“Dev!” said Fifer, abandoning him and making a run for the palace. “Please don’t mess up everything!”

Dev glanced after her, then looked back at the dragon. He couldn’t tell if the creature was angry or if it was ready to obey, like the one at the front corner had done when Thisbe had roared. But he didn’t want to mess up everything, like Fifer had said—especially not if it would put Thisbe in danger. So he went after Fifer, waving off the dragon in case that would help end whatever it was that was happening. He could try again another time. But it was good to know he could roar like Thisbe.

Back in the library, Fifer was mad. Between huffs from the speedy climb up the stairs, she said, “You could have gotten us killed.”

“They’re not going to kill us,” said Dev, breathing hard too. “You, especially. And they don’t seem bothered by me, either. They haven’t been ordered to kill. That’s obvious by now. At least not while we stay on the property.”

“But there’s no reason for you to call them to us,” said Fifer. “We don’t want to go to the castle like Thisbe did, and you definitely don’t want these dragons to tell the Revinir that you’re alive.” She lowered her voice. “That was really reckless. Just because they haven’t hurt us yet doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. They’re dragons.”

Dev frowned, then conceded the point. “I’m sorry. I just wondered if they’d listen to me if I roared like Thisbe did. I was thinking maybe we can command them to do other things.”

Fifer tipped her head thoughtfully. “I doubt that. They’re under the Revinir’s control. Not ours.”

“But Thisbe did it, so why can’t I? I have scales and black eyes, and I managed to roar. What other dragon qualities does Thisbe possess that I don’t? I was just trying it out.”

Fifer considered it. “That’s a good point,” she admitted. “Maybe we can use them somehow. What if… what if all the black-eyed people who have taken in the dragon-bone broth can affect the mind-controlled dragons in some way? That would be phenomenal! What a breakthrough—and the Revinir probably doesn’t know.”

“I wish I knew if Thisbe had just roared at that dragon randomly, or if she felt like she was saying something to it.” Dev turned to ponder it and spotted movement out the front window. He rushed over to get a better look. “Something’s coming,” he said, his voice strained. He could see several dots heading their way.

“Are they dragons?” asked Fifer. She moved to stand next to Dev and peered out. “Is it Thisbe? Or the Revinir?”