Chapter 16
Early on Saturday, Esme and Lillian caught a ferry to the dragons’ den on Esperance’s eastern edge. As the lagoon—and the open-roofed den—came into sight, Esme caught a whiff of acrid smoke.
Inside, the circular structure resembled an ancient coliseum—or perhaps some dark, distant chamber of the underworld. A dozen Scions lazed around an arena that stank of sulphur, its blackened floor littered with charred debris. Spirals of smoke and dust wound through the dragons’ home, and the dawn sky lent a glint of red to the creatures’ gold, as if the fires of Hades were licking at their scales.
‘You’re right on time,’ said Argent, striding toward Esme and Lillian. ‘Daniel’s almost finished strapping on the passenger rigs.’ She put her scarred hand on Esme’s shoulder. ‘The moment Dani
