Scorched

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Caleb trudged down the mall corridor toward his bedroom, his heart heavy and his legs feeling like lead. He’d been a total duffer to believe his brother. He should’ve known better than to leave the headquarters on a wild chase for a dead man. But the idea—the slightest possibility—that Trin’s grandfather wasn’t actually dead was too much to pass up. If he’d been able to find him, to bring him back, he would have finally proven himself worthy of her.

Instead, he had only proven himself pathetic.

He was so wrapped up in his own misery, he scarcely noticed at first all the shouting and banging coming toward him in the opposite direction. Finally it registered and he looked up to see what all the commotion was about. To his shock, his eyes fell upon none other than Trinity herself, being dragged roughly by two Dracken guards. She was struggling and fighting with all of her might but they refused to let her go. Furious, Caleb stepped into their path.

“Have you gone mad?” he demanded. “How dare you treat her like this? She’s the Fire Kissed.”

“Not anymore,” the first guard said with a smirk. “Now step aside and let us through.”

“No. You release her now. Or Darius will hear of this.”

“Darius was the one who ordered it,” jeered the second guard. “Go talk to him if you have a problem with it.”

His heart stuttered. “He wouldn’t do that!” he protested. But something in their mannerisms told him he was wrong. He shot an anguished look at Trinity, taking in her bruised eyes and scraped face.

“Trin!” he cried, rushing to her, not caring what the guards would do. Before he could reach her, the first guard shoved him back with the butt of his gun, sending him sprawling into a wall. For a moment he was too dazed to move, the wind knocked from his lungs. The guards regarded him with satisfaction before continuing their march down the hall.

“Trin!” he repeated, desperate and afraid. Ignoring the pain in his head, he dashed forward again, grabbing her this time before they could stop him, squeezing her hand with all he had. Send! he begged her. Send it all!

And so she did.

Caleb staggered, dropping her hand and hitting the ground hard, stunned and dazed by what she’d sent him. Their touch had only lasted a second, but it had been enough—enough to see the mutated dragons. The seedy arms dealer looking over the merchandise. Darius—his beloved mentor, Darius!—informing her of the Dracken’s true intentions.

“No,” Caleb whispered, rocking on his knees. “It can’t be.”

Darius had saved him. He’d rescued him from a life of crime and impending imprisonment. He’d promised Caleb a chance to become a hero. A chance to save the world. And yet all along, he’d been plotting to destroy it.

Somehow Caleb forced himself to stagger to his feet. While he could no longer hear Trinity’s whimpers of pain, they ravaged through his head all the same. He’d brought her here. He’d promised her peace and safety and a place to raise her dragon. Instead he’d put them both in danger.

“Caleb, there you are.”

He whirled around to find Darius walking slowly toward him, his lips curled into a self-satisfied smile. It was all Caleb could do not to smack it off his face.

“What’s…what’s going on?” he demanded, barely able to speak past his horror.

Darius gave him a pitying look. “There has been a complication,” he said, reaching Caleb and placing a fatherly hand on his arm. Caleb bit his lower lip hard, forcing himself not to jerk away from his touch. “The Fire Kissed’s mind, it seems, has been unable to accept the dragon’s bond.” He shook his head slowly. “We knew it was a possibility from the start. But we had hoped…” He trailed off.

What are you talking about? Caleb wanted to scream. You’re the one who’s been selling dragons as weapons. The one with the sick plan to burn down the world. How many people were in on this? All of the other Dracken? Had they known all along? Had they been laughing at him behind his back this whole time? Stupid, gullible Caleb, so desperate for someone to love him, he’ll believe anything you tell him—do anything you ask.

Gritting his teeth, he forced the thoughts from his mind. He couldn’t risk Darius overhearing them. “What did she do?” he asked instead.

The Dracken leader sighed deeply. “She tried to escape, ordering her dragon to slaughter two of our most promising Potentials in the process. Burning them alive simply for doing their jobs.” His face twisted into a self-righteous scowl. “Can you believe it? After all we did for her. Rescuing her from the Hunter, taking her in, clothing her, feeding her. Treating her like an honored guest…”

The indignation in his voice, along with the smooth lies rolling off his tongue, filled Caleb with rage. How many other lies had he willingly swallowed from this man over the last few years? Believing Darius when he told him he was special, that he had a gift? Yet all along, he’d been nothing more than a Dracken lap dragon, following orders without ever questioning them.

It took everything inside of him not to slam his fist into his former mentor’s face. To make him feel even half the pain that Caleb felt. Half the betrayal burning within him. Instead, he swallowed his anger down and forced his face to remain slack. Subservient. This wasn’t the time to act. It would only land him in the same prison Trin was headed for. And then there would be no one left to save her. To save Emmy.

To save the world.

“I’ve failed you,” he said, bowing his head in front of the Master, looking as contrite as possible. “I did everything I could to win her to our side. Obviously it wasn’t enough. I’m sorry. You believed in me and I let you down. I don’t deserve to call myself a Dracken.”

Darius’s face softened. “Don’t blame yourself,” he said, patting him gently on the back. “I know you did all you could. I don’t blame you in the least.”

“Thank you,” Caleb said in his most earnest voice. “I promise, I won’t let you down again.” He looked up at the Master. “So what happens next? Do we just kill her and move on?”

“I am scheduling a de-bonding ceremony for three days from now,” Darius said, “to give Mara enough time to prepare. We’ll do it publicly, with all the Potentials in attendance. After all, it was their brothers the traitor slaughtered so mercilessly. We’ll break the bond between the dragon and the Fire Kissed and then give Emberlyn to the other. Hopefully she will prove more worthy of the privilege.”

Caleb swallowed hard. “And what will happen to the traitor?” he asked, daring to meet his former mentor’s eyes with his own. “Will we keep her in custody? It would seem risky to let her go…”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Darius assured him. “No human has ever survived a de-bonding. Before the ceremony is even over, she will already be dead.”

Chapter Forty

Creak!

Trinity looked up blearily as she heard the turning of a lock outside her makeshift cell. They’d been keeping her in a wildly painted former Hot Topic dressing room, reinforced with steel bars. The room was small—too small to lie down in—and so she’d contented herself to pull her knees to her chest and lay her head on top of them in a desperate attempt to get comfortable. She had no idea how long she’d been there at this point—the blows the guards had delivered to her head had been sending her in and out of consciousness for some time, and she half wondered if she’d suffered a concussion. At least she knew they wouldn’t allow her to die—well, until they’d severed the bond between she and Emmy that was. After that, all bets were off.

