Martin looked stunned. “Dragons helping the Order?” he repeated, as if the very idea was impossible. “It would never stand. The rest of St. George—”

“Is going to be attacked by Talon soon,” Ember interrupted. “Along with every dragon not aligned with the organization. We’re not helping you—we’re joining forces so that both our sides aren’t completely wiped out.” She shook her head. “Don’t tell me you don’t need our help. You’re alone, Lieutenant. St. George has been broken. You need allies, otherwise Talon is going to win.”

“Ember...” I began, and she turned on me, her gaze intent.

“No, Garret,” she said firmly. “We have to do this. We can’t hide anymore. Talon is just going to keep coming. If they destroy the Order, the rest of us will be next.”

“I know,” I said, taking her hand. “I’m not arguing. I’ll go back to St. George, and I’ll tell them everything I know. Everything I’ve learned while I’ve been with you and the rogues. And hopefully, they’ll listen to me this time. But...” I trapped her hand in both of mine, gazing into her eyes. “I don’t know if you can get Riley to agree. Think of what you’re asking him to do. If our plan is to fight that army, not all of us are going to make it, Ember. Some of us are going to be killed. You have to accept that.” Her face tightened, and I squeezed her hand. “You can be sure Riley knows that. And you’ve seen how protective he is when it comes to his underground. What if you can’t convince him to let the hatchlings fight? We can’t force any of them into battle, and they’ve all been hunted by St. George, or have seen friends die. Like Kain. What if they refuse to help the Order?”

“Then I’ll come alone,” Ember replied. “And I’ll help you fight. I’m not leaving you, Garret.” She held my gaze, green eyes flashing. “I won’t let you face Talon without me. Even if no one else comes, you’ll have at least one dragon fighting at your side, I promise.”

Martin cleared his throat, sounding uncomfortable. “If we’re going to leave, Sebastian, we should go now,” he said. “It seems as though there is not much time, and we have a lot of work to do.”

“Yes, sir,” I answered automatically, but when he stepped away, added, “I just need a moment.”

He frowned and seemed about to say something, perhaps to reprimand a soldier for contradicting his officer, something I had never done while I was in St. George, only to remember that I wasn’t one of his any longer. “Very well,” he said, nodding. “I’ll be outside.”