QUOTE : He had just lifted a finger to his lips when a massive shape materialized from the darkness, glinting as it stepped into the sunlight.<br />Emeline gaped up at it.<br />A silver sharp-toothed snout emerged first, elegant nostrils sniffing the air. The snout alone was roughly the size of Emeline's hatchback. The rest of a head emerged, revealing filmy white eyes and gray tufts where ears should be.<br />Was this... Claw?<br />If so, he was definitely awake.<br />His massive paws were tufted too and tipped in sharp nails, reminding Emeline of a lion. But his wings were like that of a snowy owl, tucked primly against his sides. Feathers and scales rippled over his body, the color of silver coins.<br />A watchdog, Hawthorne had said.<br />More like a watch<i>dragon</i>.