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"Bring the prisoners," she said without a backward glance, and guards went to work, picking up the others and dragging them behind us.

When she reached the railing, she let go of me and leaned on the iron support, leisurely taking in the view. A cool, salty gust blew up behind us, rustling her blue hair, sending a shiver down my spine.

How had I EVER looked up to this monster?

"You might be surprised to find that I also think it's hideous," she breathed, still staring out at the Isle. "I truly wish things hadn't come to this, but they refused to listen to me, let alone work with me. Even before The Fall, they were stubborn people."

Another chill went down my spine.

My gaze followed to where she stared, and the direction of the wind shifted, bringing with it the smell of burning oil and trash.

Electric lamps cast an unpleasant greenish glow on the black roads and gray warehouses being built over the sand and grass of the beach. Collared mages and soldiers moved through streets, all wearing the dark uniforms of the Empire.

Beyond the port, lights moved quickly back and forth across the dark space stretching between it and the cliffs of Dragon's Peak.

My gaze followed the beams up to their source — spotlights lining the high metal reinforced rock formations that formed the wall around the village.

Several massive ballistas, as large as wagons and numerous enough to hold off a mountain wraith, were placed along the wall.

"You've turned it into a fortress." My voice was pained.

Frexin frowned. "It was necessary."

"Why?" I already knew the answer, though.

She looked at me with a raised eyebrow, expression uncharacteristically tired. "Come now, Kaiya. The dream hasn't changed." Sighing, she turned to face me fully. "I must make the world right again. And, as you've learned, I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. This" — she gestured widely towards the retrofitted Dragon's Peak — "is just a step towardsthat future."

She stared at me, dark eyes daring me to challenge her.

But I said nothing.What did one say to a madwoman?

"Enough of this." She waved her hand, as if dispersing a foul smell. "It is time to admire the fruit of your labor these last few months."

She motioned just over the railing, and I looked down to see a ramp connecting the dock to a loading door on the side of the ship. A dozen workers pulled on ropes, towing something large out of the door and onto the wooden platform.

"What is —"

"Shhh," she whispered gleefully. "You'll see."

A massive cage emerged from the ship, covered by an enormous canvas cloth —

My bond to the creature surged, and it let out a booming howl that filled the night. The cage began to rock, and a voice called out in my mind.

"Kai–ya."

Seven hells!I recoiled from the creature, muting the bond and praying that was enough.

It felt so much stronger than it had behind those red doors …

The rocking cage settled a few moments later.

Soldiers cursed at the frightened workers, screaming at them to get to work. Soon the cage was moving again, heading up the road towards the fortress.

"That thing —" I swallowed. "Where are the people I bonded to it?"

"That is not athing, Kaiya," she corrected me. "He was once … a friend. And have some patience!Yourfriends are right here …" She gestured below once more.

Workers emerged from the ship, towing wide carts in their wake.