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stomach, I thought about today. I thought about the pride and all I was giving up. So what if daylight flight was forbidden? At least I could fly. The rules I chafed against with the pride suddenly pale beside this new reality. I’m not even sure why I resisted Cassian so much anymore. Was it only for Tamra? Or was there something within me other than loyalty to my sister that opposed being with him?
    Teenagers surround me. Human teenagers. Hundreds of them. Their voices ring out, loud and nonstop. The air is full of false, cloying scents. A draki’s worst hell.
    It’s not that I never expected to live in the outside world. Among humans. I would probably have taken a tour. But no one tours during adolescence. Only as an adult, as a draki strong and fully de-veloped, and never in a desert like this. All for good reason.
    I resist the urge to scratch my arm. It’s only spring, but the heat and dryness make my skin itch. Beneath the buzzing fluorescent glare, a sick, wilting sensation coils through me.
    Clearing my throat, I speak in rusty tones. “Hi, I’m Jacinda Jones.”
    A girl near the front twirls a strand of her hair. “Yeah. We already know that.” She smiles, her lips obscenely glossy.
    Mrs. Schulz saves me. “Where are you from?”
    Mom drilled these answers into me. “Colorado.”
    An encouraging smile. “Lovely, lovely. Do you ski?”
    I blink. “No.”
    “Where did you go to school?”
    Mom covered this, too. “I was homeschooled.” It was the easiest explanation to get us enrolled. We can’t exactly ask the pride to forward my school transcripts.
    Several kids laugh outright. The girl twirling her hair rolls her eyes. “Fuh-reak.”
    “Enough, Brooklyn.” Mrs. Schulz looks at me again, her expression less welcoming now. More resigned. Like I just confessed to reading at a first-grade level. “I’m sure that has been an interesting experience.”
    Nodding, I start for my desk, but her voice stops me, holds me hostage.
    “And you have a twin sister, right?”
    I pause, wishing the interrogation would end. “Yes.”
    A boy with a patchy red face and small ferret eyes mumbles, “Double the pleasure.”
    Other kids laugh. Boys mostly.
    Mrs. Schulz doesn’t hear, or pretends not to. Just as well. I want this over so I can slink back to my seat and work at being invisible.

    “Thank you, Jacinda. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”
    Sure.
    I return to my desk. Mrs. Schulz dives into a one-sided discussion on Antigone. I read the play two years ago. In its original Greek.
    My gaze swings to the window and the view of the parking lot. Above the gleaming cars’ hoods, far in the distance, mountains break the sky, calling to me.
    I’ve decided to try to fly. Mom did it when she lived here. It’s not impossible. Right now it’s hard to sneak away. Mom sticks so close. She’s determined to pick us up and drop us off from school like we’re seven-year-olds. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s afraid the pride will track me down at school or if she’s worried I’ll run. I like to think she trusts me enough to know I wouldn’t do that.
    Sneaking away to stretch my wings for a little while isn’t stopping Mom and Tamra from having the life they want so badly.
    I shift in my seat, the crinkle of the city map in my pocket my only hope right now. I’ve pored over it several times already, memorizing every park in the area. Just because I live here doesn’t mean I’m willing to wither away. The thought of flying again is the only thing keeping me going. Risky or not, I’ll taste the wind again.

    The bell rings, and I’m on my feet with everyone else.
    Ferret Eyes turns to me and introduces himself. “Hey.” He nods slowly, giving me a full appraisal.
    “I’m Ken.”
    “Hi,” I manage, wondering if he somehow thought his “double the pleasure” remark won me over.
    “Need help finding your next class?”
    “No. I’m good. Thanks.” Stepping past him, I hurry to my locker, head