Grabbing my bag and sliding Fanindra up my arm, I trailed Kishan, Ren, and the white dragon through an icy door. We stepped into a huge room with no furnishings. Clear ice surrounded us on every side, and the dark ocean was lit outside the cube. Strange creatures of all kinds swam lazily all around us.
“I call this room the fishbowl,” announced the white dragon.
I snorted. “Only we’re the fish.”
I wandered closer to one wall, with Kishan following. A sausageshaped diaphanous sea cucumber moved along the glass, leaving a trail. Snails and starfish also clung to the translucent wall. I looked beyond the starfish and jumped back, seeing a hatchet fish, the size of a beanbag chair, with giant glowing eye lenses and a gaping mouth.
Other types of fish made me squirm. Gulper eels with huge heads and wide jaws big enough to swallow fish larger than themselves; angler fish with big teeth and a bobbing headlight; and lantern fish with a row of tiny strobe lights running along the bottom of their bodies swam by, ready to snap at our fingers. Viper fish with curved fangs so long the fish couldn’t close its mouth, albino lobsters and crabs, colorful jellyfish, and what Yínbáilóng called vampire squid also came in for a closer look.
A huge dark shape slid past the icy box and bellowed.
“What was that?” I asked, shaken. “Please tell me that wasn’t a giant shark.”
Yínbáilóng laughed. “It was a sperm whale. They’re the only large creatures that can make it to this depth. They like to stop by for a visit once in a while.”
“Oh,” I said somewhat relieved. “Uh, exactly how deep are we?”
“Well, let’s just say, normally, you wouldn’t be able to survive here. The pressure would kill you. Fortunately, you are protected as long as you remain in my realm. Dragons can withstand any pressure. I could even survive in the Mariana Trench, the deepest trench of the ocean, though it’s not a very pleasant place to be. I much prefer the bottom half of the bathypelagic zone.”
“What’s that?” Kishan asked.
“The oceans are divided into four zones according to depth. Jnsèlóng lives in the euphotic zone, which comprises the top five hundred feet of the ocean. Plants grow there, and it’s full of a variety of marine life. He does leave, though, to seek treasure in all the zones. The mesopelagic zone is next. It doesn’t have plant life, but numerous animals still seek sustenance in its depths. That is where you find most species of shark.” The white dragon smiled at me briefly and went on.
“We are between three thousand and ten thousand feet, the bathypelagic zone, where the only large animal, like I mentioned, is the sperm whale. Food is scarce, but I provide for those who choose to share my realm. It’s feeding time soon, and that’s quite a sight to behold. Below this level is the abyssal zone, which continues on to the bottom of the ocean. There isn’t really all that much going on down there. But the Seventh Pagoda is located in the upper part of the abyssal zone. It’s not really that much deeper than you are now, and once you reach the Ocean of Milk, you should have smooth sailing—if you’ll forgive the pun.”
I elbowed Kishan. “The Ocean of Milk? Did we talk about that already?”
Kishan leaned over and whispered, “I’ll fill you in.”
“Thanks.”
The dragon asked, “Would you like to see me feed the fish before you go?”
“If you don’t mind, dragon, we’d like to get under way,” Ren said, looking restless.
“Very well. Make sure you keep warm, my dear.”
“Umm, okay.” Note to self: next time I’m hanging out with a white dragon at the bottom of the ocean, pay attention!
Kishan used the Scarf to make me a down parka and snow gear. He slipped the jacket over my arms and shoulders and handed me a pair of gloves so thick that they rendered my hands useless. He wrapped a scarf around my neck, and topped the whole outfit with not one, but two hats.
“Don’t you think you’ve gone a bit overboard? I feel like a snowwoman.” “It’s cold where we’re going,” Kishan explained. “And—“ “Stand back,” the dragon interrupted. “I need to take my natural form to open the doors.”
