Even Vlad Jr., who had tried to maintain his elegant composure, tilted his chin proudly. "As expected of the principal," he murmured, though the relief shining in his eyes betrayed how much he had worried.
Alina let out the breath she had been holding too, her chest finally easing as she looked around at them. Their faces, flushed with relief and childish joy, made all the tension of the night worth it.
She bent down, brushing her fingers over Drake's cheek, and whispered warmly, "Yes, we won. Thanks to all of you for being brave."
The little dragon's cheeks turned pink, and he puffed out his chest as if he had been the one to defeat the enemy. Boo cackled dramatically, floating upside down again. "Teacher, if Boo had claws, Boo would fight too!"
When Dante finally opened the portal, Boo was the first to dive inside. He spun in midair, arms making wild circles as he shook his whole ghostly body in a victory dance. "Boo returns in glory," he shouted dramatically.
