WINGS OF FIRE

prologue

                                                            Four Years Ago . . .

The volcano was restless, and so were the dragons in the NightWing fortress. Secretkeeper felt the mountain rumble under her talons as she hurried through the stone halls. there were too many dragons awake ---- too many witnesses who might wonder where she was going in the middle of the night. She kept her head down, but she felt the curious looks sliding under her scales with each dragon she passed. How many of them knew what tonight should have been? Did anyone remember? She didn't need to count days to know. Her bones ached with knowing. It was like a voice in her head screaming, Tonight! It's hatching! Hurry! Don't get caught! Hurry! Because if it happened and she wasn't there . . . She imagined hungry panthers prowling the undergrowth, dangerous crocodiles with gleaming teeth, or unpredictable curious idiot dragons who might do anything with a mysterious abandoned egg. But she couldn't run, not with other NightWings still awake and watching her. Why tonight, of all nights? Usually everyone in the tripe slept like sloths from dusk to dawn. Just before she reached the ledge, she passed Mastermind and Farsight. Mastermind gave her a hard stare. He knows, she thought with a stab of panic. But it was Farsight who stopped and spoke to her. "Oh, Secretkeeper, poor dear," she said, folding her wings. Secretkeeper winced; her name had never sounded more appropriate. Sometimes she wondered if her name had made her this way ---- if she was unconsciously trying to live up to it with the biggest, most unforgivable secret a NightWing could have. " The egg you lost was due to hatch tonight, wasn't it? Are you all right?" Farsight went on. "Do you want someone to sit with you?" NO! Secretkeeper curled her claws in and shook her head. "I'm fine," she said. "Just . . . going to get some air." "Do you want company?" Farsight asked. Behind her, Mastermind frowed irritably. "I know it's not the same, but when morrowseer took my egg ----" Secretkeeper could only think of one way to stop her, and it was harsh, but she had to, because she had  to go, right now. "It's not the same at all!" she snapped, shooting a burst of flame out her nose. "You have two surviving dragonets, and one of them is off on the continent being pampered and overfed and worshipped by the Talons of Peace. So don't try to act like you understand me!"