William woke up, but not in his own room. Nor was he in Ryan's bed. Disoriented, he looked around and realized he was at Lola’s house, though there wasn't a soul in sight. Sunlight streamed through the window, but the hour must have been late; it lacked the brilliance of high noon. William rose slowly and left the bedroom, heading toward the kitchen. He found Lola perched on the counter and Ryan leaning his elbow on the table. The moment Ryan spotted Will, he rushed over and pulled him into a crushing embrace. When he finally let go, he cupped Will’s face in his hands, his voice trembling as he stared directly into his eyes.

“How do you feel? Are you okay?” The boy tensed slightly. He wasn't one for displays of affection, especially in front of others. Gently but firmly, he took Ryan’s hands and pulled them away.

“I’m fine, thanks,” he replied, running a hand through his hair. “But what’s going on? Why are we here?” He had slept through the entire time Lola spent explaining the situation to Ryan. He looked lost, as if reality hadn't quite reached him yet. He swayed a little and gripped Ryan’s shoulder for support.

“Come on, sit down.” Ryan guided him toward a chair and settled him into it. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked, instinctively moving toward the cupboard. Lola had already set the water to boil again.

“Tea would be good, okay?” Will rubbed his face with his hand. He tilted his head back, resting it against the wall. Ryan poured the boiling water over a tea bag and added two teaspoons of sugar. He stirred it and placed it on the table in front of Will before leaning back against the counter. He expected Lola to start explaining things. Ryan’s head was spinning so much he didn't dare try; he was sure he’d get something wrong. To him, it seemed obvious that she should summarize everything Will should have known years ago, but it seemed he was the only one who thought so. He cleared his throat pointedly, glancing at Lola to give her a sign as the silence grew heavy. Finally, Lola spoke up.

“So, Will... I want to explain everything, but I honestly have no idea where to start. What you’re about to hear will probably make you think we’re insane, but well... you see for yourself what’s happening.” The boy nodded, his gaze fixed intently on his friend. Lola took a soft breath before continuing.

“You aren't an ordinary boy.”

“Okay... that already sounds bad,” he joked, though he could feel anxiety rising within him. Lola blinked, knowing exactly what Will was about to face. Tears welled in her eyes. She had no choice; she had to tell him.

“When you were born, your mother left her husband. She did it because there was a death sentence hanging over you both. Your father, the ruler of Sarihmas—the land where you were born—was obsessed with half-breeds. He made it his mission to slaughter them all. Your... mother is one of them.” William furrowed his brow, wondering if this was some kind of sick joke. When Lola paused, Sophia took over, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

“Now your uncle, your half-brother, and his advisors want you back. That’s why they’re feeding you those horrific nightmares—so their damn, mutated demons can track you down and take you to the kingdom by force. No one is entirely sure why. Their rule is no different from your father's. The new king, Victor, and his advisors are still murdering half-breeds. And those who sire 'unclean' children,” she finished. William sucked in a breath, his eyes blinking rapidly. What...? Before he could say a word, Lola started again.

“The day your father, James, found out your mother was a half-angel, he sentenced you both to death with a heavy heart. That’s when your mother turned to us for help, promising a generous reward. Sophie and I created a portal for you...”

“And for all these years... they stayed silent?” Will’s brow darkened. He let out a bitter huff. “So many lies... I can’t believe it.”

“They did it to protect you. You’ll be seventeen in December, the age when an heir can take power. Your parents surely intended to talk to you soon.” Will had noticed his mother pressing for a conversation lately. And Jerry... he wasn't his biological father. The thought made him incredibly uneasy.

“Let’s go to the living room, shall we?” Sophie suggested, leading the way. The others followed slowly. Will sat on the red leather sofa, resting his slightly trembling hands on his knees. Lola sat in a nearby armchair, painstakingly unlacing her tall boots. With a sigh, she settled into the soft seat. Ryan leaned against the doorframe, arms folded.

“What about your mother?” Will asked, smoothing out his worn jeans. Lola looked at him in surprise, then let out a melodic laugh.

“I don't actually have a mother. She died many years ago. Over 150 years ago, actually. I was just a baby then.”

“Then... how old are you?” Will asked, his voice dead serious.

“I’ll be 156 in January.” She smiled brightly, resting her bare feet on the armrest. Her toenails were painted a delicate powder pink. Her fair skin contrasted with her dark brown hair. She doesn't look 150, Will thought. She didn't even look like a high schooler. He reached for his drink, gripping it between his chilled hands.

“So...” Sophie began. Lola snapped out of her thoughts.

“Right! We have to start acting.”

“What am I supposed to do?” William asked. Lola stood up and paced the room barefoot.

“First, you must be initiated. Seventeen years ago, I helped your mother and her guardian get to Denver. When it succeeded, we returned to our land, richer and relieved, naively thinking we had gotten away with it.” She grimaced. “Your father found out about the betrayal and sentenced us. We escaped only thanks to Felix, who secretly helped us and created a passage. As luck would have it, we ended up in Denver too.”

“Why did you help my mother while risking so much?”

“She offered us a good wage,” Sophie replied.

“Only because of that?” Will asked in disbelief. “Don't tell me you didn't realize the consequences.”

“I knew the cost, but believe me, times were hard. Since we’re both young, we don’t have the experience of the older wizards.”

“What do you mean, 'older than you'?”

