CONTENTS
HALF-TITLEPAGE
TITLEPAGE
DEDICATION
MAPOFPANTALA
AGUIDETOTHEDRAGONSOFPANTALA
HIVEWINGS
SILKWINGS
LEAFWINGS
THELOSTCONTINENTPROPHECY
PROLOGUE
PARTONE
CHAPTER1
CHAPTER2
CHAPTER3
CHAPTER4
CHAPTER5
CHAPTER6
CHAPTER7
CHAPTER8
CHAPTER9
PARTTWO
CHAPTER10
CHAPTER11
CHAPTER12
CHAPTER13
CHAPTER14
CHAPTER15
PARTTHREE
CHAPTER16
CHAPTER17
CHAPTER18
CHAPTER19
CHAPTER20
CHAPTER21
CHAPTER22
EPILOGUE
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
ALSOAVAILABLE
COPYRIGHT
Description:red,yellow,and/ororange,butalwaysmixedwithsomeblackscales;fourwings
Abilities:varyfromdragontodragon;examplesincludedeadlystingersthatcanextendfromtheirwriststostabtheirenemies;venomintheirteethorclaws;aparalyzingtoxinthatcanimmobilizetheirprey;orboilingacidsprayedfromastingerontheirtails
Queen:QueenWasp
Description:SilkWingdragonetsarebornwingless,butgothroughametamorphosisatagesix,whentheydevelopfourhugewingsandsilk-spinningabilities;asbeautifulandgentleasbutterflies,withscalesinanycolorunderthesun,exceptblack
Abilities:canspinsilkfromglandsontheirwriststocreatewebsorotherwoven
articles;candetectvibrationswiththeirantennaetoassessthreats
Queen:QueenWasp(thelastSilkWingqueen,beforetheTreeWars,wasQueenMonarch)
Description:wipedoutduringtheTreeWarswiththeHiveWings,butwhiletheylived,thistribehadgreenandbrownscalesandwingsshapedlikeleaves
Abilities:couldabsorbenergyfromsunlightandwereaccomplishedgardeners;somewererumoredtohaveunusualcontroloverplants
Queen:lastknownqueenoftheLeafWingswasQueenSequoia,aboutfiftyyearsago,atthetimeoftheTreeWars
Turnyoureyes,yourwings,yourfireTothelandacrosstheseaWheredragonsarepoisonedanddragonsaredyingAndnoonecaneverbe
free.
Asecretlurksinsidetheireggs.Asecrethideswithintheirbook.
AsecretburiedfarbelowMaysavethosebraveenoughtolook.
Openyourhearts,yourminds,yourwingsTothedragonswhofleefromtheHive.
FaceagreatevilwithtalonsunitedOrnoneofthetribeswillsurvive.
TheoceansweptacrossMoon’sclaws,asdarkandspeckledwithstarsasherownscales.
She’dalwaysthoughtoftheseaastheedgeoftheworld.Onceyougotthere,thatwasit;youcouldn’tgoanyfarther.
Butnowsheknewthatwasn’ttrue.Adragonhadbeenblownashore,allthewayfromacrosstheocean—a
dragonfromatribenobodyinPyrrhiahadeverseenbefore.Adragonwithfourwingsinsteadoftwo;adragonwithlongfurlingantennaeandscaleslikeslicedgemsandtheabilitytospinsilkthatburned.
Lunawasproofthattherewasacontinentfarontheothersideofthesea,filledwithstrangedragons.
Dragonswhoneedmyhelp,shesays.Moonshivered.Thatcouldn’tberight.Theydidn’tneedher,ofalldragons.ItwasMoon’sfaultthatDarkstalkerhadnearlytakenoverallofPyrrhia;her
faultthathe’dkilledsomanyIceWings,includingtheirqueen.She’dseentoomuchgoodinhimandnotenoughofthebad.Itwastoosoonforhertotrustanotherdragonwithastoryofpersecution.Shewantedtousehervisionstohelptheworld…butshewasnotreadytohavethefateofanymoretribesinhertalons.
ButLunawantedMoontosavealltheSilkWings.LunathoughtMoonwasthesecondcomingofClearsight,whowasapparentlythenumberonebelovedancientgoddessofPantala.
So,nopressurethere.Shecantelluswhat’sgoingtohappennext!Luna’sbrainsang.Shecansee
everythingtheHiveWingswilldo!ShecanpredictQueenWasp’snextmoveandthentheChrysaliswillknowhowtostopher!
Itwaslikethatalldaylong.LunahadextremelygrandideasofMoon’s
abilitiesandshiningdreamsofhowtheywouldchangeeverything.Shewassowoundup,infact,aboutMoon’sabilitytoseethefuturethat
Moonhadn’tquitefoundthecourageyettotellhershecouldalsoreadminds.Itwasreallyawkward,hearingallofLuna’sthoughtsaboutherandQibli
andJerboa,andhonestlyitwasgettingmoreawkwardeverymomentthatMoondidn’ttellher.Ifshe’dhadanyextraskyfire,shewouldhaveslippedittoLunasomehow,tosilencethepileupofexpectations.Butshedidn’thaveany,sotellingherwouldn’thelpmuchanyway.
Ishould,though.It’swrongnotto.Moonsighed.She’sseeingthefutureRIGHTNOW!cameathought,loudandclear,from
rightbehindher.MoonwincedandturnedaroundtofindLunaboundingoverthesand.Well,tryingtoboundoverthesand.Thesandhadawayofsinkingoutsuddenlyfromunderone’stalons,soitwasimpossibletogetanysortofboundingrhythm.
ThosewerepartlyLuna’sthoughts.Moonsometimesgottangledupwiththemwhentheyweretooclosetoherown.Shewasn’tsurewhy,buttherewassomethingmoreentanglingaboutLuna’smindthanotherdragons’.
“Whyareyououtherebyyourself?”Lunaasked,settlingnexttoMooninasprayofsand.
“Iliketolookatthemoonssometimes,”Moonanswered,andthenlaughed.“That’smywholename,actually.Moonwatcher.”
“Mynamemeans‘moon’intheoldlanguage,didyouknowthat?”Lunaasked.“Nowit’sakindofmoth.”Shedugatinyholeinthesandinfrontofheranddroppedathreadofflamesilkintoit.TheglowwarmedMoon’stalons.
“Ididn’tknowthat,”Moonsaid,butshelikedhearingit.ItmadeherfeelalittleclosertoLuna,whocouldbeabitintensesometimes.“What’stheoldlanguage?”
Lunashrugged.“Idon’tknow…thelanguageeveryonespokeinPantalabeforeClearsightarrived?”
“Clearsightchangedyourlanguage?”Moonsaid,surprised.“Ithinkso.Iheardastoryonce,anyway,thatweallspeakDragonbecause
ofher.”
ThatexplainedwhythePantalansandPyrrhianscouldunderstandeachother,butMoonwasstillpuzzled.Whydidn’tClearsightlearntheirlanguageinstead?
Maybesheforesawthatwe’dneedtocommunicatewitheachotheroneday.Ormaybeshejusthopedforit.“Areyouhavingavision?”Lunaaskedhopefully.“No!”Moonsaid.“Sorry…no,nothingyet.”Luna’swingssliddownintothesandandshepickedupaseashell,fiddling
withitasthoughfocusingonitwouldkeepherfromcrying.“Iamreallysorry,Luna,”Moonsaid.“Idon’tknowhowtogetyoubackto
Pantala.Nothinginmyvisionshasshownmethat.”“I’mworriedaboutmylittlebrother,”Lunasaid,throwingtheseashellinto
theocean.“AndSwordtail.Hemustbelosinghismind.”“Qibliwillthinkofsomething,”Moonsaid.“Heusuallydoes.”She
hesitated.“Luna…Idon’tknowifit’sagoodideatotellyouthis,butI’vebeenhearingaprophecyinmyhead.”
“Aprophecy?”Lunaechoed.“ItstartedwithmyvisionofyouinJerboa’shut.Icouldhearafewwords—
andnow,wheneverI’mwithyou,itgetsclearerandclearer.Idon’tcompletelyunderstandit.AndI’mafraiditmightscareyou.”
“I’mnoteasilyscared,”Lunasaid.“Pleasetellme.”Moonsensedmovementbehindher,andthenafewstraygrumbling
thoughtsinavoicesherecognized.Qiblihadreturnedsuccessful,then.Well,hecouldhearthis,andsocouldthetwodragonswithhim.
ShetookLuna’stalonsbetweenherown,closedhereyes,andlethermindclearsothewordsoftheprophecycouldflowthroughher.Shedidnotlovethisbit.Crypticrhymingprophecieswerenotasusefulasvisions,inheropinion,andthelastonehadgonetoaprettyterrifyingplace.Butthelastonehadalsosavedherandherfriends,soshecouldn’tignorethem.
“Turnyoureyes,yourwings,yourfire,”shewhispered,“tothelandacrossthesea.”ShefeltLuna’sshiverallthroughherownscales.
“Wheredragonsarepoisoned,anddragonsaredying,
Andnoonecaneverbefree.Asecretlurksinsidetheireggs.Asecrethideswithintheirbook.AsecretburiedfarbelowMaysavethosebraveenoughtolook.Openyourhearts,yourminds,yourwingsTothedragonswhofleefromtheHive.FaceagreatevilwithtalonsunitedOrnoneofthetribeswillsurvive.”
Silencefell.Moontookafewdeepbreaths.“Iknowthesecretinthebook,”Lunasaidthoughtfully,“butwhat’sthe
secretintheeggs?Andtheburiedone…maybethat’stheflamesilks.Noonecaneverbefree,that’sdefinitelytrue.Agreatevil.Hmm…maybetheHiveWingsarethegreatevil?”
“Yeesh,”Qiblisaid,comingupandnudgingoneofMoon’swingswithhis.“Didn’twejustfaceagreatevil?Thatshouldcount,Isay,ifanyoneasksme.Greatevil,faced.Done.Takeitofftheto-dolist.”
Sheopenedhereyesandsmiledathim.“Soundslikeanewgreatevil,”theirfriendTurtlesaidnervouslyfrom
besidehim.“CanIvotenoonanymoregreatevilsinourlifetime?”“Hey,Turtle,”Moonsaid.“Hey,Tsunami.”ThetallblueSeaWingfounderofJadeMountainAcademygaveheran
exasperatedface.“Moon,”shesaid.“IfeellikeIwasreallyclearaboutnothavinganythingtodowithanymoreprophecies.”
“Theyjusthappentome,”Moonprotested.“I’msorry!”“Moon,”Lunawhispered,pokinghersurreptitiouslywithhertail.“Whoare
thesedragons?”“Oh—sorry,ofcourse,”Moonsaid.“Luna,thisisourfriendTurtleandhis
sister,Tsunami.They’refromtheSeaWingtribe.Thankyouforgoingtogetthem,Qibli.”
“Well,IthoughtthatmaybeTurtleherecouldmakeussomething,”Qiblisaidcarefully,“whichwouldperhapstakeusacrosstheocean.SothatLunacan
gethome.”“Oh?”Lunasaid,squintingatTurtle.“Likemysilksail?”“Butonewecansteer—orsomethinglikethat,”Moonsaid.SheandQibli
hadagreedthattheyshouldwaittotellLunaaboutanimusmagic.IfshegotthisexcitedandfullofgloriousvengefulplansoverMoon’sfuture-seeing,goodnessknowshowshewouldfeelaboutrealmagicandallthethingsitcoulddotoherenemytribe.
Thingswecan’tletherdo,QibliandMoonagreed.Animusmagicwastoodangerous.
Butsomethingmadebyanimusmagicthatcouldgetherhome—thatwouldn’thurtanyone.QiblihadofferedtoaskTurtleifhe’dbewillingtodothat.
“Right,”Turtlesaid.“Makesomething.Sohere’sthething.Ican’t.”“Oh,”Moonsaid.“That’sallright,Turtle,weunderstand.Yoursoul—”“No,no,”Turtlesaid,lookingworried.“That’snotit.Imean,Iactuallytried
and…Ican’t.”QiblimadeafaceatMoon,like“It’strue!Ihavenoideawhy!”“Luna,”Moonsaid.“Canyougiveusamoment?”“Sure.”Thefour-wingeddragonturnedandtrudgedslowlybacktoJerboa’s
hut,limpingonherinjuredankle.IknewIshouldn’thavegottenmyhopesup,hermindthoughtsadly,andMoonfeltawfulforher.
“Poorlostdragon,”Tsunamisaid.“Itmustbesoweirdforhertobehere,surroundedbystrangers,withnowaytogethome.”
“Sowhat’swrong,Turtle?”MoonaskedassoonasLunawasoutofearshot.“Idon’tknow!”Turtlesaid,flinginguphiswings.“Ican’tdoanyanimus
spellsallofasudden!I’vetriedallkindsoflittlethingsandnothingworks!”“Threemoons,”shesaid,blinkinginconfusionandalarm.“Here’sthereallyweirdpart—Idon’tthinkAnemonecan,either,”hesaid.
“RightbeforeQiblicametogetus,shewastellingmeaboutaspellshetriedtorestoreTamarin’ssight.I’dbeenthinkingoftryingoneforStarflight’s,sowewerecomparingnotes.Butshesaiditdidn’twork,andshecouldn’tfigureoutwhy.”
TurtleturnedtogiveQibliaseverelook.“Isuspect,”hesaid,“thatQibli
brokeanimusmagic.”“ME?”Qiblicried.“WhatdidIdo?”“Thesoulspells!”Turtlesaid.“Rememberhowyoucarefullyplannedthem
outwithus?Toprotectoursoulsandmakesurewecanonlydomagicthatdoesn’taffectanotherdragon’sfreewill?”
“Andnomagicthat’sselfishlymotivated,”Qiblisaid.“Right.Weallagreedsafeguardswouldbehelpful.”
“ExceptIthinkitruledouteverything,”Turtlesaid.“Maybeeverythingwedocouldbeconsidered‘selfishlymotivated’oraffectsomeone’sfreewillinsomeway.Sonownoneofourspellswork.”
“Ohmygoodness,”saidMoon.“Thatis—no,that’s—that’sridiculous,”Qibliprotested.“Ididnotbreak
animusmagic.IdonotthinkIbrokeanimusmagic.Thatmakesno—letmethinkaboutthis.”
“Didyoutrytakingoffyoursoulspellobjectstoseeifitwouldworkwithoutthem?”Moonasked.
“Anemonedidn’twantto,”Turtlesaid,“butIdid,justtotryasmallspell,anditstilldidn’twork.”HepointedatQibli.“Broken.”
“Ifitstilldidn’tworkwithoutthesoulspell,thenit’snotthesoulspell,”Qiblisaid.“Andthereforenotmewhobrokeanimusmagic.”
“Itreallyfeelslikeitisyou,though,”Turtlesaid.“Maybesomethingelseisgoingon,”Moonsaid,worried.Darkstalker
flashedthroughhermind,makingplans,tinkeringwithdragons’powers.Sheknewhewasgonenow;he’dbeenturnedintoadragonetwithnopowersandnomemoryofhispast.Butsometimesinhernightmareshestillmanagedtomesswithherfriends.“Whatifsomeoneelsedidthistoyou?”Orleftsomethingbehindthatdidthistoyou—somekindofsafeguard.Hecouldhavedonethat,couldn’the?Soifheeverlosthispowers,sowouldeveryoneelse?
“Thereisn’tanyonewhocoulddothat,”Qiblisaidgently.He’dhadtowakeherupfromsomeofthosenightmares,soheknewwhatshewasthinkingasclearlyasthoughhehadmind-readingabilities,too.“Thisisjustaglitch,notasinisterplan.We’llfixit.”
“WhataboutJerboa?”Tsunamiasked.“Ishermagicworking?She’sananimusdragon,too,right?”
animusdragon,too,right?”“Sortof.Butshe’sananimusdragonwhowon’ttouchhermagic,”Moon
said.“Wecan’taskherforhelpwiththis.”“Well,allright,thenlet’snot,”Tsunamisaid.“Youguys,wedon’tneed
animusmagic.”“Wedon’t?”Turtletippedhisheaduptolookather.Tsunamigrinnedwithallherteeth.“MyfriendsandIsolvedplentyof
problemswithoutanimusmagic,thankyouverymuch.It’scalledbeingresourceful.Andsmart.Andtotallyheroic,nopropheciesrequired.”
“Allright,SmartyMcSquid,”Turtlesaid.“Sohowwouldyouandyourresourceful,heroicfriendssolvethisproblem?”
“Well,steponeisweneedmoreinformation,right?”Tsunamisaid.“WewanttogoovertheretoseeifLuna’sstoriesarealltrue.Tofindoutwhat’sreallygoingonandwhetherweshouldgetinvolved.”
“Ithinkshe’stellingthetruth,fromwhatIcanseeinhermind,”Moonsaid,“butitishardtogetafullpictureofthesituation.Iwishwecouldgoscoutitoutandseeifthereisawaywecanhelpher.”
“Maybealsowhatthegreatevilis?”Qiblisuggested.“Aheads-upaboutthatwouldbesuper.”
“Soweneedtogettotheothercontinent,”Tsunamisaid.“Wedon’tneedamagicflyingsailthingtodothat.”
“Oh,ah,”Qiblisaid.“Well,Imean.Ididthinkofthis.It’swhyIgotyoutwo,specifically.Justsowe’reclearthatIthoughtofthisfirst.”
“Thoughtofwhat?”Turtleasked.“Togettothelostcontinent,Turtle,”Tsunamisaid,sweepingonewingout
towardtheocean,“allyouandIhavetodoisswimthere.”
Formostofherlife,Cricket’sbestfriendswerebooks.Booksacceptedyouthewayyouwereandsharedalltheirsecretswithyou.Booksnevertoldyoutostopaskingquestionsoraccusedyouofbeingnosy
andannoying.Booksneversaid,“Cricket,youdon’tneedtoknowthat,mindyourownbusiness.”
Inbooks,everythinghadanexplanation.Sheespeciallylikednonfiction:lotsoffactsandthingshadtomakesense.Ifaquestioncameup,eventuallyyougottheanswer.Everymysterywassolvedbytheend.Factsfittogether.Whenyouwantedsomethingexplained,thereitwas,withnowhisperingorcoldstaresorslammeddoors.
Anotherthingshelikedaboutbookswasthefactthatoneofthemhadprobablysavedherlife.
ItwasagiantbookcalledTheArchitectureoftheHives,ExpandedEdition—nowwithsectionsonHydroponicsandSilkBridges!,which,technically,belongedtohermother,andtherefore,technically,wasoff-limitsto“tinygrubbydragonettalons,”whichwaswhytwo-year-oldCricketwashidinginacupboardwithitthefirsttimeeveryonelosttheirminds.
“Whyisthisbooksoinlovewithitself?”littleCricketmuttered.Allshe’dwantedtoknowwashowtogetfromherhomeinCicadaHivetotheTempleofClearsightinWaspHive,preferablyinsomeclever,reallyfastwaywhereshe
couldbehomethatsamenightandnobodywouldnoticeshe’dbeengone.Shejustwantedtoseeitagain,evenifonlyforamoment.
ButeverysentenceinthisbookwasMILEStoolongandtheauthorkeptrepeatinghimselfoverandover.Nottomentionthenever-endingrapturousparagraphsabouteverytinycurveandwindowanddetailthat“exemplified”QueenWasp’s“exquisitementalquality”and“eyeforvisualbalance”orsomesuchnonsense.
“Thisisnotabookofanswers,”Cricketgrumbled,flippingahead.“Thisisabookofgroveling.”Shepausedonafull-pagedrawingofWaspHive.Thebookwasnearlyasbigasshewas,sotheartisthadlotsofspacetodrawthetempleattheheartofthehive.Sherestedherchinonhertalonsandstareddreamilyattheperfectcolumns,theperfectdomeontheroof,theperfectlibraryandquietpoolsallaroundtheTempleofClearsight.
She’dvisiteditforthefirsttimeonlyafewdaysearlier,whenhersister,Katydid,tookherasatreatforhersecondbirthday.ItwasthemostbeautifulplaceCrickethadeverseen.ImaginebeingtheLibrarianandlivingthereforever!ImaginebeinginchargeoftheBookofClearsight,themostimportantbookintheworld—andbeingoneoftheonlytwodragonswhoevergottoreadit.
Nowthatwasabookwithanswers.Hundredsofyearsago,Clearsighthadwrittendownherpropheciesofeveryimportantthingthatwouldhappenafterherdeath,startinginhertimeandreachingfarintothefuture.IfCricketreadit,she’dreallyknoweverything!Maybeherbrainwouldfinallystopbuzzingwithquestionsallthetime.Maybeshe’dfinallyfeellikeeverythingmadesense.
Cricketwantedtheworldtofeelmorelikeabook:Hereisaquestion,sohereisananswer.Herearethemysteriesoftheuniverse;nowhereiseverythingyouwanttoknowaboutthem.
Ifherlifewereabook,shecouldchecktheindexandgostraighttothepagethatwouldtellherwhyherparentswerealwaysfightingorwhyhermotherdidn’tloveher.ShewouldreadthechapterabouthowKatydidwasalwayssad,andthenshecouldreadabouthowtofixittomakehersisterhappy.
Thosewerethebigmysteriesoftwo-year-oldCricket’slife.Shehadnoideathattherewasanevenbiggeronehidingbelowthesurfaceofherentiretribe,orthatshemightbethekeytosolvingit.
thatshemightbethekeytosolvingit.AshriekfromoutsidetorethroughthehumofCricket’sthoughts,startling
hersomuchshebangedherheadonthetopofthecupboardandnearlyknockedoverthelittleflamesilklampshe’dsmuggledin.Shecaughtitwithaflareofpanicandrelief.Ifshesethermother’sbookonfire,shemightaswellgoaheadandburnthewholehousedowntohidetheevidence—she’dbeinjustasmuchtroubleeitherway.
Thescreamcameagain,andCricketnearlyleapedoutofthecabinettoinvestigate.Butbeforeshecould,heavytalonsenteredthekitchen,andshecoveredthelampquicklywithherwings.
“ThereisatraitorinthisHive,”saidhermother’svoice,butnothermother’svoiceatall.“Donotlethimescape.”
Cricketheldherbreath,moreterrifiedthansheevenunderstood.Whowashermothertalkingto?Whydidshesoundall…wrong?
Moretalonstepsenteredtheroom—thishadtobeKatydid,theonlyotherdragonathome—butwithoutanyfurtherconversation,thetwoofthemranoutthefrontdoor.
Cricketpushedthecupboarddooropenacrackandpeekedout.Thekitchenwasdeserted,althoughshecouldhearalotofcommotiononthestreetoutside.
Curiosityandfearwenttowarwithinher,andasoftenhappenedinCricket’slife,curiositywon.Sheleftthebookhidden,tookthelampwithher,andslippedoutofthecabinet,hurryingupstairstohermother’soffice,whichhadawindowwithaviewofthestreet.
Itwasthesamestreetsheflewdowneveryday:housesbuiltoftreestuff,turquoisemosaictilesglitteringinthelightoftheflamesilklamps,neatlytendedgardenshereandthere,alineofblackstonesinlaidinthegroundtoshowyoungdragonetsthewaytoschool.
Butinsteadofherpolite,peacefulneighborsandtheusualstrollingdragons,thestreetwasnowbristlingwithmarchingrowsofteethandclaws.Crickethadneverheardthewordmob,butwhenshedid,yearslater,shethoughtitwasalmostrightforwhatshe’dseen—butnotquite.Thedragonsbelowherweren’tenragedorinchaos.Theymovedineerieunisonandnear-completesilenceastheysurroundedtheonedragonwhowasoutofsyncwiththerest,cuttingoffall
hispossibleescaperoutes.Hecoweredinthecenteroftheglaringcircle,hisred-and-black-striped
wingsfoldedintightly.Helookedquiteold,olderthanmostdragonsCricketknew.Maybesixtyorahundred?Shedidn’treallyknowhowtoguesstheagesofgrown-updragons.Buthewasquitebigandhisscaleswerealittledullandhemovedinatired,aching-boneskindofway.
“Pleasejustletmego!”heshoutedatthecrowd.Hiseyesflickeredwhiteforamomentandthendarkagain.“IpromiseI’mnotathreattoyou!Idon’twanttobelikethem!”
“Thatisnotanoption,”thesurroundingdragonssaidinonevoice.Itwasn’tjustthevoicethatwaswrong.Theireyes…theireyeswereall
wrong,too.Cricketfeltaspasmoffear.Throughoutthecrowd,thedragons’eyeswere
allwhite,likepureglassymarbles,likeemptysnakeskins,likedeadblood-suckedgrubs.
Threeofthemsteppedforwardwiththeirclawsortailsraisedtopointmenacingstingersattheirprey.Theirfaceswereblank,cold,andmerciless.Theylookedreadytokillwithoutaflickerofemotion.
AndoneofthemwasKatydid.Cricketduckedbelowthewindowframe,herheartbeatingfrantically.Whatishappening?Whatiswrongwithmysister?What’swrongwithallofthem?Sheheardanotherscreamfrombelowandforcedherselftopeekoutagain.Theolddragonwasbeingmarchedawaydownthestreet,strugglingweakly,
surroundedbyaphalanxofdragonswhowerealmostallCricket’sfriendsandneighbors.Exceptnowtheyhadbeentransformedintosomethingelse,somethingdarkandnolongerdragon,andCricketwasn’tsureshe’deverbeabletolookatthemthesamewayagain.
Hereyescaughtonaflutterofbluenearadoorway,andsherealizedthataSilkWingwasthere,pressingherselfbackintotheshadowstostayoutoftheway.TheSilkWing’seyeswerenormal,butherexpressionwasfearfulandpuzzled.
Cricket’sgazeflickedacrossthehousesquicklyandshespottedfivemore
SilkWingswatchingfromdoorwaysandwindows.Noneofthemhadthesnakeskineyes.Acoupleworeresignedexpressions,asthoughthey’dseenthisbefore,butatleastallofthemhadsomeemotionontheirfaces.Noneofthemwereempty,liketheHiveWingsdownbelow.
Sowhatever’shappening,it’sonlyhappeningtoHiveWings.It’snotaffectingtheSilkWings…
…orme.Hermindleapedontothispuzzle,preferringitenormouslytotheother
optionofcontemplatingthehorrorofwhatshe’djustseen.IsitbecauseI’mtooyoung?Butthatcouldn’tbeit—therewerelittle
dragonetseverywhereinthecrowd,intoningthesamewordsastheotherHiveWings.Bombardier,themostannoyingdragonetinherclass,wasamongtheoneswho’dmarchedtheolddragonaway.EvenMidge,thetiniestdragonetontheblock,whohadhatchedamonthago,wasdowntherewithhereyesblankandteethbared.
Maybethiswassomethingparentstaughttheirkidstodo,butbecauseCricket’sparentsdidn’tlikeher,they’dforgotten(orneglected)todoit.
MaybetheotherHiveWingshadlearneditinschool,sometimewhenCricketwasreadingunderherdeskandnotpayingattention.
MaybethereweresecretmeetingsforalltheotherHiveWingsexcepther,andshewasn’tinvitedbecausesheaskedtoomanyquestions.
ButKatydid…KatydidwouldhavetoldherifalltheHiveWingsdidsomethingtogether
thatCricketshouldknowabout.Shewouldhavetaughtherhowtoblankouthereyesandmarchwiththeothersandthreatenolddragonsandlooktotallyscary.
Moreimportant,Katydidwouldneveractuallydoanyofthosethings.Exceptshedid.Ijustsawher.Adoorslammeddownstairs.Cricketglancedoutsideandsawthe
HiveWingsdispersing.Theoneswhohadmarchedtheolddragonawaywerestillvisibleinthedistance,buteveryoneelsewasblinkingandyawningandheadingbackindoors.
Uh-oh.IfKatydidwasoneoftheonesmarchingoff…thatmeantthedragonwho’djustcomeintothehousewouldbeMother.
Cricketranoutofhermother’sofficeanddoveintothenearestclosetjustin
Cricketranoutofhermother’sofficeanddoveintothenearestclosetjustintime.Throughthecrackinthedoor,shesawhermotherstomppasttheclosetandintoherofficeinabluroforangeandblackscales,herwingsbuzzingslightlythewaytheydidwhenshewasannoyed(usuallyatCricket).
Cometothinkofit,itwasreallystrangeforCricket’smothertoleaveherofficeduringhermorningworkhours.CricketandKatydidweren’tallowedtomakeeventheslightestnoisebeforenoonincasetheydisturbedher.
TheofficedoorslidshutandCricketletoutthebreathshe’dbeenholding.Apartofherdesperatelywantedtoburstinandaskhermotherallthequestionsswarminginherhead.Startingwith,WouldKatydidcomeback?Howsoon?And,ofcourse,thingslike,SoWHATINTHEHIVEWASTHAT?
Butsomedeeperinstinctprotectedher.Thisonce,shedidn’tlethercuriositywin.
InsteadshecreptuptoKatydid’sroomonthetopfloorandcurledherselfunderhersister’sdarkbluesilkblankets.Sheclosedhereyesandtriednottocryandwaited.
ItwaslatethatnightwhenKatydidfinallyreturned,exhaustedandwindblown.Cricket’sfatherhadcomehomeearlierandCrickethadlistenedtobothherparentseatingdinnerandhissingateachother.Neitheronehadlookedforherorcalledtoaskhertojointhem.Butthatwasnormal.Katydidwastheonlyoneinthehousewhotriedtoorganizefamilymeals.ShewastheonewhomadesureCricketwasfedandgottoschoolontime.Inayear,she’dbetheonewhofinallytookCrickettoaneyedoctortogetherglasses.
ShewastheonlydragonCricketloved.HerheartlitupasKatydidcamethroughthedoor.Cricketboundedoutof
theblankets,grabbedhersister’sshoulders,andstaredintoherface.Hereyeswerebacktonormal.
“Ow,gentle,”Katydidscolded,butkindly.SheremovedCricket’sclawsandrolledhershouldersasthoughtheyweresore.“IhadtoflytoWaspHiveandbacktoday,sotakeiteasyonme.”
“Why?”Cricketdemanded.“Whydidyouhaveto?Whatdidyoudotothatolddragon?Whathappenedtoyoureyesthismorning?Whywaseveryoneactingsoawfulandweird?”Allthequestionsshe’dbeenbottlingupalldayspilledoutofher,alongwiththetearsshethoughtshe’dbeaten.“Whatwasthat
spilledoutofher,alongwiththetearsshethoughtshe’dbeaten.“Whatwasthatvoice?Whydidyoulooksomean?Katydid,whathappenedtoyou?”
Katydidwassupposedtosaysomethingreassuring.ShewassupposedtoshrugandlaughandexplainhowitwasaHiveWinggameandCricketwouldlearnitnextweek,nottoworry,nothingimportant.
ButinsteadKatydidstaredather,withtheleastreassuringexpressionpossibleonherface.
“Whathappenedtome…”shesaid.“Didn’tithappentoyou,too?”“No!”Cricketcried.“Imean,Idon’tknowwhatitwas,butIsuredidn’tget
allsuperpossessedandfreaky-lookingandmeanlikeeveryoneelseIcouldsee.Youreyesweretotallywhite,Katydid!Andyouweregrowlingatthatolddragon!Couldn’tyouseehowscaredhewas?”
“Butthatwasawhole-Hivecommand,”Katydidsaid.“Alltalonsout.EverydragonintheHivewasincluded.There’snowayyoucouldhavebeenleftout.”Herkindorange-yellowfacewasallworry.Crickethadneverseenhersisterlooksoanxious.
“Leftoutofwhat?”Cricketaskednervously.Katydidrubbedherforeheadandsidledovertoclosethedoor,althoughtheir
parentswereprobablybothasleepalreadyandusuallynevercameuptothesisters’roomsanyway.
“Itdoesn’thappenoften,”shesaidsoftly,“butsometimesQueenWasp…controlsdragons.Imean,notjustwithordersandsoldiers.Imeanshegetsintoyourbrainandmakesyoudo,um…anythingshewantsyouto.”
“What?”Cricketsaid.“How?That’s—what?”“It’sveryefficient,”Katydidpointedout.“Liketoday,whentherewasa
traitorwho’drunawayfromherandwastryingtohideoutinourHive.QueenWaspcantakeoverallthedragonsintheHiveatonceandfindhimimmediately.Thenwecatchhim,andshereleasesmosteverybodywhileafewofusescorthimbacktoher.”
“But—doyouwantto?”Cricketasked.“Canshedoitanytimeshewants,fromanywhere?Whatifyou’rebusy?Orwhatifyoudon’twanttodowhatshesays?”
Hersistershookherhead.“Youdowantto,”shesaid.“Sheisthequeen,Cricket.Ifshewerestandingnexttoyougivinganorder,you’ddoitnomatter
what,ofcourse.Thisisbasicallythesame,exceptshedoesn’thavetobeeverywhereatonce.”
It’snotthesameatall,Cricketthoughtrebelliously.“Soyourtalonsmoveandyourvoicespeaksandyourwingsflyandthere’snothingyoucandotostopit?”sheasked.“Youcan’tevensay,nothankyou,nottoday?”
Katydidthrewoutherwings.“Ofcoursenot!Cricket,youwouldn’treallyeversaythattothequeen,surely.Beserious.”
Ifsheorderedmetostabsomeone,Iwould,Cricketthought.Ifsheaskedmetodragawayanelderlydragonwhowascrying,Iwouldsayno.
Shethought.Shehoped.Shewasn’tsure.Therewasadifferencebetweenbeingbraveinabookand
braveinreallife,sotherecertainlymightbeadifferencebetweentheCricketinherheadandarealCricketstandinginfrontoftheactualterrifyingqueen.
“Buthowdoesitwork?”Cricketasked.“I’veneverseenanythinglikethatinanysciencebook.”
“Ihavenoidea,”Katydidsaidtiredly,whichwashowalotofconversationsbetweenthesistersended.Cricketwasn’treadytoletthisonegoyet,though.
“Andwhydoesn’titworkonme?”shepressed.“IsMotherrightthatthere’ssomethingwrongwithme?”
“No!”Katydidprotested.“Ofcoursenot.Idon’tknowwhy.Butwhydoesn’tmatter—whatmattersishowtoprotectyousonoonerealizesitdoesn’tworkonyou.You’llhavetostayalertforwhenithappens.We’llfindplacesforyoutohide.Thegoodnewsisshedoesn’tdoitveryoften.I’llkeepyousafe,Cricket,Ipromise.”
“YouthinkI’llbeintroubleifQueenWaspfindsout?”Cricketsaidinasmallvoice.
“I’mafraidmaybe,”Katydidadmitted.SheputherwingsaroundCricketandtheyleanedintoeachother.
“But—ifshetakesoveryourbrain—won’tsheknowaboutme,nowthatyouknow?”Cricketasked.
“No,itdoesn’tworklikethat,”Katydidsaid.“Shedoesn’tgetintoourthoughtsandsecretsandeverythingweknow.Shejustcontrolswhatourbodiesaredoingforalittlewhile.”
Cricketshuddered.Thatsoundedcompletelyhorrible,plusalsoitwasextremelyweirdandunsettlingthatKatydiddidn’tthinkitsoundedcompletelyhorrible.
ButKatydidkeptherpromise.Forthenextfouryears,Katydidcoveredforher,andCricketlearnedtobecarefulandhowtohidequicklyuntilthecommandspassed.Thequestionof“why”didmattertoher,andshedidalltheresearchshecould,butwithnoluck.Still,shekeptthesecretandshewascleverandsafeandascautiousasanimpulsive,curiouslittledragonetcouldbe.
UntilthemostbeautifuldragonCrickethadeverseenfelloverawallintoherschoolcourtyard,andallhercautionthrewitselfoutthewindow.
Shecouldn’texactlysaywhyshe’dhelpedBluehide—orwhyshe’dtoldhimhersecret—orwhyshe’dleftthesafetyofherHivetoflyacrossthesavannawithhimonahazardousrescuemission.Maybethosewereallanswersshe’dfindattheendofherownbook.
Fornow,allshehadwereconsequences.Shewasafugitive,wantedforstealingtheBookofClearsightandhelpingflamesilksescapethequeen.TheBookofClearsighthadnotcontainedalltheanswerstotheuniverse,afterall.Worse,Cricket’ssecretHive-mindimmunityhadbeenexposedintheTemple,andnowthequeenknewthatshewasdifferent—thatthemindcontroldidn’tworkonher.Cricketwouldneverbeabletogohomeagain.
Butontheothertalon,nowshehadBlueinherlife.AndasshesatbyhissoftlyglowingcocooninanundergroundcavedeepbelowPantala,shedecidedshehadnoregretsaboutwhatshe’ddone…exceptmaybeone.
ShereallyreallyREALLYwishedshe’dbroughtabookwithher.Cricketsighedandstretchedoutherwings.FourmoreDAYSofsittingina
cavewithnothingtoread?Shewasseriouslygoingtolosehermind.IthadbeenverydramaticandromanticwhenBlue’sgoldenflamesilkhad
begunspiralingfromhiswristsandthey’dcomerunningdownintothissecretcaveandshe’dkneltbesidehimandpledgedtobetherewhenhewokeupandtostaybesidehimalways…
Butnowhewaspeacefullysnoozingaway,growinghiswings,andshewasSOBORED.
SOBORED.Shestoodupandcircledhiscocoon.Itwasabeautifulsilvery-goldcolor,
butshemissedtheblueandpurpleofBlue’sscales.Shewishedshecouldseeevenahintofthemthroughthesilk.Sheknewthatwhenshedid,thatwouldbeasignhewasalmostreadytocomeout.
Shehopedhisfriendswouldbebackbythen.ShehopedLunaandSwordtailandSundewweresafe.Howlonghadshebeendownhere?Hersenseoftimeseemedmuffledbythecaves,butshethoughtawholedaymighthavepassed.HadLunabeenblownouttosea,orrecapturedbytheHiveWings?HadSwordtailfollowedher?WasSundewallright?
ItfeltalittleoddtoworryaboutSundew,whohadbeenhercaptoronlyafewdaysearlier.Sundew—well,reallySundew’sparents—hadforcedCrickettohelpstealtheBookofClearsight,whichledtothiswholemess.ButthenSundewhadhelpedherrescueBlueandLuna,sothatmorethanbalancedthescales,inCricket’sopinion.
Andthetruthwas,shekindoflikedthefierceLeafWing.Sundewletherselfbemadandalwayssaidwhatshereallythoughtandmadeallherowndecisions,evenwhenherparentsdidn’tlikeit,andCricketdidn’tknowanyHiveWingslikethat.PricklyopinionsthatstuckoutintheHivestendedtogetsmasheddownfairlyquickly.
AreallLeafWingslikethat?Braveenoughtodotheirownthing,nomatterwhatanyoneelsethinks?
Sundew’sparents,BelladonnaandHemlock,wouldhavepreferredtokeepCricketandSwordtailundertheirwingsuntiltheyfoundanotheruseforthem.ItwasSundewwhohadinsistedonhelpingthemfreetheflamesilksinstead.
Andshe’dkepttheBookofClearsight,insteadofgivingittothem.Cricket’sparentswouldNEVERhaveagreedtothatortrustedherwithsomethingsoimportant.BelladonnaandHemlockhadgrumbled,butwhenSundewputhertalonsdown,theyacceptedit.
Shedidn’thavetohelpfighttheHiveWingswhospottedLunaandSwordtail,either,Cricketthought.Butshedidn’tevenhesitate.
Cricketwishedshecouldeverbethatsureofherself.Sundewmovedlikeadragonwho’dalreadyfoundalltheanswerstoherquestions.
Itwasreallyquietinthecavesthisfarundertheearth.Ifshesatstillandconcentrated,shecouldhearwatertricklinginthedistance.Andeveryonceinawhile,sheheardweirdlittlesqueakyechoes,whichshesuspected—allright,shehoped—weremoreofthoselittlereadingmonkeys,liketheonesheandBluehadseenatthebottomofasinkholeonthesavanna.
IfIcouldfindthem,maybeIcouldborrowoneofTHEIRbooks,shethoughtwistfully.Whichmadeherlaughatherself.Ofcourseshewouldn’tbeabletounderstandthelittlereadingmonkeylanguage(ifthat’swhatitwas).Plusherclawswouldbetoobigfortheirtinybooks.
Butimagineholdingabookbyanotherspeciesinhertalons!Whatifshecouldtranslateit?Whatwoulditsay?Whatdidmonkeysthinkabout?Whatweretheirstoriesabout?Whatdidtheyknowthatdragonsdidn’t?Itfeltasifherheadmightexplode,thinkingabouteverythingshemightdiscover.Inanotherlife,wherestudyingthemcouldhavebeenmydestiny.
Anoisesoundedfromthestonepassagesbeyondthecave.Cricketfroze,allsensesonalert.Itcameagain…thescratchofclawsonrock.Thesoundofatailslithering
alongthefloor.Someoneelsewasinthecaves.
Cricketheldherbreath,hermindfranticallydartingthroughheroptions.Couldshepretendshewasguardingthecocoon?ThatmaybeQueenWasphadgivenherasecretmission?
Notifthedragonwhowascominghadwhiteeyes.IfQueenWaspwasinsidethisdragon’sbrain,she’drecognizeCricketasthedragonwho’dstolentheBookofClearsightandtwoofherflamesilks.She’dbeabletoraisetheentirecontinenttodescendonthiscaveinaheartbeat.AndtherewasnowayCricketcouldhideBluebeforetheyarrived.
Shesteppedinfrontofhiscocoonanywayandtriedtomakeherfacelookmenacing.
Butthedragonwhoappearedinthedoorwaywasthegreenandgoldofsummerleaves,withtwowingsinsteadoffour.Crickethadneverbeensorelievedtoseeascowlthatfierce.
“Sundew!”shecried,leapingtowardher.“You’reallright!”“Nothankstoanyofyou,”Sundewgrumbled.Shewincedasshestepped
intothecave,andCricketspottedatrickleofbloodrunningdownhershoulder.“Whathappened?”Cricketasked,catchingSundew’spouchesasthe
LeafWingthrewthemoffandsettingthemagainstthewall.“HaveyouseenSwordtailandLuna?I’msosorryIcouldn’tflyupandhelpyou—notthatI’mmuchuseinafightanyway—butBlue’sMetamorphosisstartedandIhadtogethimsomewheresafe.”Shewavedherwingsattheglowinglumpbehindher.
gethimsomewheresafe.”Shewavedherwingsattheglowinglumpbehindher.“WhatdidyoudototheHiveWings?Dotheyknowwhereweare?”
ShefelttheshapeoftheBookofClearsightinthelastpouchandlaiditcarefully,reverently,onthestonefloor.ThequeenhadliedtoeveryoneabouttheBook,butitwasstillveryoldandprettysacredandmostimportantaBOOK(somethingtoread!Atlast!).
“Iledthemaway,”Sundewsaid,shakingraindropsoffherwings.“Iflewsouth.Thosesmugmoss-brainedmonsterschasedmeallthewaytoLakeScorpion,andthenIlostthemandcamebacktheveryannoyinglylongwayaroundDragonflyBay.It’spouringoutside—easytoloseadragoninastorm.”Sheshookherhead.“Didn’tseeLunaanywhere,butIdidfindthisbedraggledunhelpfulmess.”SundewduckedoutintothepassagewayandCricketfollowedher.
Swordtaillaysprawledonthecavefloor,unconscious.HeseemedmuchwetterthanSundew,asthoughshehadjustdredgedhimupfromthebottomoftheocean.Longstrandsofseaweedweretangledthroughhishornsandhistalonsandwrappedaroundhisdarkbluewings.
“BytheBook,wherehashebeen?”Cricketasked,crouchingbesidehimtostudyhisface.“Isheallright?”
Sundewshruggeddisinterestedly.“He’salive.Ifoundhimlikethisonarockinthebay.He’sluckyIfoundhiminsteadofaHiveWing,althoughIwasprettytemptedtoleavehimthere.”ShegrabbedoneofhisbacktalonsandstarteddragginghimintoBlue’scave.Cricketfollowed,tryingtoholdSwordtail’sheadabovethebumpyrocks.
“Buthewasalone?”sheaskedasSundewdroppedtheSilkWinginaheapbesidetheflamesilkcocoon.
“MyguessisLunagotblownouttoseaandhetriedtofollowher,”Sundewsaid.Shestretchedherwingsagainandshookouthertalonsasthoughhershoulderhurt.“Butthestormchuckedhimintoaboulderinstead.Whichhedeserved,ifyouaskme.DidyouseehimflyoffandleavemefightingtwoHiveWingsalone?Imean,sure,LunaisgreatandIknowhejustgotherbackandallandIgetit;Ihaveaonetruelove,too.”
“YouDO?”Cricketsaid,fascinated.“Who?”“Butontheothertalon,HiveWings!”Sundewwenton,ignoringher.“With
pointystabbybits!Plus,heleftyouguysindanger,too,whichheapparentlydidn’teventhinkabout.”
“HeprobablythinksyoucouldtakeonninetimesthatmanyHiveWingsbyyourselfandbeallright,”Cricketadmitted.“Imean,that’swhatIthink.”Shewasstillwrappinghermindaroundthelastrevelation.Sundewhasaonetruelove!AnotherLeafWing,Iguess.WhatkindofdragonwouldSundewfallinlovewith?Isitsomeoneequallyterrifying?
“Hm,”Sundewsaid,lookingalittlemollified.“Well,thatwouldbethefirstsignoflifefromhisbrain,that’sforsure.”
“IguessheneverfoundLuna.Andyoudidn’tseewhereshewent?”CricketglancedworriedlyatBlue’scocoon.Couldhehearanythingthroughthelayersofsilk?Probablynot;shewasprettysureMetamorphosiswaskindofalongdreamlesssleep.Buthowwouldhereactwhenhecameoutanddiscoveredthatthesisterhe’dworkedsohardtorescuewas…gone?
“No,butIgotasurvivorvibefromher.Thatonecantakecareofherself,Ithink.”SundewpickeduponeofSwordtail’swingsanddroppeditwithawetthwappingsound.“Moon-faced,self-aggrandizingopinionstothecontrary.”
“Butwait…howdidyougethimbackhere?”Cricketaskedwonderingly.SundewwasaboutthesamesizeasSwordtail,maybealittlesmaller.TherewasnowaytheLeafWingcouldhavecarriedhimacrossthebayandintothecave,especiallyinthestorm,andespeciallyifshewastryingnottobenoticed.
“Hasanyoneevertoldyouthatyouaskalotofquestions?”Sundewsnapped.
