Chapter 17 · she snapped

Then the grate above them exploded inward.

Seraphina dragged Raven forward as a bolt tore through the space where his head had been. It struck the wall and cracked apart.

"Crawl!" she snapped.

"I am crawling!"

"Faster!"

"Push me again and we're both dead."

"Then stop talking!"

Raven drove his elbows into the muck and pulled himself around the bend. Seraphina came after him, one hand gripping his belt, the other holding her sword flat against her back.

The tunnel dropped suddenly.

His elbow slipped. His body twisted, and he fell sideways into Seraphina. They hit the shallow channel together. Black water splashed across their faces.

The tether struck like a hammer.

Pain tore a cry from her. Raven's teeth clamped shut too late.

"Get off me!" she hissed.

"I'm trying!"

He pushed against the curved wall. She was pinned beneath him, her face inches from his. Water ran from her lashes. A smear of blood marked her lower lip.

Her hand rose and caught the front of his coat.

"Move."

"I can't. Your leg is trapped."

"Then cut it loose.