Grim Nora and the Secret of the Skull by A.M. Albaugh

Author:A.M. Albaugh [Albaugh, A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-18T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

~ Tortabano ~

Two days went by with nothing but clouds and sea that stretched for miles and miles. Nora meditated and practiced Qi Gong. She avoided Lena as much as she could. Olav told her how Michael and Malachi got into a spat, but he didn’t know what it was about. Nora knew it was about her. Aidan practiced his martial arts. His mastery with a sword piqued her interest. His fortitude and grace made her heart flutter.

That night, asleep in her bunk bed, a rumbling sound woke Nora up. She waited and heard it again. It was a whale. She tiptoed up the stairs in her nightgown. Outside on the deck, she spotted a spout. A tail flipped up and splashed down. Nora laughed in delight and watched the pod of whales swimming next to the ship.

“Marvelous, aren’t they?” said a voice behind her.

Nora turned to see Michael. “I’ve never seen whales before,” she answered. “They’re beautiful!”

“These are humpback whales,” Michael explained. “Raynor and I saw humpbacks on our voyage to the Andes a few years back. It’s a good sign.”

“I wonder how long it will be before we arrive in Dubhgail?” she asked.

“The Argo Navis sails faster than any other ship,” Michael informed. “It was a gift from Idris to Malachi.”

“I hope it will get us there and back safely,” Nora murmured.

“It will,” Michael stated. “I wouldn’t have brought Lena if I didn’t think we could pull it off.”

“I am sorry about Lena,” Nora expressed. “I honestly did not hurt her.”

“Nora, I came on this mission to help save Raynor,” Michael said. “He saved my life, and I owe him. We were on our way to study a huaca in the Andes when looters ambushed us. If it hadn’t been for your brother’s quick thinking, I would have perished. I know you and Lena have your difficulties. She’s insecure, jealous, and can be downright cruel. I blame the divorce. Her mother moved to the opposite coast with another man and rarely speaks to her. But she’s my daughter, and I will do anything to protect her. You are a ticking time bomb now. I trust you will do what’s right when the time comes.”

Nora was silent as Michael walked away.

In the morning, Nora woke up Aidan. He rubbed his eyes. She was wearing a wetsuit.

“Good morning!” she chirped and held up a wetsuit for him. “Let’s have some fun!”

Ben and Gavin lowered Aidan and Nora down in a small boat. They paddled away from the Argo Navis until they reached a safe area.

“Ready?” Aidan asked.

They dove into the water. Aidan pointed out manta rays. Soon after that, they saw salmon, an octopus, cuttlefish, a giant black sea bass, and a sea turtle. As they headed back to the boat, dolphins swam toward them and circled them. Nora held her hand out, and a dolphin zigzagged toward her. She touched it gently as it glided next to her. The dolphins paddled up to the surface, and Aidan and Nora followed.

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