Read Flight of the Phoenix for Free Online

instantly. He was cold, shaking and his lips were turning blue. “We have to think of something right now or Quinn isn’t going to make it.”
    â€œDragon!” Tomlinson screamed.
    Fenix followed his pointing finger and spotted Draak Priest in dragon form diving out of the heavy gray clouds straight at them. She pushed the seat cushion holding her up toward Bryn, turned her thoughts inward and summoned Lazarus. “ We need help, Lazarus, or we die.”
    He was instantly there. “I’ve summoned a friend. When they arrive, do not be afraid.”
    â€œ Who? ”
    At that moment a whirlpool appeared on the surface of the water. “Back away!” Bryn shouted as the dragon swooped lower.
    Fenix watched with her hand over her mouth as the whirlpool turned into a vast burst of bubbles. An antennae popped out of the water followed by a long tube topped with a glass lens in a round globe that rotated until it pointed directly at them.
    The tube then sucked back down and a brass dome appeared. Water flooded from the slick, highly-polished surface of the dome. When the dome slowly inched further out of the water, the top half of a complete ship appeared. It was like no other ship Fenix had ever seen. It had rounded edges with round windows bolted to the body of the ship and was shaped like a long tube. A dorsal fin made of more brass stuck up from the top of the ship. The snout or bow was pointed like a swordfish’s. Four windows, two on each side of the front compartment, made of reflecting glass, were set into the sloping bow and bolted tightly to the body with more huge brass bolts. The tail was hinged and constructed like a fish tail to move back and forth and steer the huge vessel which was longer than Brighthouse’s Titan.
    â€œWhat in all that’s holy?” Sam gasped.
    â€œIt’s a submarine!” Tomlinson shouted. “It’s a ship that travels beneath the sea.”
    As they all paddled for the safety of the vessel, a hatch in the dome opened and the most hideous apparition Fenix had ever seen popped out. It had bandages around its head, one eye was covered by a patch and all of its reddish hair stuck out the top of the bandages like wheat, straight and stiff. The hand holding the hatch was missing two fingers and each of the remaining fingers was bandaged. The figure wore tattered ragged clothing that hung from a bony frame.
    â€œLord help us,” Tomlinson muttered. “We’ve been rescued by a submarine filled with zombies.”
    Bryn began pushing Quinn toward the ship. “Don’t be ridiculous. The man clearly has leprosy. There’s nothing to fear.” She glanced skyward. “Duck!”
    The fiery blast from the dragon raked the sea and the ship. The sailor ducked back in and slammed the hatch shut, but when the flames died, he popped back out and beckoned for them to hurry with his damaged hand.
    â€œLeprosy!” Tomlinson gasped. “We’re all going to die.”
    Sam paddled past Tomlinson. “You’re going to freeze to death in this water in about ten more minutes or be fried by dragon breath. If I were you, I’d take my chances with a measly disease. For the love of God, Tomlinson, don’t you want to see inside the submarine?”
    Tomlinson followed her toward the amazing water craft. “By Jove, Samantha, you know I do.”
    â€œThen get over your fear.”
    Fenix reached the undersea ship first. It had been summoned by Lazarus. Who knew what besides the leprous sailor inhabited it. Lazarus had said not to be afraid, and she was filled with love and confidence in him. The ship was their salvation. A ladder of brass rungs was attached to the side of the tube-like ship by huge bolts. The ladder was affixed to the ship in front of a flat fin that was also shaped like the fin of a gigantic fish. Fenix pulled herself out of the water and climbed the ladder. The leprous sailor ducked back inside