“Wizards live a very long time, so the threshold for maturity is different. I was an adult as soon as I became a woman physically, but to have success and authority in our world, you have to prove yourself. It’s not easy, especially since everyone goes to the famous, ancient mages for their needs.”

“Now you sound like an old lady,” Will said, half-joking. “You must be wise, being that old... Why did you go to high school?” He smiled at her gently, relaxing for a brief moment.

“I was bored. Besides, I wanted to meet someone cool...” She walked over to her friend and reached out her hand. “Now, get up! You need to get ready before Felix arrives and hear a bit about him. You’d better get on his good side—some people haven't managed that...” She shot a meaningful look at Ryan. “...and believe me, for his age, he can be truly bitter and distrustful.”

William stood up and let her lead him to the bathroom. Ryan twitched as if he wanted to follow, but he knew Will wouldn't approve. Lola handed him a towel and fresh clothes. The boy took the neatly folded items, looking at his friend hesitantly.

“So, how old is he?”

“About seven hundred.”

“He said he’d be here before dusk, and he’s still not here,” Sophie said, her voice taut with tension. “It’s getting properly dark now.” Ryan paced the room from window to window. They were sitting in the living room; Lola next to Will on the sofa, and Sophie in the armchair. A plate of sandwiches sat on the table, but so far, she was the only one eating.

“How can you eat when we don’t even know what’s coming next?” Lola asked her sister with clear irritation. Sophie shot her a sharp look, swallowed her bite, and replied:

“You know perfectly well that I’m a stress-eater. I don’t know why you’re picking on me.” She took another bite and leaned back comfortably. Lola finally sighed.

“Sorry, I’m just on edge.” Dark thoughts were beginning to crowd her mind. She knew that if Felix didn't show up, she would have to keep Will awake, which would be exhausting for both of them. It might work for a night or two, but in the long run, it was impossible.

“Ryan, did you bring my phone?” Will asked after a long silence. He could already imagine the string of missed calls from his mother and the dozens of texts. He needed to contact her, if only to assure her he was safe. He decided to wait for a face-to-face meeting for the more serious conversation—the one where he planned to call her out on every lie and the fact that she’d hidden the truth about the source of his goddamn nightmares for all these years.

“No, sorry, I didn't think of it. Why?” Ryan asked, turning toward him for a moment. He offered a small smile before looking back out the window, searching for Felix, who was now over two hours late.

“I wanted to call my mom and... you know. Since I know the truth now, I won't be coming home anytime soon. She’ll worry... I’d rather spare her that.” Lola quickly chimed in, saying she would lend him hers.

“There’s no point standing at the window. If he shows up, you definitely won't see him coming through the glass,” Sophie said to Ryan. The boy cleared his throat and sat on the edge of the sofa.

“And what if he doesn't show up?” he asked. Lola replied with absolute conviction:

“He’ll show. He wouldn't abandon us.” She handed her phone to Will. Without a word, he stepped into the kitchen. He sat at the table and dialed his mother's number. She picked up after the first ring.

“Hello?”

“Mom? It’s me, Will. I wanted to tell you I’m safe at Lola’s.”

“William! I’ve called you a thousand times! Why didn't you answer?!” she screamed, her voice bordering on frantic. Will took a breath, though it brought him little comfort. Without thinking, he snapped back:

“Because monsters attacked us in the middle of the night! Thanks for the warning. If I’d known, I never would have put my friend in such danger!” Dead silence fell on the other end. Finally, Jane spoke, her voice thick with remorse.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I don’t know what to say either, Mom.”

“Son... I...”

“Are you safe?” he asked, feeling a lump in his throat. Before he knew it, tears stung his eyes.

“We have to leave, far from here—you, me, and your father. If they find us...” Jane began, but Will cut her off.

“I’m waiting for someone who’s going to help me hide. Mom... I think it’s better if you and Dad leave on your own. Without me.” He could barely control his voice; the pain was overwhelming. Hearing her voice made all his emotions collide.

“William, what are you saying? No! Absolutely not! I won't let you—” She raised her voice, refusing to even entertain the idea of being separated.

“Listen to me, please. It’s safer this way. As soon as things get straightened out, I’ll come home,” he said, swallowing hard. “Promise me you’ll go far away, Mom. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I can’t believe this... Child, come home, I beg you!” Her words were broken by a sob. She felt just as helpless as she had... seventeen years ago.

“You know I can’t come back. Please, promise me. Otherwise, I’ll go mad with worry!” Another heavy silence. Will wondered if she was still there, if the connection had dropped. Finally, he heard her sniffle.

“Very well... Do you remember Roman Holiday? Your father always wanted a Vespa.”

“'And at midnight, it will turn into a pumpkin and drive away in a glass slipper,'” he paraphrased the film dialogue with a faint, pale smile. “I understand, Mom. I have to go now.”

“Will, come back to us in one piece, do you hear me?” she said in her typical, firm tone that brooked no argument. It didn't surprise Will that she had been a queen; it actually made quite a bit of sense.

“I hear you, Mom. See you in Rome,” he said and hung up quickly, unable to drag it out any longer. He set the phone on the counter and curled his legs up, resting his head on his knees. He wanted to cry like a child. So many emotions were swirling inside him that he just wanted to let them all out with his tears. His eyes grew wetter by the second. He was so close to shedding that goddamn weight from his heart. He clenched his fists around his legs, until suddenly, he heard raised voices from the living room. He stood up and walked slowly toward the door. He saw a man standing with his back to him, dressed in a tattered coat that was literally dripping with water.