Dragons. Hundreds of them. In rows of huge cylindrical vats marching down the aisles. They floated in translucent green liquid, eyes closed, wings and legs folded neatly to their bodies. Tubes jutted from their necks and stomachs, snaking to the tops of the canisters, where they disappeared in a tangle of machinery. From their size, most of them were hatchlings, some barely out of the egg, but there were a few near the end that were larger, older.

And they all looked the same. Through the glass and the green-tinted murk, their scales were a dull metallic gray, with no hint or spark of color at all. They all had the same ridge of ivory horns over their eyes and along their jaw. The same bony spikes jutting from their backs, shoulders and forelegs. The similarities were more than coincidence, more than sharing the same bloodline or parents. They were identical. Down to the same crooked horn on the left side of their head.

I smiled, as I realized what Talon had been planning, all this time.

“Behold, Dante Hill,” Mr. Smith said, walking up behind me, his deep voice full of triumph. “Welcome to the future.”

* * * * *

Thank you for reading ROGUE, book two of THE TALON SAGA.
Look for book three, SOLDIER, coming soon.
Only from Julie Kagawa and Harlequin TEEN.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my parents for your prayers and guidance, and for encouraging me to go after my dreams, no matter how crazy they were. To the people at Harlequin TEEN for your continued hard work, amazing support, jaw-dropping covers and so on. A massive thank-you to my wonderful editor, Natashya Wilson, who continues to be Superwoman in everything that she does. To my agent, Laurie McLean, who asks the questions I cannot, without whom I would be completely lost. Also to Brandy Rivers, for championing my books and making the impossible happen.

And, of course, to Nick, my other half. My love for you burns hotter than dragonfire.

Questions for Discussion

Questions for Discussion