Raging Sea (Undertow, #2)

Kita meets us on the beach, flanked by a dozen soldiers trying to get his attention. He’s shouting at someone on the phone, demanding more artillery.

He hangs up and turns to face us. “The Rusalka moved closer to shore last night, as did the Undine. They’re trying to give us a one-two punch, hurt us with the angler people, then kill us with the squids. We have to act now if we’re going to have any chance at all,” Kita says. “The plan is to take out the first punch and deal with the second when it arrives. We’re going to do it by putting the squeeze on the Rusalka, dropping you and your team in the ocean behind them. You’re going to drive them forward to the shore, where the rest of your team and my soldiers will take them apart. You attack from your end, and we’ll attack from ours. It’s a classic vise move.”

“We’re going into the water?” Tess asks.

“You can do this, kid,” he says confidently, then turns to me. “You need strong swimmers and good fighters, and do any of you have experience with concussion bombs?”

I almost laugh at his question until I notice that all the children raise their hands.

“Good. You’re leaving in five minutes!”

I look out over all the faces and feel dread creeping up my throat. I try to remember what Fathom said to me. These kids are our only hope, but all I can see is how young they look.

Riley steps forward as if he’s able to hear my uncertainty.

“Tess and Emma, Harrison, Finn, Jonas, Georgia, Eric, Ryan—”

“I am going,” Arcade interrupts.

“That make sense to you?” Riley asks me.

I nod, though I’m not even sure what just happened.

“Yes, that’s fine,” I stammer.

“Good! When we get into the water, we need to focus on the Rusalka who are wearing Oracles. If we can stop them first, the rest will be easier to beat,” Riley says. “You are going to have to kill them. Can you do that?”

Everyone nods.

“Good, because if you don’t, they will kill you. Arcade, will you lead the attack?”

She nods like the answer is obvious.

“Keep an eye on yourselves and the rest of the team. Remember, we stick together,” he says.

“Lyric, get your team into the helicopter!” Jackson shouts to us.

“I need you here with the other team,” I tell Riley.

He shakes his head emphatically. “Finn will stay and direct everyone.”

He gestures for the kids to board the chopper. I watch them trudge through the sand, eager to join the fray.

My mother and father look on, with Bex at their side.

“Jackson is having us taken to a safer spot,” my dad says.

Riley is still hovering. “Give me your gun,” I say.

He takes it out of his pocket and hands it to me. I put it in my father’s hand.

“Make sure you get there,” I say to him.

He nods and slips the weapon into his jacket.

“Don’t die,” Bex demands. “’Cause there’s going to be a lot of cats at our place, and I can’t take care of them all.”

I press my forehead to hers. “I’ll come back. I won’t abandon you, again. I love you, Bex. We’re sisters now.”

She pulls back and stares at me for a long moment as if locking what I’ve said into some sort of puzzle, one she’s never been able to solve until just now.

“Sisters,” she says in agreement.

I give my parents hugs and promise to be safe. Jackson shouts for me to board again. This time he’s angry.

“I’ve gotta go,” I say apologetically, and I turn and run to the helicopter.

Chloe runs to the helicopter as I step inside and find a seat.

“I don’t want to be separated,” she says.

“I’m giving you a very special job, Chloe. I need you to look after my family,” I say, pointing to where they stand. “You need to make sure the soldiers get them to safety, and I want you to go with them.”

Bex rushes forward and takes the girl’s hand.

“We’ll stick together,” Bex says.

“I’ll come back, Chloe. I promise.”

Jackson closes the door, and I wave to everyone. The pilot flips switches and pulls back on the throttle. A moment later we rise into the air, and I watch everyone grow smaller. Chloe’s sad face shrinks into the scenery.

Jackson sits in the front with the pilot and shouts information about our mission into the speakers in our helmets.

“Each one of you is going to detonate a concussion bomb when you reach the drop zone,” he says.

“Heads-up: I sort of skipped concussion bombs in public school,” I confess.

“I’ll show you,” Riley offers.

“They’re simple. Don’t worry,” Jackson assures me. “They don’t do much more than make a lot of noise, but try not to get too close, because they will rattle your brain. Loud noises spook them so it should send the Rusalka swimming for the beach. They told me you can breathe underwater?”

I nod.

“Can you talk?”

I shake my head.