It was a crazy thought to have at that moment, but I knew without a doubt that whoever was watching me had led me to this spot. He knew I’d follow him. My entire body shook as I inched back the way I came.
I wasn’t going to make it.
Around me, more cracking pierced the air. I screamed as the ice gave way beneath me. The frigid water silenced my cry and rushed into my mouth. Shock paralyzed my limbs, and I sank beneath the ice. I tried desperately to tamp down my fear and stay calm. Thrashing my arms and legs, I kicked to the surface, gasping as I reached the open air.
My clothes made it difficult to tread water, and my skates felt like weights on my feet. I searched for Richard or Mae, shouting their names before I went under again. Lungs burning, I made it to the surface, but I couldn’t see anyone.
There was nothing to hold on to. I tried to grasp the edge of the ice, but it slipped through my hands. I choked on another mouthful of water and kicked my legs. They felt weak, more numb than they were a few seconds ago.
“Help!” I shouted. “Someone, help me!”
Stay calm.
Stay above the water!
Tearing off my mittens, magic sputtered from my fingers. There had to be a spell—something I could cast to pull myself out. The tree branches were too far, no vines that I could see. It would take forever to heat the surrounding ice, allowing me to swim closer to shore, and that was if I could muster the strength. But maybe that was the point.
The cold made the incantations fuzzy on my lips, and the last of my magic drained from my body.
Magic wasn’t going to save me.
I sucked in a breath as my head slipped under the water. Time slowed, and I was steeped in a deathly silence. I had survived so much to get this far—most recently, an arrow attack in the woods—and it had always been loud. The pounding of my feet; the harsh sound of my labored breathing. But this was so quiet.
A silent death.
I wasn’t even going to get the last word. Was there anything worse?
Yes—not seeing Derrick again, or my best friend Vivian. I’d even take a visit with my neighbor, Sylvia Trager, and her devil cat. Well, maybe not the cat.
It wasn’t fair! This trip was supposed to be the start of something, not the end.
A fiery ache built in my chest, and I looked up through the hole in the ice at the sunshine casting rays above the surface. It was like a sky full of diamonds, growing fainter as I sank deeper. I tried to grasp them with my numb fingers, but they were out of reach.
Then the sunlight vanished, and a shadow appeared. Someone was standing on the ice above me, their boots two blurry ovals, inches from the edge. I renewed my struggle, hope spearing through me, but they didn’t move.
They simply waited.
And waited.
Unable to hold my breath any longer, I let go, inhaling the icy water and sinking deeper into the darkness.
Chapter 6
Tessa!
“Open your eyes.”
Someone was shouting. Terror threaded through the frantic tone, making it painful to hear.
No one should sound like that.
“Come on, Tessa, breathe!”
No more.It was too raw—I’d do anything to make it stop.
I coughed, spewing up water. My lungs throbbed, and it hurt to draw in air. Strong hands lifted me and smoothed the wet hair off my face. Shivering, I sucked in tortured breaths and pried open my eyes.
The sunlight burned, and I blinked, trying to bring Derrick’s agonized features into focus.
