Page 116 of The Last Hope

Waves behind Kinden and Zimmer grow taller and angrier. They crash harder into the ocean, creating more white foam.

“Heya! Move faster!” Zimmer shouts over the swells.

We all pick up our pace, but the shimmery planks have grown slick from the water rushing over them. I concentrate, eyesfocused on where I’m stepping, making sure I don’t accidentally lose traction.

My pulse speeds, and something in my stomach dives like a rocket speeding straight into the ground.

“GEM!” Padgett screams.

I swerve around to see the youngest Soarcastle sister slipping forward, teetering, not able to catch her momentum. She knocks into Franny and the last thing I see before both girls plummet into the ocean is the look on Franny’s face. Wide eyes, opened mouth. And then she’s gone.

Just like that.

Water rushes around me like I’m the one under, but I hold onto my own panic. “FRANNY!” I scream, lungs set on fire. I’m about to jump in after them, but both girls suddenly bob up to the surface. Choking on water.

“Thank the gods,” Kinden says in relief. Franny kicks and paddles with panicked breaths, not safe yet. Her fear stabs me left and right.

Gem does a better job at swimming over.

Padgett and I, the closest to both Gem and Franny, bend down and reach out for their hands.

“Hurry,” Court calls out, watching the growing waves behind us.

Stork starts to backtrack, creating new planks beside ours for a closer vantage. He stops next to me.

Only a few feet away, Franny stretches out, trying to reach, but our fingertips barely brush. She swallows a mouthful of sea.

I grimace, the water tasting salty and going down harsh. “Grab here,” I call out to Franny and extend my arm farther.

We clasp hands, and then suddenly, both Gem and Franny are tugged down by an invisible force. Her palm is ripped out of mine.

“FRANNY!” I holler.

I can’t see them. I can’t see anything but white foam and restless waves. My ankle begins to sear. Overwhelming pain.

Stars blink in my vision.

“Padgett!” Kinden is yelling. She looks to him and he throws her something. The long stick—it’s a depowered electrowand. A Saltare weapon. As soon as it’s in her hands, she dives in a clean arc and vanishes into the deep, dark water.

I make a move like I’m gonna step off the plank into the ocean. Find her. Grab her. Bring her back.

“MYKAL!” Court cries out in panic. Stork is already grabbing me around the waist, stopping me.

I struggle beneath him. “Let me go!” I scream through angry tears. Pain lances my back. My ankle. Water rushes into my lungs. I feel like I’m choking and dying on fear.Her fear.My fear.

All three of us.

She’s going to die down there and we’re just gonna let it happen?!

“We can’t risk both of you drowning!” Stork yells. “You know what would happen to Court if you both died.”

Tears burn my eyes. I can’t think of that future. I can only think of the possibility where I go into the waters and come out alive. Whatever’s clawing at her, I can fight it.

“Trust Padgett,” Kinden tells me.

“Mykal.” Court calls my name. His grim eyes sear into mine, saying,I can’t lose you too.I shake my head harder. I can’t live with myself doing nothing. Letting her go.

Stork is the only one close enough to clutch onto me. His fingers dig into my neck like I’m a wolf pup. Court touches his chest. “The best thing we can do for her, Mykal,” he says, “is stay calm.”