Chapter 23 · Boiler Bleed

"Close the hatch!" Cassian shouted as black water slammed through the ruptured service door.

Four tons of seawater hit the boiler compartment at once. It knocked Brant off his feet and sent a burning wrench skidding across the deck. Steam burst from the split feed line, turning the narrow chamber into a white, screaming trap.

Lyra stood three steps from the hatch, one hand pressed to the wall, her blindfold already soaked through. The alarm lights flashed red across her face.

"Ten seconds!" Cassian yelled. "Lyra, move!"

"The release wheel is gone!"

"Then find another way!"

A second wave crashed over the compartment threshold. It reached Lyra's boots and yanked hard at her legs. She caught the hatch frame with both hands, but the steel shook under her grip.

Cassian crossed the passage in two strides. He grabbed her around the waist and hauled her backward just as a loose pipe tore free from the wall. It whipped through the space where her head had been and smashed into the opposite bulkhead.

Lyra slammed into his chest. Her wet coat scraped against his, and heat rolled off his skin even through both layers of cloth.

"Put me down," she snapped.