Fifteen sets of ancient dragon eyes watched as I took my place beside Mr. Roth. A few weeks ago, I would have been nervous, maybe even terrified, to be facing this many older dragons on my own. But that was before I knew who I was. Before I had the power of the Elder Wyrm herself at my disposal. I was not just some nameless hatchling; I was the heir to Talon, the son of the most powerful dragon in the world. No one here would dare challenge me.

Excitement and elation fluttered within. I was close. So close to finally achieving my dream. Just one more step to the top, and freedom. Everything I wanted was almost in my grasp. There was just one last thing I had to accomplish.

An old dragon rose from his seat, scarred and grizzled with a glass eye that glinted in the dim light overhead. “The Night of Fang and Fire is nearly upon us,” he said in a low, gravelly voice. “It is time to strike the final blow against Talon’s enemies and wipe them out for good. Commanders...” He gazed around the table. “You know why you are here. Are there any final questions before we begin?”

“Sir.” I rose from my seat. “If I may?”

“Mr. Hill.” The old dragon blinked his one good eye and stared at me. Clearly, he was surprised, and maybe a little annoyed, to have his meeting interrupted. But he only bowed his head and motioned for me to go on.

“I have a request, sir,” I said calmly. “If the targets have not already been determined, I would like to be in charge of leading the attack against the Order’s Western chapterhouse in the United States.”

“The Western chapterhouse,” the dragon repeated. “I don’t see why not, but is there a particular reason you want that target, Mr. Hill?”

“Yes,” I replied simply. “There is.” He waited for me to go on and, when I didn’t, gave a quiet huff.

“Such as?”

“My reasons are my own, sir,” I said as politely as I could. He grunted, obviously not pleased but not wanting to argue with me, as I’d suspected. “But this chapterhouse has given me, and Talon, a lot of grief in the past. Suffice to say, I want to make certain it’s destroyed.”

Chapter 36: GARRET

GARRET

“Ember.” I reached over and gently shook the girl beside me. “We’re here.”