“Oh,yes,”Cricketsaid.“Allthetime.”Sundewcrinkledhernose,whichCrickethopedwasher“tryingnotto
laugh”expression.“Well,stopforafewheartbeatswhileIcatchmybreath.”“Allright,”Cricketsaid,althoughwantingtoknowsomanythingsandnot
beingabletofindthemoutfeltlikesmallcreaturesbuzzingunderherscales.“CanIgetyousomewaterforthat?”ShepointedtoSundew’sinjury.“IfyoustaywithBlue,Icangofindtheundergroundriver.Itcan’tbefarifwecanhearitsowellfromhere.”Maybeshe’dhaveabetterchanceofgettinganswersifshedidsomethinghelpfulfirst.
“Yes,allright,”Sundewsaid.“Atleastit’llbequietwhileyou’regone.”Shepointedtooneofherpouches.“There’samossintherethatcanabsorbnearlya
pointedtooneofherpouches.“There’samossintherethatcanabsorbnearlyawholepond.Takesomeofthatwithyou.”
Cricketdugoutatalonfulofmossandboundedoffintothecaves.Itwasn’thardtomakeamentalmapinherheadasshefollowedthesoundofwaterthroughthetunnels.
Therivershefoundwasmoreofastream,althoughsheguesseditwouldgetstrongerifshekeptwalkingdownit,towardthesoundofrapids.Butalittlebitofwaterwasallsheneeded,soshedippedtheclumpofmossinuntilitwaswellsoaked,thenheadedbacktoBlue’scave.
Sundewmuttered,“Thankyou”asshetookthemossandpressedittothecutonhershoulder.Crickethoveredforamoment,wonderingifshecouldhelpmore,butthegreendragonlookedextrascowlyandpronetobiting,soCricketdecideditwouldbesafertobackawayforalittlewhile.
“IhopeLuna’sallright,”shesaid,circlingSwordtail.“Iwonderifshecanswim.”AtleastSwordtailwasunconsciousandthereforeunlikelytosnapather.Cricketstarteduntanglingtheseaweedfromhiswings,pilingitupnearby.Therewasalotofit.Wasitedible?Shehadn’teatenin…hmmm.Shewasn’tsure,butitseemedlikeaverylongtime.She’dprobablyhavetostarveforanotherdayortwobeforeshe’dfindgloppywetseaweedatallappetizing,though.
“Howlongagodidyoufindhim?”sheasked.Thepileofseaweedoozedandsquishedassheaddedmoretoit.Squelp.Thwerk.Splaf.“Doyouthinkhe’llwakeupsoon?Iwonderifhe’llstaytowatchBluecomeoutorgoofflookingforLunaagain.Maybeshe’sstrandedonanotherislandinthebay.Somaybeshe’llcomebackandfindus?Shouldweleaveamessageinthebeachcavesoshe’llcomedownhere?Butno,thenQueenWasp’sscoutsmightseeit—wesuredon’twantthemfindingus.Hey,howdidyoufindme?”
“AARRRRGH,”Sundewgrowled.“Youdon’tevenKNOWthatyou’redoingit.Here,wakehimupsoyoucanbothersomeoneelse.”ShegrabbedoneofherpouchesandthrewittoCricket.
“Oh,sorry!Sorry,”Cricketsaid.ShehadinfactforgottenaboutnotaskingSundewanymorequestionsduringhertripbackandforthtotheriver.“What’sinhere?Imean—um,I’llfigureitout!”Sheflippedopenthepouch,whichwaswovenoutoflarge,shiny,waterproofleaves,andfoundthreeneatcompartmentswithdifferentbundlesineach.Shehopednoneofthemcontainedalarming
withdifferentbundlesineach.Shehopednoneofthemcontainedalarminginsectsliketheonesshe’dseenSundewfightdragonswith.
“Middlesection,”Sundewsaid.“Crushoneunderhisnose.”ShethrewafewberriesinhermouthandlaydownwithherbacktoCricket,Swordtail,andBlue.
Insidethemiddlecompartmentofthepouch,wrappedinasoftcoveringofcobwebs,Cricketfoundatrioofweird-lookingplants.Eachwasshinyred,mottledwithyellowstreaksandcurvedinarounditselfsotherewasahollowinthemiddleandapointatoneend.Cricketcarefullytookoneout,helditunderSwordtail’ssnout,andsquisheditbetweenherclaws.
Thescentthatcameoutwasunexpectedlyhorrible,andstrongenoughtomakeherowneyeswater.Swordtailgrunted,hisfacetwitchingindistress.Cricketheldtheplantinplaceaslongasshecould,thenranacrossthecavetothrowitoutintothepassageway.
Whenshecameback,Swordtailwasblinkingandtryingtositup,rubbinghiseyes.Heunraveledalongstrandofseaweedfromhislegsandmanagedtorollupright.HisbewilderedgazetookintheflamesilkcocoonandthenCricket.
Cricketwantedtohelp,butthetruthwas,Swordtailmadeheralittlenervous.SheknewhewasBlue’sbestfriendandBluetrustedhim,buthewaskindofloudandmadandshegotthefeelinghedidn’tlikeherverymuch.
Therehadalwaysbeendragonsinherclasseswhodidn’tlikeherbecauseshegottherightanswerormadetheclassrunlongwithherquestions,orbecauseshe’dratherbereadingabookthanplayingoneoftheirrecessgames.Orbecausesheunderstoodequationsbetterthansheunderstoodotherdragons,andsometimesshewasjustawkwardandoutofstepwitheveryoneelseand,youknowwhat,normalconversationswerehard;didn’tanyoneelsefindthemhard?
ButSwordtaildislikedherentirelybecauseshewasaHiveWing.Shecouldn’targuewiththat.Shecouldn’thelpbeingaHiveWing,andshecouldn’tdefendanythinghertribehaddone,anditwasn’tusefultokeepsaying“butI’mnotlikethem!”overandover.Shejusthadtohopethateventuallyshe’ddoenoughtoproveshecouldbetrusted.
CricketglancedoverattherestingLeafWing,wishingshecouldtalktoherinstead.SundewhatedHiveWingsevenmorethanSwordtaildid,butsheseemed
OKwithCricket,inherownferociousway.CricketsuspectedtherewassomeonealmostaskindasBlueunderallSundew’slayersofthorns,althoughsofarshe’donlycaughtglimpsesofher.
TheLeafWingwasalsoreallysmartandknewamillionthingsaboutplantsandinsectsthatCrickethadneverlearnedinschool.CricketkindofwishedshecouldopenupSundew’sbrainandreaditlikeabook—especiallyallthepartsaboutLeafWingsandwherethey’dgoneandhowthey’dsurvived.Sundewwouldn’tansweranyofthosequestions,exceptwithgrowling.
“Where’sLuna?”Swordtailaskedrightaway,rakinganothertalonfulofseaweedoffhisneck.
“Idon’tknow,”Cricketsaid.“Isawhersilkgetcaughtinthewindandcarryherouttosea,butBlue’sMetamorphosiswasstarting,soIhadtobringhimdownhere.Idon’tknowwhathappenednext.Whatdidyousee?Whathappenedtoyou?”
Swordtailrubbedhisforeheadasifithurt.“Itriedtofollowher—butthestorm—”Hetookasteptowardthecorridorandstumbledoveratrailingpieceofseaweed.“Ihavetogofindher.”
“Shouldn’tyourestforabitfirst?”Cricketsuggested.“Sundewsaysit’spouringoutside.Andyouwerejustunconscious—”
“I’llbefine,”heinsisted.“Lunaneedsme.”Hetookanotherstaggeringsteptowardthedoor.
“Don’tbeaskunkcabbage,”Sundewsaidgrumpily,turningherheadtofrownathim.“You’reentirelyuselesstoanydragoninthestateyou’rein.”
“But—”Hepaused,strugglingforwords,andthenslumped,perhapsfeelingtheextentofthebatteringthestormhadgivenhim.
“Lookforhertomorrow,”Cricketsuggested.“Orassoonasyou’redry,orafteryousleep,orwhateveryouwant.Butyou’llbemuchmorelikelytofindherwithwell-restedwingsandaclearhead,don’tyouthink?Maybewecandosomecalculationsaboutwindspeedandcurrentsandfigureoutwhereshemightbe.ItwouldhelpifIhadsomebooks,though;I’veneverstudiedtheoceanonthissideofthecontinent.Iwonderhowbuoyantflamesilkis.Doyouknowanythingaboutit?”
Swordtailsighed,althoughCricketcouldn’ttellifitwasanexasperatedsighoraresignedsighorjustexhaustion.“Notmuch,”hesaid.Heturnedawayfrom
oraresignedsighorjustexhaustion.“Notmuch,”hesaid.Heturnedawayfromthedoor,limpedovertoBlue’scocoon,andtoucheditlightlywithhistalons.“PoorBlue.Washe…didheseemscared?”
“Maybealittle,”Cricketsaid,“buthewasverybrave.HewasmostlyworriedaboutyouandLuna.”
Swordtailrubbedathiseyes.“Thatsucks.Iwishwe’dbeenhereforhim.”Sheguessedtheywereboththinkingthesamething—thattheyhopedLuna
wouldbeherewhenBluewokeup.TheglowofBlue’scocoonlitSwordtail’sfaceasheleaneddowntostudy
thesilkenstrands.“SoIguessthismeansBlue’saflamesilk,too?”hesaid.“Itlookslikeit,”Cricketagreed.“Good,”saidSundew.Theybothturnedandblinkedather.“Good?Why?Whatdoesthatmean?”Cricketasked.“It’suseful,”Sundewanswered.“Ourcausedoesn’tneedanothernormal
boringtimidSilkWing.Butaflamesilk—that’sfantastic.”“YouthinkBlueisgoingtobeuseful…fortheLeafWings?”Swordtailsaid
inadangerousvoice.“How?”Crickettookaninstinctivestepclosertothecocoon,asthoughBlue
mightsenseherprotectionthroughthesilk.“Whatdoyouthinkhecoulddo?”Sundewflickedherwingsbackandtippedherhead.“Afewhundred
awesomefierythings,”shesaid.“Startingwiththemostobvious:he’sgoingtoburndownalltheHivesforus.”
“Noway!”Cricketcried.“Bluewouldneverdothat!”“BurndownalltheHives,”Swordtailechoed,soundingalittlemore
awestruckthanCricketwascomfortablewith.“Isthatreallyyourplan?”CricketaskedSundew.SheknewtheLeafWings
werehereforareason,andshethoughtsheunderstoodhowangrytheywereattheHiveWings—butthiswassomuchmoreviolentthanshe’dexpected.DidtheLeafWingswanttorestartthewar?Evenaftertheylostsobadlythelasttime?“IthoughtyousaidyoujustwantedtheBook!”
SundewstabbedatthepouchwiththeBookofClearsightinit.“Yes,whenwethoughtthestupidthingwouldtellusthefuture.Insteadit’scompletelyuseless.Sowhatelsearewesupposedtodo?”
“NotburndowntheHives?!”Cricketsuggested.“They’resobig,”Swordtailmurmured.Hegazedupattheceiling,asthough
hewasimagininganentirecityonfire.“EvenLunaneversuggesteddestroyingawholeHive.”
“You’dbestartingtheTreeWarsalloveragain,”Cricketsaid.“IfyoutrytoburnanyoftheHives,QueenWaspwillsendherwholearmyafteryou.”
“She’snottheonlyonewithanarmy,”Sundewsaid,scowling.“Thistimewe’llbeready.ThenewTreeWarswillgoverydifferently—especiallyifwestartwithburningtheHiveWingsoutoftheircities.”
AretherethatmanyLeafWingsleft?Cricketwondered.Awholearmyofthem?
“Bluewon’thelpyouburncities,”CricketsaidtoSundew.Shewassureofthat.“Hewouldneverdoanythingtohurtanyone.”
Swordtailgaveherastrangelook.“Excuseme,”hesaid,“butyoubarelyknowBlue.I’mtheonewho’sbeenhisbestfriendbasicallyhiswholelife.”
“Wellthen,doyouseehimburningdownHivesallacrossPantala?”Cricketasked.
“Maybeifhehadagoodenoughreason,”Swordtailmuttered.“Exactly.”Sundewnodded,asthoughshebelievedanydragoncouldbe
turnedintoamurdererwiththerightmotivation.Cricketdidn’tbelievethat.Atleast,shecouldn’tbelieveitofBlue.She’d
spentalmostherwholelifewatchingherfriendsandfamilyturnintocold-eyedtoolsforthequeen,doingthingsthey’dneverdoiftheyhadthechoice.Bluewastheabsoluteoppositeofallthat.Hehadfreewill.Andwithit,healwayschosetobekind,todotherightthing.
Didn’the?Inthefivedaysyou’veknownhim?avoicelikeSwordtail’swhisperedinher
head.Youthinkyouknowthisdragonnow?Becauseyouhidtogether,freedSwordtail,brokeintotheTemple,andstoletheBook?Doeshealwaysdotherightthing,orcoulditbethatyoujustthinkthat“therightthing”iswhateverhechoosestodo?
WhatifhethinksburningdownHivesis“therightthing”todotosavehistribe?
“Isthatwhyyoucamebackhereinsteadofgoingtoyourparents?”sheaskedSundew,tryingtoshakeoffherdoubts.“YoucameforBlue?”
“Yes.”Sundewshrugged.“I’dratherhaveLuna.ShegotsoexcellentlymadabouttheBookofClearsightthatI’msureshe’dhelpus.I’dtakeherwithmetoburntheworlddownanyday.Butifwedon’thaveLuna,weneedBlue.”
“We’llhaveLuna!”Swordtailblurted.“She’scomingback!I’llfindher!”Hepacedagitatedlyfromthecocoontothedoorandbackagain.Sundewcrinkledhernoseanddrewhertailoutofthesplatterzonefromtheseaweedstilldanglingoffhim.
“Bluewillhelpyou,butnotbyhurtingotherdragons,”Cricketsaid
“Bluewillhelpyou,butnotbyhurtingotherdragons,”Cricketsaidstubbornly.“HowwouldburningdownalltheHiveshelptheLeafWingsanyway?”
“Also,there’saproblem:evenifBlueorLunaagreedtohelpyou,”Swordtailchimedin,“oneflamesilkcan’tburndownawholeHive.Letaloneallnineofthem.”
“Well,hecantry,”Sundewsaid.“OrwestartwithWaspHiveandthenusethoseburiedflamesilkstohelpwiththerest.Wehavetodosomething.WhatevertakesoutasmanyHiveWingsaswecan.”
“Sundew!”Cricketcried.“Howcanyousaythat?That’smytribe!Iknowsomeofthemareterrible,butyoudon’treallywanttokillallofthem,doyou?”
NowSundewwasscowlingsoferociouslythatCricketcouldalmostseesparkscomingoutofherwings.Herclawsdugintothestonebelowher.“Whynot?That’sexactlywhattheytriedtodotous!”
“Iknow,butdoesn’tthatmakeyouseehowwrongitis?”Cricketsaid.“No,”Sundewgrowled.“Wedidn’tdoanythingtothem.Theydeserveit.
Theydeservetobewipedout.EverysingleHiveWing.”ShefrownedanddroppedhergazetothepouchwiththeBookofClearsightinit.“Exceptyou,butyou’redifferent.”
“WhatifI’mnottheonlyonewho’sdifferent?Orwhataboutthelittlestdragonets?”Cricketsaiddesperately.“It’sbeensolongsincetheTreeWars.SomanyHiveWingsweren’tevenalivebackthen.Orwhatabouttheoneswhorefusedtofight?Therewereprotesters,Iknowtherewere;Ireadaboutthem.TherewereHiveWingswhotriedtosaynotoQueenWasp.ThereweresomewhowantedtohelptheLeafWingsandsavethetrees.Whataboutthem?”
Shestoppedsuddenly,struckbyathoughtthatshecouldn’tbelieveshe’dneverhadbefore.
Howcouldtherehavebeenprotesters?Wouldn’tQueenWasphaveshutthemdownwithhermindcontrol?She
wouldn’thavealloweddissentduringherwar;shewouldneverhaveletanyonedisagreewithher.So…howdidthey?
Weretheylikeme?Whycouldn’tshecontrolthem?“Protesters,”Sundewscoffed.“Shoutingenthusiasticrhymesatthesky
whiletheirfriendsslaughteredus.Maybethatwouldhavebeenusefulifthey’d
whiletheirfriendsslaughteredus.Maybethatwouldhavebeenusefulifthey’dkeptitup,buttheyallvanishedbytheend.NotasingleHiveWingobjectedwhenthelasttreewascutdown.”
“Maybetheycouldn’t.”Cricket’smindwasracingnow.“Maybethequeenhadthemallinherpowerbythen.”Didshegetridofanydragonswhocouldn’tbecontrolled?Or…wasitpossibleWasphadn’tbeenbornwithhermind-controlpowers?Hadtheycometohersometimeduringthewar?
“Personally,IvoteyesforburningdowntheHives,”Swordtailofferedsuddenly.“IthinkLunawillbeallforit,ifwecan’tconvinceBlue.”
Cricketwhirledtowardhim.“Haven’tyouthoughtaboutthisatall?ImagineaHiveburning.Whodiesfirst?”Shepushedherglassesup,wishingshedidn’tsoundsonervousandshaky.“SilkWingdragonets,Swordtail!They’retheoneswhowon’tbeabletoflytosafety!Innocent,winglessdragonetsintheireggsandcocoonsandschoolsandparks.Andinyourwebs!ThewebsareconnectedtotheHives;ifthecitiesburn,sodoyourhomes!MostoftheHiveWingswillescapeandbefine,buthowwouldyousaveallthelittleSilkWings?”
Swordtailstareddownathisclaws,lookingpale.“KillingoffalltheHiveWings—ortryingto—won’tsolveanything,”
CricketsaidtoSundew.“It’lljuststartanotherwarthat’llbeevenbloodierthanthelast,andthistimeQueenWaspwillhuntyoutotheveryendsofthecontinenttomakesureyou’regone.AndmaybealltheSilkWings,too,ifshethinkssomeofyouwereinonit.”
“Shewon’tkillus,”Swordtailsaidbitterly.“Sheneedsoursilkandourfire.We’revaluableresources.”
“Shecanmakeyourlivesworse,though,”Cricketpointedout.Swordtailseizedatalonfulofseaweedandthrewitagainstthewallwitha
dampsplat.Hestompedonherneatpileagainandagain,flatteningitintoadarkmorasslikecrushedeelsandbleedingsquids.
“Ijustwanttohurtthem,”hesaid.“Iwantthemtofeelwhatit’sliketobepowerless.Iwantthemtobestabbedwithnervetoxinsandhavetheirlovedonesrippedaway.”
“Yes.Iwantthemtowatchtheirhomesburntotheground,”Sundewgrowled.“Iwantthemtofeelintheirsoulswhatthey’vedonetous.”
SwordtailturnedtotheLeafWing.“I’min,”hesaid.“Whateveryouwant
metodo.I’llfollowyou.”Cricketburiedherfaceinhertalons.Theywereright,buttheywerealso
wrong.SheneededBlue—hewastheonewhounderstooddragonhearts.He’dknowhowtoreachthem.
Allsheknewwaschemistryandbiologyandmathandbotany.Howcouldshestackapileofscientificlogicupagainsttheirjustifiableangerandhopetoconvincethem?
Wait…therewassomethingBluehadsaid…“Thequeen,”shesaidsuddenly,lookingup.“That’sit.She’stheproblem,
justlikeBluesaid.Wehavetostartwithher.”“Orendwithher,”Sundewsaid.“Orgettoherinthemiddle,wheneverit’s
mostconvenienttosetheronfireorburyheraliveorfeedhertovampireants.”“No,no,that’swhatImean,”Cricketsaid.“QueenWaspistheheartofthe
problem,or,like,thebrain,Iguess.Shecontrolsthewholetribe—yousawherdoitintheTemple.You’llneverhaveachanceaslongasshe’soutthere,insideeveryone’sminds.Andmoreimportant,you’llneverknowwhichHiveWingsmightbeonyoursideiftheycouldbe.”
Swordtailsnorted,andSundewgavehima“right?Asif”look.“Theymightbe,”Cricketinsisted.“LiketheLibrarian!Rememberhowshe
helpedusassoonasshewasfreeofQueenWasp?Mysisterwould,too,ifshehadthechoice.Butnoneofthemhasachoicerightnow.Ifyoucanshutdownthequeen’smindcontrol,you’llseewhotheyreallyare.Ithinkyou’llfindmorealliesthanyourealizedyouhad.”
Ihope.IhopetherearegoodHiveWings.Clearsight,pleaselettherebegoodHiveWingsunderneathwhatwecansee.
“Shutdownthemindcontrol,”Sundewsaidthoughtfully.“Thatwouldbeuseful.Isthereawaytodothat?”
Cricketsighed.“Idon’tknow.I’vebeenlookingforanexplanationforitpracticallymywholelife.Whydoesn’titaffectme?Whateveriswrongwithme,canwedoittootherHiveWings?”
“There’snothingwrongwithyou,”Swordtailsaid.Hesatdownbythedoor,foldinghiswingsback.Theorangestreaksonhisscalesreflectedtheflamesilkglowlikedistantsuns.“Wehavetofigureoutwhat’srightwithyouandwrongwitheveryoneelseinyourtribe.”
witheveryoneelseinyourtribe.”Oh,wow.Maybehedoesn’tcompletelyhatemeafterall.“Can’ttheLeafWingsdothatinstead?”CricketaskedSundew.“Wouldn’tit
bebettertobreakthemindcontrolinsteadofstartinganewwar?”“It’saverysweetandSilkWingishplan,buthow?”Sundewdemanded.
“Aren’tyouthesmartestdragonaround?Whoelsewouldknow,ifyoudon’t?”Swordtailjumpedtohisfeetandstaredatthem.“Yes?”Sundewsaidwhenthepausegotawkward.“I’mnotsure,”hesaidexcitedly.“ButIthinktheChrysalishasacommittee
workingonthis.”“Thewhat?”Sundewsaidsharply.Hebouncedonhistalonsforamoment,lookingtorn.“I’mnotsupposedto
tellanyoneaboutthem,”hesaidatlast.“Thatwasthemostimportantrule.ButthenIotoldBlueandhetoldyou,”hesaidtoCricket.“So…”
“Hedidn’ttellmemuch,”shesaid,rememberingthesoftbrushofherwingsagainstBlue’sscalesinthedark,thequietvibrationofhisvoicewhisperingAreyouwiththeChrysalis?TheshiverthathadgonedownherspineasshewonderedwhattheChrysaliswas,andhowmanyothersecretsthisbeautifulbluedragonknew,andwhetherhe’dstayandtellhereverythingandbeherfriend.She’dfeltasthoughshe’djustfoundanewbook,somethingshe’dbeendesperatetoreadherwholelifewithoutevenknowingitexisted.“I’dreallyliketoknowmore.”
Swordtailhesitated,glancingatSundew.“I’msurethey’dwanttoknowabouttheLeafWings…butthey’dwanttoknowbeforeItoldyouaboutthem.Arrrrgh.IwishIknewwhatLunawoulddorightnow.”
“She’dtelluseverything,”Sundewsaidpromptly.Cricketlaughed,andSundewgaveherasidewaysapprovingglance.“Allright,”Swordtailsaid,noddingatSundew.“IsaidIwaswithyou,after
all.Ithinkyoucanchangeeverythingforus.”Hetookadeepbreath.“TheChrysalisisasecretorganizationofSilkWingswhoarefightingforourfreedom.”
Thatwasexactlythethrilling,stirringanswerCrickethadimagined.SecretfreedomfightersintheHives,shethought.Dragonswhorisktheirlivestohelp
others.ButSundewlookedskeptical.“Fighting?”shesaid.“SilkWings?Doesn’t
match.”“Someofuscanfight,”Swordtailsaid,bristling.“Someofuscareabout
what’shappenedtoourtribe!”“Whatdotheydo?”Cricketasked.“Howdotheykeepitallsecret?Imean,
theymustbeamazing;I’veneverheardanythingaboutSilkWingsfightingbackoranykindofundergroundrebellion.”
“Hm,”Sundewgrunted.“Maybebecausetheydon’tactuallydoanything.”“Theydo!I’msuretheydo.Idon’treallyknowwhat,though.”Swordtail
shiftedonhisfeet.“MysisterandIjustjoinedthemrecently.Wehaven’tbeengivenamissionoranythingyet.TheysaidtowaitforfurtherinstructionsafterLunagotherwings.Lunawaskindofthemaincontactperson.She’stheonewhofoundthem.”
“Butyoucouldfindthemagain?”Sundewdemanded.“Ithinkso,”Swordtailsaid.“Lunacould.IfIfindLuna—”“Evenifyoudon’t,”Sundewsaid,“whenBluecomesoutofthatcocoon,
we’regoinglookingforthisChrysalisofyours.”SheturnedtoCricket.“We’llcomparetheirnotesandyoursandseeifwecanfindananswertothemind-controlthing.”
“Thankyou,”Cricketsaid.“Don’tgettooexcited,”Sundewwarned.“Settingyourwholetribeonfireis
stillmypreferredoption.”Butshelistenedtome.Theybothdid.There’sstillachanceIcanstopthem
fromstartinganewwarandsavemytribe.OratleastsaveKatydid,shethoughtanxiously.“SowewaitforBlue.”Cricketrestedhertalonsonhiscocoon,feelingthe
warmthspreadthroughherscales.“I’dbettergotalktomyparents,”Sundewsaidwithasigh.Shestarted
loopingallthepouchesaroundherselfagain,wrinklinghersnoutasthedampestonessquishedagainstherscales.“They’reprobablywonderingwhereI’vedisappearedtowiththeBook.AndwhyI’mlettingyoulotinterferewithmygreatdestiny.”
CrickettiltedherheadatSundew.“Whatgreatdestiny?”
CrickettiltedherheadatSundew.“Whatgreatdestiny?”TheLeafWingwavedherwingsexpressively.“Youknow,savingtheworld,
fieryvengeance,soonandsoforth.Everythingtheyraisedmetodo.TheyarenotgoingtobeexcitedaboutpostponingtheirwarsotheycansitaroundforseveraldayswaitingforaSilkWingtowakeup.”
“Weren’ttheysittingaroundinthatgreenhousebeforetheymethim?”Cricketpointedout.“IthoughtLeafWingsweresupposedtobegoodatactinglikegreatpatienttrees.”
“I’lltellthemthat,”Sundewsaidwithagrin,settlingthelastpouchinplace.“I’msureit’llhelp.”CricketnoticedwithdisappointmentthatSundewwastakingtheBookofClearsightwithher.Shecouldunderstandwhy,though;theLeafWingshadgonetoalotoftroubletogetit.Theyweren’tabouttoleaveitinthetalonsofaHiveWingagain,evenaHiveWingwho’dhelpedthem.
“AndI’llgolookforLunaagain.”ApieceofseaweedslidfreefromSwordtail’shornsasheglancedoutatthestonepassageways.
Crickettriednottolooktoodisappointedthattheywerebothleavingheraloneagain,afterkeepinghercompanyforsuchashorttime.Theboredomofthequietcaveloomedaheadofheroncemore.
“Willyoubebacksoon?”shesaidtoSundew,hopingshedidn’tsoundcompletelypathetic.
“Yeah,don’tworry,”Sundewsaid.“WhatIdoisuptome,notmyparents.”Shehesitatedforthebriefestmoment,likeshewasabouttosaysomethingelse.“Onthismission,anyway.”
CricketwonderedwhattheLeafWingwasn’tsaying.Wastheresomethinginherlifethatherparentsdidcontrol?MaybeSundew’snotasfreeassheseemstobe.
“Canoneofyoubringbackfood?”Cricketasked.“Imean,forBlue?He’llbehungrywhenhecomesout,won’the?Afterfivedaysinthere?”
Swordtailnodded.“I’dneverbeensohungry,”hesaid.“I’llfindsomethingforhim.”
“WhatdoSilkWingseat?”Sundewsaid,startingtowardthetunnels.“Letmeguess:rainbowsandhoneyandstarlight.”
“Yestohoney,Ithink,”Cricketsaid.SheraisedhervoiceasSundew’staildisappearedthroughthegap.“Oh,andwhileyou’reoutthere,ifyouhappento
disappearedthroughthegap.“Oh,andwhileyou’reoutthere,ifyouhappentoseeanybooks,Iwouldlovesomethingtoread!”
Shewasn’tentirelysure,butsomethinglikethesoundofSundewlaughingcameechoingbackfromthewalls.
“Isitnow?”Cricketasked.“Isithappening?Isthatasign?Whatdoesthatmean?”
“Ifyoudon’tturnoffyourbeehivebrain,I’mgoingtostickasleepflowerupyoursnout,”Sundewsaidcrossly.“Nothingishappening!It’slookedexactlylikethatallday!”Shescowleddownatthepouchshe’dbeentryingtomendwithastrandofSwordtail’ssilk.
“No,ithasn’t!”Cricketprotested,circlingBlue’scocoon.“Look,thisendiskindofbulgingandcrinkling.Likeit’sabouttosplitopen!Right,Swordtail?Don’tyouthinkso?”
“Sure,”hesaidsleepily,withoutliftinghisheadoropeninghiseyes.Sheknewhe’dspentthelastfourdaysflyingandsearchingandscouringeveryislandinDragonflyBay,snatchingsleeponlyinbriefmomentsbackinthecave.AndsheknewthatnotfindingLunawasahugedisappointmentandtheyshouldbeveryworriedandmakinggravefacesandmutteringominously.
Butseriously!Bluewasabouttocomeoutofhiscocoon!Thiswasanextremelymomentousoccasion,mostlybecauseshe’dgettoseehiswonderfulfaceagain,butalsoalittlebitbecauseshe’dfinallygettoleavethiscave!
“Hey,Blue,”shesaidtotheshimmeringblue-purpleshapebeneaththesilk.“Canyouhearme?We’rehere.Wecan’twaittoseeyourwings!Ihavesomanyquestions.Whatisitlikeinthere?Doyourememberanyofit?Isitlikeareallylongsleep?Howdoyourwingsfeel?”
longsleep?Howdoyourwingsfeel?”“FORTHELOVEOFTREES,”Sundewgrowled.“Allright.Iwasafraidto
sharethis,becauseIknowyou’regoingtofreakout,butifyoupromisetobequietuntilBluecomesout,I’lltellyouabouthowIsawoneofyourreadingmonkeysthismorning.”
“WHAT?”Cricketnearlyflewthroughtheceiling.“Youdid?Sundew!Reallytruly?Andyou’rejusttellingmethisnow?!”She’dbeensoquietandcarefuleverytimeshecreptaroundthecaves,hopingtorunintooneofthetinycreatures.Shecouldn’tbelieveitwasSundewwho’dseenoneinstead!
“Yes,becauseofthat,”Sundewsaid,pointingather.“Thatfaceyou’remaking,asifIfoundastaircasetothemoonsinsteadofjustanotherweirdanimal.Calmdown,orIwon’ttellit.”
“I’mcalm!”Cricketsaid.Sherealizedshewasbouncingonherfronttalonsandforcedherselftositonhertailandstaystill.“SOTOTALLYCALM.”
“Ialreadyregretthis,”Sundewsaid.“Allright.ButNOQUESTIONS.”Cricketclampedhertalonsoverhersnoutandnodded.Sundewthrewthe
tornleafpouchacrossthecaveandpickedupabundleofberries,whichshestartedsortingasshetalked.
“ThismorningIwentdowntothecavernwheremyparentsandIfirststarteddiggingtoWaspHive,”Sundewstarted.“I’vebeencheckingitregularlytomakesuretheHiveWingsdidn’tfollowourtunnelfromtheflamesilkcavern.IfiguredI’dblockeditupprettywell,butsafertobesure.”
“Howdidyoubl—oops,sorry,”CricketcorrectedherselfquicklyatSundew’sglare.
“Ourholewasstillcompletelyfilledin,butasIscoutedtheperimeterofthecave,Ifoundanother,muchsmallerholeinthewall.Idecidedtospyonitforawhileincaseanythingediblecameout.”
Cricketwasn’tsurewhyshehadbeensurprisedtodiscoverthatLeafWingswerecarnivores.Itfitwiththebloodthirsty,violentpictureofthemthatQueenWasphadpaintedoverthelasthalfcentury.Andyet,inherownheartofhearts,andmaybebecauseofthebeautifuldrawingsofthemintheoldestbooks,she’dsomehowimaginedatranquilgreentribesharingsweetpotatoesandcranberriesacrossthetreetops.SothefirsttimeSundewbroughtbackapairofheadlesspigeonsanddevouredhersintwobites,Crickethadbeenratherstartled.(And
vegetarianSwordtailhadbeenopenlyhorrified.)“Finally,”Sundewwenton,“Iheardatip-tap-patterkindofnoise.I
squintedattheholeandsawalittleheadpokeout.Itwasjustliketheoneyoudescribedfromunderthesavanna—fluffyblackfuronitshead,scrapsofsilversilkandgrayfuronitsbody,hairlesslongbrownpaws.”
“Perfectforholdingbooks,”Cricketbreathed.“Thisonedidn’thaveabook,”Sundewpointedout.“Ithadastickwithabit
offireontheendofit.”“Wheredid—Imean—um,IwishIknewwherethatcamefrom!”Cricket
saidquickly.Theoneshe’dseenhadhadafire,too.Didthereadingmonkeyshaveaccesstoflamesilksomehow?
“Anyway,itsawme,shriekedlikeasnake-bitpanther,andranawaybeforeIcouldeatit,”Sundewsaidgrumpily.
“Butyouwouldn’thave!”Cricketsaid.“Right?Youwouldn’teatsomethingthatcanread,right,Sundew?”
“I’mgoingtoneedalittlemoreprooftheycandothatbeforeIstartgivinguponprey,”Sundewsaid.“ButreallyIwouldn’teatsomethingyou’resocompletelyobsessedwithbecauseIknowI’dneverheartheendofitfromyou.”
“Well,ifIhavetoannoyyouintoprotectingcoolnewspecies,thenthat’swhatIhavetodo,”Cricketsaidnobly.“It’ssounfairyousawoneinsteadofme!You’resolucky.”
Sundewrolledhereyes.“That’sme,theluckiestdragon.”Atearingsoundcamefromthecocoon.Swordtailleapedtohisfeetand
joinedCricket,crouchingbytheendwiththeripinit.“Iwasright!”shewhisperedtohim.“Iknewitwasabouttohappen!It’s
happening!DoyourememberyourMetamorphosis?Isthereanythingweshoulddowhenhecomesout?”
“Justgivehimsomespace,”Swordtailsaid,hiswingstwitchingandhiseyesfixedontheshapeofclawspokingthroughthesilk.“He’llwanttobreatheforamomentandtheneatsomething.”Hesweptthepileoffruitthey’dgatheredcloserwithhistail.
Cricketwishedshehadhernotebook.She’dneverseenaMetamorphosisbefore,andthebookswerealwaysfrustratinglyvagueaboutSilkWingdetails.Ifshecouldtakenotes,maybeonedayshecouldwriteapaperaboutwhatit
shecouldtakenotes,maybeonedayshecouldwriteapaperaboutwhatitlookedlikeandhowitworkedandeverystepoftheprocess…
No.I’llnevergettodothat.I’mnotgoingtobeapublishedscientist.There’snonormalHiveWinglifeaheadforme.
Unless…whatifwedefeatQueenWasp?Thenwhathappens?CouldtheHiveWingsandLeafWingsandSilkWingsallstartlivingin
harmony?SharingtheHives,plantingfood,publishingbooks,goingtoschooltogether?
CricketglancedoveratSundewandfeltliketheweightofoneofthemoonswassettlingonherwings.
TheLeafWingsaren’tgoingtoforgiveus.Howcanweevermoveon—asthoughwedidn’ttrytowipeouttheLeafWingsordominatetheSilkWings?
Howcantheyevertrustus,orwanttolivealongsideusagain,afterwhatwe’vedone?
Shecouldn’timagineapathfromSundew’sanger,orherplantowipeouttheHiveWings,toaworldinwhichthethreetribeslivedinpeace.She’dbeentryingfordays,butherthoughtskeptcirclingbacktothemindcontrol.Asfarasshecouldsee,heronlyhopeforavoidingawarwastoconvinceSundewthatHiveWingswithfreewillwouldbeontheLeafWings’side.
Which,ifshewashonestwithherself,shewasn’tatallsureof.Afamiliarpurplesnoutburstthroughthesilk,shakingfilamentsoffhis
horns.CricketheldherbreathasBluewriggledandshovedandslidoutontothestonefloor,kickinghisshreddedcocoonawayfromhim.Hestruggledfreeandfinallystoodforamomentwithhisheadbowed,takingdeepbreaths.Andthenhelookedup,metCricket’seyes,smiled,andspreadhiswings.
Cricketwonderedifhersmilecouldliftherthroughtheceiling.Blue’swingswereglorious—shimmeringpurpleandbluelikesapphiresandvioletstumbledtogether.Hewasglorious.Sheknewshelovedmorethanhisbeautifulscalesandhislovelyface—shelovedhiskindness,andhissweetness,andhissenseofhumor,andthewayhethoughtaboutotherdragonssodeeply,andthefactthatheseemedtohavenoideaatallhowhandsomehewas.Butohmygoodness,shealsoreallylovedhislovelyface.
“Cricket,”hesaidinahoarsevoice.“Youstayed.”“OfcourseIdid,”shesaid.
“OfcourseIdid,”shesaid.“Thankyou,”hesaid,andherheartfeltasifitmightburst.“Ibetthatwas
…”Hepausedandthoughtforamoment.“Hmm.Boring?”Shelaughed.“Justalittle.”CanheseehowmuchIadorehim?AmItooobvious?IwishIknewwhathe
feels.Swordtailsteppedforwardandofferedaleafcupfullofwater.Bluetookit
gratefullyanddrankthewholething.“Nicewings,”Swordtailobserved.“Notashandsomeasmine,ofcourse,but
prettycool.See,ItoldyouMetamorphosiswasn’tthatbad.”Blueflickedhisfriend’stailwithhisown.“Ican’tbelieveit’sover,”hesaid.
“Afterallthoseyearsofworryingaboutit!”Hestretchedhiswingsaswideastheywouldgoandwrinkledhissnoutasthoughhewastryingtostopsmiling.“RememberhowLunaandIwerewaitingforyouwhenyoucameout?”
“WithagiantboxofhoneydropsandLuna’sweirdbananamashcake,”Swordtailsaid,grinning.
“Youdidareallygoodjobofpretendingtolikeit,”Bluesaid.Hestudiedhiswings,whichlookedshinyanddampinabrand-newkindofway.“Iguesstheoneupsideofbeingfugitivesisshecan’tmakeoneofthoseforme.”Hiseyessearchedthecave.“Hey,Sundew.”
“Heyyourself,SilkWing,”Sundewsaidgruffly.“Yousuretookyourtimegrowingthoseflappers.”CricketwonderedwhetherBluecouldtellthattheLeafWingwasactuallyhappytoseehim,orwhetheritwasonlyCricketwhowasgettingusedtothemostlyhiddenexpressionsunderSundew’sscowls.“Soareyouactuallyaflamesilk?Canyoumakefire?”
“IfeellikeIcan.”Blueheldouthistalonsandglowingflamespiraledfromeachwristintosmokingcurlsoflightonthefloor.Sundewinspectedthem,noddedapprovingly,andscoopedthemintoasmallstonejarfromoneofherpouches.
Whileshedidthat,Bluetookashort,shudderingbreathandlookedatSwordtail,andbytheexpressiononhisface,Cricketcouldtellthathe’dalreadyguessedtheworst.“Luna,”hesaidanxiously.
“I’msorry,Blue,”Swordtailsaid,hiswingsdrooping.“Ican’tfindher.I’velookedandlooked.”
Bluewasquietforalongmoment.Crickettookastepclosertothoseiridescentwingsandgentlytwinedhertailaroundhis.Heseemedsomuchbigger,suddenly.
“Ifyouhaven’tfoundher,”Bluesaid,“thenshemuststillbealive.We’dfeelitifshewasn’t,don’tyouthink?Maybeshe’shidingsomewhereandhasn’tmadeitbackyet.She’llfindusagain.I’msureshewill,Swordtail.She’sprobablyoutthereworryingaboutustwiceasmuchaswe’reworryingabouther.”
“Well,she’snotfindingushere,”Sundewsaid,standingup.Shedroppedhersortedberriesintosectionsofaleafbagandputiton,thenstartedassemblingallherotherpouchesaroundherinsomecarefulorderCrickethadn’tmappedoutyet.“We’vealreadystayedwaytoolong.It’samiracletheHiveWingssearchingthecoasthaven’tfoundusyet.”
“It’snotamiracle,”Swordtailsaid.“It’syou.Youhidtheentrancetothistunnelreallywell.I’veseenHiveWingguardswalkrightpastitastheyhuntthroughthecave.I’vegottenlostlikeeighttimescomingbackfromthebay,becauseit’ssohardtospot.”HehandedBlueatalonfulofkumquatsandslicedyams.“Idon’tknowhowshedidit.Waituntilyouseewhatshedidwiththevinesandthemoss…it’skindofamazing.”
SundewmadethefaceshealwaysmadewhenCricketorSwordtailsaidsomethingniceabouther,asthoughherexpressionshadnopracticereactingtocompliments,sotheyjustthrewoutafewspasmsandthenwentbacktoscowling.“Well,itwon’tlastforever,”shesaid.“Let’sgettoaHiveandfindtheChrysalis.”
“TheChrysalis?”Blueechoedbetweenbites,lookingatSwordtail.“We’llexplainontheway,”Cricketoffered.“So,what—backtoWaspHive?”Sundewasked.Blueshuddered.“Um…isthatouronlyoption?”“It’snotthebestplacetofindtheChrysalis,”Swordtailsaid.“Imean,it’s
themostdangerousHive.Swarmingwithsoldiers.I’mnotevensuretheyhaveanymembersthere.”
Sundewgavehimahardlook.“IthoughtyousaidtheywereinalltheHives.”
“Ithinktheyare,”hesaid.“Butlet’stryanotherone,justtobesafe,ismysuggestion.”
“Wherearewe,exactly?”Cricketsaid.ShetookSundew’sdiscardedleafpouch,flattenedoutonesideofit,andslicedaroughmapofPantalaintothethickpalegreensurfacewithherclaws.“WecamefromWaspHive,uphere.”ShestabbedalittleholeinthespotwhereWaspHivewouldbeonthemap.
“Kindofhere,”Swordtailsaid,pointingtoaspotonthecoastofDragonflyBay,awayssouthofWaspHive.
“Solet’sthink.ThenextclosestHivesarethesethree.”Cricketpokedthreeholesinthemap.“YellowjacketHive,BloodwormHive…orJewelHive.”Shehesitated,feelinganoldfamiliartwistlikethornsaroundherheart.
“Whatisit?”Blueasked,touchinghershoulder.“WhydoesJewelHivemakeyousad?”
“It’s—nothingreally,”shesaid.“Just,that’swheremymothermoved,whensheleftus.”
Cricketcouldrememberthatdayreallyclearly.She’dbeenthreeyearsold;Katydidhadbeentwelve,butstilllivingathomeandwithoutapartner,chosenorassigned.
Ithadfeltcompletelyoutofthebluetoher,likeaHivesuddenlycollapsingfornoreason.Motherhadbeenstandingwithallherbelongingsatthedoorwhentheyreturnedfromschool,herbooksbeingloadedintobasketsbyapairofsturdySilkWings.She’dlookedfaintlyannoyedthatthey’dreturnedbeforeshecoulddisappear.Katydidhadcried,butCricketcouldn’t—itwasalltooconfusing.Shedidn’tunderstandwhytheycouldn’tcontinueastheyalwaysdid,withhermotherignoringthemall.WhydidshehavetogotoawholeotherHivetodothat?
“Ididn’tknowyourmotherleft,”Bluesaidsympathetically.“That’snotanoptionforSilkWings,”Swordtailpointedout.“Atleast,not
bychoice.Nobodygetstoleavethepartnerthey’repairedwith,unlessQueenWasptellsthemto.”
“HiveWingshavetogetherapprovalfirst,”Cricketsaid.“IguessMotherreallywantedtogetawayfromusifshewaswillingtogothroughthewholeseparationrequestprocess.Whensheleft,shesaid,‘Acrossthecontinentstill
isn’tfarenoughfromyouhorriblegrubs,butit’llhavetodo.’”“Whoa.”Sundewhissedthroughherteeth.“Shesoundscharming.”“Oh,Cricket,”Bluesaid.“Howcouldanyonesaythattoherown
dragonets?”“She’dbeentryingtoleaveforawhile,itturnsout,”Cricketsaid,fiddling
withtheedgeoftheleaf.“ButImean,itdoesn’tmatter.It’snotlikewe’llrunintoher—it’sabigHive,superbusy.Ikindofknowmywayaroundfromthetwotimeswevisitedher,somaybethat’llbehelpful.”
Bluerestedoneofhiswingsalongsidehers,likeawarmazurewaveofcomfortifshewantedit.Shelikedthathedidn’tpushhertotalkaboutitmore.
“What’stheplan?”sheaskedSundew.“HowdowegetintotheHiveifeveryone’slookingforus?”
“Withpunchingandbiting?”Swordtailsuggestedhopefully.“Andmaybesomevenomouscaterpillars?”
“Ilikethewayyouthink,”Sundewsaid.“Butthey’recentipedes,dingbat.”“Or,”Blueinterjected,“isthereawaytosneakinwherenobodygetshurt?”“AndnobodygetscaughtbyHiveWingguards,”Cricketagreed.Shelooked
downathermapagain.“JewelHive.Hmmm.”“Whatwhatwhat?”Sundewdemanded.“LadyJewelisalittledifferentfromtheotherHiverulers,”Cricket
explained.“Doyouguysknowanythingabouther?She’sWasp’scousin,nothersister,foronething.Andshe’sfamousforher…Iguess‘loveofart’isthebestwaytodescribeit?”
“Oh,right!”Swordtailsaid,lightingup.“LunawasalwaystalkingabouthowshewantedtomovetoJewelHiveifwecould!ShekeptgoingonabouttheartsceneandtheGlitterbazaar.”Thelightwentoutofhiseyesandhelookeddownathisclaws.“ShewouldlovetoseetheGlitterbazaar.”
“MaybetheChrysaliswillknowsomething,”Bluesaidtohim.“Maybeshefoundherwaytothem,ormaybethey’dknowifshe’sbackintheflamesilkcavern.”
Swordtaillookedhopefulforthefirsttimeindays.“That’strue!IfsheendedupinaHive,that’swhoshe’dlookfor!”Heflickedhistailbackandforth.“Weshouldgoaskthem!Let’sdothat!Let’sgonow!”
“Hangon,whatinPantalaisaGlitterbazaar?”Sundewasked.“Ifitinvolvessparkles,theanswerisno.Idonotdosparkles.”Whichwasfunny,Cricketthought,comingfromadragonwithgoldflecksallacrosshergreenscales.