Emmy. She reached out again, trying desperately to find her dragon to make sure she was okay. But, try as she might, she couldn’t lock onto the creature’s spark. She wondered if maybe they’d drugged her. Emmy had to be going insane without her mistress nearby, and no one wanted an insane dragon on their hands. At least she knew they wouldn’t hurt her. They needed her now more than ever. But the thought wasn’t as comforting as it should have been.

The door opened and light spilled into the room. Trin looked up to find a dark shadow, standing in the doorway. For a split second, she wildly thought it could be Connor, come back to rescue her somehow. But that was ridiculous. He was long gone. And it was Caleb standing there, flanked by two guards.

“Well, well, there she is,” Caleb said, his voice cutting and cold. “Our little traitor.”

Trin looked up at him in horror. All this time she’d been secretly praying that he’d received her desperate send when he’d grabbed her hand in the hallway. That he’d seen all the atrocities going on below the mall—the mutated dragons, the Dracken’s true plan. But maybe it hadn’t worked. Maybe he had no idea what the Dracken were really up to. Or maybe…Her heart skittered at the thought. Maybe he’d known all along.

“Caleb,” she tried, but her lips were so dry and cracked she found she couldn’t get the words out. Not that she had any idea what she really wanted to say. He shook his head at her, then grabbed her by the hair, yanking her out of the fitting room and dumping her onto the floor of the empty store. She hit the ground hard and cried out in pain as her knee wrenched from under her.

“How could you do this?” he demanded, glaring down at her. “How could you go and betray the Dracken?”

“I—I…” she tried to say, but a sudden voice in her head silenced her.

Trinity, listen to me.

She startled, confused. With her mind still hazy, it took her a moment to realize what he had said—and, more importantly, how he had said it. He flashed her a warning look, then glanced back at the two guards. Don’t let them know.

“Those boys were innocent,” he continued. “And yet you let your dragon murder them.”

I’m so sorry. I would have never brought you here if I had known. I thought it would be safe.

Somehow Trin found her voice. “I didn’t ask Emmy to kill them. She was trying to protect me.”

Caleb, it’s not your fault. They lied to everyone. You, me, the Potentials…

“And what about the wireless laptop we found in your room?” he sneered. “Who were you talking to?”

“I was just playing a video game. Fields of Fantasy. It’s my favorite.”

You have to get us out of here, Caleb. Before they break me and Emmy’s bond.

“A video game? Please. Do you think we’re stupid? You were contacting someone. I want to know who.”

I know—but how? There’s too many of them. We’d need a flecking army to even stand a chance.

She frowned. Well, I’m sorry. I don’t have a spare army in my—

Trinity stopped short. Wait a second. Maybe she did.

What about your friends who broke into the museum? The government guys. They’re probably still out looking for the egg. If they found out it was here, they could raid the place. And in all the confusion we could escape.

Caleb seemed to consider this for a moment. It’s not a bad idea, he relented. But how can we let them know? Darius has the place on lockdown now, thanks to your little escape attempt. And there’s no phone or Internet.

“Um, is everything okay, sir?” asked the guard behind Caleb, looking at the two of them suspiciously. Trinity cringed, realizing they’d gone too long staring at one another without talking out loud. In desperation, she managed to scramble to her knees before Caleb, holding out her hands, as if in prayer.

“Please,” she begged. “Just let me go. I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll be good. I won’t try to escape again. Just don’t de-bond me from my dragon. I can’t live without her.”

What about Connor? Can you reach him through the Nether? He could pretend to be you and put in a call.

Caleb sneered. “Can’t live?” he spit out. “Funny, that’s kind of the whole idea.”

No, Trin. We can’t trust my brother. We both know what he was sent here to do. And now that Emmy’s hatched…

Trinity fell back, burying her face in her hands. “Please. I’m begging you! I don’t want to die.”

We don’t have a choice. He’s the only one left. And he promised not to hurt me or Emmy. We have to believe him.

I don’t know, Trin. If something happened to you—

Something will happen if you don’t get us out of here. Connor’s our only hope.

Caleb turned to the guards. “Throw the traitor back into her cell,” he commanded. “I can’t stand to look at her pointy little face anymore.”

All right. I’ll try to contact him. But, Trin—if he even looks at you sideways, I promise you now, I’m going to shoot first and ask questions later.

The guards sprang into action, grabbing her by the arms and dragging her back to her cell. She fought and clawed at them like an alley cat, her eyes locking onto Caleb. “Screw you, you bastard!” she screamed. “Go back to the Nether with your little sluts. That’s all you’re good for! I never want to see you again!”

A ghost of a smile flickered on Caleb’s face before he quickly masked it again. He turned away, heading out of the Hot Topic, leaving the guards to deal with Trinity on their own. But just as they were about to throw her back into her cell, she caught his whisper echoing through her mind.

Oh and for the record? I never took anyone else to the Nether. He paused, then added, No one but you.

Chapter Forty-One

Come on, Connor. We’re running out of time.

Trinity winced as the guards yanked her roughly down the corridor, on their way to the de-bonding ceremony. It had been three days since Caleb had promised to contact his brother through the Nether to see if he could help rally the troops. But whether Connor had answered his brother’s request or was able to get the government on board, she had no idea. Caleb had never returned to her cell to let her know what had happened—probably too worried that Darius might notice too many visits to his prisoner.

The Dracken had gathered in the main ceremonial chamber and the de-bonding ceremony was about to begin. In just moments, she realized, she and Emmy would be torn from one another and she would be put out of her misery. She tried to console herself with the fact that at least the dragon herself would live on, but the thought wasn’t very comforting. While Emmy wouldn’t be physically harmed, she was doomed to a life of captivity as a backyard breeder of biological weapons of mass destruction. Stuck in a cage, never seeing the sun, never allowed to spread her wings and fly. It was a fate worse than death for a dragon.

And then there was her mother. Her poor, sweet, innocent mother who’d been locked in a dark cage of her own for the last two years, her mind lost and her body atrophying. Would she even have the strength to bond with Emmy and help her lay her eggs? And what would happen to her if she didn’t?

The ceremonial chamber was adorned much like the birthing room, a former anchor store now bathed in silver runes, a high balcony circling the perimeter. The senior members of the Dracken had gathered at the bottom level, while the Potentials had camped out above. In the center of the room stood a tall pole, which uncomfortably resembled a funeral pyre. Trinity guessed that was for her.

As the guards dragged her over to the pole, tying her hands and feet with thick rope and gagging her mouth, her eyes lifted to those watching from above. The faces she found—once happy and welcoming—were now solemn and disapproving, the judgment rich in their eyes. If only she could tell them the truth. On impulse, she tried to send to them but was quickly shot down. They’d all blockaded their minds against her. She imagined Darius instructing them to do so, so they wouldn’t find themselves lured in by her lies.