I didn’t see any doors except the one we came in through, but Kishan pressed me up against a wall while I pretended not to notice the hungry fish with giant teeth that knocked uselessly against the ice trying to take a nibble. Yínbáilóng cracked and splintered into a thousand shards that gleamed and disappeared, and a sparkling white body spilled onto the glassy floor. Its dragon claws were blue, as were its eyes. Its underbelly shimmered like the aurora borealis. The scales on its back looked like white diamonds and sparkled as it moved.
The white dragon’s long face stretched toward me with a smile, and its blue forked tongue curled out as I heard it chuckle in my mind. The two horns on the back of its head looked like long icicles, and it had more on the end of its tail. A white mane stretched from the top of its noble head all the way down its back.
I pulled off a glove and stroked the dragon’s nose, finding it smooth and warm, not icy at all. “You’re beautiful!”
Thank you, my dear. I like to think so. Now stand back so I can open the door.
Yínbáilóng angled its head to peer at a wall. Its mouth gaped open to reveal long rows of pointed teeth. Its body began to shine brighter and brighter until I had to look away. The light seemed to move toward its head until it concentrated in its eye. Blue light shot out from its unblinking orb and penetrated the wall. Layers of thick ice peeled back, as if melting away. I squinted and saw a door where there was none before. When the dragon was satisfied, it shuffled back, snorted a frozen breath, and shifted back to its human form.
“It is done. Through this door is a path that will take you directly to the Ocean of Milk. Once you cross it and find the guardian, she will guide you to the key and the Seventh Pagoda. Listen carefully to her instructions. Now, shall I stay to help you strap in?”
“That would probably be a good idea,” Kishan said.
“You first, my dear. Let’s make sure you’re comfortable.”
Just as I started to ask what everyone was talking about, Kishan guided me through the door and onto an ice sled. He quickly piled thick blankets on top of me and strapped me in.
“We’re traveling by sled,” Kishan explained.
“Yeah. I can see that. Where are the dogs?”
The dragon patted my head and answered, “Your young men will pull the sled.”
“What? How? They’ll freeze.”
“They’ll be perfectly warm. Gentlemen?”
Ren’s hair fell across his cheek as he bent to secure his bag to the sled. He was so close his warm sandalwood scent washed over me. My fingertips itched to smooth back his hair, but he rose without looking at me, nodded, and he and Kishan morphed into their tiger forms. I watched in shock as the dragon strapped them into the sled harnesses.
“They don’t need to pull me,” I stammered. “I can walk.”
The dragon immediately dismissed my suggestion. “This way will be much faster. Besides, it’s best not to linger too long behind the ice. The animals here do get very hungry. These walls are thick, but you never know when they might break through.”
“And by break, you mean … break through the ice?”
“Yes. I’ve recently solidified the tunnels, but there is tremendous pressure in this part of the ocean. Of course, remember that you will not always be vulnerable in the ocean; the ice tunnels lead to caves that wind through rock as well.”
“Fabulous. So how do I drive this thing?”
“That’s the beautiful part. You don’t need to. Your tigers will do the driving for you.”
“Wonderful,” I murmured sarcastically.
“Good luck to you all. I wish you the best.”
With that the dragon closed the door, and we were plummeted into blackness. Fanindra wrapped herself around the handle of the sled and lit up the little cavern with her green eyes.
“Alright, boys. Mush, I guess.”
> Ren leapt first and the sled swayed dangerously from side to side for a time until the brothers fell into rhythm. I watched the tigers run, claws digging into the ice, and kept a wary lookout for hungry fish. At one point, a fish the size of Ren’s Hummer took an interest. It raced along with us for several minutes and even nudged the ice tunnel, scraping it briefly with its long, pointed teeth before swimming off—much to my relief. Ren and Kishan seemed to have endless amounts of energy and ran for several hours, stopping only for brief rests.
Somehow, somewhere along the ice tunnel I fell asleep—only to be awakened by a sudden bump along the path. Blinking into the darkness, I wondered how far we’d traveled. The smooth ice tunnel through the ocean had changed to a snow-like crushed-ice path with jutting rocks and I realized that we were surrounded by earth not water. I insisted we stop so the brothers could eat and wished up a whole pot roast for each. I sipped a steaming hot chocolate while they ate and rested.
