“What was all that about?” I asked after five minutes of walking in angry silence.
“He was a dragon.”
“I got that much.”
Zara sighed. “He could tell what I am.”
“Really?” That surprised me.
“Yes. Can people not tell you’re a ha…”
“Halfling?” I offered when she couldn’t seem to finish the word. “No. Not generally. I got teased a lot about it. But that’s because my sister told everyone.”
“Oh, it’s easier for dragons. We can sense it on one another.”
“That sucks,” I said.
“Well and truly.”
We lapsed into silence and on a whim, I grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. I didn’t let go either, though I half expected her to pull away.
“We’re here,” she said, waving towards a large metal door which looked like it hadn’t been used in months. If not years.
“Are you sure?” I asked, study