Her eyes fell to Caleb, who stood among his Dracken brothers, helping them at their tasks. He caught her look and glared back at her with cold eyes until she dropped her gaze. She knew it was only an act, but his expression and his garb managed to chill her all the same.

An angry squawk resounded through the chamber and she looked over to see Emmy being wheeled through the room, encased in a golden cage. The dragon was putting up quite the fight, hissing and spitting fire at her handlers. But the cage had some kind of force field around it and the dragon’s efforts proved ineffectual. Emmy had grown since the last time Trin had seen her, now about the size of a small cocker spaniel. Soon she’d be big enough to ride. Trinity felt tears spring to her eyes as she remembered her own amazing dragon ride through the Nether. Would she ever be able to feel so free again?

Come on, Connor. Are you out there, somewhere?

A hush fell over the room as Darius entered, stepping to the center of the stage. The Dracken had dressed in special ceremonial robes for the occasion—fitting attire for a crazy cult leader, Trin noted bitterly. As he turned to her, his eyes gleamed eagerly and his mouth twisted. She shivered under his gaze.

“Say good-bye to your precious dragon,” he hissed, so low that no one else could hear. Then he turned to the crowd.

“Brothers and sisters of the Dracken,” he pronounced in a grand voice, “I thank you for meeting me here today. A time of sadness for all those of us who believe in our fight. For, it seems, one of our own—nay, not just one but the founder herself—has chosen to betray us. Conspiring with dragon hunters to send the world’s only hope spiraling into extinction.”

The crowd let out a collective condemnation and Trinity could feel their anger and judgment rain down on her below. She wanted to shout to them—to tell them of Darius’s true intentions—but, of course, she was gagged and their mind blocks seemed impenetrable.

“Trinity Foxx, standing before you, was born with the gift and chosen by our own Emberlyn to be her Fire Kissed,” Darius continued in his grand voice. “And yet she has chosen to turn her back on her gift—to turn her back on her own dragon. And so, as guardians of the dragon race, we are left with no choice. We must begin the de-bonding procedure.”

The crowd erupted in murmurs, looking both excited and disturbed as they gazed down upon her. Darius, having concluded his grand speech, motioned to Mara. Evidently the birthing maiden could sever bonds as well as create them.

Mara stepped over to Trinity, solemnly placing a plastic cap threaded with wires over her head. Trin struggled as best she could, hoping to buy Connor more time, but two guards soon stepped in to hold her down as Mara did her work. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Emmy dancing anxiously in her cage and Trin sent the little dragon as many comforting thoughts as she could. But she was admittedly more than a little low on hope right about then. If Connor didn’t come—which was seeming more and more likely as the clock ticked on—it would soon all be over. And there would be nothing either of them could do.

Her eyes sought Caleb’s, but he had disappeared from the group of Dracken standing nearby. She prayed he wouldn’t try to act alone and get himself killed in the process. Knowing at least he would still be here, an undercover agent for good who could make things more pleasant for Emmy and her mother, gave her a small bit of comfort. And she didn’t want anything to happen to him.

I never took anyone else to the Nether, he’d told her. No one but you.

“The time has come,” Darius, ever the showman, announced, interrupting her wistful thoughts, “when our traitor will get what she so richly deserves.” He gestured to Mara who headed over to a nearby instrument panel, readying it for action. Trinity’s stomach sank as her last remaining hope left the building. It was too late. The end was here. There would be no rescue. No happily ever after for her. She turned to Emmy, gazing at her with wistful eyes.

Take good care of my mother and Caleb, she sent to her dragon. They need you now more than ever.

No! Emmy’s panicked voice rang through her head. Don’t leave me, Trin. Don’t leave me here alone!

Stay strong, Emmy. For me, promise me you’ll stay strong.

She closed her eyes, unable to bear the dragon’s bereft face. She’d promised Emmy the world, that she’d never let her fall. She promised that she’d never leave her alone, like her mother had before her. And now she was breaking those promises—and all the others she’d made as well. She could only hope the dragon would understand somehow. That she would know it was the last thing Trin wanted to do.

Tears splashed down her cheeks as she waited for the switch to be thrown. The moment seemed to stretch into eternity.

I’m so sorry, Emmy. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.

Suddenly sirens blared through the chamber, warning lights flashing at every corner. Trinity looked up, heart in her throat, as the spectators erupted in panic. A moment later a voice came over the loudspeaker, cutting through the sounds of confusion.

“The mall has been breached!” the man’s panicked voice cried. “We’re being invaded.”

Connor! Trinity’s heart surged with hope.

The room broke into chaos, the ceremony all but forgotten as the Dracken, the Potentials, and armed guards alike scurried in every direction. Only Darius, along with Mara, still stood on the stage. The Dracken’s face twisted in fury. “Do it!” he cried to Mara. “Throw the switch! Now!”

Looking frightened, Mara made a move to do as he asked. But before she could reach the panel, Caleb dove in—seemingly out of nowhere—tackling her and throwing her to the ground. He had shed his other clothes and was now dressed like a soldier. Reaching out, he grabbed a piece of heavy equipment and brought it down on Mara’s head, knocking her out cold. Then he shot Trinity an excited look.

My hero, she sent. Now get Emmy!

Darius screamed in rage, launching himself at the instrument panel. But Caleb was too quick, reaching Emmy’s cage and releasing her into the wild. The dragon let loose a stream of fire, melting the panel before the Dracken leader could activate it, leaving nothing useable behind.

Darius glared at the dragon, hatred clear in his eyes, but hesitated, unsure what to do. Obviously he couldn’t hurt Emmy. But he couldn’t just let her go off and flambé his friends either. The dragon leveled her eyes on him, opening her mouth, ready to end this game once and for all.

But before Emmy could fire, the doors around them burst open, armed men swarming the chamber. The cavalry had arrived.

Emmy, hide! Trin sent. Whatever you do, don’t let them see you!

The dragon huffed, shooting a look of annoyance at Trin for letting her prey escape, but obediently flew up toward the rafters and out of sight before anyone realized she was there.

In the meantime, Caleb had scrambled to his feet. He looked at the men, then pointed at Darius. “Seize this terrorist,” he cried.

Darius’s face drained of color as the men flew into action. He turned and started to run but soon found himself surrounded. Trinity grinned. Sorry, Darius. She watched as they approached the Dracken leader, guns drawn, half hoping he’d do something stupid and force them to shoot him where he stood. Instead, he allowed himself to be handcuffed and led away. Wuss. But at least he was out of the picture for now. Hopefully, when they discovered what he’d been planning, they’d lock him up tight and throw away the key.

