“Ok,” her reply makes my heart soar. She trusts me even though I’ve never given her reason to. Taking her hand once more, we run down halls filled with scared people. I cannot take them all with us.
Leyland
Day 80
The Selkie in my hand lets out a high-pitched screech as I hover us over the edge of the cliff. Its foot slips a little in my grip.
“Any last words, gross fish-man?” I laugh, the vile creature saw me do this exact thing with two of its brethren, I imagine he is petrified right now. Good. These creatures deserve nothing less. I remember how Garrot almost died after one bit him. How we had to work together to save his life. That How Everly put her life at risk in order to heal him. I really fucking wish that I stopped them from lifting that the bloody curse, everything was much easier when I couldn’t really remember these things. Memories of Everly. Lost in thought, the foot I hold slips from my grip. The Selkie drops, hitting the jagged rocks of the cliff on the way down. “Oops,”
Karl
Day 80
My head spins as the world becomes muted. Colours blur into one another mottled mess. Vomit works its way up my throat. Something soft cradles me.I let myself sink into its embrace.
My son, you are truly astounding. What you did here today was nothing short of a miracle. I’m proud of you, son of the earth. They will sing songs of your sacrifice. Rest well, Karl, see you soon.
My mother’s words in my mind play over and over as if on a loop as a bright light creeps under my eyelids. Fear of what I will see makes me keep them closed.
Everly
Day 13 in Atlantis
I push between the throng of people who have congregated at the back of the great room. My eyes searching for colourful gems that create a rainbow on the shiny white floor. People knock into me, but the white light surrounding my belly buffets them away. Keeping my baby safe from harm. The room rocks so hard I have a hard time keeping on my feet, but I push on. Determined to find Poseidon and make it safe for us to escape. Right at the very back I spot the stupid dress and beautiful gems, the light reflects off them, giving away his position.
“Poseidon!” I yell as I face dozens of Selkie Elite. Every one of them has a trident in their hands, poised to fight off any threat to their King. “Stop hiding behind your hideous creatures and face me, you prick!” Knowing my baby is safe emboldens me. Up until now, I have been too scared to make my move for fear my baby would be killed. But when my inner light connected with the witch’s spell, I knew nothing and no one could harm him or her. I’m finally free to get my revenge on this monster. I cannot wait.
“Kill her,” he shouts over the din of the room. The first row of Selkie rush me. I throw my hands up. Silver light bursts from my palms and wraps around their necks. I close my hand and their heads explode in a shower of matter and bone. Five more come my way, too fast for my power, they crash into me. I fall to the floor in a heap. Their bodies bounce off me, thanks to the spell. I quickly get to my feet.
“Mother fuckers!” Thankfully, I altered my dress a little bit by ripping it. There are no frills anymore and the hem stops above knee length. A split up the side allows me to spin with my foot up. It smacks into the jaw of a Selkie behind me. He’s knocked out instantly. Turning, I throw a little power over my shoulder, exploding the creature’s heart.
Battle cries ring out as I fight Selkie after Selkie, their strength and speed no match for me and my magic. Atlanteans scream and shout as they are showered with bits of stinking fish bits. A sharp sting on my shoulder makes me spin around. A large fish man stands there, his skin the colour of human blood. Crimson. He bellows something in a language I don’t understand as he rushes me with his fist up, the trident poised to stab me in the gut. I deflect his fist with my arm and the trident hits the barrier, sending him flying back.
Brown light pours from the tips of my fingers and wraps itself around the fish man’s neck. I hear bone crunch as I fight off another Selkie. Sweat pours down my face as I fight to get closer to Poseidon. The more I kill, the more of his gems I can see. With my arms out in front of me, I let out a battle cry of my own as blue light billows out from my body in a circular wave. The selkie surrounding me are picked up and thrown against the glass walls. It's then I notice the usual blue ocean beyond is no longer there. Replaced with blackness.
