Tristan stopped. Stared at me. I watched the realization creep over him, watched the color drain from his face as the pieces came together.
Oh, my God, he whispered and took one staggering step away from the bars. His jaw hung slack, and he slowly shook his head, his voice full of horrified disbelief. Youre in love with it.
I looked away and stared at the far wall. Tristan blew out a long breath.
Garret. His voice was a rasp, choked with disgust and loathing. And maybe something else. Pity. I dont How could
Dont say anything, Tristan. I didnt look at my ex-partner; I didnt have to see him to know exactly what he felt. You dont have to tell me. I know.
Theyre going to kill you, Garret, he went on, his voice low and strained. After what you said today in the courtroom? Martin mightve argued clemency if youd admitted you were wrong, that you had a brief moment of insanity, that the dragons had tricked you, anything! You could have lied. Youre one of our bestthey mightve let you live, even after everything. But now? He made a hopeless sound. Youll be executed for treason against the Order. You know that, right?
I nodded. Id known the outcome of the trial before I ever set foot in that courtroom. I knew I could have denounced my actions, pleaded for mercy, told them what they wanted to hear. I had been deceived, lied to, manipulated. Because thats what dragons did, and even the soldiers of St. George were not immune. It would paint me the fool, and my Perfect Soldier record would be tarnished for all time, but being duped by the enemy was not the same as knowingly betraying the Order. Tristan was right; I could have lied, and they wouldve believed me.
I hadnt. Because I couldnt do this anymore.
Tristan waited a moment longer, then strode away without another word. I listened to his receding footsteps and knew this was the last time I would ever talk to him. I looked up.
Tristan.
For a second, I didnt think he would stop. But he paused in the doorway of the cell block and looked back at me.
For what its worth, I said, holding his gaze, Im sorry. He blinked, and I forced a faint smile. Thanksfor having my back all this time.
One corner of his mouth twitched. I always knew youd get yourself killed by a dragon, he muttered. I just didnt think it would be like this. He gave a tiny snort and rolled his eyes. You realize my next partner is going to feel completely inadequate taking the Perfect Soldiers place, and will probably have a nervous breakdown that Im going to have to deal with. So, thanks for that.
At least youll have something to remember me by.
Yeah. The small grin faded. We watched each other for a tense, awkward moment, before Tristan St. Anthony stepped away.
Take care, partner, he said. No other words were needed. No goodbye, or see you later. We both knew there wouldnt be a later.
You, too.
He turned and walked out the door.
* * *
The court has reached a decision.
I stood in the courtroom again as Fischer rose to his feet, addressing us all. I spared a quick glance at Martin and found that he was gazing at a spot over my head, his eyes blank.
Garret Xavier Sebastian, Fischer began, his voice brisk, by unanimous decision, you have been found guilty of high treason against the Order of St. George. For your crimes, you will be executed by firing squad tomorrow at dawn. May God have mercy on your soul.
Dante
Fifteenth floor and counting.
The elevator box was cold. Stark. A pithy tune played somewhere overhead, tinny and faint. Mirrored walls surrounded us, blurred images staring back, showing a man in a gray suit and tie, and a teen standing at his shoulder, hands folded before him. I observed my reflection with the practiced cool detachment my trainer insisted upon. My new black suit was perfectly tailored, not a thread out of place, my crimson hair cut short and styled appropriately. A red silk tie was tucked neatly into my suit jacket, my shoes were polished to a dark sheen and the large gold Rolex was a cool, heavy band around my wrist. I didnt look like that human boy from Crescent Beach, in shorts and a tank top, his longish hair messy and windblown. I didnt look like a teen without a care in the world. No, I had completed assimilation. Id proven myself, to Talon and the organization. Id passed all my tests and confirmed that I could be trusted, that I cared about the survival of our race above all else.
I wished my sister had done the same. Because of her, our future was in question. Because of her, I didnt know what Talon wanted from me now.
On the thirtieth floor, the elevator stopped, and the doors slid back with barely a hiss. I stepped into a magnificent lobby tiled in red and gold, my shoes clicking against the floor and echoing into the vast space above us. I gazed around, taking it in, smiling to myself. It was everything Id imagined, everything Id hoped Talon would be. Which was good, because I had plans for it all.
One day, Ill be running this place.
