Instead of obeying, the children came to a halt. They looked at her, their eyes wide and solemn. Humans can he to their children. Dragons cannot. Sorrow’s frightened, confused colors swirled through their minds.

“Sorrow,” said a little girl with dragon legs like Ven’s, “where are we going?”

Sorrow tried to think of an answer that wouldn’t frighten them. Before she could respond, Ven crouched down in front of the girl, his eyes on a level with hers.

“There are those who think that because we are not like them, we have no right to live,” he said quietly. “These people want to hurt us. We’re going someplace far away, where they can’t find us.”

The children understood. Sorrow had tried to shelter them from the cruel remarks and hurtful comments made by humans when they thought the children couldn’t hear, and she’d assumed she’d succeeded. Apparently, she hadn’t.

Ven glanced back into the room where the children had been sleeping. “Sorrow, can these dragon warriors see through illusion magic?”

“Yes,” she said, thinking she knew where he was going. “But only if they suspect that what they are seeing is an illusion. If they think it is real, then it will be real to them.”

“Good,” he said and he smiled at her. “Then put all the children back into their beds.”

Sorrow understood what he meant and she began casting the magic.

Ven and Lucien led the children down the tunnel.

Quickly and quietly, the dragon’s children walked the corridors of the mountain palace. Sorrow and Ven led the way, with Lucien bringing up the rear. The corridors were those that Draconas had walked before them, those he’d told Ven the dragon did not use.

There was one dangerous point, however. Ven recalled that somewhere up ahead, the corridor they walked intersected a corridor used by the humans. As they drew near, Ven sent his thoughts to Sorrow. He found it odd, entering another’s mind and allowing her into his. Odd, but not as bad as he’d once imagined.

“Warn the children to be very, very quiet.”

Sorrow nodded.

“Stay here. I’m going to go take a look.” Ven left her, walking forward as quietly as he could over the rough stone floor.

Sorrow sent her thoughts to the children. The older ones whispered it to the younger, who might not be able to fully understand the pretty colors they saw in their minds.

Draga, clinging to Sorrow, had gone back to sleep with the motion of her walking. Sorrow hoped he would continue sleeping, but he woke the moment she stopped moving. He was confused, irritated at being hauled away from his bed, and fretful.

“Put down,” he demanded. “Draga walk.”

His voice was deep for a child and sounded unbelievably loud.