The Battle Begins by Devon Hughes Page B

changed. From her pale, diamond-shaped head all the way to the black rattle at the end of her tail, she looked the same as she had before.
    Castor didn’t have time to ask her how she’d managedto escape the serum, though. The ground beneath his feet shook as the animal Deja had called Samken crashed around the room. Castor had to leap out of the way just before he was crushed.
    â€œCastor!” someone called to him. He spotted Jazlyn’s long, white ears under the food trough. It was the only shelter he could see in the room, and Castor ran to join her.
    Though Jazlyn now had a sleek, black cat’s body and claws to match, she was as frightened as she’d been before, and Castor could feel her trembling next to him.
    â€œWe’re safe under here,” Castor said, though he wasn’t totally convinced of that himself.
    â€œI’m not worried about us,” she answered. “I’m worried about Samken!”
    Castor looked at the hulking giant across the room. “He looks like he can take care of himself.”
    Jazlyn shook her head. “He’d never want to hurt anyone. He’s way too sensitive.”
    Castor saw that the gray mammoth was on his knees now, cowering as the horned lizard loomed over him. He remembered what Rainner had said before: And others are destined to fall.
    â€œPlease,” Samken blubbered. “I swear I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just hungry.” He looked longingly atthe food trough, and Rainner slashed at the air with his horn. “Let’s be rational about this!” Samken squeaked, snapping his eyes back to his attacker. “You can eat first, and then I’ll eat.” He fluttered his huge ears hopefully.
    But Rainner wasn’t swayed. “Kings don’t share,” he snapped, and lunged for Samken’s big belly.
    Samken jutted his head forward, his tentacles waving in defense. He managed to wrap them around his attacker’s horn and keep from getting skewered, but Rainner grunted and pushed, and the spike inched ever closer to Samken.
    Castor’s muscles tensed—he should do something! But what good was he against these giants?
    â€œENOUGH!” a voice boomed, and then there were more horns flying as someone butted his head into Rainner’s scaly side, sending him sprawling away from Samken.
    Everyone looked toward the new animal. He looked like a horse with stripes, but he had a different animal’s face, and two curved and pointed horns stuck out sideways from his forehead, a dark tuft of hair sprouting between them. His nostrils flared as he glowered at Rainner and Samken, sprawled on the floor.
    â€œDo you know who I am?” Rainner sputtered furiously as he got to his feet.
    Though the weird-looking horse hadn’t hesitated to break up the fight, now he looked wary and exhausted. Castor noticed that all of his ribs were visible beneath the stripes.
    The horned lizard didn’t wait for an answer. “I am Rainner, a dragon from the island of Komodo, where my family has ruled for centuries. I am the nephew of the Hellion, a fearsome fighter in the Dome. And I am your king !”
    â€œHilarious,” the horned horse said dryly. “Well, Your Highness, my name is Moss. Some king you are to get kidnapped and dragged here just like your uncle.”
    Rainner lowered his horn as if to charge again, but Moss’s striped leg shot out behind him, and when his hoof slammed against the wall, the sound was so sharp and sudden that everyone froze.
    â€œI’m sorry to tell you that even kings have to play by the Whistlers’ rules,” Moss continued as if nothing had happened. “Since I’m the only one here who’s been through any of this before, if you want to survive longer than your uncle did, maybe you want to get a hold of your little temper and pay attention? There are only three rules, so even someone with a brain as small as yours should be