Gabriel was too busy laughing to reply to either of them immediately, but Melissa looked thoughtful, as if she was seriously considering the idea. "I suppose that depends on whether we get royalties for finding dragon hoards or not," she said at last. "Maybe we can even find enough to earn an infestation of our own. It would certainly be a talking point at dinner parties."

The equally thoughtful expression on Skul's face made Gabe grin at him, and the Archangel was about to make a joke about straining himself when Valkyrie called the detective over.

Instead Gabriel turned back to Des and Melissa. "It's a thankless task," he said solemnly. "Wearin' unfashionable protective gear, having to come up with riddles, and just when you've lured one out they go off in a huff to chase sparrows, and break the secret door leadin' to their hoard behind 'em."