Chapter 20 · The Drowned Crown

"Get up." Carson's hand clamped around my arm as black water surged past my knees. "Now, or you're going under with Mira."

"I'm not leaving her."

"Then carry her." He hauled me upright. "I've got thirty seconds before I seal this section."

Mira pushed herself off the wall. Blood ran from her nose to her mouth, but she wiped it away and pointed toward the stairs. "Go."

"Not without you."

"I said go."

"And I said no." I caught her arm as her knees buckled. "If you want to die down here, do it after we reach the stairs."

Carson was already climbing. "Move!"

I dragged Mira after him. The water climbed from my shins to my waist in seconds. It was cold enough to numb my fingers and thick with the stink of rot. Something brushed my leg.

I didn't look down.

"Twenty seconds!" Carson shouted.

"I can't—" Mira gasped.

"You can." I shoved her toward the steps. "Climb."

She grabbed the railing. I pushed her from below while the current slammed into my hips. Her boot slipped.