My trainer, whod told me to call him Mr. Smith at the beginning of my education, led me into the room, then turned to me with a smile. Unlike some dragons whose smiles seemed forced, his was warm and inviting and looked completely genuine, if you didnt notice the cool impassiveness in his eyes.
Ready?
Of course, I said, trying not to appear nervous. Unfortunately, Mr. Smith could sense fear and tension like a shark sensed blood, for his eyes hardened even as his smile grew broader.
Relax, Dante, he said, putting a hand on my shoulder. It was meant to be comforting, but there was no warmth in the gesture. Id learned enough to realize that all his overtures were empty; hed taught me that himself. You didnt have to believe what you were saying; you just had to make others believe that you cared. Youll be fine, trust me.
You dont have to worry about me, sir, I told him, determined to show nothing but cool confidence. A stark contrast to the twisting bundle of nerves in my stomach. I know why Im here. And I know what I have to do.
He squeezed my shoulder and, even though I knew better, I relaxed. We turned, and I followed him down a narrow hallway lined with office doors, around a corner and finally to a single large door at the end of the hall. A simple gold sign hung against the painted wood: A. R. Roth.
My stomach cartwheeled again. Mr. Roth was one of
Talons senior vice presidents. One of the dragons who, while not so far up the chain that he was in contact with the Elder Wyrm itself, was pretty darn close. And he wanted to talk to me. Probably about Ember and what they planned to do about her.
Ember. I felt a brief stab of anger and fear for my wayward twin; anger that she would be so stubborn, so rebellious and ungrateful, that she would turn her back on her own kindthe organization that had raised usto run off with a known traitor, consequences be damned. Fear of what those consequences could be. Under normal circumstances, a Viper, one of Talons fearsome assassins, would be dispatched to deal with a dragon who went rogue. It was harsh but necessary. Rogue dragons were unstable and dangerous, and they put the survival of our race in jeopardy. Without Talons structure, a rogue could accidentally, or even purposefully, reveal our existence to the humans, and that would spell disaster for us all. The human world could never know that dragons walked among them; their instinctive fear of monsters and the unknown would overtake them, just as it had hundreds of years ago, and wed be driven toward extinction again.
I knew the measures Talon had to take against rogues were necessary. Though the loss of any dragon was a heavy blow to us all, those who refused to align themselves with the organization had already chosen their path, proven their disloyalty. They had to be put down. I understood. I wasnt going to argue that.
But Ember wasnt a traitor. She had been misled, deceived, by that rogue dragon. Shed always been hotheaded, gullible, and he had fed her a tangle of lies, turning her against Talon, her own raceand me. He was at fault for her disappearance. Ember had always hadproblemswith authority, but shed been able to see reason and listen to the truth until she met the rogue.
I clenched my jaw. If she just returned to the organization, she would realize her mistake. I would make her see the truth: that the rogues were dangerous, that Talon had our best interests at heart and that the only way to survive in a world of humans was to work together. Ut onimous sergimus. As one, we rise. Shed believed that, once.
I had never lost sight of it.
We stepped through the door frame into a cold, stark office. One entire wall was made up of windows, and through the glass, the city of Los Angeles stretched on to the distant mountains, towers and skyscrapers glinting in the sun.
Mr. Roth, said Mr. Smith, ushering me forward, this is Dante Hill.
A man rose from behind a large black desk to greet us, smiling as he stepped forward with a hand outstretched. He wore a navy blue suit and a watch that was even more impressive than mine, and a gold-capped pen glinted in a breast pocket. His dark hair had been cropped into short spikes, and his even darker eyes swept over me critically, even as he took my hand in both of his, nearly crushing my fingers in a grip of steel.
Dante Hill! Pleasure to meet you. He squeezed my hand, and I bit down a whimper, smiling through the pain. How was your trip up?
Fine, sir, I replied, relieved as he loosened his viselike grip and stepped away. Talon had sent a car to take us from Crescent Beach to Los Angeles, but the drive had been far from relaxing, with my trainer drilling me on company policies, protocol and how to act in front of the regional vice president. I was an insignificant hatchling, meeting with an elder who was likely several hundred years old. First impressions were crucial. And a terrible faux pas was, of course, to complain in the presence of Talons executives, especially if it was about the organization. It was so smooth, I barely noticed the drive.
