Chapter 1I Died While They Celebrated

Tonight was the night I was to be invested as Commander of the Dragon Rider Corps. It was also my sister's coming-of-age ceremony.

But my mother was afraid my investiture would steal my sister's spotlight. So she had my brother lock me in the basement with anti-magic chains.

They said they'd make it up to me after Lina's celebration was over.

They didn't know that dragon hunters broke in and carved out my heart.

I used the last of my dragon flame to send a mind-link plea to my blood kin.

My brother's voice finally came through.

"Can't you just let Lina have one happy night?"

He was busy placing the coming-of-age crown on my sister's head, and with his own hands, he snuffed out my mind-link to them.

Later, they thought I was sulking and refusing to leave the basement.

They didn't know I was already dead.

I was never coming out.

* * *

While my sister received everyone's congratulations, I died at home.

At first, I didn't even know I was dead.

Applause drifted down from upstairs. I instinctively stood to see if Lina's celebration was over.

But my hand passed straight through the iron door.

Behind me, another me was curled in the corner, wrists hanging from the chains, wearing the new uniform I'd prepared for my investiture.

Mother had thought the gold buttons on the uniform were too flashy. Before she closed the door, she'd covered them with black cloth.

Now that cloth lay on the floor, soaked through with blood.

I reached to pick it up. My fingers closed on nothing.

Someone upstairs called my name.

"Eve?"

My head snapped up.

My brother stood at the top of the stairs, the basement key in his hand.

I lunged toward him, mouth open to call his name. But he turned and caught Lina as she ran up to him.

"Brother, we're cutting the cake. We're waiting on you."

"Coming."

"Is Sis still mad?"

My brother put the key back in his pocket.

"Leave her. She even used the distress link. If I go now, she'll only throw a bigger fit next time."

I followed his footsteps through the floorboards.

Mother was straightening Lina's crown. Father was pouring her wine himself.

My seat had been removed. It was piled high with gifts.

My brother placed the first slice of cake on Lina's plate.

"Today you're the most important person here. Ask for anything you want."

Lina bit down on her fork.

"I want the honey cakes Sis makes."

My brother frowned and pulled out a messenger stone.

Down in the basement, the stone at my waist lit up.

"Eve, Lina wants honey cakes. Come out before the celebration ends, and I won't hold your little tantrum against you."

I grabbed desperately at his hand.

Go downstairs.

Just thirteen steps down, and you'll see me.

But Father put a hand on his shoulder.

"Stop calling her. She spent years in the army. She could have burned through that chain long ago. If she really wanted out, do you think that door could hold her?"

That chain had been specially borrowed from the armory by my brother.

Before I left for the front, he'd asked me if the anti-magic iron the dragon hunters used could hold even a commander.

I'd told him the truth. Yes.

Now he lowered his head and drank, and didn't correct Father.

"Let her reflect for one night," Mother said. "She'll come out and apologize tomorrow on her own."

Lina lowered her head and fiddled with the messenger stone.

I leaned in and saw what she was writing to me.

"Sis, how does it feel to be tormented by dragon hunters as a commander? Are you hiding in some corner right now, shaking with fear?"

"You'd better just die. Then no one will ever compete with me for Mom and Dad's attention again."

She hit send, glanced around, then retracted two of the sentences.

Soon, new words appeared.

"Sis, Mom saved you some cake. We're all waiting for you."

She held the messenger stone up for Mother to see.

"Sis still won't answer me."

Mother pulled her into her arms.

"Sweetheart, don't think about her tonight."