be impossible to get to the island. But with help from Mira, the water calmed enough for it to be safe.
We layered up in the appropriate clothing—including our bright red Goldensea jackets that every guest was required to wear while off the ship—and left our suite. We made our way down to the locker room where the ship kept the heavy-duty snow boots we needed to step foot on Antarctica, located the ones with our suite number on them, and put them on.
Next, we got in line to board a zodiac—an inflatable, raft-like boat that fit eight people, plus an expedition guide to drive. The waters were choppy, but thanks to our supernatural strength, we hopped on with no problem. The same couldn’t be said for the other four people assigned to the boat with us. One of them—an older man—would have face-planted into the side of the zodiac if the crew hadn’t been holding onto him to keep him somewhat balanced.
We all wore backpacks, and I glanced at Ethan’s to make sure it was secure. His was the most important, since it held both the dragon heart and half of the Holy Crown.
He squeezed one of the straps, as if letting me know he had it covered. Not that I ever doubted him. I’d always trust Ethan to keep me and Mira safe.
Once all eight of us were loaded onto the zodiac, the driver pulled the motor, and we sped over to Detaille Island. The water was choppy, and Mira—who’d taken the seat in front—smiled and faced forward, enjoying the ride. The air was clean, crisp, and pure—untouched by humankind. This beautiful continent belonged to nature and the animals that lived there.
I held tightly onto the ropes, glad I’d opted for a light breakfast that morning.
Fifteen minutes later, the zodiac pulled up to Detaille Island. There was no dock—we just pulled straight up to the rocky ground, the front of the zodiac lodging on top of it. A steep hill with a narrow, winding footpath led up to a flat area on top, where I could just make out the small shack of Base W. Expedition guides lined the steep, slippery path, ready to help to make sure no one fell.
One by one, we hopped off the zodiac.
The moment my feet hit the ground, I nearly fell to my knees in relief. I wanted to lie down and thank every god out there that I was back on land. But I stayed focused, easily making my way up the path without needing help from the guides.
Once up to the top, I took a deep breath of the crisp air and admired the snow-covered mountains stretching out in the distance, reaching so high that they touched the clouds.
This was the most middle of nowhere I’d ever been in my life. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought I was in a mystical ice realm instead of on Earth.
Mira and Ethan stood next to me, also admiring the view.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ethan said.
“It is,” I said, amazed by how everything here was so still, quiet, and perfect.
Then, Bella joined us. “We’re not here to take in the sights,” she said. “Any updates with the heart?”
Ethan removed the pack from his back, set it on the ground, and unzipped it. He reached inside, although he didn’t take out the box. He moved his hand around inside the backpack like he was opening the box, then he closed his eyes and was still.
Even though I couldn’t see, I knew his hand was around the heart.
He snapped his eyes open and looked out toward the mountains—the opposite direction of Base W. “We’re getting closer,” he said. “It’s that way.”
“Are you sure?” I’d been so sure that the second half of the Crown would be inside Base W. That there’d be some secret passage inside it that only supernaturals could enter.
“I’m sure.”
“All right.” Mira rubbed her hands together, her blue eyes glimmering with excitement. “Off to the mountains we go. Finally.”
“We’re not going to the mountains,” I said. “They’re across the water.” I turned to Ethan, alarmed. “Right?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “All I know is that the heart is telling me to go that way.”
“We can always hijack a zodiac,” Bella said.
I nearly balked and said that was ridiculous, but then I realized it wasn’t a terrible idea. The crew would still be able to get everyone back to the ship. It would just take a bit longer than it would