Depth (Apalala Clan Book 2)

by Dzintra Sullivan

  Turning the tap, the cool water cascaded down upon his hurting muscles, and Attor sighed. Nothing he did seemed to relieve this underlying feeling of impending doom. Every time he shut his eyes, the face of a phoenix stared at him with pure black eyes that sparkled with the promise of death.

  Attor placed his hands on the open rough surface of the wall, the shower head from which the water came was inserted directly into the rock, and it needed no temperature control. The water was always warm, it was one of the perks of living in a volcano. He shut his eyes, letting the splashes hit the back of his shoulders and neck. While enjoying the heat of the water, he hung his head down between his shoulders. Leaning his exhausted body heavily forward, Attor used the rock wall for strength to stop from falling. The tight ridges of his muscles carried the water down his back, over the toned curve of his butt cheeks and down his thick muscular thighs to the waiting drain at his feet.

  Attor wanted the water to wash him away. He wanted the water to take his anger and frustration down the drain in its escape. Reaching out, he turned the tap off and growled. Unfortunately, he wasn’t getting his wish today, but still, he wanted to rip someone’s head off.

  Toweling off, he slid on a pair of dark blue jeans and grabbed a black T-shirt on his way to the common area. Threading his arm into the shirt, he pulled it over his head and walked around the corner. Ladon was sitting on the dark navy-blue sofa. He had some game on the screen and was busy trying to kill an unidentified alien species.

  Attor shook his head dismissively. “Lucky you know how to fight, Ladon, because you’re the laziest fucker I know.”

  Ladon flicked a glance. “Huh?” He pressed pause and looked at his brother. “Fuck off, Attor. I might be lazy, but as far as pains in the ass go… your sitting top of the heap.” Ladon laughed “I thought Jo was bad, but man, since the move…” he rolled his eyes, “… you’re like a bear with a permanent stick shoved up your ass.”

  “And let me guess…” Attor said a warning tone laced his words as he locked his eyes on the brother currently wasting time killing fictional aliens, instead of protecting the clan from a real and impending threat. “You think I should relax?”

  Totally ignoring the venom leaking from Attor’s words, Ladon’s eyes went wide with relief. “Exactly. Fucking glad you agree.” Settling back on the sofa, he went to press the un-pause button. “Was worried you’d get all angry and shit. But if you can see it too… then that’s great.”

  Attor’s mouth opened, about to unleash the utter rage begging to flow over his tongue and reap unrepairable damage to his brother’s mindset.

  Cough.

  Snapping his mouth shut, he flicked his head around to look from where the sound had come, his eyes falling on the youngest of his brothers who was sitting at his desk. He flicked a look back at Ladon who was already lost in the game once more. Attor shook his head with frustration and walked over to Wyvern.

  “Ungrateful winged bastard.” He rolled his eyes. “He owes his life to your interruption.” Pulling up a chair next to his brother, he looked at what was on the screen of his open laptop.

  Wyvern snorted. “We save each other’s lives. It’s what brothers do.” Shrugging. “Besides, being bottom of the totem pole, I’d get stuck cleaning up the blood.” Wyvern pulled his chair into the desk further and turned the laptop to face Attor. “Do you see this?” He pointed to a conversation which was playing out on the screen.

  “Who are you talking to?” Attor asked.

  “Not talking, watching.” Wyvern grinned as he said, “People amuse me, with their thoughts of protection. Firewalls. Passwords. They sit there all content wearing their metaphorical Wi-Fi rubbers to prevent STI’s…” he chuckled to himself. “Wrap it, before you tap it.”

  “STI? Please don’t tell me you’re fucking a keyboard,” Attor said. “I can’t handle that level of weird right now.”

  Wyvern laughed. “STI? Server Transmitted Infections.” He laughed again. “Nothing will keep this dragon out.” Linking his fingers together, he flexed them, the cracking sound of his knuckles made Attor flinch.

  “No more weird crap, Vern…” Attor’s head tilted toward the screen. “What’s the go?”

  “Q,” Wyvern stated proudly. “He’s finally surfaced again.”

  The sound of Attor’s hand slapping against the desk was like a whip cracking around the rock surface. “I knew the bastard wasn’t dead. I told you he wasn’t dead.” Attor jumped up and started to pace, his energy crackling like a barely contained fire. “Tell me where he is?” Attor demanded as he came to a stop, facing his brother his hands clenched with readiness.

