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Then he set her back. He pulled on the helmet and clicked it into place, sealing it. There was a rush of air as the breathing system kicked in. Through the visor, he saw Dakota watching him as best she could, with her face pressed up to the roof.

The water was only inches from the top of the sub now. He grabbed her hands, holding on tight. She dragged in one last breath and the water closed over her head.

He tugged her close, and they stared at each other through the helmet’s visor. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to the helmet, kissing him one last time. When she pulled back, she winked at him.

Damn. Only Dakota would wink at a time like this.

It only took a minute before her body jerked, as she fought not to open her mouth. He knew her lungs would be burning and she was fighting all her instincts. Then her mouth opened, water filling her lungs.

She started to choke and shake, convulsing in his arms. He held her, his heart breaking into tiny, jagged pieces.

She reached forward, her hand pressing against his helmet. Her struggles slowed, her movements turning sluggish.

Then she went limp.

Dare heard a roar and realized it was his own agonized sound. He wrenched open the door of the sub, and, after getting a good grip on the back of her suit, he pushed out of the craft.

With powerful kicks, he started swimming. He aimed straight for the dome, pulling his precious cargo behind him.

Ahead, the dome glowed gold-orange. He had to get there. That was his only thought.

He kept swimming. He didn’t think about what other creatures might be lurking around. All he could think about was the lifeless body of the woman he loved that he was dragging along behind him.

He loved her.

Dare Phoenix loved Dakota Jones. She was his and he had to save her.

A few more kicks, and he reached the smooth gold glass of the dome. He swam along it. Where the hell was the entrance?

He kept moving, the hiss of the air in his helmet the only sound to pierce his chaotic thoughts. Come on! They didn’t have much time. Finally, he spotted something that looked similar to the iris-like entrance he’d seen at the Sori Sanu city dome.

He reached the entrance and turned back to look at Dakota. She was so still, her dark hair floating out around her.

He looked around the door frame and found what he guessed was some sort of control panel. He slapped a hand against it, and when the door retracted, he kicked his way inside. As soon as he was in, the door closed again and the water started draining out of the space.

Come on. Hurry up.

His boots touched the ground, and he dragged Dakota into his arms. The second the interior door opened, he staggered into the dome.

He didn’t bother looking around, just laid her out on the ground. He tore his helmet off.

“Dakota!”

He leaned over her. She was so still. Too still. Completely unresponsive. No breathing. No pulse.

He pressed his hands to her chest, using the age-old technique that had originated back on Earth, and started resuscitation. Compressions, a breath. Compressions, a breath.

Her lips beneath his were so cold.

She wasn’t responding.

“No. Damn you, Dakota. Don’t do this.” He tore at the pockets on his envirosuit. Rynan had shoved a tiny emergency first aid kit at him before they’d left. Dare tore it open, hoping it contained more than just bandages and antiseptic wipes. He spotted the two small shock pads and almost wept.

He reached down, yanked her suit open, and then tore her shirt open down the middle. He pressed the two sticky pads to her damp skin.

He let them do their job, and kept breathing into her. Breath. Breath. Breath. He felt her body jerking under the shocks.

Nothing.