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Instead of replying, Elang glided down the hall, motioning for me to follow. “Plans have changed,” he was saying. “I have good news for you. It turns out you won’t have to go back to the palace after all. We have a guest.”
“A guest?”
Out of nowhere, a rope of seaweed tugged at my ankles, dragging me into a gate of black crystal behind a pillar. With a rush, a whirlpool sucked me in and brought me to the entrance hall, where, waiting before the gates, was Lady Solzaya.
I lurched, immediately recognizing the betrayal. But I wasn’t fast enough. An octopus wrapped its slick tentacles around my limbs and my neck. As I struggled, Kiki dove for Elang’s eyes with her beak.
You treacherous lizard! she shrilled.
Elang snatched her up. “A dragon only looks after his best interest.”
“But you swore!” I had a slew of curses for Elang, but not one of them made it past my lips. Solzaya’s octopus was strangling me.
“This will hurt less if you hold your tongue,” said Solzaya silkily. Her jagged nails grazed against my cheek. “It’s a good thing Elangui came to his senses. He saved us the trouble of sending assassins. For both of you.”
“I welcome a reprieve from your assassins, Aunt,” said Elang coolly. “You’ve sent so many that I’ve run out of room to properly bury them all. Perhaps you should wait until Seryu reaches his full form before you try to seat him on my throne. A half-grown dragon does not command much more respect than a half-blooded one.”
Solzaya’s scales purpled with irritation. “Where is my son?”
“I’m not his keeper. Nor am I the girl’s.” The half dragon started to turn. “Our business is done. You asked for the girl, and I’ve given her to you. Now take her away.”
The octopus dragged me toward the gate, and Solzaya drew her claw in front of her chest, brewing a cage of coral and stone—into which she dropped Kiki.
“Let her go!” I shouted. “Kiki!”
Twice now Kiki had been taken from me. Angrily, I thrust out my hand, and silver-gold beams of magic rushed from my fingertips. The floating shells that illuminated Elang’s ceiling trembled to life.
“Attack!” I shouted, and the shells rocketed for Solzaya.
The dragon didn’t even flinch. A mere look was all it took for her to dispel the onslaught and freeze the shells in place.
Seryu’s mother lifted Kiki’s cage. One of the shells had come dangerously close to crushing its bars.
“Such recklessness, Shiori’anma,” Solzaya said, clucking her tongue. “Didn’t my son teach you to watch your temper while using magic?”
The tiny hairs on the back of my neck rose.
“Yes, the mirror has shown me all about your friendship with my son,” said Solzaya. “Just as it’s shown me that you are not worthy of bearing the Wraith’s pearl.”
She clapped twice, and thick locks of kelp sprang up from the ground, wrapping around my limbs until I couldn’t move. The entire time, the pearl hovered over me like a curious spectator, and my resentment at it grew.
Solzaya’s octopus threw me over its shoulder and clamped a cold tentacle over my mouth. A shroud of ink fell over my eyes, and my world turned to fog. The last thing I heard was a rush of water—and the thunderous sound of Elang’s gates closing.
Must they be in such a rush to kill you? Kiki grumbled as Solzaya and her octopus sped us back to the Dragon King’s palace. My paper bird wrapped her wings around her cage’s coral bars, looking seasick. Couldn’t we slow down just a little? I swear, I’ll never complain about Seryu’s swimming again.
I threw Kiki a sympathetic look, but my mind was churning. Ever since we’d left Elang’s castle, I couldn’t stop wondering why he’d betrayed us. If he wanted Solzaya’s mirror, he wouldn’t get it by handing me over without a fight.
A dragon only looks after his best interest, he’d said. But what interested Elang?
Kiki whimpered. Come on, Shiori. Use your wits. Use the pearl.
My mind still churning, I glanced at Solzaya. The mirror shards shimmered against her scales, reflecting the sea rushing by. Seven shards, each about as large as the span of my hand.
All I needed was one.
“You know, I had a feeling we wouldn’t be welcoming you into the family,” Solzaya said, as if sensing my stare. “Since the Wraith’s pearl protects you from my magic, perhaps the old ways are best. A simple spear to your chest should do the trick.”
“Or perhaps you should just let me go,” I replied. “Save everyone the trouble of dissolving into sand. I understand that’s what will happen if you kill me.”
