ENTER THE DRAGON

Giron got to Aramina first and grabbed her, one hand on her mouth, the other pinning her arms to her side. Thella snatched a handful of hair and pulled the girl's head back.

"Don't even think of calling for a dragon."

"Too late!" Giron cried in a strangled voice.

Thella let out a hoarse cry as the bronze dragon blocked their path. The dragon bellowed, his breath hot enough to startle Thella into running as fast as she could, Giron a stride behind her. Thella spared one look over her shoulder and saw the dragon crashing among the trees, unable to dodge through them as agilely as the humans could. The dragon roared his frustration. Thella and Giron kept running.