Chapter 43 · He told you to go

"Let go."

"He told you to go."

"He's bleeding."

"So are you."

My hand slid over my throat. Blood smeared my fingers.

Celia shoved me down another rung. "Move, Mara. If you turn around, we all die in this hole."

"If he dies up there—"

"Then make sure his sacrifice buys something."

The lock chamber opened beneath us.

I dropped into waist-deep water. Celia landed beside me with a splash and came up coughing.

The chamber had no visible floor. Only a round stone platform, three dead lamps, and a lock carved with old blood lines.

A metal hatch sat in the center.

I waded toward it.

Celia caught my arm. "Stop."

"Let go."

"The lock sequence is still active."

"I know."

"No, you don't. The tide is reading the covenant. If you touch that stone, it may bind your pulse to the gate."

"Then I'll pull my hand back."

"That's not how blood locks work."

"You got a better plan?"

"Yes. Wait for Ronan."

"He's holding back half the ocean."

"And he's stronger than both of us."

"He's not invincible."

"Neither are you."

The water slapped against the platform.