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place I know.” He was right—it was different. The words were on her lips, but she could feel her mind speaking to his mind, wherever that was in his billowing body.
    â€œYou have to find their melodies. Even now, I can hear the calls of the others in this room, and also the ones out in the harbor. We speak in different ways to each other and often at different pitches. That is why you can hear me in your mind,” Iddo explained.
    â€œOkay—I don’t know how you’re doing this—there must be a speaker hidden around here somewhere.” Lizzy stepped away from the glass, breathless, heart pounding. She examined the floor and walls closely but couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. Then she had an idea to test him.
    â€œHmmm, I wonder …”
    Looking over at the jellyfish tank, she placed a hand back up to the glass. “Tell me what they are saying right now.”
    Iddo took the challenge.
    â€œIt’s a chant actually. It goes, ‘Swish-pull-swish-pull-up-down-up-down-swish-pull …’ and that is all. Jellyfish are such simple creatures,” he said, waving his arms. “But watch this. I will suggest to one that it should turn three somersaults. They do whatever they’re told!”
    Iddo said something with the words “Swishy-whorl” in it and the jelly did, in fact, flip three somersaults before her eyes.
    Lizzy hesitated. This could be an elaborate trick by one of the clods from school, but she couldn’t see how. Her mouth curved into a smile, and Iddo danced and swirled around his tank in response. Suddenly the sinewy paper-thin skin of the octopus gathered together and plastered itself against the wall of the tank like a huge wad of chewed gum. One of his glassy eyes inflated to the size of a soccer ball and peered down at Lizzy.
    â€œI heard what you said about the stories of the Deep, Lizzy. I have many to tell you.”
    Lizzy gasped. “H-how do you know my name?”
    â€œYou were born with the Way to the Deep. That is why we can speak to each other.” He planted his rather large eyeball next to hers.
    â€œYou aren’t making any sense. I was born at Blowing Prawn Hospital. And could you … deflate that enormous eye? You’re creeping me out!”
    She was seriously scared now.
    The octopus swiftly turned bright yellow and darted into his cave. “Remember who you are, Lizzy,” he echoed, swooshing his squishy body into hiding.
    Lizzy heard flip-flops clap down the hall.
    â€œYou are so busted!” Kai snapped, poking a puckered face through the doorway. “Mrs. Gates has been looking all over for you, and here you are staring at a blob of tentacles!”
    â€œI don’t hear him.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about, hear who?”
    Her hand fell from the cold glass as Iddo pulled deeper into his retreat.
    â€œIddo.”
    â€œWho-do?” Kai twisted her head around the empty room. “No one here but pulpy invertebrates.”
    Lizzy took a deep breath. “It’s nothing—I only thought I heard someone.” Did I actually just talk to an octopus?
    â€œLiz, are you okay? You look like you’re going to puke.”
    â€œYeah, I’m fine.” She forced a smile. “Let’s catch up with the others.”
    Kai led her through the door toward the shark exhibit.
    â€œBy the way, while you were here daydreaming I talked to your mom. She said we could meet with her tomorrow about our summer jobs. Wish they were paying jobs—don’t know how I feel about hanging out with all these dudes this summer.”
    Lizzy glanced back at the octopus tank. The blob continued to glow beneath its rock.
    â€œYeah, me neither,” she whispered under her breath.

Chapter 3

WAKING GIANTS
    I t wasn’t the worst day. Yet.
    Captain Quinn Malloy and his crew sailed the Windstar smoothly along the rugged coastline, flanking the north end for a catch.