The scales on Thisbe’s arms and legs shifted, and Thisbe felt a looming sense of dread. She stood up and stared at Drock, speeding toward them. “Something’s not right,” she said.

Aaron stood up too, and they waited until Drock made a splash landing in front of them.

“What is it?” Thisbe asked the dragon, feeling her heart leap to her throat.

Drock was out of breath. “It’s happening,” he said, panting. “They’re coming. The Revinir is coming.”

Underprepared

Thisbe felt like her head was underwater. She heard what Drock was saying, but his words were muted because her heart was pounding so loudly. “Oh, Aaron,” she said with a groan, “she’s coming for me.” There was no question in Thisbe’s mind. She knew it by the way her scales rose. She was part dragon, and with it came certain instincts, some of which she was still figuring out. But this was definitely one of them.

She also knew the dragon-woman had sent soldiers out looking for her and Rohan after their escape. But why did she want Thisbe back so badly when she had everyone else? One more black-eyed slave seemed inconsequential when the Revinir had all the dragons from everywhere and beyond. Was there something to what Drock had said about Thisbe being able to beat her? If so, she certainly didn’t believe it. Or was it more about being able to help her with her awful plans? And what did it mean that the Revinir was coming now? So soon? If she was venturing way out here, did that mean she’d already captured Rohan and Maiven? Or didn’t she care about them anymore, because they hadn’t drunk the dragon-bone broth?

“Are you sure?” Aaron demanded of Drock. “The Revinir herself is coming?”

“She and a few other dragons have crossed the gorge. At the rate they’re flying, and if they don’t stop, they’ll be here in a day and a half.”

“A day and a half?” Thisbe cried. “What are we going to do? We’re not ready.” She took a few paces up the shore, absently trying to brush her scales flat, then turned sharply and walked back toward Aaron, a most fearful look on her face. “We can’t fight them. We’re not equipped! We’re not strong enough! And we don’t have the right weapons. They’ll destroy us all.”

Aaron was standing in shocked silence. Then he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Florence! Simber!”

Seconds later the door to the mansion flew open, and the two came running.

Thisbe grabbed her brother’s sleeve and choked back a sob. “You have to give me up. She’ll destroy everything! Everyone! The only human she wants is me. You’ve got to let me go to her!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I will never give you up.”