“Onlyafewsparkles,”Cricketsaid,“andIthinkitmightbeourwayin…”
Crickethadn’trealizedhownerve-rackingitmusthavebeenforSwordtailandSundewtocreepoutofthecaveontothebeacheveryday.Youcouldn’tgetafullviewoftheskyuntilyouwerealreadyexposedonthesand.IfHiveWingshadbeenwatchingfromthecliffs,theywouldhavespottedherfriendseasily,evenatnight,withthemoonslightinguptheocean.
Raindropspatteredagainstherscalesandblurredherglassesasshesteppedintotheopenairforthefirsttimeindays,keepingherbodyclosetothetoweringcliffface.Theywereluckytonight.Darkcloudscoveredmostofthethreemoons,drivingrainobscuredthesky,andthefiercethunderstormwasprobablykeepingmostHiveWingscoutsathome.
Ofcourse,itmeantflyingtoJewelHiveinthatverythunderstorm,butCricketforonewouldratherbattletherainthananotherdragon.
“Bleh.Pffft.Ugh,”Swordtailmuttered,shakingwetsandoffhistalonsandsnout.“Sorryyourfirstflyingexperiencehastobeinthisweather,Blue.”
“It’samazing,”Bluesaid.“Imean,fromdownhere.”Heliftedhisfaceuptotherainandheldouthisfaintlyglowingwrists.Skitteringrivuletsranlikemeltedamethystsalonghiswings.Shewasn’timaginingit;hiswingsweredecidedlylargerthanCricket’s.Itwasalittleintimidating,untilheturnedandsmiledatCricket.Hissmilewasstillthesame;itstilltookupjustasmuchspaceinherheart.
I’msuchamoon-moth.Didn’tIlaughatdragonswhosaidthingslikethatinmybooks?Youdon’tevenknowifhelikesyouback,becauseheseemstobejustthatsweettoeverybody.
Seriously,Cricket,snaptoit.You’retryingtosaveyourtribeandavoidall-outwarrightnow.AndifSwordtailisrightabouttheChrysalis,youcouldbethisclosetosolvingyourbrainchemistrymystery.
“Leadtheway,”Sundewsaid,nudgingCricket.“I’llwatchforHiveWings.Swordtail,youkeepaneyeonBlueandhisnewwings.”
“Willdo,”Swordtailsaidsolemnly.Itwasashakyflight,punctuatedbyearsplittingthunderandcracklingbolts
oflightningoverhead.TherainbatteredCricket’swingsandblurredherglassesandflewintohereyessoshecouldhardlykeeptrackofthecoastlinebelowher.Shewasvery,verygladthattheydidn’thavefartogo.
SheknewherjobwastoleadthewaytoJewelHive,butshecouldn’thelptwistingaroundtokeepaneyeonBlueeveryfewheartbeats.Itwashardenoughflyingforthefirsttime,letalonedoingitinathunderstorm.
Thefirsttimeshe’dflownintherain,ithadbeenatrainingexerciseatTerrariumAcademy.Andithadbeenveryannoying,notbecauseoftheweather,butbecauseofherclassmateBombardier.HewascompletelyconvincedthatCrickethadacrushonhimandwasalwaystryingto“letherdowngently,”wheninfactCricketwouldhaveverymuchlikedtothrowhimthroughawall.
Sherememberedtryingtofigureouthowtoflickraindropsoffherbackwings.Bombardierkepthoveringaroundher,offeringunnecessarysuggestions.
“Icanfigureitoutmyself,”she’dfinallysnappedathim.“Youdon’tneedtoactself-confidentwithme,”he’danswered
condescendingly.“Itwon’tmakemelikeyoumore,Cricket.Ikeeptellingyou,I’mnotinterestedinyouthatway.”
“NeitheramI!”she’dtriedtoprotest,likeshealwaysdid.“Ofcourse,ofcourse,”he’dsoothedherinsincerely,andthensmug-faced
awaywhileshewishedshehadanycoolHiveWingpowerstopoisonhimwith.BluewasthefurthestoppositedragonfromBombardierthatCrickethad
evermet.Hehadnoideahowwonderfulhewas,andhewouldneverassumethatsomebodylikedhim.Healwaysreallywantedtoknowwhatotherdragonswerefeeling,nomatterwhotheywere.
werefeeling,nomatterwhotheywere.Heseemedtohavelesstroublewiththestormthanshe’dfeared.Hiswings
lookedsonewandshimmeringthatshekeptthinkingthewindwouldtearthemrightinhalf,butBluebeatthemstronglyandsmoothly,asthoughhe’dbeenflyingforever.Everytimesheturnedtolookathim,hegaveherhisshysmile,asthoughshehadsomethingtodowiththewindthatliftedhiswings.
Oh,Blue.Iwon’tletthemuseyoutohurtanydragons.We’llfigureoutthemindcontrolandstopQueenWasp,andthenyoucanuseyourflamesilktomaketheworldabetterplaceinsteadofworse.
SoonshecouldseetheglowinglightsofJewelHiveupahead.Flamesilklanternslitmanyofthewindows,andastheyflewcloser,shecaughtglimpsesofabrightpartytakingplaceononeoftheupperlevels.Dragonslaughedanddancedandwhirled,orange-goldscalesandgreenjewelsflashingthroughaballroomhungwithvibrantscarletandcobaltsilktapestries.
Cricketrememberedhidingontheedgesofthatballroomwhilehermotherdanced,atapartyneithershenorKatydidhadwantedtobedraggedto.ButhermothernevermissedoneofLadyJewel’sparties,herbestchancetogetclosertotherulerofhernewHive.KatydidhadfoundabubblydrinkforthemtosharethattastedlikelimesandmadeCricketsleepy.Thewaspsonthetapestrieshadbeendyedagoldsobrightithurthereyes.
ShemissedKatydid.WhenCricketflewoffwithBlue,shehadn’texpectedtobegoneforsolong.Shehadn’tthoughtaboutthepossibilitythatshe’dneverbeabletogohomeagain…thatshemightneverseehersisteragain.
ButI’dstillhavegone,evenknowingallthat.IthinkIhadto.TheyarcedaroundJewelHiveandlandedafairdistanceaway,fartherout
onthepeninsula,atthetopofacliffwheretheycouldhearthesoundofwavesroaringbeloweventhroughthestorm.Somehow,standingoutintherainfeltevenharderthanflying,asthoughtheraindropsweretryingtobeatCricketintotheearth.
“Sothere’stheHive,”SundewshoutedtoSwordtail.“WheredowegotofindtheChrysalis?”
Cricketwasn’tgreatatreadingdragons’expressions,butshethoughtSwordtaillookeddecidedlynervousasheanswered,“Well,wedon’texactlyfindthem.Weleavethemamessageandtheyfindus.”
findthem.Weleavethemamessageandtheyfindus.”“Leavethemamessagehow?”Cricketasked.“Where?”“Um.”Heshookhiswingsandtail.“So.I’mkindof…guessing?Imean,I
sortofknow,butIwasn’tgoingtobetheonewho…Imean,I’mjustsaying,thiswouldbealoteasierifLunawerehere.”
“Butshe’snot,”Sundewsaid.“Notyet,”sheamendedatthelookonhisface.“Youhavetofigurethisout,SilkWing.Wecan’twaitforher.”
“Wait,whynot?”Blueasked.“Can’twegohidesomewherenewforafewdaysuntilwefindherandthendecidewhattodo?”
ThegrasswassoggyandfeltlikedensewetcarpetunderCricket’sclaws.SheblinkedawayraindropsandlookedatSundew.
“No!”Sundewsaid.“We’vebeenwaitingforyou,yousnoozySilkWing.”SheturnedtoCricket.“Myparentscan’tputtheirplansonholdforever.”
Lightningflickereddeepintheclouds,reflectingwavesofgreenfireintheocean.Cricketfeltthetremorofthunderrumblethroughherbones.
“Whatdoesthatmean?”Cricketasked.“Whatplans?Howlongdoyouthinkthey’llwait?”
Sundewhuffedandrippedupamuddytuftofgrass,thencarefullytuckeditbackintothedivotshe’dmadeandcovereditwithherclaws.“Allright,”shesaid.“Twodays.”
“Twodays?”Cricketcried.“That’sit?That’sallthetimewehavetosolvetheentiremysteryofQueenWasp’smindcontrol?”
“Orwhat?”Blueaskedanxiously.“Whathappensintwodays?”“That’sallIcouldget!”SundewshoutedbackatCricket.“Itried,allright?
Itwasalmostimpossible!Itwaslike—liketryingtopushatreebackupwhenit’salreadystartedfalling.BelladonnaandHemlockdon’tthinkyoucandoit.SoI’msorry,butifIdon’thavesomekindofresultsforthembysunsetintwodays,they’regoingtothenextphaseoftheirplan.”
“Whataretheygoingtodo?”Cricketasked.Bluelookedpalerandpalerwitheachofherquestions.“AretheygoingtoattackaHive?WillitrestarttheTreeWars?Whatplan,Sundew?”
“TheLeafWingplanthatisnotforHiveWingstoknowabout,”Sundewsaidsternly.“Butitinvolvesviolenceandyou’renotgoingtolikeitasmuchasthisplan,soweshouldgetmovingonthisplaninordertomakesurethatit’stheone
thatworks.Understand?”Swordtailnodded.“RestarttheTreeWars?”Bluewhispered,nearlydrownedoutbythestorm.Cricket’sheartwasbeatingveryfast.ShewantedtoknowtheLeafWing
plan;shewantedtoknowhowmanyLeafWingswereoutthereandwheretheywouldattackandwhetherKatydidwouldbeindanger.
Buttheonlythingshedidknowwasshewouldn’tgetthoseanswersoutofSundewbyaskingforthemnow.
Andatleastshehadachance.Twodays.TwodaystofindtheanswersandstoptheLeafWings.
“Allright,”shesaid,tryingtosteadyherbreathing.“Wecandothis.Let’sthink.Swordtail,wheredoyouneedtogettosoyoucanleaveamessagefortheChrysalis?”
“Acentralfeature,”hesaid.“InCicadaHive,itwastheSalvationmosaicintheMosaicGarden.Does—doesJewelHivehaveaSalvationmosaic?”
“No.”Cricketshookherhead.Helookedworried.“Doesithaveanythinglikethat?”Cricketbowedherheadandtriedtothink.Hervisitstohermotherhadn’t
exactlyinvolvedfuntoursofawesomeHivemonuments.Butmaybetherewasananswerinsomethingshe’dread…HermindstartedtickingthroughbooksaboutotherHives,monumentstotheSalvation,architectureandunifyingfeatures,thehistoryofHive-building,Wasp’ssistersandLadyJewel…
“There’sthestatueinthecenteroftheGlitterbazaar,”shesaidslowly.“That’satributetotheSalvation.Orthere’sagardenatthetopoftheHive,liketheMosaicGarden.Itdoesn’thavemosaicsorhistoricalmonuments,butithasawadingpoolandashrinetoClearsight.”
“Thegarden,”Swordtailsaid.“Thestatue,”Sundewsaidatthesametime.“Really?”hesaidtoher.“I’dthinkitwouldbeinroughlythesameplace,
like,geographically.Don’tyou?”“No,myrevolutionwouldbeorganizedaroundthesymbolism,”shesaid.“If
it’sinameaningfulplaceinoneHive,I’dguesstheChrysalisinthenextHivewouldchooseaplacewiththesamemeaning.”
“Hm.”Swordtailrubbedhisface,tryingunsuccessfullytodryit.“Idon’t
“Hm.”Swordtailrubbedhisface,tryingunsuccessfullytodryit.“Idon’tknow.Idon’tknow.Iwish—”
“Lunawerehere,yes,weknow,”Sundewsaid.“OK,here’swhatwedo.Leaveamessageinbothplaces.HopetheChrysalisfindsoneofthem.”
“AndtheHiveWingsdon’t,”Bluesaid.“It’llbeeasiesttogototheGlitterbazaarfirst,”Cricketsuggested.She
pointeddowntowardJewelHive,atthedarkshapesthatsprawledinascatteredtanglearoundthebottomofit.“Westartontheoutskirts,getourdisguises,andworkourwayin.”
AndpraytoClearsightthatwecandothisintwodays.
Thenextmorningdawnedgrayanddrizzly,butatleastthepouringrainhadmovedoutalongwiththeapocalypticthunder.OnehalfofCricketwascoldanddampwhenshewokeup,butthesidethathadbeenpressedtoBluewhiletheysleptwaswarm.
Hewasstillasleep,likeasmallsunlitoceanbetweenherandSwordtail.Sheputonherglassesandlookedupatthethicksilkweboverthem,andthenaroundforSundew,whowasgone.
CarefullyCricketdisentangledhertailfromBlue’sandslidawayfromhiswings.HemurmuredasleepycomplaintandrolledclosertoSwordtail,whogruntedandflungonewingoverhim.
Thesilkweboverheadwaspartofavastcanopythatcoveredallthestallsoftheouterbazaar—thelowliershopsthathadspilledoutoftheHivewhentheGlitterbazaargottoobig.Itwasn’tgreattohaveyourstalloutsidetheHiveduringtherainyseason,butatleastthecanopyhelpedkeepthewaresmostlydry.
They’dhiddenovernightinthemusty-smellingbackcornersofacurtainshop,burrowinginbetweenrollsofaquamarineandsilversilk.Cricketcrawledoutofthefabricpileandduckedintothemainstall.Awebhungoverthedoorway,keepingoutmostofthedimmorninglight,butaflamesilklampglowedsoftlyinonecorner.Sundewwasstretchinginthetinyspace.
“Morning,”Cricketsaid.ShesidledupandjoinedSundew’sseriesof
“Morning,”Cricketsaid.ShesidledupandjoinedSundew’sseriesofexercises,likeshehadeachmorninginthecave.Itwasalittleharderhere,tryingtokeepherwingsfromcollidingwithSundew’s.
“Whendothedragonscome?”Sundewasked,finishingherlaststretch.ShepeekedoutthroughthedoorwebattheHive,loominginthemist.
“JewelHivesleepslate,”Cricketsaidapologetically.“Theballssometimesgoallnight.Wewon’tseemanyHiveWingsbeforemidday.AreallLeafWingsearlyrisers,likeyou?”
“Someofthem.Thismarketmustopensooner,though.”Sundewcheckedbackintheotherdirection,alongthepaththroughthestalls.“Aren’tsomeoftheseplacesrunbySilkWings?”
“Mostoftheonesontheoutsideare,”Cricketsaid,nodding.“Weshouldfindwhatweneednowandthenblendinwiththecrowdonceit’sbusyenough.”
Sundewcastawickedsmileatthebackoftheshop.“I’llwaketheothers!”shevolunteered,boundingaway.
Amomentlater,CricketheardSwordtailyelp,“Ow!Unnecessary!”followedbytheunusualsoundofSundewlaughing.
Crickettookamomenttopeeroutintothemarketaswell.She’dwalkedthroughitwithKatydidonce,butshedidn’tknowthelayoutatall.Wasthereanordertothestalls?Weretheyorganizedtogetherbycategoryofitemtheysold,orscatteredwhereverthey’dhappenedtoland?
FromwhatsheknewofJewelHive,she’dguessscattered,andshe’dalsoguessthattherewasn’tamapanywhereinthemarket,ifonehadeverevenbeenmade.LadyJewelwasn’texactlyknownforkeepinghersubjectsorganized.
Whichisgoodforus.ThisisprobablytheHivewherewehavethebestchanceofgoingunnoticed,betweenthechaosofthedragonswholivehereandtheundisciplinedguards.
Thenagain,therewasn’treallyanywheretheycouldgounnoticedifQueenWaspdecidedtotakeovertheeyesofeverydragoninPantala.
ButithadbeenfivedayssinceLunaandBlueescapedtheflamesilkcavern.Cricketwashopingthesearchforthemmighthavequieteddown,atleastalittlebit.
BlueandSwordtailemergedfromthebackofthestall,yawning,withSundewbehindthemlookingmischievouslypleased.
“Youreallytakeanunholyamountofpleasureinrippinghappydragonsoutoftheirpeacefulslumbers,”Swordtailsaidtoher.
“It’sthebestpartofmyday,”shesaid.“Alittletinybitofvengeanceeverymorning.”
Blue’sexpressionwentslightlytrancelike,asthoughhe’dslippedintoacloudoftryingtoimaginewhatitwasliketobeSundew.
“Weshouldhurry,”Cricketwhispered.“I’mnotsurehowlongwehavebeforethefirstSilkWingsarrive—andIdon’tknowhowlongit’lltaketofindwhatwewantinthisplace.It’sbiggerthanIremember.”
TheyduckedunderthedoorwebandCricketledthewayalongthenarrow,clutteredpathsofthemarket.Allthestallshadtheirdoorwebsorcurtainslowered,butitwaseasytotellwhattheysoldbythemerchandisethatspilledovertheedgesandhungfromtheframes.Thegrouppassedaninstrumentstallwithzebra-hidedrumsandcurvedblackmetalharps.Thenexthadasignlistingaselectionoffruitjuices,andtheoneafterthatfeaturedcuriousflamesilklanterns(withouttheflamesilk)shapedlikesnailsorleopardsorbirdsinflight.
Totallydisorganized,Cricketthought.Eachstalldroppedwherevertheshopownercouldgrabaspaceunderthecanopy.Itwasunhelpfulfortheirsearch,butalsokindofwonderfullyfree.EverythinginCicadaHivewasregimentedandorderlyinawaythatCrickethadneverquitefitinto.ShewonderedifherlifewouldhavebeeneasiergrowingupinJewelHive.Shealsowonderedhowherinflexiblemothercouldstandit.
“Oh,there!”shecried,spottingaflareofbrightsilkpokingoutunderacurtain.Theyhurriedoverandshepushedthroughintothedarkstall.Hereyesadjustedslowly.Therewerenoflamesilklampsinhere,oratleast,iftherewere,theywereempty.Cricketsquintedatthesilkdrapedandfoldedontheshelves.Itwashardtoseeanycolorsordetailswiththeouterstallcurtainsdown.
“Here,”Bluewhispered.Heheldoutonetalon,andasmalltwistofsilkspiraledoutofhiswristontohispalm.Itglowedtherelikeaminiaturecometcaughtinhisclaws,lightinguptheroom.
“Socool.”SwordtailleanedtowarditandBluemoveditoutofhisreach.“Careful.Thiswillburn.I’mtheonlyonewhocantouchitsafely.”“Flamesilkdoesn’tburnyou?”Cricketasked,surprised.“Eventhekindin
thelanterns?”Howhadshemissedthatinherreading?
thelanterns?”Howhadshemissedthatinherreading?“Mydadsaiditwouldn’t,aftermyMetamorphosis.”Blueliftedthelight
towardtheceilingsoitilluminatedallthecolorsaroundthem.“Andthisisthekindinthelanterns.”
“Sobecarefulwithit,”Sundewsaid.“Orelseyou’llsetthiswholeplaceonfire.AndmaybetheHive,too,”sheaddedthoughtfully.“Onsecondthought,goaheadandwaveitaround.”
Cricketrealizedafewmomentslaterthatsheshouldhavebeenappalledbythatjoke,butshewasdistractedbythethoughtofhowmuchshedidn’tknowaboutflamesilk.ShewishedshecouldstopforadaytoinvestigateallthedifferentkindsofflamesilkBluecouldmakenowandwhattheycouldeachdo.
Butweonlyhaveuntilsunsettomorrowtostopanewwar.Fascinatingscientificexperimentswouldhavetowait.
“Ithinkthisiswhatwewant,”shesaid,tuggingawaterfallofsunflower-yellowsilkoffthewall.SheflungitoverSundew’sshoulders.TheLeafWingwastheonewho’dstandoutthemostofallofthem.Herforest-greenscalesmightpassforaSilkWing’sataglance,butthosetwowingsscreamed“LEAFWING!ARRESTME!”
ThesilkdrapedalongSundew’sbackandhalfwaydownhertail,coveringherwingsandmostofherbody.Sundewtwistedhernecktogiveitasuspiciouslook.
“Whatisthis?”sheasked.“Whatself-respectingdragonwouldwearsomethingthatwouldtangleuptheirwingslikethis?”
“It’sacape,”Cricketsaidpatiently,tyingtheribbonsaroundSundew’sneckandarrangingthefoldstocoverhershoulders.“MymotherthoughttheywereveryfashionablelasttimeIsawher.”
“Oh,good,adragonwealreadyknowhasexcellentjudgment,”Sundewmuttered.
“Ifyoukeepyourwingsfoldedinclose,”Swordtailsaid,squintingather,“andnobodyaccidentallypullsitofforpeeksunderneath…I’mstillnotsureit’llwork.”
“CouldaSilkWingaffordsomethinglikethis?”Blueasked,touchingoneofthegarmentswithhisfreetalon.“Andshedoesn’thaveantennae.”
“Also,it’salittlebright,”Sundewsaid.“IfImustwearsomething
“Also,it’salittlebright,”Sundewsaid.“IfImustwearsomethingridiculous,I’dpreferitinblackordarkgreenormidnightblueifabsolutelynecessary.”
“Nope,”Cricketsaid,swattingSundew’stalonsawayfromthenearestdark-coloredsilk.“InJewelHive,everyoneisdevotedtobrightcolors,lotsofjewels,accessorieseverywhere.That’stheonlyreasonIthinkwehaveachanceofsneakingin.It’shardtonoticeanyoneifeveryoneistryingtostandout…unlessweslinkaroundinblack,lookingboring.Wehavetomatchtheglamouraroundus.”
“EventheSilkWings?”Blueasked.“Yes,”Cricketsaid.“There’sanongoingcompetitionhereforwhocanhire
theprettiestSilkWing.Someofthemdon’tevenhavetodoanythingexceptsitinparlorsandwindowsandporchesandbalconiesbeingbeautiful.”
Swordtailgrowledsoftly.“Dragonsasdecoration.”“Maybesomeofthemlikeit?”Blueoffered.“Itsoundseasierthansmashing
andremoldingtreestuffallday.”“Itsoundsmind-numbing,”Sundewsnorted.“Youcouldn’tpaymetohavea
bunchofHiveWingsstareatmealldaylong.”Cricketprivatelyagreedwithher.Shecouldonlyimaginesittingstillforthat
longifshehadareallyinterestingbooktoread.“Well,sorry,that’swhatyouhavetobefortoday,”Cricketsaid.“Avery
fancySilkWing.”Sheturnedbacktotheothersilks,wishingsheknewhowmuchdetailQueenWasphadgivenoutinthesearchforthem.Didtheyallhavetowearwing-coveringcapes?Wereveilsstillinfashion?Cricketknewalmostnothingaboutaccessories;theywerefrowneduponatTerrariumAcademy.
ShefoundtwosmallercapesforSwordtailandBlue,inmatchingshadesofrosegoldwithsparklingindigobeetlesembroideredalloverthem.Herhopewastohavethemalllooksobrightandbusythatnoone’seyeswouldbeabletocompletelylandonthem—ornoticethescalesunderneath.
“Thesearekindofcool,”Bluesaid,slidingabasketovertoher.Insidewereseveraltranslucentscarvesandarmsheathswovenwithglitteringblackmarkings.
“Oh,wow,”Cricketsaid,pullingoneoverherforearm.Itlookedliketheglitteringmarkingswerepartofherscales,asthoughshehadextralinesand
zigzagsofblackoverandaroundhernaturalinkblotpatches.Ifsheworeseveraloftheseonherlegs,tail,andneck,shewouldlookmorelikeablackdragonwithspotsofyellowandorangethanviceversa,whichwouldhopefullymakeithardertorecognizeher.Shepulledoutafewmoreandstartedputtingthemon.
“Howarewegoingtopayforallthis?”Blueasked.“Youeternallysweetidiot,”Swordtailsaid,pokinghimintheside.“We’re
alreadyontherunfromthelaw,remember?Sowhocaresifwestealafewcapes?Wecan’tgetinanymoretroublethanwealreadyare.”
Bluewinced.“Iknow.Butthat’snot…it’sjust,somedragonworkedhardonallthis,andtheyprobablyneedthemoneyfortheirfamily.It’swrongtostealfromthem.”
“Oh…that,”Swordtailsaidwithasigh.“Well,Ihopesomeone’shidingasmallfortuneunderoneofyourwings,
then,”Sundewsaidwryly.“IguesswecouldleavethosetwoyamsIdugupyesterday,”Swordtailsaid
withawistfulexpression.“Yourcapeisprobablyworthahundredyams,”Cricketadmitted.“WHAT?”Swordtailprotested.“Thissillything?Itdoesn’tevendo
anything!Why’sitsoexpensive?Isitedible?”“Howmuchisflamesilkworth?”Blueasked.“CouldIleavethemthis?”He
heldoutthestrandoffire.Crickethesitated.“Yes…flamesilkisprettyexpensive.Thatwouldcover
allofthis,Ithink,especiallysinceit’sbrand-newandshouldlastthemawholemooncycle.But,Blue,someonewillfigureoutithadtobeyouwholeftit,don’tyouthink?Whoelsewouldhavebrightnewflamesilklikethat?”
“MaybesomeoneordereditfromWaspHive,likeyourschoollibrariandoes,”Bluesaid.“Itfeelsliketherightthingtodo.”
“Arrgh,youaresuchaSilkWing,”Sundewgroaned.“Thisistheworstidea.It’sbasicallyleavingevidencebehind.”
“Noonewillguessit’sfromthelittledragonetwhoranawayfromCicadaHive,”Bluesaid.Heslippedthestrandintothelanternontheceiling,andlightfilledthestall.“Itcouldhavecomefromanyearlymorningcustomer.”Hepausedandrubbedhiswristswithasmallsmile.“It’skindofawesomeknowingIhavesomethingeveryoneneeds.Icouldgiveitawaytoanyone,anytimeI
Ihavesomethingeveryoneneeds.Icouldgiveitawaytoanyone,anytimeIwant.”
“Or,”Swordtailobserved,“youcouldsetyourenemiesonfireanytimeyouwant.”
SundewpointedoneclawatSwordtail.“You,”shesaid,“aregrowingonme.”
BlueshookhisheadandmetCricket’seyeswithafaintlysickexpression.Sheguessedhewastryingtoimaginebeingadragonwhocouldsetanotherlivingcreatureonfire,andthatitwasbeyondhisabilities.Shebrushedoneofhiswingswithhers.Ilikeyouasyouare,thedragonwhogiftsfiretothosewhoneedit.
“Thisstallisjustsilk,”Cricketsaid,glancingaround.“Comeon,weneedsomejewelry,too.”
“Jeeeeeewwwwwwwelry,”Sundewcomplained.Butevenshehadtoadmit,alittlewhilelaterinashroudedjewelrystall,thatthelongnecklacesoflittlegoldleavesCricketfoundwerekindofcoolandshe’dmaybebeallrightwithwearingjustoneofthem.
ShewaslesspleasedwithCricket’sotherdiscovery,thethingCrickethadreallybeenlookingfor:agold-and-jadeheaddresswithsomanypointsandsquigglesandsparklesthatithidthefactthatSundewhadnoantennae.TheLeafWingcarriedonasthoughCricketwasattachingactualsnakestoherhead,buttheendresultwasquitedazzlingandentirelydistracting.
“ThisistheWORST,”Sundewgrumbled,glaringintoamirror.“Wil—mytribewouldfalloverlaughingatmerightnow.”
“I’msurethey’dunderstandthatsometimesyouhavetosacrificeyourdignityforahigherpurpose,”Swordtailjoked.
Sundewswattedathimandhedartedoutoftheway.Inthesamestall,theyfoundbejeweledheadcoveringsforBlueand
Swordtailthathunglikemasksofdewdropsaroundtheireyes,andabrightblueveil-shawl-tiara-thingthatmostlyhidCricket’sfaceandglasses,pluswasalsogaudyenoughthatSundewwasalittlemollified.
“AtleastI’mnottheonlyonewholookslikeanexplodingpeony,”shesaid,surveyingtheothers.
“I’msurprisedtheseareallowed,”BluesaidtoCricket,trailinghisclaws
“I’msurprisedtheseareallowed,”BluesaidtoCricket,trailinghisclawsalongthedanglingleavesthatornamentedarowofbracelets.“Iwouldhavethoughtleavesfitundertherulesagainsttrees.”
“MaybeinCicadaHive.LadyJewelallowsherdragonstoflyalittleclosertotheedgesoftherulesthanmostHiveleaders,”Cricketpointedout.
“Whatrulesagainsttrees?”Sundewaskedsharply.“We,um.”Bluefalteredunderheroutragedglare.“We’reforbiddentoput
anytreesinourart.Notreesculptures,notreesinthebackgroundofourpaintings.”
“Noplantingtreesinourterrariums,”Cricketsaid,thinkingwistfullyofhersecretlittletree,backatschool.Wouldanyonetakecareofitnowthatshewasgone?“Somefruittreesareallowedinthegreenhouses,butonlywithspecialpermissionandstrictlyundersupervisionbyQueenWasp.Notreeplantingoranythingthatmightmakeatreegrowinthesavanna.”
Sundewpickeduparopeofpearls,wounditaroundherfronttalons,andsnappedthecordwithoneviolenttug.Pearlsfleweverywhere,clatteringoverthecountertops.
“Let’sgo,”shegrowledatCricket.Withawhirlofhersaffronsilkcape,shestalkedoutintothemarket.
“Whoa,”Swordtailsaid,lookingupfromabasketofturquoiseearringsnearthebackofthestall.“Didshejustgetevenangrier,ordidIimaginethat?”
“Definitelyangrier,”Cricketsaid.“Idon’tknowwhy,though.Doyou,Blue?”
“Ithink…IthinkmaybeerasingtreesevenfromourartislikeQueenWasptryingtowipeouttheLeafWingsalloveragain,”Bluesaid.“Imean,maybethat’showitfeelstoSundew.”
“Ineverthoughtofitlikethat,”Cricketsaid.She’dalwaysthoughtitwasasillyrule;treeswerejustanotherplant,andplantswereusefulforlotsofthings,andwhynothavemoreiftheycould?She’dneverseenthemasasymbolofthelong-goneLeafWings,butnowsherealizedthatQueenWaspmustthinkofthemthatway.
BlueleftthreelittlecoilsofflamesilkinastonevaseonthecounterandduckedoutsidewithSwordtail.AsCricketstartedtofollowthem,sheheardasmallclatteringsoundbehindher.
Probablyamouse,shetoldherself,butsheedgedbacktowardthecounterwithherheartthumping.Iftherewasanotherdragoninhere,who’dseenthemputtingontheirdisguises,orBluecreatingflamesilkfromhiswrists…
Thebasketsofjewelrybehindthecounterwerestillandquiet.Nobodycouldpossiblybehidingbackthere;thereweren’tanycornersorshadowsbigenoughforadragon.
Butthensomethingmoved—somethingdartedfromonebaskettoanother.Somethingsmallerthanadragon,butbiggerthanamouse.Somethingwithdarkfurandswiftpaws.
Areadingmonkey!Ireallyneedabetternameforthem.Cricketleanedoverthecounter,staringatthebasketwhereithad
disappeared.Alongmomentpassed,andthenasmallheadpokedoutandstaredbackather.Alertbrowneyes.Asweetface,narrowerthanamonkey’sandfurlessexceptforthetopofitshead.
“Don’tbeafraid,”Cricketsaidsoftly.“Ijustwanttoknowwhatyouare.”Thecreaturegazedather.Wasthatcuriosityinitseyes?Diditwantto
understandher,too?“Cricket!”Swordtailshouted,stickinghisheadbackintothestall.Thelittle
animaljumpedandvanishedbehindthebaskets.“DragonsarecomingfromtheHive!”
Oh,whycouldn’tIhavefoundoneofyoubeforeallthisstartedhappening?Cricketcastonelastlonginglookatthecreature’shidingspotandthenturnedtohurryoutside.
Swordtailwasright.DragonswerestartingtospilloutoftheHive’sdoorsandflyingledges,swoopingoffintotheskyordowntowardthemarket.JewelHivewaswakingupfortheday,oratleastitsSilkWingswere.
Thetrickypartwaskeepingoutofsightuntilthemarketwasrelativelycrowded.TheymanagedbymovingbetweenstallsandstayinginthecornersoftheonesCricketguessedwererunbyHiveWings,andsomorelikelytoopenlater.TherewasaclosecallwithaSilkWingwhowassweepingbehindthetents,butsoonthenarrowpathwayswerefullofdragons.
Cricketbreathedasighofrelief.She’dbeenrightaboutJewelHive;hermemorieshadn’tfailedher.Everyoneworebrightcolorsandpilesofgemstones.
memorieshadn’tfailedher.Everyoneworebrightcolorsandpilesofgemstones.Capesswirledbesidewingseverywhereandheaddressesglitteredfromhalfoftheheadsaroundthem.EventheSilkWingswhosweptthestreetshadadornmentsintheirearsorsilkscarvesaroundtheirnecks.
Theyedgedthroughthecrowd,makingtheirwayslowlytowardtheHive.Crickettriedtolookasthoughshewasshopping,pausingtoexaminethemerchandisehereandthere,smilingfaintlyatthestallownerswhotriedtolureherinside.
ShewastheonlyHiveWinginthegroup,somostdragonswouldassumetheotherthreewereherSilkWingservants.Itwasweirdanduncomfortabletohavethemtrailingbehindher,headsdown.Itmadeherfeelguiltytothinkabouthowmanytimesshe’dwalkedpasttheirownSilkWingcookwithoutsayinghelloortakentheSilkWingworkersatthemarketforgranted.
ShewishedSundewcouldleadtheway.ShewishedBluecouldwalkalongsideher,wingtowing,soshecouldlaughwithhimandtalktohimandleteveryoneknowhewaswonderfulandjustasimportantandinterestingandvaluableasanyHiveWingdragoninPantala.
Butshekeptupherpart,actinglikeanyotherself-absorbed,fashion-obsessedHiveWinginJewelHive.SoonthemaindoorsoftheHivewereaheadofthem,swarmingwithdragonscominginandoutofthecentralGlitterbazaar,whichoccupiedthebottomthreelevelsofthecity.Allthewindowswereopentoletinthesun,andthestreetsandstallsaheadofthemshonelikeashatteredfrozenrainbow.
Behindher,Sundewclearedherthroatmeaningfully.CricketglancedaroundandnoticedtheHiveWingguardspostedoneithersideofthedoors.Theyworesleekblackarmorandhelmetsthathidtheirfaces,butCricketguessedthattheeyesglaringthroughthelittleslitswouldbedeadwhite.
Cricketfeltashiverofterrifieddespair.QueenWaspwaswatching.QueenWaspwaseverywhere.Attheentranceto
everyHive,flyingpatrolsoverthesavanna,insideeveryHiveWingifshewantedtobe.
Howcouldtheypossiblyhopetosneakbyher?Howcouldtheyeverescape,whenhergazeandherfurycouldfollowthemwherevertheywent?
Theclosestguardturnedhisheadsharplytowardthem.
Theclosestguardturnedhisheadsharplytowardthem.
“Don’tlookatthem.Don’treact,”Sundewwhisperedfiercely,steppingonCricket’stail.CricketturnedtowardherwithwhatshehopedwasaloftyHiveWingexpression.Thishadtheaddedbenefitofcurvingherheadawayfromtheguardwhowasstaringatthem.
“It’sallsoboring,”Cricketsaidinthehigh,slowwaythatJewelHivedragonsoftentalked.“IfeellikeI’veseeneverythingamilliontimes.Where’stheoriginality,Imean,yawn.”
“YoushouldtryRaindropScales,”aHiveWingbesideherinthecrowdinterjectedunexpectedly.“They’reonlyopenduringtherainyseasonsoeverythingfeelsbrand-new!Ilovethem.HaveyouheardofPinacate?She’stheownerandthedesigner.Shehasatrillioninnovativeideaseveryyear;it’sincredible.IwishIwerethatcreative!”
“Wow,really?Idon’tthinkI’vebeenthere,”Cricketsaid,surprisedintousingherrealvoice.Thestrangerwasasummer-squash-yellowcolorwithflecksofredandblackscalesandblackwings,butshe’dcoveredherselfwithwebsofgarnetsandwhatCricketguessedwerefakediamonds,sincethereweresomanyofthem.Alongsea-greensilkscarfwaswoundaroundherneckandbody,allthewaydownhertail,pinnedtogetherwithanenormousdragonflybroochonherback.
“It’srightbytheSalvationStatue,”theotherdragonconfided.“Veryexpensive,though.ImustadmitIoftengothereforideasandthenseeifIcan
expensive,though.ImustadmitIoftengothereforideasandthenseeifIcanfindsomeonetoimitatethem.Don’ttell.”Shegiggledinawarm,friendlyway.
“Yoursecretissafewithme,”Cricketsaid,smilingbackather.Butthereversewouldnotbetrue,shethoughtwithatwingeofanxiety.The
HiveWingwasallsmilesandstoriesnow,butifthisdragondiscoveredthatCricketwasafugitive,wouldn’tsheturnherinimmediately?Or,evenifsheunderstoodandwantedtohelpthem,shewouldn’tbeableto,becauseatanymomentQueenWaspcouldstealhermind.ThisotherHiveWingcouldneverchoosetorunawaylikeCrickethad;shecouldneverbefreeofthequeen.Shedidn’thavethechoicetothinkforherself.
She’dhelpedtheminadvertently,though.Cricketsnuckasidewayspeekattheguards.Theonewho’dlookedovermusthaveseentwoHiveWingsgossipingandlostinterest;hewasnowstaringattentivelyatthemovementofbirdsonthecanopy.
“Thankyouverymuch,”Cricketsaidtotheyellowdragonastheysteppedinside.“Imean—um,fortherecommendation.”
“MaybeI’llseeyouthere!”theHiveWingchirped.Shewavedandbustledaway.
Thewallsaroundthemwereweirdlybothcomfortingandclaustrophobic.CricketwassousedtolivinginaHive,withwallsaroundherallthetime.Andyetshefoundherscalespricklinganxiously,hereyeswishingfortheskyoverhead.
It’snotthewallsthatarebotheringme,sheacknowledgedtoherself.It’sthedragonsinsidethem.
“Sheseemedreallynice,”Bluewhisperedastheywoundtheirwaytowardthecenterofthemarket.
“ForaHiveWing,”Sundewscoffed.“Shedidseemnice,”Cricketagreed,keepinghervoicelow.“That’sthekind
ofdragonI’mtalkingabout,Sundew.Whatwouldshedoifthequeendidn’tcontrolher?Imean—ifsheknewthetruthabouteverything—theflamesilks,theBookofClearsight—andshedidn’thavethequeeninherhead,makingherdothingsandmessingwithherthoughts.Thencouldwetrusther?Maybeshewouldtrytohelpus.”
“Likeyou,”Bluesaid.“Maybeshe’dbelikeyou.Maybealotofthemwish
theycouldbefree.”“Doubtful,”Sundewsaid.“EverythingiseasyforHiveWingslikeher.Why
wouldsheriskherownhappylife?”“Yeah,”Swordtailsaidfervently.“HiveWingsdon’tcareaboutanyonebut
themselves.”Cricketflinched,andBluefrownedatSwordtail.“That’sreallyunfair,
Swordtail.Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoingonintheirhearts.TheonlyHiveWingyouknowwellisCricket,andshecaresalot.”
ButIcarebecauseofyou,Cricketthought,watchinghim.Imightneverhaveknownanyofthis,ifitwasn’tforyou.
“Iknowplenty,”Swordtailgrumbledunderhisbreath.“IthinkCricketisdifferentfromalltheothers,”Sundewsaid.Therewas
somethinginhervoice…asthoughsheneededtoconvinceherselfthatwastrue.
“Maybenot.Whatdoyouthink,Cricket?ArethereanyotherHiveWingswhoare…whocan’tbe…Imean,whosebrainsarelikeyours?”BlueaskedCricket,glancingaroundnervously.
“NotthatI’veevermet,”Cricketsaid.“Butwewouldn’texactlyintroduceourselvesthatway,sohowwouldIknow?”Shethoughtofthatfirstdayshe’dseeneveryone’seyesgowhite.“Therewasonedragonlongago;Ithinkhewastryingtofightit.ButthequeenusedeveryoneintheHivetocatchhimandbringhimtoher.Idon’tknowwhathappenedtohim,butI’dguesshe’snotavailableforinterviews.”
Blueshivered,andshebrushedhiswing,tryingtobeasreassuringasshecouldbeinpublic.Thedragonsaroundthemweresoloudandmovingsoquicklythatshedidn’tthinkthey’dnoticeanythingbeyondthebargainsintheirtalons,butstill.Theyhadtobecareful,forBlue’ssake.
“IsthattheSalvationStatue?”Swordtailwhispered.Cricketcranedherneckupandspottedtheheadofthedragonthatloomed
overthecenteroftheGlitterbazaar.Itwasn’ttherealQueenWasp,butthedetailsofthestoneworkweresoaccuratethatCrickethalfexpectedthestatuetosuddenlytwistaroundandglareather.
Butitdidn’t.Thestonequeenstayedfrozeninplace,wingsflungouttriumphantly,onetalonholdinguptheBookofClearsight.
triumphantly,onetalonholdinguptheBookofClearsight.Cricketstumbled,suddenlyrememberingtherestofthestatuethat
commemoratedtheendofthewar.Themarbledragonthatlaydeadbelowthequeen’sothertalons,withoneofherdeadlywriststingersplungedthroughhisheart.She’dneverstoppedforamomenttothinkaboutthatdragon,becausehewasn’tanyoneinparticular.Hewasjust“theenemy.”Hewasablanknobodyrepresentingthetribewho’dbeendefeatedandexterminatedwhentheHiveWings“saved”theSilkWingsfromthem.
HewasaLeafWing.SheglancedbackatSundew.“Ishouldhavewarnedyou,”shesaidquietly.
“Thiscouldbeupsetting.”“Don’tworry,HiveWing,”Sundewmuttered,twitchinghercapecloser
aroundhershoulders.“I’matfullrageallthetime.Itcan’tgetworse.”“Allthetime?”Bluesaidwonderingly.“Really?Don’tyougettired?”“Yes,”shegrowled.“Andthatmakesmefurious,too.”Theysteppedoutofthecrowdintothespacearoundthestatue.Likethe
SalvationMosaicinCicadaHive,thismonumentwasalsosetapartfromitssurroundings.Atranquilcircleofgrasssurroundedit,strangelypeacefulinthechaoticbustleofthemarket.Cricketnoticedthatmostoftheshoppingdragonscarefullywentaroundthecircletoavoidtreadingonthegrass,unlesstheyweregoinguptoadmirethestatue.
Itwasreallyextraordinary,twicethesizeofanyactualdragons,andcarvedfromstonequarriedinthenorthwestmountainsofPantala.Anenormousrubyglintedfromeachofthequeen’seyesockets,andgoldletterswereinlaidonthecoverofthemarbleBookofClearsight.
Buttherealbookdoesn’tlookanythinglikethat,Cricketthought,gazingupatthefakebook.It’snotshinyorenormous;itdoesn’thaveatitleemblazonedonit.It’snotwhat’sontheoutsideoftheBookthatcounts;it’swhat’sontheinside,andthat’sthepartQueenWasphasbeenlyingabouttoeveryone.
SheglancedattheoutlineoftheheavypouchunderSundew’scloak.Weshouldmakeacopyofit,incaseanythinghappenstoit.Butifanythingdidhappentoit…whowouldbelieveusthatthecopywasreal?
Swordtailwascirclingthestatue,frowningandfiddlinganxiouslywithhisjeweledmask.
jeweledmask.“Well?”Sundewhissedashereturnedtothem.“Idon’tknow,”heconfessed.“Idon’tseeaplacetoleaveamessagethat
wouldn’timmediatelybeseen.Whatwouldyoudo?”“Knockitover,”shemuttered.“Smashittopieceswithmybaretalons.
ThrowthebrokenrockchunksateveryoneinthisHive.”Butshestalkedforwardandstudiedthestatuewithsharpeyes.
“Areyouallright?”BluewhisperedtoCricket.“Me?”shesaid,startled.“Sure.Idon’tknow…thisstatuemakesmefeelso
guiltynow.AndtheBookisallwrong.Iwishdragonscouldreadtherealversion.”
Henodded.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutClearsight,”hesaidsoftly.“Shewouldn’twantawarorthislifeforherdescendantsorfortheothertwotribes.ButIdon’tknowhowwe’regoingtohelpeveryone.We’rejustfournormallittledragons.”
“Iknow,”Cricketagreed.“Well,threenormallittledragonsandonevengefulwarriordragonwithanarsenalofterrifyingbugs.”
Sundewhadpausednearonecornerofthestatue’sbase.SheturnedcasuallyandmetCricket’seyes.Swordtailsteppedtowardherandshepokedhimbackward,tippingherheadtobeckonCrickettoher.Therewereonlytwootherdragonsonthegrasscirclewiththem:afatherwithasmalldragonet,whoweresittingonthefarsideofthestatue,sharingalemonpastryandtalkingaboutthestoryoftheSalvation.
“Whatisit?”Cricketwhispered.Sundewcuthergazetowardtheverybottomofthestoneslab,wherethe
cornermetthegrass.Atinyshardofstonewasmissing,leavingasmallgapbetweenthebaseandtheground.
Somethingpalegreenwasshovedintothegap.CricketrealizedthatSundewhadangledherselftoshieldCricketfromview
ofanyonepassinginthemarketplace.Shereacheddownandquicklytuggedthesomethingfree.
Itwasaleaf,foldedintoasquare.Unfolded,amessagewasrevealed,inkedacrosstheveinsontheinside.
Midnight.Library.5.
Herheartthumpingwildly,Cricketrefoldedtheleafandsliditbackintoplace.Shedidn’tknowwhatthe“5”meant,buttherestseemedprettyclear.
“IthinkwehaveawaytofindtheChrysalis,”shesaidtoSundewunderherbreath.“AndIthinkIknowwherewecanhideuntilthen.”
Cricket’smother,Cadelle,livedabouteightlevelsabovetheGlitterbazaar,inaneighborhoodoflittleresidentialsquaresandparksthatwasrespectablebutnotthewealthiestpartoftheHive.ItlookedfancyenoughtoCricket,butshe’dheardhermothercomplainforhoursabouttheclasslessneighbors,thelongclimbtoherjobattheuniversity,andtheshabbyconditionofthestreets.
