Some creatures were small, no larger than dogs. Others were as large as mules. Everywhere they sniffed, snorted, sought the weredragons. Everywhere they barged through doors, rummaged through temples, pulling out families, licking, smelling, rubbing, discarding.

Issari stood above, staring upon this waking nightmare, her eyes damp. Her fingers clung to the railing.

What has happened to my home?

A voice rose behind her, answering her thoughts.

"They are seeking weredragons. They are ugly, my daughter, and they frighten you, but they are purifying our city of the disease."

She turned to see her father step onto the balcony. He came to stand beside her, leaned over the railing, and watched the creatures swarm down the streets and across the roofs.

Issari spoke in a small voice. "But Father, aren't we just bringing a greater evil into our kingdom?"

Raem turned toward her, and she saw the anger in his eyes. He clenched his fists, and Issari stepped back, sure he would strike her; he had struck her many times before. But his fire died as fast as it had kindled, and he caressed her cheek.

"You are pure, Issari, the only pure thing I have left. But you are young, and you are innocent. There is no evil greater than having a pure human form and betraying it. Our lord Taal forbids tattoos, piercings, obesity, or any disgrace against the form he gave us. To shift into a reptile is the greatest abomination. These demons might look strange, but they are doing Taal's work."

Screams rose below, and Issari spun back toward the city. On a street not far away, a host of demons—red creatures with bat wings—dragged an old man from his home. The greybeard tried to fight them, but the demons clung with clawed hands. Their snouts sniffed, pressing against the man's skin.

"Weredragon, weredragon!" the demons cried. "We found a reptile!"

Issari sucked in her breath. At her side, Raem leaned forward, baring his teeth, seeming almost hungry.

The old man below managed to tear himself free. He burst into a run, only for the demons to leap onto his legs and knock him down. Then, as Issari watched and gasped, the man shifted.

A thin silver dragon beat his wings, rising into the air. Before he could clear the roofs, the company of demons leaped onto the dragon like wolves on a bison. They slammed the silver beast onto the cobblestones and laughed, clawed, bit. They tore off scales, scattering them across the street, and blood splashed. With a whimper, the dragon lost his magic, returning to human form.

Issari looked away, but Raem pushed her face back toward the city.

"Watch, daughter," said the king. "You must see this."