***
The last thing I wanted to do when we arrived at the island was to make a scene. I wanted to slip in as inconspicuously as possible, but before we even saw land, Mack called out, “Let’s ditch the camo; we’re almost at the main channel.”
“Main channel?” I asked. “I thought it was an island?” I concentrated on reappearing, hoping I’d be back in my jeans. The guys were already visible. Blake drew nearer, and his eyes met mine. I figured I must have gotten it right, but then he whistled.
I glanced down at myself. “Darn it,” I grumbled. “Why do I morph into this stupid dress all the time?”
Blake shrugged. “I don’t know, but I sure don’t mind it.” He pointed off to the horizon. “The islands are over there. Over the years, Tonbo bought a whole channel of them. We will land in City, that’s where Tonbo is. It’s sort of like our capital.”
“And it’s named City?” It seemed like an over-simple title to me.
“No, the island’s really called Akitsushima. Means Dragonfly Island in Japanese. There’s a legend about a Japanese founder who was bitten by a mosquito and then eaten by a dragonfly. Not sure how it all ties into the islands, but it gave Tonbo the idea to call it that. Most of us find that a mouthful. I don’t even know who started calling it City, but it stuck.”
I gazed in the direction he pointed. “So why do you guys all call it Tonbo Island?”
“That’s like our country’s name. And the islands each have their own individual name, for the most part. Does that make sense?” Blake gazed back at me.
“Yeah, I guess so. So Dragon Fae don’t really see themselves as like Americans or Japanese anymore? They are their own nation?”
“Pretty much. But that mentality sometimes causes problems.”
I wanted to ask more, but Mack hollered, “Land ho!”
I searched the horizon and caught sight of something off in the distance. Looked like a bump of dirt on top of smooth, liquid glass.
“Is that City?” I asked, my stomach twisting within me.
“Nope,” Mack answered. “It’s one of the outskirts.”
“Huh?” I asked.
“The small islands where the ancients live are the outskirts. Better to steer clear of those, Sammy,” Mack yelled back to me. He was taking the lead, flying ahead.
“Yeah, we won’t be visiting them today.” Blake took my hand, staying by my side. “Don’t worry, Sam. We’ll be in City soon.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him I dreaded landing on City most of all.
They were right. Once we’d passed over a few lush islands, which looked like nothing but rock formations and greenery from my vantage point, one very large piece of land came in view. City.
I swallowed hard and pinched my eyes shut. Here goes nothing.