Kingdom of the Deep by EJ Altbacker Page B

single question. Judijoan’s constant carping must have rammed a bunch of knowledge into his head without his even realizing it.
    â€œLet’s see, that is so hard,” Gray said, feigning to struggle with the answer, which he totally knew. It would be his fifteenth correct reply in a row. “You may have me with this one, Shiro.”
    Takiza wasn’t fooled at all. “If you know the answer, simply say it. You very much enjoy blurting out incredibly
incorrect
answers. By all means, prove to me that you can blurt an accurate one from time to time.”
    â€œSomeone is in a bad mood because of my winning streak,” Gray said in a singsong, doing a barrel roll as he slipped into a cooler current. “How many is it, by the way? I wasn’t keeping count. Oh, I remember, fifteen! So, my fifteenth correct answer in a row to the question ‘Why was Taanglvos wrong in his—’ ”
    â€œALARM!” shouted Shear. “Protect the Aquasidor!”
    Three guards jammed themselves above and to both sides of Gray. “
Oof
, is this really necessary? Can you can give me a little room?”
    â€œNo,” came the curt answer from Shear. When it came to his safety, the leader of the Aquasidor guardians was definitely in charge.
    Takiza gazed deeply into the waters, looking into the distance. Gray did the same. They weren’t that far from the chop-chop, and the sun was so strong that there were flashes of reflecting light everywhere, making it difficult to discern anything. Then he saw.
    There was a single shark, a hammerhead. The shark looked like it was drifting in the water. Then Gray noticed his tail moving, but slowly.
    â€œDo you know this sharkkind?” Takiza asked him.
    â€œI’m not sure,” Gray answered, willing his eyes to see farther. Even though the hammerhead was swimming at a sea snail’s pace, he swam smoothly. “Wait! I think he’s one of Barkley’s ghostfins.”
    Takiza nodded, “Yes, I believe I recognize him. Sludge, or something of that sort.”
    â€œSledge! You’re right, it’s Sledge!” Gray agreed. He bumped his way through his guards. “Let me through!” Sledge was a Hammer Shiver shark who chose to stay with Barkley and the ghostfins after Finnivus and the Black Wave were defeated. He was also one of the mariners that had accompanied Gray to the Seazarein’s homewaters a few short weeks ago for his first meeting with Kaleth. But he and everyone except Barkley had departed with Mari.
    What’s he doing here? Gray thought as he swam over.
    The finja that went out to make sure that Sledge wasn’t a part of an ambush changed their color so they were visible again. Shear told Gray, “I don’t like this. He’s bruised and burned.”
    Burned?
    Gray moved closer to the hammerhead, who was barely conscious. He had several bruises on his snout and flank and one of his fins was charred. The hide there dropped off, leaving light gray skin underneath.
    Gray was horrified. “Sledge, what happened?”
    The hammerhead opened the eye facing toward them. He hadn’t stopped swimming, but he was so slow Gray didn’t have to do much to keep up. “Is that you, Gray? Is Barkley with you? You—you need to come. Hurry. . . . ” Sledge tried to turn and swim toward the Riptide homewaters, but Gray didn’t let him.
    â€œYou’re about to die from exhaustion!” Gray told the shark. “You’re coming with us to Fathomir. It’s close, and Barkley’s there. You can rest.”
    â€œNo time,” Sledge replied in a rasp. But the hammerhead couldn’t resist the two prehistore finja that guided him toward Kaleth’s territory. “Bring Takiza. He can fight. We need everyone . . . who can fight.” Sledge faded out.
    â€œWhat’s he talking about?” Gray asked Takiza, who zipped down from his position and swam