Page 18 of Rupture

Rose toggled the controls and MARV slithered with fluid grace deeper into the water. She tracked the bio-hybrid’s progress on her screen. MARV would map the descent to the Io Habitat while they finished their preparations and waited for the rest of the team to descend. She rolled her shoulders back, soothed by familiarity. MARV’s presence was a comfort, a reminder of her dedicated work. Work had always been her sanctuary, a place to lose herself away from the unregulated chaos of the world. Free of emotion, work kept her sane, gave her focus.

The platform rocked and Rose turned. Finn was pulling himself back on. Water cascaded from his muscled shoulders,running in rivulets down the chiseled planes of his abdomen as he found his feet. Against her will, Rose drank in the sight of him. The way his wet suit clung to every ripped contour of his body, it should be illegal.

She flashed her tongue over her upper lip.

Focus was easier said than done.

10

For the next half an hour,Rose completed MARV’s safety checks while waiting for Luca to escort Harris down into the cave.

Finn and the rest of the Wolves worked efficiently, prepping the dive kit with a level of precision that only came from years of experience. The barbs she’d heard the men throw at each other on the surface had temporarily muted, replaced by a quiet intensity as they triple-checked their diving gear. Rose couldn’t help but be impressed. It was clear safety was their top priority, and that reassured her more than she cared to admit.

The sound of feet landing on the platform drew her attention, and she looked up to see Harris, his cheeks blotched pink from the descent. Despite the enormity of the dive ahead, his eyes were bright with excitement at the prospect of seeing his baby, the Io habitat, in real life.

As Luca unclipped him, Harris surveyed the cave, his eyes wide with wonder. “Incredible.” His voice echoed off the craggy walls. “I’ve seen photographs of this cave a thousand times, but to actually be here, in person... it’s surreal.”

He turned to Rose, a grin spreading across his face. “We’re actually standing in the heart of the Dragon’s Breath.”

He stepped out of his harness and moved closer to the edge of the platform, peering into the waters below. “To think, my creation is down there, waiting for us.” He exhaled a slow, shaky breath. “The reality of actually diving to her... it’s hitting me now.” He took another deep breath, as if steeling himself. “But I’m ready. I’ve waited years for this moment, and I’m not going to let nerves stop me.”

“Fighting talk.” Luca clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit.”

“Okay, let’s get you into your tanks.” Finn’s voice pulled her attention away from Harris. He was at her side, his arms full of air tanks. He caught her eye and winked, a playful gesture that sent a flutter through her stomach.

Fifteen minutes later,Rose sat on the edge of the raft, her feet dangling in the icy water. Finn had strapped the tanks securely to her back. Her respirator hung loose against her chest. MARV circled the raft, its glowing eyes casting a sinister light through the darkness. The worms that had been wriggling in the water earlier seemed to have been scared off by MARV’s arrival.Thank God for small mercies.

“Put these on.” Finn handed her two lethal-looking dive knives and a slim holster. The blades glinted in the dim light, their edges razor-sharp.

“Two?”

“Dead divers don’t have backups.” He arched an eyebrow at her.

“Fair enough.” She strapped the holster around her hipsand sheathed the knives. The weight of the blades was unfamiliar against her thighs. She felt a little too much like Lara Croft minus the hot pants.

“It’s a good look.” A hint of amusement played at the corner of Finn’s mouth. “Here.” He handed her a small comma shaped button. “We’ll be using full-face dive masks with integrated comms, but this will enable comms with the surface when we’re in the habitat. This goes just inside your ear.” He demonstrated, tucking the comma just inside the curve of his ear.

Okay.Rose attempted to fit the device in her own ear. The metal was cold, and the shape was unwieldy. No matter how she twisted and turned it, she couldn’t seem to get it to sit comfortably. Maybe her ears were the wrong shape?—

“Let me.” Warm fingers skimmed hers and removed the comms piece from the uncomfortable position she’d wedged it in.

“Just gonna move your hair.” His breath was warm against her chilled cheek as he tucked a stray lock behind her ear with considerate fingers.God.He was so closeagain. The expanse of his chest collided with her, derailing any coherent thoughts. Corded muscle flexed in his arm.

Dear God.

Cool metal pressed against her skin once more, followed by a blast of static that made her jump. Rose held her breath, waiting for Finn to step away, but he lingered for a moment longer, his fingers brushing against the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“Comfortable?”

She touched her ear. “Yes. Thanks.”

Finally, he stepped away, his face cracking into a smile. “You’re good to go.”

She reached for her ear, running her fingers over thesmooth surface of the comms unit. She could barely feel it, the metal already warmed by her skin. “Thank you.”

“It’s touch sensitive. If the chat gets too much and you need some time with your own thoughts, just touch it like this.” He took hold of her hand and pressed her fingertips to the metal.

Rose swallowed. She’d never had to remember to breathe before. But right now, it was a conscious effort.

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