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BY THE TIME I REACHED Saboraak at the edge of the city, it was nearly morning. It had taken time to sneak out of the House of Marvels without being caught. More time to navigate through the icy walkways and staircases with only the moonlight to guide me, warming myself by street braziers as I went. Men and women in white livery filled the streets at night, trimming lantern wicks, filling braziers, hauling packages on their backs, and chipping ice from staircases. I realized that they must work for the ruling families of the city. Black embroidery on their chests always displayed one of four different sigils, an oaken wreath, a single flame, a soaring eagle and a swirl of smoke.
I was conscious of their eyes on me and found myself tugging my sleeves down more than I needed to. I didn’t dare let them see the Ko on either arm. By the time I reached the far side of the city, I was growing anxious to find Saboraak.
I’ve been hiding under a warehouse here. I snuck back into the city when the guards weren’t looking.
I thought Zyla said that sneaking past them was impossible?
Maybe I’m better at this spy stuff than you might think.
Speaking of which, I should probably tell her what I was planning.
I believe I have gleaned most of it from your thoughts. You want us to con the con men, yes?
I did.
You want to arrive at the Bright Redemption at first light, riding me like a charger strutting across the battlefield at dawn. I will be golden, of course.
Well, my thoughts hadn’t been quite so fairytale-esque.
Then you will exchange me for Zin.
I flinched, anticipating her anger at that part.
A sensible idea. When the switch is complete, you simply return Zin to safety and sneak back to release me. I will morph into a different color and shape and who will be the wiser?
It seemed like a great idea. Which was why I was nervous about it. Was I missing something? I’d missed all the cues that something was wrong when I brought Apeq into our lives.
I will be fine. I’m a dragon, remember? A few tiny pawn shop owners in a human-built house will not stop me if I choose to leave. I will flame the place to ash – leaving time, of course, for their escape.
Of course. I had the only dragon in history who was nervous about killing humans. She was probably worried about those yudazgoats, too. I felt embarrassment through our mental link.
Actually, I found them very tasty. You didn’t expect me to eat the food in the dragon cote, did you? It was disgusting.
How so?
It was already dead!
Yeah, we tended to prefer our meat dead. Funny, that.
Mock me all you like, I think it’s boorish.
I ducked in behind the warehouse she’d described. There was a variance in the rock here that left a large gap behind part of the building. Ah! There she was. I couldn’t help the affectionate pat at her muzzle, though I pulled my hand back quickly when she tried to return it and drooled on my sleeve.
Well, we were just talking about food ...
Time to mount up and fly to the Bright Redemption. Wait. No saddle? Again?
I can’t very well saddle myself.
I shuddered. Riding a dragon bareback made me feel my mortality a little too intensely.
There was nothing for it but to take the gamble.
I climbed awkwardly onto her back and gripped with my knees. She needed a leather strap necklace. Something to wear all the time so I at least had something to hold in moments like this.
If you get me a necklace, could I at least request a gemstone pendant?
She could ask for anything she wanted as long as she realized I was broke. Okay, enough chatter. Let’s fly!
We flew over the sleeping city together. Saboraak was good about adjusting her glide to keep me on her back as we flew past the layered buildings and tiered streets, all frosted with white snow like Sata Day cakes.
I just wished I knew why Hubric sent us to this country. Who were we supposed to be watching and what were they supposed to be doing? We seemed like a bad choice for this job. Saboraak wasn’t meant to be cooped up in a dragon cote and I wasn’t meant to be trying to keep two girls safe.
I’m okay with it, Tor. I want those girls safe, too. And I’m curious about Bataar. How do you think he got those marks?
Maybe he found a door in the wilderness and put his hands on the symbols just like I did.
How many of those doors do you think there are?
Maybe it was the same one.
I doubt that.
We were almost at the Bright Redemption and the sun was just coming up over the horizon. I could count on my fingers the number of hours I’d slept since I met Zin, but I was going to make sure she didn’t lose any more sleep by being held prisoner.
Okay. Focus. When we get there, you will do the talking.
She was a joker after all! I liked that.
Smoke hovered over the boardwalk as we landed, a tiny localized cloud from the braziers and the morning sun. I slid off Saboraak’s back as soon as her feet alighted on the walkway. It was a tight fit. These walkways were never meant for dragons. I scrambled around her to lead the way to the door, hoping she’d fit through it.
Maybe if they take me down below, I can find out if they really are smuggling people through this building.
Now who was being irresponsibly adventurous?
You might be rubbing off on me. Don’t tell anyone.
Just follow the plan.
I was starting to get nervous. I didn’t like the way my breath hitched in my throat and my thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind. Hold it together, Tor! Hold it together.
It was time to take the gamble.