m from is called Cloudside Rim.” Paz explained. “Cloudside Rim is home to the dragons. Each of the other countries has something that makes them pretty different from the rest of the world as well.”

“This is where the dragon slayers come in. The dragon killers and the dragon slayers are two fanatical groups who want nothing more than to see all dragons dead. Other than having different leaders, the two are pretty much interchangeable.” Paz said.

“Why are they trying to kill dragons?” I asked.

“Why do crazy people do anything?” Paz replied. “They were taught to believe they need to kill us to please their god. It’s just two different brands of fanatics.”

“So, is that why you came here?” I asked. “To get away from the dragon slayers?”

“Only part of the reason,” Paz admitted. “A large part of it was because of my family. I had no choice but to leave and I felt that using a portal to flee to the forbidden continents was my best option.”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay.” I reassured Paz, who was visibly distressed.

“No, you need to know who I am. Especially if dragon killers and dragon slayers are attacking.” Paz said.

I watched as Paz took a few moments to gather her thoughts. She played with a red beaded bracelet on her wrist as she prepared to speak.

“My family is pretty important in Cloudside Rim.” Paz began. “The first thing you really should know is how the political system works. The Dragon Lord is in charge. And supporting him are his councilors. Things were pretty calm until a few years ago when the egg containing the Dragon Lord’s son was kidnapped.”

“He was kidnapped!” I said, shocked.

“Yes,” Paz confirmed. “And that resulting fear caused many high ranking families, including my own, to search for safe havens to send their children to. A place to hide them.”

“They sent you here?” I asked.

“I wasn’t supposed to come here.” Paz admitted. “I was supposed to go to Akiyama. But someone attacked us in our journey and I fled here through a wild portal. My family probably thinks I’m dead.”

“Oh...” I was speechless.

“After I got here, I laid low in human form. I learned everything I could about this world. I got documents saying I’m from this country. And I eventually enrolled in school. I intend to live out the rest of my life here. I thought I could leave my past behind me. And that worked, until today.” Paz looked directly at me. “And now we’re both in danger.”

“I just want you to know, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you Paz.” I said, wanting to reassure her.

Paz smiled weakly. “Thank you, Juliet. But it’s not going to be easy.”

“I don’t care. You’re my best friend. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re a dragon or a human.”

That was when I knew that I would stand beside Paz no matter what happened. She had been through so much. It was practically a miracle that Paz had adapted to life here as well as she had. I wouldn’t have know the first thing if I’d suddenly had to live with dragon shifters. I couldn’t wait for Jade to return and for my training to begin.