Something streaked past me in a silvery blur. Mist flew straight into the dragon’s face, sinking her claws into its eyes and muzzle. The Adult bellowed and reared back, shaking its head, trying to dislodge the dragon clawing at its face. Mist snarled and refused to relent, beating her wings for balance as the clone roared and flailed.

Finally, with a mighty fling of its head, the clone hurled the silver dragon into the air. She spun gracefully midfall, flapped her wings and flew toward the armory. From its back, Ember leaped skyward, as well, just as a black, armored truck slammed full speed into the Adult dragon, knocking it to the side. It let out a screech, the first real sound of pain I’d heard, as the truck plowed straight into a wall, crushing the dragon between several tons of metal and brick. Blood streamed from its mouth and nostrils as it gave a defiant scream and thrashed violently, tearing at the vehicle with tooth and claw before it finally freed itself. Soldiers rushed forward, firing their weapons as the huge dragon staggered, stumbling forward in an almost-drunken manner. Blood poured from its mouth in streams as it turned in a confused circle, staring blearily at the humans swarming around it.

Finally, with the last groan of a dying giant, it collapsed to the dusty earth. For a moment, it lay there, panting, still confused as to what was happening to it. Then the silvery eyes turned dark, the great jaws stopped gasping and the enormous head slumped to the side as the vessel shuddered one last time and didn’t move again.

I slumped to the dust as cheers rose around me. I would have joined in the celebrating, but I didn’t particularly feel like shouting, or moving, at the moment. My side throbbed; each breath sent a stab of pain through my obviously broken ribs. Lying here and breathing as shallowly as I could seemed like a pretty good idea.

With a creak, the door of the truck opened and the soldier staggered out, his face a bloody mess. Instantly, Ember launched herself over the dead clone dragon and flew to his side. Her eyes were worried as she leaned in, wings half-spread in alarm, and the human gave her a tired smile, probably assuring her he was fine.

Oh, sure. Go see if the human is all right. Don’t mind me; I’ll just lie here and try not to bleed on everything.

A shadow fell over me, and Mist landed a few feet away, blocking my view. “That,” she stated, peering down at me with glowing blue eyes, “was probably the stupidest thing I have ever seen anyone do, dragon or otherwise. Now I know how you’ve avoided Talon for so long—pure dumb, crazy luck.”