Chapter 50—Sobrenatural

Laurita pulled into a parking space and took the key out of the ignition.

"You're coming in?" Devin asked.

"She is, Devin," Christina said. "I had to tell her."

"Tell her what?"

"I told her about the crystals and the angel." Christina smiled but Devin frowned. "Think about it, Devin. One of our parents had to know. How else would we get back to the crater? None of us drives yet. And you're not about to bike for an hour to get there, are you?"

"Do Nikki and Jake know this?"

"Yes," Christina said. "We talked about it in your room, but you fell asleep."

Laurita turned toward the backseat. "Devin, I believe in these things. So does my family. We call it sobrenatural in Spanish, the supernatural." She paused to give Devin a chance to take it in. "I believe the crystal chain is real. I want to help."

Although he had never felt drawn to the supernatural, Devin was practical. "I suppose you're right. We do need an ally—to help us for the activation." Christina and Laurita smiled.

They walked toward the palm tree in the back corner as Devin shuffled in behind them with the help of a walking stick. Nikki and Jake were arguing about possible escape plans. The full moon was the next day a little after noon, their parents were suspicious, and they had an injured teammate.

Jake pulled out a chair for Devin. When everyone was settled, Nikki reached down and rubbed Ranger's head and took charge.

"Camping out on Scouter tonight is impossible. Dad's been watching me like a hawk. The only way he let me come here was because Laurita called and invited me to meet you guys. She assured Dad she'd be with us."

"I'm in the same boat," Jake said. "Dad's working but Lizzi's been relentless. I could barely get away to come here. Getting out tonight is out of the question."

"I have a solution," Devin said with a devilish grin. And he pulled out his map.

"You do?" Nikki and Jake asked simultaneously.

"We were going to camp out in the crater to be there in time, right?"

"Right," Jake said, tapping his foot.

"What would you guys do without me?" Devin pulled out his folded trail map and opened it. He pointed to a dotted line on the east side of the mountain. "This solves everything. It's another way in, a much shorter way."

"How long?" Jake asked.

"Christina and Laurita timed it earlier; twenty minutes to the crater."

Nikki smiled, and her frown lines flattened out for the first time in days.