Holy shit. When realisation dawns, my power takes over. I blink, long and hard. My breathing slows down and my heart rate stabilizes as the room goes silent. A feeling of raw power overtakes me, Icy fingers skim over my heated skin as I open my eyes. Every Selkie in the room has gone. The pools of gore on the white marble floor are the only signs they were here. By the coral door, a hundred or more Atlanteans huddle together. Their faces filled with shock, horror and awe. I twist my head to the back of the room. The sight there shocks me so much, I almost fall to my knees.
Poseidon stands with his back to the room, there are no Selkie around him. He's exposed and unprotected. I bolt towards him, the slim tube poised in my hand, ready to strike.
ARI
"Listen, Theodora, there is no time for stupid vengeance against people who pretty fucking soon will be dead. We will all be dead, do you understand?" I yell at the vampire Queen before me. Her perfectly manicured nails tap against one of the skulls making up her throne.
"We are immortal, child, we do not fear the reaper. Nor do we drown. Why should we care about a once human woman and her band of misfits?" She scoffs, the sound sets my teeth on edge.
"Because of people like him." I jerk my chin towards the blood bag slumped on the floor next to Theodora's feet. "And her." I motion towards the human sex worker who is currently fucking a vampire while jerking off two others. A fourth hunches over her, his fangs in her neck, draining her blood as she rides his boyfriend to orgasm. "Without cattle, we die. There won't even be wildlife to feed upon. Just the ocean, for miles and miles. Poseidon doesn't just want to kill the humans. He wants all Other kind dead."
Her eyebrow raises as she surveys the room. Us vampires need cattle to live. To fuck. To play with. Without them, we will cease to exist too.
"I will tell you what I told the fish boy. No. I have no interest in this war. Now, be gone, before I set Hectare on you." A giant of a man appears from the darkness behind the Queen.
"Ok, well I had to try. Nice seeing you. Bye!" I spin and rush from the room and into the club. Fuck. Fuck. Fuckety fuck. If I can't get the vamp Queen to help, then we are truly screwed.
WILLIAM
As my cab pulls up at the train station in Manchester, my whole-body aches like never before. Eddy beat the shit out of me for entering his land without permission. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw in that house. Nothing. I'm pretty sure I'll have nightmares my whole life. If I have a life . Time is running out and I'm no closer to my goal. My only hope is Everly has escaped somehow or the guys are on their way to get her. Without her, we are all dead.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Victor
Day 80
I pull an unconscious Karl from the water and drag him to the beach. Blood runs freely from his nose, ears and eyes. His skin is deathly pale, and his pulse is weak.
"Shit! I told you," Garrot paces beside us as I kneel next to Karl. "We should have stopped him!"
"I made an," I say again.
"Yeah, yeah, you made an oath, I know." He's so angry, his whole-body shakes with it. "If he dies, I will fucking kill you!" He launches himself at me as I rise. We land on the sand with a muted thud. His fists rain down on me as he takes his worry and frustration out on me. I block his attempts with my forearms, making no move to retaliate or throw him off me. If this is what he needs, then I shall afford him it.
"And you all claim I am the broken one." Leyland laughs as he lands close to us. His black wings remain outstretched as he walks to us and easily plucks Garrot off me. "Chill out, fanny, there'll be plenty of time for fighting." He sets Garrot on his feet and turns his head toward the ocean.
"Look."
I sit up and look in the same direction. A gasp leaves both Garrot and I. There on the horizon stands a piece of land that wasn't there ten minutes ago.
EVERLY
Day 13 in Atlantis
Landing on Poseidon's back I shout out as I plunge the needle into his neck. Pure liquid silver. He rears back, almost knocking me off.
"You bitch!" He shouts as he drops to one knee. I ride him to the floor then jump off as his face hits. Ten minutes. I turn to face the room filled with Atlanteans Gordon told me are the worst of the worst. Slavers. Traders who kidnap and sell children to couples who couldn't have them. The rich who make sure the poor and starving stay that way. Should I spare their lives? The human part of me says yes, spare them. They could be redeemed. That their crimes are forgivable. The Queen of the seas in me want to see the pools left behind by their bodies mix with those of the Selkie.
