“What’s his talent?” Emma asked. “I saw him logroll once, and he was pretty—”
“I don’t care what Logan thinks.” Nico tugged on his windbreaker with both hands, aiming a pointed look at Opal. “If you’re gonna hang out with him all the time, tell him we’re fishing in the state park. To the west.”
“I’m nothanging outwith him.” Opal squeezed her long black braid. “It’s a small town, Nico. You might be able to sneak away all the time with no one asking questions, but it’s harder for some of us.”
Nico’s chest caved.
Opal paled. “Nico, I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine.” He waved it away. “You’re right, I know.” Nico took a deep breath. “Maybe we should shut everything down for a bit. Take a day off. I bet Ty and Emma have been skating on thin ice with these trips, too.” He looked at his friends.
Tyler sighed. “My momisgetting annoyed. Coming up with excuses every day is tough.”
Emma’s shoulders drooped. “It’s been a little tricky not being around to help out at the store. Not that I care!”
“It’s settled, then.” Nico felt relief steal over him. “We’ll take a break and come up with a better plan for the Darkdeep.” Opal frowned, and Emma looked ready to protest, so Nico added quickly, “After which, we’ll keep testing it like we agreed.”
Emma nodded, mollified. She laced her fingers together and batted her eyelashes. “Can I go one last time today?Pleeeeease?”
Tyler huffed loudly, but Nico chuckled. “Whatever. Make a troop of spider monkeys. But then we head back.”
Emma squealed in delight, racing for the stairs. “Thanks, guys! I love being a Steward of the Midnight Pool!” She disappeared behind the wall.
Nico spun on Opal. “And nowyou’regoing to tell us how you keep getting out here all alone.” He crossed his arms. “No more secrets, Opal. We’re a team, right? So fess up. Do you have a jet pack or something?”
Opal laughed. “Nothing like that. But I do have something to show you.”
Nico had thought the island couldn’t surprise him anymore. He was wrong. The boys were peppering Opal with questions about her mystery tunnel when the houseboat lurched.
“What was that?” Opal asked.
Before anyone could answer, a shout carried in from outside.
“HELP!”
Nico felt his blood freeze.
It was Emma.
16
OPAL
They ran to the front porch.
Pulled up short, and stared.
A towering humanoid stood beside the pond, between Emma and the stepping-stones. The figment had shiny gray skin and impossibly long fingers. Opal spotted two extra eyes on the back of its head.
“Holy crap,” Tyler breathed. “She made a Visitor.”
“It’s her favorite invasion show.” Nico gripped his hair with both hands. “It only lasted twelve episodes, but Emma’s seen them a million times.”
Emma was trying to get around the figment, but it was between her and the stepping-stones, mirroring her every movement. “It won’t let me back to the boat!” Even across the pond, Opal could hear the frustration in Emma’s voice. “I don’t understand. It’s supposed tohelpme, like on the show!”
“Can we reach her?” Opal asked.
“Only one way to find out.” Gritting his teeth, Tyler startedout across the stones. Opal admired how he always pushed aside his fears when it came to Emma. They had an unshakable bond, just like with Nico.Would any of them come forme?
