In the Dragon's Shadow

it was

ankle in the empty slats. I got to the edge of the cage and

he void before I let an

r side were sharp, and I hadn't taken that into consideration. My foot land

y thought in my mind was how I'd finally gotten free of the m

held on, strong and solid as

gu

reared their head, threatening to overwhelm me.

noring the pain in my heel and desperately trying to control my rapid breathing. The fireguard in charge looked pissed as hell, b

a brave face. I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting for further i

girls shot glances over the side

ear," the captain noted dryly. "L

elow, they led us up a winding path up with thousands of spiraling stone steps. It was high. It was steep. But the final quarter of our city lay a

annot make the jou

was strong. I couldn't help but wonder what my mother would think about all this. Would she be terrified for me and want me back, or would she feel the risk was worth th

t of the group hiking, whi

she was lean and mostly muscle. The more plump girls from the stone quarters behind her were soon huffing and puffing, clear

ey did all day in

ck, wondering what the problem was. They were just as stout as the stone girls, but clearly more used to physi

se ahead of us, the blonde girl nearly at his heels. She stood still while he descend

he fireguard captain w

at? I want

it, pi

me from the girl my age, who was toward the back

up the pace. I rolled my eyes. If they could go any faster, they would. I certainly wouldn't

enly sobbed, begging to rest. I glanced at their feet and saw silk slippers stained with blood. My own feet were bare but c

ls clearl

o time he was at the front of the line, arguing with the fireguards. I couldn't hear what they were saying over t

and suddenly swept one stone quarter girl's legs out f

up front took one of the stone girls,

about this. "We should leave them behind if they

of a cliff was no place for a fight. I'd wait until we we

o place in the n

down to her, sick of her voice. "Shut up or I'll come bac

bing. I knew I'd have to watch my back when we reached the top, but that was fine.

ggered to the very top. I immediately moved inward toward the fireguards, shooting the tall girl a wary

rd the heavens. Up this high, the giant dome t

UM

.