Trinity turned back to the remaining soldiers, her triumphant smile fading as two men in black suits pushed through the crowd, making their way to center stage where she stood. Two unfortunately very familiar-looking men in black suits.

Oh, crap.

“Miss Foxx, you are under arrest,” the first one declared, pulling a set of handcuffs from his pocket, “for obstruction of justice; assault against two officers of the law; not to mention…”

Suddenly Trinity caught a flash of movement from the balcony above. Her eyes widened as she realized it was none other than Connor himself, trying to get her attention. He gave her a knowing smile, then reached into his bag, casually flipping a silver disc over the railing.

Trinity’s heart leapt. The Bouncer! She caught Caleb’s smirk out of the corner of her eye.

Hope you’re not still afraid of heights, princess.

The silver disc skittered, Connor’s aim perfect, coming in for a landing not two feet in front of her. She grinned, giving the agents a small wave, then hopped onto the disc, flying high into the air, as graceful as a bird—or maybe a dragon—as the agents and operatives watched in dumb disbelief down below. When she’d reached full altitude, she threw herself forward, stretching her arms out to grab the railing looming in front of her. Connor was able to yank her over the balcony before anyone could even think of firing shots in her direction.

She scrambled to her feet. “You, my friend,” she declared, “have impeccable timing.”

He flashed her a grin. “I aim to please. Now come on. My brother tells me you have a mother in need of rescuing.”

“I do indeed,” she agreed. “Let’s go.

They ran through the mall, fast as they could, heading toward the west wing courtyard and the entrance Emmy had made in the wall. Trin hoped no one had discovered the secret passageway behind the tapestry in the last couple of days—the last thing she needed was for it to be blocked up again. After all, it was the only way she knew to get to Mom—and later to freedom.

As they burst into the courtyard, they stopped short, realizing it wasn’t as empty as they’d assumed. In fact, the place was packed full—with dozens of Potentials, some wounded, some huddled in corners, their eyes wide with fright. They must have been trained to regroup here, Trin realized, if any security was breached.

Heart pounding, she scanned the room, taking in all the faces. Had they always looked so young? So innocent? So scared? Her heart lurched. If only there was a way to take them all with her, to free them from this psychotic prison. At the very least, she determined, she could finally tell them the truth.

But Connor had other ideas. “Come on,” he urged, grabbing her arm. “We need to go!”

She shook him off. “Wait,” she said. Then she turned to the Potentials, who were watching her with wary eyes. She drew in a breath. Here went nothing. “Listen to me,” she said, clearing her throat. “The Dracken are not who they say they are. They’re not out to save the world. They’re using dragons to burn it all down and they need your help to do it.” Her gaze darted from one unbelieving face to another. “There’s a door behind this curtain. It leads to a set of stairs and a passageway to a parking garage. You can escape through that. You can all be free.”

“Liar!”

Trinity startled as a girl shot up from the back of the group. Rashida, she realized in dismay. “No,” she forced herself to continue. “The Dracken are the liars, not me. They’ve been lying to you since day one. They—”

“Come on, Trin,” Connor urged, looking more and more worried. “Let’s go.”

But Trin found she couldn’t move.

“Who do you think you are?” Rashida demanded, pushing her way through the frightened crowd. “We welcomed you into our family. We tried to be your friend. And in return you killed our brothers.” Her eyes flashed fire. “And then you invited our enemies into the one place that was supposed to be safe.”

She waved a hand to the other side of the room where a small, bloodied figure lay prostate on the ground. Trinity gasped as she realized it was Malia. Sweet, gamer girl Malia.

“They shot her,” Rashida informed her coldly. “She was trying to run, scared for her life, and your soldiers shot her in the back.”

Oh God.

“Before you came, we were safe. We were cared for. We were protected. Now our world has been torn apart. Our sisters and brothers are dead. You’re the one who deserves to be shot,” she declared. “And a lot worse than that too.”

The room erupted in murmurs of assent, the crowd rising to their feet, their fear now masked with burning hate. Connor grabbed Trinity by the arm.

We have to get out of here, he told her. Now!

Trinity forced a nod, still staring at Malia’s limp frame, tears streaming down her cheeks. This was not how it was supposed to go! She swallowed back the lump in her throat and met Rashida’s eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“Get her!” Rashida commanded the Potentials. “Destroy her!”

The crowd surged, unarmed but frightening in their sheer numbers and rage. Trinity and Connor tried to dash for the hidden door, but the mob blocked their path. Two girls grabbed Trin by her hair, yanking her backward, catching her off balance. As she tumbled to the ground, the mob surrounded her, kicking her and punching her as hard as they could.

Her head swam. Her vision blurred. She fought back best she could, slamming her foot down on one Potential’s ankle while elbowing another in the ribs. At one point, she managed to roll herself over and leap back to her feet, lashing out at any one who came near. But it was only a temporary escape and soon her arms were grabbed and yanked behind her, locking her into submission. A warmth dripped down her face and a copper taste filled her mouth.

Across the room, Connor wasn’t doing much better. They’d pinned him to the ground, a foot securely placed on his throat, preventing any movement. He screamed in rage and fought ferociously, but there were just too many of them to have an effect.

In fact, there was only one thing that could possibly stop them now, she realized.

Emmy! To me!

It was the last thing she wanted to do. They were innocent kids—lied to, deceived, given false hope, with no comprehension of who their leaders really were. But what choice did she have? They would kill her if she didn’t do something soon, leaving the entire world in jeopardy.

Sacrifice one to save the world. It wasn’t at all how she’d imagined it’d go.

“Get out of my way,” she dimly heard a voice at the back of the crowd. She looked up, through blurry eyes, to see Rashida striding toward her. “She’s mine.”

The crowd parted, much as they had that first day at the mall, allowing Rashida through. But this time it wasn’t a friendly hug or a welcome home that the Potential hoped to deliver. Rather a kiss of death. Trin watched as the Indian girl grew closer, her face and hands smeared with blood. Malia’s blood, she realized, her stomach swimming with nausea. And soon hers as well.

Hurry, Emmy.

Rashida stepped up to her, staring at her with eyes filled with venom. “Just tell me one thing,” she hissed, her voice cracking around the edges. “Why?”

“Because,” Trinity croaked, “the world still deserves a chance.”

Rashida slammed her fist into her face, busting Trin’s nose with the impact. Blood splashed onto the Potential’s already bloodied white shirt but she paid it no mind. “That’s for Malia,” she spit out. “And this is for…”

The Potential trailed off, freezing as a shadow crossed over her, hovering just above her head. Slowly, she looked up, finding herself face to face with a small, green, very angry-looking dragon.

