To their right, the air above Skagit Sound was cloudy but normal. Gentle waves lapped a beach far below the bluffs. But dead ahead, Still Cove was living up to its name—it was roofed cliff to cliff by a thick carpet of fog, like it occupied a separate ecosystem.
Emma shivered. “Do you really think the Beast lives down there?”
“Don’t talk about it,” Tyler squawked, his good humor evaporating. “I’m trying not to think about how dumb we are for coming this close. It’s like ringing a dinner bell.”
Nico snorted. “Dude, come on. There’s no such thing as a sea monster.”
“That’s what people who get eaten by sea monsters say.” Tyler slapped down his shades. “Y’all heard what happened toThe Merry Trawler, right? My sister said that boat drifted into the marina with bite marksa yard wide.”
Tyler’s dad was the town harbormaster. His mom was the head of the Lighthouse Preservation Society, and his older sister, Gabrielle, worked on fishing charters during the summer. Overall, the Watsons knew more about the Sound than any other family in Timbers, but Tyler hated the ocean.
“Your sister knows you’ll believe anything she says,” Nico teased, but he couldn’t help peeking at the mist.You really can’t see through it.“Let’s get the quad airborne again,” he said, shaking off a chill. “I want to try some inversions, maybe test its range.”
“Stop using words you don’t understand,” Tyler sniped, and they both laughed.
An owl fluttered up over the cliff, landing with a screech and staring death at the drone. Emma clasped her hands together as the bird ruffled its feathers. “Oh, he’smad. Is that one of the owls all the fuss is about?”
Nico’s grin died. He kicked a pebble. “I dunno. Maybe.”
Emma winced. “Sorry, Nico. I forgot.”
A year ago, Nico’s father had filed a complaint alleging that logging activities of the Nantes Timber Company—the town’s biggest employer—were threatening the nestinggrounds for a species of endangered spotted owls. The court agreed and declared thousands of acres off-limits. The company’s owner, Sylvain Nantes, had chosen to lay off dozens of workers as a result.
The firings hurt the entire town. Nico and his dad now got dirty looks everywhere they went. Warren Holland was impervious to the negativity, believing firmly in his job with the park service. Nico, however, felt every single glare.
“Well, I think they’re beautiful,” Emma said as the owl flew away. “Theyshouldbe protected.” Nico nodded but remained silent.
“Let’s see how the drone is holding up,” Tyler said to change the subject. They were inspecting its undercarriage when a new sound broke the silence—a rumbling purr Nico felt deep in his stomach. He thought he recognized the noise, and it wasn’t good news. A beat later, two blurs crested the rise across the field.
Four-wheelers. Shiny chrome ones. Nico’s heart sank into his shoes.
Only a few kids in Timbers had their own ATVs.
The taller driver straightened in his seat and pointed. Engines roared as the four-wheelers raced directly toward Nico and his friends. They began circling, the drivers laughing and gesturing as they rolled to a halt. The tall one removed his helmet, revealing a sweaty tangle of glossy black hair. Dark eyes regarded them.
Logan Nantes. Nico ran a hand over his face.
“Look at this!” Logan called out. “The weirdos have a model airplane.”
Carson Brandt laughed, removing a helmet painted like a skull. He vaulted off the other ATV, farm-boy freckles crinkling on his sunburned nose. Parker Masterson dismounted behind him, flashing a cruel sneer.
“It’s not aplane.” Tyler took off his sunglasses, his eyes somehow narrowing and growing sullen at the same time. “It’s a Phantom 3 quadcopter. Adrone, man. We built it.”
“Nobody cares,” Carson fired back. Tyler’s head dropped.
Nico swallowed, scanning the newcomers for a friendly face. He found none.
Although, to be fair, Opal Walsh didn’t look like she wanted to be there. She dismounted behind Logan and crossed her arms, her long black braid draping over one shoulder. Opal wore the expression of someone being forced to watch a show they didn’t like.
Their eyes met, and something moved behind Opal’s. A flicker of … unease? Sympathy? Embarrassment? It vanished as quickly as it came. She glanced away, making it clear Nico shouldn’t expect any help from her.
I shared my pudding cups with you in kindergarten, you dumb jerk.But Nico didn’t have time to glare at his former friend. Logan was right in front of him.
“Hey, Mr. Animal Planet,” Logan said, drawing laughterfrom Carson and Parker. Opal scuffed her sneaker in the dirt. Nico wondered what she was doing out with those meatheads, but that was a question for later. He had to focus on the predator in front of him.
Don’t be a hero. In fact, grovel like a loser.
“Hey, Logan,” Nico said in a forced-casual voice. “What’s going on? Nice ride.”
