“Yes,” Maristara murmured, her narrow-eyed gaze shifting to the carcass, then back again. Her lips tightened.

“Grald raised his children to believe that they are better than humans. He taught them to disdain humans and human life. Because of this, they will kill a human without a second thought.”

We would, Sorrow told him silently. You do well to fear us!

“We are forced to revere them, to almost worship them. This was part of Grald’s plan. He intended to take over Ven’s body. He would then be able to control the children, who would think him one of themselves.”

Bleak dismay sickened Sorrow, made her legs tremble. She leaned against the pillar for support.

“Now Grald is dead, slain by one of his own children—the least powerful among them,” said Leopold pointedly. “Grald told me himself that Ven had never been trained in the magic, that he refused to use it or even acknowledge it. One can only imagine what the other children, who have been trained in the magic and in warfare, as well, can do. And not only against humans.”

“What are you saying?” the Mistress demanded irritably. “You humans—always so long-winded. Come out with it.”

“I am saying that bringing these children into the world was a mistake,” said Leopold grimly. “They are unpredictable, uncontrollable, and far more dangerous than anyone could have imagined.” He gestured to the carcass. “As you can plainly see, Mistress.”

“Dangerous to humans.” The Mistress shrugged. “Grald taught his children to revere dragons. Ven was different. He was taught to hate dragons. Like the humans of Seth.”

“That is true, Mistress. But news of Grald’s death will spread. We cannot hide it, for someone else will have to take command of the armies. We might be able to conceal the circumstances of his death from the humans, but not from his children, who communicate mind-to-mind. Once they find out that Ven had the power to kill his dragon father, they will start to regard dragons with the same disdain that they now regard humans.”

“No . . . never . . .” murmured Sorrow, her heart aching.

“I did not approve of Grald’s experimental breeding of humans and dragons,” said the Mistress. “I thought he was making a mistake and I told him so. He has paid for his mistake. No other dragons will do so. Still,” she added thoughtfully, “the older children might prove useful to us in the upcoming war—”

Leopold shook his head emphatically. “Forgive me for contradicting you, Mistress, but, as I said, the dragon’s children cannot be trusted. What if they were to turn upon us in the midst of a battle?”