Startide was supposed to be asleep. It was late-the moons were almost in the middle of the sky. But she just couldn't sleep. Instead, she was listening to her parents arguing.

"Packleader, we can't send her to Jade Mountain. She'll be-I mean, you know what happened with Icicle. What if-what if-"

"She needs to be around other dragonets. She's never met any her age."

"Exactly! She's never been anything but an assassin. She wouldn't know what to do."

"Dolphin, neither of us wants her to grow up like this. She needs an actual family. When she grows up, this life won't make her happy."

"But-but-oh, alright. We'll try it out. But if it doesn't work-"

"If it doesn't work out, we'll bring her back. But be open-minded, Dolphin."

"Alright. I'll try. And school starts next week."

Startide heard her parents going to their beds. Now she felt tired. She yawned widely and closed her eyes.