I knew precisely when Tasha left, but I didn’t tell a soul what I’d seen and heard. It may have been spiteful of me, but I didn't think the flock deserved to know. The adults who had once been human would have doubted my memory of those minutes and assured me I was wrong, that the Kymari had recaptured Tasha. It wasn’t happening.

My opinion of the flock dropped even further when it took them eleven—yes, eleven—days to notice she was gone.

That was the turning point. The guilt ate at them, and they deserved it. I had no sympathy for anyone. Their treatment of someone who almost gave her life for a hatchling, only to have the Kymari capture her, was beyond anything I expected from this flock.

I spent the days after Tasha left searching for a way to become what I wanted to be. I watched the Kymari to see if anyone stood out as someone I could trust—my handler-to-be. Every afternoon, I spent time at the sandbar, practicing my fire streams and fireballs. I would be the best Sicora hunter ever!

Tasha had been communicating with Drake and letting him know of any news, so I went to him directly to ask about her and what she was telling him. The Kymari stated they would only take another dragonet if it had been injured or cast out of the flock. That would make things a little tricky for me, as I was neither. But I would continue to try.

Maybe I could finally have that talk with Tasha soon.

My parents got wind of Tasha's next visit before I did, though, and they took me to the other side of the park with the rest of the flock. I was not sure why, because they had now voiced their opinion that they were happy for Tasha and her choice, but at the same time, they were distancing themselves from her.

Two more dragonets joined the Kymari that day.

An accident almost killed Serena. Her mate, Tom, would not leave her side, so the Kymari who rescued her did not separate them. Once she healed, they would both train to hunt Sicora.

I KNEW our being there would not have stopped that tree from falling. I KNEW Serena would have died without the Kymari’s medical help. I KNEW both those things without a shadow of a doubt. BUT—I couldn't help the resentment toward my parents. We had not been there to help dig her out, or to comfort her when she was bleeding and in pain. We had been an hour away, simply because my parents wanted to stay away from Tasha.

A few weeks later, we heard Serena was healing, and she and Tom were both doing well. So, I cornered Drake while he was sunbathing.

"I need a favor from you, but I need you to keep it between us," I said softly.

"It depends upon the favor." His voice was severe because he felt my emotions behind my words.

"I want to talk to Tasha, but when we know she is coming, my parents take me to the other side of the park. Please let me know the next time she comes without letting them know."

Drake just stared at me for a moment, mulling over my words.

"Why would I need to do that? I can open a link with her right now and include you."

"I want it to be a private conversation," I said.

"Are you thinking of leaving the flock for the Kymari, Clover?" he asked softly. "I will keep your secrets, little one, but you are, what, nine months old now? Maybe you should think about this until you are a year old."

"I've been thinking about it for half my life, Drake. I want to talk to Tasha. Not leave with her," I assured him. Even though I knew, if given the chance, I would go with her.

"How about this? The next time I speak with Tasha, I will tell her to open a link with you. That way, it's private. And once she’s established the link, you can link her any time you want. You're old enough now to hold a faraway link. Then no one has to lie or hide anything," he compromised.

"Will you tell my parents about this discussion or the link with Tasha?" I asked guiltily.

"No. You are old enough to make your own decisions," he stated plainly, but with sorrow. He had lost three friends to the Kymari so far—Tasha, Serena, and Tom. I understood his feelings, but that didn't change mine.

–

"Clover! I've missed you! I've not seen you in ages."

It was Tasha!

"Tasha! I've missed you too! So much! Are you okay? Are they treating you well?"

"I'm doing good. Drake said you wanted to talk to me. What's wrong, little one?"

I was unsure where to start now that I could speak to her. But I'd thought about it, and I decided to just come right out and say it.

"I'm not little anymore, Tasha! I'm almost a year old, and I want to hunt with the Kymari and have a handler like you. But I need advice. I don't know how to get a handler if I’m not hurt."

Silence. But I felt her confusion through the mindlink.

"What do your parents think of this decision?"

Now, how would I explain that?

"I haven't told them. They are so caught up in the past, they cannot see what you chose as a good thing. They believe the Kymari cage you like the scientists once caged them, and they won't change their minds. I'm sorry if this hurts you, Tasha, but they kept the others and me away from you, and I'm not happy in the flock anymore."

More silence and some hurt came through the link.

"I listened to your story, and I came to see you the night you went back with the Kymari. I saw how sad your handler was when he thought you had died. My parents cannot tell me he mistreats you. I saw your reunion, and I. Saw. His. Face. He cares deeply for you, and that is impressive, coming from a Kymari. I want that, and I want to hunt the monsters with you. Please help me," I begged.

"Clover, once you become a bonded animal, there is no going back. You can visit the flock as often as your handler allows, but you can't return. You cannot change your mind later. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes," I replied. "I've been going over this again and again for more than four months, Tasha. This is what I want."

"Okay. Here is what you need to do..."