Page 10 of The Twisted Throne

His fingers contracted on her thighs, the sensation reaching deep into her core. Then he said, “Do it.”

Ahnna poured a few drops onto the end of the fuse. The chemicals immediately reacted. A bright glow illuminated the darkness and a crackle filled the air.

“Now!” she shouted, then drew in a deep breath as they dropped.

Ten.

Water closed over Ahnna’s head, the light fading from view as they used their hands to push themselves down and down into the water-filled tunnel.

Nine.

Eight.

Her elbows collided against the rock, but she couldn’t afford to be careful.

Six.

Five.

Ahnna could no longer see the light of the fuse, but that didn’t mean they were out of range of debris.

Four.

Three.

If the tunnel collapsed, could she get turned around? Could she get them back to the surface of the ocean without drowning?

Two.

This wasn’t going to work. She’d made a mistake.

One.

Nothing happened.

Shit.

There must have been a gap in the fuse line and it had gone out, which meant they’d need to do this all over again. Swearing silently, Ahnna started to swim upward.

Light abruptly flared, bright enough to hurt her eyes.

Boom!

A second later, the water surged, slamming her against the walls of the tunnel. Her head hit a rock, stunning her, bubbles rushing past her face.

But hands gripped her thighs, shoving her upward.Swim!

Clawing at the walls of the tunnel, Ahnna swam upward until her head broke the surface. Acrid smoke burned her eyes, and she fought the urge to breathe. Bracing her legs and back against the tunnel, she scaled it, finding that the bars had blown vertically. It would be tight, but they could get through.

Below her, the prince gasped and coughed on the smoke. She needed to get to the top and open the hatch to let in fresh air, then she could come back for him.

Climb!

The hot metal of the bars seared through her shirt, but Ahnna ignored the pain, forcing herself past them. Higher and higher she climbed, until she had no choice but to inhale.

Smoke burned her lungs, coughs racking her body, but she pressed onward. The tunnel turned horizontal, and ahead, she could make out a rim of light around the door.

Stumbling, she collided with the heavy wood, fumbled for the latch, and then was out into the open air.

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