Bubbles exploded from Lestara’s lips as she screamed, but then the mass of sharks was upon her. Tearing apart pieces of the monster who had tried to slay Ithicana, gulping chunks of flesh down. In what felt like a heartbeat, all that remained was red water and scraps of golden silk floating on the current.
Swim.
Ahnna kicked, knowing that they’d come for her next.
Knowing there was no chance she’d reach the surface, because dozens and dozens of sharks circled in a rising frenzy. Light reached for her even as darkness moved in to claim her, the pressure in her lungs beyond measure, all her strength seeping out with her blood into the sea.
Fins bumped into her legs, the torrent of water the circling sharks created pulling at her hair and clothes as they pressed closer.
Ahnna couldn’t see as blackness consumed her vision, her lips parting to take the breath that would be her end—
Only to feel strong hands grip her face, lips pressing over hers, and as Ahnna inhaled, it was air that went into her lungs. She blinked to find James holding her, kicking upward.
To my dying breath…She heard his voice in her head saying the vow he’d sworn when he’d married her.
I’ll find you,she silently whispered as a tail slammed her shoulder, open mouths full of teeth all around them.Wherever we go next, I will find you.
It was the last thought she had before everything went dark.
105
James
His head broke the surface,and James lifted his wife’s face above the waves, only to find her limp in his arms, her eyes closed.
“Pull them out!” Aren shouted. “Get her out!”
Ithicana’s king lifted his sister out of the water, screaming Ahnna’s name even as other Ithicanians caught hold of James, dragging him to the safety of the Ithicanian vessel.
“Ahnna!” He shoved people out of his way to get to her side.
Sacrifice.
The word filled his head, whispered by Caly’s voice.
But what you will give up, I do not know.
“Not her,” he screamed. “Anything but her.”
Lara leaned over Ahnna’s still form. “She’s breathing!”
But it was little relief, because there was blood everywhere. “Where’s the bite?” He couldn’t control his panic. “Do you see a bite?”
Lara tore at Ahnna’s clothes, her face a mess of blood and tears. “Stabbed. She’s been stabbed!”
The world faded in and out as his eyes fixed on the wound above Ahnna’s hip bone. It pulsed blood with each heartbeat until Lara pressed her hand down on it.
Sacrifice.
“There is no room to move!” Lara shouted. “We need to get heronto the ship! I need space to save her.” Then she caught hold of James’s hand and pushed it down on the knife wound.
Ahnna’s eyes fluttered open. “James?”
“I’m here.” All around was chaos as the Ithicanians moved the ship closer to theVictoria.“You’re all right. You’re out of the water.”
“Oliver?” She turned her head, eyes searching. “Where is he?”
“He’s safe.” Alive because of her.