  “Where who is?” Volos walked in from the Nest’s common area, he had a small towel and was rubbing what looked like grease off his hands. Volos was a tall and commanding dragon to behold. Not only because of his height, but the muscle he carried was impressive. All the dragon warriors prided themselves on being strong and worthy of the roles the clan had placed upon them. However, they also wanted to be visually intimidating to outside dangers. Seeing a six and half foot man, with a chest that resembled a bear, and arms that could rip a fully-grown tree from its bare roots, would normally be enough to make any predator wary of proceeding.

  Volos was wearing the required warrior uniform. It consisted of black leather pants, a black leather vest that had extra hidden boning on the chest area, helping protect vital organs from surprise attacks, and a pair of black shit-kicker boots which completed his intimidating look. And knowing under all that leather there were numerous weapons hidden from view, added to the feeling of security for the clan.

  Attor looked up at his brother, a sneer of satisfaction pulled at his lips. “Q… the bastard is alive.”

  Volos shrugged as he walked past him. “Never said he wasn’t. What I said was… that I didn’t care.”

  Attor’s brain shut off, as his mouth took full control. “And you call yourself a leader?” he spat. “We as a collective are told to follow you. Listen to you. Let you guide us into a safe future.” He took a few strides toward his brother who’d turned to face him. Ignoring a small whimper of something coming from his subconscious, begging him to stop, Attor had waited long enough. He’d bitten his tongue for far too long. It was time V heard some home truths. “I call bullshit on that, V. Knowing that…” flicking his hand back toward the computer screen and Wyvern who was taking a few steps back out of the crossfire, “… knowing you don’t care our enemy is alive… not just alive, but talking… well, it’s way beyond my comprehension.”

  “I guess that’s why I’m the leader…” V steeled his stare at his brother, “… and you are not.”

  Attor’s anger had reached boiling point, so he took a breath and readied himself for the storm that he was about to unleash. “Volos, you may have been birthed first, but if you can’t see the danger which is unfolding right before your fucking eyes, then perhaps it’s time for you to…” the internal whimper pleaded for him to stop, “… step aside, and let a real leader take over protecting the clan.”

  “What the fu—” Ladon leaped from his seat, his body automatically reacting to the threat being laid at his leader’s feet. He fought as a band of brothers on the battlefield, but threaten the leader of the clan, and he would protect V with his life. Even at the cost of another brother. The king had semi-retired after the decimation of the Oasis. While he still took control of the clan’s business dealings, the full responsibility of security had been laid upon Volos’ shoulders. As far as the brothers were concerned, V was their leader.

  V held up his hand to stop Ladon’s response, his eyes not leaving the threat being thrown down by his brother. Volos sized up his brother. Attor was an inch shorter, but with his daily workouts, he’d become a mountainous monster of angry muscle. The thing about anger, though, when it was not carefully controlled, it could be your downfall. Volos needed the brothers controlled, fighting within the clan would guarantee their defeat in the next attack. This threat from hi
s brother couldn’t be ignored.

  “Think you can take me?” V challenged the threat.

  “I know I can,” Attor growled.

  V nodded. “In the ring. Thirty minutes. No weapons. First to yield.”

  Attor agreed to the terms and took off for his room to get ready.

  “V…” Wyvern asked. “What if—”

  V snorted. “Wyvern, your brother is filled with too much anger to fight with any accuracy. I’m just going to teach his ass a lesson, by dropping him on it… hard… repeatedly.” V grinned and walked calmly off toward the ring.

  Knock. Knock.

  Taryn lifted her eyes to the sound coming from her front door. “It’s open,” she shouted from her bedroom. She knew it was her friends, she’d pinged the security a minute ago to let them in the building. Taryn just needed to grab a few things, and with a spray of perfume, she’d be ready to go.

  “Bitchazzz, better be ready,” Kylee flung open the door and announced her arrival loud and proud.

  “Always ready,” Taryn said as she walked back to the room. Kylee wolf-whistled as she did a little twirl for effect. Taryn was wearing a gorgeous pale lemon colored swing skirt, and as she turned it lifted to show a layer of lace trimmed black tulle.

  “Do you even eat?” Kylee laughed as she looked at Taryn’s tiny waist being emphasized by the black corset tightly wrapped around her chest. Pushing her breasts up to the point of no return, and decorated with bright silver buckles down the center.

  “Pish,” Taryn laughed with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Hey Payton,” Taryn smiled as she looked at her friends. Kylee was wearing a pair of ripped black jeans and an off the shoulder blood-red colored peasant top, and the most fantastic pair of shiny red pumps. Payton was wearing a tight white skirt which ended just below her knees and really accentuated her tiny frame. She added a royal blue body suit that looked painted on and some white stilettos. These girls were ready to be noticed.

  “Hi Taryn, did you have a good day?” Payton propped her ass against the arm of a chair.