AndonethingCadellehatedinparticularwasthewatertowerthatstoodinthecenterofthesquare,directlyacrossfromherhouse.Itwasghastly,itwascoveredinrust,therewasnothingmorehideousintheworld,whycouldn’tshehavebeengivenahouseonthesky-viewsideinstead,whydidshehavetolookatiteveryday,wasthisherpunishmentforthetwolittlemonstersshe’dloosedontheworld,couldn’ttheHivedosomethingtomakeitmoreattractive,whydidn’tanyoneelsecare,ifshe’dbeendesigningtheHiveshe’dhaveputallthewatertanksunderthestreetoratleastonalevelwherenooneimportanthadtolookatthem.
ButontheirfirstvisittoJewelHive,KatydidandCrickethaddecidedthatitwouldmakeaperfecthidingspot.
“Maybenotperfect,”Katydidhadconceded,testingtherickety,rustyironlegsthathelditup.“You’llprobablygetwet.Notsurehowyou’llexplainthat.”
“I’llthinkofsomething,ifIneedto,”Cricketsaid.She’dflownuptothetopofthetowertomakesureshecouldopenthehatchbyherself.Shewasfourthen,butshe’dfiguredoutthecomplicatedlatchafterstudyingitforamoment.This
butshe’dfiguredoutthecomplicatedlatchafterstudyingitforamoment.ThiswaswhereSilkWingworkerswouldclimbinandouttocleanthetank,andwherethey’dpourinthenewwater,gatheredfromsinkholesunderthesavannaortransportedbyairfromLakeScorpion.
Thiswasthefirstthingtheydidwherevertheywent,CricketandKatydid.Cricketwasalreadyusedtodoingitonherown,too.Ineverynewplace,shelookedforsomewheretohide.Sheneededsomewhereshecouldgettoquicklyandquietly,incaseQueenWaspsuddenlybrainwashedeveryonewithherorders(orasKatydidcalledthem,“whole-Hivecommands”).Sheneededtobereadytovanishatanymoment.
She’dneverhadtousethewatertower,though.Theirtwovisitshadbeenshort,andtherehadn’tbeenanyall-Hivemind-controlmomentswhiletheywereinJewelHive.
Soshejusthadtohopethatitwasasgoodahidingplaceasthey’dthoughtitwouldbe.
Thestreetsaroundhermother’shouseweremostlydeserted;itwasstillfairlyearlyinthemorning,somostdragonshadeithergonetoworkalready,or,morelikely,werestillasleepafterdesperatelytryingtooutlasteveryoneelseatthepartiesandsalonsthenightbefore.ButthepostersofQueenWasp’sfaceseemedtoloomlargerthanever,hereyesglaringdownatthemaroundeveryturn.
Worseyet,newpostershadsprunguponseveralofthewallsthroughouttheHive:
WANTED—WANTED—WANTED
FORCRIMESAGAINSTTHETRIBEANDTHESACREDMEMORYOFCLEARSIGHT
EXTREMELYDANGEROUS—APPROACHWITHCAUTION
REWARDFORANYINFORMATIONORIDENTIFICATIONTHATLEADSTOANARREST
Andunderneathallthat,drawingsofBlue,Swordtail,andCricket.ButnotSundew,Cricketnoticed.QueenWaspdoesn’twanttoadmitthata
LeafWinggotallthewayinsideherownHive.EventhoughhundredsofdragonsmusthaveseenherasweescapedwiththeBook.Butifthequeensaysitdidn’thappen,that’sthenewtruth.Isthereanyonewhowoulddaretodisagreewith
her?Herheartseizedandjumpedeverytimetheypassedanotherdragonnearone
oftheposters,everytimeaHiveWingglancedatthem,everytimeshecaughtaglimpseofherownfaceonawallbehindsomeone’swings.
Whatwillhappentousifwegetcaught?WhatdoesQueenWaspdowithtraitors?I’veneverheardofoneinmylifetime—isthatbecausetherehaven’tbeenany,orbecauseshemadethemdisappear?
Iwonderwhathappenedtothatdragonwhotriedtofightbackagainstthemindcontrol.
TheonlythingIknowforsure:ifwegetcaught,I’llneverseeBlueagain.He’llbethrownbackintheflamesilkcavern.
Andtherestofus?Willwebeexecutedpublicly?Orvanishwithoutatrace?She’dalwayslivedwithaquietfearatthebackofhermindthatoneday
she’dbefoundoutandthequeenwouldbefurious.Butthisnewfearwasliketermitesinherskull,muchmoreconstantandpresentandsquirmingthroughallofherthoughts.
Whentheyreachedthesquarehermotherlivedon,theyhadtowaitoutofsight,aroundacorner,untilapairofSilkWingsfinishedpolishingtheartaroundthewatertower.DragonflySquarewasnamedforaherooftheTreeWars(asweremanyspotsallaroundtheHives),anditwasdecoratedwithsculpturesofdragonfliesinherhonor.Theyrangedfromtinymobiles,eachdragonflyaslongasoneofCricket’stalons,toonethesizeofadragon,perchedonthesideofthewatertank.Theirshinymetallicbluesandgreensgavethesquarethestrangevibeofanelectrocutedgarden.
Sundewpeeredaroundthesquareasthetwocleanerspackeduptheirthingsandsetoffdownasidestreet.“What’stheplanhere?”shehissed.“We’rehidinginoneofthehouses?”
“No.”Cricketpointedatthetower.“Inthere.There’sahatchattheverytop,neartheceiling.”
Swordtailwrinkledhissnout.“Um,isn’tthat…fullofwater?”“Notalltheway,”Cricketsaid.“There’saledgeandroomtobreatheatthe
top.”Hestilllookedskeptical,butSundewwasalreadystridingtowardthetallest
house.Stayinginitsshadow,shespreadherwings,tossingbackthecape,and
house.Stayinginitsshadow,shespreadherwings,tossingbackthecape,andsoaredupthewall.Shewasintheopenfortwoheartbeats,hoppingfromtherooftothetopofthetower,andthenshewashiddenbythecurveofthetank.
Cricketfollowedheralongthesamepath,withBlueandSwordtailbehindher.Theyalllandedasquietlyastheycouldonthetopofthetank,butthethunkoftheirtalonsonthemetalstillechoedenoughtomakeCricketwince.
Therewasthehatch,andasbefore,shewasabletogetitopenquickly.Sheslippedinsidefirst,reachingdownwithhertailtoseehowmuchspacetherewasbetweentheroofandthewaterlevel.
Itwashigherthanlasttime,justcoveringtheledgethatranaroundtheinsideatthetop.Cricketdroppedontotheflat,latticedsurfacewithasmallsplashandedgedaroundtotheotherside,wheresheandKatydidhadstabbedoneofthreepeepholes.Throughtheholeinthemetal,shecouldseestraightdowntohermother’shouse.
Isshestillinthere,ordidsheleaveforworkalready?Hassheseenmyfaceontheposters?DidshetellthequeenI’mher
daughter?Isshedisappointedinme?Ordidthisjustproveeverythingshethought
aboutmeallalong?Cricketsighed.Itwasdarkinthetank,andalittleeeriewiththevast
expanseofwatersilentbelowthem.ButshecouldfeelthebrushofBlue’swingsashecameandsettlednexttoher,comfortingherwithoutsayingaword.
Mothermightbedisappointed.ButbeingdifferentfromtheotherHiveWings…Ithinkthatmakesmelucky.
Sundewclosedthehatchbehindherandforaverylongtime,thefourofthemsatquietly,eachthinkingtheirownthoughts.
Sundewisdreamingofvengeance;SwordtailisworryingaboutLuna.Blueisimaginingbeingthem,orme,oranyofthedragonswholiveinthisHive.Iwonderifhewouldunderstandmymother.Ifhemether,couldheexplainhertome?
Cricketcouldjustpicturehermother’sfaceifsheeverbroughtBluehomefordinner.
Shetriedtofocusonthemindcontrol.WouldtheChrysalisknowanythingshedidn’t?Iftheycombinedtheirresearch,woulditrevealsomethingnew?Was
shedidn’t?Iftheycombinedtheirresearch,woulditrevealsomethingnew?WasitpossibletheywereworkingonawaytofreetheHiveWings?
OratleastKatydid,shethought.IfIcouldfreeKatydid,Icouldstopworryingsomuch.
“We’restuckinhereuntilmidnight?”Swordtailwhispered.“Yes,”Cricketwhisperedback,clearingthefogfromherglasseswithoneof
thesilkscarvesaroundherneck.“Whew.”Shefelttheledgevibrateasheshookhishead.“It’sgoingtobea
longday.”Sometimelater,CricketdiscoveredshehadnoddedoffwhenBluenudged
herawake.Shewasdisorientedbythedarkness,soittookheramomenttoaccesshernaturalsenseoftime.Almostmidday.HertalonsandtailwereentwinedwithBlue’s,andshepulledthembackandadjustedherglasses,gladhecouldn’tseeherexpression.
“Cricket,”hesaidsoftly.“Isthatyourmother?”Sheleaneduptotheholewherehewaspeeringout.Sureenough,down
belowadragonwascomingoutofhermother’shouse.Adragonthecoloroftangerines,withblackpatternszigzaggingalongherspineandouttotheedgesofherwings.
“Yes,”shesaid.“That’sCadelle.”Shehadn’tseenhersincethelastrainyseason.KatydidkeptsendingmessagesaskingtovisitandCadellealwayssaidno.Sometimesshesaidnoinstronglywordedlettersabouthowannoyinganduselesstheywere.
WhydoIstillwanthertoloveme?Cricketwondered.“Wantmetodropamangoonher?”Sundewoffered.“YouhaveaMANGO?”Swordtailaskedindignantly.“No,youacorn.It’sametaphoricalmango.”“Idon’tseehowmetaphoricalmangoesaregoingtodousanygood,”
Swordtailmuttered.Cadellehurriedofftowardtherampsthatledtotheupperlevels.Shetaught
historyatJewelHiveUniversity,whichCrickethadheardherdescribeas“ajobwhereIteachmyreplacements,becausewhatelsearetheygoingtodowiththisinformation.”
Shemovedaspurposefullyandquicklyasshealwaysdid.Shedidn’tslow
downorglancesidewaysasshepassedtheWantedpostersofCricketandherfriends.
Hassheevennoticedit’sme?Maybeshedoesn’tcare.CadellestrodeoutofsightdownoneoftheavenuesandCricketsighed.Her
motherwasaquestionthatseemedasthoughitwouldneverhaveananswer.Shewasabouttoliedownagainwhenshespottedaflickerofmovement
frombehindoneoftheotherhouses.Cricketpaused,squintingtowardit.Wasitatrickofthelight?Orwasthat
shadowbiggerthanitshouldbe?Somethingmovedagain,andthistimeshewassureitwasadragon’shead
peekingout,glancingfurtivelyaround,andthenwithdrawing,likeasnailtestingtheopenairwithitsantennae.
Anotherfewlongmomentspassed,andthentwodragonscarefullyslippedoutoftheshadows.Theybothworehalfcapeswithhoods,ofpalesilverembroideredwithemeraldthreads,andtheykepttheirheadsdownastheycrossedthesquaretowardCadelle’shouse.
OneturnedtocheckupanddownthestreetsastheothercrouchedandpulledCadelle’ssparekeyoutfrombehindtheloosetilewhereshekeptit.
Cricketgasped.Itwasn’tjustthatthesilver-capeddragonknewwherethekeywas.Itwas
thewayshemoved,theflickofhertailasshewalked,thetiltofherheadassheunlockedthedoor.
Thedragonsneakingintohermother’shouserightnowwasCricket’ssister,Katydid.
“That’smysister!”CricketwhisperedtoBlue,keepinghereyepressedtothehole.“Whatisshedoinghere?Whyisshesneakingininsteadoflettingourmotherknowshe’shere?Andwhoisshewith?”
TheotherdragonwasalotbiggerthanKatydid,butitwashardtoseemanydetailsthroughthetinyspyholeandfromsuchaheight.Thedragon’sscalesthatCricketcouldseewereyellow,withblackstripesonthewings,butthatdidn’tnarrowitdownverymuch.
Katydidgotthedooropenandturnedbacktolookatherpartner.Theotherdragonsaidsomething,andthentheysplitup.MysterydragonwenttothecorneroftheavenuewhereCadellehadgone,presumablytokeepwatch.Katydidslippedinsideandclosedthedoorbehindher.
“Ihavetotalktoher,”Cricketsaid,standingup.“What?”Swordtailcried.“That’saterribleidea!Sundew,tellherthat’sa
terribleidea.”“ShecouldturnintoQueenWaspatanymoment,”Sundewpointedout.“Exactly,”Swordtailagreed.“Youheardtheboss.”“Butaslongasshe’sherself,Iknowshe’stheoneHiveWingIcantrust,”
Cricketsaid.“AndIneedtomakesureshe’sallright.Ineversaidgood-bye.”Herbreathcaughtinherthroatandshehadtostruggleforthenextwords.“Or…explainedortoldherIwasgoingoranything.Andnowshe’shere,right
whereIcantalktoher.Ijusthaveto.”“Ofcourseyoushould,”Bluesaid.Shecouldhearathreadofguiltinhis
voice.Sheknewhewasthinkingabouthowshehadlefthersisterbehindforeverbecauseshe’dbeenhelpinghim.Hedidn’thavetofeelbadaboutthat;ithadbeenherchoice.Butshedidn’thavetimetoreassurehim—shehadtohurrybeforeKatydidslippedthroughherclaws.
“I’llbebackassoonasIcan,”shesaid,flyinguptothehatch.“Ifyoucan,”Swordtailsaidglumly.“Ifshedoesn’tlosehermindandgoall
white-eyedandtakeyoutothequeen.”“Well,”Cricketsaid,shootingSundewagrinasabeamoflightlitthe
LeafWing’sconcernedface.“Getsomeviciouscaterpillarsreadyforme.”Shehoppedoutontotheroofandasshepulledthehatchshut,sheheard
Sundew’svoicesaying,“They’reCENTIPEDES;whatisWRONGwithyoudragons?”
Cricketpeekedovertheedgeatthedragonstandingguard.Whoeveritwasdidseemkindoffamiliar.Butshecouldn’triskthemtryingtostopher—ordecidingtoturnherin.
Shespreadherwingsandfloatedquietly,quietlydowntothehighestbalconyofhermother’shouse.Thedoorherewasalsolocked—Cadellewasverycareful—butthebalconyledtotheleastwelcomingguestroomofalltime,whereKatydidandCrickethadsleptontheirvisits.Thesistershadfiddledwiththelatchuntilitwasjustbrokenenoughnottobenoticed,sotheycouldgetinandoutsecretlyiftheyneededto.
Cricketslidherclawunderthelatchandwiggleditup.Thedoorsswungopentowardherandshequicklyhoppedinsideandpulledthemshutagain.
Acrosstheroom,Katydidwhirledaround,clutchingastackofpaperstoherchest.HerfacemadeCricketfeelasifathousandbutterflieshadjustburstintotheskyatonce.
“Katydid!”Cricketleapedoverthethinsleeppalletsandthrewherwingsaroundhersister.
“Noway,”Katydidbreathed.“Cricket?Thiscan’tbereal.”ShetookCricket’sshouldersandheldherouttostudyherface.“BytheHives,it’sreallyyou.Areyouallright?”
“Iam,”Cricketsaid.“I’msosorry,Katydid.Iknowyoumusthavebeensoworried.Areyouallright?Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“YourfaceisonpostersineveryHive!”hersistercried.“They’resayingyoutriedtostealtheBookofClearsight!Andthatyou’rerunningaroundwithapairofSilkWings!Cricket,youhavetoturnyourselfinandtellthemit’salllies.I’msureifweexplain—”
“Butit’snotalllies,”Cricketinterruptedher.“Katydid,wedidstealtheBookofClearsight.ThelieiseverythingQueenWasphaseversaidaboutit.Nothingshe’stoldusistrue.”
Katydidsatdownsuddenly,asthoughherlegshadturnedtosand.“Oh,Cricket.Why?”
“Idon’tknow,tokeeppower,maybe?Tomakesurenooneeverquestionedher?”
“No—whydidyoustealtheBook?Whatwereyouthinking?”Cricketwasthrown.“That’snottheimportantpart,Katydid.Iwastryingto
helpsomeone.Butdidn’tyouhearwhatIsaid?It’salllies—everythingWaspsaidabouttheTreeWars,abouttheSilkWingsjoiningourtribe,allofit!”
“I’msureshehadherreasons!”Katydidsaid.“Butyou’reinsomuchtroublenow,Cricket!Idon’tknowhowtohelp.Idon’tknowhowtofixit!”ShepulledCricketintoanotherhugandCricketfelthowcoldhersister’sscaleswere.
“Youdon’thavetofixit,”Cricketsaid,holdinghertight.“IjustcametotellyouI’mallright—andtomakesureyouare,too.Who’sthatdragonoutside?WhyareyouhereinsteadofCicadaHive?”Sheglancedaroundthesmall,bareroomasKatydidleanedback.“AndwhatareyoudoinginMom’shouse?”
“Icametogetthese,”Katydidsaid.Shepickedupthepileofpapersshe’ddropped,andCricketrealizeditwasdrawingsofher—drawingshersisterhaddoneontheirlastvisit,ofCricketsleeping,laughing,rollinghereyes.Katydidwasagoodartist;theyreallylookedlikeCricket.MuchmorethantheWantedpostersdid.
“Asfarasweknow,noonehastoldthequeenwhoyouareyet,”Katydidsaid.“Maybetheyhaven’trecognizedyou,ormaybethey’reafraidtoadmittheyknowyou.Idon’tknowwhyMotherhasn’t,butIwasworriedthatthequeenwouldseethesedrawingsthroughhereyesandrealizeshemustknowyou.”
wouldseethesedrawingsthroughhereyesandrealizeshemustknowyou.”“Butifyoutakethem,”Cricketsaid,“thenisn’titpossibleshe’llseethem
throughyoureyes?”“I’mgoingtodestroythem,”Katydidsaidwithasigh.“Thequeenhasbeen
mind-hoppingallovertheHives,lookingforcluesaboutyou.I’mafraidshemusthavefiguredoutshecan’tgetintoyourhead.”
“Shehas,”Cricketsaidsadly.“I’msorry,Katydid.Itriedtobesocareful.ButshewasinsidetheLibrarian—didyouknowthat?She’sALWAYSinsidetheLibrarian.AssoonasadragonbecomestheLibrarianandjoinstheTempleofClearsight,QueenWasptakesoverandneverletshercontrolherownbodyeveragain.Canyouimaginehowhorriblethatwouldbe?”
“ButeveryonewantstobetheLibrarian,”Katydidpointedout.“It’ssuchanimportantposition.”
“Onlybecauseeveryonedoesn’tknowaboutthis!”Cricketcried.“Iftheyknewitmeantgivingupyourfreewillforever,wouldanyonesignupforthat?”
“Ithinkyou’reexaggeratingalittle,”Katydidsaid.Shestartedgatheringallthedrawings.“Let’stalkaboutthissomewheresafer.”
Whyisn’tshelisteningtome?Cricketwatchedhersisterforamoment,puzzled.Thesewerehuge,world-shiftingfacts.ThetruthabouttheBook,aboutQueenWaspandtheLibrarian…whydidn’tKatydidwanttoknowmore?Howcouldshebrushthatinformationasidesoeasily?IfsomeonetoldCricketshe’dbeenliedtoherwholelife,she’dwanttograbthetruthandrubitintohereyeballs.
“Ican’tgowithyou,Katydid.”Crickettookoneofhersister’stalonsinhers.“It’stoodangerous.YoucouldbetakenoverbyWaspatanymoment.”
AfiercestrugglecrossedKatydid’sface.“That’strue…butmaybeweshouldgotoherandconfess.Iwaswrongtohelpyouhideitalltheseyears.Perhapsshecandosomethingtofixyouandmakeyouliketherestofus.”
“No!”Cricketsaid.“Idon’twantthat!Iwouldneverwantthat!”“Sowhatareyougoingtodo?”Katydidsaid,exasperated.“Hideinawater
towerforever?”“Ihavefriends,”Cricketsaid.“We’relookingforanswers.I’mgoingto
finallyfindoutthetruthabouteverything.”Katydidletoutashortbarkofalaugh.“Thatreallyiswhatyouwant,isn’t
Katydidletoutashortbarkofalaugh.“Thatreallyiswhatyouwant,isn’tit?Thetruthabouteverything—evenifitmakesyourlifeamilliontimesharder.”
“Katydid,whyareyoureallyhere?”Cricketasked.“Imean,inJewelHive.Youdidn’tcomeallthiswayforafewdrawings,didyou?Whyaren’tyouhomewithFather?Ifyou’resosurethequeenisrightabouteverything,whyhaven’tyoutoldheraboutmeyourself?”
Hersistersteppedovertothebalconyandpeeredoutthroughtheslatsinthedoor.“BecauseI’dbeintrouble,too,”shesaid.“AndLadyScarabwouldn’tletme.”
“LadyScarab!”Cricketclamberedoverthesleeppalletsagainandpeekedoutthewindownexttothebalcony.Shecouldseethedragonwaitingbythecorner,twitchingherwingsandtailimpatiently.Holymotheroftrees.ThatwasLadyScarab.
Crickethadmetthegrouchy,majesticolddragonafewtimesinherlife,andithadalwaysbeenverymysteriousandalarming.Theotherdragonetsatschoolwhisperedallsortsofrumorsabouther.TheysworeshewasolderthantheHives,maybeasoldastheBook(whichcouldn’tpossiblybetrue,butitsoundeddramatic).Theysaidshehadoncebeensopowerfulshecouldknockoveratreebybreathingonit.TheysaidsheboiledSilkWingsintheircocoonsandatethem.
Noneofthatwastrue,butLadyScarabneverbotheredcorrectingthestories.Shedidn’tseemtocarewhatanyonethoughtofher,notevenwhentwoofCricket’sschoolmatessawherinthehallandscreamedandflewoutthenearestwindows.
WhatwastruewasthatshewasLadyJewel’smotherandQueenWasp’saunt.ShelivedallaloneinagiantmansioninCicadaHive,withnoservantsoranyoneelse.Nooneknewwhyshedidn’tliveinthesameHiveasherdaughter,althoughshealsoownedamansioninJewelHive,whichshevisitedfromtimetotime.
OnedaysoonafterCricket’smotherleft,LadyScarabhadappearedsuddenlyontheirdoorstep.Theirfather,bowingandconfused,letherinandtriedtoofferherteaintheparlor,butLadyScarabhadannouncedthatshewishedtoseeKatydidandCricket.Sotheylinedupforherinspection,andshe
studiedthemthroughherspectacles.“Youlookhealthy,”she’dsaidtoCricket.“Yes,ma’am,”Crickethadanswered,thinking,Whyareyouhere?Aren’t
youthedragonwiththetelescope?Howoldareyoureally?DoyouevereatlittleHiveWings?ISTHATWHYYOU’REPLEASEDTHATILOOKHEALTHY?
“TerrariumAcademy?”LadyScarabdemanded.“Really?”“Um,”Cricketsaidnervously.“Myschool?Ididn’tchooseit.”“Idid,”theirfatherinterjected.“It’sverypractical.Adown-to-earthplace.”“Nopunintended,”LadyScarabsaidwithawintrysmile,butFatherjust
blinkedinconfusion.“Fine,butdon’tletthemgrowmossonyourbrain,dragonet.”
“I—Iwon’t,”Cricketstammered,althoughshehadnoideahowtostopherteachersiftheydecidedtodothat,andcouldtheyreallydothat?Hadanyonedonethatbefore?Whatdidtheydo,putmossseedsinstudents’ears?Diditreallyworkwithoutanylightinthere?She’donlygottenridoftheensuingnightmareslaterbydoingalotofresearchandfiguringoutthatLadyScarabmusthavebeenjoking,becausegrowingmossonadragon’sbrainwasquitescientificallyimpossible.
“IunderstandCadellehasleftthefamily,”LadyScarabwenton,turningtoKatydid.“Areyoumanagingwithouther?”
“Yes,yourladyship,”Katydidsaid.“Thankyouforasking.”“Well,letmeknowifyouneedanything,”theoldHiveWinghadsaidina
ferociousyou’d-BETTER-tell-me-if-anything’s-wrong!sortofway.“I’mnotfarandI’mnotdeadyet.Don’tbeaproudhungryfool.Andthatdragonetneedsnewglasses.”She’dflickedaclawatCricket,andtheunsettlingthingwas,she’dbeenright.Crickethadneededstrongerglasses,butshewasstillamazedthatLadyScarabhadfiguredthatoutjustbylookingather.
“Yes,yourladyship,”Katydidsaid,bowing.AndthenLadyScarabhadsweptbackoutoftheirlives.Buthereshewas,standingguardwhileKatydidstolefromhermother’s
house.“Wait,why?”Cricketasked.“WhatdoesLadyScarabcare?Didyousayshe
won’tletyouturnmein?”“ShecameburstingintothehousethedaytheWantedposterswentup,”
Katydidsaid.“ShemademepackabagandtoldFathernottotellQueenWaspanything—aboutyou,orme,orhertakingmeaway.Andthenshebroughtmehere,overthewebbridges.IthinkshefiguresLadyJewelcanprotectusfromthequeen,ifnecessary,butI’mafraidshe’swrongaboutthat.”
She’sdefinitelywrong.Noonecanprotectanyone,aslongasQueenWaspcantakeoverLadyJewelorScarabherselfatanymoment.
“Idon’tunderstand,”Cricketsaid,tryingtofollowthethreads.“WhywouldLadyScarabhaveanythingtodowithus?We’rejustapairofrandomHiveWingstoher.Aren’twe?”Katydidstartedrubbingherfacewithamiserableexpression.“Katydid,what?Whataren’tyoutellingme?”
“Cricket,whydoyoualwayshavetoknoweverything?”Katydidcried.“Yourlifewouldbesomucheasierifyoudidn’t.WonderingaboutSilkWings,askingimpertinentquestionsaboutthequeen’spowers…andthenstealingtheBookofClearsight!Iwasafraidyou’dgetintroubleoneday,butIdidn’tthinkitwouldbethisbad.”
“Butwouldn’tyouratherknowthetruththanliveinacloudoflies?”Cricketasked,confused.“Imean—wouldn’teveryone?”
“No!”Katydidcrushedthedrawingsbetweenherclaws.“Everythingwasfine!Youweresafe!Nooneeverneededtoknowaboutyou,especiallyyou.”
Cricketfeltherwingstrembling,thewaytheysometimesdidwhenshewasclosetoananswershe’dbeenlookingfor.
“Katydid—”“Cadelleisnotyourmother,”Katydidblurted.“AndFatherisnotyour
father,either.”Cricketstaredather.That…wasnotwhatshe’dexpectedtohear.Although
itexplainedalotaboutthewaytheyactedaroundher.“But—thenwho—”shestarted.Aloudpoundingcamefromthedoordownstairs,makingthembothjump.
TheypeekedoutthewindowandsawLadyScarabthwackingitimpatientlywithhertail.
“Shetoldmetobequick,”Katydidsaid.“Cricket,comewithus.I’lltellyoueverything,ifIhaveto.”
everything,ifIhaveto.”BytheHives,thosewerewordsCricketlivedfor.Everything!Mysteries
explained,puzzlessolved!Thewholetruth,finallyrevealedtoher!Butherfriendswerewaitinginthewatertower.Theydidn’tknowhowto
gettothelibraryforthemidnightmeetingwiththeChrysalis.Theywouldn’tunderstandifsheleftwithKatydid.Anditreallywasn’tsafe—QueenWaspcouldlookoutofhersister’seyesatanymoment.Crickethadalreadystayedtoolong.
“Ican’tgowithyou,”shesaid.“Can’tyoutellmeeverythingnow?Like,reallyquickly?”
Katydidhuggedherfiercely.“It’snotthateasy.Ijustwantyoutobesafe.”“IcanonlybesafeifIknowthetruth,”Cricketsaid,pullingback.“Justlike
ourtribewillonlybesafeiftheystopbelievingWasp’slies.”Hersistersighed.“Idon’tseewhy.They’reperfectlysafenow,whatever
youthinkshe’slyingtothemabout.Oh,Cricket,Ihavetogo,butI’mafraidI’llneverseeyouagain.”
“CanIfindyou?”Cricketasked.“Tomorrow.Arounddawn?”“I’llbehidingatLadyScarab’shouse,”Katydidsaid,pressingCricket’s
fronttalonsbetweenhers.“Pleasebecareful.”“Youtoo.”Crickethuggedheragainandletgo.KatydidhurriedoutoftheroomwiththedrawingsandCricketheardher
clawsonthestairs.Afewmomentslater,shecameoutthefrontdoorandlockeditbehindher,andthenthetwoHiveWingsflewaway,withLadyScarabscoldingKatydidinafuriousundertone.
Cricketstoodinthebarrenroom,lookingattheemptywallsandtoylessshelves.Shehadcriedherselftosleepinthisroom,wonderingwhyCadellehadtakenKatydidtodinnerandleftherbehind.Shehadcriedinotherroomslikethis,wonderingwhatwaswrongwithher,thatherownmotherdidn’tcareabouther.Shehadstaredacrossthebreakfasttableatherblank-facedfather,whoneveraskedquestionsaboutschoolorherlifeunlessshegotintrouble—andthenitwasusuallysomethinglike,“Youstillhere?Howlonguntilyougraduate?Quitbotheringyourteachersandstayoutofmyway.”
Apartofherhadalwaysthoughteverythingwouldmakesenseoncesheknewwhyshewasdifferent—onceshehadthewholetruthinhertalons.
knewwhyshewasdifferent—onceshehadthewholetruthinhertalons.Butthiswasn’tatruthshecouldgethertalonsaround.Theyweren’therparents.Theyneverwantedherinthefirstplace.Someonegavemetothemagainsttheirwill.Sonowthequestionwas…who?Andwhy?
Midnight.Library.5.Crickettriedalldaytofocusonwhatthat“5”meant,butshecouldn’tkeep
herbuzzingmindawayfromthemysteryofherparents.Sheleanedovertheledgeandtrailedherclawsthroughthecold,darkwater.Besideher,Blueshiveredasthoughhefeltthechilltravelingthroughherbonesintohis.
Cadelleisnotyourmother.Fatherisnotyourfather.DragonflySquarewasbusyintheearlyeveningaseveryonebustledhome
fromworktochangeintotheirnighttimeglamourbeforegoingoutagain.Swordtail,watchingthroughthespyhole,reportedthatCadellehadsailedoffwithaveryorangemaledragon,butCricketcouldn’tbringherselftowatch.
Herwholelifeshe’dbeenwaitingforhermothertocareabouther.Shedidn’tknowhowtodigupthoseseedsandreplantthem.She’dwantedsomethingtrueshecouldputinfrontofherparentssoshecouldsay,“Look,here’swhyI’mdifferent.Look,Ifoundalltheanswers.Look,here’swhyyoushouldlovemeanyway.”
Buttheywouldnevercare.Shewasn’ttheirs.Sowhosewasshe?Wherewereherrealparents?Itwasalsounsettling,asshethoughtovertheirconversation,torealizethat
nothingshe’dsaidhadmadeanydifferencetoKatydid(whoisnotactuallymysister,Cricketthoughtbeforeherbrainshiedawayfromthinkingaboutthat).
Cricketrubbedherforeheadandtriedtopullherscarvescloser,buttheydidn’tmakeheranywarmer.She’dtriedtotellKatydidaboutWasp’slies,andKatydidhadactedlikethetruthwasjustanotherstory,anotherversionoftheworld,insteadoftheonlyrealversion.
Wouldn’tyouratherknowthetruth?No.Ithinkyou’reexaggerating.I’msureshehadherreasons.HowcouldKatydidsaythat?QueenWaspliedsothattheHiveWingscould
takeoverPantala,andshenearlywipedouttheLeafWingstodoit.ShemadethemallthinktheywerefollowingClearsight’splan.SheconvincedeveryoneshehadtherighttoruleovertheSilkWings—thattheHiveWingswerethestrongesttribe,thattheydeservedeverythingtheywanted.Sheturnedherowndragonsintomurderersandmonsters.
Maybethat’swhatKatydiddidn’twanttosee.MaybeIjustneedtotryagain.IfIshowhertheBook…ifshemeetsBlue
andSundewandtakesamomenttounderstandthem…ifItellhereverythingandtryharder,she’llhavetosee.She’llhavetohearme.
“Areyouallright?”Bluewhispered,takingoneofhertalonsinhis.“Oh—sortof.Notreally,”shewhisperedback.“Cold.Alsomywholelife
wasalie.Butmostlycold.”Shenudgedherglassesupandtriedtosmileathim.“Icanmaybehelpwiththat,”hesaid.Asoftlyglowingthreadofflamesilk
unfoldedfromhiswrist,snakingouttowardherscales.Shestartedtopullaway,butheheldontohergently.“Wait,”hesaid.“I’vebeenexperimenting.Thiskindshouldn’tburnyou.”
Cricketwentstill,realizingagainhowmuchshetrustedhim.Thegoldthreadreachedforherlikeavinegrowingtoofast;itwoundaroundherclawsandhisandspiraleduptowardhershoulder.Everywheretheflamesilktouchedherscales,warmthsankin,quietlyspreadingintoherbones.
“Oh,wow,”shesaidsoftly.“It’slikemagic,Blue.”“Right?”hesaid.“Ithoughtitwouldbemuchscarier.ButIkindoflovemy
flamesilk…isthatweird?”Sheshookherhead.“Iloveit,too.”Sheglancedovertotheothersideofthe
ledge,whereSwordtailhadaccidentallyfallenasleeponSundew’scape.The
ledge,whereSwordtailhadaccidentallyfallenasleeponSundew’scape.TheLeafWingsatpinnedbesidehissnoringhead,gloweringandtappingoneofherpoucheswithanominouslookinhereyes.
“Imissmymoms,”Bluesaidsoftly.“Oh,”Cricketsaid.“I’msosorry,Blue.”“AsIwascomingoutofthecocoon,”hesaid,“foramomentIforgot
everythingthathadhappened.IthoughtIwouldopenmyeyesandMotherandSilverspotwouldbethere,waitingformeandsmilingandreadytohugmeandtakemeflying.I’vebeentryingnottothinkaboutthemtoomuch…but,justforamoment,thatfeltsoreal.Ihopethey’reallright.TheymustbeworriedaboutmeandLuna,especiallywithallthosepostersup.”
Cricketleanedintohim.“QueenWaspwon’thurtthem,”shesaid.“Itwouldn’taccomplishanything,andshe’sveryefficient.Maybethere’sawaytogetamessagetothem?Let’sthink.IfwecouldfindaSilkWinggoingtoCicadaHive…”ShetriedtothinkofSilkWingswhotraveledbetweentheHives—traders?Messengers?
“You’vebeenreallyquietallday,”Bluesaid.Shesighed.“Iknow.It’s…mysistertoldmethatmyparentsaren’tmy
parents.”Intheglowfromtheflamesilk,shesawhiseyeswiden.“Wow.”Hethought
aboutthatforamoment.“Sowhoareyourrealparents?”“Idon’tknow.”AndhowwasLadyScarabconnected?Shecouldn’tbe
LadyScarab’sdaughter,couldshe?Butthenwhywouldn’tScarabhavekepther?Thatwastooweirdtoevenbrushwithherwings.Scarabhadhadonedaughter,LadyJewel,agesandagesago.Cricketcouldn’tfitintoherbrainthepossibilitythatScarabhadhadanotheregg,decadeslater,withsomemysterydragonandthengivenitawaytoCadelle.
“Katydiddidn’ttellyouanythingelse?”heasked.Sheshookherhead.“Shereallydidn’twantto.Blue,thishastobe
connectedtowhyI’mdifferentfromtheotherHiveWings,doesn’tit?Maybeoneofmyrealparentsisresistanttothemindcontrol,too.MaybeQueenWaspfoundout,andthat’swhytheyhadtohidemewithanotherfamily.”
Hewassilent,andshetippedhersnouttowardhim.“Blue?”“Ijustcan’timagineleavingmydragonetwithsomeoneelse,”hesaid.“That
“Ijustcan’timagineleavingmydragonetwithsomeoneelse,”hesaid.“Thatmusthavebeensohard.Theremusthavebeenareallybigreasontheycouldn’tkeepyou.”Hiseyesmethersagainandthendroppedawayquickly.“Like…iftheyweren’tsupposedtobetogetheratall.”
Shegaspedandcoveredhersnoutwithhertalons.Acrossthewatertower,Sundewtwistedtolookatthem.
ItwouldneverhaveenteredherheadbeforeshemetBlue.Shewouldn’thavebeenabletoimagineit,untilitchangedherownlife.
“YouthinkoneofmyparentswasaSilkWing?”shewhispered.“Doyou?”hewhisperedback.It’snotpossible.Isit?AmIahybrid?Wouldhybridsbeimmunetothemindcontrol?SilkWingsare.IsthatwhyI
am?Itseemslikesuchanobviouspossibleanswer…whydidn’tIeverthinkofit
before?BecauseIthoughtIknewmyparents.Isthattheanswer?Butifthat’stheanswer…howdowesavetheotherHiveWings?Wecan’t
exactlyturnthemallintohybrids.“Idon’tknow.”ShetriedtothinkofalltheSilkWingsshe’devermet.Had
anyofthemactedstrange,likemaybetheyweresecretlyhermotherorfather?Notthatshecouldremember.TherewasnoscienceonpotentialSilkWing-HiveWinghybrids.Theyweresoforbiddenitwasn’tevenconceivabletostudytheidea.Wouldn’ttherebesomethingmore…moreSilkWingabouther,ifshewereahybrid?
Blue’santennaetwitched.“It’salmostmidnight,”hesaid.“Thankthetrees,”Sundewresponded.Sheyankedhercapeoutfromunder
Swordtail,dumpinghimintothevatofwater.Whenhecameupsputteringandindignant,sheflunghertailaroundhissnout.“Shush,yougreatscreechowl.It’stimetogo.”
“It’llbeallright,”BluesaidsoftlytoCricket,underthenoiseofSwordtailhaulinghimselfoutofthewater.“I’msurewhateverhappened,yourrealparentslovedyouandwishedtheycouldhavekeptyou.”
Cricketwasnotsosure,butshewasrelievedtobemovingagain,outofthetowerandontheirwaytothelibrary,aplacethathadalwaysbeenfullofanswersforher.ShehopedtheChrysalisSilkWingswouldbelikethat,too.Fullofanswers…ifshecouldfigureoutwhat“5”meantandfindthem.
ThelibrarywasafewlevelsupfromCadelle’sneighborhood,justabovetheJewelHiveNestandbelowseverallevelsofexpensiveballroomsandwealthymansions.ItwasoneofCricket’sfavoriteplacesinalltheHives,andshealwayswonderedwhyJewelHivewasonlyfamousfortheGlitterbazaar.Whydidn’totherdragonsevertalkaboutthelibrarythattookupanentirelevel,containingeverybookeverwrittenbyaHiveWing?Perhapsbecauseitdidn’tfitwiththeimageofJewelHive—nooneimaginedthedragonsherechoosingreadingovershoppingorjewelry-making.
AndyetforsomereasonLadyJewelwantedthislibrary,Cricketthoughtastheycreptuptotheenormousdoubledoorsatthefrontentrance.ShemadesureitwasbuiltintoherHiveplans.NoneoftheotherHiveshaveonequitethisbig,notevenMantisHive,whichissupposedtobethesmartHive,theacademiccenterofinnovation.Cricketlookedupattheflyingbeetlescarvedoverthedoors.ThejokeintheotherHiveswasthatLadyJewelcouldn’tevenread,althoughsurelythatwasn’treallytrue.Still…whydidJewelwantalibrarythatsheapparentlynevergoesinto?
DespiteJewelHive’sreputation,thelibrarywasneverempty,atleastasfarasCrickethadseen.Therewerealwaysdragonetseverywhere—sprawledalongthetopsofbookshelves,curledinthewindownooks,lyinginthehammocks,andreading,reading,reading.
Butnow,nearmidnight,itwasclosedanddeserted.Thefrontdoorsfacedtheentrancefromtheramps;therewasasmallplazahere,outsidethelibrarywalls,withacircleofbenchesarrangedaroundastatueofClearsight.
Cricketlovedthisstatue,too.Clearsighthadhernoseinabook—notTheBook,justabook—andshewasreading.Shedidn’tlooklikeanavengingprophetannouncingthedoomofallthetribes.Shelookedasthoughshemightglanceupanymoment,seeCricket,andsay,“Ohmygosh,haveyoureadthisone?It’samazing!”
Theentirelibrarylevelwasvibratingfromtheshoutsandmusicofapartyabovethem.Theflamesilkglobesoverheadshookandswayedandsentshadows
abovethem.Theflamesilkglobesoverheadshookandswayedandsentshadowswobblingacrossthefrontofthelibrary.Tinyflecksoftreestuffdrifteddown,makingCricketsneeze.
“Where’stheChrysalis?”SundewwhisperedtoSwordtail.Hespreadhiswingsina“howwouldIknow?”gesture,andsherolledher
eyes.“You’renotthemostusefulrevolutionary,”shehissed.“Hasanyoneever
toldyouthat?”“I’mbetterwithLunaaround,”hesaidwistfully.Sundewhoppedupthelibrarystepsandtriedthedoors,buttheywere
locked.“Soifwecan’tgetin,”shesaid,turningwithaswirlofhercape,“themeetingmustbeouthereintheplaza,right?”
Cricketlookedaround.Itfeltasiftheywerecompletelyaloneonthislevel.They’dpassedotherdragonsontherampsupanddown,butitwastheglitteringhoursofthenight:allofthemweregoingpastthelibrarytothegatheringsabove,toglitterandseeandbeseenglittering.
“Haveyouevernoticedthatglitterisawordthatquicklylosesitsmeaningifyousayittoomuch?”shesaidtoBlue.“Glitter.Glitter.Glittering.Isn’titsuperweirdnow?”
“You’resuperweird,”hesaidaffectionately.“Whyisn’tthislibraryassparklyastherestoftheHive?”
Sheglancedupatthetoweringwallsoftreestuff.Itwastrue;unlikemostofJewelHive,thelibrarywasn’tshimmeringwithembeddedjewelsandtilesanddecorations.Itdidhaveexpensivewoodendoors,savedfromsomelong-agobuildingthatmustalsohavebeenalibrary,becausetheyhadbookscarvedalloverthem.
CricketrememberedSundewslashingherclawsthroughthesculptedfaceofQueenWasponthedoorsofWaspHive.Shewonderedhowlongithadtakentocarvethedoorsthereandhere,andwhethertherewasanywaytorepairthedamage,andwhostillknewtheskillsofwoodcarvingandwhatkindsoftoolswererequired…
Blueclimbedthestepsandtouchedthewoodendoorlightlywithhistalons.ShesawasadlookcrosshisfaceasheglancedoveratSundew.
He’sthinkingaboutwhatshemightbefeeling,Cricketguessed.Thatthinghedoes,wherehe’salwaysinsomeoneelse’shead.Shethoughtitwasfascinating;shewishedshecouldremembertodoitlikehedid.
Icouldtrynow…he’sthinking…hmmmm.MaybethatseeingwoodusedfordoorsmustmakeSundewsad…becauseshemissesthetrees?
“Anyideas?”Sundewbarked,pokingCricket’sshoulder.“Youthreelookhalfasleep.DoIneedtobringupBelladonna’sotherplanandourtimelimit?YoudowanttofindtheChrysalis,don’tyou?”
Cricketshiveredatthereminder.TheChrysalishadtohaveanswersforthem,iftheywantedtostopBelladonnaandtheotherLeafWings.
“Itdoesn’tseemlikethey’recoming,”Swordtailsaid.Hepeeredoffalongthewallsineitherdirection.
“We’remissingsomething,”Cricketsaid.“Five.Thatwasthethirdpartofthemessage.Five…doorsofthelibrary?Butthereareonlythese,fromtheramps,andanothersetatthebackthatopenouttothesavanna.Thosewillbeclosedatnight,too.”Shescannedtheplaza.“Thereareonlyfourbenches.Nothingwithafiveonit,right?”
Bluesquintedatthedoors.“Idon’tseeanyfivesuphere.”“Maybethestatue…likewherethemessagewashiddeninthe
Glitterbazaar?”CricketwalkedaroundthestatueofClearsight,lookingfortinycrackswhereanotherleafmightbestuffed.Nothinginthebase.NothingunderClearsight’stalons.Herneckcurvedtowardthebook,therowofspinesspiralingalongherbackdownhertail.
ThespinesweretheonlythingCricketcouldseewherethereweremorethanfiveofthem.Shehoppedupontothestatue’sbaseandreacheduptothetopofClearsight’shead.One,two,three,four,fivespinesdownherback—andtherewassomethinglodgedunderthefifthone.
Akey.Shetuggeditoutandstudieditinthelightoftheflickeringflamesilkglobes.“Whatisit?”Sundewasked,restingherfronttalonsonthebaseofthestatue
andliftinghernecktosee.“Ourwayintothelibrary,Ithink,”Cricketsaid.Sureenough,thekeyfitthelockonthedoors.Swordtailheavedoneside
openandtheyslippedinside,onebyone,whileCricketreturnedthekeytoits
openandtheyslippedinside,onebyone,whileCricketreturnedthekeytoitshidingspotandthenfollowedthem.Inside,therewasabolttolockthedoorsagainbehindthem.
AkindofpeacesettledoverCricketasshesteppedintothelibrary.Shealwaysfeltthiswaywhenshewassurroundedbybooks.Shebelongedhere,evenifshedidn’tfitanywhereelse.Inheretherewereanswersandinformationandthousandsofstorieswaitingforhertofoldherselfintothem.Shewasalwayssafeinsideabook.
Andthiswasherfavoriteofallthelibrariessheknew.Shelvesradiatedoutfromthecentraldeskineverydirection,likeasunburst,andmoreaisleswithmorebooksfilledthebalconiesoverhead.Belovedcharacterswerepaintedonthewalls,goldenglassandcopperwiredragonsholdingbookshungfromtheceilingfaroverhead,andbluesilktapestriesfilledtherestoftheopenspace,wovenwithquotesaboutreading.
“Hm,”Sundewsaidquietly,glancingaround.“There’salotofdeadtreesinhere.”
Cricketwasstartledoutofherpeace.“They’renot—Imean,maybe—butthey’rebooks!Booksareeverything!”
“Andthey’renotallmadefromtrees,right?”Blueoffered.“Right.”Cricketshookoutherwings,takingacalmingbreath.“Wemostly
makepaperfromsilknow.”“Oh,good,”Sundewanswered.“Youusedupourresourcesandmovedon
toexploitingadifferenttribe.”“Butthebooksareforus,too,”Bluesaid.“Foreveryone.I’dgiveallmysilk
tohelpbuildaplacelikethis.”HeduckedhisheadandlookedatCricket,andshewishedshecouldthrowherwingsaroundhimandtellhimhowwonderfulhewas.
