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“You can fly. It seems a fair trade,” Paige shouted over her shoulder with a chuckle.
Her feet pounded the dirt, and she heaved the sword off the ground as her thighs pumped to push her faster. Dewey closed the gap between them as they reached the water’s edge.
They arrived at nearly the same time, skidding to a stop with grins on their faces.
“I won,” Paige shouted triumphantly.
“Like fun,” Dewey retorted. “It was a tie at best.”
Paige waved a hand in the air before bringing her thumb and forefinger close together. “No, no. I was ahead by a hair. But still–“
A splashing sound interrupted her words.
They both snapped their gazes to the water, their eyes going wide.
“Uh, Paige,” Dewey said. “I think we should…back up.”
Paige swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah. Definitely.”
She took a faltering step backward, her eyes trained on what emerged from the water. Water dripped from the hulking creature, which appeared to be a cross between the legendary Bigfoot and a merman.
Paige pressed her lips together to stop her jaw from trembling as a chill snaked up her spine.
What had they just awakened, and what would it do to them?
CHAPTER 18
The bulky beast continued its ascent from the water, swimming toward them. Concentric circles rippled around his bulging body, and a growl escaped from his lips.
Dewey lowered his voice, whispering to Paige, “Should we just go or–“
“Who disturbs my rest?” he bellowed.
“Too late,” Paige answered, shoving her glasses up on her nose. “Uh, hello, sir. My name is Paige Turner, and this is my partner, Dewey Decimael. We…disturb your rest.”
“Why?” the dripping creature growled as its thick paws curled into fists.
“U-uh,” Paige stammered, poking at her glasses again, “well, we’re looking for water from the Pool of Yearning for a friend. He is a little…green around the gills and needs it desperately. Which is why we disturb your rest.”
The beast narrowed his eyes at Paige, a grumble rising from its throat.
Paige swallowed hard and chewed her lower lip as she awaited his response. “Listen, we realize you guard the pool, and we don’t want any trouble. But we really need the water. So maybe we could discuss some sort of trade here? I’m open to suggestions.”
The creature continued staring at them without responding.
Dewey flung his hands out. “Look, Mr. Frightening Fairy, we really need–“
“What did you call me?”
Dewey winced. “Frightening Fairy.”
“Fairy of Fright,” Paige hissed at him.
“You fools,” the creature shouted.
“Sorry,” Dewey said, waving his hands in the air. “Sorry, Mr. Fairy of Fright, sir. We’re new here.”
The creature lowered his chin, his eyes boring into them. “This is not the Pool of Yearning. And I am not the Fairy of Fright.”