“Oh hell,” she muttered.

Trinity squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see, not wanting to witness what she knew had to come. She knew it was necessary. But she also knew it was awful and terrible and cruel. And if she opened her eyes now, she’d never be able to close them again without seeing fire and death beneath her lids.

And so, she waited, like a coward, eyes shutting out a reality she couldn’t bear to face. The sounds of shouting and scrambling erupted all around her, her hands falling free as her captors fled.

Yet strangely, she heard no fire. Felt no heat. Smelled no smoke.

Open your eyes, Trinity.

And so, heart in her throat, she did. Only to find, to her utter astonishment, the room completely empty, save for Connor and Emmy looking at her impatiently.

“What happened?” she whispered, her voice hoarse and confused.

Connor shrugged. “Guess they had a change of heart.”

“But…Rashida!” Her eyes darted around the room, searching for some kind of blackened lump where her former friend had once stood.

“It seems Emmy had a change of heart as well,” Connor informed her in a solemn voice. He looked up at the dragon with something akin to respect. “She withheld her fire. Just scared them a little instead. Seemed to do the trick.”

Trinity couldn’t believe it. Her mind flashed back to the last time. When just a simple knock to her head had thrown the dragon into an uncontrollable rage. This time she’d clearly been at death’s door with a real threat standing in front of her. And yet the dragon had held back her fire. She stared up at Emmy, her eyes filled with questions.

“You didn’t hurt her?” she whispered.

You didn’t want me to, Emmy said with a shrug of her tiny shoulders. So I found another way.

Trinity didn’t know what to say. “Thank you,” was all she could manage. The words seemed so inadequate, but she hoped her dragon understood just the same.

“Come on,” Connor urged. “We’ve wasted too much time already.”

Trinity shook herself, flashing her dragon a grateful look, then ran after him, through the hidden door, down the hall, to the staircase leading to the parking garage. Finally they reached her mother’s chamber and she pushed through the door.

“Mom!” she cried, dropping to her knees in front of her. “We’re here to rescue you! Come on! Get up!” She tugged at her mother’s hand.

But her mother just stared into space, unmoving.

“She’s stuck in the Nether,” Trinity explained to Connor. “She’s been there almost two years, according to Darius.”

Connor frowned. “Then it’s going to be nearly impossible to get her out,” he told her. “Once you’ve spent enough time there, your mind starts losing touch with reality. You probably won’t be able to wake her.”

Trinity frowned. “Well, I’m not leaving her here.” She tried to lift her mother from her chair, but the woman fought her, thrashing blindly until Trin was forced to give up. She bit her lower lip, her mind racing with solutions. “I’ll have to go in there after her,” she concluded. “Talk her into coming out.”

“We don’t have time for that,” Connor said, glancing at the door. “They’re going to figure out where we went and come after us. We need to get Emmy out of here before it’s too late.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not leaving without her.”

“Well, I’m not leaving without you.”

Their eyes met, pinning one another in a strange déjà vu. She remembered how beautiful she thought his eyes were on that first day, as if they would glow in the dark. They still glowed, she realized. But that wasn’t what she liked most about him now.

Just like last time, he gave in first, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. “Did anyone tell you you’re the most stubborn girl in the world?” he muttered, reaching into his pocket and tossing her a ruby.

She grinned. “Maybe once or twice.” Then she turned to Emmy. “Go find Caleb. Make sure he’s okay. Connor, you guard the door. Don’t let anyone through until I’m back.”

Chapter Forty-Two

The blackened landscape stretched out before Trinity, smothered under a blood-red sky. The smell of sulfur burned through the air and a mournful wailing assaulted her ears. Only one path stretched out before her, winding across the desolate landscape to meet tall, gray mountains on the other side. But it was narrow and steep and strangled by thorns, all but impassable to someone on foot.

“Mom?” Trinity cried out, surveying the scene with an encroaching fear. She had known it would be bad here, inside her mom’s self-imposed prison. But she had no idea it would be like this. So black. So dark. So dead. “Are you there?”

The hungry wind devoured her words as soon as she spoke them and returned no reply. But what had she expected? Her mother clearly didn’t want to be found. Straining, she freed her mind, sending it out into the Nether, seeking to pinpoint some hint of her mother’s spark, deeply rooted in this nightmare world. She knew, after two long years, it would be faint at best. At worst, gone entirely.

No, Trin told herself. She lives. She breathes. She has to be here somewhere. And I will find her. I have to find her.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, she felt it: a strange, whirling vibration, fluttering far off in the distance. She squinted her eyes, scanning the horizon, catching the faintest glimmer of light—as dim as a star from another universe, flickering among the mountains’ dark shadows.

“Mom!” she cried, excitement welling up inside of her. “I’m coming! Stay right there! I’m on my way.”

But even as she spoke the words, doubt assaulted her. How would she reach the mountains in time? They had to be fifty miles away and she was on foot. There was no way she’d reach them—

Unless…

She bit her lower lip, considering her options. Caleb had always manifested whatever he needed from the Nether. Could she do something like that herself? But what would she create that would help her? A car? It’d never make the trip up the mountains. An airplane? She’d have no idea how to get it off the ground, never mind land.

Then it came to her. She was in the Nether. A world created by dragons. She drew in a quick, sharp breath and sent out her cry.

“Um, hello? Dragons of the Nether?” she called out, feeling a little silly. “Are you there? I could really use some help!”

At first, there was no reply. So she sent out her plea a second time. Then a third—but still she got no answer. Her heart sank. Could the dragons not hear her? Or were they just unwilling to help?

“Guess I’ll be hoofing it after all,” she muttered, readying herself for that all-important first step. “Hang on, Mom. This could take a while.”

Suddenly, the sky darkened, the air filling with thunder. Trinity looked up, jaw dropping as her eyes fell upon dragons—dozens of dragons—raining down in front of her. Big ones, small ones, red ones, green ones. Every size and every color of the rainbow, all descending before her and landing at her feet. She took a hesitant step backward, swallowing hard as she felt a hundred pairs of eyes look at her with expectancy.

“Um, I didn’t actually need all of you,” she stammered, looking from dragon to dragon. “Wow, there’s quite a few of you here, aren’t there?” she added, not sure what to say.

There was a brief shuffling as the beasts parted down the middle, clearing a pathway for a large, green dragon with golden wings to step through. The dragon walked slowly, deliberately, stopping in front of Trinity and gazing at her with dark blue eyes. Trinity forced down her fear and met her gaze, surprised to realize the dragon looked strangely familiar, though she had no idea why.

“Um, hi,” she managed to spit out. “Thanks for coming. I’m Trinity Foxx. Do you happen to know my friend Emmy? Green dragon, about this high? Has a thing for bloody carcasses?”