Sundewwasn’twrong.ShekeptopeningCricket’seyesinmomentswhenCrickethadn’trealizedtheywereclosed.ButBluewasthereasonshecouldkeepthemopenandstillfeelallthethingsshefelt.HesawCricket;heunderstoodcompletelywhatthisplacemeanttoher.
“Shh,”Sundewsaid,flickinghertailinfrontofSwordtail’sfaceeventhoughhehadn’tsaidanythingatall.ShepointedupandgaveCricketaquizzicallook.
quizzicallook.Shecouldhearit,too.Voicesarguing,somewhereupstairs.Theycouldhaveflownuptothebalconythatoverlookedthefirstfloor,but
theirwingbeatsmighthavescaredawaytheotherdragons.Iftheycanhearanythingovertheirownvoices,thatis,Cricketthoughtastheycreptupthestairsinstead.Thiswascertainlytheloudeststealthmeetingofasecretrebellionshe’deverheard.
“No,you’redoingitwrong!”oneofthemshouted.“It’slikeyoudon’tevencareaboutwhatwe’retryingtodohere!”
“I’mfocusingonwhat’sactuallyimportant!”anotheroneyelledback.“TearingapartotherSilkWingsisn’tgoingtogetusanywhere!”
“Wehavetofixtheproblemsinourowntribebeforewecanstandtogether,”thefirstvoiceinsisted.“Imean,ifIthinkArgusisalazycaterpillarwhodoesn’tunderstandourmission,thenit’susefulformetoyellathimuntilhesortshimselfout.”
“Ithinkit’scowardly,”thesecondvoicesnappedback.“It’seasytoyellatArgusbecausehe’sonourside.It’saloteasierthanstandinguptothedragonswe’resupposedtobefighting.”
“I’msureyourintentionsaregood,Morpho,”pleadedathirdvoiceasCricketandherfriendscreptthroughthestacks.“Butwhatifyou’vescaredhimawayandhenevercomesback?”
“Thengoodriddance,”thefirstvoicesnapped.“No!”shoutedthesecond.“Weneedeverydragonwecangetonourside!
I’dratherhavefiftySilkWingswhoareatleasttryingtodotherightthingthanthreewhoareperfectineverywaybyyourstandards.”
Sundewcrouchedandsnuckaglancearoundthelastcorner.Throughthebookshelves,Cricketcouldseebrightbluewingsflashingopenandclosed,andthepaleyellowscalesofanotherdragoncloseby.Theywereinthebackcornerofthelibrary,farthestfromthefrontdoors,nearawallofwindowsthatlookedoutontothedarksavanna.Cricketrememberedthisreadingnookwithitshammocksandpillows.Theflamesilklampswerecoveredforthenight,buttheirlightstillgloweddimlythroughthedarksilkshades,illuminatingthebooksscatteredonthewindowsillsandthefloor.
Theyshouldbemorecareful,Cricketthoughtnervously.Dragonsflew
betweenthelevelsallnightinJewelHive,flittingfromonepartytoanother.Someonecouldeasilyflypastthelibrarywindows,glanceinside,andwonderwhyagroupofSilkWingswasinthelibraryafterdark.
“Yougoouttherefirst,”SundewwhisperedtoSwordtail.“Makesuretheydon’tfreakoutwhentheyseetherestofus.”
“Me?”Swordtailsaid.“Imean,right.Me.Introductions.Nofreakingout.Noproblem.”Hesquaredhisshouldersandtookadeepbreath.“WhatshouldIsay?”
“Justfigureitout,”Sundewhissed.“You’llbegreat,”BlueaddedreassuringlyasSundewshovedSwordtail
towardthesquabblingdragons.“Right,”Swordtailsaid.Heclearedhisthroatandsteppedbetweenthe
hammocks,intothedimcircleoflight.“Excuseme?Hi.”TheSilkWingswhirledaroundandstaredathim.“I’mlookingfortheChrysalis,”saidSwordtail.OneofthedragonssnortedandspreadhiswingsattheothertwoSilkWings
withhim.“Well,congratulations,”hesaid.“You’vefoundus.”
“Oh—good,”Swordtailsaid.“Great.Um.Hello,Chrysalis.”“Whatkindofsecretorganizationjustadmitswhotheyaretoanyidiotwho
walksin?”Sundewmuttered.Sheflickedhertail,swipingCricketwiththebillowofhercape.“Theyhavenoideawhoheisorwhohe’swith!”
Cricketcrouchedtogetaclearerviewthroughtheshelves,butshecouldstillonlyseethreedragonsinthereadingnook.Wasthatit?ThewholeJewelHivefactionofthesecretSilkWingrebellionwas…threearguingdragons?
“Whywereyoulookingforus?”demandedthedragonwithbrightbluewings.Hewastheownerofthefirstvoice—Morpho,ifCricketrememberedright.Historsowasdappledwithiridescentsea-greenscalesandlittlepatchesofwhiterandownhistail,buthehadclearlybeennamedforthecolorofhiswings,whichwerenearlyasvibrantasBlue’s.
“Maybehewantstojoinus,”saidthepaleyellowdragonhopefully.“Doyoudreamofabetterworld,friend?”
“DoyouagreethatallSilkWingsshouldrefusetoserveanyHiveWingsintheGlitterbazaar?”thebluedragondemanded.“AndthatweshouldmakelistsofalltheSilkWingswhodosowecangoyellatthem?”
“Oh,honestly,Morpho,”saidthethirddragon,rollinghereyes.Swordtailclearedhisthroatnervously.“Um…mynameisSwordtail.I’m
partoftheCicadaHiveChrysalis—Imean,sortof—Iwasabouttobe.MeandLuna.Andnowshe’smissing.Haveyouheardanythingaboutadragon
andLuna.Andnowshe’smissing.HaveyouheardanythingaboutadragonnamedLunarecently?Hasshecometoyouforhelp,maybe?”
Thethreedragonsblinkedathiminconfusion.“Idon’tknowanyonenamedLuna,”saidtheyellowdragon.“I’msorry,”
sheaddedasSwordtail’swingsdrooped.“She’saflamesilk,”hesaid.“Werescuedher,butshemighthavebeen
recapturedbyWaspHive.Haveyouheardanythinglikethat?ASilkWingtakenprisoneroverDragonflyBayinthelastfivedays?”
Theyallshooktheirheads,andSwordtail’swingsdroopedevenmore.“Areyousure?”heasked.“Maybeshe’shidingwithanotherwingoftheChrysalis?”
“Maybe,”theyellowdragonsaidgently.“Wehaven’theardanything.”CricketreachedoverandsqueezedoneofBlue’stalons.Helookedso
worriedandsad…shewishedshehadatinyfractionofClearsight’spowersoshecouldhaveavisionofLunaandletBlueknowhissisterwasallright.
“Isthatwhyyou’rehere?”askedMorpho.“JustlookingforanotherSilkWing?”
“Notjustthat.MyfriendsandIwerehopingyoucouldhelpus,”Swordtailsaid.
MorphosquintedattheshelvesbehindSwordtail,whiletheothertwodragonsexchangedaworriedglance.“Yourfriends?Who’swithyou?”
Swordtailturnedandbeckoned.SundewrolledhereyesatCricket.“Verythoroughintroduction,Swordtail,”shewhispered.“Thisisgoingtogogreat.”
Bluesteppedoutfirst,slidingupbesideSwordtail.Beforehecouldspeak,theyellowSilkWingjumpedforwardwithagasp.
“You’retheonefromtheWantedposters!”Herpaleyellowantennaeunfurledallthewayandshestaredathimasifhewereatreewho’djustsproutedillegallyinthemiddleofthelibraryfloor.
“Hey,Iwasontheposters,too,”Swordtailpointedout.“Areyoureallyaflamesilk?”thethirddragonasked,reachingtowardBlue’s
talonsandthencatchingherselfandpullingback.“Yes,”hesaid,turninghiswristsupwardsoshecouldseetheembers
glowingunderhisscales.“Oh,wow,”shesaid.“Thatwastherumorbutnoonewillofficiallyconfirm
it.Howdidyouescape?”
“Andwasn’tthereaHiveWingonthatposterwithyou?”Morphoaskedsuspiciously.
“That’show,”Bluesaidtothedarkorangedragonwhowasstudyinghiswrists.“Andthat’swhyshe’swantedbythequeen,too.Shehelpedmeescape.”HeturnedandheldoutonetalontowardCricket.“Cricket?”
Crickettookadeepbreathandsteppedouttostandbesidehim.Morpholeapedbackandhissedinalarm.Theothertwoseizedblanketsoffthefloorandthrewthemovertheirheadswithhigh-pitchedyelpsofterror.
“It’stoolate!”Morphosnappedatthem.“She’salreadyseenyourfaces.Itoldyouthiswasastupidmeetingplace!”
“No,youdidn’t!”criedthesmalldarkorangedragonfromunderherblanket.“Yousuggestedit!”
“Cinnabar’sright,”agreedthemuffledvoiceoftheyellowdragon.“It’snotimportantwho’sright!”Morphoshouted.“Althoughitwasme!But
what’simportantisthatthere’saHiveWingrighthereandwhatarewegoingtodoaboutitandalsoitwasyourfaultwecouldn’tmeetatmybettersuggestions,sothere!”
Theyellowdragonwinced,andCricketnoticedthatoneofherbackwings,stickingoutfromundertheblanketatanawkwardangle,wassmallerthanalltheothers.ShewonderediftheSilkWingcouldflyatall.
“Wait,wait,”Cricketsaidastheyellowdragonstartededgingtowardthenearestaislewiththeblanketstilloverherhead.“Youdon’thavetohide!I’mafriend,Ipromise.”
“Friendsdon’tlettheirbrainsgetinvadedandbetraytherevolution,”saidCinnabar,pullingherwingsandtailunderherblanketandhuddlingintoasmallboulderasifshehopedeveryonewouldforgetshe’dbeenthere.
“Thatwon’thappen,”Cricketsaid.“Themindcontroldoesn’tworkonme.”TheSilkWingsfellsilentforamoment,evenMorpho,withhismouthhalf
open.ThentheyellowdragonthrewherblanketoffandstaredatCricket.Herwings—well,threeofthem—werelongandnarrowandherscaleswereamixofpaleyellowandpalebrown,likebananasandcashewsmashedtogether.Shehaddarkambereyesandgoldstripespaintedonherclaws.
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”sheasked.“Nope.Notpossible,”Morphodeclared.“HiveWingLIE.”
“Nope.Notpossible,”Morphodeclared.“HiveWingLIE.”“Butitispossible,becausethere’sme,”Cricketsaid.“Iknow,it’sweirdand
Ican’texplainit.Thequeencan’tgetintomyhead,Ipromiseyou.IwishIknewwhy!I’vebeentryingtofigureitoutmywholelife.”
AndtheclosestI’vegottenisthetheorythatI’mhalfSilkWing.ButnothingaboutmeisverySilkWing—Imean,IthinkIlooklikeaHiveWingfromhornstoclawtips.Idon’thaveanaturalweapon,butneitherdoalotofHiveWings.IknowI’mdifferentsomehow…butIstillfeellikeaHiveWing.
ShedecidednottomentiontheSilkWingtheoryyet.Sheneededmoreevidencefirst.
“Thisseemslikeatrick,”Morphomuttered.Hestalkedtowardherandpeeredintohereyes.Hiswerethesameemeraldgreenashisantennae,whichcurledandwavedasthoughhewastryingtosensethepresenceofQueenWaspinsideher.
“Itcouldbetrue,”saidtheyellowdragon.“Shecouldbeliketheonesweheardabout.”
Cricketfeltherheartspeedup.“Otherdragonslikeme?Who?”“Wedon’tknowforsure.Cinnabar,comeoutandtellheraboutthestory
youheard.”Theblanketbouldersighedenormously,andthenthesmallorangeSilkWing
pokedherheadout.“Ifyou’regoingtokeepusingmynameinfrontoftotalstrangers,youcouldatleastintroduceyourself,too,Tau.”
“Oh,sorry,”saidtheyellowdragongently.“I’mTau,that’sCinnabar,andthat’sMorpho.”
“AndIneversaidIbelievedthatstory,”Cinnabarpointedout.Herscaleswereaburntorangewithglintsofdarkredunderherwingsandalongherspine.Withafewblackscales,slightlydifferentwings,andamuchscarierexpression,shecouldalmosthavepassedforaHiveWing.
“Whatstory?”Cricketasked.CinnabarflickedtheblanketoffwithherwingsandedgedclosertoTau.
“It’sjustarumor.IhearditfromaSilkWingwhohearditfromhiscousinwhohearditfromatravelingtheaterperformer.Thewhisperisthatthere’sahomeforolddragonsinTsetseHive,wherenoneofthemareallowedtoleaveeverbecausethequeencan’tmind-controlthem.”
becausethequeencan’tmind-controlthem.”“Fairy-talenonsense,”Morphospat.“Shecontrolseveryone.”“No,Morpho,youknowthat’snottrue,”Tausaid.“Shedoesn’tHive-mind
hersisters,orLadyJewel.”“Shedoesn’t?”Crickettiltedherhead.She’dneverheardthatbefore.“Butshecould,ifshewantedto,”Morphoinsisted.“Shejustdoesn’t
becauseshelikestogivethemtheillusionofcontrol.AslongastheythinktheyhavetheirownHivestorun,they’llbowandscrapeandletherbetheonewho’sreallyinchargeofeverything.”
“You’vesaidthatbefore,”Tausaid,atinysliverofimpatienceslippingthroughherpeacefulmask.“ButIamsureitdoesn’tworkonLadyJewel.I’vebeenwithherwhenthewholeHiveistakenover,likewhentheentiretribewassenttofindthesetwo.”ShegesturedatBlueandCricket.
“Three!”Swordtailprotested,finallylookingupfromhistalons.“They’rehuntingforme,too!”
“Shefindsitveryirritating,”Tauwenton.“HerwholedayisdisruptedandallJewelHivebusinesshastobeputonholdandshehastositforhourswaitingforhersubjectstocomeback.Shecan’tevenhidehowannoyedsheisfromtheSilkWingswhoworkforher.”
“That’strue,”Cinnabaragreed.“Eveninthekitchenwecantell;it’snonstopsugarordersallday.”
“Thatdoesn’tproveanything,”Morphoargued.“WaspprobablyenjoysknowinghowannoyedJewelis.Idon’tbelievethere’sasingleHiveWingshecan’tcontrolifshewantsto.”
“Listen,”Cricketsaidreasonably.“IfQueenWaspcouldcontrolme,wouldIbeonaWantedposter?Wouldn’tshejustmarchmeintoherHivefrominsidemybrain?Andusemetocatchthesetwo?”
Morphoopenedandclosedhismouthafewtimes.“Oh,wow,”Cinnabarsaid.“YouactuallyshutMorphoupforamoment.
YoucandefinitelybeinmyChrysalis.”“Thisisatrap!”Morphoexploded.“HiveWingscan’tbetrusted!Noneof
them!”“You’rejustmadbecausethisproveswhatTauandIhavebeensaying,”
Cinnabarsnappedback.“WecouldgetHiveWingsonoursideiftheywere
allowedtothinkforthemselves!”“Idon’tknowaboutthat,”Swordtailsaid.“Cricketmightbetheonlyone.”Cricket’sscarvesfelttootightaroundherneck.Hehadtobewrong.The
otherHiveWingscouldn’tbelostforever.Shejusthadtofindawaytosetthemfree.
“Ithinkyou’reright,”shesaidtoCinnabar.“Imean,Ihopeso.DoyouknowanythingelseaboutQueenWasp’smindcontrol?Like,howitworks,orwhetheranyone’severmanagedtobreakfreefromit?”
Taublinkedandshookherheadsadly.“Oh,Isee,”shesaid.“You’retryingtofreesomeone,too.I’msorry;I’veneverheardofanyoneescapingthemindcontrol.”
“Andeveniftheydid,”Morphogrowled,“alltheHiveWingshavehadQueenWaspintheirheadsforsolong,theycan’tthinkforthemselvesanyway.They’llkeepbelievingherlies,nomatterhowfreeyouthinktheyare.”
Cricketshivered,rememberingherconversationwithKatydid.Iwillgetthroughtoher.IfIkeeptellingherthetruth,she’llhavetohearme—she’llhavetobelieveme.
Somethingflashedoutsidethewindow,likesilvercatchingthemoonlight,butwhenCricketturnedtolook,itwasgone.Thenightbeyondtheglasswasempty;onlysavannagrasseswavedinthemidnightbreeze.
“IamnotinterestedinwastingtimeonHiveWings,”Morphosaidfirmly.“IwanttosaveSilkWings.Thereareenoughofustowinifwejointogetherandriseup!”
Tauwasshakingherhead.“Therearen’t,”shesaid.“It’stoodangerous.ToomanySilkWingswoulddie.I’msorry,Morpho,butwehavenoweapons,andtheyhavethequeen’sHivemind.”
“Alsostingers,”saidSwordtailhelpfully.“Andvenom.Andtoxicparalysisstabberbits.”
“Soundslikeyouneedanarmy,”Sundewsaid,timingherdramaticentranceperfectly.Sheemergedfrombehindthebookshelvesandthrewoffhercape.Herleaf-shapedwingsgleamedgoldandgreeninthelamplight.
TheChrysalisSilkWingsallgasped.Tausatbackandpressedherfronttalonstoherheart.Cinnabarcrouchedasthoughshedidn’tknowwhethertoflyorfightorscream.Morpho’seyeballslookedliketheywerefullofsunbeams.
orfightorscream.Morpho’seyeballslookedliketheywerefullofsunbeams.“Luckilyforyou,”saidSundew,“we’vegotone.”“Wait,butyou’renotgoingtouseit,”Blueinterjected.“Right,Sundew?
That’swhywe’rehere,becausewe’relookingforabettersolution.We’regoingtofindananswerforyourparentssotheydon’trestarttheTreeWars.”
“Youheardthesedragons—thereisn’tone,”shesaid,tossingherhead.“There’snowaytobreaktheHivemind.So,backupplan.I’mheretomakecontactwiththeChrysalis.IftheSilkWingsarereadytojointheLeafWingsthistime,maybethenewTreeWarswillturnouttherightway.”
“But,Sundew—”Cricketstarted,horrified.TheLeafWingbrushedpastherandheldoutonetalontoCinnabar.“What
doyousay?CaretodestroytheHiveWingstogether?”
“Sundew!”Bluecried.Cricketfeltasthoughthefloorwasturningtoglue,trappingherclawsin
place.Sundewcouldn’tgiveupsoquickly.Therehadtobesomething,someanswertheyjusthadn’tfoundyet.Somewaytosavemytribe—tosaveallourtribes—fromanewwar.
“YES,”Morphoshouted,elbowingCinnabaroutoftheway.HetookSundew’stalonbetweenhisandpumpeditupanddown.“We’rein!”
“Youdon’tspeakforthewholeChrysalis,”Tausaidtohim.CricketrealizedthereweretearsinhereyesasshesteppedtowardSundew.“You’realive,”shewhispered.“Ithoughtyouwerealldead.Ithoughtwe’dlostyourwholetribeforever.”
Sundewlookedtakenaback.“Wehadnoideaanyofyoucowardscared,”shesaid,alittleawkwardly.“Andno,we’renotalldead.”
Icared,Cricketthought.IwassothrilledtofindrealactualaliveLeafWingshidinginQueenWasp’sgreenhouse.Didn’tsheseethatIcared?
“Sundew,whataboutfreeingtheHiveWings?”shesaid.“Wewantedtogivethemachancetomaketherightchoice,remember?Weagreedthatbreakingthemindcontrolwouldhelpeveryone.”
Sundewshrugged,cascadesofreflectedgoldglitteringalongherwings.“LikeIsuspectedallalong,itcan’tbedone.TheonlyoptionistocrushtheHiveWingscompletely.”
HiveWingscompletely.”“YES,”Morphoshoutedagain.“Finebyme,”saidSwordtail.“I’mwithSundew.”BluetookastepclosertoCricketsohecouldbrushherwingswithhis.
“Thisisn’tright,”hesaid.“TherearegoodHiveWings,I’msureofit.Idon’tthinkwecansolveatragedyofthepastbyjustrepeatingitinreverse.”
“Well,Idon’tthinkwecansolveacurrenttragedybysittingaroundtryingtounderstandthebadguys,”Sundewsnapped.“Idon’twanttohugabunchofHiveWingsandlistentotheirproblems!Iwantthemallpunished!”
Cricketburiedherfaceinhertalons.Iwouldfeelthesamewayinherplace,wouldn’tI?Butthesewerestillherdragons.Shecouldn’tgiveuponherentiretribe—onKatydidandLadyScarabandtheLibrarianandthelittledragonetsonherstreetandherfather(evenifhewasn’therrealfather)andthestudentswho’dsharedbooksandseedswithheratschool.ShehadtobelievetheywerebetterthanwhatQueenWasphadturnedtheminto,andthattheycouldstillbesaved.
“Wheredowestart?”Morphoasked.“Whatdowehavetodo?”CinnabarglancedatTau.“Wait.Notallofuswanttokillallthe
HiveWings,”shesaid.“OranyHiveWings,”Blueinterjected.“HowmanySilkWingsareintheChrysalis?”Sundewasked,ignoringthem.
“Tellmetherearemorethanthreeofyou.”“Oh,yes,”saidMorpho.“InthisHivetherearesevenofus.”Sundewdidnotlookimpressed.“Seven.”“Yes,”hesaid.“Well.Maybesix.”“IfyouscaredArgusawayforever,”Cinnabaradded.“Whyaren’ttheothershere?”Sundewflickedhergazeoverthethreeof
themandfrownedslightly.“Theycouldn’tmakeittonight,”Tausaid.“Onehadtomakecostumesfor
herdragonet’sschoolplay.Anotherhasanearlymorningmeeting.AndwhatdidTemorasay?”sheaskedCinnabar.
“Thatshewastootired,”Morphoanswereddisapprovingly.“Really,”Sundewsaid.“Verydedicatedtothisrebellion,arethey?”“Tobefair,”Cinnabarsaid,“wehaven’texactlydonemuchatthelastfew
meetings.Orever.Actuallyever.Imean,howcansevendragonschangeanything?WeknowtherearemoreSilkWingsinotherHiveswhowanttofightback,too.Butit’sjust…everyone’sbusywiththeirlivesandnooneknowswhattodoand,Idon’tknow,it’sover-whelming.”
“Butnowthatyou’rehere,”MorphosaidtoSundew,“it’sveryclear,right?Bringinyourarmy,violenceeverywhere,SilkWingshelpyou,thingsgetbetter.”
“How?”Sundewasked.“How,exactly,dotheSilkWingshelpus?”Morphoshiftedhiswingswithaconfusedexpression.“By…doing
whateveryouwantustodo?MaybepointingtotheworstHiveWings?Cheeringwhenyoukillthem?”
Sundewsighedandrubbedherforehead.Therewasanotherflashoutsidethewindow.Again,Cricketonlysawitout
ofthecornerofhereye,andwhensheturned,nothingwasthere.Maybeitwasdistantlightning.Shepulledherscarvescloserandsteppeduptothedarkglass.
Foramoment,allshesawwasherreflectionandthereflectionsofthedragonsbehindher.Foramoment,shewasinsideaglassboxwithstrangers,thepiecethatdidn’tfit.
Andthenhereyesadjusted,justintimetoseeapairofdragonsswoopbyrightbelowthelevelofthewindow.
ApairofHiveWings,wearingarmorandcarryingweapons.AndheadingaroundthecurveoftheHive,towardthebackdoorofthelibrary.
Shewhirledaround.“Ithinkwe’vebeenseen.”“Unlikely.Noonepaysattentiontothelibrary,”Morphoargued.“Shhhh,”Sundewcommanded,raisingoneclaw.Theyallfellsilent.Asoftrattlingsoundcamefromthefrontdoorofthelibrary…asthough
someonewastryingaseriesofkeysinthelock.CinnabarandTauexchangedwide-eyedlooks.“They’reattheback,too,”Cricketwhispered.“Dowefightourwayout?”SwordtailaskedSundew.“Wedon’tknowhowmanythereare,”Cinnabarsaid.“Andifanyofthem
haveQueenWaspinthem,shecansummonawholelotmoreinaheartbeat.”“Canyoudothat?”MorphoaskedSundew.“Summonawholebunchof
“Canyoudothat?”MorphoaskedSundew.“SummonawholebunchofferociousLeafWings?”
“Notwithmymind,”shesaidcrossly.“Isthereanyotherwayoutofthelibrary?”
Taushookherhead.“Maybeifacoupleofusattackthem,theotherscanescape,”shesuggested.
“Idon’twanttoleaveanyoneintheclawsoftheHiveWings,”Bluesaidquietly.
SundewwhirledtowardCricket.“Yourhidingplace.Youmusthaveonenearby.Showuswhereyou’dgoifWaspHive-mindedeveryonewhileyou’reinhere.”
Crickethesitated.Shedidn’tknowifallsevenofthemwouldfit.Shealsofeltlikethereshouldbesomeconversationaboutbetrayalandbrokenpromiseshere,buttherewasn’texactlytime.
“Thisway.”Shehurriedthroughtheaisleswithallofthemrustlingbehindher.Attheedgeofthebalcony,shevaultedoverwithoutstoppingandsaileddowntothefirstfloor.
Whenshelookedback,shesawCinnabarthrowTau’sweakpairofwingsoveroneofhershoulderssoshecouldsupporttheyellowdragondowntothenextlevel.Assoonastheylanded,Tau’swingsfoldedbackinandshewasrunningagain.
Oneithersideofthefrontdoorsandoneithersideofthebackdoorsstoodatallcolumn,builtintothewallandstretchingfromfloortoceiling.Thiswasthebookdrop,withslotsontheouterwallswheredragonscouldslideintheirreturnedbooks.
Ontheinnerwalls,eachcolumnhadadoorhalfastallasadragon,whichthelibrarianscouldopentopulloutthereturnedbooks.Crickettuggedoneopenandpointedinside.
“Gotit,”Cinnabarwhispered.“Comeon,Tau.”Thetwoofthemranofftowardthebackdoors,tohideinoneofthecolumnsthere.
“I’mgoingwiththeLeafWing,”Morphodeclared.HeduckedinthroughthedoorCricketwasholdingopen,scrunchinghimselfaroundthepileofbooksinside,andheldoutonetalontowardSundew.
“IcanseehowIdeservethat,”Sundewsaid,“butno,yougetSwordtail.”
“IcanseehowIdeservethat,”Sundewsaid,“butno,yougetSwordtail.”ShebundledSwordtailintothecrampedspacewithMorphoandclosedthedoorontheirprotestingfaces.
“Don’tyouwanttobewithyournewChrysalisfriends?”Cricketcouldn’thelpasking.
Sundewhurriedacrosstotheothercolumnjustastheyallheardaclickfromthefrontdoor.Cricket’shearttriedtohurlitselfoutofherchest.Shescrambledinsidethebookdrop,burrowingthroughandupthepileofteeteringlibrarybooksinside.Amomentlater,Bluesqueezedinbesideher,andthenthespacewentdarkasSundewleapedinsideandshutthedoorbehindher.
Cricketbracedherselfagainstthewallsandedgedupwardalittle,butherwingsweretangledwithBlue’sandtheirscaleswerepressedsoclosetogetherthatshecouldfeelhisheartbeatingallthewaythroughherownchest.Herestedonetalononthewallbehindher,hiscapedriftingaroundthemlikeextrasilkenwings.Shetuckedherheadunderhischin,breathinginthescentofoldbooksandBlue,whosmelledabitlikefriedbananas.
Belowthem,shecouldsensethepoised,stillformofSundew,stillhalf-buriedinbooks.TheslideforthebooksfromtheupperslotendednearCricket’shead,andtheedgedugintoherneck,butshedidn’tdaretrytomoveawayfromit.
Ihopeeveryoneelsecanbequiet,shethoughtanxiously.Ifthesoldiersfounddragonsinonebookdrop,they’dchecktherestandfindallofthem.Thiswasn’tthesmartesthidingplace.Weshouldhavespreadoutmore.
“Finally,”saidavoiceoutsidethebookdrop.Bluetensed,sendinglittleshiversthroughCricket’sscales.“Sorrythattooksolong.LadyJewelhasalotofkeys.”
“AndIsupposehalfofthemareentirelydecorative,”sneeredanothervoice—unfamiliarbutalsounmistakablyinthethrallofQueenWasp.Crickethadheardthatsinistercadencesomanytimesinsituationsjustlikethis,hidinginthedarkwhilethequeenusedhersubjectsaspuppets.
Notjustlikethis.ShefeltBlue’sshoulder,coolandsmoothagainstherneck.ThistimeI’mnotalone.
“Openthebackdoorsfortheothersandthensearcheverycorner,”thequeenorderedthroughtheHiveWing’smouth.Cricketheardtwosetsoftalons
walkingaway.Shewonderedwhythequeenwasn’tinsidethem,too,orifshewasnow.Shemighthaveneededoneoftheminsidehisownbraintogetthelibrarydoorsopen,sheguessed.TheHiveWingwouldsupposedlyhaveabetterideaofwhichkeywouldworkthanthequeenwould.
Itstilltookawhile,though,shethoughtgratefully.Wasthatonpurpose?DidthatHiveWinghelpusbytakinglongerthanheneededto?
Perhapsthatwaswishfulthinking.Hedidn’tknowwhowasinhere,ifanyone…maybehejustwantedto
annoythequeen.Whateverhisreasons,orevenifhe’ddoneitbyaccident,shewasthankful.Alongtimeseemedtopass.Theyheardtalonstepsandthumps,asthough
boxeswerebeingoverturnedsomewhere.“Nosignofanyone,YourMajesty,”avoicereportedafteralongwhile.“IknowIsawdragonsinhere,”theHiveWingwiththequeeninside
hissed.“Findthem,oryouwilldie.”Blueflinched,andCrickettensedforamoment,wonderingifshe’d
accidentallyscratchedhim.Butthensherealized,Oh,he’sworriedabouttheHiveWingsoutthere,and
whatQueenWaspwilldotothemiftheydon’tfindus.Shedidn’tdareriskwhispering,butshewishedshecouldtellhimthatshe’d
neverseenthequeenforceadragontohurthimselfwhileshewascontrollinghim.Asthey’dseenintheTempleofClearsight,Waspfeltthesamepainasthedragonsshewascontrolling,andshewouldjumpoutoftheirmindsifthepainwastoomuch.
Butshecouldstillforceadragontohurtsomeoneelse.Therewasnothingtheycoulddo,though,exceptturnthemselvesin,andCricketwasn’tgoingtoletBluedothat.ShewasprettysureSundewwouldn’tlethim,either.
“Comeout,yousnivelingcowards!”Wasp’svoiceroaredsuddenly.“Iknowtherearedragonshidinginthislibrary!Showyourselves,orIwillburnallthebooksuntilyoudiechokingonthesmoke.”
Burnthebooks!Shecan’t—shewouldn’t.Jewelwouldn’tlether.Couldshestopthequeen,though?Wouldn’tburningthebooksputtherestoftheHiveindanger,too?MaybeWaspdoesn’tcareaboutthat.Maybeshe’dburndownthe
wholeHivetosmokeusout.CricketheardasofthissfromSundewbelowher.Sundewcouldn’tgiveherselfup—shewastheoneholdingtheBookof
Clearsight,andtheyneededthattoproveQueenWaspwaslying.Shewouldn’tletBluego,either,aslongashisflamesilkwaspartoftheLeafWingplan.
ButCricket—shewasn’tanyusetotheLeafWings,really.Whatwouldhappentoherifsheturnedherselfintothequeen?
Wouldshekillme?Herwingsweretremblingandshecouldn’tmakethemstop.I’mnotbrave.I’mnotawarrior.Idon’twanttoputmyselfinQueenWasp’s
talons,noteventosaveallthebooks.ButifIdon’t,whathappenstoBlueandSundew?Asifhecouldhearherthoughts,Bluecurledhimselfclosertoherandheld
hertightly,absorbinghertremblinginhisownwings.“Verywell,”saidthequeen’svoice.“Buildmeabonfireofbooksright
here,”sheordered.“We’lluseflamesilkfromthelanterns.”“But—YourMajesty—whatifthefirespreads?”askedoneofthe
HiveWings.“Thenwe’llhavetothrowyouintoittoslowtheflames,”thequeen
snarled.“Youareatedioustalon-wringer.I’lldoitmyself.”Cricketheardthedragonssnapsuddenlytoattentionandrunofftowardthe
stackswithoutanyfurtherargument.SheguessedthatQueenWasphadtakenthemoveraswell.
“Wait!”Belowher,Cricketheardabookslidedownthepile;Sundewcaughtitdeftly
beforeitcouldthunkagainsttheside.Theyallheldtheirbreaths,frozeninplace,caughtbythesoundofCinnabar’svoiceinthelibrary.
“We’resorry.We’resorry,myqueen.”“Verysorry.”ThatwasTau.Whataretheydoing?“WewerehidingfromLadyJewel,”Cinnabarsaidbreathlessly.“Shesaid
wewerespendingtoomuchtimereadingandnotenoughtimeonourworkforher.”
“Sowe’vebeensneakingoutatnighttoreadhere,”Tausaid.“Wedidn’t
“Sowe’vebeensneakingoutatnighttoreadhere,”Tausaid.“Wedidn’tmeantoangeryou.Pleasedon’ttellLadyJewel;she’llpunishusterribly.”
“Assheshould,”thequeen’svoicesnapped.“Itoldherthislibrarywouldbetrouble.Idon’tstandfordisobedientSilkWingsinmyHive.Whoelseiswithyou?”
Cricketsqueezedhereyesshut,asthoughthedarknessaroundhercouldgetanydarker.
“Noone,YourMajesty,”saidTau.“MycousinMorphocametoscoldusearlier,”Cinnabaroffered.“Butheleft
alittlewhileago.”“Bluewings,”saidthequeensuspiciously.“IthoughtIsawbluewings.”“ThatwouldbeMorpho,”Cinnabarsaid.“Ortheblanketswesometimesuse
upthere—doyouwantmetoshowthosetoyou?”“No.”Theshellofthedragonthatheldthequeenhissed.“Thisisawasteof
time.You,takethesetwobacktoLadyJewelandtellherIsaidtopunishthemseverely.”
“Sorryagain,YourMajesty,”Tausaid.Crickettriedtofigureouthowmanytalonstepswereleavingthelibrary.
Howmanywereleft?Wasthequeenstillinsideallofthem?Wouldanyonelockthedooragain?Wouldthequeenleaveguardsonthelibrary?Howlongdidtheyhavetowaitbeforeitwassafetocomeout?
Thetrampingofmostofthefeetfadedaway,butshecouldstillhearclawsscrapingacrossthefloor.Someonewasstilloutthere.
Itfeltasthoughalongtimepassed,butSundewdidn’topenthedoorofthebookdrop,andCricketfiguredshewouldknowwhenitwassafetodothat.ShehadjustshiftedtoleanagainstBlue’sshoulderwhensheheardrunningstepsoutside.
“YourMajesty,areyoustillthere?”saidavoice.“Yes,”Waspansweredcoldly,soundingasifshewasstandingdirectlyon
theothersideofthewallfromCricket.“Whatisit?”“We’vehadatipthatLadyScarabishereinJewelHive—andshemaybe
hidinganotherdragoninhermansion.”“LadyScarab,”thequeen’svoicehissed.“Shewould.Let’sgopayLady
Scarabavisit.”Theirtalonstepscrashedoutofthelibrary,andCricketlookedupsoquickly
hersnoutknockedintoBlue’schin.“They’retalkingaboutKatydid,”shewhispered.“They’regoingtoarrestmy
sister!”
Crickettriedtoscrambledownwardbutaccidentallystartedacascadeofbooks.“Ow!”Sundewwhisperedfrombelowher.“Quitthat!Stopmovingright
now!”“IhavetogettoKatydid,”Cricketwhisperedback,herwingsbent
awkwardlyagainstthecurvingwalls.“Todowhat?”Sundewdemanded.“There’snothingyoucandotohelpher.”“Icouldtrytowarnher!”“Won’tQueenWasphavejumpedintoKatydidalready,nowthatsheknows
wheresheis?”Bluewhispered.“Maybenot.”Crickettriedtoedgedownabitfarther.“Sometimesitseems
likesheneedstoknowwhoadragonisorseeherbeforeshecangetinsideherhead.”
“Soshe’lljumpintoScarab,”Sundewpointedout,“takeonelookatyoursister,jumpintoher,andofftheygo.There’snowayyoucangetthereintime.”
“Couldn’tItry?”Cricketpleaded.Shethoughtforamoment.“Wait,Idon’tneedyourpermission.You’vealreadydecidedyou’renotgoingtohelpme.SowhyshouldIlistentoyou?”Shestartedscramblingdownthecolumnagain,kickingmorebooksaside.
“Argh,stop!”Sundewsaid,squishingherselftoonesidetogetoutofCricket’sway.“Listen,I’mnotgoingtohelpyourtribebecausethey’realost
causeandtheydeserveeverythingtheyget!Butyou’renotlikethem.Youcanjoinoursideandbesafe.”
“AslongasIforgetaboutKatydid,”Cricketsaid,“andletyouhurtawholelotofdragonswhoneverfoughtinanywaragainstyou.No,thankyou.”ShewrestledSundew’stailoutofherwayandshovedthedooropen,tumblingoutintothelibraryinasmallavalancheofbooks.Thefrontlobbyofthelibrarywasdeserted,themaindoorsstandingwideopen.
ThedooronthecolumnoppositeherssnuckopenacrackandSwordtail’ssnoutpokedout.“Oh,thankgoodness,”hesaid.“DoesSundewthinkit’ssafetocomeout?Thisguyisinsufferableevenintotalsilence.OW.”Hetwistedaroundtoglareatthebluetailpointthatwasjabbinghiminthehead.
“I’mtellingyou,”Sundewsaid,climbingoutbehindCricket,“it’snotgoingtodoanygoodtogowatchyoursistergetarrested.It’lljustupsetyou,andyoumightgetcaught.”
“I’mgoinganyway,”Cricketsaid,startingtowardthecourtyard.“AndI’mgoingwithher,”saidBlue.Heclamberedoutofthebookdropand
startedshovelingbooksbackintoit.“I’mgoingwhereverCricketgoes.”Sundewstampedherfootinfrustration.“Allright,fine!Letmegetmy
stupidcape.”Shestormedofftotheupperlevel.CricketcamebacktohelpBlueshoulderthedoorofthebookdropclosed
withallthebooksinside.“Goodidea,”shesaidtohim.“Incaseweneedthesehidingspotsagain.”
“Oh—right,”hesaid.“Yes.Absolutelythat.”Shecouldn’thelpsmilingathim.“Youweretryingtosavethelibrarians
somework,weren’tyou?”“Theyhaveenoughmesstocleanup,”hesaidsheepishly,wavinghiswings
attherestofthelibrary,whereboxesofbookslaytumbledontheirsides,afewshelveshadbeenknockedcompletelyover,anditlookedasifeverythingonthedesksthatwasn’tnaileddownhadbeenthrownaround.
“Wherearewegoing?”SwordtailaskedasSundewcameflyingbacktowardthem.“OwAGAIN!”heyelpedasMorphofelloutofthebookdropandsquashedhistail.
“TogetCricketarrested,asfarasIcantell,”Sundewgrumbled,throwingthesaffron-coloredsilkcapeoverherwings.
thesaffron-coloredsilkcapeoverherwings.“Ihavetogethome,”Morphosaid.“MydadworriesifI’mouttoolate.”“IwanttomeeteveryoneintheJewelHiveChrysalistoday,”Sundewsaidto
him.“OutsidetheHive,nexttothefartheststalloftheGlitterbazaar,whenthesunisatitshighestpoint.”
Henodded,hiseyesshining,andflewoff.Cricketwasalreadyleadingthewayuptothehigherlevels,thinkingabout
sunset.That’showlongwehaveuntilBelladonna’sdeadline.Wehavetobringhersomethingrealbythen,orHiveWingswillstarttodie.Herheartthuddedpainfullyinherchest.ShelikedSundew—mostofthetime—andbeingwithSundewhadmadeherstartthinkingallLeafWingswerelikethat.ButwhenshestoppedtorememberSundew’sparents,BelladonnaandHemlock,shefeltanalmostcrushingfearfortherestofhertribe.
Thehigherlevelswerethebusiestatthistimeofnight,asHiveWingsswarmedfromonepartytoanother,alwaysrushingtomakesuretheydidn’tmissanything,tomakesuretheymadeatleastanappearanceeverywhere.ManyofthemhadtheirmostbeautifulSilkWingsalongwiththem,althoughatthishourCricketcouldseethattherulesweremorerelaxed.SilkWingsandHiveWingschattedtooneanotherastheywalkedorbrowsedtheappetizertables;SilkWingsjoinedthedancesintheballrooms,laughingandsingingalong.
ThereareHiveWingsherewhoseetheSilkWingsasequals,shewassureofit.HiveWingswhomightbewillingtojoinarevolutiontostopthequeenandchangetherulesofthisworld.Iftheycould…iftheyweregiventhechancebeforetheLeafWingsstartedanewwar.
LadyScarab’smansionwasoneoftheonlyquietonesuphere—nomusicrangfromthewindows,nodragonsflutteredinandout.ButasquadofHiveWingsweregatheredonherfrontsteps,someofthemtappingtheirclawsimpatiently.
“Openthisdoor,Scarab!”thequeenroaredfrominsideoneofthesoldiers.Ashortwaydownthestreet,Cricketduckedintoapartythatoverflowedthe
edgesofanelegantcourtyard.Nearlyinvisiblestrandsofsilkdrapedfromthehedgesandarchesandgazebo,hungwithtinyfireflysculptures,eachonewithasmalldotofflamesilkinsidesothepartyseemedtobedottedwithrealfireflies.
smalldotofflamesilkinsidesothepartyseemedtobedottedwithrealfireflies.AtrioofSilkWingsplayedquietstringinstrumentsinacorner.SeveralofthegueststurnedaroundwithdisapprovinglookswhentheyheardtheshoutingatScarab’shouse,thenturnedbackquickly,makingtheirfacesblank,whentheyrealizedwhowasdoingtheshouting.
Cricketslippedthroughthecrowdandpickedupafizzycoconut-scenteddrinkfromoneofthetables,tryingtolookasthoughshewenttopartiesallthetime,thiswasperfectlynormal,partieswereeasyandfun,haha,yes,hoorayforsocializing,thatwasabsolutelyathingshelikedtodo.
Theotherthreestayedclosetoher,lookingpossiblyevenmoreconspicuousthanshedid—wide-eyedBlue,scowlingSundew,andtwitchySwordtail—butthecrushofdragonsmadeitunlikelyanyonewouldstopandexaminethemclosely.
“Trythisone,”CricketheardaSilkWingsay,scoopingaglassofsomethingfuchsiafromoneofthemanysparklingpunchbowlsscatteredontablesaroundtheparty.TheHiveWinghehandedittotastedthedrinkandmadeaface.
“SCARAB!”bellowedthequeen,andCricketsaweveryoneatthepartytryingtohidetheirreactions—irritationhere,fearoverthere,thatoneperhapsglee,thosetwodefinitelycuriosity.Thesoldierspoundedonthedoorwithtalonsandtailsandspikyclubs.“OpenthisdoororI’ll—”
Thedoorflewopenandoneofthesoldiersnearlyfellinside.LadyScarabglaredoutattheknotofdragonsonherdoorstep.Crickethadtocranehernecktoseetheelderlydragonaroundafewotherpartygoers.Shewasn’ttheonlyone;nowseveralguestswerestaringopenlydownthestreetatthecommotion.
“Oryou’llwhat?”LadyScarabdemanded.“Ohno,”whisperedaHiveWingstandingnearCricket.“Doyouthinkshe’sgoingtodothatsmellthing?”whisperedanother.Her
friendnodded.“Comeon,let’ssneakoutbeforeitbecomesunbearableuphere.”ThetwoHiveWingswoveawaytowardtherampsinahurry.Cricketsawacrimsondragonbythefoodtable—probablythehost—glancedespairinglyaroundasafewotherssidledoff,too.
“Whoelseishere?”thequeendemanded.“Ayoungfriendofmine,”LadyScarabsnapped.“She’sasleep,likea
sensibledragon,sotakeyourgoonsandshutupandgoaway.”
Smallgaspssoundedfromaroundtheparty,andCricketsawoneSilkWingaccidentallydropherglasswithatinysmash.
“Bringherout.”“Wasp.She’snoneofyourconcern.Surelyyouhavemoreimportantthings
todo;justleaveherbe.”Thewhite-eyedsolderhissedandlashedhistail.“Provetomeshe’snotthe
traitorwe’relookingfor.”“She’snot!”Scarabsnapped,exasperated.“Haven’tyoutakenenoughfrom
me,Wasp?Thisdragonhasdoneyounoharm.”Scarabisarguingwithher,Cricketsuddenlyrealizedwithajolt.She’s
arguingwithQueenWasp.She’ssayingnotoher.QueenWaspwouldn’tcauseascenelikethisifshecouldavoidit.Thatmustmean…shecan’tcontrolLadyScarab.Scarabislikeme.She’sfreefromthemindcontrol!“Whoisinthere,Scarab?”thequeendemanded.Allofthesoldiers’eyes
turnedwhite.ThepartysuddenlywentveryquietbehindCricket.Uh-oh.Shedartedaglancesideways.TheHiveWingbesideherhadwhiteeyesas
well.Cricketguessedeveryoneatthepartyhadbeentakenover.TheSilkWingswerestillmurmuringtooneanother,buttheirvoicesslowlyfadedtosilence.
Cricketkeptherheaddown,hopinghereyeswerehiddenbythefoldsoftheblueveilaroundherhorns.AlltheHiveWingshadtheirheadsturnedtowardScarab’shouse,alertandcoiledlikeangrysnakes.Sofartheywereathreat,notyetaweapon.Aslongasshestayedstill,withlucknoonewouldlookcloserather.
Herheartconstricted,eatingalltheairinherchest.“Youstayoutofmyhouse,Wasp,”LadyScarabsaidfuriously.“Youhave
norighttopokeyoursnoutin—”“Ihaveeveryright.Iamyourqueen.”Thevoicecamefromallthe
HiveWingsonthestreetnow.Itwaschillingtohearitsoclose,thebreathofallthestolenguestsshiveringacrossCricket’swings.OnScarab’ssteps,twooftheHiveWingssteppedforwardandmenacingstingersslidoutfromundertheirclaws.
“You’reacreepyoldbat!”Scarabshouted.“Yourmotherwouldhatetosee
“You’reacreepyoldbat!”Scarabshouted.“Yourmotherwouldhatetoseewhatyou’vedonewithhertribe!”
