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1 " The dragon statue shivered and shook. Its brass scales stretched and separated. The clawed hand holding the pearl quivered and quavered until its leg extended and, still holding the pearl in its claw, plunged it through the iron bars. "
― Denna Holm , Den of Dragons
2 " Powerless to prevent the transformation once it had started, she could only stare in horror as the bars bent and twisted while the dragon grew. "
3 " Over and above the sounds of metal twisting and straining, and porcelain shattering, she heard the deep rumble from the shadows of her great-grandfather’s spirit protesting. "
4 " The dragon gleamed golden, as scale folded over scale. Even the pearl glinted gold. No matter the contortions that twisted the dragon in its metamorphosis from small statue to fierce creature, it had kept a fast grip on the pearl that bestowed wealth, good luck and prosperity. The pearl bestowed on the dragon the power to ascend to heaven. "
5 " Golden eyes homed in on Alexandra. She felt their hypnotic strength as they held her captive in the open doorway. "
6 " Could she lock the dragon inside the room? Could she break the dragon’s hold on her? She thought of her great-grandfather as she stepped backwards. One step more. Then another, her great-grandfather projecting strength towards her, until she had moved back far enough to push the thick muniment room door closed. "
7 " Step by hesitant step, Alexandra walked down the corridor until she stood outside the muniment door. "
8 " As a child, she had hated the room. Back then, Alexandra had known for a fact that ghostly, spectral monsters lurked in the corners ready to pounce on unsuspecting children. It took many years before she would enter the room again. Even the name …muniment room … held ethereal and haunted overtones. "
9 " She lit a hurricane lamp on the corridor table and carried it with her. The shadows and ghostly forms embraced her. Her great-grandfather’s shade rustled like the wings of a Victoria Rifle bird. It didn’t frighten her. The sound of satin petticoats swishing could hardly be threatening. "
10 " Edith had boiled the kettle and was pouring cups of tea into fine Wedgewood porcelain. "
11 " Value differs in people’s opinions,” Alexandra pointed out. "
12 " As Alexandra walked around the large room, her lamp peeled back the darkness, with golden pools of light bathing Ming vases and jade ornaments, Chippendale chairs and Tang Dynasty urns, all standing intact on shelves or on the floor. "
13 " With a trembling hand, Alexandra placed the key into the lock and opened the barred gate. "
14 " Alexandra’s thought swirled like butterflies in her head. "
15 " By the time she walked with a heavy step up the grand staircase, the first streaks of light teased at the glass panels of the door at the end of the gallery. "
16 " The grandfather clock in the main hall ticked the seconds away. "
17 " A flood of moonlight washed over her. In her mind’s eye, she could see the dragon soaring into the sky, its leg extended as it carried its golden pearl high. "
18 " She felt herself trembling, but weakness wouldn’t do here and now. "
19 " Now he cried out, a high whine like an animal caught in a trap. "
20 " For the moment, Wilhelmina enjoyed the feel of the wet sand on her skin. "
