The Everly Davis chronicles

by Amelia K Oliver

AN HOUR LATER, SOMEWHERE over the ocean, I peek an eye open. Karl's breathing is even and deep. Slowly, I stand and walk into the aisle. No one takes any notice of me as I look around. Victor’s in his seat, his head tilted back, mouth open, asleep. I can't see Garrot, but he’s here somewhere. A child cries, its mother tries to soothe the annoying little brat. A pretty flight attendant walks towards me, her fake smile makes me want to vomit.

  "Excuse me, Sir, the pilot has put on the seatbelt sign, return to your..." I whip out my hand, cutting off her annoying voice as I wrap my fingers around her throat. She gasps and chokes, a smile spreads across my face as people start to notice what I'm doing.

  The first scream reaches my ear.,

  "Shut. The. Fuck. Up!" I yell, hoping to wake Karl, Victor and Garrot. Panic breaks out as the stewardess slumps. I let her drop to the floor as Karl jumps up. His fist flies towards my face, I dodge to the side, narrowly he misses me. I let my black wings spring free from my back. My black t-shirt rips and flutters to the floor. There is a brief, beautiful moment where the entire cabin is silent. Then all hell breaks loose. Victor leaps from his seat as Karl grabs my arm. He tugs. I pull, I'm stronger. I wrap my hand around his throat, squeezing until his face turns red. Victor barrels towards me. His shoulder hits me in my gut.

  We fly backwards. My wings bunch under me painfully as we land. He rains down punches while the people in the fuselage scream and panic. It spurs the demon in me. I manage to get my foot up and plant it in Victor's stomach, I kick him off. He flies backwards, hitting several humans on the way. Garrot and Karl move out of the way. They approach me as if I'm a wild animal. Maybe I am.

  "Leyland, don't do this. Please." Garrot begs, his hands are raised in front of him, blue electricity sparks from his palms.

  "These people are innocents, Le." Karl glows brown, but I know he can't fully access his powers from up here. No Earth for Earth boy.

  "Fuck you both! These humans deserve nothing from me. They disgust me! You three," I look around them at Victor slowly pushing himself up. "Are the worst of them all. Pathetic, simpering fools hiding behind facades of being human. We are gods! I won't live in the shadows any longer," I take small steps back as I talk. "You'll all regret locking me up!" I spin around, knocking the three of them back with my wings and yank open the cabin door, the air rushes out of the opening, more screaming echoes and I throw my head back, laughing maniacally. "Goodbye, brothers." I leap from the plane just as several bodies speed towards me. They miss and I spread my wings and hover next to the plane. I watch in fascination as the plane takes a nosedive, headed straight for the ocean below.

  Gordon

  I see my sister's handmaiden in my dreams. She calls out to me from the ocean. Her blonde hair shines like a beacon in the dark.

  "Gordon, my love," she coos. Her voice is as soft as the finest silk.

  "Darcy," I push through the water faster. Harder. My single thought is to get to her. The ocean around me holds its breath as I get within reach, only to be pulled back sharply. Water rushes over my gills, I can't take a breath.

  "Gordon! Help me, please!" She screams. Bubbles flow from a wound on her side. Blue blood mixes with the ocean. I swim back to her, my arms aching like never before. Instead of going to her, I pull her to me when I grab her hand. Her body presses up against mine, waking my long dormant need.

  "I have you, my love." I murmur then press my lips against hers. Wetness saturates my leg, forcing me awake. "What the Neptune?" I pull back my sheet to find a wet patch on my crotch. Reaching up, I caress my fingertip to my lips. The feel of Darcy's lips linger there.

  What is happening to me?

  Chapter Eighteen

  EVERLY

  Day 10 in Atlantis

  “Darcy, help.” I call out from the bath. My fat arse is stuck, and I can't get up. Gordon and I have spent the last two days in the ocean. Not talking or doing anything other than swimming. He took me to shipwrecks and underwater caves. We explored in silence. Several times he turned to me, his mouth opening and closing, but he said nothing. I tried to ignore him and enjoy seeing things no human eyes have seen before. I took mental notes of any possible ways to escape. So, I had no notes at all. There just doesn't seem to be a way out of here. It's not like I can run. Or even attack the guards. They are everywhere. My half-arsed attempts at escaping only made Poseidon add more Selkie around the place. The fact that I can breathe underwater is mind blowing. My eyes don't sting, and my skin doesn't wrinkle. If I needed any more proof I'm not human before, I don't now. I have gills! I can swim like a dolphin and see for miles in the dark. It's bloody amazing.