The dragon dipped her massive head. I am Lyria. And we all know who you are, Fire Kissed.

Lyria. Trinity scrunched her face. Where had she heard that name before?

And then it hit her.

“You’re Emmy’s mother!” she gasped. No wonder the dragon looked so familiar. She’d seen her during Emmy’s vision. She frowned as she remembered the mother dragon unfurling her massive wings and flying away, abandoning her own child without even saying good-bye.

But then, she reminded herself, she had thought that about her own mother as well once upon a time. And things had not been as they seemed. She needed to give the dragon the benefit of the doubt.

Emberlyn was indeed born of my blood, the dragon before her admitted. But I cannot call myself her mother. I allowed fear to steal that right from me on a day long ago. A day I have regretted ever since. Her eyes leveled on Trinity. I hope you will not make the same mistake as I did.

Trinity shook her head fiercely, thinking back to her tiny dragon, resting on her shoulders, chirping in her ears. Her heart filled with love. With a protectiveness that shot straight to her core. “I won’t leave Emmy behind,” she promised the mother dragon. “No matter what happens. We’re a team. And we’ll take on the entire world if we have to.”

Then you are her true mother now.

Trinity felt a warm glow at the dragon’s words, knowing how difficult it must have been for her to say them. Behind her, the other dragons snorted and grunted their agreement.

“Thank you,” she said simply, not sure what else to say. “I’ll take good care of your daughter. I promise. And any other dragons I come across in the meantime.” She thought about the mutated dragons from the Dracken’s lab. Those poor souls. Somehow she needed to save them too.

We will be watching you, Fire Kissed, Lyria continued. The fate of the entire dragon race is in your hands.

Wow. Talk about putting on the pressure. Half of her wanted to protest—to say it was too much for one girl. But as her gaze roamed over their hopeful faces, their beseeching eyes, she realized she couldn’t disappoint them. They believed in her. It was time she started believing in herself as well.

She forced a smile to her lips. “You can count on me,” she declared. Then she squared her shoulders. “But first I have a favor to ask.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Just do it. Do it now and be done with it.

Connor stared down at Trinity’s limp body, unguarded and completely helpless as she traversed the Nether. He toed her lightly with his boot, but she didn’t move. Whatever was happening in there, she was obviously in deep—so deep she probably wouldn’t even wake up. It would be over in a second. Quick and painless. She’d never know he’d done it. And the world would finally be free.

Come on, you coward. This is what you trained for!

It was his father’s voice he heard jeering in his head—taunting him, torturing him, reminding him of how far he’d strayed from his mission. He’d come here to save the world, his father reminded him. So why had he just gone and saved the one girl who was destined to destroy it instead?

She’s not like that. She wouldn’t do it. She doesn’t deserve to die.

Are you so sure about that? his father demanded. Are you willing to bet the world on it? ’Cause that’s what you’re doing by allowing her and her dragon to live: risking millions of lives. My life. You already killed me once, Connor. Are you prepared to make that same mistake again?

Connor hung his head as memories of that day swam through his mind—the dragon blasting his father; his father falling to the ground, engulfed in flames; the realization that it was all his fault.

He’d promised Trinity he’d find another way. But that was before he’d seen how easily things could spiral out of control. If he hadn’t gotten there in time today—if he hadn’t been able to rally the troops to raid—Emmy would now be in the hands of the Dracken and Trinity would be dead anyway. And once again, it would be his fault.

He could do it now and no one would know it was him. They’d assume it was one of the Dracken. Or one of the soldiers. And the world would be safe forever.

Sacrifice one to save the world. It had been his mission from the start.

He stared down at Trinity’s unconscious body, her mouth set in a determined frown, as if daring him to do the deed. She was so stubborn. Even at the edge of death she was so damned stubborn and strong—not to mention selfless. Back in the courtyard she could have easily run by the Potentials, left them to their delusions. But she’d tried to help them instead. Tried to get them to see the truth—to save their lives—and it had almost cost her her own life.

But it hadn’t. Because Emmy had come. The violent, rage-filled creature who should have acted on character, letting loose a mighty holocaust across the entire hall, had somehow, some way resisted millions of years of instinct. She’d acted rationally. Peacefully. Almost human in her analysis of the situation. She’d taken what had happened the last time and used it to guide her actions this time around.

Which meant she could be taught. She could be trained.

But was it worth the risk?

“It’s worth it. And she’s worth it too.”

Connor whirled around to find his brother had silently stepped into the room. Caleb didn’t appear armed, but the look on his face told Connor he was ready for a fight. Of course that wouldn’t stop the Hunter from pulling the trigger first. All along he’d known there was the possibility he’d have to give his own life to the cause. That didn’t scare him.

But, he realized, glancing over at the Fire Kissed, a world without Trinity did.

“Don’t worry, I can’t do it,” he said with a long, slow sigh, partially to her, partially to his brother, but mostly to himself. “Even if I wanted to. Even if I knew for sure that the apocalypse would come.” He dropped his gun to the ground, then sank to his knees, scrubbing his face with his hands. “I’m sorry, Dad. Once again I’ve let you down.”

Caleb stared down at the gun, then over at his brother, an unreadable look on his face. He reached for the weapon, wrapping his fingers around the hilt. Connor gritted his teeth, readying himself for the pain that he knew would come. He only prayed his brother would act quickly, cleanly, and not make him suffer.

Instead, his brother stuffed the gun into the waistband of his pants. “Did you ever go back and read the autopsy report?” he asked slowly, surprising Connor with the question. “The one they did on the dragon that killed our father?”

What? What did that have to do with anything? Connor shook his head, puzzled. “No. Uh, why, did you?” What was his brother trying to get at?

“I did. Two years ago. Just before I agreed to go back in time with the Dracken. The Council keeps detailed reports on every kill, you know, and it’s all public record, not that many people bother to check them out.” He paused, then added, “I don’t know why I did it. Maybe I was trying to talk myself out of going. To convince myself that you were doing the right thing by destroying the egg. That dragons actually were evil and that I shouldn’t try to stop you from wiping them out.”

“So what did it say?” Connor asked, curious despite himself. “What could it have possibly said to convince you that dragons were worth saving?”

“That she was pregnant.”

“Wait, what?” Connor shook his head. “No. That’s impossible. If she was pregnant, she would have been nesting. She wouldn’t have been flying over the Strata in the first place.”

“She wasn’t. At least not until Dad drew her out with his Hunter’s song. He was a very powerful Hunter, as you know. He pushed her, convinced her to leave the safety of her nest—all so he could kill her.”

