“You can’t be thinking of going,” Anakale said from beside him. He too stared at the space-link.
“It has to be done,” Jerreon said. His heart pounded in his chest, though he knew what he said was true.
“But to find him? You don’t know what you’ll be facing. It is a violent world.”
“I would say our world is a violent world today.” Sarcasm tainted his words.
“This is different. You know what I mean. Maybe you should wait until we can form a team, and they can open another link.”
What Anakale was saying was reasonable but it also wouldn’t work. The more time Lysias had, the more problems he could cause, and the more difficult it might be to find him. Jerreon looked down at the crystal fragment in his hand, closing his fingers over it. He felt a surge of warmth radiate up his arm, almost like it was confirming his action.
“There is no time to wait.” Jerreon slid the piece into his pocket, his focus landing on the pack on the floor. He wondered what Lyais had in it. He reached down and picked it up, placing it on a table.
“What’s that?” Anakale followed him.
“Pholemaios was taking it.” Jerreon released the fastening.
“He’d been planning this.” Anakale leaned forward with him to see what was in the bag.
Most of the space was taken up by a medical kit. Lysias had thought his move out and was not taking chances with Earth’s medical advances. There were a couple scanners that could detect metals and other elements, two energy rods, a filtration mask and bottle for water and two large heavy satchels. Jerreon drew one out opening the top. Reaching in, he took out a hand full of the small gold disks.
“Smart,” Anakale said. “But I don’t think they use that type of currency anymore.”
“True, but as it is gold and ancient, it would still be of value.” Jerreon wasn’t surprised at the coins, but wondered how Lysias had obtained them.
Lysias had planned well. The gold coins were obviously to tide him over until he could steal what he needed. There was no misconstruing his character.
The monitor on the wall chimed. Jerreon dropped the coins back in the satchels and returned them to the pack as images of Council members filled the screen. Jerreon could see the great hall behind them. From the angle they were at, he couldn’t see much damage, but his memory held clear the destruction the explosion had caused.
For greed and power, Lysias Ptolemaios had struck at the heart of their people. Jerreon searched among the faces of the men and women he knew well for the ones that were missing − Bakchos, Eugenius, Philipa and Ana. He wondered which were dead but didn’t get to ask as Esteve spoke.
“Gargeli, we are sensing an energy flux. Is the Syndais link stable?”
“It is holding, but I don’t know for how long. There are minor time glitches occurring, and they are picking up in frequency,” the man said.
“How severe?” Esteve asked.
“Minimal, but for every one I would estimate a day on earth passes.”
Jerreon jerked at the revelation.
Esteve’s frown was clear to be seen. “Is it safe for someone to pass through?”
“At the moment, yes, but, I do not know for how long.”
“Then, if we are to send someone, it has to be now?”
“Affirmative.”
“How long can we leave the portal open?” Gais, a Council woman standing next to Esteve, asked.
Gargeli glanced at Jerreon then back to the screen. “I don’t think we can. Ptolemaios took a crystal. If we were not locked on a world power vortex, I think the link would have been lost already. I would not dare to try opening it anew until we can find the proper crystal to replace it. Not without a lock point opening on the other side.”
“But you are positive it is safe?” Esteve asked.
“Yes.”
Jerreon felt the air catch in his lungs as Esteve’s focus finally shifted to him.
“You do this and you may not be able to return, though I promise, we will do all we can to retrieve you.” Solemnity hung on the man.
“I understand.” Jerreon pushed the possibility from his mind, focusing instead on those injured and dead, Hyperian and Bion, a sweet older woman who had never caused harm in her life. He locked on to what Lysias would do to the people of the world he planned to rule.
“This has to be your decision. We will not ask this of you,” Esteve said.
“I am fully aware of the ramifications of my decision. Lysias must be stopped. He cannot be allowed to bring about havoc on their planet because we failed to stop him on ours.”
Almost in the same motion, the heads of the Council gathered in front of the screen raised and lowered.
Esteve cleared his throat. “As a Council, we sanction your pursuit of the criminal Lysias Ptolemaios with any means necessary to stop him. We commend thee for your efforts. Live well, Jerreon Ander.” Esteve broke and swallowed hard. “Thank you for what you do for our people.”
Behind Esteve several people reached up and wiped their eyes.
Jerreon nodded, then, unable to stop himself, asked. “Who was lost?”
Esteve’s lips tightened. “Bakchos and Philipa. They were directly in front of the blast. It looks as the others will survive.”
Again, Jerreon nodded. “I will stop him,” he pledged.
Turning from the screen, he faced Gargeli. “You said there have been glitches. How many?”
The man glanced down at the monitors. “Eight,” he said.
Eight, and each is a day. That meant Lysias had eight days head start on him. Jerreon headed for the portal, not willing to risk another glitch to lengthen the time.
“If we leave the bridge open −” the man started.
Jerreon cut him off. “You cannot leave it open. Do not even try. Close it behind me. Lysias lost hold of the crystal he was using to draw energy and stabilize the link. It will not stay open for long even if you try. It would risk causing damage to our world.”
