StarNovelSeeing that Hastings was acting strangely, Citrine grew anxious something might go wrong. She turned, signaling to Sebastian, "Let's head back." Sebastian glanced at Hastings, then nodded at Citrine.
"Con," she signed again.
Without another look at Hastings, Citrine swam upward, steady and determined. Sebastian followed right behind her.
The two of them treated Hastings as if he didn't exist, not sparing him even a glance.
Watching their silhouettes rise toward the surface together, Hastings' expression darkened, his face twisted with resentment.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe had call the way down here just to find her, and yet she couldn't even be bothered to look his way. All she saw was Sebastian.
A heavy, burning anger settled in Hastings' gut, drowning out all reason.
Suddenly, he surged upward, eyes locked fiercely on Sebastian.
Sebastian, focused on keeping up with Citrine, didn't notice anything amiss-until a sharp pain clamped around his ankle. In an instant, he was yanked downward, plunging toward the ocean floor.
Watching Sebastian's body sink, Hastings felt a wicked satisfaction bloom inside him. A trace of triumph flickered across his face.
It was only then that Citrine sensed something was wrong. She turned, just in tto see Sebastian's limp form drifting downward, his face slack and pale.
Citrine's heart jumped into her throat. Without hesitation, she spun around and darted back down.
Hastings, seeing her intent, spread his arms out, blocking her path.
He gestured sharply, "Don't go. He'll make it up on his own." He'd only wanted to teach Sebastian a lesson-he never thought things would go so far. Sebastian wasn't that fragile, he thought.
But Citrine stared him down, face grim, and slipped past him with a swift, determined kick.
When she reached the ocean floor, Sebastian was motionless, his eyes closed, not a hint of movement left in him.
Panic surged through her as she pulled him upright-and noticed, with horror, that his oxygen tank was gone. There was no tto think. Instinct took over. Citrine immediately unfastened her own oxygen tank, shoving it and her gear onto him.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAbove them, Hastings' eyes went wide with shock. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white All he could do was watch helplessly as the woman he loved risked her life, sacrificing her own oxygen for another man.
The ache in his chest was unbearable. If Citrine's cold words before had sliced him like a knife, this moment was a sword driven straight through his heart.
Lack of oxygen was all that had knocked Sebastian out, so the moment air flowed into his lungs again, he slowly cto.
He opened his eyes and saw her-the flawless, beautiful face of Citrine, so close he could feel her breath. She had given him everything-her oxygen, her gear. Realization dawned as he felt the mask on his face.
His expression clouded with distress, and he immediately reached to take the oxygen tank off Citrine quickly stopped him, keeping his hands away.
Sebastian knew the risks of diving all too well. He wasn't about te let her endanger herself for his sake. But as held him back, he signedb she DAS e tank, you'll urgently, "No. Without the t die." Afraid she wouldn't listen, he gestured frantically, "Please. Take the oxygen and go to the surface. Leave me. Once you're safe, send help."
His signing was frantic and clumsy, but somehow Citrine understood every word. Maybe was instinct, maybe something deeper-a silent understanding that connected them in ways words never could.
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