The Abyss Surrounds Us (The Abyss Surrounds Us #1)(36)

I must look particularly woozy, because Swift’s still holding on to me. I steady myself and let go, tottering toward the ladder. It’s a miracle I make it down in one piece.

After what just happened, I don’t feel safe wandering the halls of the ship alone. Every corner is a risk, and the shadowy light doesn’t help. I descend into the bowels of the Minnow by myself, making my way back to the trainer deck and vaguely wondering if Reinhardt is allowed to treat damages inflicted by the captain.

I round the corner that leads to the trainer deck and freeze. A chill floods my veins as I take in the sight. This isn’t possible. This can’t be happening.

The hatch, which I left locked, is wide open. Someone is on the trainer deck.





19


If I hold my breath, maybe I can fade back into the shadows. Maybe I can escape without being noticed. But someone is on the trainer deck right now, someone who isn’t supposed to be. And if they’re making a pass at Bao, I need to do everything in my power to stop them.

But I’m not brave enough. My head is pounding, my breath is coming in little ragged gasps, and it’s taking everything in me to lift up one foot after the other and creep closer and closer to that open door. The LED beacon hums to life, and I recognize the homing command that rattles through the deck. They’re summoning Bao.

If I don’t stop them, I’m dead anyway. That seems to be the only reason I do anything these days. So I creep forward until I’m right on the other side of the entrance, my fingertips curling around its harsh metal edge. I have to force myself to crane my neck forward until I catch a glimpse of the figure standing in the middle of the trainer deck, staring out at the Reckoner’s approaching bulk.

It’s Code. And in his hand is a massive syringe filled with a syrupy, cyan liquid.

Cull serum. I’d know it anywhere.

When Reckoner pups are still embryonic, there’s an evaluation period that ends one of two ways. If the pup is deemed healthy, it stays in stasis until someone commissions it. But if an IGEOC agent marks it as unviable, the pup gets an injection. One little syringe is enough to kill a fetal pup. Cull serum is designed to dismantle them from the inside out, and it’s one of the only reliable ways to kill a Reckoner.

Bao is massive, but there’s no telling what a dosage that strong could do.

There’s a clatter of noise, the thunder of footsteps behind me. Someone else is coming, and if I know my odds, it’s someone with the same goals as Code.

I jump, pressing myself back into the shadows just as Swift skids around the corner and bounces off the wall. She barrels onto the trainer deck, letting out a primal roar as Code whirls to meet her. He tosses the syringe to the side and whips out his knife, but Swift doesn’t slow. She twists away from his reach

as Code slashes, and the blade carves a neat red line in her side.

I should step forward. I should help. Swift can’t take on Code alone—he beat her in the Slew. But I’m frozen.

I’m not a fighter.

Swift grabs his other arm and yanks hard, throwing him back against the wall. Something’s been unleashed inside of her. She’s an absolute animal. Code tries to raise the knife, but she slams her elbow down on his wrist, and the weapon pops from his grip.

“You son of a bitch—you thought I wouldn’t notice my keys were missing?” she gasps as the knife clatters to the ground.

“You picked up on it much faster than I’d have thought,” he spits, straining against her hold. For a moment they shudder, locked in tension. Then Swift’s arm slips, he kicks her legs out from under her, and all of a sudden she’s on the ground, scrabbling for the knife. Code throws himself on top of her just as her fingers close around the hilt, and she gasps, trying to swing the blade around. He catches her and twists her arm.

Swift bellows in pain. The wound on her side is starting to stain her shirt. “Where’s Cas?” she hisses through gritted teeth. “What did you do to her?” The muscles in her arm strain as she tries to bring the knife around.

“I didn’t—” Code chokes.

I force myself to stop thinking. I’m not going to sit here and let Swift save me all by herself.

I’ll save me too.

And so I plunge from the shadows and sprint for them, grabbing Code by the shoulders and yanking back with all of my might. He lets go of Swift and swings at me, but she lunges up and locks her free hand around his throat as together we shove him back against the trainer deck wall.

“Please,” he croaks, but Swift presses the knife against his neck, and he falls silent, his arms going slack.

“You stupid little shit,” she growls.

My arms are shaking, but I keep them fisted in his windbreaker, ready to hold him back if he tries to make a move again. I’m not sure if I can. He’s skinny and wan, but he’s bigger than I am.

“Kill me now then,” Code whispers, and he starts to lean forward against us, letting his throat jut into the knife.

Swift tilts the blade so that it presses flat against his skin. “I’m not going to do that. I’m going to march you right to the captain, and we’re going to see what she does with you.”

I didn’t think it was possible for Code to get paler, but he does.

She nods down to the radio on her belt. “Cas, call her up.”

I let one hand slide from Code’s jacket and pluck the radio from her hip. Still shaking, I skim past the all-call channel, bring up the captain’s private line, and hold the device up to Swift.