The rest of us drifted after my sister as a dark smudge grew on the horizon. Its size made it look like land at first—it was easy to understand Zara’s mistake—but as we drew closer and the sun pulled higher, I began to see the glare of light against metal, and that what might have been hills was actually the decks of an enormous ship.

“Welcome to the skimmer den.” Nine looked up as we approached the massive ten-masted vessel, deep black metal with gold detailing along the hull. All the sails were furled and its two anchors dropped.

I gathered LaLa into my arms, while Ilina took Crystal. Both of the dragons wore their hunting gear now, and we kept our grips tight as the new ship loomed over us.

Nine was still talking. “The proper name for this class is skimmer carrier, but it’s practically a rabbit warren inside. Quarters, mess halls, infirmaries. Even a library. One den can carry fifteen skimmers. More if you don’t want other cargo, but for long missions like these, people like to eat.”

The skimmer had felt small to begin with, and as we sailed toward the den, it seemed like the larger ship might stomp on us and drown us in the watery depths. It blocked the whole horizon as we drew alongside it, and—to everyone’s horror—it began to break open with a terrible screech and rush of water.

LaLa shrieked and flapped her wings, but I held her tight against my chest and wrapped an arm around her body. Her head swung up at me, and she chittered worriedly.

“Seven gods!” Zara clapped her hands to her chest and backed away from the carrier. “Turn around, Nine! It’ll sink and take us with it!”

Nine just smirked, not worried at all as a huge sheet of metal lowered into the water. Lowered, though. Not fell.

It was a door.

A panicked laugh escaped me as the skimmer entered, and the door began to close behind us.

At first, the area seemed dark after the midday sun, but as my eyes began to adjust to the flickering light of the sigils, I took in our new surroundings.

We were in a chamber big enough to hold three skimmers—there were three wooden docks just the perfect size. Men and women bustled about, their voices and footfalls echoing on the platforms that loomed above and around us.

LaLa’s chirrup echoed through the room, drawing curious looks. I gripped her jesses tighter and curled my shoulders around her. “Stay with me, little lizard. I’ll protect you.”

I hoped.

“Our engineers limited these spaces to only a few skimmers,” Nine said, “in case the section is breached. The bulkheads between will prevent water from flooding into other compartments. Go get your things, and then we’ll find your quarters.”

“I don’t want to be impressed,” Ilina said as we grabbed our belongings from the lower deck, “but this is incredible.”

“How long do you think it’s been out here?” Hristo asked.