Vivienne heard the gate open through the soles of her boots.
The tremor climbed the channel wall. A dark line rose through the gauge’s glass, and the first relieved water struck the turn with enough force to throw spray above the railing.
She could freeze it.
The whole chamber, if necessary. Hold the water still, fix the weak supports inside a single white mass, make the next terrible sound wait until she was ready to hear it.
Below that possible ice, Tamsin’s workers were still climbing out.
Vivienne spread two fingers and drew a narrower line.
Cold traveled along the prepared edge. It caught the spray, thickened against the stone, and made a pale curve beside the black water. The first surge struck it and turned toward the open relief channel.
The railing shook.