  Today is day ten. I plan on asking him to let Darcy come with us today in the guise I need her assistance since I'm so big now. Whether he will allow it or not, remains to be seen. Despite the fact that only two months have passed on land, I'm huge. I don't know what timeline this kid is on, but it's fast.

  "I'm here." Darcy calls out as she slips into the bathroom. The walls are clear and a dolphin, we decided to call Elanor, is laid on the roof, relaxing next to her baby, Francine. I hear their soft clicks, but I can't tell what they’re saying. Not yet. Although, I'm pretty sure I heard the word cow earlier. I look up as the two swim away, their bodies graceful in the ocean. I'm jealous of their freedom.

  "Ugh, why am I so big?" I ask no one, Darcy answers anyway.

  "Maybe your child has a lot of magic and its allowing her to grow faster?" She comments as she reaches out to take my hands. The tub is slippery, and she is extra cautious when I get in or out.

  "Maybe. God, I hope we escape before I have him or her, because there is no way I can risk swimming to the surface with a new-born." I stand on the towel I laid down before getting in the tub and take the one Darcy offers and begin to dry myself. I no longer fit into my bra, so I bathe naked now. It's not like I have an abundance of clothes to change into. Everything is bigger, even my feet, so when Darcy hands me a long, flowing tunic, I slip it over my head gratefully. The people of Atlantis continue to stare at me like I'm a fabled creature every time I walk through the streets. At least in the tunic, I just look fat.

  “No, that would not be wise. Do you think Gordon will allow me to come today?” she asks as the walls turn opaque and she begins to clean.

  “Yes, because I plan on telling him I won't go without you.” A knock on the door makes me tilt my head to the side. “It’s Gordon. Darcy, quit cleaning and get ready,” I slip my feet into my sandals and open the door.

  “Sister,” Gordon says, as is his greeting every time he shows up at my door. I move to the side and let him in as Darcy rushes from the bathroom, a bundle of towels in her arms. “Darcy,” she stops in her tracks, frozen on the spot. A look of horror on her face. He shocks us both by crossing the room in long strides and takes the wet material from her. “Allow me to help you.”

  I almost choke on air as Darcy turns a light shade of pink, then her cheeks darken. Her eyes on the floor, her posture is submissive. My head swings back and forth between them as Gordon turns and walks out of the room. My brain starts up again and I rush after him.

  “Gordon?” I yell to get his attention. He turns with the towels clutched to his chest. “Can Darcy come with us today, please?”

  “I don’t,” he begins but I interrupt him.

  “I need her help,” I indicate the large bump that is my belly. “She helps me with everything I need. She’s coming, Gordon.” I attempt to come across as confident that no matter what he says, she is coming. But I know I hold no power here in his world. I might be Queen of the sea, or so they tell me, but I am nothing to Gordon. The guards in the hall are not there to protect me, but to make sure I can't escape. I hear feet shuffling behind me. Darcy stands in the doorway when I turn around. Gordon looks over my shoulder, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

  “Ok, but she must be careful, sister, I cannot protect you both should the need arise.” His tone is low. His eyes connect with Darcy’s as she gets the courage to look up. So
mething sparks between them. I can almost feel it in the air. He turns abruptly and stalks down the hall, thrusting the bundle into a guard’s hands before going out of sight.

  “Come on, Dar, we are getting out of here.” I say, not bothering to whisper. The Selkies lining the halls will think I mean we’re getting out of my room. They’re not smart enough to know I mean we’re going to escape. Her face pales slightly but she follows me when I turn and dash after Gordon.

  My blood pounds in my ears as I walk side by side with Darcy through the city. Excitement, nerves, this could be it. Our escape. But it could also be where we die.

  “I miss these streets,” Darcy comments as we pass the market type place, “I grew up here. I was taken to the kingdom when I was just nine. Recruited from the last children our King allowed his people to produce. It wasn't just me, a bunch of us were taken. Some people think it a privilege to work for the King and to live inside his palace. But they do not know the horrors we face daily. Our King is not a kind man.” Darcy tells me, my heart breaks in two. This woman is kind, loving and loyal. Yet she’s been through so much. I link my arm through hers, my tunic is short sleeved, and her skin is cold against mine.

