“Talon made a mistake last night,” Ember murmured. “They didn’t manage to kill us. And now we know what we’re up against.” Her eyes gleamed, fiery and determined, and for a moment, I could see the dragon, beautiful and terrible, overlaid like a second skin. “I think it’s time that we took the fight to them.”

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

Chapter 53: DANTE

DANTE

You failed, Dante.

Standing outside the doors to the Elder Wyrm’s office, my hands shook as I reached for the gold handles, hearing the echo of her words in my head, making my stomach turn over.

Failure. I had failed. Talon, the Elder Wyrm herself, had entrusted me with this assignment, and I hadn’t been able to complete it. It didn’t matter that we had decimated St. George. It didn’t matter that their numbers had been reduced to a handful. Almost was not success. My mission was the complete and utter destruction of the base and every living thing in it. If even one soldier survived, that was a failure in the eyes of Talon. Worse, nearly all the vessels in my command had been destroyed, including the Adult that was supposed to have ensured our victory. I didn’t know what had gone wrong. But somehow, Ember and Cobalt’s arrival had thrown everything into chaos, and they had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Ember, I thought furiously. I won’t forgive this. Next time, you can expect no mercy from me.

If there was a next time. With a deep breath, I turned the handle and walked into the office of the Elder Wyrm.

Like many other times, she was standing at the windows, gazing down at the city far below, and she didn’t turn when I walked into the room. Heart pounding, I crossed the floor until I was a few feet behind her and clasped my hands together, waiting for her to acknowledge me.

“The Western chapterhouse still stands, Dante.”

I swallowed the dryness in my throat. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied simply. “Ember and Cobalt arrived at the last minute with a group of rogues and were able to rout the attack.”

The Elder Wyrm was silent for a moment, then gave a dry chuckle.

“And so you continue to defy me, daughter,” she said, sounding more amused than angry. “Very well. Play your games, if you like. It will make no difference in the end.”