"My Queen, please, spare me. I have sinned, but I don't want to die." One older, obviously rich man calls out. His round tummy wobbles as he walks towards me. His hand held out, his wrist up. More people call out. Begging for forgiveness. Offering up their allegiance as if it was something to be coveted. Promising me gems and gold in exchange for their lives. These are the people who have had a hand in making Atlantis the dreadful place it is today.
Gordon knew what he was doing when he placed these people in this room with me.
"Quiet!" I shout over the begging and pleading. I've heard enough. "Get on your knees." I hear the power in my voice.
The hundreds of colourful people all kneel, their heads bowed in false respect.
"You have been judged. You have been found lacking."
More than a few faces turn up to stare open mouthed at me.
"As Queen I decree you all tainted. I cast you out!"
More of them look up, angry faces frown and scowl at me, but I continue.
"You must leave this place immediately, and without fuss. Or face the consequences." I turn and make my way to the coral door. It opens to reveal Gordon.
"Traitor!"
"False Queen!"
"Kill her!"
Hundreds of voices call out behind me. I look over my shoulder to see every single person has stood, their false respect has fallen away. Revealing exactly what type of people they are. Their true colours shine around them like an aura. Black. Grey. They are evil. I see that now. I step forward out of the room and as the doors swing closed behind me the shouting and screaming is cut off abruptly. A wet splashing sound reaches my ears.
I take no joy from the act. It weighs heavy on my heart as Gordon and I run towards what I presume is the way out.
I might not be able to kill Poseidon, but I can sure as shit take out the arseholes who have destroyed this city with their greed and hatred.
The doors before me scream hanger. I was so close to escape just days ago. I didn't even know it. Gordon presses his hand to the wall and the silver door pulls up into the ceiling. A harsh breeze hits my face and fans my hair out of my face. The sun, the real sun, hits my face for the first time in what feels like months. It's warmth soaks into my skin, melting away some of the ice that has grown around my heart while I have been kept prisoner here. A stabbing pain in my lower back makes me suck in a deep breath. All this moving around is killing my back.
"Five minutes, that's all you have." Gordon says as Darcy appears in the doorway of a pod just like the one, I was brought here in.
"Wait, what?" Darcy and I say at the same time.
"You must go, now!" He pushes us towards the pod. My bare feet slide across the shiny floor. Darcy enters the pod and I stumble in after her.
"Come with us, brother," I beg as I hold onto the door frame. "Please." A stab of pain deep inside of me almost makes me cry out. I manage to mask it. I don't have time to wonder what that was.
"I cannot." He looks behind me to Darcy, a longing look in his ocean blue eyes. "Keep safe. Both of you."
"No!" Darcy yells, tears streaming down her face. "Get into the pod, Gordon." She demands in a tone I've never heard her use. My head spins to look at her. It's definitely Darcy.
"What she said," I agree. My legs turn to jelly as exhaustion leeches the warmth from my skin. The sea air is freezing, and the stupid dress provides no heat.
Gordon shocks the shit out of me by leaping forward and wrapping his arms around my shoulders. He holds me, awkwardly, for a brief moment before pulling Darcy to him. I stare, dumbfounded as he cups her face in his hands and kisses her softly.
"I will follow as soon as I can. If I don't," he rests his forehead against hers. I turn towards the hall, giving them a little privacy. "I am truly thankful to have been able to get to know you, Darcy. If I do not make it, know that these last few weeks have been the best in my life. Thank you for not rejecting me as I thought you would."
I kinda feel like I missed something.
"Thank you, Gordon, for seeing me as more than just a slave. For teaching me love is a gift worth sacrificing for." She's crying but manages to speak clearly.
I myself am blubbering like a child whose ice cream has just hit the floor. I definitely missed something.
"Um, guys," I shout over my shoulder as a dozen Selkie Elite rush towards us with their tridents raised. Ah, shit balls.
"Go now," Gordon jumps from the pod and slams the door in my face. He reaches to the left and the pod is dropped into the water. Darcy presses her face up against the glass and we watch as the Selkie reaches Gordon. The roller door slides down just as the first Selkie reaches him.
