During the early days of our friendship, I made Imani go to the community pool with me. I learned to doggy paddle, but that’s about it. If I try to get away from this beast, there will be lots of thrashing. Since it seems to track its prey through vibrations, I wouldn’t make it five feet.
I’ve got to kill it down here.
Before I run out of air.
I fall limp. Hovering motionless in the icy water, blood pounds in my ears. I can only hope the monster doesn’t feel it.
When it turns away from me, I pull on the spear line with all my strength. The end of the spear bumps against my numb fingers.Yes!I wrap them around the smooth metal and yank it free from the monster, then press the button to retract the line and rearm the gun.
Hurry. Hurry. Hurry.
My lungs burn. They’re full of fire instead of oxygen.
The monstrous head whips my way.
Its teeth pulse. The water vibrates around me, then I feel a terrible suction.
It’s going to drag me in and grind me up. Exactly like the trees.
The spear snaps back into place.
I aim down. Grapple for the trigger. Nearly drop the gun. My fingers won’t cooperate.
Black spots dance in front of me, blurring until I can barely see the points of the beast’s teeth.Find the trigger, Celine.Pull it.I’m not sure if the speargun fires or if I’m imagining it, but a trail of bubbles descends into the monster’s mouth. They’re a pale, off-white color, underwater twinkling lights. No, that’s wrong. They’re red. Deep red, like rust.
A gurgling rasp shakes the water.
Then everything goes silent.
My lungs burn.
The speargun floats away. I watch as it drifts toward the surface absently.Follow it. Now. Kick, Celine.My mind has strong opinions about what my body is doing, but I’m tired.
A vision of Ciprian’s screaming face appears in the brackish water, his hands and feet slamming repeatedly against invisible barriers. Then I see Luca laughing as we watch TV on the couch. Alistair’s fangs sinking into my neck. Malach swearing he’s mine—repeating our betrothal vows and breaking my heart with his honesty.
My toes twitch—sluggish and stiff at first, then violently.
I kick as hard as I can.
Not because my life depends on it, but because theirs do.
Father may succeed in killing me. It won’t be today.
My wings retreat into my back, eliminating the worst of the drag pulling me down. I kick frantically until a blinding light sears my eyes. Air. Delicious, perfect air. I suck it in desperately.
There’s roaring—in my head, in the stands, everywhere. I’m not sure if it’s real or not. Exhausted and half-frozen, I paddle for the nearest tree and cling to its bark.
I don’t know if the monster is dead, but I’m still alive. That must mean something. A wave laps against my neck, filling my mouth with water. I spit it out and glance over my shoulder, coughing in violent bursts.
Something floats to thesurface.
Muddy brown and streaked with red; it doesn’t move.
I sag against the tree.
Riven shouts at the crowd, then the water drains from the arena.
It’s not a second too soon.
