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Chapter Eight
Coop
After miles of nothing but clouds and water below us, there in the distance was green, lush earth—an emerald jewel set in a sapphire sea. The mountain island rose up high in a crest and curled around itself like a sleeping dragon, the jagged-toothed snout and spearing tip of the creature’s tail almost touching. Nestled in the center of the nearly circular isle, the pale turquoise water was clear enough to see through to the sandy ocean floor. The narrow inlet gap where the land almost connected was called the Cut.
The plane’s initial pass took us high above Marakata, and Aziza, before gliding over a darker stretch of water. Among the mottled light blue patches of sea, black outcroppings punctured the surface.
“Coral reef nearly surrounds the island. Few early explorers ever survived getting close enough to see land. For much of its life, the cay existed only as a myth amongst pirates,” I explained to Thea and Leo. Nik was still passed out, as was his habit while flying.
The plane banked in a slow arc while I pointed out remnant bones of wrecked ships. Some were just scraps below the surface, others looked like animal carcasses picked clean and left to bleach in the sun. They stood as omens to others. A warning of what would befall you if you came too close.
Or maybe they were proof that what lay ahead was worth dying for.
Even in modern times, the remote island continued to perpetuate mysterious legends. This time as OZ’s private Eden.
But even Eden had a snake.
Hate snakes…
Thea’s eyes homed in on a small aircraft nose-down just below the surface.
“That one was from an electrical storm a few years back,” I explained. “Given today’s weather, we’re safe out here over the water. It’s when the plane goes through the Cut that our chances of wrecking are highest. This is the largest airplane able to fit through and still stop on the runway. With this crosswind, the pilot has to be perfect or…” Instead of finishing the thought, I twisted my lips in an ominous grimace.
“I knew this was a bad idea.” Leo tunneled his fingers through his dark hair. “Freaking Bermuda Triangle.”
“None of the wrecks have anything to do with superstitious bullshit. It’s science, bro. Physics. Weather and currents, hidden coral reefs. Tangible things.”
“Whatever the reason, it’s freaking dangerous out here.”
“Well, I can’t argue that.” I went on to explain how, in order for the pilot to make a final approach to the short landing strip, the plane would basically need to belly surf across the water’s surface as it edged through the narrow gap between the stony dragon’s nose and tail.
On cue, the plane dropped low, too fast for my stomach to follow suit. Titan scrambled to stand and balance in the aisle. I reached out and wrapped my arm around him, bracing his chest in my palm and hugging him to the side of my seat.
As both wings skimmed within a hair’s breadth of the narrow rock opening, Leo slammed his eyes shut and Thea drew her arms in tight. I chuckled at them both as Nik stirred, still peacefully asleep.
We popped through, coasting safely over the pale lagoon. My eyes sliced sharp and keen along the sandy crescent beach, honing immediately in on the gorgeous, dark-haired woman astride an equally breathtaking horse.
Aziza.
As the runway approached, the plane’s jets first kicked out waves then sand, blurring my view of the exotic horse and its equally captivating rider in a cloud of white. Aziza managed to keep her seat as the powerful animal spun and skittered in a sidestepping canter.
With a bounce and bark of the tires, the plane touched down. We were immediately pitched forward with enough force to cause our seatbelts to dig in and Titan’s body to press heavily into my palm as the pilot fully engaged all the various braking systems.
The beach no longer in view, I turned my attention back to the cabin. As the aircraft lurched nearer to the abrupt end of the runway, Thea’s eyes widened. She dug her nails into the armrests while thrusting her heels into the floor. As if she could help bring the powerful machine to a stop. Marring the wall of rock’s surface were several colorful smears and scars—evidence of the variety of planes that hadn’t stopped in time.
But the aircraft never stopped. Instead it swerved hard, cornering like a very awkward race car.
Leo braced for the wing outside his window to crash into the solid barrier. We all watched as it sliced cleanly through the air instead.
“It’s okay, Tiggs, this is normal,” Nik murmured sleepily to Thea as he blinked, awakening.
Leo gritted out on an exhale, “Nothing about this place is normal!”
You got that right, brother.
Having thwarted death, Leo and Thea both slumped back in their seats, relieved. I let go of Titan and adjusted my suit as if this were just another day at the office. Then I nudge-kicked Nik in the shin. “Time to go to work, Sleeping Beauty.”
Leo shook his head. “We almost died and you slept right through it!”
