The Emerald Mask by H. K. Varian Page A

chance it might not be the one near us.”
    As if on cue the book produced a map of the coast. There was Middletown, and not far from it, Willow Cove.
    â€œSee? It is the same one. Circe’s Compass is close !” Fiona cried in excitement. “And if the ship wasn’t salvaged—if no Changer ever found it—then Circe’s Compass may be at the bottom of the ocean!”
    Darren was still staring at the book. “ ‘The Time of the Dark,’ ” he said suddenly. “What—what do you think that means?”
    Fiona shivered. “I have no idea,” she admitted. “We could ask Ms. Therian, I guess.”
    â€œOr we could ask the book,” Darren pointed out.
    Fiona hesitated, but only for a moment. Then she purposefully turned the page and waited for the letters to shift.
    But they didn’t move.
    As fast as she dared, Fiona flipped through the pages, scanning each one for “Time of the Dark.” But the phrase never appeared again.
    â€œThis book,” she marveled. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It shows you what you need to know. I feel like—like it’s writing itself.”
    Darren rubbed his neck, trying to get rid of the creepy, prickly feeling that was spreading across his skin. “I don’t like it,” he said. “It’s weird.”
    â€œIt’s wonderful ,” Fiona corrected him, wrapping the book in her selkie cloak and safely stashing it into her backpack. “Come on. Let’s go find my dad. We’ve got to go home—there isn’t any time to waste!”
    Home, to Willow Cove; home, near Middletown; home, to the coast where that sunken ship and all its mysteries rested at the bottom of the sea. Darren knew it was the right thing to do—the smart thing, even. It certainly wasn’t safe for them to stick around here much longer, not when those guys were probably still searching for them.

Chapter 5
The Big Game
    Back in Willow Cove, Gabriella stood by the side of the soccer field and chugged a bottle of water. It was hard to believe the game was already half over; for Gabriella, it had passed by in a blur as she raced up and down the field. Her muscles were twitching with eagerness to get back out there and win this game. The Willow Cove Clippers had never played better, but for Gabriella, that wasn’t good enough. She wanted them to be the best in state. The best ever.
    â€œMija!” Tía Rosa said, beaming as she approached. “You run like the wind out there!”
    â€œTía Rosa!” Gabriella exclaimed. “Thanks—but youshouldn’t be down here. Fans have to stay in the bleachers. If Coach saw you . . .”
    Tía Rosa waved her hand in the air. “ Pssh , what do I care?” she said. “If anybody has a problem with me telling my niece what an amazing athlete she is, they can say it to my face.”
    â€œYou’ve gotta get out of here.” Gabriella laughed as she gave Tía Rosa a kiss on the cheek and then nudged her back to the stands. “I’ll find you after the game.”
    â€œFind me? You won’t be able to miss me,” Tía Rosa teased. “I’ll be the one down front, screaming your name!”
    Thweeeet!
    When the ref blew his whistle, Tía Rosa scurried back to the bleachers, and Gabriella prepared to take the field again. The unexpected halftime visit from her aunt had supercharged Gabriella. Now she felt like anything was possible out on the field—but most of all, she wanted to make her aunt proud.
    This half is for Tía Rosa, Gabriella thought suddenly. To show her what I can really do.
    That thought, more than any other, pushed Gabriellato do her best. She scored goal after goal, dodging every opposing player who tried to block her. There were no other thoughts on Gabriella’s mind but how free she felt, how powerful. She no longer felt like she was running on the