My Atlantian

by Alysia S Knight

  She avoided raising her face to look at him.

  He moved one hand to her chin and tilted it up.

  A sob broke from her. Her eyes were bright with pools of tears as she met his gaze. Her chin trembled, fighting back the words that couldn’t be held in. “I don’t want to be away from you.”

  “I know, My One. I have no wish to be away from you, but I cannot risk Lysias getting close to you and sensing the bond between us. It would make you his target and I could not handle anything happening to you.” He caressed his thumb over the smooth skin of her cheek, opening his heart to let his love flow for her to know.

  “What do you think I feel? I’m afraid if we’re separated, I will never see you again.” A sob punctuated her words.

  “I plan a very long life with you. To hold you in my arms at night and love as we did last night.” He kissed her. “I have a wish to place children in you and watch them grow.” He kissed her again. Tears trickled down her cheeks. He kissed them away. When her arms came up to circle his neck, he drew her tight, deepening the kisses. The next shudder that escaped her, ignited fire within him and Jerreon lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to their bed.

  ***

  Kallie glanced over at Jerreon beside her. She missed his whitish hair, but he was still devastatingly handsome as sandy blond. With his natural tan-colored skin it gave him a great California beach boy look. Until he spoke.

  The expression on his face was priceless and they weren’t even through the main gate of the marine park.

  “Tell me again what this place is?”

  “They have exhibitions of marine animals and a few others that are tied to oceans and water. It allows people an opportunity to see creatures that they most likely would never get to see in their lives. It also has a few amusement park type rides.” She grinned. “You might find them interesting also. I don’t know if you have anything like them on your world.”

  They made it through the entrance to the park.

  “We’ll meet my family later this afternoon at the whale show. That will give us some time on our own first.” Kallie swallowed hard to keep the words from choking her. She’d lost the debate about staying with him, and she understood the reasoning. It just didn’t make it any easier.

  He squeezed her hand. “Which way do we go?”

  She looked at the map that had been handed them when they purchased their tickets. “This way. The dolphin show is in just over an hour. We can stop and see some dolphins on the way. They’re my favorite. I’ve always loved them. When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist and working with them.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “One – I lived nowhere near an ocean. Two – I wasn’t sure about dealing with sharks. There’s something about the look in their eyes that gets me. They’re kind of dark, soulless. That’s it, besides their teeth.”

  He released her hand and slid his arm around her waist. “You’ll have to show me.”

  “Well, we’re at the right place. Look there’s a dolphin.” She pointed to the low pool with people gathered in groups all around it. Several dolphins swam around. As they neared, one did a flip out of the water bringing “ohs” from the people and squeals of delight from the children. Another pulled up on its tail and looked to dance backward on the water, chattering wildly. The crowds gasped in reaction.

  “Aren’t they beautiful?” Kallie grabbed Jerreon’s hand and darted to the edge of the tank, drawn to the mammals. She let out an excited cry like one of the children when the dolphins rose out of the water right in front of her. She reached out and reverently touched one that slid along under her hand. “Oh, you’re beautiful,” she cooed.

  Jerreon stuck his hand out and another rose out of the water bumping his hand with its nose, then began to chatter at him with clicks and whistles.

  Kallie laughed at the antics. “It’s like it’s talking to you.”

  He smiled warmly and reached out to pet another that jockeyed for his attention. “It is. Most fascinating creature.”

  People began to crowd around them, everyone trying to get close.

  “Please.” A little girl about six or seven cried out, trying to get through, but couldn’t see well with all the people. Her father boosted her up but she still couldn’t get close.

  Jerreon looked over at the man. “May I?”

  The little girl was already reaching for him. When the man nodded, Jerreon caught her under her arms and lifted her over the people between them. “Hello there. Would you like to meet them?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was high and cracked with desire.

  Jerreon stuck his hand out over the water. Immediately, a gray head popped up. He ran his hand over it then reached for the little girl’s hand, guiding it out until she touched the head. The dolphin made a clicking sound.

  “She is saying hello.” Jerreon told the girl.

  “Hello,” the girl said and then stroked it again.

  “Back to your father.” He lifted her over to the hands of her father.

  “Thank you,” the woman standing next to the man said.

  Jerreon dipped his head in acknowledgement. He turned back to the dolphin as it let out another burst of clicks in animated chatter.

  “She would like us to come swim with them. Is it allowed to swim in this pool?” He looked down at Kallie. “No one else is in it but several wish to be.”

  Kallie laughed. “No, we can’t go swimming with them. That would be a fast way to get kicked out of the park. Can you really understand them?”

  “I do not get the words but their intention is quite clear. You try,” he urged.

  Kallie hardly hesitated before pushing out with her mind. She felt a wave of pleasure and curiosity. She wasn’t sure if it was the dolphins or the people flocked around.

  “That is them,” Jerreon answered for her. “They want to play.”

  A woman in a kind of uniform that consisted of shorts and a polo shirt with a logo on its pocket, squeezed in. “Please, I must remind everyone not to feed them.” She glanced at them suspiciously. “They will be fed soon if you’d like to hang around and watch.”

