“Never around when you need them,” I muttered, shoving a chunk of ice as large as a chair out of my way. “Probably out giving someone a ticket for selling expired charms.” The dock was gone. I had to get us out of the water, but the break wall was three feet of concrete. The only way out was to get back onto the ice and walk to another dock.

A sound of desperation came from me as I struck out for the edge of the hole the blast had ripped in the ice. I’d never make it even with the slow current. The water was starting to creep higher up me, and my movements were slower and harder to make. I wasn’t cold anymore, either, and that scared the hell out of me. I could probably make it…if I weren’t dragging Trent.

“Damn it all to hell!” I shouted, using my anger to keep moving. I was going to die here, trying to save his ass. “Why didn’t you tell me what you were doing, Kisten!” I exclaimed, feeling my tears like fire leaking out of me as I swam. “Why didn’t I tell you where I was going?” I yelled back at myself. “I’m a dumbass. And your stupid watch is fast, Trent! Did you know that? Your stupid…” I took a sobbing breath. “…watch is fast.”

My throat hurt, but the motion seemed to warm me. The water felt positively balmy now. Panting, I stopped swimming, treading water. My vision blurred when I realized I was almost there. A big chunk of ice was in my way, though, and I’d have to swim around it.

Taking a resolute breath, I shifted my leaden arm and kicked my legs. I couldn’t feel them anymore, but I assumed they were moving since the eight-inch-thick shelf of ice seemed to be moving closer. The last of the light from the burning boat made little red smears on the ice as I reached out and touched it. My hand slid cleanly away to pull in snow, and I sank. Adrenaline pounded through me and I kicked back to the surface. Trent sputtered and coughed.

“Oh, Trent,” I said, water filling my mouth. “I forgot you were here. You first. Come on. Up on the ice.”

Using the questionable leverage of what looked like part of the casino’s bar, I got Trent halfway up onto the frozen river. Tears slipped down my face as I was now able to use both arms to keep myself afloat. I hung for a moment, my hands unfeeling in the snow while I rested my head atop the ice. I was so tired. Trent wasn’t drowning. I had done my job. Now I could save myself.