Chapter Twenty-One
As I freefall, I scream like I haven’t done since the time I went hoarse after accidentally swallowing a spider.
His face inhumanly calm, Nero glides after me like an expert skydiver.
Before I can blink, he has me in a tight hug.
I brave a look down over his shoulder and wish I hadn’t. The harbor water is a high-rise building away.
I look back up and wish I hadn’t done that either. Another rocket hits what’s left of the poor helicopter square on—and it explodes into shards of metal and glass.
“Brace yourself,” Nero shouts just as his back hits the water.
The impact knocks all my breath out of my lungs, and I see bright flashes of light.
Then the cold water surrounds me, and my consciousness slips away.
