Extrait

My breath catches as the chopper lowers. Dozens, no wait, hundreds of dark shadows skim the surface. I yank on Toraf’s sleeve and nod toward the water.

Eyes wide, he taps Dan’s shoulder. “We need to go a little farther out, please.”

“No can do. I told you, we need all of our fuel to get back.”

Slowly, I unstrap the belt. “Just a little lower please? I think I see some fish down there.”

“No prob.”

I’ve never skydived, bungee-jumped, or parasailed. As I remove the headset, I try to calculate the fall and can’t. Maybe my brain is protecting me from myself and what I’m about to do. I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but I’ve heard hitting the water from such-and-such height feels like hitting concrete at such-and-such miles per hour. In other words, it’s a bone-shattering experience. I seriously doubt those calculations are based on the Syrena bone structure though. In fact, I’m counting on it.

“No lower, okay?” Dan says, looking out his window to the water below. “Oh, you see sharks! Wow, it looks like a feeding frenzy down there. Hey, don’t touch that!”

I grip the handle harder, but the door won’t budge. Leaning back, I get in the mule-kick position.

“Emma, don’t!” Toraf yells. “Those are sharks, Emma!”

I take a deep breath. “Wait until I have them under control before you jump.” A joint effort from two half-Syrena legs sends the door flying to a watery grave.

“They want proof?” I grumble to myself as I lean into the wind, “I’ll show them proof.” Right before I hit the water, I can still hear Toraf screaming.