29

The controls vibrated beneath my palms, the Chasm Walker straining to surface through the ice floes floating atop the sea. My hands shook as Ashton’s warning still flared in my head.

Rise. Rise. Rise.

Something had gone wrong with Hunley. I did not know what, but I trusted Ashton’s warning.

The topmost windows of the vessel showed black sky, and I stopped my ascent. Just below the ice, I flooded the outside with as many lights as I could flick on. The small windows provided a view along the surface. There, walking in the beams provided by the Chasm Walker, four people trudged across the snow piled on the floes.

Ashton, flanked by Gustav and Kirkland, trailed an irate looking Hunley across the blocks of ice floating atop the sea. He was limping, and a sliver of worry pierced my gut. How could I get him away from them? Hunley and the others stopped short, waiting it seemed. Gaze snapping to the ladder chute at the far end of the helm, I took a breath and climbed it. Twisting the wheel in the hatch’s center until it clicked, the seal gave with a crackling sound. I pushed up the hatch and popped my head out of the top of the submersible.

The cold immediately hit me. Wind off the water whipped my hair and nearly snatched Hunley’s voice.

“Give me the ship,” Hunley shouted. “And I’ll give you your spy.”

My gaze went to Ashton.

Kirkland kicked at the back of his legs, and Ashton went down on his knees. His eyes searched the dark for me, but the lights provided only a silhouette.

“There were some nasty presents waiting in here for me, Hunley,” I shouted, counting out the minutes, aware that Ashton could survive only so long out here in the elements. I had to think fast. “Tell me you didn’t half hope I died out there in the dark deep.”

“I am n-not bluffing,” Hunley shouted through her shivering. She pulled the dagger from the handle of her cane and held it to Ashton’s neck.

“Yes, she is,” he shouted.

“Want to see how serious I am?” Hunley jerked the knife and Ashton winced as a stream of blood oozed from just under his jaw. “I need that vessel, Blackburn!”

Kirkland and Gustav glanced at each other nervously.

“I am trying to stop what is happening, Hunley,” I shouted, my heart pulsing in my throat as I watched Ashton’s collar turn crimson.

“So am I,” Hunley screamed. “The ship, or he dies.”

I hesitated, staring at Ashton in the whirling wind, frost already forming on his dark hair. He shook in the cold. The image of Jack and all those missing kids’ names on Mara’s wall flashed in my mind. I needed the Chasm Walker to stop Arecibo. To save innocents.

One for many.

Ashton’s words echoed through me. A worthy sacrifice? I had not accepted it back when Ashton tried to convince me it was what my father embraced. What The Order had drummed into him since he was a child. Did I believe in it now? Would Ashton?

“I-I’m sorry, Ash,” I cried, and the look of shock on his face pierced my heart.

Hunley shouted after me as I shook my head, climbing back down into the submersible.

I was not giving up this ship. Not after having nearly died to get it. Not knowing what might happen if I failed to get to Outer City in time. Chest heaving, I fought with the controls, grabbing hold of the yoke as I dove. The lights lit up the facility fifty yards away. The giant porthole of the diving room came into view. Teeth gritted, I leaned on the yoke, barreling forward with greater and greater speed. Below me, the engine rumbled. The metal grind of the walking arms beneath the belly of the submersible reverberated through the helm as I braced for impact.

I rammed the front of the submersible into the porthole glass. The impact bounced me off the controls and onto the floor. I crawled back up, reversing the propeller in the rear, and then launching forward again. “Oh, you’ll give me back my spy,” I muttered.

Floating backward, the first cracks spread along the convex window. Engaging the thrust at full throttle, I collided with the facility again. My head hit the helm yoke, and sparks flashed behind my eyelids. The Chasm Walker had hit higher, toward the ceiling of the facility. Hand to my hairline, I looked at my shaking fingers. I was bleeding. An incandescent overhead sparked out, the glass raining down. The controls flickered, and I held my breath. They grew to a strong glow once more.

Move, Blackburn.

A metal cylinder with handles and a view port protruded from the ceiling of the helm, and I rushed over to pull it down, peering through the lenses. As I suspected, it was a means to see above the surface of the sea while the vessel remained submerged. Hunley and the others lay sprawled on the ice, slipping and sliding on the slick surface as they struggled back onto their feet. She staggered, waving her cane and screaming at the water. Ashton rose quickly, knocking the dagger from Hunley.

“That a girl,” I whispered, patting the handles. “Stay with me.”

Running back to the controls, I hit the facility one more time, wincing at the pain that shot through my shoulder. The whine of the engines sent a shiver along my spine. No more. I didn’t think the Chasm Walker could take another hit. Ascending, I rose almost completely out of the sea this time, sure I had made my point.

Hunley threw her cane at me when I pushed through the hatch this time.

“What are you doing? You’re destroying the facility…wrecking the vessel! Have you gone mad?”

“Oh, undoubtedly,” I shouted back. “And now you see how serious I am.” Pointing at Ashton, I continued. “Now, you give me my spy and my weapon and I won’t flood your entire building.”

“No!” Hunley shouted, but Gustav reached into his waistband and tossed my baton at Ashton.

He caught it and ran forward, locking eyes with me, his gaze alight with adrenaline. “You are a singular woman,” Ashton yelled as he leapt onto the nose of the Chasm Walker. He scrambled up the hull, pulling himself up to the hatch and planting a cold kiss on my lips. Leaning back, he took in the form-fitting top and raised a brow. “This is new.”

“Go get warm,” I said, hoping the heat that rushed to my cheeks did not show. I shifted, letting him climb down the ladder.

“How could you do this?” Hunley faced off with the ship as if she would tear it piece by piece if she could.

I motioned to her. “Come with me,” I called. “Help me stop him.”

“What?” Ashton’s voice sounded from below. He tugged on the hem of my tunic. “Did you hit your head?”

I locked eyes with Hunley, beseeching. “What Arecibo has done. What he plans to do…” I climbed out of the hatch. Slipping and sliding down the hull, I reached across the chasm of ice between the ship and Hunley. “We can end this. Come with me, Prudence, so other brothers, wives, and children do not suffer under Arecibo’s wrath.”

Her breath hitched as she stared at me. Shock and disbelief marred her face. She glanced over her shoulder at Gustav and Kirkland, and then back at me. “I will kill you if I need to,” she warned, her lip quivering. “If you turn. If you try to...to—” She wiped her face with her sleeve. “I’ll do it.”

“I would expect nothing less,” I said across her, extending my hand further. “Please, Pru. We need you.”

Taking a deep breath, she shook her head, and then grabbed my hand. I pulled her aboard. We climbed back up to the hatch, with me half expecting her to toss me into the sea at any moment.

Once inside, Ashton pointed her in the direction of the rooms, and then stood with his hands on his hips staring at me. “What are you doing, Charlie?”

I watched her limp down the corridor, shivering. She was brave, smart, and determined.

“Making allies instead of enemies, for once,” I said finally.

Shaking his head, Ashton pulled me into a hug, his body warming mine instantly. I clung to him.

“We ran from Outer City for a reason,” he said quietly. “They will trade you if they think it will save them. Kill you if they don’t.”

“I know,” I murmured into his damp shirt.

“But we’re still going back,” Ashton said, his hand smoothing back my hair. “Aren’t we?”

“We’re going back.”