“Luckyforusthatshe’sdead,then.”Scarabhissedatthestingersreachingtowardher.Suddenlythesoldiers
staggeredback,theireyeswatering.Allthedragonsonherfrontstepscoveredtheirsnouts.
Amomentlater,thesmellrolledovertheparty.CrickethadheardofdragonswithScarab’spower,andshe’devensmelledafractionofitoncewhenScarabwasannoyedbysomedragonetsinherwayatthemarket.Butthishadtobethefull-forceweaponizedversionofit,likedeadrottingthingspickledinsulfur.Itmadeherwanttoclawoffherownnose.Shesawthewhiteeyesflickeroutofthefacesaroundher;sheguessedthequeencouldn’tstandtoexperienceitthroughsomanydragons.Severalofthepartyguestsdroppedtheirdrinksandranforthestairs.
“IwillcomehereandkillyoumyselfifIhaveto,”Waspsnarledfromoneofthesoldiers’mouths.
“Ha,”saidLadyScarab.“Doingyourowndirtywork?Doesn’tsoundlikeyou,Wasp.”
“LadyScarab.”Cricketfeltcracksshiveracrossherheart.Katydidhadappearedbeside
Scarab,touchingtheolderdragon’sshouldergently.Scarab’swingsdrooped.“Idiotchild.Icouldhavekeptyousafe.”“Idon’twantyoutogetintroubleforme,”Katydidsaid.“There’snoreason
to.Ihaven’tdoneanythingwrong.I’llcomewithyouwillingly,”shesaidtotheguards.
“Hm.Familiar,butnotthedragonI’mlookingfor.Whataninterestingmystery,”saidthequeen.“Somerelationtomymissingfriend,I’mguessing?”
LadyScarabonlyglaredather,butKatydiddroppedhergazetoherfeet.“Well,”saidthequeen,“perhapswecanfindauseforher.”Katydidlookedupagain,andhereyeswereblankasthefacesofthemoons,
emptylikethehusksofspider-eatengrubs.“Nicetry,LadyScarab,”thequeensaidwithKatydid’smouth,Katydid’s
voice,Katydid’smind.“I’msureI’llbeseeingyouagainsoon.”AndthenKatydidsteppedoutofthehouse,joinedthegroupofHiveWing
soldiers,andmarchedaway.
LadyScarabslammedthedoorofhermansionhardenoughtomakethefireflylanternsrattlealloverthecourtyarddownthestreet.
ThetrioofSilkWingsquicklystartedthemusicagain,andthebabbleofconversationrose,alittlestrainedandalittlehigher-pitchedthanbefore.Afewmoreguestsmadeexcusestothehost,whowasstirringapalegreenteadejectedly,andvanishedtowardtherampstofindsafer,better-smellingparties.
SundewcameupbesideCricket,twitchinghercapealittlecloseraroundher.“Idon’tunderstandhowyoualllivelikethis,”shewhispered.
“Wedon’thaveachoice,”Cricketwhisperedback.“ButdidyouseeScarabfightingback?Don’tyouthinkshemustbelikeme?Maybesheknowshowthemindcontrolworks!”Andifshedoes,maybeshecanhelpmesaveKatydid.That’stheonlythingIcando—there’snowaytorescueKatydidunlessIcanfreeherfromthemindcontrol.
“Ohno,”Sundewmuttered.“Youwanttogooverthere.Tothehouseyourqueenliterallyjustraided.”
“Soshe’shardlylikelytocomebackrightaway,right?”Cricketsaid.Sundewshookherheadandmovedtooneofthebowls,scoopingadark
purpleliquidoutofitandsniffingitsuspiciously.“Ishouldgofindmyparents.Ihavetotellthemthatourplandidn’twork.”Shesighed.“TheChrysalisknewnothinghelpfulaboutthemindcontrol.Nordotheyseemlikeparticularlyusefulallies,butI’llaskBelladonnawhatshewantsmetodowiththem.”
allies,butI’llaskBelladonnawhatshewantsmetodowiththem.”“Wait,”Cricketsaid,feelingasurgeofpanic.“Sundew,please.Westill
haveuntilsunset.Don’tgoyet.Givemetherestoftodaytotrytofindsomeanswers.”
Thepartyhosthadfoundsomeperfumeandwaswanderingthecourtyard,tryingtoinconspicuouslyspritziteverywhere.Sundewwrinkledhersnoutathim.“Fine.Youcantry,”shewhispered.“Butdon’tgetyourhopesup.Andyoucan’ttakeBluetoScarab’shousewithyou.Wedon’tknowifwecantrustthatoldHiveWing,andhe’stoovaluabletorisk.”
Blueprotested,butCricketagreedwithher—shedidn’tknowhowLadyScarabwouldreacttoBlue,orhowshefeltaboutSilkWingsingeneral.ShewastheonlywealthyHiveWingCricketknewofwhohadnoSilkWingservants.Cricketgottheimpressionshedislikedthemonlyaboutasmuchasshedislikedalldragons.ButLadyScarabwasveryunpredictable,andCricketdidn’twanttoputBlueinanydanger.
“Allright,”shewhispered.“IfIdon’tcomebackbeforethepartyends,meetmeatthestatueintheGlitterbazaar.”
SheturnedandtouchedoneofBlue’stalonslightlywithhers,wishingshecouldhughim,butnotsurewhethertherulescouldbendquitethatfar.
“Becareful,”hesaidsoftlyassheslippedaway.TheguestswhoremainedwerevaliantlytryingtoignoreLadyScarab’s
residenceandtheodorthatstilllingeredaroundit.Still,Cricketwasafraidthatknockingonthefrontdoormightcatchtheattentionofthemoregossipydragons,soshetriedwalkingintheoppositedirectionandcirclingthroughthestreetsuntilshereachedthesideofthemansion,whereasmallerdoorwassetintothewall.
Sheknockednervouslyandstoodforalong,anxiousmoment,gazingupattheweatheredtreestuffthatformedtheoutsideofthemansion.Mostwealthydragonskepttheirhomesneatlymaintainedandconstantlyupdatedwithnewfeatures,butthegreenjadebeetlesinlaidinevenrowslookedasthoughtheyhadbeenputindecadesago,maybewhenthehousewasfirstbuilt.Someofthemwereevenmissing,althoughCricketcouldn’ttellwhetherthey’dbeenpriedlooseandstolenorwhetherthey’dfallenoutandnobodycared.
Thedoorswungopenabruptly,makingCricketjump.
“No!”LadyScarabbarked,andslammedthedoorshutagain.“Wait!”Cricketknockedmorefirmly.“LadyScarab,wait!”ThedoorflewopenmidknockandCricketnearlyrappedtheelderlydragon
onthenose.“Goaway!”LadyScarabshouted.“It’sme,”Cricketsaidquickly,shovingherveilasidetorevealherface.
“Please,LadyScarab.”“Oh,byallthestupidmoons,”Scarabgrowled.ShegrabbedCricketbyone
ofthescarvesandyankedherinside,almostthrottlingherintheprocess.Cricketstumbledintoapoorlylitkitchen,bareandcold.Oneflamesilklamp
sataloneonthecentraltable,itslightdimasthoughthethreadhadalmostfadedcompletely.Nexttoitweretwoplates,neatlystacked,andasmallglassjarofpalelavendersugarcubes.Inthesinkshespottedthebonesofabird,buttherewasnootherfoodinsight.Thewallswereemptyexceptfortwosmallpaintingsoneithersideofthestove:onealemontree,theotheranorangetree.
Trees?Cricketthought,startled.Noonewasallowedtomakeartwithtreesinit.Noonewasallowedtohaveartwithtreesinit.Shesquintedatthemandsawthespiderycracksinthecanvas.Maybetheywerequiteold,frombeforethelawsabouttreesinart.Still,itwasboldofScarabtohavekeptthem.
“Comeon,younuisance,”Scarabmuttered,grabbingthelampandstompingpastCricketintothenextroom.Thisonewasmuchbigger,reachingallthewaytothebackwallofthemansion,wheretallslidingglassdoorsledtoabalconyoverlookingthemoonlitsavanna.Perhapsithadbeenaballroomonce,oratleastintendedforhostinggrandparties,butnowitfeltlikeagiantemptyterrariumwithonlyoneseedrattlingaroundinsideit.
Itwasalsocoldandsparselydecorated,especiallyforadragonwhoseemedasrichasLadyScarab.Apolishedoldwoodbookcasefilledtheoppositewall,linedwithbooksthatlookedasthoughtheymightcrumbleifyouactuallytouchedthem.Onedarkgreenfloorpillowwassetbythebalconydoors,asthoughtheonlyplaceshewantedtositwasneartheexit,withaviewofthestars.
LadyScarabsetthelamponthelowtableandsatdownonthepillow,leavingCricketstandingawkwardlyinthemiddleoftheroom.
“Well?”theolddragondemanded.“Afterallthistrouble,atleasttellmeyou
“Well?”theolddragondemanded.“Afterallthistrouble,atleasttellmeyoubroughttheBook.”
Surprised,Cricketsaid,“Myfriendhasit.WhatdoyouknowabouttheBook?”
“Notenough,”LadyScarabgrowled.“I’vewantedtogetmyclawsonitforyears.Iassumeyoureadit.Whathappensnext?Saythewords‘Waspdiesslowlyandhorribly’andI’llmakeyoumyheir.”
Cricketwasstartledintoalmostlaughing.“No,no,”shesaid,recoveringquickly.“It’snotlikethat.That’sthething:therearenomorepredictionsinit.Clearsightonlysawafewhundredyearsintothefuture—there’snothingaboutnow,nothingaboutthelastthousandyears.QueenWasphasbeenlyingtous.”
LadyScarab’seyeswerelikesmalldarkcoals,withflickersofdarkredintheirdepths.ThoseeyespinnedCrickettothebarefloorforalong,agonizingmoment.
“What?”Scarabspat.“TheTreeWarswereallalie;Clearsightneversawthat.TheSilkWing
queengivingupherthronesohertribewouldbowtoQueenWasp…thatwasn’tinthere,either.”
Scarabbreatheddeeplyinandoutthroughhernose.“Isuppose,”shesaidicily,“therewasn’talistoftheHiveWingqueensuccessionline,either.”
“N-no,”Cricketsaid.“What’sthat?”“Alist,allegedly,ofwhoshouldbequeenandwhoshouldsucceedher,from
Clearsight’stimeallthewayuntilnow.”LadyScarabletoutherbreathagaininalonghissthroughherteeth.“SomymotherwaslyingabouttheBook,too.Andsowasmysister.Bothlying,infact,aboutthefactthatmysisterCochinealhadtobequeen.IsupposeMotherrealizedshewasalwaysamuchbetterliarthanIwas.Themostessentialqualityforaqueenwhohadtorulebydeceivingherentiretribeabouttheirmostsacredartifact.Whatalovely,lovelyroyalfamilyweare.”
Shepickedupapaintbrushfromatraybesidethepillow,andCricketrealizedtherewasasmalleaselthereaswell.Thehalf-finishedpainting,asfarasshecouldsee,wasofawaspbeingeatenbyants.Sheshivered.
LadyScarabshovedherspectacleshigheruphernoseandsquintedatCricket.“Thequeenwouldverymuchliketokillyou,youknow.Tellme,why
Cricket.“Thequeenwouldverymuchliketokillyou,youknow.Tellme,whyaren’tyouhidinginsomedistantcornerofthecontinent?”
“Ihavesomequestions—”Cricketsaid.“Ah,”LadyScarabinterrupted.“Curiosity.Thatneverendsbadly.Carry
on.”“Thequeencan’tmind-controlme,”Cricketblurted.“Yes,”saidLadyScarab.“Igatheredthatfromtheyou-not-marching-
yourself-off-to-jail-right-now.”“Butwhy?Whycan’tthequeenmind-controlyou?”Cricketasked.“Or
me?”“Ihavenoidea.”LadyScarabwavedthepaintbrushatCricket.“Next
question.”“Howcanyouhavenoidea?”Cricketasked.“Don’tyouknowhowit
works?”“ApparentlyIamnotamongthoseblessedwiththesecretsofmynoble
family,”LadyScarabsnarked.“Inanycase,nobodyknowswhyWaspcandowhatshedoes.Nootherdragonhaseverdoneitbefore.”
“Ever?”Cricketechoed.“InallofPantalanhistory?Areyousure?”“OfcourseI’msure.”TheroyalHiveWingstabbedherpaintbrushintoa
puddleofredpaintandstartedaddingthinlinesofbloodcomingoutofthewaspinherpainting.Crickethadafeelingthisparticularpieceofartmightbeevenmorepoorlyreceivedthanthetreesinthekitchen.“I’vegothistorybooksgoingbackcenturies.I’vetracedthefamilytreesasfaroutasIcan.NotasingleHiveWingwithmind-controlpowers,allthewaybacktoClearsight,asfarasIcouldfind.Anditcertainlydidn’tcomefromherSilkWinghusbands.”
“SilkWing?”Cricketsaid,extremelystartled.“Husbands?”“Yes,ofcourse,”LadyScarabsnapped.“Maybetheyweren’tcalled
SilkWingsbackthen.ShimmerWingsorFlibbertigibbetsorsomethingintheoldlanguage,Idon’tknow.ButClearsightmarriedone,andthenanotheronewhenthefirstonedied,andhadanalarmingnumberofdragonetswitheachone,andthentheirdragonetsandtheirdragonets’dragonetskeptgoing,marryingYeOldeSilkWingsorwhathaveyou,untiltherewasenoughofthemtobeconsideredtheirowntribe.HiveWings.Stupidmenacingname,ifyouaskme.Itwasonlyaboutfivehundredyearsagothatweofficiallysplitintotwoseparate
tribes,youknow.Mycharminggreat-great-grandmotherwasthequeenwhoorderednomoreminglingofthebloodlines.Shewasanightmare.”
“We’rerelatedtoSilkWings?”Cricketsaidagain.“Really?”LadyScarabsquintedatherwithconcern.“Ohdear,areyouthick?”she
asked.“IthoughtKatydidsaidyouwereratherclever.ItisperfectlyobviousthatHiveWingsmusthavestartedwithClearsightmarryingaSilkWing.”
Cricketdidfeellikeratheranidiot.Inherdefense,historywasthemostneglectedsubjectatTerrariumAcademy.“Well,”shesaidindignantly,“itisalsoperfectlyobviousthatHiveWingbooksleavethatoutonpurposebecausetheydon’twantanyofustoknowthat.”
“True,”saidLadyScarab,settlingbacktoherpainting,whichwasgettinggorierbythemoment.“Thatwasprobablyalsomygreat-great-grandmother’sidea.Oooo,shewasahorrorshow.”
“DidanyofClearsight’schildreninheritherprophecypowers?”Cricketasked.She’dalwayswonderedaboutthat.HiveWingshadallsortsofweirdpowerspopupthroughoutthetribe,butnothinglikeClearsight’s.Themindcontrolhadseemedtheclosest,toher,beingatleastkindofmental.
“Notaccordingtotherecords.”Scarabcoughedviolently.“Butthen,ifIwereClearsight,I’dtellmykidstokeepthatinformationtothemselves.Ifyouknowthefuture,butnooneelseknowsyouknowthefuture,you’vegotanadvantage,see?HA!”Shestartedcoughingagain,finallysputteringtoawheezingstop.“MaybeIamrelatedtomyfamilyafterall.”
Cricketstartedtopaceupanddownthelong,emptyroom.Throughthehazeofdrizzlingrainoutside,shethoughtshecouldseeafaintlineofgrayalongthehorizon,whichmeantsunrisewascoming,whichmeantsunsetwasgettingevercloser.
“Sowhydoesn’tthemindcontrolworkonus?”shesaid.“Let’sthink.Dowehaveanythingincommon?Isthereanyoneelsewho’sfreeofit?”
“Wasp’ssisters,”answeredLadyScarab.“AndJewel,althoughWasphasthreatenedherwithitafewtimes.”
“Threatenedherwithit?”Cricketechoed,pausingforamoment.“Like…shecouldmind-controlher,ifshewantedto?”
LadyScarabshruggedhelpfully.“Hmm.”Cricketwentbacktopacing.“Doyouknowanythingaboutahome
“Hmm.”Cricketwentbacktopacing.“DoyouknowanythingaboutahomeforolddragonsinTsetseHive?Wherethey’rekeptbecausenoneofthemarecontrollable?”
“No,”LadyScarabsaid,narrowinghereyes.“ButIhavenoticedthatIamtheoldestdragonIknow.AllofmyfriendsstarteddyingofforvanishingduringtheTreeWars.Mostofthemwereloudlyagainstthewar,soIwasn’ttoosurprised.Butsomeofthemwentfunnybeforetheywent—sayingweirdthingsthatweren’tlikethemselves,strangeflutterslikecurtainsintheireyes.”
Crickettippedherheadtotheside.“Asthoughtheireyeswereflashingwhite,thenbacktonormal?”Scarabnodded.“Isawthathappentoadragon,too.”Shedescribedthedragonshe’dseenoutthewindowwhenshewastwo.
“Charmingstory,”saidLadyScarab.Sheaddedsomemoreredpaintfountainingoutofthewasp’shead.
“MaybewhatwesawwereWasp’sexperiments,”Cricketsaidslowly.“Maybeshewastestingoutwhethershecouldcontrolthosedragons,butshecouldn’tforsomereason.Ormaybeshecouldn’tyet—maybeherpowerwasstillgettingstrongeratthatpoint.”
“Makesnosense.”ScarabjabbedthepaintbrushatCricketagain.“HiveWingsarebornwiththeirpowers.Theydon’twanderinfiftyyearslater.Whycouldn’tshedoanyofthiswhenshewasyounger?Thosefortyorsoblissfulyearsbeforeshebecamequeen?Notthatmysisterwasanypicnicasaruler,butatleastshewasn’tadictatorialzombie-makingmaniac.”
“Andwhydoesn’titworkonus?”Cricketsaidagain.ShesatdownoppositeLadyScarabandtriednottolookatthepaintingofthedyingwasp,whichnowlookedasthoughitmightdrowninbloodbeforetheantscouldeatit.“I—Ihaveonetheory.Aboutme,anyway.Idon’tknowifit’spossible,butIwonderedmaybe…”
“Spititout,”LadyScarabordered.“CouldIbehalfSilkWing?”Cricketasked.“Katydidsaidmyparentsaren’t
myrealparentsandsoIthought,maybeoneofmyparentswasaSilkWingandhisbloodorherbloodiswhythemindcontroldoesn’t—”
“No,”LadyScarabsaidwithabitterlittlelaugh.“No?”“No,you’renothalfSilkWing.”
“No,you’renothalfSilkWing.”Cricketblinked.“Howdoyouknow?Maybeyouare,too.Maybethat’s—”“Iamgettingworriedaboutyourbrain,dragonet.Iknewthatschoolwould
beworthlessforyou,butIdidn’tthinkallyourmentalfunctionswouldatrophysoquickly.”LadyScarabsetdownthepaintbrushandclaspedherfronttalonstogether,leaningtowardCricket.“IknowyouarenothalfSilkWing,becauseIknowbothyourparents,andtheyareHiveWingsthroughandthrough,zombieeyesandall.”
“Youknowthem?”Cricketcried,leapingtoherfeet.“They’restillalive?Whoarethey?Whydidn’ttheykeepme?”
“Oneofthemdid,”saidLadyScarab.“Shejustcouldn’ttellanyoneyouwerehers.Ican’tbelieveyouhaven’tfigureditoutbeforenow.”
CricketfeltasiftheHivewasfallinginonher,slowly,levelbylevel,likeinadream.
“Katydidisn’tyoursister,littlesnail.She’syourmother.”
Itfeltliketheentireworldflippedover.ItfeltlikesomeonepickeduptheHive,turneditover,andshookitreallyharduntilallthepiecesfellout.Exceptone,andthatonewastheheartofeverything.
“Katydid,”shesaidsoftly.“Mymother.Katydidismymother.Katydid.”“Igatherthisisgoingtogoonforawhile,”Scarabmuttered,producinga
neweaselfrombehindthepillow.Onthisone,ahordeofshinygreenbeetleswasdraggingadyingwaspintoadarkholewherelittleeyesandteethglintedfromtheshadows.
“Iwishshehadtoldme.Whydidn’tshetellme?SheknewIcouldkeepasecret.”Cricketflickedhertailbackandforth.“Shejustliedtome.Wassheplanningtohidethetruthfrommemywholelife?”
“Wouldithavemadeanydifference,knowingthetruth?”Scarabaskedsharply.
“Yes!”Cricketsaid.“Itwouldhavemadeeverythingmakemoresense.Well…allright,Iwouldhavehadafewquestions.”
“Really.You.”LadyScarabraisedhereyebrows.“Butatleastitwouldhaveexplainedawholelotofthings.Oh.Oh.That’s
whyMom—not-Mom—Cadellehatesme,”Cricketsaid.Therewereanswerstoallherunanswerablequestions:thewayherparentsfought,whytheybarelylookedather,thereasonKatydidalwayslookedsad.“That’swhyKatydid
alwaystookcareofme.Ohmygoodness,that’swhatCadellemeantwhenevershesaid,‘You’renodaughterofmine.’Itwastrue.”
“Luckyforyou,”Scarabsnorted.“Thatonehasapersonalitylikesandpaper.”
CricketthoughtthiswasratherfunnycomingfromLadyScarab,butshedidn’tpointthatout.
“Howdidtheykeepitasecret?”shewondered.Shetriedtopuzzlethroughwhattheywouldhavehadtodo.ItwaspossiblenoonehadnoticedthatKatydidwaswithegg;manydragonsgrewplumperintherainymonthswhentherewasmorefoodandlessopportunityforoutdoorflying.AndKatydidwasgoodatkeepingsecrets—obviously.
Butwhatdidshedoonceshehadtheegg?AllHiveWingeggsineachHivewerekeptinacentralnestuntiltheyhatched.MaybeCadellesimplyhadtopresentherselfatthenestwithKatydid’segg,claimingitwashers.Itwouldbemarkedashers,protectedasthedragonetinsidegrew,andthenreturnedtoCadelleadaybeforeitwasduetohatch.
“It’ssohardtoimagineCadelleagreeingtoalielikethat,”Cricketsaidaloud.
“Shedidn’twantto,”saidLadyScarab.“TherewasanenormousfightwhenshefoundoutKatydidwashidingyouregg.Ifitwasuptoyourdelightfulgrandmother,theywouldhavetakenitouttotheoceananddroppedyouonarocksomewhere.”
ThisCricketcouldimagine,veryeasily.AlthoughitwassostrangetohearCadellereferredtoashergrandmother.Iwasstillherfamily,evenifIwasn’therdaughter.Butmyexistencewasagainsttherules.IrepresentedKatydidlyingtoherandQueenWaspbeingfuriousifshefoundout.HavingmearoundputCadelleatrisk…shemusthaveseendangerandcrimeanddisorderandliesthatcouldruinhereverytimeshelookedatme.
“Intheend,KatydidagreedtosneaktheeggintotheCicadaHiveNest,soitcouldcomebackofficialandapprovedinsteadofyoubeingasecretforever.AndCadelleagreedtopretenditwashers.”LadyScarabgrinnedwithallofherteeth.“Imighthavehelpedwiththatlittlecompromise.”
CricketwonderedwhetherLadyScarab’s“help”cameintheformofthreatsorofferstohelpCadellesocialclimb.“Weren’tthereofficialrecords,though?”
orofferstohelpCadellesocialclimb.“Weren’tthereofficialrecords,though?”sheasked.
“Ihelpedwiththose,too.”LadyScarablookedextremelypleasedwithherself.“Alittlebribery,alittledistraction,aforgeddocument,andthenyouwereCadelle’sandeverythingwasinorder.”
“Butwhywouldyouhelpmysis—Imean,Katydid—atall?”Cricketasked,guessingpartoftheansweralready.“Didyou…didyouknowmydad?”
LadyScarab’sgrindisappearedlikewavespullingbackoffthebeachbeforeatsunami.Shestareddownatherpaintingforalongmoment,thensetdownthepaintbrushandheavedherselfuprightwithagrowl.
Cricketmovedoutofthewayastheolddragonstompedovertothebookshelf.LadyScarabpulledoutanold,darkgreenbookandflippeditopen.Inside,thepageshadbeencarvedawaytoleaveahollowforasmallpainting.
Thedragonintheportraithadkindeyes;thatwasthefirstthingCricketnoticed.Heworeglasses,justlikeher.Hisscaleswereawarmorangecolor,exceptforhiswings,whichweredarkred,withspotsofblackscaleshereandthere.Someofthemevenlookedlikeinkblots,likehersdid.Hewasholdingabook,whichmadeCricketwanttocry.
“Whoishe?”shewhispered,touchingthepaintinglightlywithoneclaw.DefinitelyaHiveWing.SoI’mreallynotahybrid.
“Malachite,”saidLadyScarab.“Mysecretary,backwhenIwasstillallegedlytheministerofeducation.Brilliant,talented,madeexcellentcoffee,fullofexcitingideas.Thefirstdragoninyearswhogavemehopeforthefutureofourtribe.”Shesighed.“Itwasmyfault,really.QueenWasphasalwayshatedme.IshouldhaveknownbetterthantoletherseetherewasadragonIcaredabout.Tospiteme,sheforbadehismarriagetothedragonhefellinlovewith.”
“Katydid,”Cricketsaid.“Yes.Andthenshetookhimawayfromme,beforeheevenknewyou
existed.Heworksforhernow.”“He’sreallystillalive?”Cricketwhispered,lookingupather.“Inasense,”Scarabsaidbitterly.“Sheparadeshimpastmewhenevershe
can,alwayswiththosehatefulwhiteeyes.Idon’tknowifheevergetstobehimself.Ihaven’tseenhimwithhisowneyessincethedayshetookhimoverandsummonedhimtoWaspHive.”Shehissed.“IhavetopretendlikeIdon’t
andsummonedhimtoWaspHive.”Shehissed.“IhavetopretendlikeIdon’tcare.Ifshedoesn’tgetareactionfromme,maybeonedayshe’llloseinterestandlethimgo.”
That’swhyLadyScarabhasnoservants,Cricketrealized.That’swhyshe’salwaysalone—sothere’snooneWaspcanhurttogettoher.
“Isthatwhat’sgoingtohappentoKatydid?”sheasked.“Ihopenot,”saidScarab.“QueenWaspusuallygetsboredratherquickly.If
Katydidcan’tleadhertoyou,shewon’thavemuchuseforher.”“IwishIcouldrescuethem,”Cricketsaid,twistinghertalonstogether.“Well,youcan’t,”LadyScarabpointedout.“BecauseWaspcancontrol
themanytimeshewants,andshe’lljustmarchthemrightbacktoprison.”AwaveofangerrushedthroughCricket,strongandsudden.“Therehasto
beawaytostopher.”ScarabsnappedthecoverclosedovertheportraitofMalachite.“Iwas
hopingyou’dfoundoneintheBook.Butiftherearenomorepredictions,thenit’sallchaos.”Shewavedhertalonsintheair.“Anythingcouldhappen!Shedoesn’thavesecretknowledgeofthefutureafterall.”Scarabchuckled.“Nowondershewantsyoudead.”
Cricketranherclawsalongthebookshelf,thinking.Shestilldidn’thaveananswertothemind-controlquestion.Shedidn’tknowiftheHiveWingscouldbesavedfromit.Butshedidhaveonething:thetruthabouttheBook.
KatydidshouldhavetrustedmewiththetruthaboutherandMalachite.Mytribedeservesthetruth,too.TheyneedtoknowthatQueenWasphas
beenlyingtothem.Cricketlookedaroundtheroom.IfthiswasherlastdayintheHives,she
hadtouseitwell.Shecouldn’tjustlookforanswersanymore;shehadtomakesureotherdragonsalsoknewthem.
“LadyScarab,”shesaid.“CanIborrowapaintbrush?”
Sundewdidn’tlikeit,andsoSwordtaildidn’tlikeit,either,althoughCricketsuspectedhewouldhavebeenallforitotherwise.Bluelovedtheidea,though,andthatwaswhatshecaredabout.
“Thisiswaytoodangerous,”Sundewprotested.“Exactly,”saidSwordtail.“QueenWaspmayalreadysuspectwe’reinJewelHive;thiswilljustprove
ittoher,”Sundewpointedout.“It’llbesnakeeyesandeveryonetalkingatthesametimeagaininaheartbeat,andthenwe’llbesurrounded,andthenwe’llbecaught,andthennoneofourplanswillhaveachance.”
“Noneofthem!”Swordtailsaid,wavinghiswingsarounddramatically.“Becausewe’llbeintheclutchesofzombieHiveWings!”
“Allright,simmerdown,”Sundewsaid,rollinghereyes.TheywerehuddledinsideoneoftheindoorstallsoftheGlitterbazaar,not
farfromtheSalvationStatue.Thisonesoldbooks,wonderfulbeautifulbookswithgoldleafonthespinesandfeatheryedgestothesilkpages.Cricketcouldn’tstoppickingthemup,justtofeelsomethingsafeandbelovedinhertalonsagain.Apartofherwishedshecouldabandonthisplan,crawlunderoneofthetables,andreadallthebooksinthisstallfortherestofherlifeinstead.
Hangingfromthetopofthedoorway,windchimeswithlittlehummingbirdsdanglingfromthemsoundedinthebreeze.Dawnwascoming,andthemarketwasvirtuallyempty.Evenontheupperlevels,mostofthedragonsthey’dseen
wasvirtuallyempty.Evenontheupperlevels,mostofthedragonsthey’dseenhadbeendraggingthemselvessleepilyofftobed.
“Iknow,”Cricketsaid.“ButIhavetodosomething.It’snouseknowingthetruthifeveryoneelsestillbelievesthelies.MytribeneedstoknowthatQueenWaspislyingtothem.MaybeIcan’tsetthemfreefromthemindcontrolyet,butknowingthetruthabouttheBook…”Shelookeddownatthescarfshe’dbeentwistingbetweenherclaws.“Ithinkknowingthetruthisthefirststeptowardtheirfreedom.Ihope.”
“Ihopeso,too,”Blueagreed.“Imean,imagineyou’veonlybeentoldonethingyourwholelife.Imagineyoudon’tevenknowitcouldbealie.”Hehesitated.“Thisisgoingtobehardfordragonstohear.”
“Whatarewesupposedtodowithallthis?”Sundewasked,flickingherclawsatthestacksofsilkpaperthatCrickethadtakenfromanearbystationerystall.
“We’regoingtowriteoutClearsight’sletterfromtheendofherbook,”Cricketsaid.“Overandoveragain,asmanycopiesaswecanmake.Atthetop,write‘Thisiswhatthebookreallysays’andatthebottomwrite‘Therearenomorepredictions.QueenWaspislying.’”
Swordtailgroanedandfloppedhisheaddownontohistalons.“Wriiiiiiting,”hewhined.“Thatsoundslikehomework.Nobodysaidtherevolutionwouldinvolvehomework.”
Sundewwhackedhimontheheadwithoneofherwings.“Youareluckythatyoucanwrite,”shesaid.“WeweretoldthatSilkWingsweren’tallowedtogotoschool.”
“What?!”Cricketyelped.Shecouldn’timaginebeingforbiddentogotoschool.“Thatwouldbecruelandawfulandbarbaric!”
TheLeafWingshotheranamusedlook.“Well,exactly,”shesaid.“Soundsallrighttome,”Swordtailmuttered,butheacceptedtheinkwell
andsheafofpaperswithonlyalittlemoregrumbling.Cricketmadethefirstcopies,asshewasthefastestwriter,andthentheyall
copiedfromthose,workingasquicklyastheycould.Whentheyhadwelloverahundredandthesunwasstartingtosidleinthroughthefarwindows,shestoppedthemandcollectedthepapers.
“Nowyouhavetogo,”shesaid.
“Gowhere?”Blueasked.“Tohidefortheday,”Cricketanswered.“SomewherefarawayfromJewel
Hive.I’mdoingthenextpartbymyself.”“ThenI’mgoingbackouttolookforLuna,”Swordtailsaid.“WhileIgettomeetwiththeChrysalis,”Sundewsighed.BluetookoneofCricket’stalonsinhis.“Noway.Igotyouintothismess.
I’mnotleavingyoualonetodealwithit.”Sheshookherhead.“Youdidn’tgetmeintothismess,Blue.QueenWasp
didthis.Shekeptmyparentsapartandshestolemyfather.SheusedtheBooktomakeherselfpowerfulandliedtotheentiretribetodoit.Youhelpedmefindthetruth,andnowIhavetohelpmytribethesameway.”
“TechnicallyIhelpedyoufindthetruth,”Sundewobserved,“sinceitwasmyideatostealtheBookinthefirstplace.”
“I,too,havebeenimportanttothiswhole—everything,”Swordtailchimedin.
CricketputherwingsaroundBlue,awkwardlynowthathisownwingswereintheway,andhuggedhimclose.“YouhavetostaysafetohelptheSilkWingsandtheLeafWings,”shesaid.“ButtheHiveWingsaremyresponsibility.Allright?”
“Also,”Sundewsaid,“it’sbetterifonlyoneofusgetscaught.Thentheotherscanmayberescueher.Maybe,”sherepeated,waggingoneclawinCricket’sface.“ButalsoMAYBENOT,sodon’tgetcaught.”
“Iwon’t,”Cricketsaid.“I’lltry.Gohide.I’llmeetyoubythelaststalloutsidebeforesunset.”
“WecangolookforLunatogether,”Swordtailsaid,nudgingBlue’sside.“Wecansplitupandcoveralotmoreofthebaywithtwoofus—threeifSundewhelps.Maybeshe’shurtandstuckonanisland.Orinacaveandcan’tfindus.Pleasehelpme,Blue.LunaandIneedyourhelp.”
CricketguessedthatSwordtailmeantit,butthathewasalsotryingtogiveBlueawaytobeabletoleaveher—byremindinghimofanotherdragonwhoneededhishelpevenmorethanshedid.
Blueopenedandclosedhistalons,lookingatthemasifhewashopingthey’dtellhimwhattodo.
“Iwill,but…Cricket,”Bluesaidwoefully.“Idon’twanttoleaveyou.”
“Iwill,but…Cricket,”Bluesaidwoefully.“Idon’twanttoleaveyou.”“Iknow,”shesaid,hervoicecatchinginherthroat.“Butyoucanunderstand
whatI’mfeeling,right?Youcanimaginehowimportantthisistomeand…andhowimportantyouaretome.”
Heblinkedbacktearsandleanedclosersotheirnosestouched,andthenSwordtaildraggedhimawayandthethreeofthemweregone,Bluestilllookingoverhisshoulderatthelastmoment.
ItwashardtowatchthemhurryawaythroughthedisplaysoftheGlitterbazaar.Itwasreallyhardtostopherselffromshouting,“Wait,comeback!Idon’twanttodothisbymyself!I’mactuallyterrified!”
Butshetookdeepbreathsandstayedquiet.Andassoonastheywereoutofsight,shesetouttocompletethenextpartofherplan.
Sheknewthequeenwouldteardownanythingsheputupasfastaspossible,soshefocusedonquantity—asmanymessagesinasmanyplacesasshecould.LadyScarab’slargestpotofpaintwasthebrightpinkcolorofhibiscusflowers,sothatwaswhatsheusedoneveryposter,everyopensurface,everyblankunguardedwall.SheespeciallyenjoyedpaintingovertheWantedposters,coveringherownfacewithtallpinkletters.
THEQUEENISLYINGTOYOU
CLEARSIGHTNEVERPREDICTEDTHETREEWARS
CLEARSIGHTNEVERSAIDTHEOTHERTRIBESSHOULDBOWTOTHEHIVEWINGS
EVERYTHINGQUEENWASPSAYSABOUTTHEBOOKISALIE
CLEARSIGHT’SPREDICTIONSENDEDATHOUSANDYEARSAGO
THEQUEENISLYINGTOYOU
THEQUEENISLYINGTOYOU
THEQUEENISLYINGTOYOU
SheslidthepaperwithClearsight’sletteronitunderdoorsandscatteredthemthroughtheparks.SheleftoneontopofthebooktheClearsightstatuewasreadingoutsidethelibrary.Shecouldn’tbringherselftodoanythingelsetothatstatue,butshehadnotroubledefacingtheSalvationStatueintheGlitterbazaar,scrawlingLIARinenormouspinklettersalloverthequeen’sfaceandwingsand
thenWASPISLYINGaroundthebase.Thesunwaswellabovethehorizonandthestreetswerestartingtofillwhen
sheranoutofpaint.Afewdragonetsontheirwaytoschoolsawherslippingthepapersunderdoorsandaskedwhattheywere,soshegavethemone.
“Thisisthetruth,”shesaid.“I’veseentheBookofClearsight.”Theygazedupather,wide-eyed,threetinyHiveWingsandtwowingless
SilkWings.“Really?”saidoneofthem.“Isitamazing?”“Itisamazing,butnotthewayyou’dthink,”shesaid.Shetappedthepaper.
“Thisiswhatitreallysays.”Theyallgatheredaroundtosoundoutthewordstogether,andshehurried
awaytothenextlevel,wonderinghowlongshehadbeforeQueenWaspsawthemessagesthroughsomeone’seyes.
Twolevelsup,adooropenedjustassheslippedthepaperunderneath.AstartledHiveWingstoodthereonherwayouttowork.
“Hey!”saidthestrangedragon.“Whoareyou?What’sthis?”“It’s—”Crickettookadeepbreath.Bebrave.“It’sthetruth,”shesaid.She
pickedupthepaperandhelditouttothedragon.“IthoughteveryoneshouldknowwhattheBookofClearsightreallysays.”
Thedragon’sjawdroppedopen.“You’retheonefromtheWantedposters!”SheseizedthepaperfromCricket’stalons.“YoureallydidreadtheBook?Bythestars,I’vealwayswantedtoknowwhatitsays!”
“Metoo,”Cricketsaid.“AndnowIthinkeveryoneshouldknow.”ShelefttheHiveWingstandingthere,readingwithshiningeyes.Theyarelistening.Theywantthetruth.Maybethiswillwork.Butherluckranoutonthewaytothewatertower,whereshehadhopedto
hidefortheday.Shewashurryingthroughthestreets,duckingherheadtoavoidmeetinganyone’seyes,whensheturnedacornerandranintoCadelle.
“Oh!”Cricketyelped,lookingstraightintohermother—no,hergrandmother’sface.“Imean,sorry,sorry,ma’am.”Shetriedtocoverherconfusion,tobowandturnawayandcontinueonlikeanyotherstrangerinahurry.
ButCadelleseizedherarminanirongrip.“You,”shesnarled.“Whatare
youdoinghere?InmyHive?Areyoutryingtogetmearrested?”ShedraggedCricketthroughDragonflySquaretoherhouseandthrewherinside,slammingthedoorbehindthem.
Cricketstumbledonthegraysilkcarpet,tryingtoputsomedistancebetweenherselfandCadelle.TherewassomuchinthislivingroomthatremindedCricketofherchildhood—thesquareblackmarblesidetableshermotherhadtakenwithher,theivoryreproductionoftheSalvationStatuewithtinygarneteyes,thesmellofchamomileteaandboiledrabbitscomingfromthekitchen.Everythinginthehousewasexactlythesameasithadbeenayearago;everybookexactlyevenwiththeedgeoftheshelf,everypaintingperfectlyalignedwiththenext,QueenWaspglaringatLadyJewel,whostaredblanklyatthemostboringClearsightinportraithistory.
Eventheterrorwasn’tentirelynew.She’dneverbeenabletopredictwhatCadellewoulddonext.She’dalwaysbeenafraidofsomethingsuddenandterriblestrikingoutoftheblue.
Butthistimetheroomfeltcolder,thesmellofmeatstronger,andthistimethethreatofQueenWasppoisonedeverything.Thistime,insteadofyellingorthrowingthings,CadellemightdeliverCricketrightintothequeen’swaitingclaws.
“Ikeptmymouthshut,”Cadellehissed.“Ididn’twantanyonetoknowIhadanythingtodowithyou.Andthenyoushowuphere?DidyouthinkIwouldhelpyou?”
“No!”CricketrubbedherscaleswhereCadellehaddugherclawsin.“Ididn’twanttoseeyouatall!”
Cadelle’swingsflared.“Thenwhyhere—whythisHive,whysoclosetomyhouse?Icameheretogetawayfromyou!”
“Iknow,”Cricketsaid.“AndIknowwhy.Don’tworry,Iwanttogetawayfromyou,too.”Shetookasteptowardthedoor,butCadelleblockedherpath,baringthevenomousteeththatneitherherchild,norgrandchild,hadinherited.Crickethadseenherusethemafewtimestobringdownprey,especiallylargeranimalslikeantelopesorwaterbuffalo.
Butshe’dalsoonceseenCadellebiteadragon…anewSilkWingcookwhohadaccidentallyburnedCadelle’sfavoritemealonabadday.Thevenomhad
spreadquicklyfromthewoundonhisneck,andtherehadbeenscreaming,andhe’donlysurvivedbecauseFather(Grandfather)gothimtothehospitalintime.
Cricketmostlyrememberedthescreaming.That,andtherealizationthatCadellewasevenmoredangerousthanshe’d
thought.Wouldshedothattome?“Justletmego.Pretendyoudidn’tseeme,”Cricketsaid.“Ifwe’reboth
lucky,you’llneverseemeagain.”Cadellefrowned.She’snotusedtometalkingback,Cricketthought.She’s
neverseenmetrytopushheraway;she’salwaysbeentheonedoingthepushing.
“DoyouhavetheBook?”Cadelleasked,hertaillashing.“No,”Cricketanswered.“ButI’veseenit.I’vereadit,andIknowQueen
Wasphasbeenlyingtoeveryoneaboutit.”CadellebroughtherwingsincloseandsquintedatCricketwithher
“professor”face.“Isthatso?Imustsay,teachingthehistoryofPantalafeelsquiteincompletewithoutaresourceliketheBook.I’vealwaysthoughtitshouldbeavailableforstudy.”
“Metoo,”Cricketsaid.“Maybewedohavesomethingincommonafterall.”“YoucouldgivemetheBook,”Cadellesaid,advancingtowardCricket.Her
teethseemedtogrowlongerandsharperasshesmiled.“Iamactuallyqualifiedenoughtoknowwhattodowithit.Itshouldn’tbeinthetalonsofsomegrubbySilkWings.”
“ItoldyouIdon’thaveit,”Cricketsaid,backingupuntilhertailhitthewallbehindherandherwingsnearlyknockeddownamapofPantala.“AndIwouldn’tgiveittoyouevenifIdid.You’dprobablygiveitbacktoQueenWaspinexchangeforaninvitationtoaparty.”
Cadellehissedfuriously.“Maybe,butI’dreaditfirst!”shesnapped.“Well,there’sacopyofapieceofitonthestatueoutsidethelibrary,”
Cricketsaid.“Letmegoandyoucangoreadityourself.”Cadellesuddenlywentverystill.Outside,Cricketcouldhearrunning
talonstepsanddragonsshouting.Amongtheclamorofwords,sheheardonedragoncalltoanother,“Itsaysthequeenislying!”andsomeoneelseyell,“Ifoundanotherone!”Hermessagesweregettingtheattentionshe’dhopedfor—
foundanotherone!”Hermessagesweregettingtheattentionshe’dhopedfor—butshe’dalsohopedshe’dbehiddenawayinsidethewatertowerbynow.
BecauseifthenewswasspreadingthroughtheHive…Wasponlyneededtobeinsideonelisteningsoldier,andthenshe’drealizeCricketmustbeheresomewhere…andthenshe’d—
Cadelle’seyesflickedovertowhite,asthoughallthecolorhadsuddenlybeenleachedoutofhereyeballs.
“Aha,”saidthequeenoftheHiveWings,tippingCadelle’sheadtowardCricket.“Thereyouare.”
Cricketwhirledandboltedupthestairs.Behindher,thequeenlaughedandlaughed,aneerieawfulcacklethatwaslikesomethingelsetryingtocrawloutthroughCadelle’snormallaugh.
Shemadeittothenextfloorjustasthreemorewhite-eyedHiveWingsburstthroughthewindows,shatteringtheshuttersandrippingdownthedarkgraycurtains.Cricketthrewtheemptypaintpotandpaintbrushatthem,spatteringbrightpinkdropletseverywhere,andhurtleduptothetoplevel,acrosstheguestroomandoutontothebalcony.
HiveWingswereswarmingtowardCadelle’shouse.Shecouldseedragonsoneverystreet,runningorflyinginherdirection.ThequeenhadwatchedCricketslipthroughherclawsattheTempleofClearsight;shewasn’tgoingtoletherescapeagain.
Cricketthrewherselfoffthebalconyandflewashardasshecouldtowardtheopenledgesthatledtothesavanna.IescapedtheTemple.Icandoitagain.IfIflyandfly…
Butthistimeshedidn’thaveSundewwithher,andtheskywastoofaraway,andthereweretoomanyHiveWings,andthequeencontrolledthemall.
Theycamefromeverywhere,boilingupfromthegroundandthewindowsandtheceilingslikeanexplosionoffireants.Theyweretinydragonetsandhulkingsoldiersandglitteringsocialitesintheirjewelsandsparklesandfinery,butnoneofthemwerethemselvesanymore.Theywereaswarm;theywerethe
butnoneofthemwerethemselvesanymore.Theywereaswarm;theywerethethousandclawsofQueenWasp.Theyhadbecomemindlessweapons.
Crickethadbeenterrifiedofthewhite-eyeddragonseversincethatmorningwhenshewastwoyearsold.Nowshewasthedragontheyhunted,thedragonwhodidn’tmoveinunisonwitheveryoneelse.Thedragonwhocouldn’tescape.
Shefelttalonsslamintoherbackandthrowhertotheground.Ared-stripedHiveWingshotablastofacidthatjustmissedhershoulderandhissedintothetreestuffbesideherhead.Asshetriedtorollaway,anotherdrovehiswriststingersintotheedgeofherwings,pinninghertotheground.CricketshriekedwithpainasCadellelandedonherchest.
Hergrandmotherdidnotlooktriumphantorenragedoreveninterested.HerfacewasentirelyblankwhileshehelddownhergranddaughtersoablackHiveWingwithyellowspotscouldshootsomethingpainfulandparalyzingintoCricket’swings.
CricketturnedherheadawayfromCadelle’semptyfaceandsawSilkWingswatchingfromthewindowsandthesidewalks.
Lastchance.Throughthehazeofpain,sheyelled,“Thequeenislyingtoyou!TheBook
neversaidsheshouldruleyou!Itwasallalie!”andshethoughtshesawsomething—sympathy?confusion?surprise?—flickerintheirfaces.
