by Aimee Carter
Simon tried to stand his ground and remain in the foyer with Felix, but the other soldiers surrounded them, forcing him through the door. “Felix!” he shouted. “Do what they tell you!”
“Quiet,” said one of the guards in a deep voice. Simon looked to Malcolm, desperate for him to help, but his uncle shook his head. Logically Simon knew that underwater, there wasn’t much Malcolm could do, but still. He could have at least tried.
“What are you going to do with him?” demanded Simon, trotting to catch up with Rhode. “He’s just a mouse. He won’t hurt anyone.”
“He will be interrogated and either arrested or returned to you,” said Rhode without looking at him. “I would recommend you not press the issue and make it more difficult for him. This is standard protocol.”
Gritting his teeth, Simon glared at her, but if she noticed, she didn’t react. Simon had a feeling that even if the dome were caving in, she wouldn’t do anything unless it was standard protocol.
“This is the General’s compound,” said Rhode as she led them through a maze of mirrored hallways, clearly designed to confuse anyone trying to infiltrate. There were no decorations or signs to mark their location, making it impossible to tell one hallway from the next. By the third turn, Simon was well and truly lost, but he was too upset to care. “You are to be escorted by a representative of our kingdom at all times. At no point will any of you be authorized to wander on your own. Your schedules will be delivered each morning at precisely six o’clock, and you will follow them to the letter. Any deviation will be met with the highest level of scrutiny, and should you make a habit of it, you will be removed from Atlantis. Is that understood?”
“Do you intend on treating my family like enemies the entire time we’re here?” said Malcolm. “Or is this the underwater kingdom’s idea of hospitality?”
“I apologize for any perceived slight, Alpha, but this is how we run things down here,” said Rhode, stopping at a mirrored double door with yet another pair of soldiers guarding the entrance. “The General is a very busy man, so introductions will be brief.”
The soldiers pushed open the door, revealing a conference room with deep red walls and a long mahogany table down the middle, giving it a much homier feel than the rest of the compound. A man with neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper hair stood with his back to them as he studied a map on the wall—the California coast, from what Simon could tell.
Jam and Rhode both snapped to attention, their backs rigid, heels clicked together, and their arms glued to their sides. “General,” said Rhode. “The visitors are here to greet you.”
“You’re late,” said the General in a booming voice that filled the room. He turned around, and Simon immediately understood why Jam was so afraid of him. His expression held no warmth, not even to greet his son, and he wore his military uniform like armor. Simon knew his Animalgam form was a dolphin, but looking at him, he would have guessed something deeply unfriendly—a barracuda, or maybe an anglerfish. But even the latter had a dangling light to lure in prey. There was nothing welcoming about the General at all.
Malcolm bristled, his shoulders straightening like he was about to start a fight. “General—”
“It’s my fault,” said Ariana, stepping forward. If she was afraid of him, she didn’t show it. “I didn’t know we would be coming to Atlantis. I thought we would be above the water, and I’m not exactly a fan of the ocean. You should have warned us,” she added, admonishing him. “It was incredibly rude of you not to, and I’m sure the Black Widow Queen won’t be happy to hear about it.”
Rather than throw Ariana out of the room, like Simon half expected, the General studied her. “You must be Princess Ariana,” he said in a shockingly even tone. “Lord Anthony informed me earlier today that he will be advising you while you represent the insect and arachnid kingdom on behalf of your mother at the security summit. It’s a shame she couldn’t join us.”
Simon glanced at Jam, stunned. Ariana was here to represent her mother at the summit? Jam was focused on his father, though, looking vaguely like he was going to keel over. And if anyone else was as surprised by this as Simon was, they didn’t show it.
“You should be glad she didn’t, if this is how you treat all your ambassadors and dignitaries,” snapped Ariana. “Have you been down here so long that you’ve forgotten the basics of common decency? Or have you decided we’re hostages instead of honored guests?”
“No one here is a hostage, Your Highness,” said the General slowly. “And you will all be treated with the respect your positions deserve.”
