‘Thank you, Ren,’ Tarya told her, handing her daugh­ter to Vigo so she could greet Ren properly. ‘You spoke to Heral, didn’t you? You told him where to find me.’

Ren stretched her neck out, nostrils flaring. Prrt?

Joe watched them get acquainted. ‘And this is Winter, who saved my life, and Fidell, the other shadow dragon.’

Winter smiled now, no longer hiding behind her hair. ‘I’m glad you’re back with us, Your Grace.’

‘Thank you.’ Tarya opened her arms. ‘May I hug you?’

Joe found his eyes prickling as he watched his sister embrace his new friend.

‘I think you’ve got lots to tell us, Joe,’ Tarya said. ‘Come find me later? I need to feed Serina.’ And she headed back to Vigo and their child.

Joe searched the packed cavern again. The city’s healers were at work, tending to all who needed their help.

‘I can’t believe we all fit in,’ he said quietly to Winter. ‘It must be true: the tunnels were built for this.’

‘Built to save the city,’ she smiled, a sideways flickering grin. ‘Not just ours, after all.’

For a long moment they looked steadily at each other, as if they were the only people in the huge packed cavern that was their true home. 303

Joe grinned back. ‘Come on, let’s rest, while we can.’

Ren and Fidell sank down in a heap on the floor with their necks entwined. Following their example, Joe and Winter found a free section of cavern wall and settled themselves against it, next to their dragons. Winter tilted her head and let its weight fall on Joe’s shoulder. He stretched out his left arm so she could lean on it.

They stayed like that for a long time.

Joe realised later that his arrival had given people something to focus on. That was part of the reason for the welcome. After the flurry of interest died down, everyone resumed their waiting. Tense anticipation grew. Joe and Winter moved to sit near Milla and Thom, who told them in tired whispers about their journey to the lands around Mount Bara.

It was unbelievably hot. Silence fell. Baby Serina cried and was comforted.

Joe could see the sweat trickling down Thom’s face, as he sat leaning on his dragon. He wiped it away with his sleeve, and new drops formed in moments.

‘Are you sure we are safe in here?’ Joe asked quietly. Amina and Conor were nearby, with Maric and Ariel curled up together at their feet; Ren and Fidell did the same.

‘Yes,’ Milla murmured. ‘It’s happened before: that’s what the people who live near the volcano told us, when they shared their precious archive and their folk tales.’

‘Think about it, Joe: where is the main entrance to the tunnel?’ Thom propped himself up, speaking urgently now.

‘The western beach.’ Joe took out Nestan’s compass, 304waiting till the needle settled. He lifted it, so everyone could see.

‘And where will the wave be coming from?’

‘Mount Bara, in the east.’ He took a reading from the compass and pointed, then tucked the metal case away safely.