“Let’s get back to work, then,” said Thisbe. “We’ve got no time to waste.” Thisbe ran over to where Drock was floating in the space between the great crab’s coral-reef claws. “Drock!” she called. “Where is the Revinir now?”

Drock flapped his mighty wings and rose high into the air, showering everyone with water. He held steady overhead, eyes fixed to the west, then circled and rose higher and stared again. He seemed shocked. He muttered something under his breath and landed. “She’s passing over the Island of Fire. Making incredible time. Much faster than I anticipated. She’s moving as quickly as a regular full dragon can fly.”

Thisbe’s legs quaked, and her scales quivered. The report took her breath away. “So what’s her estimated time of arrival?”

Drock gave the girl a pained look. “If they don’t stop to rest? Not long after daybreak.”

“Then,” said Thisbe bravely, “we’ve got no time to lose. Let’s figure this monster out once and for all.”

•  •  •

Night fell. Drop bears appeared, weaving anxiously in and out of the trees, as if they could feel danger approaching. Talon and Lhasa, the snow leopard, emerged from the woods and stopped by the group to offer them food and drink.

As they gratefully ate, Aaron told the two what had happened. Talon offered to check on Florence and find out if everything was settling down and to let Henry and Thatcher know that Ibrahim and Clementi were choosing to stay with Aaron and the twins. He set off, and the group of mages continued to throw out ideas as they finished their hurried meal. But everything they could think of would likely be repelled by the Revinir’s scales.

“What about a potion that affects the Revinir’s sight?” asked Clementi. “Eyes are vulnerable.”

“That would be something, at least,” said Thisbe. “It won’t break her control over the dragons, but it might buy us some time.”

Clementi and Ibrahim began brainstorming but soon realized Karkinos didn’t have the right kinds of herbs they’d need to make a potion, and there was no easy way to get them from Artimé. So they had to abandon the idea for now and try something else.

After a while, Talon returned. “It’s still chaotic,” he said. “A whole new group of protesters has formed—the ones who want you back as head mage, Aaron.”

Aaron closed his eyes briefly as mixed emotions flowed through him. He wished they’d put their efforts into practicing their fighting skills, but he was grateful to have some support. Yet . . . he didn’t regret leaving the toxic situation. Though he still felt terribly guilty for what he’d done to Simber. “How is Florence?” he asked.