Faira did what she could to help Little Ann to her shoulders and keep her steady.

She glanced to Conna’Cel as he judged the percentage, giving him a dubious look.

[b]“Faira, are you sure you’re able to transport us all?”[/b]

[i]“No,”[/i] she groaned, surprised that the water around her chest did not pulse with each thud of her heart. “I got interrupted before I could do more than try with just my hand, but, unless you’ve got a better idea, it’s that or [i]drown![/i]” Her voice rose an octave as she said the last word. “I-if any of you are in, then hang onto me, just in case.” She extended one trembling hand toward Scarlet and Rosaline, and the other toward Conna’Cell, holding them just above the water. “I for one would rather take my chances with ‘shadow traveling.’”

She inhaled as the water rose ever closer to her chin, giving the illusion of semi-weightlessness as the ends of her hair floated in the liquid around her. “You’ve got thirty seconds to decide!” she hissed, glad for the presence of her powers impatiently waiting for her command, begging to be used.