“Like that’ll help,” muttered Seth to Fifer. “Let’s all stand around shouting while the Revinir closes in with a bunch of enemy dragons.”

“These dissenter people have no idea what they’re talking about,” said Fifer. “They weren’t there. They didn’t see what the Revinir has become.” She squinted, then pointed toward the jungle. “Come on. I see Thiz hiding over there behind Drock.”

“Thank goodness he’s here, or this might be a hundred times worse.”

“It’s already bad enough. Besides, I need to apologize to Thisbe. I screwed up.”

“What did you do?”

Fifer told him.

Seth snorted and shook his head. “That was kind of ridiculous, don’t you think? Why would you do that?”

Fifer frowned. “I don’t know,” she mumbled. “I’ve just been feeling really bad lately about . . . stuff. But it’s not all my fault. She said she wanted separate rooms.” Everything was a mess. And it wasn’t just Fifer’s relationship with Thisbe that had gone wonky. Seth had been annoying at the party, and though she’d forgiven him by now for walking off without her, their relationship was strained. And there was also Simber—she’d grown so close to him after Alex died. But since they discovered Aaron was the new leader, Simber had all but abandoned her. It felt like Fifer had lost everyone, and none of those people seemed to care. Why weren’t their hearts breaking for her like hers was for them?

She couldn’t wallow in her sorrows now, though. Her twin was in danger. And whenever Thisbe was in danger, Fifer stepped up. There was no other way to be twins, in her mind. No matter what arguments remained unsolved between them.

“Thisbe!” Fifer called out over the dissenters. She waved, then pushed through to Thisbe’s side. “I was thoughtless and selfish. I’m sorry. I’ll . . . I’ll bring all your stuff back to our room.”

Thisbe stared icily at Fifer for a long moment. “Do you think I care about any of that right now? Did you even read the blackboard?”

“Yes!” said Fifer. “Of course! That’s why I said I was sorry. And . . . because of moving your stuff out too, but mostly I care about the Revinir coming after you.”

Thisbe just shook her head and turned away. “Drock, can we go somewhere away from this noise so we can figure out how to survive an attack by the Revinir? You know, since you and I are both in a lot of imminent danger?”

Fifer wasn’t sure if the noise Thisbe referred to meant her or the dissenters. Her face fell. Before she could sort out whether she should try apologizing again, or do something else, Drock threaded his tail around Thisbe and put her onto his back. Then he lumbered to the water and pushed out to sea, leaving Fifer and Seth watching them go.