A moment later, Rymar's steps came down the stairs, and the man stomped into the living room. "Look, you're only going to get one table upstairs. Not both. Otherwise, Kanik and I can't both sit at our desks at the same time."

"Then put the little one out back," Zasen said. "But first, would you put four drops of venom in a glass for Ayla?"

Rymar's tail went limp. "Four?"

"Four," Zasen said again. "She just reminded me that she's the Phoenix, so she's brave."

"Kanik!" Rymar bellowed. "Downstairs. Now!"

"What?!" Kanik yelled back, but I heard him moving.

Rymar just headed into the kitchen. He came back right as Kanik marched into the room. In Rymar's hand was a small glass filled full of water. Without explaining anything to Kanik, Rymar lifted his tail and expelled drop after drop into the top where we all could see.

One...two...three...four.

"Oh..." Kanik breathed.

Then Rymar passed me the glass. Zasen was standing at the side with his arms crossed over his chest, looking a little smug. Kanik's eyes were wide in an expression that was almost worried. Rymar simply made sure I had the glass, then leaned closer.

"Ayla, drink that slowly. If it starts to burn, then stop."

"Ok," I agreed.

Then I lifted the glass to my lips. I could taste something in the water, but it wasn't bad. Spicy was the best word I had for it, and only a hint. The first swallow went down easily, and then I paused. All around me, the three men were staring, waiting.

So I took another drink. Then one more. I'd seen Rymar put the venom in here with my own eyes. I knew there were four drops, but except for the taste, there was no effect on my body. So, deciding there was no sense in waiting, I tilted the glass and finished it off, gulp after gulp.

"And?" Kanik asked.

"There's a little taste," I admitted.

"Do you feel hot?" Zasen asked. "Shortness of breath, brain fog, weakened limbs. Anything, Ayla?"

I just shook my head. "No, just the taste."

And suddenly, all three of them were grinning.

"She's immune!" Kanik cheered.

"Oh, thank fuck," Rymar breathed. "I did not want to be the one to poison her. Zasen, you're an asshole."

"She already had four drops this morning," Zasen admitted. "She asked if I was sure I put it in."

"Wait, what?" I asked, twisting so I could see all of them better. "That's eight drops!"

"Which means," Kanik said proudly, "that you are now immune to Dragon venom!"

"Ayla, a sting won't kill you," Rymar added.

"Nor anything else," Zasen said. "Not sharing a drink, a kiss, or anything else. You, little Phoenix, are now one hundred percent Dragon."

"You just need to get your sign," Kanik said with a smile on his lips.

"And then put it on some Moles," I agreed.

That afternoon, a Dragon came to the door. They knocked, Rymar answered it, and the person on the other side handed him a piece of paper. The pair exchanged a few words, and then the strange Dragon left. All I got to see of him was the tan and orange color of his tail.

Rymar closed the door and turned, but his eyes were locked on the paper he'd been given. "Guys!" he called out. "Town meeting this evening!"

"Good," Kanik said, setting his book down.

Zasen hurried down the stairs. "What did you say?" he asked.

"Town meeting," Rymar repeated. "Jerlis is sending out notices."

"Nice," Zasen said with a smile. "Drozel and I have been trying to convince him to install a curfew for both nights."

"The ones where the Moles will be here?" I asked.

Zasen just nodded. "It's the day after tomorrow, Ayla."

"I know." And I was more worried about it than I wanted to admit. "What if I'm wrong, Zasen?"

"Then it should be the day after," he countered.

"But what if I'm wrong about all of it?" I asked.

Kanik simply looked over at me. "Do you think you are?"

I shook my head. "Phineas said that was the day. Well, he said it was twelve days before the holiday, and it would take them two days to get here."

"Which means," Zasen said, "they're on their way. Ayla, we all know they're coming. But here's the thing. This time, we know they are coming."

"What if they get here sooner?" I asked.

Rymar just shook his head. "Never, in all the time I've been making the trek to and from the Reaper farm over there, has anyone gotten here in less than a day and a half. So unless they're planning to travel by day..."

"And they can't see in the day, you said," Kanik pointed out.

Ok, they were right. I knew they were, but hearing it actually helped make me feel a bit better.

"So do I get to go to this meeting too?" I asked, looking between the three men.

They all glanced at each other before answering. I could see the expressions they shared, but I wasn't completely sure what they meant. Narrowed eyes. Tense lips. It didn't look good.

But just when I was braced to hear no, Zasen nodded. "I think she should."