a P

of rough stone buildings huddled against the biting wind. I sat alone in

eedles with a mild paralyzing sap-a low-tier dragon poison

orry, convinced my defiance of Lord Beaumont would t

knew the real bat

ne wall. My two "dear sisters," Isis and Livi

habit. Her golden hair was perfectly coiled, her lips curved in a look of pure

giggle. "Don't be so harsh, sister. Perhaps the c

ha shrank into a corner, h

God simmer beneath my calm exterior. I forced the soft, harmless smile of the

he stalked forward, snatched a c

on-blooded nobles. She flicked her wrist, and the dark, sticky liquid ar

voice dripping with fake s

ted tears. They expected the familiar cowering. Instead,

I said softly. "My han

over. I took a sharp step forward, my movements fluid and imperce

ries sailing through the air. It landed with a wet smack squ

oat as the sticky jam and

creamed, her hand f

han a newborn hatchling. I sidestepped with effortless grace, my

forward, crashing directly into Isis who was

their perfect hair undone, their dignity in tatters. Their maids

was gentle, but the latent, icy pressure of my true bloodline leaked

a single, small red dragon crystal. It was the only thing my mother had left me. I picked it up, l

my dress. "My things? You don't get to touch them anymore. Every b

icable fear dawning in their eyes. The oppressive

I said to the p

precious daughters-one hysterical, the other shivering with a terror

found her voice, looking at me w

s, realizing the "lamb" he'd sent to the slaughter had suddenly grown fangs. But his real worry w

his bride, then his bride would march right into his lair. I was getti