Page 97 of Salem’s Rise

The realization passes over the pier in grim silence.

We are then directed toward a washroom to change into special underwater immersion suits provided by the Veil that look military at first glance, though stitched with old silver runes instead of reflective tape.

At least they aren’t planning to freeze us to death before drowning us. The Veil and their impeccable manners.

Silas and I are assigned the fourth numbered scaffold, near the center of the pier. From our location, I can see every chair and the large, illuminated clock suspended above Professor Nightwing’s platform.

The other pairings are Georgina and Rowan, Wren and Lena, Van and his tattooed partner—Carter, I think is his name—and two other contestants I haven’t gotten to know yet. A large man with a scar along his jaw and a striking blonde woman with icy blue eyes. They look about my age, but I’ve never seen either of them on campus. Perhaps they don’t even go to SFU.

Without any fanfare, Silas takes a seat in the chair.

I stare at him. “What are you doing?”

“Going first.”

“Why?”

He gives me a long, knowing look. “You’re shivering, and we both know it’s not from the cold.” His voice softens. “It’s okay to be afraid sometimes, Jack. Let me do this. You can watch, see how the mechanism works. See that it’s safe.”

“I’m not afraid!” I snap, my cheeks heating. “You just want to get through your trial first, then decide whether to save me or let me drown.”

His eyes cut to mine, all that softness disappearing instantly. “You’re welcome to go first, if you prefer.”

I look down into the murky depths of the harbor.

“No… that’s okay.” My voice betrays me with the slightest waver.

“That’s what I thought.”

I close the first restraint around his wrist, iron clicking against iron. The sound makes something in my stomach twist.

“How long are you planning to stay under?” I ask.

“As long as necessary.”

“That isn’t a number.” I close the second wrist restraint, then his ankles. Finally, I draw the broad leather strap across his chest and secure it to the chair frame. I crouch beside him, keeping my voice low. “When you ring, I’ll bring you up,” I say. “I promise.”

Even if I hate him again, I want him to know he can trust me as his partner.

“I’m not going to ring.” He looks at the bell cord beside his right hand, then back at me. “Leave me down until we win. That’s the game, Mercer.”

I stare at him in disbelief. He is not teasing. He is not trying to frighten me. His face is perfectly calm, as if he’s already accepted his fate and sees no reason anyone else should object.

“That is insane,” I hiss. “I could kill you.”

A spark of amusement lights his eyes. “Well, then you’ll win and I’ll be dead. I’d think you might rather like those results.”

“Silas—”

He turns his head toward me, something almost hopeful in his expression that makes my chest ache. I almost tell him the truth—that I didn’t mean it, that our night at Blackthorn Manor wasn’t meaningless to me. That this is more than a partnership.

But then his chair swings out over the harbor, and with a raise of Professor Nightwing’s hand, all five chairs disappear beneath an explosion of water.

Istare down into the black water of Salem’s Fall Harbor where Silas disappeared seconds ago, my heart pounding as snow collects on the pier around me. My shaking hands are wrapped around the lever as I fixate on the rope, terrified I’ll miss the slightest movement signaling he’s had enough and needs to surface.

The clock has begun its counting.

Ten seconds.