at him to fight. Why wouldn't she? It was clear they meant nothing but harm.
"Those dragons," she yelled, pointing at them, coming ever closer, "are the people of Hutton's Bridge. We can't hurt them."
"No!" Bastian said. "My daughter. Is Farah among them?"
Tressa shook her head. "I didn't see any children before they changed. Only adults. Udor and Carrac and Mariah. So many others. I spoke with Adam, though he was the one who led me to them." She rested a hand on Bastian's arm. "We can't trust him."
Bastian's eyes darkened. "He's not the only one. Your father – "
"Yes, I know," Tressa said. "He's also one of them. When did all of this go so wrong?"
"I don't know, but we can't stand here and wonder. Let's get back to Connor. Escape." He tugged on her sleeve, trying not to be distracted by the low-cut gown she wore.
Tressa yanked her arm away from him. "I can't. Jarrett's out there somewhere. I have to save him first. And his brother, Avital. I won't leave without them." She ran off in the direction she'd originally been heading.
Bastian ventured another look at the dragons. They were so close he could smell their rancid breath. Bastian took off after Tressa. He would help her find her friends. Her lover. Maybe her husband by now. Just thinking it pissed Bastian off. Still, he would leave no one behind. Not if it could be helped.
He followed her through the town square to the monument rising in the center. Jarrett arrived at the same time, coming from the opposite direction.
"Where's Avital?" Tressa asked him, out of breath.
"I don't know, but he can take care of himself," Jarrett said. He glanced at Bastian.
Bastian nodded back, not saying a word. What would he say to the man who'd stolen his love right out from underneath him?
"Let's get out of here," Bastian said. "We can ride out on Connor." He hoped Elinor had stayed close to Connor. Things were getting too hot to run around looking for her.
"Wait!" Jarrett yelled. He grabbed Tressa, pulling her into him. "Bastian, stop!"
Bastian stumbled to a halt. "Why? Connor is our only way out of here. If our people are dragons now, there isn't anything we can do to save them."
Jarrett pointed toward Connor with one shaky hand, "I'm so, so sorry."
Bastian turned just in time to see Connor rear up on his back legs. He took in a deep breath, his belly expanding.
"No!" Bastian screamed to his friend. But the noises around them were too loud. There was too much chaos. Connor couldn't hear him.
The fire roared out of his mouth, enveloping the red dragon horde in a dancing blaze. Red, orange, and gold flames licked across them, burning. Screams whispered on the wind as the dragons fell to the ground, writhing in the dragon flame.
Each dragon began the change back. Arms and legs erased the dragon limbs. Familiar faces, twisted in smoke. Flesh melted. Eyes wide in terror. Adam in the front, an arm held out toward them.
Nothing could stop it.
It was too late.
Connor had killed them all.
"No!" Tressa screamed.
In Bastian's mind, her scream went on for many breaths. Never stopping. She bucked against Jarrett's tight hold around her waist. Tears streamed down her cheeks, echoing the tears falling from Bastian's eyes.
"He didn't know," he said to Tressa. "He wouldn't have done it. He didn't know."
A hand touched Bastian's arm. He looked down. Elinor. She'd found him. He collapsed into her small arms, letting her bear his sorrow. He sank to his knees, burying his head in her stomach, his tears wetting her dress.
Elinor's small hands ran through his hair. Her kisses dotted his head. "I'm so sorry, Bastian. So, so sorry."
The cobalt dragon roared, then collapsed, transforming into the man. Connor ran over to them. Bastian tossed Connor a change of clothes, but Connor let them fall to the ground. "Who are those people? Who did I just kill?" He looked from Bastian to Tressa. "What happened?"
"Connor." It was Elinor. Her voice was so soft, even Bastian didn't hear the words that followed. He did hear Connor's keen.
"I was only trying to save you. I didn't know. I swear, I didn't."
Bastian looked up. Wiping his tears on his sleeve, he stood, clasping his friend. "You did the right thing."
"I killed them!" Connor grabbed his hair, yanking so hard tufts tore out. He shrugged off Bastian.
Tressa had calmed, but she still clung to Jarrett. "We were set up. Those bastards. They knew I