It was cold. I felt like the tin man. All my joints were frozen in whatever position I’d fallen asleep. I shifted and tried to find a more comfortable position and fruitlessly tried to remove my safety strap so that it wouldn’t dig into my shoulder. Frustrated, I yanked off my glove and immediately felt the temperature difference. The cold was so frigid it was painful. It was the kind of cold that seeped into bones, and even the hottest of showers wouldn’t be able to warm them again.
After another few hours of running, Ren and Kishan decided to stop for the night. I unhooked the boys from their harnesses, asked the Scarf to make a tent and dozens of blankets, and then crawled under all of them. My tigers snuggled right next to me, one on each side, and like little super heaters, they kept me toasty all night.
We continued the journey the next day. Around midmorning, the rock cave opened into a larger cavern with a frozen lake. The tigers cautiously walked onto the ice, sniffing as they moved. A few more cautious steps, and they began running again, though more slowly. I had no idea how they knew where to go, but they went on, both heads aimed in the same direction. Maybe it was a tiger sixth sense. Or more likely, they knew where they were going because they listened to the white dragon while my mind had been occupied elsewhere.
We entered another tunnel on the far side of the lake. It wasn’t long before we came into a carved-out room. The ice path ran in a circle around it; in the center was a tall stone fountain. Ren and Kishan stopped, and I asked the Scarf to make them clothes while I unbuckled them. When they were free, I turned my attention to the fountain, which was about twenty feet tall, had four basins, and was covered with ice.
Kishan shrugged into a thick coat and walked over to me. “It’s up to you now, Kells. Free the guardian.”
“What? What do I have to do?” I asked nervously, wondering what new kind of scariness I’d be facing next.
“Melt the ice,” Kishan replied, nodding to the fountain.
Relieved, I relaxed and smiled. “That I can do. Flowing water, coming right up.”
I peeled off my gloves and raised both hands. Starting at the top of the fountain, I slowly worked my way down. Each inch I melted uncovered the most beautifully detailed carvings of fish, dolphins, starfish, crabs, and turtles. My power started to wane when I was only a third of the way finished.
“What’s wrong?” Kishan asked.
“She’s cold,” a warm voice behind us responded. One that I tried desperately to ignore.
Kishan took my hand and rubbed it between his palms. “Is that better? Try now.”
I did, but the heat soon sputtered again, and what was worse, the water I’d defrosted was glazing over.
“Maybe you just need to rest for a while,” Kishan suggested.
Ren walked up and silently held out his hand. I glanced at it and shook my head.
“Don’t be stubborn, Kelsey.”
I rubbed my palms vigorously. “I can do this myself, thanks.” I tapped my inner core of fire and threw everything I had into the blaze, determined not take Ren’s hand and allow myself to succumb to the burning I felt when he touched me. I could finish without him.
I pushed heat out until the cavern thrummed with it. The ice melted faster and faster. I started to sweat as the fire flamed down my arms. When I finally thawed the bottom of the fountain, I had about two seconds to marvel at the life-sized mermaid I’d uncovered before I collapsed at Kishan’s feet. He picked me up and set me on the lip of the fountain to rest. Ren scolded me, despite my verbal assurances that I was fine and my admonition to zip it.
Now that the water was moving freely, I saw how beautiful it was. The water wasn’t clear or even blue. It was milky white and sparkling. Dolphins at the top of the fountain shot water into the second basin while stone fish peeked out of the third tier and dribbled water into the next. Turtles lay as if sunning themselves on rocks, and the mermaid wriggled her tail and combed through her long hair with her fingers and … wait … the mermaid was alive!
She giggled and twitched flirty fingers at Kishan. “Aren’t you a lucky girl to be carried around by such a handsome man?”
“Yep. My luck runneth over. Are you the guardian of the key?”
“That all depends,” she leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. “Just between us girls, can I keep one of these two?”
