Moon Rising by Tui T. Sutherland Page A

almost peaceful, leaning into his thoughts, but also a little terrifying, because Moon had absolutely no idea what was going on in there.
    Is there any chance he’s the voice in my head? Are there any SeaWing telepaths? If he can shield his thoughts, maybe he can send them, too…. Mystery voice? Are you Turtle?
    He caught her staring at him and smiled, but there was no clear answer in his expression.
    “This is my clawmate Umber,” Turtle said, turning to the little brown MudWing.
    “Oh!” Kinkajou said. “Clay’s brother!”
    Sora’s brother, Moon thought, and realized she’d been hoping Sora would be in their winglet.
    “That’s right,” Umber said. His mind rippled with warmth and anticipation in a way that matched Kinkajou’s. Moon could also sense relief — almost an ongoing, permanent state of relief that seemed to have to do with not being at war anymore.
    “Ooo, the Jade Winglet is so cool,” Kinkajou said happily. “I wonder who we’ll get for our IceWing and SandWing. Does Sunny have any sisters?”
    But Moon could now sense the last two dragonets coming up the tunnel, and her heart dropped.
    “Actually,” Tsunami said, “after yesterday, we decided to switch a couple of dragons around, since you guys seemed like a good match.” She flicked her tail at Winter and Qibli as they stepped into the cave. “You’ve already met, you’re all interested in scavengers — we think you’ll fit well together.”
    BONG! went the warning bell one final time.
    Moon stared into Winter’s cold blue eyes and felt as if ice was traveling across her scales to her wingtips. How could she hide from him if they were constantly in class together?
    It’s her, he thought, and an echo came from Qibli’s mind as well: It’s her.
    Now I can keep an eye on her, thought one.
    Now I can figure her out, thought the other. Did she just get more tense as we came in? Is it Winter she’s worried about, or both of us? She looks a little scared of everyone. But also like she can take care of herself, if everyone would just leave her alone. She likes that RainWing, though, her clawmate, the one who’s all heart. I wonder if I can get her to like me.
    I’ll find out why she knows so much about scavengers , Winter thought. I’ll find out everything about her.
    I could protect her. Would she want that? Qibli wondered. It’s what I do best. It’s what I’ve done for Thorn since I was three. She said I need to find something else to do with myself, that I’m wasting my potential and she has enough dragons to protect her. As if I trust any of them. Wonder what Thorn would think of Moon. Is she a threat? Or the kind of dragonet the Outclaws are sworn to protect? Why haven’t I figured her out yet?
    And then, more softly, but chiming from somewhere inside both of them: I wonder what she thinks of me.
    She didn’t know. She wasn’t sure quite what she thought of either of them; she kind of wanted to hide from them but she also wanted to keep listening. It was hard, actually, to have any thoughts of her own when so many others were crowding in all at once. From across the cave, Kinkajou was brimming with Eeee! The ominous handsome glittery brooding IceWing! Umber thought quietly, Wow. He’s gorgeous. And Carnelian sat down with her wings folded and scowled at her talons: Bah. I hate everyone. All of these dragons would be useless in battle.
    Moon found herself edging a little closer to Turtle, who was like a small island of peace in the middle of the crosscurrents. Eight dragons in one small cave, all thinking at the same time. How was she going to get through this?
    “Let’s go around and introduce ourselves,” Tsunami said. “I mean, maybe it’s unnecessary, but that’s what Sunny said to do. And then she said I probably wouldn’t listen to her anyway, so I am proving her wrong , so there. I’m Tsunami, if anyone didn’t know. I was going to give myself a title like Commander of Recruitment, but then for some