Bastian back-winged into the familiar courtyard carefully. It had been a week since his last visit here, and he was significantly healed from his last encounter with Keylor, but he wasn’t entirely sure he was ready for this. Saina’s gentle hand on his neck reminded him of his purpose and he opened his mouth and roared a dragon challenge.

The courtyard still had some of the damage from his last visit, he was rather glad to realize; if it had been entirely repaired, he would have felt less effective.

Keylor did not keep them waiting long.

I am surprised to see you alive, he said derisively.  But I should have known the ocean wouldn’t finish you off as it would have a real dragon.

Bastian lowered his neck to the ground and let Saina hop off, dragging her heavy pink suitcase behind her.

Ah. You are only here as the siren’s lackey. Keylor snorted a trail of dark smoke in derision and ignored Bastian to look greedily at Saina.

I have something you want, Saina said, her audible voice humming lightly in counterpart. She unzipped the suitcase and put a single, plastic-wrapped gray brick on the top of it.

Don’t attempt to enchant me, Keylor said, drawing his head back.

I already agreed once not to, Saina said, and I keep my promises forever. Whether she wanted to or not, she couldn’t break the contract she’d made.

Keylor sniffed. I thought by now that you had failed in your goal.

I don’t fail, Saina said loftily. But I’ve had a better offer in the meantime. I’m here to see if you’re willing to change the terms of our agreement.

Bastian was sizing Keylor up as they treated. He was less impressive than Bastian remembered, and his eyes were more orange than red. Saina had been right about his access to the goldshot - he was running out. Which was why he was eyeing the suitcase with such lust.

I still have your Voice, Keylor sneered. You dare to ask for more?

Keep my Voice, Saina laughed. I have my own song. What use would an old woman be to me?

Keylor drew up. What is it you wish to trade, then?

The crown of Viracocha, Saina said smoothly.

Keylor’s snort of laughter had flame, and Bastian, unable to stop himself, crouched to protect his mate.

Well-trained, brother-not, Keylor mocked. Or well-sung, I should say.

Saina let her hum raise into an aria, and snapped her fingers at Bastian. He settled back on his haunches as if against his own will.

Can we deal? Saina pushed. Or are you wasting my time?

You want me to steal from my parents’ hoard. That’s a bold request from a half-fish.

I’m a siren who knows what she wants, Saina said, inspecting one of her hands as if her nails were a hundred times more interesting than two gigantic dragons posturing at each other. And I have other buyers if you aren’t willing.

Keylor gnashed teeth the size of her forearm, casting longing looks at the suitcase. The smell was deliciously tantalizing to Bastian, too, but he fought back the desire, reminding himself that it was only false.

Keylor’s eyes narrowed then. Why would you send my brother-not to challenge me for your Voice, if you did not desire it?

I didn’t direct him to do that, Saina said with the unmistakable ring of truth. He’s the fool who came up with that idea. The suitcase for the crown, she repeated. Is it a contract?

Yessssssss, Keylor hissed angrily.

Then Saina stopped singing.

You would enter a contract to steal from our hoard?

The illusion that Saina had been holding dropped with her song, revealing two dragons, one a deep navy blue, the other a forest green, perched on the highest of the courtyard walls.

Keylor, recognizing the trap, tried to protest, Father, I wouldn’t.

The blue dragon leapt down into the courtyard. You entered a contract you didn’t intend to keep? He asked fiercely. I don’t know which is worse.

Keylor, the smaller green dragon sitting above them said reproachfully.

Keylor writhed, and Bastian was not a big enough dragon not to feel smug about his discomfort.

Do you disinherit this dragon? Saina asked pointedly.

Both of his parents turned from Keylor and gave Saina their full attention. To her credit, she didn’t so much as squirm.

Who are you? his mother asked, not gently.

I am Saina. Do you disinherit this dragon? she repeated.

Bastian’s father glanced in disgust at Keylor, who was still belly down in the courtyard trying to formulate a defense. Yes, he said reluctantly, clearly angry and betrayed.

Father, no! Keylor protested. It was not such an offense.

Saina ignored him. Then his hoard is forfeit to you and I will treat with you in his stead. I seek the release of my Voice.

You will offer us this vile contraband in trade, and come here with lies expecting us to treat with you? his father protested with a snort of flame.

Neither, said Saina. I have been entirely truthful. I told him I had my own song and asked what use she would be. I told him I had a better offer. He drew his own conclusions.

You can’t do this, Keylor snarled.

Then what do you offer? Bastian’s father ignored Keylor.

The truth, Saina said. I gave you the truth about your son.

Bastian met his mother’s luminous eyes briefly. Her glance slid away quickly.

Keylor, as furious at being ignored as he was at this unexpected turn of events, gathered himself and just as Bastian was going to risk interrupting the negotiation in warning, he leapt - not for the suitcase drenched in goldshot, but for Saina, claws outstretched.