And that was when Dekka morphed once more, came running up behind Napalm, raised her hands, and screeched.

  Napalm twisted frantically, but Dekka moved with him, staying behind him, out of sight, peeling layers of stone from him. Napalm batted helplessly at his back with stubby arms and roared in pain and frustration.

  Armo had morphed and dived into the water by the stern of the Okeanos. He came up now through the gap between the pier and the ship, white fur soaking wet. He dug claws into pilings and climbed the tarry wood like a squirrel going up a tree.

  Then with one tremendous effort he leaped into Napalm, bounced off, hit the side of the ship and propelled himself off, bounced again against Napalm, and leaped higher still until he was atop the upper deck of the Okeanos, from where he clambered madly up the mast beneath the golf ball. Then, almost eye level with Napalm, he kicked off with a mad roar, landed on Napalm’s head, and gripped him. Steam rose from Napalm’s head and the pain seared Armo, but he did not jump away, holding on grimly for as long as he could while Dekka shredded the monster’s back and Napalm staggered blindly and in pain, slammed against the side of the ship, all the while batting at Armo and twisting to get at Dekka.

  And for a while hope flared in Cruz’s breast. They were winning!

  Then the big loading crane on the dock came to life with a whir of electric motors. The sturdy steel arm, an arm capable of lifting entire containers as if they were no heavier than a Lego, swung in an arc toward Napalm.

  At the last second, a steaming, charred Armo jumped free.

  The crane arm struck Napalm in the shoulder and knocked him hard against the ship. Fire spilled onto the decks. Dekka never ceased in her attack, while Armo slunk away to change back to pain-free human form.

  Cruz stared at the crane, at the glass-enclosed cabin, and saw the strange, plasticine version of Shade.

  The crane backed away, then swung its ponderous weight again and hit Napalm in the chest. The crane rose, straightening its articulated arm, and slammed down on Napalm’s head.

  Sparks flew from Napalm, and liquid fire gushed through the cracks and ran down like blood.

  Napalm fell to his knees. His back was a tornado of stone and magma, as he was slowly, relentlessly, ripped apart.

Monster, Chapter 24