Black Pearl thought back over everything that had happened since she met Annan, every last detail. She was like prey caught in a web, sinking deeper with every unwitting struggle...
She was the foremost of the Chromatic Dragons, yet a human boy had led her around by the nose!
But when she thought of Cat and Midnight Maiden, half her courage vanished.
"Black Pearl, what are you doing over there? Is that lady a friend of yours?"
A shout came from the shore.
At the sight of Annan, Black Pearl lost the other half of her courage.
Wait... lady?
Black Pearl whipped her head around and discovered that Tamblin had turned human.
The scuffle had left Tamblin's clothes in tatters, with only scraps covering the essentials. Short black hair fell around Tamblin's ears, sand clung to a delicate, dirty face, and two firm, shapely thighs stood out beneath the rags.
Black Pearl's pupils quivered. "How dare you—"
"Don't say anything yet!"
Annan cut Black Pearl off and looked intently at Tamblin. "Miss Dragon, may I ask your name?"
"I... I'm called Tamblin."
"Damn you!" Black Pearl nearly ground her dragon teeth to dust. Terrifying Dragon Might surged toward Tamblin. "He's a male dragon!"
"A male dragon?"
Annan glanced at the "girl" standing with legs pressed together, puzzled. Then his face lit up. "A male dragon is even better!"
Black Dragons were cunning and evil, and the males were especially known for their ferocity and love of fighting. Their "evil" alignment also made a useful cover. With Tamblin and Black Pearl operating in the Northern Frontier, plus the arrangements Annan had made within the Moon-Eater Clan, the McKennan Ratfolk would never hide their little schemes from him.
Black Pearl knew none of that. All she felt was a chill running through