I perched in a tree, looking down idly at the six teenagers who were gathered underneath me. Two girl and four boys, I observed. Suddenly, one boy announced, "Guys, we have to try out some new morphs."

I perked up. Now, here was something I knew about. Shaking out my feathers, I took off and swooped down in front of them. They ignored me. I peered at one, a disturbingly pretty boy withan infectious smile. Therewas something strange about him...

Another boy shot the first one a look and said with a frown, "Marco, hush. WHo knows who might be listening? For all we know, that little sparrow there might be a spy."

Marco scoffed. "It's harmless, Jake. Who would be stupid enough to morph something so obvious?"

I had had enough. I demorphed and said flatly, "I would."

Jake stiffened. "Who are you?"

I smiled at him and held out my hand. "Anna. Pleased to meet you. The Yeerks have no idea that I exist."

Marco was still speechless, but a blond girl smiled at me and said cautiously, "I'm Rachel." She gestured toward the small, pretty African American girl beside her. "This is Cassie."

A boy piped up, "I am Ax." He pointed to a handsome blond boy and said conversationally, "This is Tobias, Ob-Ias. Bi-as."

I nodded to them and smirked at Marco. He was short, but taller than me, I observed with distaste. "Do you have anything to say for yourself, Marco?" I asked.

"So-rry!" he snapped.

"Asno," I muttered under my breath. "Burro. Idiota. Estupido."

He yelped in annoyance and shot to his feet. Jake clasped his forearm on one side and Tobias grabbed his other side. He struggled for a moment, but then he calmed down.

Jake turned to me. "Anna," he said slowly, deliberately, "We trust you. but mark my words, girl, if you do anything to break that trust, I'll kill you."

I met his gaze and said simply, "Yes."

Cassie slipped up behind Jake and asked softly, "Are there any others?"

I looked down and shook my head. "There were two others. One's dead and the other one became a nothlit."

Cassie stepped over and hugged me briefly. Tobias arched his back and stretched. "My time's almost up, guys."

I looked at him. "Are you a..."

Tobias smiled at me. "Yeah. I'm trapped. I can still morph, though," he added hastily, seeing my expression.

Ax said suddenly, "I think we should all adopt our regular forms."

Jake looked around and said reluctantly, "I guess you have to. Go ahead."

Tobias began changing into a sleek, beautiful bird. I watched in admiration for a moment, but then I glanced at Ax. I started. There, before me, stood an Andalite.

I gasped. "An Andalite!"

He looked at me and asked softly in thought-speak, Yes?

"Amazing!"

Jake looked troubled. "Haven't you ever seen one before?"

I nodded, gazing at Ax. "I lived among them for a while. It's just so spectacular."

Ax patted my head full of long black curls. Fascinating. The curves in this substance--

"Ax!" Cassie chuckled. "That's her hair."

I smiled. "Well, it certainly isn't a wig."

Ax looked closely at me. Can we take her to my home to explain more, Prince Jake?

Jake sighed. "Yes, you may."