Page 38

He and Kosmina dropped again, this time into a freezing pool. As they circled above a vortex, she cried, “Where’s the basilisk?”

“It must’ve gotten sucked down?—”

Supernatural suction snatched them beneath the water.

Clutching her wrist, he kicked his legs and grappled to swim upward against the force. Not a chance. One-way trip. The basilisk too was trapped in the water’s grip as they all coursed down a never-ending tube.

He and Kosmina tumbled head over heels until equilibrium vanished.No air. Can barely see.As currents threatened to rip them apart, he caught her wide-eyed gaze through the turbid water, her expression flashing one question:The end?

He yanked her closer. More water. More force. They pitched end over end with no way out. He couldn’t hold on much longer, marveling that she hadn’t yet drowned?—

She began to.

He clamped her body against his when her scream bubbled up with the last of her air. Water filled her lungs, and she seized. Again. And again.

Drowning in his arms.Dying.Was she old enough to revive? He couldn’t save her if he lost consciousness. Judging by the burn in his chest, he wasn’t far behind.

Somehow he kept his head, channeling Kosmina’s unearthly focus. An outlet must exist. He struggled to keep her close, tosee. Far below them were cracks that allowed the water to rush through, like volcanic grates. The basilisk would never fit. Would they?

When the creature slammed against the grates, it gave a watery roar, its claws raking the water. Its colossal body blocked most of their way out; a slight opening remained. How to reach it while dodging a claw strike?

With Kosmina in his arms, he conserved the last of his power, riding the vortex until he neared the tube’s wall. He managed to kick against it, propelling them toward that tight opening?—

Whoosh!They raced through, narrowly skirting past claws.

Yet the water only continued. Freedomwasn’t. That burn in his chest morphed into agony. His eyes closed against his will, his grip on her weakening. The years of his long, wearying existence played out in his mind.

Time wasted. Opportunities missed. He’d indulged every impulse, and he’d had nothing but misery to show for it. And now all he wanted was?—

Air.

Air?

It rushed over him! He pried open his eyes, gulped in a breath.

The tube had spat them out into the night! He clutched Kosmina’s limp body tight against him as they free-fell once more within a cascade of water—a massive waterfall. He dared a glance over his shoulder, saw the ground rushing closer. Jagged rocks awaited.

Enfolding her, he twisted to take the brunt.

PAIN.

A dagger of rock pierced his side, but he’d preserved her safety. Sucking in breaths, he managed to rise and carry her out of the pounding water. Once he reached the shore, he dropped to his knees and laid her on the ground. “Kosmina!”

Her pale lips were parted, her limbs motionless, her heart still. Lightning above reflected in her sightless eyes. Her clever mind and lively gaze were gone.

Realization hit. Connections fired in his mind.Something mysterious binds us.I want to solve this mystery.

Was it too late?

She would revive. She had to. He pressed his mouth to hers, blowing air. “Breathe!” He gave her air. More.More.He started compressions on her chest. “Breathe, damn you!”

She was so young, might not be fully immortal yet. Might be truly . . . dead.

Now his panic came, a fist that throttled. He’d seen untold faces of death over the years, so why was her demise eviscerating him?

She’s gone.Incomprehensible loss tolled through him.

No.She couldn’t be—not while he still had breath in his lungs.And blood in my veins.With a wild yell, he bit his wrist open.