Jack released the flare, letting it sink after the Megalodon. They were over the edge of the trench here, so the monster would fall deep. The red of the flare made it seem like it was a hellish beast on its way back to Hades – appropriate, he thought, as he watched the tip of the massive tail vanish in the gloom.

He turned, crawling his way back to the surface, only the easing pressure in his ears letting him know when he was going to break free. When he did, he threw his head back to suck in a huge breath. Vincent was already there to grab him by the collar to keep him afloat and Cate wrapped him in her arms.

“You asshole!” Vincent yelled.

“Double asshole,” Cate said through a wide grin.

“I think we got it,” Jack gasped.

Vincent whooped, and lay on his back then whooped again for good measure.

Sonya swam over and rubbed his head, but then stroked out after Valery, wrapping herself around him. Mironov kissed her and then pulled himself from her attentions for a moment.

“Now, if one of you can get me out of here, the drinks are on me.”

Vincent swam back in close, his grin having fallen away. His cold eyes were on Olander’s raft.

“Yeah, but I think I want to be in that raft first.”

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 45

Cate leaned against one wall of the raft, eyes open and watching the stars. Jack was slumped beside her, and next along was Sonya, who had an arm behind her head, and looked to be dozing. Vincent sat forward, his hands clasped and resting on his knees. His eyes were haunted. His right fist had a cut across the knuckles.

The only survivor of Mironov’s crew was Alexi, who had finally given up his post at the harpoon cannon and now lay dozing on the bottom of the raft. His snores sounding like a small rusty motor grinding its gears.

Jammed at the other end of the inflatable were Olander and his youthful crew. The big man still had a hand to his face where he sported a mouth full of broken teeth and split lip, with a pattern that perfectly matched the scarring on Vincent’s fist. The environmentalist captain was lucky – Vincent had only wanted to hurt him, but Sonya looked like she wanted to kill him.

“Hey!” Jack said, rousing Vincent. Cate jerked upright. The splashing had started a while back, and grew stronger. The light of a crescent moon wasn’t enough to illuminate much, and Olander’s last flashlight couldn’t yet pick anything up.

They had no weapons, and all they could do was sit and stare in the direction of the churning water.

“Ahoy, there.”

“What the…?” Vincent got to his feet.

“Ahoy there, the Slava.”

Vincent threw himself over the side. Cate stood, followed by Jack.

Sonya knelt, her gaze fixed. “What is it?”