Nico stared into the convulsing blackness as eerie lights strobed on the walls.
This was it. There was nothing between them and the whirlpool.
“Hurry, Nico!” Emma pointed to the dagger in his hand.
“Throw it in!” Tyler cringed behind them while Logan kept an eye on the staircase. Where was Opal?
Nico hefted the blade. Was that the answer? Could he stop the Darkdeep by attacking it somehow? His instincts rebelled against such a simple solution—how could a dagger hurt a swirling pool of water?—but he didn’t know what else to do.
The houseboat trembled with the force of the Darkdeep’s spin. Nico worried the planking might come apart. He worriedeverythingwas coming apart.
There was a crash upstairs, then Opal came racing down the steps. Ignoring everyone, she slumped down against the far wall and hugged her knees to her chest.
“Opal?” Nico called. She didn’t respond, eyes wide with panic. The encounter with Death must’ve shaken her badly.You think, Nico? Who wouldn’t be messed up about that?
But Nico couldn’t help her now. His gut told him time was running out. The Darkdeep sloshed and boiled, a tempest rampaging out of control. He stepped to the edge, palms sweating.How do you stop a force of nature?
Nico raised the knife and was about to throw it into the well when a dark form emerged from the shadows across the room.
His heart nearly stopped. Something was in there with them. Before he could yell out a warning, it stepped into the ghostly light.
All the blood in Nico’s body rushed to his head, then plunged through the floor.
He couldn’t breathe. He was staring at the impossible.
He was looking at his father.
Warren Holland stomped around the pool, glaring at Nico from his intimidating height. “Nico, what do you think you’re doing?”
Nico gaped, unable to respond. What was hisdaddoing here? How did he find the houseboat? How did he get to the island?
Warren crossed his arms. “Nico, I’m incredibly disappointed. Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is for me? This little stunt of yours could cost me my job!”
“We … I didn’t …” Nico stammered. “I wasn’t trying … I … I fell …”
Warren shook his head, his voice thick with disgust. “You didn’tthinkis what happened. Like always. I work my fingers to the bone every day to take care of you and your brother, and here you are causing trouble behind my back. I’ve had it with you! You can’t do anything right.”
Tears burned in Nico’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean—”
Someone took his hand. Nico recoiled in alarm, but the fingers held tight.
Opal. She was up off the floor and standing by his side.
“You’ve done nothing but screw up lately,” Warren Holland continued, his voice heated. “That’s why I’m never around. I don’twantto see you. I don’twantto be in that house.”
Something cold seized Nico’s chest, like he was already drowning inside the Darkdeep’s black current.
He’s telling the truth. He doesn’t love me.
“Nico, I’m right here,” Opal said firmly. “Don’t listen to this monster. It’s not real.”
Nico blinked. His knees began to shake.
Opal was watching Warren Holland like a hawk. “Nico, look at his eyes.”
Almost against his will, Nico met his father’s glare. He saw nothing but loathing there. “You’re a failure, boy.” Warren nodded as if making a proclamation. “I wish you weren’t my son.”
Opal squeezed Nico’s hand, anchoring him. “No! Look again. Nico, lookhard.”