  “We are just talking with them.” Jerreon stroked another dolphin vying for his attention, bringing his hand around to rub under its bottom jaw.

  “Where do you work with dolphins?” the woman asked as if the answer to the strange actions of the mammals dawned on her.

  “I do not, but they are very intelligent and intriguing. I would like to spend more time around them.” He looked down at the dolphins, concentrated, and they took off, racing through the water then executed a flip then a tail walk, in way of saying good-bye. The crowd around them applauded then dispersed, allowing him and Kallie to move away.

  Kallie knew the woman was watching them, but was too happy to worry about it. She hugged Jerreon’s arm, laying her head against his shoulder. She had to fight to keep from dancing. “That was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. And after the last couple days, that’s saying a lot.”

  He intertwined their fingers. “It was wonderful. I would like to go swimming with them sometime.”

  “I’m afraid that can’t be here, at least not today. They do have an interaction thing, but I think you have to reserve a time for it. There are places you can swim with dolphins. We’ll have to check it out and go there.”

  “I would like that.” He got a thoughtful expression. “Are all dolphins in places like this?”

  “No, just a few. Most are in the oceans. Originally, they were brought into places like this to study and bring awareness. Now, the ones here are usually born in captivity. They have a large program for animals that are injured, but most are returned to the ocean once they are healed, if possible.”

  “I like your dolphins. I can see why you would be drawn to them.”

  “They have a dolphin show. That’s where we’re headed now. We’ll see the type of things we just saw, but a whole lot more. Also, there’s a killer w
hale show later today. That’s where we’ll meet up with my family.” Kallie couldn’t hold back the wave of sadness that passed over her at the thought of leaving him.

  Jerreon leaned down and kissed the top of her head, giving her hand a squeeze.

  “Killer whale?” He looked down as if to see if she was serious.

  She laughed at his expression. “They are really called Orcas. I don’t know the scientific name. Most people just call them killer whales. They are amazing hunters. They look a lot like dolphins but much bigger, small though compared to some whales. You’ve seen their pictures around everywhere here, the distinctive black and white whale. See over there.” She pointed to a sign. “It’s one of the park’s symbols.”

  They stopped and went through a couple sights on the way to the dolphin show. Luckily, they were still early enough to find a space quite close to the front. They’d hardly sat down when a series of whistles reached them from behind the gate where the dolphins were waiting.

  “That’s the dolphins.” Kallie felt her excitement rise.

  “Yes, they are saying hello. They are excited to perform for us.”

  Which quickly became evident as the show began. The dolphins came out doing amazing leaps and flips.

  “They are excited today,” their trainer commented during one of his spotlights about working with the animals. “We are getting an amazing show.”

  It continued on until the end of the show when it was time for the dolphins to say their good-byes and go. Instead they all came over in front of Jerreon and started chattering excitedly to him.

  Kallie laughed at their antics. “It looks like you really have made friends.”

  The trainer must’ve overheard her because he turned and stared at Jerreon. “It seems they found someone they want to meet in the audience. Will you please?” He motioned for Jerreon to come down.

  Jerreon hesitated.

  “Go on.” Kallie started to laugh again. He caught her hand and stood drawing her down with him over to the trainer.

  “Welcome, and what are your names?” The man extended the microphone toward them.

  “I’m Kallie, and this is my husband, Jerreon.” Kallie leaned forward and said in the mic.

  “And what brings you here?” the man asked.

  “We’re on our honeymoon.”

  Awes and applauses erupted from the crowd.

  “Congratulations,” the trainer said. “Would you like to meet our crew of show offs?”

  “Very much.” Jerreon answered.

  As soon as they walked out on the platform lip, all the dolphins came sliding up to be introduced, whistling and speaking as Kallie and Jerreon greeted each.

  “Would you like to tell them good-bye?” the trainer asked.

  Instead of making the hand sign, Kallie felt Jerreon think the words and followed him with her thanks and appreciation. The dolphins clicked out their farewells then wiggled back into the pool, several doing flips, while others did leaps on their way out.

  The trainer stepped up to Kallie and Jerreon before they could follow the crowd out. “You must be the couple Becky was telling me about from over at the dolphin pool. She said you were both tall. We had lunch together right before the show.”

  “Sorry if we caused a problem.”

  “Not at all. We know dolphins are drawn to certain people, so she remarked upon it. I understand what she meant. That is the strongest reaction I’ve ever seen. Becky said you don’t work with them.” There was questioning in his gaze.

  “No, this is the first I have ever encountered them, but I would like to spend more time with them. They are amazing. Very intelligent.”

  “I can agree with that. Will you let me know when you come back? I’d like to see how they react.”

  “It would be my honor. I would like to do the encounter you talked about in the show.”

  A series of shrill whistles split the air like an alarm. Jerreon froze then turned, his eyes scanning the area.

  Kallie picked up the feeling the dolphins were sending out. Danger.

  “Lysias is near,” Jerreon said, looking back to her. “They sense him and don’t like the feeling he gives off.”

  “Are you sure?” She didn’t doubt the dolphins, just hoped they could be wrong.

