chapter 1
I’m a top engineer at the National Deep Sea Technology Center, and the only person in the world with deep–sea rescue experience.
When my sister’s submarine crashed and she was trapped in the deep ocean, I hung up on her distress call.]
Then I calmly walked into the police station, confessed to leaking classified research, and lay down on the small iron bed in the holding cell.[]
A few minutes later, my father called in a rage. “Your sister’s life is hanging by a thread, and where the hell are you!“]
“I’m ordering you to get to the scene right now and save her, or you won’t see a dime of the Blackwells family fortune!“[]
I calmly pulled the blanket over myself and said into the phone: “Not interested. Don’t interrupt my sleep.“[]
…0
When rescue team captain Lily Parker came looking for me,
I
was shaken awake from a deep sleep.
“Raven! We’ve got a crisis!“[]
“Your sister Stella’s submarine ‘Deep Diver‘ lost contact at thirty–six thousand
down in the Mariana Trench!“[]
“They hit some kind of underwater earthquake. All communications are down. Chances of survival are pretty damn slim!“]]
I cracked my eyes open, looking at her through the haze.[]
“And?” I asked flatly.
Lily froze, clearly not expecting that reaction. “We need you!” she said urgently.[]
“You’re the only person on the planet who’s pulled off a successful deep–sea rescue at that depth. You’re their only shot at making it out alive!“[]
I rolled over and settled back down. “Sorry, can’t help you.“[]
“What?!”
“I said I can’t help.” My voice was as calm as if my worst enemy was the one trapped down there.
“Raven Blackwell! Have you lost your mind? Your sister’s down there! Along with twenty research team members! They’ve got maybe seventy–two hours of oxygen left!”
“My husband, Connor, he was the lead commander on the last rescue, Experience–wise, he’s got me beat. You should go find him.” I said coldly.[]
Lily grabbed me by the shoulders, incredulous. “What the hell are you talking about? Of course we tried to reach Commander Connor! But he’s not even in the country!”
I let out a soft laugh. “Of course I know.“]
With that, I pulled the blanket over my head and ignored her completely.
She stomped her foot, muttering curses as she stormed out of the detention cell.]
Peace and quiet at last.[]
A few minutes later, a familiar ringtone started up–my father, Vincent Blackwell.[]
I answered.
“Raven! Why are you refusing to help with the rescue? Your sister’s still down there!” He launched straight into accusations, his voice tight with barely contained fury.
chapter 1
“Dad, like I said, find Connor. He’s better qualified.“[]
“I can’t reach him! His satellite phone’s dead!” Vincent’s voice grew more frantic.[]
I chuckled, keeping my tone light. “Oh, that makes perfect sense.“[]
“Because right now, he’s on the ‘Deep Diver.““[]
The breathing on the other end stopped cold.[]
Then came thunderous rage: “What kind of bullshit are you spouting! I personally assigned Connor to the Arctic for ‘Project Aurora‘ last month! He won’t be back for another month! How could he possibly be on the ‘Deep Diver‘!“[]
“Really?” I feigned surprise. “Must’ve mixed that up.“]
“You-“]
I hung up before he could finish.[]
The phone rang again immediately. This time it was my stepmother, Grace Palmer.
Her voice was thick with tears, like she was about to break apart completely.[]
“Raven, honey, please… just go save your sister…“]}]
I just closed my eyes, listening to her performance.[]
“Besides, more than half of those twenty researchers were your students! You trained them yourself! You can’t just stand by and watch them die at the bottom of the ocean!“]]
“How could you be so heartless?“]
I smiled.
Of course I could be that heartless.