I frowned. “What, exactly, would you do with one of them?”
The mermaid tittered. “I’m sure I could think of something.”
“They do have claws and tails, you know.”
“And I’ve got scales. So what?”
“Yes, indeed, you do have scales,” Kishan grunted appreciatively.
I slapped his arm lightly. “Stop looking.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat. “We really do need the key to the Seventh Pagoda. Umm … What is your name?”
She pouted prettily. “Kaeliora. Alright, you can have the key. But you’ll have to get it yourselves. If I can’t keep one of the men, then there’s no good reason for me to get my hair wet again.” She frowned and peered at her reflection in the water. “It’s been covered in ice so long all the roots are drying out,” she exclaimed. Picking up a comb made of coral, she began delicately combing out her mounds of long blonde hair.
When she picked up the section covering her right upper body, I gasped softly. She had scales alright. They were all over her. Her arms, face, and back were human, but the scales from her fish tail traveled up most of her torso and banded around her neck like a halter top. When she turned to look at her reflection in the water again, I saw that the whole front of her upper body was encased in cat-suit-style scales that seemed somehow more provocative than her being nude. Kaeliora’s scales were a kind of purplish-green and gray like those of a rainbow trout. She was gorgeous and seemed to be seeking Ren and Kishan’s attention.
Turning my eyes deliberately to the snapping turtle, I said, “So? The key? You won’t have to get your hair wet. I’ll do it.”
“Fine, but first, where’s my present?” She fluttered her fingers.
“What present?” I asked.
“You know … something bright and living?”
“Uh … sorry. We didn’t bring you anything.”
She pouted. “Then I guess I can’t help you after all.”
“Wait,” Ren said. He opened his bag and took out Durga’s lotus lei. “The prophecy said to lay the wreath on the Sea of Milk. Is this what you want, Kaeliora? Flowers?” He placed the flowers on the milky water, where they floated to the mermaid’s outstretched fingers.
“Oh!” She picked up the wreath and cradled the blossoms to her face. “I haven’t smelled a fresh bloom in thousands of years. It’s perfect.”
She settled the lei around her neck and splashed her tail happily.
We stood around for a minute waiting for her to notice us again. The mermaid admired the reflection of herself, the flowers, her hair, and so on.
Finally, I said, “The key?”
“Oh! You’re still here? Very well,” she mumbled a
s she studied her hair for split ends. “It’s back there at the bottom of the lake.”
“The bottom of the lake! How do you expect us to get it?” I asked.
She raised her head and grinned. “By swimming, of course. What a silly question.”
“But the water is frozen, and it’s too deep!”
“It’s not that deep. Only twenty feet or so, but it is cold. Whoever goes in will probably freeze before getting back to the surface.”
“I’ll go,” Ren softly volunteered.
Something snapped inside me, and I couldn’t stop it from bursting out. “Of course you’d say that!” I yelled. “Always willing to put yourself in harm’s way, aren’t you? Can’t resist a worthy cause, no matter how dangerous! Why not? He’s faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings. Naturally, you want to go.”
“Why should I stay?” he asked quietly.
“No. You’re right. You have absolutely no reason to keep yourself safe. It’s just another day at the office for you, isn’t it, Superman? No, Iceman would be more appropriate in this case. Why not? Go ahead! Fly off and save the day, like you always do. Just make sure you don’t come back as Mr. Freeze. He was the bad guy.”
Kishan stepped in. “I think you’re overreacting, Kells.”
“Sure I am. But we all have our roles to play, don’t we? I’ll play the part of the irritating girlfriend who holds everyone back. You can be the nice guy who stays behind, consoles the girl, and pats her hand, and Ren can go off and save the world. That’s how all this works, am I right?”
Ren sighed, and Kishan looked at me as if I was out of my mind, which I was, and the mermaid wrinkled her nose and giggled. “Isn’t this fun?” she said. “But it doesn’t matter anyway. He can’t go. Only this one can.” She pointed to Kishan and then became fascinated with her fingernails.