“Then why was one of our friends detained?” she said.
The General’s gaze fixed on Rhode. “Colonel?”
“He was unauthorized. A member of the mammal kingdom,” said Rhode. “A mouse found in one of the twins’ suitcases. Clearly a stowaway, sir.”
“He’s my friend,” said Simon, his palms sweaty. “He isn’t a stowaway. That’s how he travels with me. His name’s Felix—”
“And he is an unauthorized member of the mammal kingdom,” said the General, peering at Simon. “Which one is this?”
“I—” Rhode glanced back and forth between Simon and Nolan. “I’m not sure, sir.”
“If I may,” said Malcolm in a tone that implied he didn’t care if the General was all right with it or not. “My nephew didn’t realize he was doing anything wrong. The mouse has been living in the Den since September. I’ve had several conversations with him myself, and despite a tendency to mouth off, he’s harmless. Considering he is a member of my kingdom, I must insist you release him into my nephew’s care, or I will be forced to leave before the security summit begins. And I will be taking Ariana with me.”
The General didn’t respond. Instead, he moved toward them one slow step at a time, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze was fixed on Simon, and though every bone in Simon’s body screamed at him to look away, he refused.
“We haven’t been properly introduced,” said the General, stopping in front of Simon. “I am Isaiah Fluke, General of the Seas and the underwater kingdom. And you are?”
He considered lying, but what good would that do him? It would only put a target on Nolan’s back instead. “Simon Thorn,” he said, biting back a “sir.”
“Ah. Grandson and heir to the Bird Lord.” The General stooped down so they were eye level with each other. “Tell me, when was the last time you saw your grandfather?”
“I only met him a few months ago,” said Simon heatedly. “He killed my uncle—”
“My brother, Darryl,” interrupted Malcolm quietly. “I don’t know if you’ve heard or not, General.”
“I have,” he said slowly, his gaze still focused on Simon. “Which makes me all the more curious as to why you have allowed Orion’s heir to continue at your school, even if he is your nephew.”
“Because I don’t judge others based solely on who they’re related to or what animal they shift into,” said Malcolm, a challenge in his voice. “Simon has proven himself and his loyalty to our family again and again, and I also don’t believe in isolating others simply because they’re different.” It may have been Simon’s imagination, but he could have sworn Malcolm glanced at Jam. “Simon may shift into a golden eagle, but he is still my blood.”
“He is not mine,” said the General. “And I have no intention of allowing a member of the bird kingdom to remain in Atlantis. He will be on the next submarine back to Avalon, where he may wait with the rest of the birds that have invaded the beaches of Santa Catalina Island.”
Simon’s heart skipped a beat. Orion was undoubtedly among them, and if Orion was there, then that meant his mother would be, too.
Malcolm crossed his arms over his broad chest, giving him the impression of being even bigger than he already was. “If you insist. Come on, kids. We’ll leave General Fluke to fight off the bird kingdom on his own.”
He started to walk toward the door, and the General grumbled something that sounded like a curse. “S
top,” he muttered. “If you vouch for him, then I will allow him to stay—under the condition that he is never left alone.”
Malcolm turned back around slowly. “And the mouse?”
The General scoffed, but when Malcolm made to leave again, he sighed. “The pet is unauthorized—”
“He’s not a pet,” said Simon. “He’s my friend.”
“I did not think a member of the bird kingdom, let alone Orion’s heir, could possibly befriend a member of another kingdom,” said the General. “Are you sure you’re not simply keeping him as a snack for later on?”
Simon’s stomach turned, but before he could say anything, Malcolm cut in. “Enough of this, Fluke. You assured me that every member of my party would be granted access to the city. Was that a lie?”
“It was not a lie,” said the General, his lined face slowly turning red. “Do not insult me in my own home, Alpha—”
“It was a question, General, not an insult. And if it wasn’t a lie, then will you let him go, or will we be leaving now?”
