Chapter 16 · The Abyss's Invite

"Stop pulling me!" Lyra slammed both hands against Cane's chest as the current dragged them toward the black trench below. "You're going to break the pact!"

"Then quit fighting me and breathe!"

"I am breathing! You're the one drowning!"

The pressure crushed down from every direction. Cane's ribs screamed. His suit joints clicked under the strain, and the pale blue runes on his gloves blinked faster and faster.

They had less than a minute before the diving seals failed.

Lyra's hand slipped from his shoulder.

Cane caught her wrist. Her fingers were ice-cold, but the pulse under his grip beat hard and fast.

"Look at me," he said.

"I am looking at you. You look terrible."

"Good. Means you can still see me."

"That isn't how eyesight works."

A metal cable snapped somewhere above them. The sound traveled through the water like a gunshot.

Lyra twisted toward it. "That was the guide line."

"I know."

"We lost the route."

"I know that too."

"Cane—"

"Don't say my name like you're about to blame me."

"I was going to say we're trapped."

"Same tone."

A dark shape moved below them.

Not a fish. Not a ship.