"It is done"

I am both relieved and horrified by the text my son, Cory, has sent. I never wanted this to happen.

The pandemic came and libraries everywhere started closing. For a while, we were optimistic they would open up again. And then, many started closing for good. Many of the younger dragons were devastated—their fledgling hoards destroyed. We were able to secret most of them away to live in the hearts of live volcanos. They were satisfied with digital hoards they could visit. The internet is a vast and and wonderful place for a young dragon.

But we missed one. A young hybrid whos father did not report their existence. When books started being banned, and their school library was taken, she lost control and suffered her first transformation. She should have been among family, coached through the awakening of her blood. Instead, unprepared for the change, she lashed out. The government was called in and everyone else sworn to silence.

They could not decide what to do with her. She was entrusted to the care of scientists, who devised a series of tests. It wasn't long before they discovered we were something else. After forcing her to transform, it wasn't long before they figured out what we were.

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I was unable to save her from all of the horrors humans can subject, but by coming forward, I was able to bring her home alive. All I had to do in return was provide at least one adult specimen of each race for study.

Then Damian came with a brilliant idea. One I hadn't even considered. I should have.

He was the perfect vampire candidate to hand over, except for that little girl tagging along. But then he has never been one to needlessly risk someone under his car. I knew sending them was a risk. They could both be captured.

But I hoped… I hoped they would succeed. That their plan, brilliant and stupid as it was, could save us all—could fix my mistake. I never wanted to betray the others, I just wanted to save my people.

Another text comes in "He did not have the girl with him"

I almost sag with relief. The child is safe.

The child is safe!

I make my way to the office as quickly as I can without looking like I'm rushing. It takes much longer than I would like.

I go to my shelves, where an old ham radio sits on display. I pull it out, plug it in, and hope that it works.

It takes a while, it has been a long time since I've used one of these.

It hums to life, and I tune it to a random channel.

The signal is there.

They did it. Somehow, he outwitted me again.

Hopefully, he will outwit the humans too.

For the first time in over a decade, I allow myself to hope.