I ducked under the frigid water and searched around in the darkness. In the frigid water that reminded me of fire.
It fell into the crevice.
The water sucking it down to lodge above my foot.
The foot I could barely feel.
I pushed that thought aside and lifted the phone out of the water.
Black.
No life.
I slumped back against my rock.
Had he heard me? Had it gotten through?
The water was still rising.
Two
“Grace!”
I didn’t want to wake up. It was warm, and everything had soft edges. Best of all, it was warm.
“Ms. Copeland.”
I dragged open my eyes. Blake?
Was I still dreaming? I’d been slipping between consciousness and unconsciousness for what felt like forever.
He sounded…frightened? Not like my Blake.
“Really? Ms. Copeland now?” asked a second voice.
I turned away from the bright light flickering around the walls of the cave. The circle of light bounced around like a drunk lightning bug. Ceiling, ledges, and then back again.
“Gracie. Come out, come out wherever you are.”
“Jack?” I asked out loud.
“Here! Blake, she’s over here.”
“Get back.”
I frowned. The frigid water slapped at my chest.
Jack groaned. “What the hell, Blake?”
“I can get her.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“Get back. Grace? I’m here.” His voice was reverent. Soft and hoarse with a touch of the steel I knew so well. Hands slid under my armpits. “Where’s your shirt? Grace?”
His hands were too warm. They were painful. I hissed. “Wait.” My voice was a squeak. He tugged and I pushed at him. “Blake, wait.”
“Shh. I’ll get you out of here, I promise.”