  “I'm so sorry, Dar.” I don't know what to say, I know nothing I say will ease the pain she carries inside. She smiles up at me, her skin returning to its normal pink. “You're beautiful, Darcy. I love you, thank you, for everything.” Her eyes mist over, she blinks rapidly as we approach the field.

  “I love you too, my Queen.” before I can tell her off for calling me Queen, Gordon yells at us to hurry.

  “We do not have time to waste today, I have other matters to attend to.” His words sound angry, but his posture tells me he isn't. He seems tired, maybe?

  The people of Atlantis smile and wave at me as we make our way through the market. Darcy smiles sheepishly, barely lifting her head. Many drop to their knees, their fist over their hearts. I don't understand the gesture.

  "They are swearing fealty to you, Everly. These people already see you as their queen." Darcy explains. The act makes me uncomfortable, but also warms my heart. Maybe they can sense I'm not like Poseidon? Or maybe they desperately hope I'm not

  DARCY SITS ON THE ROCK at the edge of the field and watches openly.

  “Today, I want you to use your magic. The sand you stand on was laid by ancients, thousands of years ago. Underneath it, is,” he pauses for effect as I look down at the golden sand under my bare feet. “You'll see. Lift it, sister, take hold of each grain with your mind and lift it to the sky. Reveal the secret it hides.” He almost sounds excited as I turn my eyes on him. A brow raised.

  “I can't do that; I don't have telekinesis.” I counter as memories flood me. Garrot floating off the floor when he first showed me his powers. The glass appeared from nowhere, hanging mid-air with no hand holding it. A rush of love and pain hits me in the heart. It takes my breath away and I bend double, clutching my heart. Garrot. Fuck, I miss them all so damn much.

  A harsh gasp forces my eyes open; I hadn't even realised they'd closed until that moment. When I look around, I'm so shocked, I nearly pee myself. Particles of sand float through the air in swirls. Like sand tornados, they suck up more sand as they whirl around the field. What the fuck?

  “Well,” Gordon almost laughs. “It's not the traditional way, but it's working. Now, raise it, replace the sky with sand.” He orders while I stand with my feet wide apart, my breath sawing in and out of my chest. I turn to look at Darcy and can't help but wonder if it's my mother or Darcy sitting there. I lose concentration and the sand drops to the ground, I let out a sigh.

  “Not bad for your first try.” Gordon remarks as I make my way to Darcy, a smile on my face. Even though I didn't manage to lift the sand like Gordon wanted me to, I still managed to lift it. I'm proud of myself as I plop my arse next to her and nudge her with my shoulder. She drags her eyes away from Gordon to smile at me.

  “That was great, love.” she says. Wait.

  “Mum?” she doesn't answer, just nods and lifts a finger to her lips.

  “Today is not the day, Everly. Not yet.” she whispers with another smile. I see the moment she retreats, her consciousness replaced with Darcy’s again, because her body goes from relaxed to stiff. “Your mother,” Darcy turns back to watch Gordon remove the panel on the dome. “She says your brother has a consort he doesn't know about, one he never thought he would have.” I frown at her, not putting two and two together, “Everly, she left me a note last night, coming forward leaves her weak, it takes a lot of energy to do it, so she wrote some things down and told me to not tell you.” she dips her head, embarrassed. “I’m Gordon’s consort.”

  Gordon

  The coral coloured woman blinked up at me from the side of the field. I couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. The more time I’m around the woman, the more I cannot wait to see her again. Stirrings of feelings flutter inside me. I know not its name, but it scares me.

  Laying on my bed of stone, I picture her in my mind's eyes. Her golden hair resembles the sun. Her large green eyes are like the ocean itself, deep and welcoming. I have no idea what’s happening to me. But I find I... like it.

  The door to my living space opens and father walks in. His unannounced visit irks me. It never has before.

  "What of the girl?" He asks without so much as a greeting. I push off the bed and straighten my back, burying my wayward thoughts.

  "Things are progressing nicely." I admit. Hoping my answer will appease him enough to leave me alone.

