Page 55 of My Summer Girl

Before I can say anything else, something wraps around my ankle, tugging me beneath the water. Screams don’t get to escape my lips as a result of shock flooding my veins and sending me into a panic.

As surprised as I am, Raevar isn’t prepared and roars as my vision disappears under the water. It’s dark under here, and I’m grateful for not being human. The pressure in my ears is fast approaching and I lift my jaw, hoping I don’t have any damaging results from this.

For years, I’ve practiced free diving, forcing my lungs to learn how to not breathe for long periods. It works—I can sit at the bottom of Crystal Lake for about thirteen minutes now.

I blink as darkness overtakes my entire vision. It’s too dark down here for any light to shine through. If not for my love of the water, it’d be way more terrifying. It doesn’t burn like I expect it to, but instead it wraps me in a warm blanket-like feeling, and that thought alone should scare me.

My chest aches as I continue to hold my breath. It doesn’t feel like much time has passed, but my body can’t tell me. Attempting to calm my panic, I mentally meditate, slowing my heart rate as much as possible.

I’ve done this before.

Not this quickly or this deep, but I’ll survive.

Hopefully.

Hades. I swear the Fates don’t want me to finish my summer “fuck it” list. First, I’m torn away from my performance at Vex’s, then I’m swimming naked, dragged down before we get rain.

I’m doomed.

As my body shakes, light fills my vision. It’s blinding, a vibrant chartreuse shade. I blink to hopefully clear my vision, not realizing it’s not my brain shutting off. The light grows brighter as it moves closer to me, more zoomed in. It’s getting larger and the rapid way it floods my veins warms me.

The feeling overwhelming me is like a hug—a connection.

It too reminds me of the bond with Vex. It’s so comforting. They feel like home somehow and that’s a feeling I’ve always chased.

My body slowly shuts down, the energy leaving me as I force myself not to gasp for the oxygen I desperately need.

Forcing my eyes open once more, I’m met with massive green eyes. They’re eerie, like glow sticks, piercing me with a dissecting stare.

Nothing but tranquility fuels me as our gazes lock. I reach forward, tentative but purposeful. Leaving my hand floating in the space in front of me, I wait as it comes nearer.

Their nostrils flare with purpose, then they close the distance between us. As soon as my hand touches their scales, I’m encased in emotions.

Curiosity, fear, concern, fury.

The last one has me rubbing at my bare chest, wanting to soothe whatever gives that ache to us both. That tightness in my body comes back and black spots my vision. As if noticing, something pulls me upward, lifting me up.

Before I can make sense of it, everything darkens.

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