  “Yes. I have to go.” He started to pull back.

  She grabbed his arm. “Jerreon!”

  He touched her cheek and gave a forced smile. “I have to try to lead him away. There are too many people to confront him here. Someone would get hurt. I cannot let him endanger others. He would kill them just to distract me.” He pressed his lips to hers in a hard, swift kiss. “Your family is coming. Stay with them. I will come for you, My One.” He kissed her again then broke free, striding away toward the exit.

  Across the pool another volley of whistles rang out in alarm.

  Chapter Twelve

  “What’s going on?” The trainer demanded, alarmed. “Who’s dangerous? What’s disturbing the dolphins? And what’s this about killing.”

  “Can you get hold of security from here?” Kallie asked ignoring his question.

  “Of course.” The man nodded, eyeing her over.

  “There’s a very dangerous man that’s wanted by the police. I’m not sure if he’s in the park, but he must be close. He looks a lot like my husband, just as tall but with white hair, though he’s not old. Is there any way to find out if he’s inside the park boundaries?”

  “We can try,” he said, to her relief, taking her seriously.

  He led her to where there was a walkie-talkie and called security, relaying what she said about a man wanted by the police and stressing the white hair when she repeated it to him.

  Kallie didn’t want Jerreon arrested again by mistake. “Tell them not to try to confront him. He’s violent.”

  He added that then turned back to her. “Your husband is going to confront him?” he asked when she glanced again in the direction in which Jerreon disappeared.

  “Only if he deems it safe with those around him.”

  “If this man’s so violent, can your husband handle him? I know he’s a big guy but −” The man let it hang.

  “He’s special security from where this man escaped. He’s probably the only one that can.” Kallie hoped that was enough to forestall any more questions, but it was her family that saved her.

  Her nephew, Austin, was the first to reach her. “Aunt Kallie, Aunt Kallie. You got to meet the dolphins. We saw you, but we were way over there.”

  Kallie reached down to pick him up, hugging him tight, needing the contact.

  Her brother reached her next. “Where’d Jerreon go?” He obviously could tell something was wrong.

  Her father was right behind him and slid his arm around her.

  Kallie leaned into him. “It’s a long story, but there’s a criminal from where he’s from. Jerreon was chasing him. That’s what he’s doing here and how we met.”

  “How you met?” Her brother picked up on that. He reached out and took his son, settling him on his hip.

  Her father’s arm tightened even before she said the words. “The man, Lysias, attacked me and Jerreon saved me. In doing so, he lost Lysias, but he thinks he’s close now, maybe in the park.”

  “He went after him?” There was a touch of anger in her brother’s voice.

  “What about your honeymoon? Is that why you’re going home with us?” Her mother asked with the same attitude.

  “Yes. Jerreon is afraid Lysias will come after me again. He wants me far from here until he gets him.” Kallie felt tension build in her father.

  “You’ll stay with us then. We’ll call Mr. Bacchus and see if we can fly out early,” her father said.

  “No.” Kallie quickly halted him. “There is no need. Jerreon will see to him and if he can’t find him, he’ll come back here for me.” She could feel the indecision in her father. “Please. Let’s just enjoy ourselves and give him a chance to do his job. There’s no reason to let it rui
n our day.”

  She pressed brightness into her words to cover her need to stay. She wanted to be close. If Jerreon could get Lysias, there would be no need to send her away. But more importantly, she was afraid for him. She reached up and wrapped her fingers around the crystal, but Jerreon must have been too far away to detect him.

  ***

  Jerreon wove his way through the crowd in an easy, ground-covering lope. He scanned over people with his eyes and his mind, but didn’t see Lysias until he reached the entrance. Lysias stood in the center of the parking lot as if waiting for him.

  Conscious of the scattering of people, Jerreon was relieved none were coming close to Lysias’s position. Jerreon took off after him in a full run, but Lysias didn’t try to flee. Jerreon was only ten meters from him when a car shifted in front of his path, almost pinning him against another. Jerreon jumped the vehicle landing directly in front of Lysias so they stood facing each other.

  “I should have expected you here. You still have not taken the crystal from the woman. Are you following it or the woman?” Lysias smirked, and they each started to circle around. “Why is it you haven’t taken it? Does she interest you?”

  Jerreon didn’t comment. A large box lifted out of the back of a truck and sailed at the back of his head. Jerreon swept it away and it dropped several feet short without him even turning to look.

  “They always said you were good,” Lysias said. “But just how good is the question.” Lysias gave him a wicked grin. “Are you going to give me some drivel about taking me back?”

  Jerreon shook his head. “There is no going back. You know this.”

  “Yet, you came anyway, how self-sacrificing of you.” He sneered. “Or maybe you realized what I did. You were always as fascinated with this planet as I was. Did you finally figure out here we can be gods?”

  “You think too much of yourself.”

  “No!” Lysias burst, then his voice dropped low and cold. “I know my worth, and I am not afraid to reach it.”

  “By enslaving others?”

  “That is the way it is to be. The strong survive and rule.” Another car slid at Jerreon before Lysias finished talking.