‘Where did it come from? It just dropped from the sky.’ Tia thought she knew but she had more important things to deal with. ‘I’ll tell you later, Mama,’ she said hurriedly, fastening the chain round her neck. ‘First, please heal Finn. He’s my DragonBrother.’ Ondine gave Tia’s hand a gentle squeeze. ‘Of course.’ This time Ondine didn’t stop until Finn was fully restored, his skin back to its healthy coppery sheen. Ondine opened her eyes and Finn promptly disappeared. ‘Where is he?’ Ondine said, bewildered. Tia was surprised her mother couldn’t see the little dragon, since Ondine was such a powerful witch. ‘He’s still there,’ Tia said. ‘He’s disguised himself so the spell can’t see him and hurt him again.’ She glared at Finn. ‘He didn’t realise that your spell was especially powerful.’ Ondine glanced up at the shadowy snake still slithering around the hilltops. ‘The attack on Finn weakened it. If he’s careful, he’ll be quite safe.’ She sat on the grass and patted a place next to her.
