And now, years later, Jeid knelt above the grave, and that grief burned with no less intensity.

"I miss you, Requiem," he whispered, touching her tombstone. "You've been gone for years, and I promise you. I will make our tribe strong—for your memory, for your name. Requiem will survive."

A voice, soft and trembling, rose behind him.

"Are you . . . are you Jeid? Jeid the weredragon?"

He spun around, fists tight, tears in his eyes.

A young woman stood there, soot staining her face. She had long, black hair and wore cotton in the manner of villagers. A tin bracelet adorned her wrist, and she held a shepherd's crook. Tears filled her eyes and her full, pink lips shook. She seemed vaguely familiar—perhaps a face he had seen years ago when she'd been a child, when he'd still lived among others.

Jeid growled. "You are from the village of Oldforge across the river. I recognize the cotton you wear. Leave this place. This is my territory. Leave or I burn you."

She trembled. "Please. Please . . . I need help. I am Ciana. Are you the weredragon?"

He straightened. "I am Vir Requis. That is our name." He took a step closer, fists still clenched. "The kind you hunt."

Ciana blinked away tears. "My . . . my brother is a were— a Vir Requis. They're going to burn him. Please. Please. I came to you for help. They have him tied to the stake. They say they'll burn him at sundown." Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she reached out to him. "I don't have the magic. I came to find you. If you can become a dragon, if you are truly Jeid Blacksmith, Chieftain of Dragons . . . help him. Save him."

Jeid stared, frozen.

Another Vir Requis.

His heart throbbed and his legs felt weak.

For years he had dreamed, prayed, flown across the world to find others. For years, he had come to this grave, vowed to his daughter to build a tribe in her name, a tribe of others like them—who could turn into dragons, who were hunted, feared, poisoned, killed.

For years, he had found no others.

"You lie!" He stepped closer, teeth bared. He raised his fist as if to strike her. "There are no others. There are no more Vir Requis in this world. Just me. Just my family. Just us that you hunt and kill."

Ciana did not flinch. She met his gaze steadily, and some strength filled her damp eyes.

"There is another. But if you let him die, Jeid, your family will truly be the last." Gingerly she reached out and touched his arm. "Come with me. Save him. Please." Fire lit in her eyes. "Become the dragon again. Grow your wings, sound your roar, and take flight."

Another Vir Requis . . .

His head spun. Could it be—another like him? Afraid? Alone?

He growled.

He stepped away from the girl.

And so I fly again.