Moonfin (34 page)

In case you were wondering
…

The seagull continued to watch the water's edge very closely.

Tilting his head, he opened a wide eye onto Lizzy.

Blink
!

A
snap-click
was heard, but just slightly, like the lens of a camera. He stretched out his wings and shot up into the sky, soaring straight into the inky void to one place.

A specific place.

Otter Island was a blue silhouette against a black velvety night. The white speck soared into the crags and tunnels until he found his mark. Landing on the metal plate, the seagull rolled his feet, heel to webbed talon, into the grooved impression. He went still, eyes stark, as images of four beings amidst the shallow waves downloaded into the computer's hard drive.

Dr. Krell adjusted his glasses onto the pictures flickering across the screen.

“Good job, Chipps!” he said to the frozen seagull. “You'll get your own bag of nacho cheese puffs for this!”

 

 

 

 

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO …

 

HAYES ROBERTS, whose whimsical and wonderful cover illustration continually inspired me throughout this project. You can see more of his work at
www.bluebison.net

JENNIFER, my good friend who took the time to read and encourage. In the beginning, that really kept me going.

THE MANVILLE TEAM, for their insights and design expertise; and Laurie, for constantly being there, and for being a great editor and sounding board for all my crazy ideas.

TOM, JACKIE, DYLAN, and LUKE—I'm grateful for all the delightful conversations, honesty, and especially for the little blue octopus that will always sit on my mantle. Tom, for being a grammar guru!

ELSA, for being so brilliantly detailed and teaching me the joys of proper tense (which I hope one day I will master!).

BETA READERS, for braving the first draft release and making comments—I am eternally in your debt. Thank you so much! R.R.E.T. members, you are the best—you know who you are.

NAJLA, for being amazingly talented and working magic on my images, saving me many times over.

POLGARUS STUDIOS, who did a wonderful job formatting this e-book!

GARY, my husband and best friend, whose constant love and support means the world to me.