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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