The water was ice against my skin, like a thousand knives piercing me at once as I sank deeper into the suffocating darkness.
My arms flailed, legs kicking wildly, but it was like fighting quicksand—every thrash dragged me lower, every scream I tried to force out was drowned beneath the crushing weight that pressed on me.
This wasn’t how I imagined dying. Not again. Not so fast.
The burn in my lungs grew unbearable. My body begged me to breathe, to suck in water and end this torment, but I clenched my jaw, refusing. I fought harder, nails clawing at nothing, throat tearing in silence. The light above was a blurred smear that dimmed with every heartbeat.
Was this it? Was I doomed to always die at the hands of those I trusted? Kaid. Lyra. And now Bella—sweet Bella who had once been my l