Andthentheyellow-spottedHiveWingshovedhisstingerintoherneck.Herthroatclosedoverthewordsshestillwantedtosay.Hervocalcordsradiatedwithagonyandherheadfloppedover,herneckmusclesrefusingtoworkforheranymore.
TheHiveWingsseizedherfrozenwingsanddraggedheraway,awayfromthefrightenedSilkWingfacesanduptheramps,upandupanduptotheprisonatthecenterofLadyJewel’spalace.
EverytimeCricketthoughtaboutthelibraryinJewelHiveandthought,MaybeLadyJewelisn’tsobadafterall,shealwaysmadeherselfremembertheprison,whichJewelhadinsistedonbuildingwithinherownpalacewallsinsteadofsomewhereacivilizeddistanceaway.Nooneknewwhyshewantedherprisonsoclose,orwhathappenedtothedragonsthatdisappearedinsideit.
IguessI’mabouttofindout,Cricketthoughtbleaklyastheypassedthroughtheblue-and-gold-and-beetle-greensilk-spangledgatesofJewel’spalace.Allthe
wallsinsideseemedtobefullofwindows,sothegrayafternoonlightandthesoundofraindropsandthescentofastormcarriedthroughtheentirepalace.Foramoment,thebreezebrushedCricket’sface,whisperingofthefreedomoutside.
AndthentheHiveWingsdescendedastaircaseandCricket’swingsscrapedovertheblackstonethresholdthatmarkedtheendofJewel’spublicpalaceandthebeginningofthesecretprison.Shewishedshecouldliftherheadtoseewhereshewasbeingtaken,butallshecoulddowaswatchthescuffedfloorpassbelowher,scarredwithlongtrailsofdesperateclawmarks.
Downheretherewerenowindows,andtheflamesilklanternswerefewandfarbetween,leavingpatchesofdarknessbetweendimpoolsoflight.Cricketcouldhearmournfulsingingcomingfromoneofthecellsastheypassedby.Anotherprisonercalledtoher—“Hey!Whatdidyoudo?Whatdidshedo?Comeon,tellmesomething!”—butshecouldn’tanswer,andherguardsignoredhim.
Attheendofaninterminablecorridor,thedragonsholdingherfinallystoppedandunlockedacell.Theytossedherinsideandshefellface-first,barelycatchingherselfonnumbtalonsbeforetheweightofherparalyzedwingsknockedherdown.Withanenormouseffort,sherolledontoherbacktoseehercaptors.
“ThatwaseasierthanIexpected,”saidthequeenasoneoftheHiveWingslockedthedoor.AnotherHiveWingleanedagainstthebars,grinningather.Thequeen’svoicecamefrombothofthematonce,whichwasstillimmenselycreepy.“YoureallywereafooltocomebackintoaHive.Andforwhat?Alittlebitofgraffiti,afewpamphletsthatwillbeashbyevening?Poornaïvelittledragonet.Asthoughanyonewouldbelieveyouovertheirqueen.”
Cricketcouldn’tspeak;shewasn’tsureshewouldhavebeenabletoevenifherthroathadn’tbeenparalyzed.She’dneverbeensoscaredinherentirelife,exceptmaybethemomentwhenthequeenhadseenherthroughtheLibrarian’seyes,andshe’drealizedhersecretwaslostforever.
“Itmusthavebeensohardforyou,”thequeenwenton,makingoneofthedragonsrunhisclawsalongthebars.“Feelingsodifferent,soalone.WatchingeveryoneelsecometogetherinmyHivemind,butalwaysleftout.”ThetwoHiveWingsleanedcloserandpressedtheirfacestothebars,as
thoughshemightforcethemtosqueezethrough.“ButIhavegoodnewsforyou,littledragon.Youdon’thavetobedifferentanymore.”Theirtonguesflickeredoutandinandoutinterrifyingunison.
“Icanfixyou,”hissedthequeen.“I’monmywayrightnow.AndwhenIgetthere…Icanmakeyoujustlikeeverybodyelse.Aren’tyoulucky?”
TheHiveWingssteppedback,theirpaleeyesstillfixedonCricket.Shefeltatearrundownherfaceandcouldn’tdoanythingtostopit.
“Seeyousoon,littleproblemdragon.”ThesoundoftheirtailsslitheringawayseemedtolastforeverasCricketlay
there,aloneintheneardark.SundewandBlueweren’texpectingheruntilsunset.Theywouldn’teven
lookforheruntilafterthequeenhadalreadycomeanddone…whatevershewasgoingtodo.
Nooneiscomingtorescueme.They’llneverfindmeintime.Thequeenisgoingtotakemymindandmakeithers.Cricketcoveredherearsandclosedhereyesandprayedtotheonlydragon
whocouldpossiblyhearher.Clearsight,pleasebelistening.Please.Pleasesaveme.
WhenCricketopenedhereyesagain,alongtimelater—almostmidday,shesensed—therewasanentirelynewdragonstandingoutsidethedoorofhercell,lookinginwiththoughtfulcuriosity.Seatednexttoher,withanenormouslygrumpyexpression,wasLadyScarab.
Thenewdragonwastallandangularandherscaleswereabrightgoldencolorthatalmostlookedgreeninthelowflamesilklight.Thinlinesofblackscalesoutlinedheriridescentgreeneyesanddottedhercheekbones;moreblacklinestracedtheveinsinherwings.Goldearringsshapedlikebeetleshungfromherears,anecklaceofonyxstingersrestedonhercollarbone,andherclawswereeachpaintedwithperfectlinesofblackandgold.
Crickethadonlyseenheroncebefore,acrossacrowdedballroom,butitwasnothardtoguessthatthiswasLadyJewel,rulerofJewelHive,daughterofLadyScarab,andcousintoQueenWasp.Thewaysheheldherselfwasallregalelegance,asifshewerebeingpainted.Theonlycrackinherfaçadewasthatshewincedalittleeverytimehermothermoved,andsheseemedtobekeepinghalfaneyeonLadyScarabatalltimes.
“Hmmm,”saidLadyJewel.“Sothisisthedragonwho’sthrownmyHiveintosuchatizzy.”Shetappedherchinwithonelong,glitteringclaw.“You’requitesmalltocausesomuchtrouble.”
“Smallandbrainless!”Scarabsnapped.“Mother,”Jewelsaidinawarningtone.“Youpromisedyou’dbequiet.”
“Mother,”Jewelsaidinawarningtone.“Youpromisedyou’dbequiet.”Scarabgrowled.Crickettriedtositupanddiscoveredthattheparalysishadwornoffher
wingsandneck,althoughtheystillachedandshehadtomoveslowly.“LadyJewel,”shesaidinacreakyvoice.“Noneedtobow,”Jewelsaid,wavinghertalons.Cricketsettledbackgratefully.Standingwouldhavebeenachallenge,tosay
theleast.“Whatareyougoingtodotome?”shewhispered.“That’safinequestiontoaskNOW!”Scarabbellowed.“Mother,”Jewelsaid,givingheraquellinglook.Scarabglaredatbothof
themandsubsided,muttering.JewelsmiledbackatCricket.“Youmean,thetorture,theexperiments,thevanishingprisoners?”Jewelsat
down,coilingherlongshiningtailaroundherlegs.“Notforyou.Thequeenwantstohandleyouherself.”Sheshruggedwithafaintlydisappointedlook.
“Butiftheywerereal,Iwouldsayyoudeservethem!”Scarabinterjected.“MOTHER,”Jewelbarkedasaprisonerafewdoorsdowncalled,“Eh?Not
real?What’sthat?”Jeweldidsomethingcarefullytoherface,likesmoothingawaythecross
expressionandreplacingitwitheverlastingpatience.“Mymother,”shesaidtoCricket,“isnotnormallyallowedinmypalace,for
reasonsthatbecomeclearereachtimeshedoesvisit.ShehasnoideawhatIactuallydowithdragonsinmyprison.”
“Right,”snortedLadyScarab.“I’msuremydaughterwhooncehidallmyknivesbecausetheyscaredherhasgrownuptobecomeamastertorturer.”
“What?Really?”calledthenosyprisoner.“Faintsatthesightofblood,thisone,”Scarabadded,jerkingherheadather
daughter.“Iwasfive—”LadyJewelclosedhereyesandtookadeep,calmingbreath.
“Let’stalkaboutyou,”shesaid,openingthemagainandlookingatCricket.“Doyouknowhowharditistogetpaintoutoftreestuff?I’mgoingtohavepinksmudgesallovermyHiveforevernow.”
“Andyoulostmybestpaintbrush,didn’tyou?”Scarabsaid,lashinghertail.“Notthatmymotherhadanythingtodowiththis,”Jeweladdedquickly.
“Shouldhavegivenyouanoldone,”Scarabgrowled.“Butyouweren’tsupposedtogetcaught,youidiot.”
“Ohmygosh,Mom,seriously!”Jewelflappedherwings,theroyalstanceentirelycollapsing.“IamTRYINGtobeMENACINGANDMYSTERIOUS.CouldyoubequietforONESECONDwhileIhandlethis?”
“Withwhat,anewnecklaceandaparty?”Scarabgrumbled.“Youmaynothavenoticed,butsomehowImanagetobeaVERYGOOD
HIVERULEReven—Iwouldsayespecially—whenyouandyouradviceareontheothersideofthecontinent!”
“Hmm,”Scarabsaiddisapprovingly.“TheGlitterbazaarwouldbebetterifyou’dlistenedtome.”
“TheGlitterbazaarisFINE!”“Andyourschoolshaveabsolutelyrubbishhistoryprograms.”“That’snotuptome!QueenWaspsetsthecurriculums!WhydoyouthinkI
haveagiantlibraryfullofhistorybooksformysubjects?”“Andthattableinthefronthallisstillinthewrongplace,”Scarabwenton.
“Itwouldbemuchmoreusefulasasideboardinthediningroom.”Jewelpressedherclawstoherforehead.“Mother,”shesaid,“maybeyou
shouldgovisitwithyourgrandchildren.”“Notonyourlife,”Scarabsaidpromptly.“ThosebratsareveryloudandI
willnotbetrickedintodragonet-sitting.Stopdistractingmeandgetonwithinterrogatingthisnitwit.”
“That’swhatIamTRYINGTO—”Jewelstoppedandtookanotherdeepbreath.SheturnedtowardCricketwitharesolutelysereneexpression.“You.Cricket,right?”
“Yes,that’sme,”Cricketsaid.“Didyoureadmymessages?I’mtellingthetruth.QueenWaspislyingabouttheBookofClearsight.”
“I’vealwayssuspectedthat,”Jewelsaid.“Someofourgreat-great-great-great-grandmotherswerenotasquickandcleverwiththeirliesasWasphasbeen.Therewerehintsinthehistorybooks,ifanyonelookedcarefully.”
“Thebooks?”“Idoread.”Jewelsmiled,moreorless,atinyquirkofhermouth.“Despite
therumorstothecontrary.I’dbequiteinterestedtoreadtheBookofClearsight.”
Clearsight.”“Idon’thaveit,”Cricketconfessed.“Leftitwithsomeonesmartenoughnottogetcaught,Ihope,”Scarab
chimedinagain.“Shesaysthere’snolineofHiveWingsuccessioninthere,sparkles.Youknowwhatthatmeans?”
“Thatyoucouldhavebeenqueen,”Jewelsaidwithasigh.“Thatyoucouldstillbequeen,”Scarabsaidfiercely.“Withmyhelp,of
course,orelseyou’dprobablydoitallwrong.PaintalltheHivesrainbowcolorsorsomething.”
“Oh,forthe—Mother!Youcan’tsaythingslikethat!”Jewelleanedbacktocheckupanddownthecorridor.
“Theguardsareallthewaybackattheentrance,”Scarabsaid,flippinghertailfromsidetoside.“Theycan’thearus.”
“Ican!”calledtheprisoner.“You’reaSilkWing,”Scarabcalledback.“True,”heanswered.“True.”“LadyJewel,”Cricketsaidhesitantly.“MayIask—ismysisterallright?”
Shecaughtherself,remembering.ItstillfelttoostrangetocallKatydidhermother.“Katydid?Shewasbroughtinlastnight,beforeme.”
“She’llbefine,”Jewelsaidwithsurprisinggentleness.“Thequeenislessinterestedinher,nowthatwehaveyou.Iwillfindoutwhatsheknows,whichIassumeisnothing,andreleaseherbeforeWasparrives.”
“Andthatwillbewhen?”Scarabdemanded.“Verysoon,”Jewelanswered.“Which,thankyousomuchforthat;Iwas
supposedtohaveanotherthreedaystopreparebeforeherusualNestvisit.”“She…shesaidshe’scomingto‘fix’me,”Cricketsaid.“Tomakemelike
everyoneelse.Canshedothat?”Jewelglancedathermother,pausingforamoment.“Yes.She’sdoneit
before.”“What?”LadyScarabspat.“Younevertoldmethat.”“Itdoesn’talwayswork,”Jewelsaid.“AndIdon’tknowhowshedoesit.
Butwehadapairofdragonsinhereafewyearsagowho’dbeenpreparingacaseforflamesilkrights.Theywereprettyold—nearlyasoldasyou,Mother.”
“Soperhapsnottotalidiots,then,”Scarabsnapped.
“Soperhapsnottotalidiots,then,”Scarabsnapped.“Sure,”Jewelsaid.“Theysaidtheyrememberedatimewhenflamesilks
weretreatedlikenormalmembersofthecommunity,sellingtheirflamesilkandlivinglikeanyoneelse.Anyway,Waspdidn’tlikethatverymuch,soshemademyguardsdragthemin,andshecamebyandtookthemintoaclosedroomforawhile,andwhentheycamebackout,theireyeswerewhite.Andtheyneverarguedagainstthequeenagain.”
“Itakeitback,”Scarabhuffed.“Totalidiotsafterall.SoeverytimeshethreatenstoaddyoutoherHivemind…”
“Shemightactuallybeableto,”Jewelsaid.“Butyoudon’tknowhow?”Cricketsaid.“Orwhatshedoestothem?”Jewelshookherhead.“Iknowitdoesn’tworkiftheyhaveSilkWing
ancestorsinthelastthreegenerations,though.ShekeepsallthoseolddragonspenneduptogetherinTsetseHive.”
“Youdidn’ttellmethat,either!”Scarabbarked.“OfcourseIdidn’t!”Jewelsaid,flickingherwingsathermother.“Iwas
afraidyou’dgooverthereandstormaroundwithaprotestsignandgetyourselfthrowninwiththem!”
“Tooright,”saidScarab.“Someoneneedstogivemynieceagoodthumping.”
“Well,Iwouldlikeyoutostayincontrolofyourownbrain,asannoyingasthatbrainis,Mother.SoIwouldappreciateitifyoucouldnotgothumpingthequeenofourtribeanytimesoon.”
“Ifsomeonedoesn’tthumphersoon,wewon’thaveanydragonsleftwhocan!”Scarabgrowledsoftlytoherselfandpacedoffdownthecorridor.
Crickettriedtostretchthepainoutofherwingsandneckasshethought.ThequeencoulddosomethingtodragonsbehindcloseddoorstomakethempartofherHivemind.Butsurelyshehadn’tgonetoeverydragonineveryHivetodoit,oneatatime,thousandsofdragonsoverfiftyyears.Foronething,dragonswouldrememberthathappening,soeveryonewouldknowhowshedidit—Katydidwouldhaveremembered,surely.Anddragonswouldslipthroughthecracks,andQueenWaspjustcouldn’tpossiblyhavetimetogettoeveryHiveWingthatway.
Wait…
“LadyJewel,”Cricketsaid.“Didyousaysomethingaboutthequeencomingfora…Nestvisit?”
“Yes.”Jeweltippedherhead,studyingCricket.“ShevisitstheHiveNeststwiceayear—onceinthedryseason,onceintherainyseason.Toensurethatthey’recleanandsafeandfullofeggs,accordingtoherrules.”
“DoyougointotheNestwithher?”Cricketasked.“No.Shealwaysgoesalone.”Jeweltappedherclawsonthefloor.
“Hmmm.”Scarabreappearedatthebars.“I’msensingthedevelopmentofanother
completelystupidplan.”CricketgotherselftostandandsteppedtowardtheleaderoftheHive.“Lady
Jewel,”shesaid.“Pleaseletmeoutofhere,andIpromiseI’llfindoutwhatshedoesintheNests.IfI’mright,andithassomethingtodowiththemindcontrol,maybewecanfigureoutawaytostopher.”
“Ican’tletyouout,littledragonet,”Jewelsaid.“AsmuchasImightbetemptedto.QueenWaspwouldpunishmyguardsmostseverely,andtheyareloyaltomewhentheirmindsaretheirown.Theydon’tdeservethat.”
“Soputthosetwoyoudon’tlikeonduty,”Scarabsuggested.“Theoilyoneswhoareprobablyspyingonyouforthequeen.”
Jewelnarrowedhereyesathermotherforalongmoment.“Hmm,”shesaidatlength.“Thatmightactuallywork.”
“SEE?”Scarabsaidtriumphantly.“Iamfullofgoodadviceifyouactuallylisten!”
“BytheBook,Mother,Ilistentoyouallthetime!”“Notaboutthosedragonetsofyours,youdon’t.Oof,theyareadisaster.”“THEYAREN—thisisnotproductive.”Jewelclosedhereyesandrubbed
hertemplesforamoment.“Youcanonlycontrolyourself,youcanonlycontrolyourself,”shemurmured.“Allright.Let’ssayIdoputthosesneaksonguardduty.Howwouldwegetherpastthem?”
Cricketglancedaroundhercell.“CouldIgooutanotherway,insteadofthroughtheprisongate?Upordown,maybe?”Shescratchedthetreestuffbelowher.
“DownwoulddropyouintoRootworm’sballroom,andshewouldnotbe
pleasedaboutthat.”LadyJewellookedupattheceiling,hereyesdartingaroundasthoughshewasmeasuringthespaceinherhead.“Up…Ithinkyou’dendupinmykitchens,orclosetothem.Idon’treallywantaholeinmykitchenfloorthatlooksdownintoaprisoncell,butIsupposetherearedragonsuptherewhocouldhelpyougetoutofthepalace.”Shetappedherclawsagain.
“HowcanImakeaholeintreestuff?”Cricketsaidthoughtfully.“Ahammerorsomethingheavywoulddoit,butitwouldtakeawhileandthenoisewouldbringtheguards.”Shestudiedthewalls,thebars,thecorridoroutside…“Flamesilk.Flamesilkmightwork.”
“Oritmightburndownmypalace,”Jewelpointedout.“I’dbecareful,”Cricketpromised.“And,”Scarabobservedwithunusualcheerfulness,“thenWaspwouldthink
herflamesilkfriendbrokeintogetherout.Can’thardlyblameyouforthat,aftershelostthemtwiceinherownHive.”
“IsuspectWaspcanfindawaytoblamemenomatterwhat,”Jewelsaid.“Isn’tthiswhyyouactlikesuchavapidbananaslugaroundher?”Scarab
asked,flappingherwings.“Soshe’llthinkyou’reaharmlessidiotandleaveyouinpeace?”
“Idonot!”Jewelprotested.“Ah,”saidScarab.“Soyouactuallyareaharmlessidiot?”Jewelshothermotheracrosslook.“Thepointis,yes,Waspwouldnotbeat
allsurprisedifIlostadragonfrommyprisonsbecauseshethinksIhavenothingbutpollenbetweenmyears.Thatdoesn’tmeanshewon’tbefuriousandperfectlynastytome.”
“PerfectlynastyisWasp’snaturalrestingstate,”Scarabobserved.“You’llsurviveit.Isayit’sworthittokeeponemoreHiveWingfree.”ShenoddedatCricket.“SneakingintotheNestandspyingonthequeen,ontheothertalon,soundsliketheheightofstupid.”
“That’sthedeal,”Jewelsaidfirmly.“Iwanttofollowthistheory—andIcan’tdoitmyself;she’llhaveeyesonme.”
“Iwanttoknowthetruth,too,”Cricketsaid,wrappinghertalonsaroundthebars.“It’sallright,LadyScarab.Iwanttodothis.Ithinkwe’llfindanswersinthere,Ireallydo.”
ScarablookedfromherdaughtertoCricketandback,thenflungherwings
ScarablookedfromherdaughtertoCricketandback,thenflungherwingsupwithasnort.“Fine.Let’sgetthisdaftdragonetsomeflamesilk.”
Cricketwaited,asshe’dbeeninstructed,untilLadyJewelandScarabwerelonggone—longenoughforJeweltohavereplacedtheguardsatthefrontentranceoftheprison.ThenshetookoutthelittlestonepotofflamesilkthatJewelhadleftwithher.Thegoldenthreadinsideglowedbrightandhot;sheguesseditwasverynew.
Maybeit’sevenBlue’s,shethought.MaybeoneofthedragonsinthemarkettradeditupthroughtheHiveyesterday,soitwounduphereinJewel’spalace.
Shelikedthatthought,thatmaybealittlepieceofBluewasgoingtohelpherescape.
Shestillhadtheflamesilktweezersshe’dtakenfromherschoollibrarythenightsheranawaywithBlue.Carefullysheusedthemtotwistthethreadofflamesilkuntilitwasstraightandtautlikeawire,andthensheliftedthethreadoutandflewuptotheceiling.
Itwasveryawkward,tryingtokeepherselfintheairnearlyupsidedownandworkontheceilingwithoutdroppingtheflamesilkthread.Shetracedoutacirclebigenoughforhertofitthrough,leavingablacksmokinglinewithsmallflickersofflamecurlingfromafewoftheedges.Thenshetraceditagain,andagain,pressingtheflamesilkfartherintothetreestuff.
Sheknewtreestuffwasmadeofbitsofwoodpulp,silk,andclay,andsheguessedthathowquicklyitburnedwoulddependonhowmuchofeachwasinthissectionoftheceiling.Tracingthelineseemedtotakeforever,aroundand
thissectionoftheceiling.Tracingthelineseemedtotakeforever,aroundandaround,overandoveragain.Herwingsstartedtoacheandshehadtolandbackonthefloorforalittlewhiletorestthem.
“Pssst,”calledavoicefromthehallway.Cricketedgedovertothebarsandtriedtopeerout.Shecouldseelightpurpletalonswavingfromacellafewdoorsaway.
“Yes?”shewhisperedback.“Ididn’tcatchallthat,”saidtheprisoner,“butifIwanttostayonLady
Jewel’sgoodside—andIferventlydo—whatshouldIsaytothequeenwhensheasksmehowyouescaped?”
Cricketwassilentforamoment,worrying.“Whywouldn’tyoutellthequeenwhatyouheard?”sheasked.
“BecauseLadyJewelistheonlyrulerintheHiveswhocanbetrusted,”theSilkWingwhisperedback.“QueenWasphasnosenseofmercyorjustice.I’mduetobereleasedtomorrow,andIthinkLadyJewelwillbefairwithme.”
“Ithinkso,too,”Cricketsaid,wonderingnowaboutthestoriesofJewel’sprison.WhatifthedragonswhodisappearedinherewereactuallyspiritedawaytosafetybyJewel,tokeepthemoutofthequeen’stalons?Sheletthequeenandeveryoneelsethinkthatcruel,secretivethingswentonbehindtheprisondoors,butperhapsthatwasacleverwaytoconcealwhatshereallydidfordragonsintrouble.
“Whatareyouinherefor?”Cricketasked.“Notpayingmylibraryfines,”thedragonansweredruefully.Cricketwishedhecouldseehersmile.“Ifyoucouldtellthequeen,”she
said,“thatyouthinkyouheardadragonburnaholeinmyceilingfromtheotherside,thatwouldbeveryhelpful.”
“Icoulddothat,”hesaid.“Andwhenyousawthisdragon,youshouted…”“Blue,”Cricketsaid.“She’llexpectitwashim.”“Goodluck,”theprisonersaid,wavinghistalonsthroughthebarsagain.Cricketreturnedtothescorchedlineintheceiling,burningitagainand
again.Shedidn’tknowhowlongittooktoflyfromWaspHivetoJewelHive,butshefeltthequeendrawingcloserwitheveryheartbeat.Shehadtohurry.
Finallyshefeltthethreadbreakthroughintoopenspaceontheothersideoftheceiling.Thecircleoftreestufftrembledaboveher,barelyhanginginplace,
andsheshovedithardwithhershoulder.“Standback,”someonecalledfromabove.Startled,Cricketflewtotheside.Sheheardathump,andthenanother,and
thenthecirclefelloutoftheceilinginacrashoftreestuffdust.“That’llbringtheguards,”theotherprisonercalled.“Betterhurryandgo.”“Comeon,”criedthevoicefromthenextlevelup.Cricketsawdarkorange
clawsbeckoningthroughtheholeintheceiling.Shedartedoverandsqueezedherselfthrough,foldingherwingsinastightasthey’dgoandlosingafewscarvesintheprocess.Talonsreachedforher,tuggingherupwarduntilshetumbledfreeontothefloorofJewel’spalacekitchen.
FiveSilkWingservantswerescatteredaroundtheroom,staringatherwithwideeyes,frozeninthemiddleofchoppingorstirringorroastingorwhateverthey’dbeendoing.ButstandingbytheholewereCinnabarandTau,theSilkWingsfromtheChrysalis.Theyweretheoneswho’dhelpedherclimbthrough.
“You’reallright,”Cricketgasped.“IthoughtLadyJewelwasgoingtopunishyou.”
“Notmuch,”Tausaid.“Shelikesme.”“Shelikesme,too!”Cinnabarhuffed,takingthestonejarfromCricket.
Cricketdroppedtheflamesilkintoit,andCinnabarneatlycappedthejarandslotteditontoahighshelfbetweenglassjarslabeledBASILandGINGER.
“Notasmuchasshelikesme,”Tausaidserenely.“Also,wheneverthequeensaystopunishusseverely,Jewelgivesusamedal.”SheclappedatafewofthewatchingSilkWings.“Poursomewateroverthisholetomakesureitdoesn’tburnfurther.Andyouwereallinthepantryandsawnothing.”
“Yes,Tau,”oneofthemanswered.Theothersbowedtheirheadsinagreement.
“Followus,”CinnabarsaidtoCricket,turningandsprintingoutofthekitchen.Cricketfollowed,withTauatherside.
Theyranthroughthewindingbackpassagesofthepalace,narrowhallsthatCricketguessedwereintendedforservants,tokeepthemoutofsightofJewel’sHiveWingguests.Shecaughtglimpsesofjewel-tonedballroomsastheyflewby,ruby-redwallsandyellowsilkbannersandemeraldpatternsinthefloors.Shecouldstillheartherainandfeelthebreezefromoutsideinalmostevery
Shecouldstillheartherainandfeelthebreezefromoutsideinalmosteveryroom.
Atlasttheycametoasmall,nondescriptdoor.Cinnabaropeneditandpeekedoutside;agustofwindcamethrough,carryingthesavannascentsofsunlightandrainandgrass.ShecloseditagainquicklyandlookedbackatTau.
“Treehopperisoutthere,”shesaidsoftly.CricketwonderedifBluecouldhavereadTau’sexpression,becauseshe
couldn’tatall.ThegentleSilkWingwaseithersmotheringasmileortryingnottobitesomething.
“Ishe…himself?”sheasked.“Icouldn’ttell,”Cinnabarsaid.“Hisbackistothedoor.”“I’lltalktohim.”Tausteppedforward,brushingpastCricketinthedim
hallway.“Isthatagoodidea?”Cinnabarasked.“Withthequeensoclose?”“IamLadyJewel’schiefsteward,”Tausaidausterely,“andheisher
treasurer.Weareallowedtohaveanordinary,everydayconversation.”Cinnabarquirkedaneyebrowather.“Ipromisewewon’tbeobvious,”Tausaidinhernormalvoice.“Really,
Cinnabar.”“You’reobviouseverytimeyouevenlookateachother,”Cinnabar
grumbled.“Justgetawayfromhimquickifhiseyesgowhite.”Taushuddered.“Ialwaysdo.”SheslippedoutthroughthedoorandCricketnudgeduptopeekthroughthe
crackwithCinnabar.Outside,awidebalconygardenoverlookedthesavanna,coveredinplantsof
allshapesandsizes.Raspberrybusheslinedthepathsandwhitehoneysuckleclimbedthegazebos.Cricketspottedpalepinklotusflowersdriftingacrossthepondsandclustersofforget-me-notseverywhere.Thewaymostoftheplantsspilledovertheirbordersmadehermissherlittleterrariumbackatschool,eventhoughshe’dalwaysfoundtheendlessbotanyclassesratherboring.
Itwasraining,aquiet,gentlerainfall,butaroofextendedoverpartofthegardens,andunderneathit,aplump,worried-lookingHiveWingsatbyoneofthepools,reading.Hisscaleswereadarkgreenishblackwithpaleorangestripesalonghiswings,tail,andface.HeturnedtolookupasTauapproachedand
alonghiswings,tail,andface.HeturnedtolookupasTauapproachedandCricketsawwhatCinnabarmeant:hiswholefacelitupasthoughhe’djustdiscoveredsunshine.
“BytheHive,”Cinnabarmuttered.“They’reterribleatthis.”“He’saHiveWing,”Cricketwhispered.“Andshe’saSilkWing.”“Yup,”saidCinnabar.“Extraveryforbidden.It’saproblem,andweall
knowit,evenLadyJewel,butnoonecandoanythingaboutit.”Seeingthetwodragonslaughing,theirwingsbrushingaccidentally,Cricket
knewshewouldn’thavebeenabletodoanythingaboutit,either.Evenifsheweretheirqueen,she’dneverbeabletoseparatetwodragonswholookedsohappytogether.
“Allright,stopbeingcuteandgethimoutofthere,”Cinnabargrumbledbetweenherteeth.
Taugesturedtowardadoorontheothersideofthegarden,andtheybothstartedwalkinginthatdirection.Cinnabarpokedhernoseoutalittlefarther,watchingthemgo.
AndthenTreehopperfrozeinplaceforamoment.Taustumbledbesidehim,glancedathimquickly,andduckedherhead,herwholeposturechanginginstantlyintothatofadutifulservant.
TheHiveWingturnedhisheadinaslow,eerietwisttoscanthegarden.CricketandCinnabarjumpedbackbehindthedoorbeforethewhiteeyesgottothem.
“Ihavearrived,”saidthequeen’schillyvoice.Cricketfeltaspasmoffearshootthroughherfromsnouttotail.“Jewel.Meetmeintheprison.”
Therewasapause,andthenTreehoppershookhimselfwithahiss.“Sorry,”hesaidinalowvoicetoTau,lookingdownathistalonsasthoughhecouldn’tbeartomeethereyes.
“It’snotyourfault,”shesaidsoftly.Cricket’sheartwasthunderinginherears.Shewassureshecouldhear
talonstepscomingalongthecorridor;anymomentthequeenwouldstepintotheprisonandseeheremptycell.Unlesssheknewalready…maybeshe’dseenitthroughherspies.AnymomentthequeenwouldtakeovertheentireHiveagainandCricketwouldbesurroundedbyher.
Thetwodragonsinthegardenwentthroughthefardooratlast.Cinnabar
andCricketleapedoutoftheirhidingspotandranfortheedge.“Ifyouweresmart,”Cinnabarsaid,“you’dflyoutthatwayandneverstop.”
ShepointedoutattheoceanbeyondDragonflyBay.IwishIcould.CricketthoughtofherdreamoftheDistantKingdoms,where
Clearsighthadcomefrom.SheandBluecouldbesafeoverthere,outofreachofQueenWasp’sclaws.
“IpromisedLadyJewelI’dfindsomeanswersforherfirst,”shetoldCinnabar.“Thankyouforyourhelp.”
ThedarkorangedragonwavedasCricketdoveintotheairandtwistedherwingstospiraldownthesideoftheHive.Otherdragonswereoutdespitetherain,flittingfromoneledgetoanotherorventuringintothewetsavannaforprey.Shewovethroughthem,keepinganeyeontheHiveWings,untilshefoundanopenledgeontheNestlevelandcouldduckinside.
ThewalkwaysaroundtheNestwerelittlepebbledpathsdottedwithbencheswheredragonscouldmeetandmakeplansfortheirfutureoffspring.Thepathscircledthegiantdome,whichwaspaintedsmoothandwhitelikeaneggshell.CrickethadvisitedtheCicadaHiveNestonce,anditlookedalotlikethis.She’dseenparentsmeetingwithadministratorstodecidewhatschoolstheirdragonetswouldattend;she’devenseensomediscussingarrangedmarriageplans.
ButthewalkwaysaroundtheJewelHiveNestwereempty.Shecreptuptothesnowywallsofthedomeandaroundtothemaindoor,whichwasoppositetheentrancetotheramps.Asignwaspostedonthedoorofthedome:CLOSEDFORINSPECTIONBYTHEQUEEN.
Oh,moons,Cricketthought.Pleasedon’tbeintherealready.Sheglancedaroundandspottedtwoguardspacingupanddowntheramps.Quicklyshedovebehindabenchandpeeredatthemthroughtheslats.
Theirattentionwasfocusedoutward,steeringdragonsawayfromtheNest.Theydidn’tlookbackatthedome.Theycould,anysecond…butwhileshewaswatching,theydidn’t,andshehadtohopeshe’dbelucky.
Takingadeepbreath,shedartedtothedoor,pulleditopen,andduckedinside.Itswungshutbehindherandshecaughtitwithhertailsoitwouldn’tthud.
Theinsideofthedomewasverydark.Foramoment,Cricketwasafraidthattherewasnolightinthereatall,andforamoment,withashiveroffear,she
therewasnolightinthereatall,andforamoment,withashiveroffear,shewonderedwhetherQueenWaspcouldseeinthedark.
Shecouldbeinhere,watchingme,rightnow.Cricketstoodpetrifiedbythedoor,tryingtobreathequietly,andslowlyshe
realizedthathereyeswereadjusting,andtheNestwasnotcompletelydarkafterall.
Itwasnotlitbyflamesilk,though.Theglowinggreenlightcamefromsmallcloudsofbioluminescentmushroomsgatheredinclumpsallaroundtheroom,atthebaseofthewalls,andalongthepathsbetweentheeggs.Therewassomethingweirdandhauntedandbeautifulaboutthescene,asthoughCrickethadwanderedontothesurfaceofoneofthemoons.
TheNestwasfullofeggs,cradledinsmallhollowsinthefloor,tenapiece.Cricketshiveredagain,thinkingofallthetinyheartbeatsundertheshells,allthelittledragonswaitingtohatch.Shesteppedontooneofthepathsandstudiedtheclosestegg.
Anamewaswrittenontheshellinink—themother’sname,Cricketguessed.Andbelowthat,scoredintotheshell,therewassomethingelse,somekindofsymbol.Cricketbentcloser.Itlookedlikeapairofstingers,arcingsharplyawayfromeachotherliketheantennaeofawasp.
Shecheckedthenextegg,andthenext.Theyallborethesamemarking,untilshecamearoundtoagroupofnewereggs.Thesehadonlyhalfthemarking:onesharpline,tracedominouslyalongthecurveoftheshells.
Theverynewestoneshadnomarksonthematall.Cricket’smindwasbuzzingwithquestions,butsheknewshe’dalready
spenttoolonggazingattheeggs.Sheneededtofindaplacetohide,whichwouldbenearlyimpossibleinaroomthatcontainednothingbuteggsandglowingtoadstools.
Sheturned,searchingtheshadows,andhertailbumpedoneofthelargereggsinthelasthollow.Itrockedslightlyinitscreviceandshejumpedforwardtocatchit.Shecouldfeelthevibrationsofthedragonetmovingundertheshell.
Thisegghadonlyonemarkonit.Andinsteadofaname,thewordwrittenontheshellwasORPHANAGE.
Poorlittledragonet,Cricketthought.Heorshewon’tevenhaveaKatydid.
YesterdayIthoughtforawhilethatI’dneverknownmyparents—butthisonereallyneverwill.AndQueenWaspwillbeabletocontrolthisdragonetwhenevershewants;they’llneverhaveachancetobefree.
Astrangeinstinctseizedher,andshewrappedtheegginoneofherscarves,tyingittoherchest.Thenshelookedup,blinkingbacktears,andsawtherafters.
TheNestwasnotaperfectdome;ithadcrackedandshiftedovertheyearssinceitwasbuilt.Fourtallcolumnsandapairofcrossbeamshadbeenaddedatsomepointtokeepthestructurestable.
Upthere,intheshadowwherethesupportbeamsmet…maybeshecouldhideupthere.
Cricketspreadherwingsandflewuptothecrossbeams.Shecreptcautiouslyalongthem,finallysettlinginwhatseemedtobethedarkestcorner,rightabovethedoor.
Shemightkillmeforthis.Cricketdidn’tknowwherethelineoftreasonwasforthequeen.WouldshebecontenttotakeCricket’sbrainandfreedomfromher?Orwouldspyingonhersecretsmeancertaindeath?Ifso,knowingabouttheBookwascauseenoughtokillher,surely.
Ithinkit’ssafetosaythatifthequeencatchesme,I’minenormoustroublenomatterwhatshedecidestodo.
Cricketwrappedherwingsaroundtheeggandcurledintothesmallestballshecouldmake.ShethoughtaboutBlueandSundewandSwordtail,hidingsomewhere.Therewasstilltimebeforesunset.Iftheanswertothemind-controlquestionwashere…shehadtohopeSundewcouldgetthemessagetoherparentsbeforetheydidsomethingterribleandirreversible.
Butsunsetcreptcloserandcloser,andnobodycameintothedome.Cricketbegantoworrythatthequeenwasn’tcoming.Whatifshewasso
furiousaboutCricketescapingthatshe’ddecidedtoskiptheNestvisitinfavoroftakingoverthewholetribetosearchforher?OrwhatifshewasbusypunishingthedragonsinJewel’spalaceforlettingCricketescape?
IhopeLadyJewelisallright.AndCinnabarandTau.AndLadyScarab.ShehopedJewelhadhadtimetofreeKatydid,asshe’dpromised,beforethe
queenarrived.Shecouldfeelthesunsinkingdownthesky,andshewasbeginningto
imaginethemostterriblesceneshappeningbackatthepalace,whensuddenly
imaginethemostterriblesceneshappeningbackatthepalace,whensuddenlysheheardasoftcreak,andabaroflightlancedacrosstheeggs.
ItwasQueenWasp,atlast.
ThequeenstalkedforwardintotheNestonsoundlesstalons.Thedoorsnickedshutbehindher,andCricketwatchedthequeenpause,surveyingtheeggs.
Orlettinghereyesadjust,Cricketthought.Maybeshecan’tseeinthedarkafterall.
Thatthoughtdidnotmakethequeenanylessterrifying.QueenWaspwasenormous,evenfromCricket’svantagepoint,upbythedome’sceiling.Cricketknew,logically,thatWaspwasprobablysmallerthanLadyScarab,asScarabwasolderthanher.ButtherewassomethingaboutthewayQueenWaspstoodandheldherwingsandradiatedmenacethatmadeherseemquitepossiblythelargestdragonintheentireworld.
Hernamewaswell-chosen,too.Fromabove,CrickethadaperfectviewoftheyellowandblackstripesandblackhornsthatmadethequeenlooksomuchlikeoneofthePantalanwaspsthatcouldkillanelephantwithitsvenom.
Cricketbreathedaslightly,softlyasshecould,tryingnottomoveorshiftortwitch.
Thequeensteppedbetweentheeggs,herheadtwistingabruptlytooneside,thentotheother,hertongueflickinginandout.Shepassedthehollowsofeggswiththedoublemarks.Hertailslidbehindherlikeacobrastalkingitsprey.
Shereachedthefirstgroupofnewereggs,thosewithonlyonestingermarkedonthem.Hereshestopped,hissingforalong,terrifyingmoment.
QueenWasppickeduponeoftheeggs.Hertailrosebehindherandalong,
QueenWasppickeduponeoftheeggs.Hertailrosebehindherandalong,needle-sharpstingerslidoutofthetip.
Cricketfoughtbackagasp.EveryoneknewaboutthestingersinQueenWasp’sclaws,andhowmuchpaintheycouldinject.She’dneverheardanyonementionastingerinthequeen’stailaswell.
Inamovelikeaflashoflightning,thequeenstruck,plunginghertailstingerintotheeggshell.Apulseofsomethingbrightgreenseemedtomovethroughthestingerintotheegg—intothedragonetinside,Cricketthoughtwithmutehorror—andthenthequeendrewherstingeroutanddroppedtheeggbackintoplace.Withoneclaw,shesketchedthesecondhalfofthemarkingontheshell,andthenshepickedupthenextegg.
Cricketcouldonlywatchafewmorebeforeshehadtoclosehereyesandburyherfaceintheeggsheheld.Thequeenmovedquickly,efficiently,ruthlessly.AndCricketknewwhatshewasseeing.
Thisishowshedoesit.Shepoisonsherdragonsbeforethey’veevenhatched.Theycomeintotheworldalreadylinkedtoherbywhateverthatisshe’sinjectingintotheeggs.Themomenttheyopentheireyes,shecanbethere,insidetheirheads.
Doesittaketwoinjectionstowork?Orisoneforbackup?Sheglanceddownattheorphanedeggshewascradlinginthescarf.Wouldthisdragonbelongtothequeenalready,orcoulditbefreeifthequeenneverstabbeditasecondtime?
IcamefromaNest,too.Sowhynotme?Shethoughtforawhile,tryingtoignorethesoftchillingnoisesfrombelow
her.ScarabsaidKatydidwastryingtohidemyeggatfirst.Shesmuggledmeinto
aNestlater,afterI’dbeenaneggforawhile.Shemusthaveseenthemarks,too,andnotknownwhattheymeant.Ibetshemarkedmyeggherself.Solaterthequeenthoughtshe’dalready
stabbedme.That’showIescaped.Shebrushedhertalonsgentlyoverthesinglemarkontheegg.Which
markinghadKatydidputontheegg?MaybeCrickethadbeeninjected,butonlyonceinsteadoftwice.Shetightenedhergriponthescarf.ItwasnauseatingtothinkofthequeenplungingherpoisonintoCricket—stillworsetoknowshe
thinkofthequeenplungingherpoisonintoCricket—stillworsetoknowshewasdoingitnowtoallthesebabydragons.
IwishIcouldstopher.IwishIcouldflydownthereanddropadeadlycentipedeonherheadordrownherinflamesilk.IwishIwerebraveorfierceordangerous.
Butshecouldn’tdoanything…nothere,notnow.Shehadonlyoneweapon:sheknewthetruthaboutthequeen.Andrightnow,shewastheonlyonewhoknew.ShehadtostaysafetomakesureshecouldgetthatinformationtoLadyJewel,andmaybetothewholetribe,ifshecould.
Soshestayedintherafters,asstillasamousewithhawksoverhead,whilethequeenfinishedhergruesomework.Thelasteggwassetdown,thelastshellmarked,andQueenWaspslitheredoutthedoorassilentlyasshe’darrived.
Cricketcheckedherinternalsenseoftimeandfeltaspasmofpanic.Itwasalmostsunset.ShewantedtoleapoffherperchandracedowntotheGlitterbazaar,butsheneededtowaitlongenoughforthequeentobedefinitelygone.
Now?Now?Isitsafe?CanIgonow?Shewonderedifsomethingaboutherhumminganxietytranslatedthrough
theeggshellinherarms,becauseshefeltthedragonetinsidemoveagain,rollingandscrunchingaround.
Finallyshe’dwaitedaslongasshecouldandsheflewbackdowntotheground.Sheglancedaroundattheeggs,feelingherwingsdrooptoeithersideofher.
“I’msorry,littledragons,”shewhispered.“IwishIcouldsaveyouall.”Cricketpressedhereartothedoorandlistenedforalongtimebutheard
nothingoutside.Pullingherscarvescloser,sheopenedthedooracrackandpeekedout.
Theguardsweregone.Shecouldseedragonsmovingupanddowntheramps,butshecouldn’ttelliftheyweremind-controlledornot.ItfelthorriblylikelythatthequeenwouldhavethewholeHiveonalert,lookingforher.
Sheslippedoutandaroundthecurveofthedome,backtowardtheskyledge.ItwouldbesafertoflythantotrycreepingdownallthelevelsinsidetheHive,pastthehundredsofeyesthatcouldbelookingforher.
Orperhapsnot.Crickethesitatedontheledge.Thelightdrizzlefromearlier
Orperhapsnot.Crickethesitatedontheledge.Thelightdrizzlefromearlierhadstrengthenedintoadrivingstorm.Rainpoureddownwithavengeance,lightningcrackledonthehorizon,andthewindwasstrongenoughtoshaketheHive.EvenstandinginsidetheHive,Cricketfeltthesprayofraindropsonherface,asthoughtheentireseawasthrowingitselfaroundinfury.
Stillsaferthanthezombieeyes,Crickettoldherself.Shedidn’twanttogetcaughtagain.Shewouldnotgetcaughtagain,especiallywiththisegg—andadragonetinsidewhohadachancetobefree,likeher.
Shetookadeepbreathandplungedintothestorm.ThewindhowledfuriouslyandtriedtosmashheragainsttheHivewalls,butshefoldedherwingsanddropped,plummetingtowardtheearth.Rainbatteredherface,nearlyblindingher,butshemanagedtopullupjustbeforeshehittheouterGlitterbazaarcanopy.Belowit,shecouldseetheshapesofdragonsrushingtofixtheleaksandprotecttheirwares.
Herscarvesfeltlikewetseaweed,clingingtoherneckandlegs.Shelandedinamudpuddleoutsidethemarketandsquelchedtowardtheendofthestalls.Theeggvibratedinitssoaking-wetmakeshiftsling,nearlyslippingawayfromheracoupleoftimes.
Shehadherheaddownandeyesnearlyclosedagainstthedownpour,sowhenadragonduckedunderthecanopyandsteppedinfrontofher,shealmostranstraightintohim.
“Cricket!”heyelledovertherushofthewind.“Blue!”shecriedjoyfully.“You’reallright!”“You’reallright!”heshoutedback,beaming.Hesweptherupinhiswings,
azurewarmthsurroundingherasshefeltsafeforthefirsttimeallday.“Iworriedaboutyousomuch.”
“AnylucksearchingforLuna?”sheasked.“No,”hesaidintohershoulderwithasigh.“Sundewthinksweshouldask
theLeafWingsifthey’veseenher.Whoa…whydoyouhaveaneggwithyou?”“Isaveditfromthequeen,”Cricketsaid,pullingbackalittlesohecouldsee
thesmoothwhiteshell.“Where’sSundew?HasshesentamessagetotheotherLeafWingsyet?”
“Idon’tthinkso.”Theybothglancedupatthedarkcloudsoverhead.RaindropscascadeddownBlue’sfaceliketinysapphires.Itwasimpossibleto
RaindropscascadeddownBlue’sfaceliketinysapphires.Itwasimpossibletoseethesun,butCricketknewitwassinking.
