Island of Dragons (Unwanteds #7)(88)

As the ship grew smaller, Alex watched with giddy satisfaction. He wasn’t worried about her jumping overboard. She couldn’t swim. She’d ride that ship all the way down into the volcano, and then be covered by tons and tons of water. “Good-bye, Queen Eagala,” he said, holding his lifeless arm closer to him, trying to ignore the increasing pain in his shoulder. “Not gonna miss you.”

After a moment the giant squid surfaced next to Spike.

Spike spoke to it in a strange language, and then the squid disappeared.

“What was that about?” asked Alex. “And how did you get the ship to rock so much? Did you do that all by yourself?”

“No,” said Spike. “I called to the squid underwater so nobody would hear, and she came to help me.”

“That was so smart of you,” Alex said. He grimaced with pain, and readjusted his body to take the pressure off his arm. “And did you know I didn’t really want you to go get the Warbler people?”

“Oh yes,” said Spike. “I am intuitive. And you have taught me your different voices. The voice you used was not your voice of truth.”

Alex smiled and shook his head, amazed by the creature he’d created. “And where did the squid go now?”

“He is giving Queen Eagala a little push to help her along and to make sure she arrives at her destination. The squid knows all about the workings of the volcano after being trapped in the aquarium for so long.”

Alex marveled once more. “Thank you, Spike. You never stop amazing me.”

“You are welcome, the Alex. I am just doing the job you gave me.”

“Well, I have one more job for you,” said Alex wearily.

“Taking you home,” said Spike.

Alex’s voice grew faint. “Yes, please.”





So Much to Do


When Spike dropped Alex off in Artimé, the mage gathered up his strength and stumbled ashore. He stopped and looked at the island. It was a disaster. The mansion was in ruins. The lawn was a mess with very little grass left, and all of Henry’s greenhouse plants were destroyed. The fountain was dismantled and water sprayed everywhere. And Issie the sea monster roamed the land, calling out in her strange, forlorn voice.

Pan floated in the water next to the Island of Legends with her children, all coiled up, teaching them to use their tails to fish as dusk gathered around them. Alex lifted his good hand to the great dragon in thanks for her help. The dragons had saved them.

Pan nodded and looked at Issie. “She continues to look for her child,” she said.

“Yes,” said Alex. “She sounds terribly sad.”

“Perhaps one day someone will find her.”

“I hope so,” said Alex.

“May we stay here for a while?” asked Pan. “I’d like the children to practice their fishing and flying and get to know the people of Artimé and Karkinos as friends, so they don’t forget you.”

“Of course! But won’t we always be friends?” asked Alex.

Pan frowned and didn’t answer.

“Sorry,” said Alex. He cringed and shifted his arm. “We’ll be grateful for the peace of mind your added protection will bring us. Stay as long as you like if you feel the waters are safe.”

Pan glanced at Issie again. “My children will be moving on soon,” she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

Alex had no idea what that meant—moving on. But he knew better than to ask. He began feeling faint from the pain. “You’re welcome here anytime,” Alex said. “If you get lonely . . . or whatever. Maybe we can convince Karkinos to stay nearby so you can check on Talon and the sea creatures more easily. And,” he added, “don’t forget my promise about making new wings for your children when they grow too large for these.”

Pan bowed her regal head. “Thank you. I will not forget.” She turned back to her children as Arabis caught a fish. She looked at it in surprise, then joyfully gulped it down. Pan stroked the young dragon’s back with the tip of her tail.

Alex braced himself against the mansion’s doorway as a wave of pain washed through him, and then he walked heavily inside, where those who could move about were rapidly cleaning and repairing. He could hear Florence and Simber up in the not secret hallway, having an argument about how to fix Alex’s wall.

Sky saw Alex on her way out of the hospital ward and hobbled over. “Your clothes are soaking wet. Did you go for a swim?” she asked.

Alex looked at her and laughed weakly. “Yeah. Something like that.” He didn’t want to talk about Eagala right now. He didn’t want to talk about anything. He slipped his good arm around Sky and kissed her full on the mouth. And then he pulled back and stroked her dirty cheek, and looked into her bloodshot orange eyes, and pulled a twig out of her hair and threw it outside through the broken window. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered. “I love you.”

Sky frowned at his swollen bottom lip. “You’d better have that cut looked at. And this slash on your shoulder—you’re bleeding pretty badly, and your arm is swelling up like a balloon. It looks serious.”

Alex sighed. “I know.” He started toward the hospital ward.

“Hey,” Sky said, grabbing his wrist.

Alex winced and turned, his eyesight dimming. “Yeah?” he asked. Sky’s face swam in front of him.