My back thumps against something hard, and I’m no longer sinking, but looking up at a round window of light that’s too small and far away. Like I’ll never be able to catch it, even if I try.
Try …
The word picks at me, making me feel something.
Uncomfortable.
A dark, fluttering shadow circles high above, like it’s churning within that beam of sunshine that almost looks like a moon—stirring it up. I want to grasp at it, a fading urge that slips out of reach.
I’m caged in this watery end.
Within this body that doesn’t work.
Caged …
A thought niggles at me, prods, thenbites—visions flashing.
Metal bars.
Big eyes.
Curly red hair.
Apromise—its steely echo blooming inside me like a flourishing wildflower.
I’m going to get you out.
A gurgle wrenches up my throat as fiery determination flames within my heart, turning my blood into a sizzling rush. I force my seized muscles to work. Tomove.To scoop at the water in powerless pulls that don’t shift me fast enough toward that distant surface, but they move me.
They move me.
With each sludgy kick, with each desperate wade, my body becomes more engaged.
I punch through the surface to the frantic gasps of the crowd, treading water while I choke on sips of breath. Willing more strength into my muscles that still feel bunched and broken. I ease toward the side, flapping around until my hand collides with the rope, retching more water free of my laden lungs.
My savage snarl cuts the air, and my upper gums ache as I lift my legs, set my feet upon the stone, then tighten my hands andpull—hauling my spent body from the tepid water, pouring everything I have, everything I am, into the slow but steady ascent.
I’m going to get you out.
I repeat the promise to myself until I’m busting over The Bowl’s lip.
The crowd erupts—hoots and cheers and squeals of delight as my head swirls, heavy lids threatening to tug down.
I look at Cainon, seeing him standing—applauding. Boasting a proud smile that curdles my guts.
Beside him, Heira’s also clapping despite her thin lips and scathing stare that fills my hollow belly with a gluttonous feast of satisfaction.
I crawl across a litter of sharp shards, pushing up, kneeling before Elder Creed, broken glass slicing into my kneecaps as I look into his wide eyes and flash him a smile that’s all teeth. “Nice try,” I slur, wobbling. “I hope they shock you while you’re trying to sift them out.”
Darkness.
My stomach is as hollow as the thin air heaving into my lungs, thighs burning with each frantic step I scale up the crumbling path of Mount Ether’s summit, tracking the scent of vanilla beans and damp soil all the way to this dead and dusty end.
Clinging to sweat-slicked skin, my shirt reeks of my dashed journey, mind racing even faster than my feet. The cold air tangles with hot steam rising from clefts between the stones, another scent riding the tails of the rich, sulfuric taint this place breathes into the atmosphere …
Fuck.
I haven’t stopped since I realized Rai was gone. Haven’t tired. I tirenow—sipping the smell of her blood.