AmItoolate?WhataretheLeafWingsplanning?CanIstillstopthem?“Ihavetotalktoher,quickly,”Cricketsaid.“Thisway.”Blueguidedhertothecanopyandliftedanedgesoshecould
slideunderneath.Cricketfoundherselfinasmall,rickety-lookingstallwithraindripping
throughatearintheweboverhead.ASilkWingwashoveringbythehole,tryingtopatchitwithhissilk.Swordtailwasupthere,too,helpingtoholdittogether.
Shecouldn’tidentifyrightawaywhatwasforsaleinhere—theshelvesseemedtoholdamishmashofitems,fromlittlepotsofblackberriestodampsilkpillows,afewcrackedmirrors,averyunfortunate-smellingpileofwildebeestpelts,andabarrellabeledSEEDS.Therewasnotmuchroomtomaneuverbetweenthetentwalls.Cricketfeltoversizedandwetandverymuddy.Shestartedunwindingallthewetscarvesaroundher.
Tauappearedfromunderoneofthetables.“Ican’tbelieveyoumadeithere,”shesaid.“Thequeenislivid.EveryoneintheHiveissupposedtobelookingforyou.”ShefollowedCricket’sglanceuptotheSilkWingontheceiling.“That’smystepbrother;don’tworry,he’sintheChrysalis.Wecantrusthim.”
“IsLadyJewelallright?”Cricketasked.“Shewillbe,Ithink.She’smadethequeenthismadbeforeandsurvived,
mostlybecausethequeenthinksshe’sabutterfly-brainwhocouldneverexecuteanactualplan.”
“Canyoutakeheramessageforme?IfoundoutwhatthequeenisdoingintheNest—butIhavetotellSundewfirst.”
“I’mhere,”Sundewsaid,pushingherwaythroughacurtainfromthenextroom.HerSilkWingdisguisehadbeenabandoned;shelookedlikeherselfagain.Cricketfeltasurgeofreliefatthesightofherseriousgreenface.
“Sundew!”shecried.“WecantellyourparentsIknowhowthequeendoesit!She’spoisoningdragonswhenthey’restillintheireggs—Isawherstabbingthemwithhertailstinger.ShegoestoeveryNestinalltheHivestodoit.Thatwaywhentheyhatchshecanmind-controlthemrightaway.Apparentlyshecaninjectgrowndragons,too,butitmustbefastertodoalltheeggsatonce.”
“Togrowndragons?”Blueechoed.“Youmean…couldshedoittoyou?”Crickettriednottoletitshowonherfacehowscaredshe’dbeen,orhow
closeshe’dcometothatexactfatetoday.“Yes,Ithinkso,”shesaid.“IthinkshemissedstabbingmyeggbecauseKatydidsnuckmeintothenestlate.Butifshegotherclawsonmenow,shecouldforcemeintotheHivemind.”
“No,”Bluesaidpassionately.“Thatisnever,nevergoingtohappen!”Cricketbrushedhiswingswithhers.“WecansaveothereggslikeIwas
saved.Sundew,don’tyousee?WhatQueenWaspcando,it’snotapower—Imean,itis,butitdoesn’thavetobe—HiveWingscouldbefree.Thisonewillbefree.”
SheheldouttheeggandSundewtoucheditlightly,asthoughshewasn’tentirelyconvinceditwassafetohavearound.
“Wow,”saidtheLeafWing.“Thatis…alotofinformation.”“Wehavetotellyourparentstocallofftheirotherplan,”Cricketsaid
breathlessly.“It’ssunset;wehavetodoitnow.Howdowegettothem?”Sundewmadeaface—hertrying-not-to-make-a-faceface.“Cricket…it’s
amazingandinsaneandcreepywhatyoufound,butitdoesn’tchangeanything.”“Ofcourseitdoes!”Cricketpulledtheeggbackintoherchest.“Wecanstop
herfromstabbinganymoreeggs!OnceItellLadyJewel,Iknowshe’llcomeupwithsomewaytoprotectthem—maybetheotherHiverulerswill,too.”
“Buteveniftheycan—andIdon’tseehow,withQueenWaspstillincharge—butevenifwecouldsavetheeggs,wecan’tsavethedragonswhoarealreadyinherHivemind,canwe?”Sundewasked.“WestillhaveanentiretribeofWasp-brainstodealwith,right?There’snowaytoshutitdown.”
CricketglancedaroundasBluewovehistailthroughhers.“Theremightbe,”hesaid.“Askyourparentsformoretime—maybewecanfindoutmore.”
“Theyarereallynotgoingtolikethat,”Sundewsaid.“Ourdragonswantvengeance,HiveWing.ThelasttimeIsawmyparents,theybarelylistenedtomyreportatall.”
“Butnobodywantsanotherwar,dothey?”Cricketbrushedrainandtearsoffherface.“Don’ttheyrememberhowterribletheTreeWarswere?”
“Ofcoursetheydo,”saidSundew.“That’sexactlywhythey’redoingthis.TheHiveWingsstartedit.TheLeafWingsaregoingtoendit.”
“Itmustbeawful,”Bluesaid,“thinkingthatwaristheonlysolution.”He
“Itmustbeawful,”Bluesaid,“thinkingthatwaristheonlysolution.”HeliftedtheegggentlyoutofCricket’stalonsanddrieditwithhiscape.
“Isn’ttheresomethingwecando?”Cricketsaidagain.“Theremustbesomething.WeknowQueenWasp’ssecretsnow.Ifwetelleveryone…ifdragonsknewthetruth…”
“Theystillcouldn’tstopher,”Sundewsaid.“Shecontrolsthemcompletely.”“NottheSilkWings,”Tausaid.“Thisinformationcouldmakeabig
differencetotheChrysalis.AndLadyJewel.”“Youshouldtellthem,then,”Sundewsaid.“ButIdon’tthinkmyparents
willcare.”“Wouldtheylistentous?”Blueasked.“Couldwetrytalkingtothem?What
if…whatifIofferedtogivethemsomeofmyflamesilkinexchangeformoretime?Cricket,maybewecouldnegotiatewiththem.”
“Youdon’thavetodothat,”Cricketsaid,takingoneofhistalonsandbrushingherclawsovertheglowingscales.
“Iwould,though,”Bluesaid.“Iwanttostopthiswar,too.Sundew?Canwepleasetry?”
TheLeafWingspreadhergold-dappledgreenwingsandsighed.“Wecantry,”shesaid.“I’lltakeyoutothem.They’rewaitingformerightnow.”
“CanwealsoaskthemtoleaveJewelHiveoutofit?”Cricketasked.“Foraslongaspossible,anyway?LadyJewelwouldbeonyoursideifyoudon’thurtherdragons,Ireallythinkshewould.”
“Iagree,”Tausaid.“We’llask,”Sundewsaid,lookingtorn.“But…Tau,ifyoucanfinda
reasontogetalltheSilkWingdragonetsoutoftheHive,tosomewheresafe…thatmightbeagoodidea,isallIcansay.”Shelookedupattheceiling.“Swordtail!We’releaving!”
SwordtailhoppeddowntothegroundandgaveCricketanudge.“Gladyou’reallright,”hesaidgruffly.
CrickettoldTaueverythingshe’dseeninsidetheNestwhileherfriendsgatheredtheirthings.Taupressedhertalonstogether,lookingworried.“Areyousurethatdragonetwon’thavethequeeninitshead,too?”sheasked,noddingattheegg.
“That’swhatIwanttofindout,”Cricketsaid.
“That’swhatIwanttofindout,”Cricketsaid.“Seemslikeariskyexperiment.”“Iamascientist,”Cricketsaid.“Sometimesrisksarenecessary.”She’dsaid
thosewordsmanytimesinherlife,althoughtheyhadnevergottenheroutofanyofthetroubleherexperimentshadgottenherinto.Butitfeltdifferentnow,realandserious.
Shewrungoutherscarvesandwrappeduptheeggagain,tyingittoherevenmoresecurely.Sheguessedthey’dbeflyingallnightinathunderstorm,andshewantedtokeepitwarmandsafe.
Thetruthwas,thedragonetintheeggwasn’tjustanexperiment.ItwassomeonewhocouldbefreeoftheHivemind—thefirstdragonshecouldsavefromQueenWasp.
Hopefullythefirstofmany.Ifthisworks.Ifwegetawayfromherewithoutbeingcaught.Ifwemakeitto
theLeafWingsandconvincethemtogiveusmoretimeandfindawaytostopthemindcontrol.
Ifnothingwentwrong,thisdragonetmighthaveachanceatabetterlife…andallthetribesmighthaveachanceatpeace.
Cricketwokeupthenextmorningintoafeelingoflingeringdread.Shehaddreamedaboutlosingtheorphanegg,aboutQueenWaspstabbingherintheheartwithhermind-controlpoison,aboutSundewopeningherpalmsandunleashinganarmyofswarmingblackinsectsthatcoveredPantalafromcoasttocoast.
Sheopenedhereyesandfoundherselfcurledtightaroundtheegg.Coolscalesrestedagainstherback,andwhenshepeekedoverhershoulder,shefoundBlueasleepwithonewingtentedoverhers.
SundewhadbroughtthemtoapeninsulanortheastofJewelHive,toacaveatthebottomoftheseasidecliffs,butwhentheyarrivedlatethenightbefore,therewasnosignofBelladonnaorHemlock.Ithadstillbeenrainingwhentheycreptintotheshallownookandcurleduponthedamprocks,butsometimeinthenighttherainmusthavestopped.Therewasnomorethunder;thehowlingwindhadfinallydozedoff.ShecouldseethewatersofDragonflyBayoutside,leadenandgraylikethecloudsabovethem.
CarefullyCricketslidherselfuptosittingandcheckedtheegg.Therewasacrackalongthetopoftheshell.Herheartstopped,andshetoucheditgentlywithoneclaw,thenheldtheegg
uptolistentoit.Isthedragonetallright?DidIcracktheegg?Assoonassheliftedit,abrisktappingsoundcamefrominsidetheshell.
Somethingpokedatthecrackfromtheotherside.
Somethingpokedatthecrackfromtheotherside.IsitHATCHING?Cricketknewsheshouldn’tbequitesoalarmed.Hatchingwas,infact,what
eggsdid.Thisonehadtohatchatsomepoint.Butshe’dreallythoughtshe’dhaveafewmoredaysfirst!Howcouldshe
possiblyhavegrabbedaneggthatclosetohatching?Thequeenhadoriginallyplannedtovisitthreedayslater—surelyshetimedhervisitstocatchalltheeggsbeforetheirhatchingtimes?
“No,”Cricketsaidfirmlytotheegg.“ItisNOTTIMETOHATCHYET.”Thetappingpaused,andthenpickedupspeed.“Stopthat!”Cricketsaid.“Whatareyoudoing?You’renotreadytohatch!
Youcan’tcomeout!”Sheputonetalonoverthecrack,coveringitup.Thedragonetinsidejabbedherpalmwithoneofitsclaws.“Stay,”Cricketordered.“StayINTHERE.”“Thatsoundslikeit’sgoingwell,”Sundewcommentedfromacrossthe
cave,openingoneblearyeyetoglareather.“Itcannotpossiblybetimeforthiseggtohatch,”Cricketsaid.“Ithinkitdisagreeswithyou,”Sundewobserved.Bluesatup,yawning,andlookedoverCricket’sshoulder.“Maybeitthinks
it’stimetohatchbecauseit’snotintheNestanymore.”“Ohmystars,”Cricketsaid.“Isthatathing?Arealthing?Canitreallytell
it’snotintheNest?”“Well,thelightisdifferent,andthenoisesoutsidetheshell,andit’sbeing
movedaroundalotmore—somaybe?”Blueguessed.“Ithoughtyouweretheonewhoknewthings,”SundewsaidtoCricket.“Notabouteggsanddragonetsandhatching!”Cricketsaid.“I’venever
studiedthose!Iknowaboutseedsanddirtandplantsand…ohno,Blue,youmightberight.Areeggslikeseeds?Likeifyouputthemintherightconditions,theygrow?”
Hespreadhiswingswithan“Ihavenoidea”expression.“Baby,”Cricketsaidtotheegg.“Smalldragon.ThiswouldbeaVERY
SILLYplaceandtimetohatch.Donotdoit.”Aclawpokedstraightthroughthecrackandwiggledgleefullyather.CricketgaveSundewahelplesslook.
“Thiswasyourbrilliantidea,”Sundewsaid.“Don’tlookatme.Idon’twantanythingtodowithanydragonets.EspeciallyaHiveWingdragonet.”Shejumpedtoherfeet.“I’llgogetussomethingtoeat.Yes,that’swhatIshoulddo.”Shehurriedoutofthecave,castingtheeggasuspiciouslookasshewentby.
“It’sgoingtobeveryconfused,”Bluesaid.“Don’tyouthink?Ormaybenot;Iguessitprobablydoesn’thaveanyexpectationsaboutwhathatchingwillbelike.Iwonderifit’sscared.”
Theeggwasrockingmerrilybackandforth,emittingtinysqueaks.“SomehowIthinknot,”Cricketsaid.
Morecracksspideredoutfromthefirstone.Delightedwithitssuccess,thedragonetkickedharder,finallysendingafragmentofeggshellflyingofftowhapintoCricket’snose.
“I’mserious!”Cricketyelpedatit.“Stophatchingrightnow!”Theeggshellcrackedinhalfinhertalons.Thepiecesfellaway,leavinga
smallblack-and-yellowdragonetsittingbetweenherclaws,happilyshakingbitsofeggshellandgoopoffherwings.
“Whoa.”Blueleanedcloserandblinkedatit.“Ohno,”saidCricket.“Yim!”declaredthedragonet,accidentallywhackingBlueinthesnoutwith
hertail.“Awwww,”Swordtailsaidfromacrossthecave.“Lookhowcutesheis!”“Rrrrpt,”thedragonetagreed.SheseizedoneofCricket’sclawsandstarted
chewingonit.“No,thankyou,OW,”Cricketsaid,tuggingheroffandliftingherupsothey
wereeyetoeye.“OW,”thedragonetmimickedsolemnly.“OW.”ShereachedforCricket’s
earwithahungryexpression.“Sheiscute,”Bluesaid,smiling.“Sheistryingtoeatme,”Cricketpointedout.“Sundew!Iknowyoucan
hearme!Didyoufindanyfood?”Sundewpokedherheadintothecave.“Iperhapsshouldhavementionedthis
sooner,”shesaid,“butIratherintenselydislikesmalldragonets.”“GORB,”thedragonetsaidsternly.“OW.”
“GORB,”thedragonetsaidsternly.“OW.”“Here,”Sundewsaid,tossingafishacrossthecavetoCricket.Bluejumped
forwardandcaughtitforher.“Butdon’tyoudareletitthinkfoodcomesfromme!”
Cricketgavethefishtothedragonetandsetherdowninasmallhollowintherocks.Thebabystuckthefishinhermouth,chewedvigorouslyforamoment,andthenkeeledoverandfellasleep.
“Socute,”Swordtailsaidagain,inchingclosertogrinather.“Sheneedsaname,”Bluesaid.Theyalllookeddownatherblackscales,
stripedwithwidefuzzyswathsofbrightyellow.“Shelookskindoflikeabumblebee,”Cricketsaid.“Bumblebee,”Swordtailechoed.“Ilikethat.”“Metoo,”Blueagreed.“Ihavenoopinion,”Sundewofferedfromherspothalfwayoutthedoor.“Comepeekather,”Swordtailsaid.“It’ssafewhileshe’ssleeping.”“Notinterested,”Sundewsaidfirmly.Cricketleaneddownandpickedupthetwohalvesoftheeggshell.The
dragonetseemednormal,asfarasshecouldtell,ifperhapsalittlenoisyandhyperandravenous.Althoughshereallyhadnoideawhatanormaldragonetshouldbelike.Bumblebeehadn’tgonewhite-eyedinthetwentyheartbeatsshe’dbeenawake,anyhow.Cricketwasn’tquitesurewhatthenextstepofthisexperimentwas.WaituntilQueenWaspdidlookoutofhereyes?Ifthathappened,whatwouldtheydowithBumblebee?Abandonhersomewhere?
Iwon’teverdothat.Butit’snotgoingtohappen.Shewasonlyinjectedonce.Likeme,probably.
She’llbefree.Somethingcaughtherattentionandshesquintedattheeggshellsfora
moment.“Blue,”shesaid,“doyouseethis?”Heleanedoverandlooked.“That’stheinsideofBumblebee’sshell?Itlooks
kindof…greenish.”“Letmesee.”SundewcrossedthecaveandCricketheldtheshellsuptothe
light.Therewasdefinitelysomekindofgreenresiduedustingtheinsideoftheshells.
shells.Sundewtookoneshellandpokedthegreenpart,butitdidn’tbrushoff.It
lookedlikeathingreencrust,almostbakedontotheshell.Shefrownedatitforamoment,thenliftedittohersnoutandsniffedit.
“Yuck,”Swordtaildeclared.“Iknowthissmell,”Sundewsaid.Shestaredoutatthebayforamoment,
thensniffeditagain.Cricketsniffedtheoneshewasholding.Ithadadark,leaf-rotscent,with
somethingunpleasantlypepperylurkinginsideit.Therewassomethingalittlefamiliaraboutit,butnothingshecouldidentify.
“Ispentfourdayssurroundedbythissmell,”Sundewsaid.“What?”Cricketsaid,startled.“Where?”“Itcomesfromaplant,”Sundewsaid.“AndQueenWasp’sprivate
greenhouseisfullofit.”
Cricketgasped.“Thegreenhousewherewemetyou?”“Wherewecapturedyou,”Sundewcorrectedher.“Theonethatsays‘QueenWasp’stopsecretgreenhousekeepoutorIwill
dismemberyouandthenkillyousomemore’?”Blueasked.“That’stheone,”Sundewsaid.“Therewereotherplantsinit,too,butthat’s
themainone.It’severywhereinthere.Anditsmellsterrible.”“Sundew—isthatwhatshe’susing?”Cricketasked.“Couldaplantgive
hermind-controlpowers?Maybeforinstanceifsheatealotofitandtheninjecteditintohervictims?”
“Idon’tknow!”Sundewsnapped.“I’veneverheardofaplantlikethat,butI’dcallthisaclue,don’tyouthink?”Shewavedtheeggshellatthem.
“Yeergh,”Bluesaid,wrinklinghissnoutatthegreenstuff.“Iwonderifittastesasbadasitsmells.”
“Icertainlyhopeso,”Swordtailsaid.“IhopeshehastoeatHiveloadsofit.”“Thiscouldbethewaytosavethedragonets,”Cricketsaid,meeting
Sundew’seyes.“Right?Couldn’twedestroyhersupply?Andthenshewon’tbeabletoeatitorinjectitintothem.Ordoittoanygrown-updragonslikeLadyJewel,either.”
“Likeyou,”Bluesaid.Hesatupwithanalertexpression.“Thenyou’dbesafefromher.Let’sdoit.”
“Youhadmeat‘destroy,’”Swordtailoffered.
“Youhadmeat‘destroy,’”Swordtailoffered.“I’mupforit,”Sundewsaid,spreadingherwings,“butit’snotthateasy.
WaspHiveisswarmingwithsoldierssincewestoletheBookofClearsightandbrokeintotheflamesilkcavern.Thereareguardspatrollingthegreenhousesallthetime.QueenWaspisintheirheadsmorethanhalftheday,keepingwatch.Idon’tseehowwe’llgetanywherenearitwithoutgettingcaught.”
Theysatinsilenceforamoment.Cricket’smindwasspinningthroughpossibilities.Ifthiswastheanswer…iftheycouldtakethequeen’spoweraway…itwasastart,atleast.ItmightnotstoptheLeafWings’plansforwar,butitwouldgivethenextgenerationachanceagainstQueenWasp…iftheysurvivedthatwar.
“We’lltellmyparents,”Sundewsaid.“Belladonnawillknowwhattodowiththisinformation.MaybetheycantakeapodofLeafWingstoattackthegreenhouse.”
“Awhat?”Cricketasked.“Apod,”Sundewrepeated.“Like,asmallgroup,partofthewarriorforce.”“Areyoupartofthewarriorforce?”Swordtailasked.Sundewmadeoneofherinscrutablefaces.“Sortof.I’m…kindofmyown
pod.”“Whereareyourparents?”Cricketasked.“Whyaren’ttheyhere?”She
glancedovertomakesurethatBumblebeewasstillsleepingandsawthatshe’dfloppedoveronherbackwiththefishstillhangingoutofhermouth.Tinysnoresemittedfromhersnout.
“Idon’tknow.Theyshouldbe.”Sundewwentbacktothemouthofthecave,lookingoutatthebay.“Ihopenothingwentwrong,”shesaidquietly.
“Um…what’sthat?”Blueasked,pointingsouthacrossthewater.Cricketjoinedthemontheedgeoftherocks,followedbySwordtail.Allfourdragonssquintedoutintothegraymorning.
Acolumnofblacksmokeroseintotheskyonthesouthernhorizon.Herheartpounding,CricketturnedtoSundew.“Whatisthat?”sheasked.
“DidtheLeafWingsdothat?”“Idon’tknow,”Sundewsaid,andforonceherfrownlookedworriedinstead
ofangry.“Theydidn’ttellmethey—Imean,theyweren’tsupposedto—”Cricketthrewopenherwingsandflewtothetopofthecliff,highabovethe
sea.Fromhere,onaclearday,youcouldalmostseetothefarendsofthecontinent.
Thiswasnotaclearday,butshecouldstillseethespireofWaspHivetothewestandJewelHiveinthesouthwest.ThecolumnofsmokecamefrombeyondJewelHive,farthersouth.
“It’snotJewelHive,”Sundewsaid,landingbesideher.“BloodwormHive,”Cricketsaid.“Yes.”TheLeafWingstaredoutatthesmokeasthoughitwassomething
she’dorderedatacafé,butithadcomeinthewrongcolorandcoveredwithmaggots.“Theywentaheadanddidit.Withoutwaitingforme.”Sheblewoutalongexhale.
“Allthosedragonets,”Cricketsaid,feelingasifherrootshadbeenslicedoff.“TheeggsintheirNest.TheSilkWingswhocan’tfly.”Sheclosedhereyes.CouldIhavesavedthem?IfI’dbeenfasterandsmarterandfoundtheanswerssooner?
“Theysaidtheywouldwaitformyreport.ButIguesstheywereLYINGABOUTTHAT.”Sundewlookedsincerelyangry,inadifferentwaythanusual,Cricketthought.“Maybetheydidn’tcarewhatIwasdoing.Maybetheywerejustplantingtheirseedsforthelastsixdays,movingallthepiecesintoplace.”
“Didyouknowallthepieces?”Cricketaskednumbly.“Didyouknowwhattheywereplanning?”
Sundewhesitated.“Iknewmostofit.Thisplanwasinmotionbeforewemetyou.ButIthought—Ireallythoughtthey’dwaitforme.”SheduckedherheadtolooksidewaysatCricket.“Onethingchanged,though.Becauseofyouthree,welearnedabouttheChrysalis.Iwouldn’thavebelievedtheyexisted,before…Imean,thatSilkWingscouldeventhinkaboutfightingback.WefoundBloodwormHive’sChrysalisandgavethemamessagetoevacuatetheirdragonetsfromtheHiveandtostayoutofthewebslastnight.”
Cricketshotheralook.“I’msurethatdidn’tarousesuspicionatall.”“You’dbesurprisedhowlittleattentionyourtribepaystowhatSilkWings
do,”Sundewsaidpointedly.Theyweresilentforanothermoment.“I’msurethey’llgettheeggsout,too,”Sundewoffered,shifting
uncomfortablyonhertalons.“Oncetheyrealizetheycan’tsavetheHive,that’s
uncomfortablyonhertalons.“Oncetheyrealizetheycan’tsavetheHive,that’sthefirstthingtheHiveWingswilldo.”
“Ihopeyou’reright,”Cricketsaid.“IhopesomeonerememberstheSilkWingsintheircocoons,too.”
SomethingswoopedacrosstheskytoherrightandSundewtuggedherdown,throwingherwingoverCricket’sbacksotheywerebothflattotheearthandpartlycamouflagedbySundew’sgreenscales.
HiveWingswereswarmingtowardBloodwormHive,hundredsofthemrisingfromWaspHiveandJewelHiveandsomewherefarthernorth;YellowjacketHive,Cricketguessed.Theyflewlikeacloudofbatsacrossthesky,southtotheburningcity.QueenWaspwassendingherHivemindtotrytosaveit.
CricketclutchedSundew’sarm.“Rightnow,”shesaid.“Rightnowwhat?”“Nowisthetimetoburnhergreenhouse.”Cricketpointedatthedragons
disappearingintothedistance.“Everyone’sflyingtoBloodwormHive.It’stheperfectdistraction.”
“It’snotadistraction,”Sundewobjected.“It’sablowforjustice!”“Well,wecanuseitasadistraction,”Cricketsaid.“Todosomethingthat
mightactuallyhelpdragonsinsteadofhurtinganyone.Ifwegorightnow.”“Myparents,”Sundewsaid,glancingatthesmokeagain.“I’msupposedto
waitforthem—I’mnotauthorizedforanothermission.”“Seriously?”CricketarchedhereyebrowsattheLeafWing.“Youneedto
waitforpermission?You?”“No,”Sundewbarked.“I’mjustwonderingwheretheyare,that’sall!Idon’t
needthem!Let’sgokillsomeplants!Oof,no,Idon’tlikethesoundofthatatall.Let’sgodestroysomeHiveWingstuff!That’smuchbetter.”
BumblebeedidnotwakeupasCricketwrappedherinherscarfslingandtuckedherintoherchest.Shesnortedandgruffledandstucksharplittleclawsintoher,butCricketpokedthefishbackintohermouthandBumblebeedozedoffagain.
Theyflewalongthesouthcoastofthepeninsula,stayingbelowthelevelofthecliffstoavoidbeingspotted.CricketnoticedthatSwordtailcouldn’tkeephiseyesoffthebay;hekeptturningtosearchthebeachbelowthem.Thefifthtime
eyesoffthebay;hekeptturningtosearchthebeachbelowthem.ThefifthtimehecrashedintoSundewbyaccident,shenearlythrewhimintotheocean.
SheglancedatBlueandsawhimturningtolookoutattheislands,too.Oh,sherealized.They’relookingforLuna.Ihopeshe’sallright.Ihopeherflamesilkishelpingtokeephersafe.TherewerenomoreHiveWingsintheskywhentheyreachedthegrassland
ontheoutskirtsofWaspHive.Theylandedandslippedintotheshadowofoneofthegreenhouses.Cricketcouldstillseethesmokeinthedistance,nowwithsmallfigureswheelingaroundit.
“IfBloodwormHivefalls,”Bluesaid,leaningagainstherside,“sodothewebsbetweenitandMantisHiveandJewelHive.That’salotofSilkWinghomes.”
Sundewhunchedhershouldersanddugherclawsintotheground.“I’llgoscoutahead.”Shehurriedoffbetweentheglasswalls.
“It’sweird,”Bluesaid,watchinghergo.“ThepostersalwayssaidtheLeafWingsweregoingtodosomethingterribletotheHives,andIalwaysbelievedituntilwemetSundew.Andthen,themoreIknewher,IguessIstartedthinkingtheLeafWingswouldallbelikeher…madontheoutsidebutkindontheinside,right?Like,ofcourseshecouldblowupawholeHiveandmaybeshe’devenwantto,butshewouldn’tactuallydoit.SoIthoughtnoneofthemwouldactuallydoit.Butnowtheyhave.SowasQueenWasprightandIwaswrong?Idon’tknowwhattothink.”
“Ithinkyou’restillright,”Cricketsaid.“Imean,thatSundewwouldn’thavedoneitherself.AndIhopethereareotherLeafWingslikeher.”Shelookedsouthagain,atthesmokethatseemedtobepaintedontothecloudsforevernow.DidthismeantheHiveWingsandLeafWingswereatwaragain?Itfeltsocleartoherthattheyshouldn’tbe.Theyallhadoneenemy,thesameenemy:QueenWasp.Ifonlyshecouldgetthemtoseethat.
Butshewasjustonelittledragon.Howcouldshegetanyonetolistentoher?Sundewappearedaroundacornerofagreenhouseandbeckonedtothem.
Theyhurriedtoheronsilenttalonsthroughthewetgrass.“Justtwoguardspatrollingthegreenhouses,asfarasIcansee,”shesaidina
lowvoice.“Hardtotellfromadistance,buttheyseemtohavetheirowneyes.Ifwekeepquiet,Ithinkwecansneakpastthem.”
“FLORBLE!”announcedBumblebee,poppingherheadoutoftheslingaroundCricket.
Sundewgaveherasteelylook.“Don’teventhinkaboutit,dragonet.”“BLEEMORK!”Bumblebeeretortedattopvolume.Shesquirmedaroundin
thesling,pulledoutthefish,whichhadnotimprovedinsmelloverthecourseofthemorning,andflungitatSundew’shead.
“Ibegyourpardon,”Sundewsaid,catchingthefishandwavingitatBumblebee.“Thiswasaperfectlygoodbreakfastandit’syourownfaultyou’rehungryifyoudon’twanttoeatit.”
“SMEEBOSMEEBOSMEEBO!”Bumblebeesaidinthesametone,waggingherclawatSundew.
“Listenhere,”Sundewsaidwithascowl.“WeareonaSTEALTHHORTICULTURALMISSIONandyouaregoingtobeABSOLUTELYSILENTuntilwearedone,doyouunderstand?”
“Loobleflooblegooble,”Bumblebeeburbled,reachingtowardSundewwithherfronttalons.“Herkleturklemisshoo.”
“Nope.No.No,sir.Cricket,controlyourtinymonster.”“Ithinkshewantsyou,”Cricketadmitted.Thedragonetwasvigorously
wigglingherwayoutofthesling,nomatterhowCrickettriedtopinherdown.“Well,toobad!”Sundewsnapped.“BOOBAH!”Bumblebeeshoutedenthusiastically.“Shhhhhh!”Swordtailtried,flappinghiswingsather.Crickethadn’trealizedadragonetthatsmallcouldlaughalready.
Bumblebee’swholefacewrinkledupandshefellbackintothesling,gigglinghysterically.
“So,”SundewsaidtoCricket.“Thisisofficiallytheworstideayou’veeverhad.”
“Shemightbequieterifyoutakeher,”Cricketsuggested.“I’mnotsure,”Bluesaid.“Ithinkshelikesitwhenyouyellather.”“Here,”Sundewsaid,diggingintooneofherpouches.“Giveherthis.”“I’mnotstickingasleepflowerupababydragonet’snose,”Cricketsaid
protectively.“Oracentipedeoraparalysisdartorwhateverelseyouhaveinthere.”
“It’sjustdriedmango,”Sundewsaid.“EvenIhaveyettouseaparalysis
“It’sjustdriedmango,”Sundewsaid.“EvenIhaveyettouseaparalysistoxinonababydragonet.”ShescowledatBumblebee.“ThekeywordthereisYET,howlermonkey.”
“Yimyimyim,”Bumblebeeagreedcheerfully,snatchingthemangooutofSundew’stalonsandstuffingitinhermouth.HereyeswentwideandshegaveSundewaworshipfullook.“YIMMMM.”
“Whatisthisfeelingofdoomthatjustsettledonme?”Sundewaskedthesky.
“Youdidhavemango!”Swordtailsaidtoheraccusingly.“CanwepleasegetonwithbringingdowntheHiveWingqueennow?”
SundewsaidtoBumblebee.Thedragonetignoredher,snuggledintoCricket,andwenttoworkonthemango.
SwordtailandSundewwentfirst,paddingswiftlythroughtheaisles.Cricketfeltaweirdshiverofdéjàvu,rememberingthelasttimetheyweresneakingthroughthesesamegreenhouses,earlyinthemorning.ThatwasbeforethequeenknewCricket’ssecret,whenCricketstillhadtheoptionofgoinghome.
ThatwasbeforeIknewhersecrets,too.ButnowIdo.IhavethetruthinmytalonsandI’mgoingtodosomething
withit.Thequeen’sgreenhouseloomedupbeforethem,crowdedwithdarkgreen
leavesthatpressedagainsttheglasswindows.Cricketcouldn’tbelievethey’dbeenherebefore,standinginthemiddleofthequeen’ssecret,andhadn’tevenrealizedit.
Oneguardstoodoutsidethedoor,idlyreadingthewarningsign.Histailflickedbackandforthacrossthegrass,leavingasilverytrailthroughthewetblades.Hedidn’tlookveryworriedaboutanyonecomingtodobattlewiththeplants.
Sundewreachedintooneofherpouchesandsoftlydrewoutatinyhollowtube.Sheslippedsomethingsharpintooneend,raisedtheothertohermouth,andblewthedartattheguard.
Histailwentstillonthegrass;hiswingsstoppedmid-flutter.Hiswholebodywasfrozeninplace.
“FLORB,”Bumblebeesaidapprovinglyaroundthemango.“Draghimawayfromthegreenhouse,”SundewsaidtoSwordtail.“He
“Draghimawayfromthegreenhouse,”SundewsaidtoSwordtail.“Hedoesn’tneedtogoupinflameswithit.”
CricketandBlueexchangedglances.She’ssavingarandomHiveWing.She’smakingsurehedoesn’tdie.Cricketdidn’tthinkSundewwouldhavedonethatbeforesheknewthem.Ifwecouldchangehermind,maybewecanchangeothers.
Swordtailgrappledwiththeparalyzeddragonwhiletheotherthreeslicedawaythewebscoveringthegreenhousedoorandsteppedinside.TheheatandhumidityswampedCricketjustasithadbefore.Andnowsherecognizedthesmell,too,sharpandunpleasantamidtheotherscentsoftheplantsaroundthem.
“It’sthisone,”Sundewsaid,liftingaleafononeofthevinesthatthrongedthegreenhouse,circlingandchokingtheotherplants.Thestemofthevinewasdarkredwithveinsofbrightgreen,andtheleaveswerethesameinreverse,brightgreenwithveinsofredlikestreamsofblood.Eachwasthesizeofadragontalonwithjagged,toughedges.Itwouldhavebeenperfectlyappropriatelycreepyifitweren’tfortheclustersoftinywhiteflowersnestledbetweentheleaves.
Sundewrubbedtheleafbetweenherclawsforamoment,frowningatit.“Idon’tknowwhatitis,”shesaidatlength.
“Meneither,”Cricketoffered.“Idon’trememberseeingitinanyofmybotanybooks,andIthinkIwould.”
“Iknowsomeonewhomightknow.”Sundewusedherclawstoslicethroughthevineintwospots,makingacuttingaslongasherarm.Sherolleditintoalooseballandtuckeditintoanemptypouch.
“Isthatagoodidea?”Blueasked.“Shouldn’twedestroyallofit,soitcannevergrowagainandnoonecaneveruseitlikeshehas?”
“Ithinkweneedtoknowwhatitis,”Sundewsaidtohim.“Metoo,”Cricketagreed.“Andmaybe…”Shehesitated,afraidtosayitout
loud.“Maybethere’sanantidote,”Sundewfinishedforher.Blue’seyeswidened.“Smorgbamfibo,”BumblebeedeclaredinSundew’ssolemnestvoice.“Ifeellikeyou’remockingme,”Sundewsaidtothedragonet.“Smeegsmogsmockeefee,”thedragonetansweredwithenormousgravity,
copyingSundew’sfrown.SundewraisedoneeyebrowatCricket.“IswearIdidnotteachhertodothat,”Cricketpromised.“Allright,”Sundewsaid,turningtosweepthegreenhousewithhergaze.
“Whowantstoburnitalldown?”TherewasapausebeforesheturnedandleveledhergazeonBlue.“Oh,right,me,”Bluesaid.Hesteppedtothenearestclusterofvinesandset
hisfronttalonsonthem.Fierysilkeruptedfromhiswrists,catchingandtanglingthroughtheleaves.Everywhereittouched,bladesofflameflickered,smoked,curledintoblackashorbrightenedintoorangeblossomsoffire.
Heavyreddish-greensmokerosefromthevinesandCricketcoveredhersnoutwithoneofherscarves.“Don’tbreatheitin!”sheshoutedattheothers.ShewrappedanotherscarfaroundBumblebee’sindignantface.“Blue,let’sgo!”ShetuggedonhisarmandturnedtoruntothedoorwithSundew.
Bluefollowedthem,pausingeveryfewstepstoshootmorefountainsofflameoverthevines.Cricketcouldhearthecracklingfirebuildingandspreading.Theheatshotpasttolerableandpressedagainstherscales,andshethoughtofthedragonsinBloodwormHive,andwonderedifthiswaswhatthey’dfeltastheyfledtheirburningcity.
Theythrewopenthedoorandtumbledontothewetgrassoutside.Blueleapedoutafterthemandslammedthedoorbehindhim,butitsplinteredintoamillionpiecesasithittheframe.Glassfragmentsexplodedoutwardalongwithtonguesoffire,roaringlikeangrydragons.
CricketcurledherbodyaroundBumblebeeandrantoescapetheflamesandsmoke.Shenearlycollidedhead-onwiththesecondHiveWingguard,whostartedtograbherandthenfroze,staringopenmouthedattheburninggreenhouse.
“Thatoneislost,”Cricketsaid,shakingher.“Getwaterandyoucansavetheothers.Makesureyourfriendissafe,too.”Sheturnedtolookaroundandsawtheparalyzedguardlyingafewgreenhousesaway;Swordtailwasstilltryingtodraghimalittlefarther.ThegrasswaswetenoughthatCrickethopedthefirewouldn’tspread,butshewasn’tsure.Shedidn’twanttheothergreenhousestoburn.Theyheldthefoodandotherresourcesforhundredsofdragons.Sundew’sparentsmighthavebeenwillingtoburnthem,butshe
dragons.Sundew’sparentsmighthavebeenwillingtoburnthem,butshethoughtSundewwouldn’t.
Theguardpointedatthegreenhouse.“Thequeen,”shestammered.“She—that’sher—”
Cricketgrippedhershoulderstogetherattention.“Thatiswhereshekepttheplantthatletshercontrolus,”shesaid.“IsawherstabbingeggsintheJewelHivenest.Sheinjectsusbeforewe’veevenhatched,doyouunderstand?ThatplantgavehertheHive-mindpower,andweburnedittotakeitawayfromher.”
“What?”Theguardshookherhead,confused.“No,thequeen—shehasthatpowerbecauseshe’sourqueen—”
“Shehaditbecauseofaplant,”Cricketsaid.“She’sbeenpoisoningus,ourwholetribe,eversincetheTreeWars,maybelonger.Youhavetotelleveryone.”
Theguardlookedterrified.“Me?”“Yes,”Cricketsaid.“Knowingthetruthisn’tenoughifyoudon’tshareit.
Everyoneneedstoknow.”“I…Ihavetosavethegreenhouses,”theguardsaid,pullingoutofCricket’s
grip.SheturnedandrantowardtheHive.“She’llbebackwithhelpsoon,”BluesaidatCricket’sshoulder.“Swordtail,areyounapping?”Sundewshouted.“Let’sGO!”Swordtailleapedawayfromtheguardandintothesky.Theothersspread
theirwingsandjoinedhim,andCricketswervedaroundaplumeofsmokeasiteruptedfromthegreenhouseroof.
Theysoaredaway,towardaloomingbankofdarkcloudsinthenorth.CricketbeatherwingsashardasshecouldandglanceddownatBumblebee,whohadsomehowmanagedtofallasleepagaindespiteallthecommotion.
Theyflewandflew,followingSundew,untilWaspHivewasfarbehindthem.Therewasnosignofanypursuers.CrickethopedthatallofQueenWasp’sattentionwasonBloodwormHive,andthatshewouldn’tevendiscoverthefireinhergreenhouseuntilshereturnedhome.
Home—there’sathingIdon’thaveanymore.“Sundew!”shecalled.“Wherearewegoing?Shouldn’twegobacktothe
cavetofindyourparents?”Sundewglancedoverhershoulder,hergreenandgoldscalessomehowstill
shiningeveninthegrayestsky.“I’mnotwaitingaroundforthem,”shecalled
shiningeveninthegrayestsky.“I’mnotwaitingaroundforthem,”shecalledback.“They’llexpecttomeetmebackhome.”
“Where’sthat?”Cricketasked,catchinguptoher.“ArewegoingtowheretheotherLeafWingsare?”HerpulsespedupdespiteherworriesandhersadnessoverBloodwormHive.Atlast,shewasgoingtofindouthowtheLeafWingshadsurvivedtheTreeWarsandwherethey’dbeenhidingallthistime.
“Hasanyoneevertoldyouthatyouaskalotofquestions?”Sundewsaidwryly.
“Allthetime,”Cricketsaid,smilingback.“Well,I’msurprisedyouhaven’tguessedthisanswerbynow.”Sundew
pointedhersnoutnorth,closinghereyesasagustofwindandrainrippledovertheirscales.
“Thatway?”Cricketsaid.“Youmean—allthewaythatway?AreyousayingtheLeafWingsarein…”Shetrailedoff,rememberingthestoriesshe’dreadaboutcarnivorousplantstentimesthesizeofadragon,oftoxinsandsnakesandquicksandanddeadlyvinesandvenomouswaspsandallthemany,manywaysadragoncoulddieupthere.
“Yes,”saidSundew,smilingarealsmilenow.“We’regoinghometothePoisonJungle.”
“I’mnotsurethiswasagoodidea,”TsunamisaidtoTurtle.Shewasn’tsurewhyshewaswhispering;theyappearedtobealoneinthejungle,andyetitalsofeltasiftherewerehundredsofeyeswatchingtheireverymove.
Thetangledtreesseemedtobereachingforthemwithlongtrailingroots,andbrancheslikeskeletalfingersslidintothewater.Thesandunderthemhadbecomeoozingmudandshecouldn’tseeanythingthroughthesiltandfoggygreenhazeintheriver.
Atleast,she’dthoughtitwasariver…arivertheycouldfollowintotheinteriorofthecontinent.Butasthebanksclosedinandthejuttingrocksgotsharper,shewasgettingthedistinctsensationofswimmingintoaverylarge,sharklikemouth.
Shepaused,treadingwaterforamomentandturninginacircle.Somethingenormouslylongandscalybrokethesurfaceoftheriverforamoment,andTsunamireadiedherclaws—butthesnakeonlylifteditsheadtostudythemwithcoldeyes,thenrippledaway.
Turtle,luckily,hadnotseenit.Hehadfoundabouldertoclutch,panting.Shekeptforgettingtosetherpaceslowerforhim,althoughshe’dbeendoingitfordays.
Somewhereinthemiddleofthevastocean,they’dbothhadasmallpanicattack,wonderingiftherewasreallyanythingoutthere,orwhetherthey’dmissedit,orwhethertheyweregoinginthewrongdirectionandwouldendup
missedit,orwhethertheyweregoinginthewrongdirectionandwouldendupswimmingforathousandyearswithouteverseeinglandagain.ThatwaswhenTsunamihadrealizedwhySeaWingshadnevermadethisjourneybefore.Theymightbecreaturesofthesea,buttheyneededland,too.Theywouldnotswimfordayswithnoendinsight,withnocertaintythattheywouldeverfindanything.
“Let’sgoback,”Tsunamisaidtoherbrother.“Let’sfindanotherplacetoland,morelikewhatLunadescribed.”
“Yeah,”hegasped.“Ithoughtshesaidthereweren’tanytrees.”“Maybeshemeant‘onlyterrifyingtrees,’”Tsunamisaid,lookingupatthe
vinesoozingoffthebranchesoverhead.“Don’t.Move.”Thevoicethatsuddenlyspokefromthebankhadanoddaccentandanote
ofauthoritythatmadeTsunamifreezeobedientlybeforeherearshadevencaughtuptotheinstructions.
“Um,”Turtlestarted.“Don’tspeak,either,”saidthevoice.“One…two…”AdarkgreenshapehurtledpastTsunami’sheadandsmashedintothesnake
asitlungedoutofthewateratthem.AllTsunamicouldseeforamomentwasablurofclawsandfangsandscalesthrashing;shehadtoclosehereyesagainstthewaveskickedviolentlyintoherface.
Finallytheriverwentstill,andshedaredtoopenhereyesagain.Agreendragonwithbrowneyeshoveredoverhead,clutchingthedeadsnake
inhertalons.Herwingswerepalergreenthanherbodyandshapedlikeleaves,andherunderscalesweredappledwithdarkgreenleafshapeslikeshadows.
“Threemoons,”Turtlesaid.“Thankyou.”“Really,really,reallythankyou,”Tsunamiechoed,almosttoobewilderedto
speak.“Whatkindofdragonsareyou?”thestrangerasked,flingingthesnakeback
intotheriver.“We’reSeaWings,”Tsunamianswered,tryingtorecoverherequilibrium.
“I’mTsunami,andthisisTurtle.We’refromtheothersideoftheocean.”“I’mWillow,”saidthegreendragon,“andifyouwanttolive,youshould
turnaroundandgobackthererightnow.”
*
MoonfoundLunasittingonthefarthestedgeofthebeachagain,staringouttowardPantalawiththeoceanwhisperingoverherclaws.LunatwistedtowardthelittleblackdragonassheapproachedandwasstartledbythegrimlookonMoon’sface.She’dstartedtothinkMoononlyeverlookedeitherperfectlysereneormildlyconcerned.
“Whatisit?”Lunaasked.“Avision?”“Yes,”Moonsaid,hergazeshiftingtowardthehorizon.“Avision.Cities
burning,dragonshurtingoneanother,moredragonsbeingterriblejustbecauseotherdragonsaredifferentfromthem,justlikeallmyvisions.”Shestoppedforamomentandrubbedherforehead.
“Doesthatmeanwe’regoingthere?You’vethoughtofawaytogettoPantala?”
Moonshookherhead.“No.”ShelookedoutatLuna’sdistanthomeagain,andLunaimaginedshecouldalmostseetheflamesandscreamingdragonsreflectedinMoon’sdarkgreeneyes.
“Wedon’tneedto,”Moonsaid.“They’recomingtous.”
TUIT.SUTHERLANDistheauthorofthe#1NewYorkTimesandUSATodaybestsellingWingsofFireseries,theMenagerietrilogy,andthePetTroubleseries,aswellasacontributingauthortothebestsellingSpiritAnimalsandSeekersseries(aspartoftheErinHunterteam).In2009,shewasatwo-daychampiononJeopardy!ShelivesinMassachusettswithherwonderfulhusband,twoawesomesons,andtwoverypatientdogs.TolearnmoreaboutTui’sbooks,visitheronlineattuibooks.com.
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