“The crystal he took,” the woman tech, who until now had remained silent, spoke up. “It will draw energy from the earth. It originated from there. You will be able to use it to boost your own energy. It resonates with us. You will also need this.” She stepped forward and placed a syringe to his neck. “It contains antibodies to counter diseases on Earth. It also has a translation chip that will help you assimilate languages.”
Jerreon slipped his hand in his pocket to finger the crystal. He understood what she was saying as he once again felt the hum of warmth flow through him. “Thank you.”
“Jerreon,” Anakale called him before he could head for the portal. “There must be another way.”
“There isn’t. You know it.”
“This might come in handy then.” Anakale tossed him the pack.
Jerreon caught it and slipped it over his shoulders knowing Anakale was right. “Good-bye, my brother.” He stepped through the portal before he had time to ponder his actions. Blue light wrapped around him − pulling him. Jerreon closed his eyes and let it take him.
Chapter Two
Kallie Martin looked over the booth crammed with jewelry but didn’t see anything that caught her interest.
“Come on. You’ve got to get something.” Melissa turned, holding out a necklace with a fire opal set in silver.
Kallie admired it, liking its look, but it just didn’t seem right. She didn’t know why. Normally, it would appeal to her. Kallie held up the little bag that had stained glass stars in it. “I did get something.”
“Those are Christmas ornaments.”
Kallie shrugged. “I like them.”
“You ought to get something for you. This is to be a cheer-up trip. Indulge yourself.”
“Actually, since I’m going to be out of a job, I really should save my money,” Kallie pointed out as she set the necklace down.
“P…lease.” Melissa rolled her eyes. “You can get a new job anytime you want no matter what that jerk says and you know it. I stil
l say you go after him.”
Kallie almost laughed at Melissa’s indignation, but it was too close to her own feelings. “With what proof? It would be my word against his. He was slick, making sure no one was around. It took me three months to realize he was the one leaving things on my desk and that was only because he admitted it when he asked me out.”
“I don’t think demanding you go out with him qualifies as asking. And, are you forgetting the things he took from your desk as well as what he was leaving.”
“I can’t prove it.”
“Well, it makes me shudder.”
An answering tremor ran down Kallie’s spine as the image of her ex-boss passed through her mind. “Luckily, I will never have to see him again.”
“You’re not going to say you’re thankful to him for forcing you out of your comfort zone so you can write full time?” Melissa said, reaching over to pick up another necklace, holding it up to look in the mirror nailed to a side post.
“I like that,” Kallie said motioning to the necklace. “And, I definitely would not go so far as to thank him. Trying to make a living as a writer is a risky thing. I’ll be okay this year and next is looking good, but you never know.”
“I know your books are great, and they’re doing everything I said they would.” Melissa handed the man the necklace to add to the other two she’d picked, and got down to bargaining for them.
Kallie smiled as she watched Melissa, a long-time, best-selling author. Though Melissa was more than twice her age, they were best friends. They’d met at the first writing conference she’d gone to. Something had sparked between them and Melissa had taken her under her wing. Kallie was afraid she might have given up without her.
It all seemed such a silly dream to be a romance author. After all, what did she know about romance? She’d not even had one that could be considered serious.
What she knew about romance was from dreams, and guys coming to her to talk out their girl problems, not about her ever being a problem herself. Except for her ex-boss, and he was the problem – a very creepy problem.
Kallie had no illusion about herself. She knew she was pretty, with her thick, long, light-blonde hair, blue eyes, fine sculptured features. Her body was trim but still shapely. She was also a hair’s width shy of six feet four inches tall. In other words, taller than most guys even without heels.
A lot of people said she should’ve become a model, but her interest ran more to sports than clothes. Still, if she looked around the market she would find quite a few people staring openly at her, especially in the little ocean-side town of Rosarita, Mexico. She stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Now, don’t go all quiet on me.” Melissa drew her attention. She’d obviously finished her haggling as the merchant was wrapping up the necklaces. “Look at this.”
Melissa held up another necklace, this one of interlocked silver links. Kallie hardly glanced at it when something pulled at her senses. She looked around but didn’t see anything unusual in the packed market. She recognized several people who had also come from their bus tour, three women haggling with a man over purses, an older white-haired couple and a couple with two teenage girls who were at another jewelry booth.
Energy seemed to flare in her body, making her feel kind of breathless. Kallie felt a pull within her so strongly she followed it two booths down. She looked over the merchandise, seeing most of the same things that had been at the other booths.
“See something you like?” Melissa came up behind her.
“No, I …” Warmth surged through her taking her breath away. Kallie looked around again, not sure what she expected to see.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” Kallie shrugged off the feeling and turned back to Melissa, glancing down at the table. “Hey, those would go great with that one necklace.” She pointed to a pair of earrings.
“You’re right.” Melissa picked them up.
“Something for you pretty ladies?” A man who didn’t even come to Kallie’s shoulder spoke to Melissa but his focus was totally on Kallie. He gave her a big smile that seemed to hold a lot of interest.
“How much are these?” Melissa asked as she held up the earrings.
