The Trap (The Magnificent 12 2)

“And save the world,” Jarrah said.

“It is an honor,” Xiao offered.

“It’s a kick,” Jarrah said.

“Huh,” Stefan said.

“We are near the spot,” Shen Long said.

Mack looked down and saw mountains. And a lake. And a lot of trees. The sun rose behind them and cast a delicate gray-pink light.

Shen Long circled the place slowly. “I remember this place,” he said. “I know what is here.”

“What is here, Uncle?” Xiao asked gently.

“Help for you in your quest, I hope,” Shen Long said. “But only painful memories for me.”

“If you saw her again . . .”

“No,” the big dragon said, and shook his head. “Old wounds are best left alone.” Then his tone of voice changed. “And new wounds are best avoided.”

Mack was looking at the ground, so Jarrah spotted the problem before he did: two jets painted in dark green camouflage inscribing a shockingly fast t

urn across the blue sky.

“It’s this newfangled radar thing,” Shen Long said tersely. “I really don’t approve.”

“The Pale Queen has fighter jets?” Jarrah cried.

“I don’t know,” Mack said. “But the German air force does.”

“We have to land,” Shen Long said. “There’s a town ahead. Hold on tight!”

The dragon dived toward the ground. The trees rushed up toward them as the two Eurofighter jets roared overhead.

Shen Long landed at a gas station—it was early, so the station was closed—and Mack and his friends quickly climbed down.

“May fortune smile upon you,” Shen Long said, and rose from the ground.

“They’ll blast you out of the air!” Jarrah cried.

“I command the winds, child,” Shen Long said. “No missile will harm me.”

Mack walked around to look Shen Long more or less in the face. “Thanks, um, sir, for the ride.” He wasn’t quite sure if “sir” was what you called a dragon.

“No, youngster, thank you,” Shen Long said. “You have undertaken a dangerous task. You face almost certain death.”

“I do?”

“You all do,” Shen Long said. “Do you not know the fate of the original Magnificent Twelve?”

“Um . . . I know Grimluk’s looking kind of grody.”

“Of the Twelve, very few survived the battle with the Pale Queen.”

“Ah.”

“And those who made it were taken one at a time in battle chasing her foul daughter. Until only Grimluk survived. And he is alive only because his hiding place is unknown to all.”