The half-blood moved to stand next to me.
A large burst of water broke the pond’s surface, sending a thick wave radiating outward. I clutched onto Rio’s arm as my hooves threatened to lose their grip on the ground.
His hand rested on top of mine, but he did not give me a reassuring smile I hoped for. Instead, he watched as a pillar grew from the depths of the pool, atop it an orb of unnatural light.
The rumbling groaned to a stop, and immediately the kin’s outstretched hand pierced the bubble. Another burst of water, and I saw it this time: something dark clattered atop of the pillar. Quickly, he snatched it up and placed it in the pouch around his belt.
Just as I opened my mouth to inquire about the object, something dripped on my face. My free hand wiped it off. Just water. Then I looked up.
Above us, the previously dark window had grown lighter. I watched as a white line grew across the crystal. Before I could warn the others what was happening, the glass split open. Seawater crashed down on my head and tore my hooves from the floor. I held onto Rio’s sleeve as hard as I could, and tried to pull myself toward him against the flow.
Just as I felt the half-blood’s slim arm wrap around my shoulders, Levent’s hand gripped my wrist. I opened my eyes for a split second as we moved out of the rushing waterfall, but I noticed that soon neither the kin nor the half-blood would be able to keep their feet on the ground. As the room filled, I caught my breath but began to panic.
“What are we gonna do?” I shrieked. This was worse than being in that tunnel!
“Go up. Hope there’s a way out,” the half-blood shouted against the roar of water.
“Up,” the kin agreed.
Nodding, I took a deep breath and we plunged toward the spray. The strength of the current pushed the three of us down at first, a flailing tangle of limbs. The room reached its fill, and there was an incredible push from underneath.
If I dared to open my mouth, I would have screamed. I made a shrieking sound in the back of my throat. The current slowed, and I hoped at least one of the