Page 356 of Hidden Depths

“I will.”

“You do exactly what I tell you.”

“I will.”

“If I say run⁠—”

“I run.”

He stepped closer.

“And if I say leave me?”

My heart tightened.

“I won’t.”

“Storm.”

“You knew the answer before you asked.”

Something passed through his eyes.

Fear.

Not for himself.

For me.

Then he turned away.

“Ben, lead.”

We followed the tracks deeper beneath the island.

The passage widened until the walls disappeared beyond the reach of our flashlights.

The water rose from our ankles to our knees.

Cold currents pulled at my legs.

Overhead, the mountain groaned.

Mom stayed close to Nathan.

Despite his objections, she walked on her own.

But their hands remained joined.

Neither of them seemed aware of it.

I was.

We found the first gate less than a hundred yards ahead.

It stood three stories tall, embedded between two walls of black volcanic rock.

Rust streamed down its metal surface.