Chapter 7

7 "Stunt surfing?" repeated Zoe. "What's that?" Once, she'd seen a surfing display where the surfers rode on each other's shoulders. Was this what the seals were talking about? She couldn't see how riding on each other's shoulders would help them get past the magical barrier surrounding Big Wave Island! "It will be easier if we show you," said one of the seals. "Grab a surfboard and follow us." Zoe frowned, even more puzzled than before. Where were they going to get a surfboard?

The seal gestured behind them. There, sticking up out of the sand, was a row of surfboards. They were all decorated with swirly designs. "Wow!" Grace said. "Did you make these?" "We sure did," the seal said proudly. "We use driftwood that washes up on the shore. Now, who is ready to do some daredevil moves?" Zoe looked at her friends. She could tell they were unsure about stunt surfing. She had been surfing for years and even she was nervous! "How about you guys sit this one out?" she suggested.

Sofia looked tempted but shook her head. "We can't make you do it alone." "We're a team, remember?" Grace added. Zoe's heart felt warm. It was so nice that her friends didn't want to let her down! But it was also clear they were still worn out from their last surfing adventure. "You two can watch for danger from the shore," said Zoe, thinking fast. "That will make things way safer for me." "Really? Okay!" said Sofia, looking reluctant and relieved at the same time. "I guess that makes sense." Grace nodded. "Be careful!" "I will," Zoe promised. She flew over to the surfboards, trying to decide which one to choose. They all looked great! Finally, she picked one with a swirling wave painted on it. The wave was breaking onto sand that was the same color as her own dragon scales. It was perfect! Zoe smiled. She had been feeling tired after their surf. But the moment she picked up the

board, she felt energy surge through her. This always happened. Zoe's dad used to say she would keep surfing until she fell asleep on her board, if he let her. "Come on, Sea Dragon," the seals called. They were already in the water, bobbing along on their boards. "Surf's up!" "On my way!" Zoe called back. Gripping her chosen board, Zoe flew down the beach toward the water. Even in the air, the board wanted to surf, twisting this way and that on gusts of wind. When she arrived at the water's edge, Zoe whooshed down, landing in the sea with a splash. A group of seals joined her, paddling their boards expertly away from the shore. "We need to paddle closer to the other island," explained a seal near Zoe who was on an orange board. Zoe nodded, her excitement building. Being in the water was always great, in her opinion. And right now, she couldn't believe she was surfing with seals!

As the little group approached the neighboring island, the waves began to pick up. Zoe could now see the shimmering air of the heat barrier around the island. It looked like the air above a very hot pan or barbecue. She could also hear a sizzle as waves hit the barrier and turned to steam. Her stomach did a little flip. "Where is that heat coming from?" she wondered aloud. "The Fire Queen has cast a spell over it," said a voice. Zoe turned to see Splashi paddling up beside her on a tiny purple board of her own! "She wants to stop anyone from getting close to the island," Splashi explained. "The only way to break the spell is by stepping onto the island." Zoe frowned. Any wave that came close to the barrier was turned to steam. "But there's no way to get onto the island," she said. "Doesn't that barrier go all the way around?" The seal on the orange board paddled over. "Ah! But we think there is a way," he said in his low, sleepy voice. "We've been watching. Quick, catch this wave and we'll show you."

Zoe felt the water swell beneath her. A wave was definitely forming. It was a big one, too. Her heart thumped. Was she ready to catch it? "Of course you're ready," Splashi said, seeming to know Zoe's thoughts. Zoe gripped her board tightly as the wave approached. Normally when she surfed, she jumped up onto her feet. But as a Sea Dragon, Zoe had to stay on her belly. But the seals surf this way, she told herself, and so can I. The wave grew closer by the second. "What's the plan?" she asked the seals. "What sort of stunt do we have to do?" "Just catch this wave," the nearest seal instructed. "Then we'll explain the stunt." Zoe heard the wave drawing near with a familiar roar. She began to paddle hard, speeding up to match the wave's speed. Up and up the wave lifted. Zoe and the seals lifted, too, expertly moving their boards with the wave. Ahead, the heat barrier shimmered. "We're getting close to that barrier," Zoe called out, a little nervously.