Wonderful, wonderful. He nodded and gestured to the plush leather chair sitting in front of his desk. Please, have a seat. Can I have my assistant get you something to drink?
No, thank you, sir, I said, knowing the drill. Im all right. I sat carefully in one of the chairs, feeling myself sink into the cool leather, careful not to slouch. Mr. Smith did the same and crossed his legs as Mr. Roth returned around his desk and beamed at me.
So, Mr. Hill. Lets not beat around the bush. Mr. Roth clasped his hands on the desk in front of him and smiled over the surface. As Id been taught, I politely dropped my gaze so I wouldnt be staring right into his eyes. Another social gaffe, and a very dangerous one: holding the stare of another dragon, particularly a male, was a blatant challenge or threat. In ancient times, the challenge between two alpha drakes would be settled via personal combat, with the contenders ripping, biting and slashing each other, until one of them either fled in defeat or was killed. Nowadays, two rival dragons obviously couldnt throw down in the middle of the city, but there were a thousand other ways to destroy a competitor without getting your claws dirty. Which was good, because that was something I could excel at.
Your sister, Mr. Roth said, making my insides clench, has gone rogue. He observed my reaction carefully; I kept my face neutral, showing no anger, surprise, sorrow, shocknothing that would be considered a weakness. After a brief pause, Mr. Roth continued, Ember Hill is now a traitor in the eyes of Talon, something we take very seriously here. I am sure you know our policy on rogues, but I have heard the organization wishes you to be in charge of retrieving her, Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir, I replied, careful not to sound overeager. Whatever it takes to bring her back, whatever you need me to do, Im your man.
Mr. Roth raised an eyebrow.
And yet, some have called into question your own loyalty, both to Talon and our cause. As the brother of a known traitor, we worry that your motivations might betainted. He offered a smile, even as his eyes stayed hard and cold. So, I fear I must ask. Can we trust you, Mr. Hill?
I smiled. Sir, I began, as clearly and confidently as I could. I know my sister. Ember and I have always had
different opinions, when it came to the organization. I know she can be reckless and stubborn, and that she has a slight problem with authority. A tiny snort from Mr. Smith was the only indicator of my massive understatement.
But Ember isnt a traitor, I went on, feeling Mr. Roths hard gaze on me, assessing and critical. Shes gullible and hotheaded, and I believe the rogue dragon Cobalt took advantage of this to get her to leave with him. He lied to her about the organization, and he lied to her about me, otherwise she would have never turned on us like this.
Mr. Roths expression hadnt changed. And neither had mine. Ember tried to get me to come with her that night, I admitted, seeing no indication of surprise from Mr. Roth. She begged me to leave town with her and the rogue, but I knew I couldnt do it. Not because of the consequences, but because I know my place. I raised my chin slightly, not enough to challenge, just enough to state my cause. Sir, my loyalty to Talon has never wavered. I dont know why Talon is taking a lessdirect approach to dealing with my sister, why the Elder Wyrm has chosen to spare her, but I do know that I am grateful. And Ill do whatever it takes to bring Ember back so she can resume her place in Talon, where she belongs.
Mr. Roth nodded.
Excellent, Mr. Hill, he said in a bright tone of voice. That is exactly what we want to hear. He picked up his desk phone and pressed a button on the machine. Please send Ms. Anderson in, he ordered into the speaker. I blinked, wondering who Ms. Anderson could be; Id never met her before.
Abruptly, Mr. Roth stood, which prompted us to rise, too. Your words are commendable, Mr. Hill, the VP said, walking around to stand beside us. Therefore, Talon is prepared to give you the best possible resources to locate and bring back your sister. In a moment, youll be shown to your new office, but for now, there is someone I want you to meet.
I gave a pleasant nod, though my mind was spinning. New office? And the best resources possible to find her? I was pleased, of course. It seemed the organization had recognized my potential, but at the same time, I knew this was abnormal. Talon was huge; its reach spanned the globe, and it had countless other developments, mostly of the multimillion-dollar variety, to worry about. The disappearance of a single hatchling, rogue or not, was barely a blip on its radar. Why? Why are they going through all this trouble to find one hatchling? Ember, what have you done?
The office door clicked softly as it opened, and Mr. Roth raised a beckoning hand.
Ah, Ms. Anderson. Please come in. Have you met Mr. Hill?