Logan’s eyebrows rose as he peered past Opal. She followed his gaze. In its jar atop the pedestal, the strange green thing was floating upright. Two dark spots had appeared. They looked like eyes.
“Gross.” Logan strode over and knocked on the glass. “You guys steal this from a bio lab?”
Opal stormed forward and grabbed his arm. “Don’t touch anything.”
Logan gave her an icy glare. “Hands off, Walsh.”
He’s using my last name now, too.
Opal tightened her grip. “You need to go. You don’t belong here.”
Logan flinched. “And you do?”
Emma and Tyler hurried around the pedestal, blocking Logan’s view of the back wall. But Tyler kept glancing over his shoulder. “Just stay … stay where you are!”
“Oh, wow.” Logan pulled free of Opal’s grasp. “Are youhidingsomething?” He pushed past Tyler and Emma. “Whaddya got? A hidden vault full of gold doubloons?”
He rapped a fist against the wall. The panel popped open, revealing the staircase.
Logan stepped back in surprise. “Oh, crap. I was kidding.”
“It’s just the hold.” Emma shrugged, feigning nonchalance.“Go ahead if you want, but I’m not coming with you.” She made a scurrying motion with her fingers. “Spiders.”
The ploy almost worked. Logan squinted into the darkness as if having second thoughts. Then he clicked his tongue. “Yeah, right.” His shoes rang on the stairs like warning chimes as he headed for the basement.
“Logan!” Opal raced after him, the others trailing behind. “Hey,seriously.It’s not safe down there!”
She took the steps two at a time, tripping on the last one and staggering into Logan, who stood at the Darkdeep’s edge. “What is this?” he whispered, ignoring the collision.
“Nothing,” Tyler said reflexively.
“A well,” Emma answered at the same time.
“Something that can hurt you.” Nico was the last to reach the bottom. “Trust me, Logan. That water is dangerous.”
“Right. Trustyou.” Logan began to circle the pool. “Why is it moving like that?”
Opal stood statue-still, not daring to answer.What if he touches the water?
“This is your fault,” Nico hissed at her.
“I didn’t invite him!” Opal’s hands were shaking. Logan stared into the Darkdeep with a predatory gleam.
Nico’s eyes blazed. “He followedyou.”
Emma looked away. Emotions warred on Tyler’s face, but he didn’t say anything.
Opal couldn’t breathe with the unfairness of it all. Theywere holding her responsible for Logan’s actions. Why wassheguilty for what he did?No. She answered for herself and no one else. “I amtiredof you doing this to me,” Opal spat through gritted teeth.
Nico flinched. His mouth opened.
“Doing what?” Logan had come full circle. “Are your friends being mean, Opal?” He’d said her first name this time, but that meant nothing. Not with that taunt in his voice. Not after he’d stalked her across Timbers and ruined everything.
“Get out of here, Logan,” Opal said.
“Not a chance.” He pointed at the churning water. “I want to know what this pool is, and why you’re being so weird about it.” His tone became mocking. “Will it turn me into Spider-Man or something?”
Nico raised a palm. “I promise you, that well is toxic. You need to stay away from it.”
