Aliye’s leaving brought an awkward silence to the group. Tristan understood. What else was there to say to one another? But it was impossible to know when the Ejderha would return, and there were still so many questions that burned within him about the island and its inhabitants.

“So, hey, can we refill our canteens, or are you going to chuck another spear at us?” Ravyn asked, waving an empty container in her palm.

That’s a start.

Zutto looked at the group of hunters, her brow furrowed and her shoulders tense. The others narrowed their gazes and waited. A few shook their heads while the majority sat still. Tristan gambled that they wanted to see how she’d react.

“You ask as if you’re not the ones holding us hostage,” Zutto replied slowly.

Ravyn snorted. “You’re right.” She glanced at Matt. “See? No reason to play nice.”

Matt sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Ravyn—”

“Don’t ‘Ravyn’ me.” Ravyn rested her free hand on her hip. Ball landed on her shoulder and preened beneath his wing. “Get your canteens and fill them. If you die of dehydration, we’re all fucked.”

“She’s right. We need to keep ourselves hydrated,” Keke reminded him. “Come on, Matt.”

That left Tristan and Zahra with the others. Lara and Destiny were still by the newly carved edge of the oasis, caught in a hushed string of conversation. Destiny’s hands moved passionately as she spoke—a trait Tristan had always liked about her—and Lara stood and listened, her eyes glazing over, then snapping back to focus. Lara carving new features into the ground was new for them all, it seemed.

Cannoli and Ceres had busied themselves over Callie. Buttons perched on Cannoli’s shoulder, watching as his master mixed a tincture of herbs and roots in a small wooden bowl. An empty potion bottle dangled in Callie’s good hand; one of them must have administered it to the wounded hunter shortly after Aliye’s departure. Callie stared off into the distance, a sour look on her face, but she said nothing to stop the girls from helping.

Tristan turned to face Zutto. She was still standing at attention, her back rigid and spear at her side. A few hunters had found shade beneath the large branches of pawm trees while others hovered nearby, unsure of their role. Cecilia had moved to the far end of the oasis, keeping one stern eye on Matt, Keke, and Ravyn as they refilled their canteens.

“Zutto, if I may ask, which shell do the Ejderha live in?” Tristan asked lightly.

Zutto frowned. “Instinct dictates I not share such things with you.” Her eyes flickered to Zahra, and the corners of her lips dipped deeper. “Wouldn’t Sanrai’s sister know these things?”

“These are not my lands, friend,” Zahra replied. “My information is pieced together in fragments. There is little better than the source.”

Zutto glanced over her shoulder, then motioned for Tristan and Zahra to sit as she did the same. The two other catgirls that had stuck around—a brunette and a redhead—also took a seat on the sands, resting their weapons in their laps. The Ejderha lowered her voice, reducing the conversation to their small group. “I believe you will find out anyway. All Ejderha reside in the First Shell. It is an honor reserved for very few.”

“But there are more guards outside of the Ejderha, correct? We met two at the gate on our first day here. One of them abandoned her post,” Tristan explained.

Mentioning Seraphina struck a nerve. Zutto growled, and her grip on the spear tightened. “She will be executed on sight if she dares return.” One of the hunters behind her spat into the sand and muttered a few harsh words. “She was not Ejderha. Not in nine lifetimes would she be worthy.”

“Was she from the First Shell?” Tristan continued.

The brown-headed girl shifted uncomfortably. “You ask too many questions, boy. Why take such an interest in an island not your own?”

“Because I want to understand,” he replied honestly. “I’ve read every book in Nyarlea I could get my hands on, yet there are so few about Ichi Island. The last recorded politics are from almost a hundred years ago. Before this system of shells or a King’s Tax.”

“You speak of a forbidden age,” the redhead spoke up. “We are not to talk about such things.”

Tristan’s fingers twitched with agitation. Only a fool hides from the past. “Then tell me how things are now. Please.”

Zutto studied his face for quite some time, then said, “You remind me of Krethik.” She slowly nodded, then pulled an object that looked like a thin tube from her [Cat Pack]. “Very well. I will explain.”

Tristan caught Zahra smiling out of the corner of his eye. That isn’t the first time I’ve heard that. Zahra’s mother had made a similar comparison. “Thank you, Zutto.”

