Dragons are creatures with nearly unlimited life spans. They can survive for long periods of time, and no one has found a dragon that has died of old age. Adolescence is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. Once they hit adolescence, hatchlings change quickly, maturing to their full forms in only 2 years.

Dragons don’t communicate with each other verbally, but they will growl to scare off predators and frighten prey. Young dragons will emit an extremely high-pitched squeal when they are frightened. To communicate, they use telepathy with each other and to speak to other creatures.

Black dragons are warriors. They are strong and capable in battles of force, but also ample magic users, capable of devastating opponents with their spells. Their bright eyes give them excellent night vision, which is why they generally hunt during the night.

Dionysus is the first-born clan son of Katasciazo and Elaphros, and bears the finest qualities of his parents. Trained under his mother, he leads a flight of his brothers and sisters in defending the Seraphin lands, and seems destined to greatness. A compact, exuberant dragon, Dionysus radiates confidence and charisma, and has been paired with an aspiring young female wingsergeant, Ranthlas. Together, they show signs of forming a formidable team.

The young black is bitterly opposed to his crazed son, Qlippoth, and has sworn, along with his mother, to track the mad black down before he takes any more lives. His mate, Eris, grieves at the father-son rivalry, but Dionysus is determined to avenge the death of his bonded partner, a young officer who showed real promise.