The corner of the General’s mouth twitched, and for a moment Simon thought he might actually punch Malcolm. Not that he could do much damage against the towering Alpha, but it would almost be worth it to watch. “Colonel,” he said, seething, and Rhode snapped to attention once more. “Alert security that unless this mouse poses an immediate tangible threat, he is to be released into Mr. Thorn’s care.”
“His Highness’s care,” corrected Malcolm in a frigid voice. Simon squirmed.
“We do not recognize the bird kingdom here,” said the General with equal coldness.
“But you recognize my kingdom,” said Malcolm. “And as you yourself observed, he is my nephew.”
The General’s jaw clenched, and Simon could practically feel the anger rolling off him. He opened his mouth to insist he was fine being just Simon, and that he didn’t want to be prince of anything, when Ariana spoke up instead.
“Is this how the summit’s going to go? You two bickering all the time while we get nothing done?”
She sounded so authoritative that, despite her small size, both fully grown men instantly looked chagrined. At last the General muttered, “Your mammal friend will be released, and your nephew will be allowed to stay. They will not, however, be granted the diplomatic immunity promised to the rest of your party. Both will follow the laws of our kingdom and be held accountable for their actions, along with your little reptile friend.”
Winter, who lingered beside Simon, bristled. “My name is Winter,” she said in a voice that could have sliced through diamond. “We’ve met twice, General.”
“And as I recall, when we did, you were a member of Orion’s party,” he said. “Familiarity will get you nowhere, I’m afraid. A member of my family will be tasked with escorting you both at all times, and any unlawfulness will see you detained. Is that fair, Alpha?”
Malcolm gave Simon a long look. “That’s fair,” he said gruffly. “If you would excuse us, General, we’ve had a long trip.”
He nodded once. “Colonel Rhode, see our guests to their quarters. Soldier,” he added to Jam, the first time he’d acknowledged him. “You and I are overdue for a very long discussion.”
Jam gulped, and Simon gave him an apologetic look as Rhode led them back into the maze of mirrored hallways. No doubt discussion really meant lecture that would make Jam’s ears bleed, and Simon swallowed his guilt, focusing on following the colonel instead. He did his best to remember where they turned, but as soon as they stepped into an elevator, he was lost.
Rhode showed them to a set of guest rooms several floors up. “Someone will be by to escort you to dinner at nineteen hundred hours,” she said before turning on her heel and disappearing. Briefly Simon wondered why she’d left them unattended, but of course she must have known they wouldn’t try to go anywhere, not in the mirrored hallways.
As soon as she left, Malcolm ushered them all into the bedroom meant for Simon and Nolan to share. Though the walls were painted a deep and inviting sapphire, it was sparsely furnished, with only the bare necessities that included two beds, a small dresser to share, and a lamp that flickered. Simon had seen nicer cells in prison films.
“Why didn’t you tell me you brought Felix?” said his uncle, sounding more frustrated than disappointed. “You nearly started an international incident.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, staring at the cream carpet. At least that was soft. “I didn’t think—”
“That much was obvious.” Malcolm sighed. “Simon, Winter—the General will have you arrested the first chance he gets, so I need you to promise me you won’t give him that chance. There’s nothing I can do to help you down here, so it’s up to you both to protect yourselves.”
Winter mumbled her reassurance, while Simon nodded numbly. He’d faced bigger threats than being arrested before, but something about this place made imprisonment sound like a punishment worse than death. There was nothing welcoming about it—the entire compound felt like it had been designed to keep everyone out, and even without the security measures, the soldiers’ dour expressions and the General’s booming voice would have been enough to make anyone with an ounce of common sense stay away. No wonder Jam was miserable here. Simon didn’t know how he would get through winter break, let alone spend his entire life in this place.
Malcolm patted Simon on the shoulder. “Good. I’m counting on you both. We have some time before dinner, so everyone unpack, and try not to get into any trouble, all right?”
They left for the other guest rooms—Winter and Ariana were sharing one across the hall, while Malcolm had his own next door—and once they were gone, Simon collapsed on the stiff mattress. “So much for a vacation on the beach.”
