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“I’m fine,” I said, every word making my neck hurt more. “It’s a surface wound.” I pulled the shirt off my back and pressed it to my throat.

Candice writhed and bucked beneath me, but I held her in place by putting more weight on her back. Wincing, I put my free hand to my head. “Let’s get her secured.”

An hour later, Candice was tied to a seat and gagged so we didn’t have to listen to her insufferable voice any longer. I should have become suspicious when the computer’s voice changed back to hers from the generic female one Mason requested. All the clues were there, the hydropod she’d handed me on the way down to start the process, the way she’d tried to keep me away from Mason so he wouldn’t suspect anything, and how she possessed the high-level clearance and ability she would have needed to reprogram the AI.

I sat on the floor, Mason’s head in my lap, watching his chest rise and fall in a steady, reassuring rhythm. I focused on his breathing because seeing his clammy, pale skin and the red-soaked T-shirt on his leg reminded me how much blood he’d lost. I didn’t care that the ocean flowed behind me, a layer of glass the only thing between us. That was the least of my issues right then. According to the computer, we were scheduled to surface shortly. I’d set the controls to travel as quickly as possible for proper decompression, not caring about saving enough fuel for a round trip. The authorities would have to have a bigger vessel or more of the pods to retrieve the others anyhow. And I was not letting anyone near the stasis beds until I knew for a fact they were equipped to safely wake the occupants.

Travis’s hands gripped the armrests of his seat so hard I was surprised they hadn’t broken off like splinters. The tendon in his throat was pulled so tight, I could strum it. I got it. I kept pushing aside the guilt I felt when I realized I had at least a part in causing the sabotage below. But I clung to the notion that I had no control. I’d been manipulated and so had he.

The water around me brightened, growing lighter, and more and more familiar fish appeared behind the glass surrounding us. I held my breath as we broke through the surface, and Travis jumped from his seat at the sight of the last of the water rushing from the curved sides of the pod.

I didn’t know what I was expecting. Maybe sirens or some helicopters or even a marching band to be there waiting to sweep in and rescue us. Nothing but a few seagulls flew overhead in the endless night sky. Even so, my chest lightened substantially with the longing to throw open the doors and inhale lungfuls of actual fresh air, to feel the breeze on my face.

“I radioed for help. It won’t be long,” Travis said, getting my attention.

I turned away from the glass, still stroking Mason’s hair.

“I just want this whole nightmare to be over,” I said.

I winced with the shockwave of pain that ripped through my head as it had done every few minutes for the past hour. This time though, when the sharp pain passed, a duller, almost fuzzy ache replaced it, filling my head from the outer boundaries and working its way inward like the frayed edges of a painting. Panic set in, but I didn’t mention it. If I was feeling it, no doubt Travis was as well, and he didn’t need a reminder of it.

Muffled grunts started from Candice’s seat. That was the last noise I needed right then. But even as I attempted to shut her out, Travis scooted over to her and removed the gag.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You won’t make it,” she said, her voice raw from screaming. “Everyone else will, but you two won’t. Not without more of the serum.”

“Gag her,” I said and was surprised at the dull sound of my own voice. She’d already tried everything to talk her way out. That was why we’d gagged her in the first place.

“He knows I’m right,” she said. “You feel it too. I have more for both of you, hidden in a compartment so it isn’t mixed with the regular hydropods. If you don’t wean off of it, you’ll go into shock and die. And it won’t be pretty.”

I pressed my eyes closed. “I’m sure a hospital will be able to treat us just fine.”

“You can’t wait that long.” Mason’s eyes had fluttered open, and he reached up to caress my cheek.

“He’s right. We’re addicted and we need some of the drug.” Travis untied Candice. Her face glowed, triumphant.

“No way. She’s not getting out.” I started to get up, ready to stop her, but Mason held on to me.

“We’re just going to take a little walk together to get the water, right Candice?” Travis said.

“They’re going to cost you,” she said.

I shook my head, fighting the pain that hovered just outside my vision. “They’ll be here any minute.” I gestured outside at the night sea, completely calm and quiet.

“I can’t watch you die,” said Mason in a weak whisper. His eyes pleaded with me.

Travis yanked Candice off balance, gripping her arm. “You,” he said, shaking her. “Don’t have anything to bargain with.”

“Fine,” I said. “But do not give her anything. I mean it. I’d rather take my chances.”

Mason sighed with relief, dropping his hand into mine, firm and reassuring. Neither of us said another word as Travis escorted Candice out of view.

Mason grew silent again as I stroked his face. Hang in there, I begged as I tried not to think about Travis on his own with the psycho. Maybe I should have gone. Maybe I should have—

Intense pain shot through my skull, and I crumpled on top of Mason, clutching my head. Not this quick! No. I rubbed at my temples and waited while the wave slowly subsided and my stomach churned.

I didn’t know how long I lay there before warm hands guided my head back and tipped water to my mouth. The cool liquid slid down my throat.