Parodia awoke underneath her simple but familiar tattered sheet. Bright desert morning sunlight streamed through her window and fell onto her wings. She felt calm, and cheerful. best to go downstairs and start breakfast; Peyote would be hungry as usual. And she was not without her secret hope that Cinder might stop by. Of course, she hoped this ever day, it seemed. And it came true nearly as often. Although, not always at breakfast. She giggled. As she stepped into the narrow hall between her room and Peyote's, she noticed his curtain was shoved back, instead of hanging neatly across the arch to his room like hers did. That's odd... She stepped inside, and terror struck her. Peyote was gone! His camel hair blankets were rumpled, and the shutters to his window were hanging open. What could have happened? She felt faint, and weak, and like she wanted to run and cry and hide and shiver in fear. Had someone taken him? Cinder, she had to find Cinder! She dashed down the stair and out of the Healing house, heedlessly darting through the market, not caring as she usually did if merchants stared. And stare they did. What was the odd dragonet- they could never seem to think of her otherwise- doing tearing through the market this early in the morning? After stumbling through countless tails and wings, Parodia's scattered wits came together somewhat, and she took to the air. Where could her brother be? What would happen to her now? What would Cinder thi