“Great job talking Malcolm into this,” muttered Nolan, who was struggling to lift his suitcase onto his bed with his good arm. “Best Christmas ever, right?”
“It isn’t my fault,” said Simon, and that wasn’t technically a lie. He hadn’t expected Nolan to come, after all. “Do you need—”
“I’m fine,” said Nolan, managing with a grunt. “Leave me alone.”
Simon closed his eyes, the hopelessness of his situation settling over him like a suffocating blanket he couldn’t push away. With the bird army stationed on Santa Catalina Island, Orion was already close—too close. But Simon couldn’t fathom the General hiding his piece of the Predator in Atlantis, not when he had the entire underwater kingdom at his disposal. And no matter how determined Simon might have been, no matter how many friends wanted to help, he had no idea how he could possibly search the entire ocean for a crystal no bigger than his palm.
6
A FAMILY OF FLUKES
A knock on the door startled Simon out of his unexpected nap, and his eyes snapped open, taking in the blue walls. For a split second, he forgot where he was, until Nolan groaned from the bed across from his.
“Simon?” said Jam through the door. “It’s me.”
“And me,” squeaked a tiny voice indignantly.
Simon leaped out of bed and pulled open the door. “Felix! You’re all right,” he said, scooping up the mouse from Jam’s shoulder. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
Felix tugged on the end of his tail. “Interrogated me within an inch of my life, but don’t worry, I didn’t squeal.”
“Didn’t squeal on what?” said Nolan, who was suddenly hovering directly behind them.
“I thought you weren’t speaking to me,” said Simon.
“I was talking to Felix, not you,” grumbled Nolan, but he pushed past them without another word. Once he disappeared into their uncle’s room, Simon’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“Thanks,” he said to Jam. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. This is how it always is,” he said miserably. “The General ordered me to tell you it’s time for dinner, but the—the rat isn’t invited.”
“I am not a rat!” squeaked Felix, but Simon ignored him.
“I’ll be right out
.”
Jam nodded and turned away, heading to the nearby doors to gather the others for dinner. Simon hated the look of defeat in his eyes, but there wasn’t much he could do. Slipping back into the room, Simon returned Felix to his suitcase.
“Don’t go anywhere,” he warned. “I mean it. They’ll arrest you again, and this time they won’t let you go.”
Felix smoothed his whiskers and huddled against a pair of socks. “Brutes,” he muttered. “Think they’re better than me just because they can swim. Smell like fish, all of them. Probably taste like fish, too.”
Figuring that was all the agreement he would get out of Felix right now, Simon joined the others in the hallway. Everyone had gathered except one.
“Where’s Ariana?” he said, trying to peek into the girls’ room.
“She wanted to nap, but her mother’s adviser showed up and dragged her away,” said Winter sourly.
“She’s here as a representative of the insect and arachnid kingdom,” warned Malcolm. “She won’t get to spend much time with you.”
“But she still needs to sleep,” protested Simon.
“And I’ll make sure she does,” said his uncle. “Come on, we can’t be late for dinner.”
Ariana rejoined them right as they reached the dining room, along with a thin older man Simon could only assume was her mother’s adviser. The dark circles underneath Ariana’s eyes seemed deeper than before, and she barely looked at them before shuffling into the dining room behind Malcolm.
Simon expected more utilitarian décor inside, but instead he stepped into a warm, cheerful room with paintings hanging from the golden walls. Around the wide oak dining table laden with food sat nine other people, including the General and Rhode.
“Alpha, Princess, Lord Anthony,” said the General, not bothering to stand. The others followed his lead and remained seated. “Come sit by me. We have much to discuss.”
Ariana stared at the ground as she followed Malcolm and the adviser to the head of the table, where the General had reserved three seats. Simon trailed after Jam toward the opposite end of the dining room, hoping that Ariana didn’t mind being left on her own up there, stuck between the General and Rhode. Another woman sat beside Malcolm, and she looked too much like Jam not to be his mother.