A shiver of something, confusion or laughter or madness, crawled through Tamri’s mind. Then the dragon’s presence faded, dissipating into the wind and the storm.
“Hey!” she shouted. “Come back!”
But the presence was gone, leaving nothing but the rain and a few thunderbird feathers spinning in the wind. Tamri pushed the last crackling vestiges of Lightning away with a shudder. The dragon was out there, reaching its tendrils into the world.
And it remembered her.
2
Tamri and Rook raced back to Starry Cove, wanting to get out of the storm as quickly as possible. The wind changed direction as they flew, carrying the tempest out to sea. By the time they reached their destination, only the tattered edges of the storm remained.
Starry Cove, the westernmost of the East Isles, was home to a sleepy fishing town full of whitewashed houses decorated with brightly painted doors and window screens in blues and greens. Unlike the red-tiled roofs on the Soolen mainland, the Starry Cove rooftops were flat and often held chairs, tables, and low couches so their inhabitants could enjoy the temperate weather.
Tamri and Rook soared over the boats dotting the sapphire waters of the cove and swooped toward the idyllic dwellings. People looked up from the rooftops, where they were uncovering furniture after the rain. Cindral dragons had been flying around the East Isles for several weeks, but people still stared at their feathered wings and brightly colored scales. A group of laughing children darted along a narrow street, following Rook’s flight for as long as they could.
They flew past the town boundaries and up toward the sprawling cliffside manor that served as their base of operations. Tamri couldn’t wait to report her encounter with the Lightning dragon to the Fire Queen. Excitement quickly replaced her fear. The creature had actually talked to her—with words. Tamri believed they couldn’t defeat the dragon unless they understood her, and if they did that, they might learn to control her. After today, Dara had to let Tamri try.
Melloch and Zorya had already reached the manor’s large courtyard. Rook landed beside the golden dragon on the manicured lawn that was home to the four Cindral dragons they used to scout the East Isles. Tamri scrambled off his back, wincing as her muscles reminded her this had been her first long flight in ages. But she was too excited to let the soreness bother her.
Rook and Zorya joined the other dragons beneath the pretty gazebo serving as their shelter, and Tamri hobbled toward the east wing of the manor as fast as she could, combing her fingers through her wild tangle of hair.
The elegant manor house belonged to the Lord of Starry Cove. Three main sections surrounded the central courtyard, which had a low stone wall overlooking the cliff. Numerous outbuildings were arranged behind the main dwelling, including a well-guarded structure that protected a Watermight vent, the only source of the magical substance in the East Isles. A secluded grotto beyond the walls also contained a pool fed from the island’s bubbling hot springs.
Tamri headed toward the large dining room they used as their headquarters. The doors and window ledges were painted blue, and the shutters stood open to admit the rain-freshened air. Dara was waiting for her in the doorway, wearing a simple gray coat with cobalt embroidery at the wrists. The golden-haired queen of Vertigon was a tall, handsome woman in her midtwenties, with strong features and intense eyes. Sometimes Tamri swore she could see through walls.
“We made it,” Tamri said breathlessly as she joined her mentor. “You won’t believe what I—”
“Melloch told me what you did,” Dara said.
“You should have seen the way the thunderbirds moved!” Tamri gave up on trying to comb the knots from her hair and waved her arms to demonstrate, flinging rainwater from her sleeves. “They stopped attacking almost immediately and went flying the second I gave them a good shove.”
“I warned you not to touch the Lightning.”
Tamri blinked, suddenly picking up on the Fire Queen’s disapproving tone. Dara was frowning, and she had a tight grip on the black sword at her hip.
“I wasn’t technically Wielding the Lightning,” Tamri said. “I just grabbed the thunderbirds—”
“With the Lightning.”
“Yes, well, sort of. But I stopped them from hurting Melloch.” Tamri fidgeted with her damp coat, some of her enthusiasm draining away. She didn’t understand why Dara was glaring like that, as if Tamri had grabbed a knife blade with her bare hands. Tamri had saved Melloch. She deserved a little credit.
“You saw what the Lightning did to Latch,” Dara said. “Don’t you remember how it twisted his mind?”
“Of course I remember,” Tamri said. “It didn’t ensnare me, and I’m still myself. But I have to tell you what the Lightning dragon said—”
“You saw it?” Dara stepped forward, her sword halfway out of its scabbard in an instant.
“No, I heard its voice,” Tamri said quickly. “From far away, I think. It was speaking in my mind.”
“Your mind.”
Tamri flushed. “I think so.”
“What did it say?”
“It remembered me from before.” She paused. “And when I sent away the thunderbirds, it called me impressive.” Saying it aloud made it sound a lot less believable than when that electric voice was ringing in her head.
Dara looked at her for a moment then turned to Melloch, who had appeared in the doorway behind her, a wad of cloth pressed to his wounded arm. “Did you hear this voice too?”
“No.” Melloch watched Tamri warily, his cracked spectacles barely clinging to his face. “I wouldn’t dare Wield the Lightning after everything we’ve been through.”
“I didn’t Wield the Lightning,” Tamri said heatedly. At least not too much.
“But you let it in.” Dara released her sword hilt and rubbed her temple. “Tamri, you know how seductive it can be.”
“It wasn’t like that.” Tamri bristled at being treated like a naughty child. She had more experience with the Lightning than most Wielders in Soole—all of them, actually, while Lord Latch was out of the country. “We have to understand this dragon, if we’re going to learn to control it.”
“We have to defeat it not control it.”
“What if you’re wrong?” Tamri asked. “What if controlling it is the only way to keep it from hurting people?”
Dara studied her intently, as if picking apart all Tamri’s thoughts and testing them individually. Tamri stood a little straighter, trying not to let the scrutiny bother her. She was right about this. Besides, she had people to protect. She wouldn’t suggest such a risk unless she thought it would keep them safer.
“What do you propose?” Dara asked at last.
“I say we forget about locking the Lightning dragon back up until we know exactly how she and her power work.” Tamri wasn’t convinced they should chain up the Lightning dragon even then, but Dara wouldn’t sympathize with that view. “Let’s return to Thunderbird Island and make contact. We know she can communicate now. We could learn so much from her.”
Melloch gave a strangled choke, as if a thunderbird had just sprouted from Tamri’s head. But Dara simply shifted her weight, looking thoughtful. She had always taken Tamri’s opinions and abilities seriously.