Summary

In Chapter 31, Alex is cooking dinner and “Beatrice nearly dragoned. Right in front of me” (238). Alex holds onto her despite the heat coming from Beatrice's body. She begs Beatrice not to leave her. Alex tells Beatrice the story of two sisters. One heeded the call to become a dragon, and the one left behind died of a broken heart. Beatrice says Alex may have the story wrong. “What if it was staying a girl that made that sister die of sorrow” (240). When they argue about it, Alex announces it is time for bed. Despite it being very early, Beatrice quickly falls asleep. That evening, Marla takes a seat outside the apartment building and settles down to knit. Alex blames her for Beatrice almost becoming a dragon. Marla says it was always inside Beatrice, and that Alex has no hope of stopping the natural...