Page 274 of Phoenix's Fire

"They don't care!" I screamed at him. "What part of that is hard for you to understand? Calling you beasts is just an excuse. Just like they called me a woman, saying we're the gentler sex, as if that made us inferior. For decades, they have been coming to Lorsa, into yourhomesand pulling off yourclotheswhen they butcher the meat. They know you aren't beasts, but the excuse is all they need, and they will cling to it desperately, because that is the only way they can feel superior!"

"Just like men have done throughout history," he agreed. "But Ayla, how do you think the oppressed won their rights? History is filled with someone being subjugated, and eventually things changed - but only when they stood up for them. When they took risks."

"But not you!" I sighed. "You can't do that, Zasen. What would happen if you weren't around?"

"Rymar and Kanik would make sure you're okay."

"I mean to the Dragons, you idiot!"

Xav cleared his throat and stepped back. "You're not gonna win, Zasen. Just start sucking up, man."

"You're not thinking past your nose, Ayla," Zasen insisted, ignoring him.

"I am." I took a breath and lifted my chin. "The leader of the militia? How many people do you feed with your hunting? There are a million ways you could have handled that which didn't involve giving them the chance toshoot you!"

He crossed his arms almost like he was daring me. "Like what?"

"Like giving Elijah the idea that you're a good man, taking him close, then yelling and vanishing before they got to him. Like taking enough people to make a standoff. Like trusting me to know them better than you do."

Xav chuckled once. "She's right, Zasen."

"She is," Jeera agreed. "Ayla survived down there."

So Zasen looked over at Drozel. "Are you going to tell me I'm an idiot too?"

"Nope," Drozel said. "I'm pretty sure you've already figured that out. What I want to know is why you even tried."

"Because something has to change," Zasen said, "and I saw three men in there thinking about it. That's three more who might reconsider what they're doing and help Ayla's friends." Then he looked down at me and smiled. "Sometimes, Ayla, the ones we're trying to convince aren't the ones we talk to. They're the ones listening."

"Oh," I said, because it seemed he did have a good point after all.

Eighty-Six

Tobias

Ayla had told us more than I'd expected. This mess of kidnapping women had been going on for nearly three decades - just longer than I'd been alive. That was why I was one of the oldest? And men couldn't survive without women's help, so we should use it? The Dragons were humans who'd been changed to live easier in the world humans had destroyed? Quickly and efficiently, she laid it all out, explaining there was even more in her letter and the book.

Then the Wyvern had returned with Ayla's brother, of all people! I'd been in the middle of bandaging Sylis's arm when the Wyvern had walked into view as if he wasn't scared of us at all. The whole time he and Ayla had spoken with Gideon, I'd been frozen in fear, but eventually, the Wyvern and the Phoenix left, and no one tried to follow them.

For a little too long, there was a stunned silence, then Gideon began snapping orders. We were all told to search the area, working in pairs, and bring back what we could to put in the carts, but not to go out of sight of the camp in case the Dragons came back. We'd come to collect food, so we wouldn't return without it!

It was gruesome work. Once, I had to rush into the bushes and retch, but Sylis assured me it was normal. Eventually, pieces of what had been people - and I didn't care what kind - were loaded up. Two carts were now full, so we began the slow march back.

Elijah had been put into the third cart, along with four other wounded men. Clothing had been used for bandages. Every bump in the road made one of them yelp or whimper. Our return would not be one to celebrate, but it also wasn't a complete loss. We'd managed to get meat. That was all that should matter, wasn't it? And yet my mind was spinning, because I didn't think we'd killed that many Dragons.

I hoped we hadn't.

With each mile, my feet slowed a little more. I didn't want to walk with the others, pretending like everything was okay. My problem was Sylis kept pace with me. He said nothing, but what would happen if he did? He'd heardeverything!

The package Ayla had given me weighed heavily in my breast pocket. Tucked behind the utility vest we all wore, it couldn't be seen, but I felt it. I wanted to open it and read everything. She'd said there was information about my mother in it! But this was for Callah, not me.

Eventually, the group of us had spread out so much, no one was close enough to hear. That was when Sylis cleared his throat and looked over. I felt my heart slam against my ribs like something trying to break free, but I kept my face blank, trying my hardest to keep my eyes on the trees before us.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he finally asked.

I clenched my jaw, picking my words, but they were simple. "It was a stupid thing to do."

"Yeah," he breathed. "But not a dumb one."