The first thing Gordon did when Virgil eventually let him go was to wrap his fur coat around the now shivering man. Scott blew on the fire to make it hotter and they all relaxed as the heat spread through the stones. Pretty soon Virgil drifted off, falling sideways to lean on Scott's shoulder.

John leant forward, poking the fire with a piece of driftwood before sitting back and fixing the selkie with a stare.

'So. You said you'd been watching us?'

Gordon shifted on the beach, flushing red at John's words. He picked up a protruding stick from the fire and started scratching through the shingle as he thought how to word what he wanted to say. He frowned, then sighed.

'I became aware of you when you fell into the water, that kind of ripple in the fabric of reality was clear for us – I mean us mythical creatures – to sense. And we all know about the Silver Dragon and his island.'

He bobbed his head in Scott's direction and Scott returned the gesture in recognition before continuing.

'The band of hunters pursuing the Gryphons made enough noise in the ocean for me to start tracking them. There were eight in a large boat, and I tried to catch up so that I could find ways to sink them before they could do damage. I had also hoped that I could influence the weather and tides to distract them, but I was too far away.'

Gordon turned to the slumbering Virgil, sorrow clear on his face.

'I am so sorry, Virgil. I tried, I really did.'

'I know. I'm grateful for all you did.'

The sleepy voice surprised them all, and Virgil pushed off Scott to sit upright. He yawned, a huge jaw-cracking yawn that had Scott wincing. The Gryphon turned to the dragon.

'Scott – it is Scott, isn't it?'

'Yep.'

'How did you turn me into a human?'

'I – um – don't know for sure. Both John and I can naturally turn human at will. I take it that you can't?'

'Never done it before. Don't know of any Gryphons who ever had.'

'Huh. I guess, when I healed you with my fire I must have somehow given you that power?'

'Well…thanks. I am appreciative of all your help. Do you – do you think that being human is permanent?'

'I don't know, but I can change at just a thought. Why don't you try?'

Virgil nodded. He stood up and moved slightly away from them, rolled his shoulders and closed his eyes. "Think Gryphon. Think Gryphon."

He opened his eyes and…still human.

The man sighed and collapsed onto the beach between Scott and John. Both men squeezed his shoulders.

'Give it time. You're still healing.'

Suddenly Scott stiffened. He wasn't the only one as the Selkie growled and spun on the spot, both facing the water. Changing into his Dragonself, Scott bound forward, standing between the water and his friends.

At first there was nothing, but the air began to solidify, turning into a grey mist. John stood in front of the Gryphon, skin glowing in preparation of shifting.

A laugh floated across the air as a face appeared in the smoke. Scott snapped at the air and the smoke shifted out of his way and kept swirling until a woman formed on the shingle before them.

The Djinn inclined her head to the Dragon.

'Peace be with you, Scott. My name is Tanusha and I am here to warn you that you are all in great danger.'