  "And?" He demands angrily.

  "She is weak, her emotions are out of control and the pregnancy is affecting her power." I summarize. My skin turns a deeper shade of blue as it senses danger.

  "Make sure she stays that way." He growls and spins on his heel. "Her men?"

  "Are still enthralled, my King. They don't know what is happening to them. The cupid is falling deeper into the dark. Soon, there will be no saving his soul."

  "Excellent." He laughs heartily as he leaves my rooms. Goosebumps sprout upon my skin at the sound. Perhaps Everly is right, father intends on killing her before she can even try to save her men.

  Karl

  Day 60

  "You'll regret locking me up!" Leyland yells over his shoulder then is pulled from the plane. Victor, Garrot and I leap forward in an attempt to snag his wings, but we miss. He whooshes out the door and the plane jerks and we slide across the carpet as we head towards the Earth at great speed.

  "Shit!" I yell as my head connects with a wall, "Garrot? Can you stop the plane from crashing?" I try to stand but the G-force pushes me back down. I look up to see Garrot lying against the wall, his legs pointing to the roof, his eyes closed. Crap.

  "Karl," Victor's deep voice calls from behind me, I struggle to turn, the pressure on my chest too much. "We’re going down, brace for impact." He states the obvious, "Everyone, place your head on your knees and wrap your arms around your heads, now!"

  The deafening roar of the wind makes my ears pop and crackle, tears are forced from my eyes and whipped off my face. A man shouts, my eyes spring open as a female falls from her seat and is sucked out of the door. An explosion rocks the fuselage, people scream and cry. My last thought is of Everly, and how much I love her.

  The impact is jarring, my head smashes against the wall at my back. I hear a bone snap but don't feel the pain as I'm torn from the wall and thrown forwards, towards a sea of terrified faces. A huge hand catches my jumper, pulling me to a hard body before we are thrown forwards again. Then it's lights out.

  Garrot

  Day 60

  My whole-body hurts as I peek open my eyes. I lay there as the water laps at my feet. It's dark around me, no sunshine sneaks under my eyelids. I wonder what time it is. Then, it all comes flooding back to me. Leyland pulled open the door of the plane and we crashed. I woke up halfway through, people screaming, and Karl pinned to the wall next to me. My head was fuzzy, but I threw my powers out in an at
tempt to slow our descent. I felt every second, every bump and scrape as we landed. I managed to slow our fall, but I couldn't stop us. It was simply too fast, too heavy and I was too weak. Coldness seeps into my body as water, so cold soaks my clothes.

  "Vic? Gar?" Karl's shaky voice calls out from somewhere. Finally, I open my eyes and sit up. Pain slices through my leg and when I look down, I realise that it's not water that is under me, but a pool of blood.

  "Fuck, Karl, I'm injured. Vic?" My stomach rolls as I push aside my jeans, the gaping wound in my leg exposes bone.

  "I am here. But..." Victor doesn't sound so good.

  "Where are you, Jess?"

  "Help!"

  "Oh, Jesus, help us!"

  "My leg!"

  The people around us all call out, searching for their loved ones. The smell of blood in the air makes me gag.

  "Gar, raise your hand. It's too dark, I can't see you." Karl yells over the shouts and screams. I thrust my hand up and wave it around. My head swims and my stomach roils. A rough hand clasps mine, "Got you, brother. I've got you." Heat spreads through me, I can feel the skin on my leg knit itself together, the searing pain recedes and my head clears. Shit.

  "Vic? Victor?" I shout, no answer comes.

  "Lay there for a few minutes, Garrot. I'll find him." Karl says as he lets go of my hand, it drops to the floor, my energy gone.

  Victor

  Day 60

  Something sharp and cold protrudes from my stomach. Blood drips down my sides, the tapping noise it makes as it lands on the floor below me is drowned out by the moans and screams around me. A floating sensation comes over me, heat seeps from my body. Surely, this is the end. Impaled to the floor, I can't move. My arms don't seem to work so I can't even try to staunch the flow of blood. My head is pounding and nausea rolls through me. A hand grabs me.

  "Mr, are you ok? Oh, fuck." A woman's voice makes me open my eyes.

  "Everly?" I ask, my voice quiet and weak. Has my Queen come to take me to the other side?