Zui gasped. “Truly? Oh blessed Byen, that’s wonderful! It’s just awful what’s happened to him! And none of us dragons have been able to sniff out that rat Luiz Noriago. Every dragon at the academy has been keeping their nostrils clear, so to speak, but he probably took off back to Espanna. Poor Weysh. Losing your sense of smell as a dragon—I can hardly describe it. It might be like losing your ability to see colors. Does that make sense?”

“Yes, I think so,” Yenni said softly.

“Well then, he’s probably at home. Give me a moment to change and I’ll fly you to see him right now.”

“Now? But we should study!”

“Oh nonsense, you’ll pass no problem. You’ve been flying through the practice exams. This is more important!”

“I had intended for you to take a message.”

“Why wait? I’ll do one better and take you to him instead,” Zui said with a wink.

“I . . . but . . . what if he doesn’t want to see me?”

Zui gave her a secretive smile.

“What is it?”

“I like this side of you. It’s charming to see you so vulnerable. He’ll want to see you, I’m sure of it. Now not another word, I’m changing.” She skipped down the steps to the lawn and switched to dragon, then stood long and glittering in the waning twilight, one silvery eye turned expectantly on Yenni.

Yenni had never flown with Zui, and it was quite the amazing experience. Incredibly, the dragons of Minato had no wings. Instead, Zui flew by instinctively drawing on ach’e, similar to the gorgeously patterned sky snakes of the Fuboli Islands.

Zui curved and dipped through the night sky, her flight as graceful as a dance, scales glimmering in the moonlight. For a while Yenni could simply sit back and enjoy the ride and the night view of Imperium Centre, with its hundreds of lit windows like a never-ending festival. At last Zui descended on a row of colorful, conjoined buildings. Was this where Weysh lived?

Zui landed near a gate fronting a long path that led to the buildings—houses. She hunched down on her claws and gave a little impatient shake, indicating that she wanted Yenni to dismount. Dragon Zui was more aggressive than human Zui, it would seem.

Once changed, Zui moved quickly, tossing a greeting to a guard at the gate’s entrance. Yenni was practically running to keep up with her. She led Yenni up a long path lined with bushes, up a couple of flights of steps until they stood in front of a white door surrounded by a pale orange façade. Twin lamps on each side of the door held blue-white magic lanterns. Zui raised the knocker ring and gave the door three smart raps.

Yenni’s heart galloped as they stood for long seconds waiting.

Nothing.