“Wonderful,” Nico muttered. “I’ll be dressed like a radish when my eardrums rupture.”
Opal sniffed. “At least you don’t have to dance like one.”
The tunnel exit wasn’t far from the pond, but on the opposite side, near the northern tip of the island. They could usually see the houseboat from the ridgetop, but a heavy mist was rising off the water like steam from a coffee mug. Opal hugged herself for warmth. “Do you think the showroom has a fireplace?”
Nico shrugged, zipping his jacket all the way. “Maybe there’s an HVAC system. I’ll look for the thermostat next time I’m in the laundry room.”
Opal blinked at him, then barked a laugh. “Right. Check beside the vending machines.”
Nico grinned, pleased he’d made Opal smile. He felt terrible about blaming her for Logan showing up. He’d apologized while they waited for the robot ogre to disappear, but hadn’t been totally sure she’d accepted it.
They were a team now. Turning on each other was no longer an option. He’d forgotten that in the heat of the moment, but Nico didn’t think Opal would have done the same. He vowed to never make that mistake again.
“What’s so funny?” Tyler asked.
Opal glanced at Nico, still giggling, then waved the question away. “We’re just trying to figure out the houseboat’s Wi-Fi password.”
Tyler’s brow furrowed. “Darkdeep1234. Duh.”
He laughed, and the others joined in. The group cracked up for a few moments, outside in the windy gloom.Whatever else, we’ve got each other, Nico thought. A small thing, but a big one, too.
Then a howl cut through the fog, killing the vibe.
Nico tensed like a hunted animal. “What’s that?”
“Dunno,” Tyler whispered, eyes roving. “Wolf?”
Opal shook her head. “If a wolf pack was living on the island, we’d know. They’d have introduced themselves by now.”
“I think it came from downwind.” Nico pointed in the direction of the pond, which was where they wanted to go. A second bloodcurdling wail echoed over the ridge.
“Okay, new plan.” Tyler began backing toward the tunnel. “We run away and don’t die.”
Nico was about to agree when two scarlet circles appeared in the mist, freezing his blood and pinning his sneakers to the ground. “Uh-oh,” Opal whispered, extending a shaky finger.
“Eyes,” Emma whimpered. “Those are very unfriendly lookingeyes.”
The orbs regarded them silently for a moment, then floated closer. A gust swept the ridge, parting the fog to reveal afour-legged creature shaped like a rhinoceros but covered in spiky red fur. Two wicked horns protruded from its head.
Nico swallowed. “That’s a figment. Who called it up?” When no one spoke, he shot an exasperated glance at the others. “We’re through pointing fingers, but we need to know what this thing can do. Fess up, whoever made it.”
The creature stamped a massive foot. Steam poured from its nostrils.
Still no one answered. Nico was about to repeat his question when the beast growled, swaying its head from side to side. “That’s not good,” Tyler whispered. “I watch a lot of Animal Planet. I think it’s abo—”
The creature charged, closing the gap in an instant. Nico dove sideways and it pounded past him, horns thrust forward like deadly spikes. It skidded into the gully.
Nico scrambled back up, frantically searching for his friends. Opal had disappeared. Tyler and Emma were sprinting toward the pond. The creature was awkwardly turning around. Its roar shook the island.
Nico took off after Tyler and Emma.
He caught them on the field by the water. Glanced back. The enraged rhino had picked its way downslope and was thundering in pursuit. Nico realized they’d never reach the entry stones before it caught up.
“Into the woods!” he shouted. The trio hooked into the forest and raced for cover. The figment stampeded after them,snapping branches and ripping bushes apart as it battered a path through the trees. “Keep going!” Nico yelled. “That thing’s a tank—it’ll get stuck!” But from the sounds of destruction behind them, the trees weren’t slowing it much.
“Where’s Opal?” Emma yelled.
“I don’t know! She must’ve gotten away. It’s only after us!”
