Page 69 of A Dance of Water (Moon Song #2)

DO NOT GO EASILY

LUELLA

I f Luella must die, she would not do so alone.

Cold chaos rushed around her, and she found that she wanted nothing more than to grab Tharen and pull him under, make him drown with her.

So, she did.

Her hands reached up effortlessly, as if lifted by the water. She tangled her fingers in his shirt, grasping at whatever she could as she tugged Tharen down. His braids snagged in her fingers. Her nails scratched against his skin. She kicked with all her might.

She would not go easily.

Not anymore.

The lake water was not salty; it did not burn her lungs or skin. It was not violent, but peaceful. And even though she could not see, she felt an overwhelming sense of calm and… power .

But even that could not save her lungs from seizing with lack of air.

Her body jerked, bubbles escaping from her mouth.

Not again.

Please .

Panic set in.

And as if in answer to the strong emotion, the well of power within her rose to the surface so quickly and so violently that she felt dizzy with sickness.

A burst of feeling radiated from her, absorbed by the water. The peaceful cradle enveloping her turned unsettled.

Everything spun. Her body ached and trembled. She clawed at her throat, desperate to give in to the desire to take a breath—even knowing it would be her end.

Luella could not stop the basal need to inhale ?—

Water rushed down her throat and choked her, filling her lungs with wet lies and false promises.

She gagged.

Only just conscious enough to feel the terror that flowed down the threads. To feel the strong hands that gripped her shoulders and pulled her free.