GARROT
Day 80
"We've got to get Karl somewhere safe," I say absently as I stare out at the domed piece of land in the middle of the ocean. Everly’s in there.
"Yes, absolutely. Focus, Garrot." Victor claps his hand on my shoulder, bringing me out of my trance.
"Sorry, Mickey?" I cup my hands around my mouth and yell to the sky. I'm shocked when he lands on the sand next to me. "How the fuck?"
"Levitation, don't you read fairy tales, lad? Us witches and warlocks can float." he giggles. The squirrel, Harry, goes crazy when he spots Karl. He throws me the middle finger before jumping off Mickey's shoulder and scampering over to his friend.
"Can you get Karl home? Make sure he's ok? We have to get Everly." Torn between my brother and our girl.
"I can, yes. Transport is already on its way. The house is spelled, and no-one can get in without my say so. Goodluck guys," he throws his arms around me and squeezes. "If you find Will, tell him I'm going to kill him."
"I can do that." I laugh and slap his back. I don't particularly like William, but I don't hate him, either. I like Mickey, though. We would have been shit out of luck without him. We would still be trying to turn ourselves into sea creatures to reach Ever. I owe him a beer. Or ten. Maybe I'll buy him a truck full.
I trust him to keep Karl safe, just like he trusts me to keep Will safe when we find him.
I look up into the sky, expecting to find it empty. It is. Leyland has gone.
VICTOR
Day 80
Staring out across the ocean, my whole-body tingles with awareness. Everly is out there. But she isn't the only one.
"Ready to get our woman back, bro?" Garrot asks, cheerfully. The thought of getting Everly back in just a few moments changing his mood completely.
“Yes, I am.” I admit. “But,” I squint and take a step into the sea, its icy fingers wrap around my legs. Something feels off.
“Come on, man, we've got nothing standing in our way now. Let’s go, I want to,” Garrot is cut off mid sentence when he notices what I see. “What's that?” he asks, joining me.
“That is a surface crawler from Atlantis. Someone is in it, two someone`s.” As I speak, I begin to change into my kraken form. “Be ready for anything.”
Garrot floats himself above me as we make our way to the crawler. Of sky and of sea, two brothers on a mission to rescue their Queen. It would almost be poetic if it were not a sto
ry of life and death. Those crafts are not easy to access, mostly only the royal family and the royal guards have access to them. If one wants to reach the surface from Atlantis, one must take the treacherous journey through the ocean.
Leyland
Day 80
I cling to the side of a cliff and watch as Karl is carted off by the witch while Garrot and Victor step into the ocean. From this position I see what they can`t. I see the water is filled with enough Selkie to take out this entire town. Not only that, but there is a crap tonne of sea creatures, too. A single glass globe floats around but I can’t see who’s inside. Something tells me I’m not going to like them. A fight breaks out between Garrot and a large Selkie. A small part of me is tempted to help him. To kill all the enemies in the water. But a larger part of me wants to see how they will do. Will they be killed this day?
Everly
The pod drifts around aimlessly in the water, the waves buffeting us here and there. More sharp pains slice across my stomach.
“Dar, any idea how to make this thing work?” I ask over my shoulder. When no answer comes, I turn around to find she still has her face pressed up against the glass. Looking back at Atlantis. “Darcy, we need to get to land.” I move away from the very confusing control panel and place my hand on her shoulder. She doesn’t move, or answer. She just stares out, tears dripping onto her white tunic. “He will be ok, well, I don’t know that he will. But what he did, he did so we could escape.” It's almost too hard to believe, but it's true. “He wants us to live, Dar, we have to make this pod move and we need to do it fast.” She blinks, long and hard.
“I don’t know how to work the crawler. I’ve never been in one.” She tells me in a monotone voice. She barely looks with it. Her eyes are glassy, and her skin is colder than it usually is.
“Are you ok?” I ask just as the pod is hit from the side. We both topple to the side; she lands on her arse, but I manage to snag the back of a chair. “Shit, Selkie.”
The Everly Davis chronicles Page 55