“But that’s illegal,” Connor protested weakly, feeling as if his world was sliding out from under him. His father—his hero father—why would he do such a thing? It was Dragon Hunting 101; you never lured a dragon into a populated area on purpose. It was far too risky. “Why would Dad do that?”

“He needed the silver,” Caleb replied. “Our family was hungry. Mom was sick.”

“So he was trying to protect his children then.”

“Just as the dragon was trying to protect hers,” Caleb concluded. His eyes pierced his brother’s. “So now, Connor, tell me this. Was the dragon who killed our father an evil creature consumed by blood lust? Or a desperate mother, doing whatever she could to save her babies from an evil man who was trying to kill them?”

Connor hung his head. “I don’t know,” he said quietly. “I just don’t know anymore.” He stared down at his hands, thoughts whirling madly.

“In any case,” Caleb declared after a moment, “you can relax. I’m not going to kill you.” He glanced over at Trinity. “For one thing, she wouldn’t want me to.”

Connor looked up. “She should,” he said with a grimace. “She’d be safer if I were gone.”

His twin shrugged. “She sees good in you,” he said simply. “And judging from the fact that you didn’t kill her when you had the chance makes me think she might be right.” He gave his brother a rueful look. “I should have listened to you about the Dracken,” he admitted. “Deep down, I suppose, I always knew they were too good to be true.” He sighed. “I guess I just wanted a chance to be noticed for once. To be a hero.” He rolled his eyes. “What a duffer, right?”

“No.” Connor shook his head. “You fought for what you believed in—risked your life for it, even. And the fact that the people you trusted didn’t prove worthy of that trust doesn’t take away from what you tried to do.” He gave his brother a crooked smile. “I guess in a way we both came back in time on the same mission, you know? To save the world. Sadly, neither one of us had any real idea how to do it.”

Caleb seemed to consider this. “Maybe we’ve been thinking too big,” he declared after a pause. “Maybe instead of saving the world, we should just concentrate on saving one girl. And one dragon, of course.” He grinned. “What do you think? Think we can manage something like that between the two of us?”

Connor laughed despite himself. “Why not?” he said. “I mean, two of us, two of them? How hard could it be?”

Chapter Forty-Four

Lyria sank to a quiet landing on the side of the cliff, lowering her wing and allowing Trinity to slide off her back and onto the ground. She nodded her head in the direction of a small cave, cut into the side of the cliff. You will find your mother there, she said in a throaty voice. I hope she can give you the answers you’re looking for.

Trinity reached out, her heart overflowing as she stroked the dragon’s nose. “How can I ever thank you?” she asked. “I never would have made it without you.”

Actually… Lyria started, then trailed off. There is one thing…

“What is it? What can I do?”

Let Emberlyn know how sorry I am. And that I hope one day she can forgive me.

The mighty dragon looked down at Trinity with huge baleful eyes, overflowing with sorrow. Trin gave her a rueful smile, then reached out, wrapping her arms around the beast’s thick neck. “I’m sure she will,” she promised the dragon. “Someday you guys will be reunited again. Just like me and my mom.”

Lyria nodded, then nudged Trinity softly with her snout before unfurling her wings and lifting back into the sky. Trinity watched her go, feeling both wistful and hopeful. If Emmy and her mom could find peace, maybe there was hope for her as well. She turned to the cave.

“Here goes nothing.” And she dove in.

The light from outside dimmed and the walls started closing in as Trinity pushed deeper and deeper into the cave. Soon it was so tight she had to drop to her hands and knees and crawl her way through. A horrifying claustrophobia pressed at her chest, but still she pushed forward. She couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when she’d come so far. Instead, she concentrated on her mother’s spark, just up ahead, and crawled on. She was almost there.

After what seemed an eternity, the narrow passageway finally opened up into a clearing, allowing her to straighten to full height. Relieved, she pulled herself to her feet, sucking in a long, hard breath and looking around, her jaw dropping as she recognized where she was.

Home. Not her grandpa’s home but her mother’s home—the house they’d shared just before that fateful Christmas Eve. The same blue shutters. The same red mailbox. The same bushes sparkling with the same Christmas lights.

She was home. Really, truly home.

Unnerved, she forced herself up the steps and through the front door, déjà vu hitting her hard and fast. When she pushed open the door, she half expected to stumble upon the nightmare all over again. A bloodied corpse. A shotgun by its side.

But that didn’t really happen, she reminded herself. That wasn’t Mom.

And so she dared to step over the threshold, trying to prepare herself for anything.

“Trinity! You’re home!”

She looked up, her eyes widening as none other than her mother herself stepped out from the kitchen, carrying a plate of freshly baked cookies. She was dressed in a red velvet dress, a checkered apron tied to her waist. Her hair was pulled up into her familiar ponytail and she even wore some makeup on her face. She looked fresh and healthy and happy. And not the least bit insane. As she walked over to her daughter, as if she’d seen her just a few hours before, she held out the plate.

“You must be starving!” she said. “Dinner will be here soon. In the meantime, a few cookies won’t ruin your appetite, right?”

Trinity slowly reached out, feeling half in a daze as she took a cookie from the plate and put it to her lips. It was sweet and buttery, just like a cookie should be, and she bit back a groan of delight.

“Good, right?” her mother asked.

“Amazing,” she concurred. But she wasn’t just talking about the baked goods.

After taking another bite, she looked around the room, trying to sort things through. It was all there, identical to how it had been—the same simple furnishings, the same cheery Christmas tree. The only difference was the presents underneath weren’t stained with blood as they had been the first time around. And there was no body sprawled out in the middle of the floor, no head blown to smithereens.

She turned to her mother. She had a million things she wanted to say. Instead, “I thought you were dead!” was all that came from her lips.

Her mother gave a shrill laugh. “Dead? Please. Can a dead woman dance like this?” She flittered around the room, using the plate of cookies as her dance partner. Trinity watched her, tears misting her eyes as she remembered all the dance parties they’d had over the years. Whirling around the room until they collapsed in dizzy glee.

“Oh, Mom,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Her mother stopped dancing, her eyes twinkling merrily. “If you’re buttering me up for Chinese food, you needn’t bother. I’ve already placed the order and your grandpa’s picking it up on his way over here. Extra duck sauce, just as you like it.” She clapped her hands in excitement, bouncing up and down. “Oh, Trinity, this is going to be the best Christmas ever!”

Just like she’d promised.

This was how it was supposed to be, Trinity realized suddenly, things finally sliding into place. This was the Christmas Eve I was supposed to have.

She sank down onto the couch, watching her mother rummage through the presents under the tree. She realized she’d never unwrapped a single one the first time around—she’d been too traumatized and they had eventually donated everything to Goodwill instead. Meaning she had no idea what her mother had picked out for her.