Zutto grunted, then smoothed the sand before her. Using one end of the tube, she drew three circles, each smaller than the last to fit inside, then planted the object at the ring’s center. “You have seen the Third Shell, then the Second Shell. Ejderha keep homes in the First Shell, just outside King Magni’s castle.” She pointed to each ring as she referred to the shells. “Guards can come from any shell, though their ranking increases should they move inward. Trust and loyalty must be earned to advance. Seraphina was of the Third Shell.”

“And advancing requires passing a test?” Tristan asked.

“That is correct,” Zutto said.

“Do not forget that you’ll need a Defiled’s weight in Bells,” the redhead grumbled.

“Taraji, still your tongue,” Zutto snapped.

“Oh? Did you advance for free, Zutto?” Taraji taunted lightly.

Before Zutto could reply, Zahra interrupted. “We’ve been told of the necessary bribes. I would imagine that the sum depends on who tests you.”

“And what shell you’re testing for,” Taraji added.

“Are Ejderha and guards demoted often?” Tristan asked.

Zutto slid the tube from the sand and blew on the other end. A tiny dart stuck in the tumbling grains, inches from Tristan’s feet. “Aliye and I are likely to lose our ranks for this… inconvenience.” She grabbed the dart and replaced both in her pack. “I have never spent time Caged, but I believe it’s unavoidable at this point.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Tristan said, anger settling in the pit of his stomach. “None of you will face consequences from this.”

“We will see if you still hold your fire at the point of Sanrai’s spear, boy,” the brown-haired girl said. “All of us can watch you burn from our cages.”

Tristan searched for the right thing to say. These girls… this city… every inch was beaten into submission. Perform your duties or die—those were the options Magni had given them. As much as the Third Shell inhabitants believed life to be more comfortable in the inner shells, the hunters, warriors, and Ejderha had just as much to fear. Escape was barely an option.

“Callie’s arm is set,” Cannoli announced from his left, scaring the daylights out of him. “Oh! I’m so sorry! Did I interrupt you?”

“N-no. We were finished. Sorry, guess I let my mind wander off ahead of me,” he chuckled nervously. “Thanks for doing that, you guys.”

Ceres bowed. “It is our pleasure to help.”

Zahra placed a hand on Tristan’s shoulder. “You should refill your canteens as well, Tristan. Why don’t we go together? Cannoli and Ceres can stay here with Zutto.”

Tristan nodded and stood, brushing the sand from his trousers. Ravyn, Keke, and Matt were heading in their direction and passed them halfway.

“Keep an eye on them for a moment?” Zahra asked Matt, jerking her chin in Zutto’s direction.

“Roger that,” Matt said with a small salute.

“Roger what?” Keke asked, puzzled. “Who’s Roger?”

Tristan couldn’t help but smile as he knelt to fill the first canteen from his [Cat Pack].

“You shouldn’t let their pessimism deter you,” Zahra said softly, splashing her hands in the water before tapping her cheeks with her palms.

“No, it doesn’t. Really, if anything, it’s encouraging,” he admitted. “I want to help them. In any way I possibly can.”

Zahra nodded. “That’s good to hear.” Sitting back, she procured one of her empty containers from her [Cat Pack]. She submerged it beneath the clear surface before speaking again. “Even if you can’t see it right now, you’ve brought hope to a place devoid of it for years. They want to believe in you, Tristan. Soon, they will.” She locked his gaze, crimson eyes diving into the depths of his intentions. “Just as I do.”

Tristan’s heart sped against his chest. He dropped his gaze, fearing what she’d find on his face. “Zahra, I—”

“Tristan! Zahra!” Matt barked, snapping Tristan’s attention back to the group. “We’ve got a problem!”

A dark, massive outline shimmered inside an oncoming sandstorm. Neither of which had been there just a few minutes beforehand.

“Chikara!” Zutto screamed, on her feet and brandishing her spear.

Tristan quickly noted Lara and Destiny running toward him. The hunters were on their feet behind Zutto, eyes wide and weapons ready.

Zahra tossed the canteen to the side, drawing her katana with the same movement. The sandstorm neared them at a wild, erratic pace. The thunderous sound of heavy winds and a tornado of sand hammered against his ears.

“Tristan!” Matt shouted over the noise. “Chikara is a Defiled!”