She stared at him for a moment, INDECISION whirling through her. She knew what her mother would do.

I threw myself on the ground and rolled around, trying to smother the flames as hot pain SCALDED my skin.

And if he somehow did believe her, well, that would be the end of her REIGN.

But no, my heart sank as I caught sight of the giant, MENACING shape flying through the sky above. It was right over my head.

I was trapped in its VICELIKE grip. There was no getting away.

Feeling BOLDER, I grabbed my shoes and headed out of the apartment and into the courtyard.

How would I be able to find her? Especially without accidentally alerting the rest of the herd—who wanted me dead—to my PRESENCE.

“Everyone deserves a fair trial,” she said. “Even the monsters. Tomorrow, we will hold a tribunal and he will appear before all our dragons. There, I will decide what shall be done with him.” Tolkyn gave her a DUBIOUS look.

I’d hated squids ever since DISSECTING one in science class.

I suddenly remembered the cooked dragon smell that had PERMEATED the apartment earlier. Did I still smell like roasted meat?

Even the palm trees warned things were anything but the usual SERENE.

I waited for Dad to come to my room to say goodnight, but he only BUSTLED around the kitchen for a bit, then headed straight to his bedroom.