“No,” she whispered. “You’re not.” Her voice slowly gained strength. “I’ll die one day, but that’s okay. Everyone does. I still have today. I have my friends. I’m not alone.”
The Reaper pulled back its scythe, but Opal was quicker. She stepped close and gently brushed its sleeve.
The moment she made contact, Death disappeared. Opal shuddered once, then smiled.
A shriek thundered from the Darkdeep. The column of black water expanded, doubling in size. The wraithlike face reappeared and pushed against the surface. Nico saw the outline of huge hands. The water bulged outward, taking shape.
“It’s trying to come out!” Emma cried. “Run!”
“No!” Nico shouted. Thishadto stop. Ithadto end.
“Fear, Nico!” Opal darted to his side. “The Darkdeep feeds on fear! We can’t let it win.”
Nico realized he was still holding his dagger. He flung it into the water column, but the knife passed straight through and bounced off the far wall. The creature seeped forward, revealing a humanlike form, except for its ghastly head and gigantic hands. It was nearly out, rounding into a liquid nightmare above the well.
Nico thought furiously. He had to find some way to fight it.
The Darkdeep feeds off fear.
Fear. Inside us.
The creature stepped over the lip of the pool, a wicked snarl curling its lips.
Fear connects us. Binds us.
I’m bound to the Darkdeep.
Nico’s eyes popped. He met the creature’s empty gaze.
I have to sever the binding.
Nico grabbed Opal’s hand. “Are you with me?”
She stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened.
Nico squeezed. Opal squeezed back.
“Yes,” she whispered.
A heart-stopping scream split the air.
Together they faced the Darkdeep as it fought to escape the water.
Together, they dove in.
Dark.
Wet.
Cold.
Nico floated in space, paralyzed by dread.
Darkness was all around him. Suffocating him. Stealing his spirit in tiny, greedy bites.
The Darkdeep slunk from the black. It reached for Nico’s throat, but something jerked him away.
A hand.
