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“I’m fine. I’m fine, really.”
Water dripped from his rugged face. “Okay. It’s clear. We can go through. You ready?”
No. But she nodded. There was no other choice.
“Take your boots off.” She did as he asked. It made little difference. Her feet were already numb with cold.
“Here.” He unhooked the coil of high-visibility rope from his belt. “We’ll go together. This way, you won’t get lost. It’s dark even with the flashlight.” He tied it around her waist, then tugged it on both ends to ensure it wouldn’t unravel. He grunted his satisfaction at the soundness of his makeshift tether and flashed her a cheeky grin. “Guess you’re stuck with me now.”
“I hope so.”
“Okay, listen.” His expression shifted to serious as he stepped closer. “I need you to take several deep breaths to hyperventilate and increase your blood oxygen levels. Then I’m going to make an okay sign like this.” He touched his thumb and forefinger in a circle. “This is our signal to dive. You understand?”
“I understand.” Grace followed his guidance, breathing in, breathing out. As she sucked in the deepest breath yet he formed a circle with his fingers while with his free hand he took hold of her hand.
She trusted this man, trusted him with her life. If this was where it ended, she was with him.
Grace stepped off the edge of the step. Freezing water smacked against her face, and for an instant, panic almost floored her. Warm hands gripped her cheeks, and she forced herself to open her eyes. Caleb was right there. He made the okay sign once more, waiting for her response. She responded and then, satisfied she was ready, he turned and headed for the room below.
Her light flashed against the soles of his feet as he swam. She followed, using the safety rail to propel herself into the stateroom. The room was dim, lit by flickering emergency lights that gave the water a sickly orange cast. She scanned the space, the play of her flashlight scattering ethereal patterns across the walls.
The once opulent state bedroom had transformed into an eerie, otherworldly space. A forgotten wine glass hung suspended upside down, its stem pointing at the floor, while scattered cushions bobbed along the carpet, spinning as Caleb pushed past them with deliberate strokes, his powerful arms driving them forward.
She followed his lead, her pulse violent in her ears as they navigated through the submerged cabin.Darkness pressed in on her from all sides, a suffocating blanket that threatened to smother her, pierced only by the narrow beams of their flashlights. She was acutely aware of the immense weight of the water surrounding them, its pressure bearing down on her from all sides. The sensation formed a leaden knot in her stomach, warning her that any hesitation could be fatal.
Caleb checked over his shoulder, and she made the okay sign. I’m still okay. Still here. But she’d seen enough of the bedroom. Her lungs burned, and the push for fresh air intensified.
Just a little further.
Her fingers closed around the elegant leg of a dressing table, and she used it to pull herself forward, her eyes fixed on the darker rectangle at the far end of the room that marked their exit. The way out of this hellish maze.
Caleb tugged the rope connecting them as they reached the door. She followed as he guided her through, her heart leaping with anticipation, expecting to surface into fresh air. But as she breached the surface, her head slammed against the unyielding ceiling with a dull thud.
She spluttered, choking on the stale air that filled her lungs, her hands scrabbling against the smooth surface above her, desperate to find a way out of the water. But there was nowhere to go. Her head was jammed against the ceiling in a sliver of air.
Panic spiked through her like electricity. “Caleb... what...”
“We need to stop here. It’s too far on one breath.” His voice was steady. “You’re doing great.”
Of course. In her panic, she’d forgotten about the second room, the lounge where Hudson had entertained his cronies, smoking cigars and sipping ridiculous brandy. Her teeth chattered so violently she feared they might shatter. “O…kay...”
“Just one more push and then we’re out.” His eyes were fierce with determination.
“P…pr…promise?”
“I promise.”
“I’m not dying on Richard’s ship.” She no longer cared about the blatant terror in her voice. All she could think about was her wretched need for air, the overwhelming desire to escape the claustrophobic confines of the ship and the life that had almost destroyed her.
Caleb spat out water, his face serious. “I understand. I want you to focus on your breathing and conserving your energy. We’ll get through this together.” His gaze locked with hers. “You can do this. The second section is shorter, and I’m right here with you.”
She met his gaze as he sipped air, refilling his lungs for the final push.
“On my count, Grace. One. Two. Three.”
Grace followed, ducking under the surface once more, icy water swathing her skin.She struck out with stiff arms, aware the cold was making her clumsy and slowing her down. When will this end? Ribbons of panic exploded in her belly.
I can’t do?—
