Together they heaved the Water Dragon off the road. Bridget led the way, hooking her thick arms around its equally thick neck, shuffling to the ice cream van and lifting it into the back. Displaced water poured from the double-wide freezer. The others followed to try and tuck its wide tail fin inside.

The dragon was far too large for the container. Its tail trailed out of the back door and its head was pushed against the windscreen. Only its middle sagged into the water. When it met Alex’s eye it looked distinctly unimpressed. A huffed breath fogged the front glass.

Alex reached forwards to lay a hand on its rough nose. The Water Dragon lifted its head as if to nuzzle at the touch. The connection between them flexed and green light smouldered in its scales.

“We need to hit the road,” said Grandpa, clambering into the driver’s seat. “If we found you, Callis won’t be far behind.”

They crammed themselves around the dragon. Alex couldn’t help but laugh. They had actually done it! It may not have gone exactly to plan, but nevertheless they had rescued the Water Dragon. All they had to do was return it to the ocean and they had won. When he caught Zoey’s eye she grinned broadly back at him.

Grandpa drove gently down the hill towards the seafront. A discarded paper cup rolled against Alex’s foot. He picked it up and used it to pour water over the dragon’s head and tail. Wind rushed through the van from the open back doors.

“I’ll get as close to the water as I can manage,” said Grandpa.

“Then we lift it straight into the bay,” added Bridget, giving Alex a meaningful look. “No delays.”

Alex nodded. Although it had only been a few days, he would miss the Water Dragon. He trailed his fingers in the water and allowed himself to relish the tingle of energy that seemed to flow between them.

The van glided past Mr Wu’s boatyard to reach the harbour. Grandpa manoeuvred to reverse along the widest jetty, wheels skidding on the slippery seaweed that covered its planks.

The sea appeared as a flat, black sheet. The high sides of the smaller boats and pleasure crafts moored along the jetties by the auction guests blocked their view of the town. Whenever the lighthouse beam swept around, it pushed sharp shafts of light through the gaps between them.

Open, the back doors faced the water. Everybody gathered around the dragon to take their share of its weight. Before they could begin to lift, Alex spotted movement in the shadows between boats.

“We don’t have all day!” said Bridget.

Alex strained his eyes against the darkness of the bay. “Something isn’t right.”

The grumble of an engine rolled across the water. The inky night made it impossible to pinpoint where it came from. Zoey appeared at his shoulder.

“What the heck is it?” she asked.

Alex lowered himself to lie flat on the damp boards of the jetty and stretched an arm over the side. He could reach just far enough to trail his fingertips in the water. He squeezed his eyes shut and listened to what the bay could tell him.

Multiple shadows moving across the water. Lights hidden.

Boats.

Brought into the bay from behind the lighthouse to lie in wait.

Alex pulled his hand away and shot to his feet. “It’s a trap! They’re waiting for us to release the Water Dragon so they can capture it for themselves!”

All at once the bay seemed to catch fire. Lights flared up across the water, one by one, revealing a fleet surrounding the boatyard. Every boat they had seen hiding behind the lighthouse. A spotlight fixed on the van, its glare forcing them to shield their eyes.

“We have to go!” shouted Alex.

Grandpa revved the engine to life. Their headlights lit up the jetty. People emerged from the shadows to cut off their escape. The last to step into the light was the hulking figure of Raze Callis, harpoon gun resting against his shoulder, a triumphant smile breaking across his face.