She was about to find out.

Mom crowed triumphantly as she found the present she’d been looking for. Lifting it from the pile, she set it on Trinity’s lap, her face shining as she looked from the gift to her daughter. “Here you go, honey,” she said. “You can open this one early. Just don’t tell your grandpa. He thinks everyone should wait till Christmas morning.”

Trin drew in a breath, bit her lower lip, then carefully undid the wrapping. She knew she should be hurrying—they were running out of time in the real world—but it was so nice to be here—to finally be allowed to live through that stolen day—she couldn’t help but drag out the moment a little longer. Pulling off the paper, she gasped as she found an ornate golden music box inside. Lifting the lid revealed a small princess, pirouetting to a simple tune.

She looked up. “Oh, Mom, it’s your music box!”

She’d wondered where the box had disappeared to when they’d come back to clean out the house. She never would have guessed her mom had wrapped it and put it under the tree. It must have gone to charity, along with the rest of the presents.

Her mother smiled, her eyes misting with tears. “Your father gave me this,” she told Trinity. “He told me when you were old enough that I should give it to you.”

Her father. Trinity turned to her mother, realizing this might be her one and only opportunity to know. “What happened to my father?” she asked in barely a whisper.

But before her mother could answer, the room started to shake. The walls began to buckle and a long crack ripped down the ceiling. Trinity grabbed on to her mother, her eyes darting around the room, terror gripping her like a vise.

“Mom, we have to go!” she cried. “We can’t be here anymore!” The dream world was collapsing. They didn’t have much time.

“But your grandpa’s coming over,” her mom protested. “We’re about to celebrate Christmas.”

Trinity shook her head. “Mom, this never happened. It’s all in your mind, holding you trapped here. It’s time to wake up so we can escape!”

Her mother’s face crumbled. “No,” she whispered. “I don’t want to go back.”

“Mom, you have to. You can’t stay here! You don’t know what they plan to do!”

Her mom broke away, her face white and her eyes terrified. “Do you think I don’t know?” she whispered hoarsely. “I’ve always known. Your father told me. And I was going to tell you. They took me away before I could!”

Trinity had no idea what her mother was talking about, but it didn’t matter now. The carefully constructed dream world was collapsing out from under them and if they didn’t leave now, they would be trapped here forever.

“Please, Mom!” she begged, tears running down her face. “Come with me!”

But her mother only reached out, swiping away Trin’s tears with careful fingers. She looked at her daughter with fondness in her eyes as she slowly shook her head. “I was waiting to give you your Christmas,” she told her gently. “To keep the promise I made. Now I have. And I’m free to go. Now I can finally say good-bye.” She leaned forward to press a kiss on Trinity’s forehead. “I love you, baby girl. Merry Christmas.”

Trinity closed her eyes, trying to memorize the moment as best she could. A single, perfect moment to relive over and over again for the rest of her life.

“I love you too, Mom,” she whispered. “Merry Christmas at last.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Trinity burst from the Nether, the gem’s dust seeping through her hands. She looked up to find Connor and Caleb watching her with strained faces. She turned to look at her mother. Her eyes had closed. Her face relaxed. Her mouth turned up at the corners in a serene-looking smile. Free at last, just as she’d wanted.

Two years ago, her mother had promised her a real Christmas in a real home. A family Christmas, just as Trin had always begged for. And so she’d held on, all this time, waiting patiently in the Nether for her daughter to finally come home. So she could keep her promise at last.

“Good-bye, Mom,” Trinity whispered, reaching out to trace a cold cheek with her fingers. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. The woman had clung to life two years longer than the universe had intended her to; now it was time to let her go. Trin smiled down at her mother, then pulled the emerald ring from her finger and slipped it into her hand.

I’m a lot like Mom, she said to herself. And the thought made her smile.

“Come on,” Connor urged, interrupting. “We have to get out of here. Now!”

Trin nodded, forcing her mind back to the present. But as she rose to her feet, something fell from her lap. She looked down, shocked to find the music box her mother had given her while in the Nether now lying at her feet. How did she bring it back with her? That should have been impossible…

“Come on, Trin!” Caleb urged. “Let’s go!”

She grabbed the box and ran, deciding to puzzle it out later, following the two boys out of the room and down the dark hallway. Emmy met them at the split, her eyes anxious and her expression grim.

They’re coming! she cried. Hurry!

“Wait!” Trinity protested. “What about the other dragons?”

Caleb shook his head. “There’s nothing left,” he told her. “The other Dracken must have come by and taken the healthy ones with them, then burned the rest so the government couldn’t extract their DNA. There’s just ashes down there. Nothing left to save.”

Trinity could feel Emmy’s horror rising within her and tried to send comforting thoughts to her dragon to ease her distress. The last thing she needed was for Emmy to lose control now. But deep inside, she couldn’t help but worry. Darius had been captured, but the other Dracken were still at large. And they had dragons at their disposal—maybe not the healthiest of dragons, but dragons all the same.

This is not over, she realized, a cold chill creeping into her bones. Not by a long shot.

But for now, there was nothing they could do. And so they raced through the parking garage, toward the elevator, getting on board and shooting up to the world above. When the doors slid open, they tumbled out the back of the mall. The sun was so bright Trinity was forced to squint. It had been so long she’d almost forgotten what it looked like.

“Come on,” Connor urged, grabbing her hand. “This way!”

She followed him to a black van parked nearby. He yanked open the door, then ushered her inside. She crawled in, her eyes widening as she realized who was driving their getaway vehicle.

“Grandpa!” she cried, throwing her arms around him and squeezing him tight—the real-life hug a thousand times better than the Fields of Fantasy one had been. She breathed in deep, rejoicing in the faint scent of tobacco clinging to his shirt. She’d have to scold him about smoking later. Right now she was just too happy to see him.

“Welcome home, kiddo!” he said with a grin.

Trinity laughed. “There’s no place like it,” she declared. And this time, she meant it.

Grandpa chuckled, then turned the key in the ignition. The van roared to life and they pulled out of the parking lot and into the night. Soon they were speeding down the highway, the mall and all its horrors fading into the distance. Emmy settled comfortably on Trin’s shoulder, resting her head against the backseat, purring happily. As if to tell her, my home is wherever you are.

Trinity watched the mall disappear out the back window until she could see it no more. Then she turned to the boys.

“So now what?” she asked. “Got any ideas of what we should do next?”

The boys looked at one another and smiled, as if sharing a secret joke.

“Now we raise a dragon,” Connor replied.

“And,” Caleb added, “make sure she doesn’t destroy the world.”