He looked at Melissa as if realizing that was where his sale was coming from. “Twenty dollars.”
Melissa shook her head and started to place them back on the table.
“Fifteen,” he said before she set them down.
Melissa paused then placed them down.
“Ten dollars.” The man lowered the price again.
Melissa seemed to think again then nodded. “All right.” She picked them up and handed them to the man. “You really should get something.”
“I …” Again, Kallie’s breath caught and her heart pounded. Her eyes slid over the mass of jewelry, locking on a small, pale-blue quartz crystal wrapped in silver wire, hanging on a silver necklace. A shiver raced down her spine as she reached for it.
Awareness hummed across her senses as she lifted it up. There wasn’t much sunlight shining through the canopies that covered the shopping area, but the crystal didn’t need it. It seemed to radiate with an internal light.
“How much is it?” Kallie heard the words in her mind, and it took her a second to realize that she’d asked the question.
“It is my newest piece. I finished it just this morning. It is on my best necklace. It seemed a shame to put it on less,” the man said. “It matches your eyes. Very beautiful. For you, twenty dollars.”
Kallie reached in her purse. Her hands trembled slightly.
“I will wrap it for you,” the man said hurriedly.
“Don’t bother. I’ll wear it.” She handed him the money and undoing the clasp, she slipped it around her neck. As it settled against her skin, she felt her pulse leap and a rush of warmth flood through her, followed by a feeling of rightness. After a second the feelings eased, then flared again pulling up her attention to a man standing a couple booths away.
Kallie didn’t know how she missed seeing him before. He was incredibly handsome. High, strong cheek bones, sharp nose. Great lips, that weren’t too full, just very kissable. She froze in mid-motion of doing up the clasp. Where had that thought come from. She’d never thought anything like that before, not even with her favorite movie star.
Two prominent things made him stand out. The first was his height. He had to be nearly seven feet tall. The other was his hair. It appeared more white then blond. He didn’t look that old.
He stared right at her with pale eyes the color of the aqua water just off the beach. He also wasn’t abashed at being caught watching her. When his gaze drifted to the necklace, the lines around his eyes tightened. The color of them seemed to spark, but he tilted his head to her in a nod, as if giving his approval.
The clasp clicked closed.
Kallie brought her hand around in front of her, laying a finger to the crystal. It felt hot to her touch. The heat she felt seemed to be matched by the man’s eyes. She tried to swallow, but couldn’t quite manage it.
Impossible. The sense of the word more than the word itself floated through her mind.
A tug on her arm ripped her attention back to Melissa. “You should have got it for half what you paid. You’re supposed to dicker. It’s part of the game. What’s the matter with you?” Melissa turned her head to the side as if studying her. “Are you okay? You look kind of flushed.”
Kallie finally managed to swallow. She glanced to where the man had been standing. He was gone. “I’m fine, but I think I might walk down to the beach for the horse ride now. You sure you don’t want to join me?”
Melissa kicked up one eyebrow. “You’re not getting me on a horse and that’s final. It’s one thing you do on your own.”
Kallie smiled. “But think of all those romantic scenes of the horse galloping through the surf with the handsome hero on its back.” Her lips twitched.
“I can imagine it just fine without wanting to experience it, and I doubt there’s
going to be a handsome hero. In fact, I doubt there will be any galloping. It will be a walk on a slow, sway-back nag.”
“Then why won’t you join me?” Kallie prodded.
“Because I was never meant to be on an animal that is that tall. Have fun.” She sounded like she was issuing a challenge and there was no way Kallie could win.
“I will. Will you hold these for me?” She held up her stained-glass stars.
“Sure.” Melissa took them and put them in the big tote which was the first thing she’d purchased on arriving.
“I’ll meet you at the restaurant.” An early dinner was the last thing included with their tour before they got on the bus and headed back to San Diego.
“Okay, I’m going to shop a while longer then go sit on the beach. Maybe I’ll see you.”
Kallie nodded and walked out on the street to where the tour guide had shown them a path to the beach. She followed the brightly colored tiles that led past the restaurant where they’d eat later, down a couple steps and onto the sand. A salty breeze welcomed her. It felt great.
Just up the beach, what she figured was about an eighth of a mile, she could see a group of horses with people milling around them. She headed for them. A hundred yards carried her past the shops and the restaurant. Kallie let peace overtake her.
For years her life had felt incomplete. The last several months had been especially so. But for a couple days, she’d felt like she was on the verge of something – destiny. It was like when she got a contract on her first book, then the three-book contract that followed. She took a deep breath smiling to herself. Maybe everything would be all right.
Ahead of her a man with white hair stepped out from behind a dune. Her first thought was it was the man she’d seen in the market, then he turned to her and she saw his eyes. They were a light color, but a washed-out tan like she’d never seen in eyes. They reminded her of a feral animal.
Kallie pushed back the touch of unease that swept over her. She wondered what the odds were of two men so tall, being in the same area, with hair so close to the same color, though she thought this man’s hair was a little more yellowish. Like, possibly a bad bleach job.
My Atlantian Page 2