“What about the daggers?” Emma asked. “Any mention of them?”
“Not that I can make out,” Tyler grumbled. Opal shook her head.
“I don’t see anything about shutting it down, either,” Nico added glumly.
“This part is the worst.” Opal pointed to the bottom of the page. “Once engaged, the cycle grows stronger over time. The Deepness can escape if it isn’t Watched. The lastword is capitalized. I bet this is talking about Torchbearers. They must do something to contain the Darkdeep.”
Nico felt a cold sweat dampen his temples. “What happens if it escapes?”
“Nothing good.” Opal tapped the bottommost paragraph. “Above all else, one must never let the Deepness feed on fears. It will strengthen and hunger, becoming more powerful with each mind it touches.” Her voice broke as she stepped back from the last line. “Guys, we have to stop this thing before it reaches more people. Or else …”
Silence.
Logan finally broke it. “Or what?”
Opal stared at him with glistening eyes.
“It breaks free,” she whispered. “And can never be sealed again.”
30
OPAL
Opal led the group from the tunnel.
The island was deathly quiet, as though it were holding its breath. “Looks clear,” Nico whispered, scanning the gully. “Let’s hurry. I don’t want another fight if we can help it.”
Everyone carried a Torchbearer dagger. They were headed for the pool.
“Time to finish this,” Opal said. How? She didn’t know. But they had to face the Darkdeep and stop it.
She started up the ridge. At its crest, she paused. Opal couldn’t see the houseboat through the fog, but the pond was rippling oddly, as if deep waves moved under its surface.Just keep moving.
They climbed down to the field, sticking close together. But as they neared the water it heaved upward, surging in a powerful wave. A monstrous black head rose from the surface.
Logan froze, eyes popping. “What isthatthing?!”
“Figment! Run!” Nico pointed to the stepping-stones. “Get to the houseboat!”
Opal’s sneakers kicked up dirt as she ran. Emma was beside her, clutching her dagger. Logan, Nico, and Tyler fanned out as the group pounded across the grass.
“It’s the Beast!” Tyler shrieked, naked panic in his voice. “It’s real, I knew it!”
Opal’s stomach lurched. She risked a glance at the pond and wished she hadn’t.
Mouth and teeth and pain.
The creature was enormous, its maw filled with razor-sharp teeth. It had the sleek body of a sea serpent—a mountain of writhing indigo—but it clawed out of the water on thick muscular legs. Scales glimmered along the Beast’s entire length, and its eyes were black puddles of oil.
The creature’s wail shook the earth. Then itmoved,faster than a blink, tearing across the grass to plant itself in their path. Logan slid to a stop as the monster’s jaws snapped an inch from his head. He bolted back to where the others huddled in terror.
“Get out your weapons!” Emma yelled. “It’s our only chance!”
Tyler grabbed her by the arm. “Forget the stupid daggers, we have to go!The Beast is here. I knew it was real!” He was on the verge of a total meltdown.
Opal understood. His worst nightmare was stalking toward them, gnashing its teeth.
“Tyler, listen!” Opal said. “That’s a figment, not the Beast. It isn’t real!”