  “Gah, it was flat out.” Taryn sighed. “Who knew Minnie was so popular.” Laughing, she grabbed her clutch from the table. “I’ve been grabbed, fondled, hugged and groped from one end to the other,” she snorted. “And not in a good way. Sometimes I think I’m nothing more than glorified Disney call girl.”

  Payton laughed. “I’d take the kids over the uni students any day, at least yours want to be there.”

  “Right,” Kylee exclaimed. “I had this kid today who was trying to tell me that the solution to global warming was to build the earth some sunglasses.” Kylee snorted as she held her hands up, pausing to explain the student’s concept. “He suggested that shooting up a ring of sunlight scattering particles along the equator, would reduce the amount of solar radiation hitting the earth, therefore reducing the effects of global warming.”

  Payton laughed loudly. “Sunglasses? Wonder what would look best… Raybans? Prada? Or oooh… maybe some Gucci.” She laughed. “Fuck the expense, right?”

  Kylee laughed. “Right! It’s a valid theory, but fuck me drunk with a gold card. The cost would be in the trillions, and that’s using home-brand sunnies.”

  “Home brand?” Taryn grabbed her own chest, faking the shock and horror on her face. “How would Earth ever be able to hold its head up high in the solar system? She would totally get picked on in the playground,” Taryn added as she laughed.

  Kylee laughed hard as she wiped tears from her eyes. “Oh Gawd, these kids will kill me one day with their theories.” Taking a breath, she stood. “Okay, bitchazzz, let’s go get drunk.”

  The three of them walked a few blocks to their favorite drinking venue. Sakihokotta was a funky little Karaoke bar that translated in English to mean Saki and Sassy. Kylee thought it suited them perfectly and had now become the place to be on a Friday and Saturday evening.

  Taryn followed in her friends in as she let the heavy black wooden door close behind her. The sudden noise of music and chatter hitting them hard along with the mixed smells of spilled beer, heavy perfume, and assorted foods. The walls were adorned with amazing artwork that under a UV light glowed brightly with life. Along the sides of the walls were soft looking sofas, tossed with brightly colored cushions. In the center was a selection of mismatched tables and stools, all forming a fantastic retro-hip semi-circle, facing a small black stage which sat in the front left corner as you walked in the door. A silver, slim stand held up a black microphone ready for the next victim, err, singer to tackle the popular karaoke hotspot.

  “Konnichiwa, Taryn, Kylee, Payton…” The bartender bowed with each name he pronounced. The girls took their favorite seat at the end of the bar. From here, they could see the entire bar and cast judgment as their moods dictated.

  “Konnichiwa, Kaito.” The girls returned the bow and settled on the stools. “Can we grab three lemon sours, Kaito,” Kylee asked the bartender as he paused in front of them. “Arigato.”

  Don't let them in.

  Don’t let them see.

  Payton hadn’t even turned around when she groaned into her chest. She was yet to understand what the fascination was with this song. On any given night it was sung at least three times, and that was just in their bar. The thing was, not many people can hit the notes correctly. So most times, it was an excellent excuse to go to the bathroom or grab a cigarette outside.

  Let it go, let it go,

  Can’t hold it back anymore

  Payton’s head turned to look where this voice was coming from. In the middle of the stage stood a small Japanese woman. Flicking a look to her friends who’d turned to watch the current performer, she wore a stunning blood red kimono style dress, and her hair was perfectly cut into asymmetrical points, with the left side of her hair was a couple inches shorter than the right.

  Kylee leaned over. “The biggest thing about her is her freaking shoes.” A laugh escaped her lips. “Check out those neck breakers.”

  Taryn craned her neck to look and gasped. “How is she actually standing in those?” She sighed with admiration. “I love heels, don’t get me wrong, but they are verging on point shoes.” Shaking her head, she lifted her eyebrows in awe.

  “Can you imagine wearing them around your man?” Kylee laughed as she looked at Payton. “V would shit himself.”

  “Where is he tonight?” Taryn asked. Sometimes V would join them for the weekend relaxation.

  “He’s working,” Payton said offhandedly.

  “The environmental stuff, right?” Taryn asked, trying to speak over the high heeled wonder that was butchering the song from Frozen. Taryn asked a few times for the exact nature of Payton’s partner, but was only ever given a generalized direction of environmental business. Watching Payton nod to her question, Taryn asked further, “Working on a Friday night? That must get you down.”

  Payton tilted her head as she took in her friend’s curiosity with caution. Kylee never asked questions. When the Oasis had been destroyed and the clan had to move, Volos had asked her to go with him, but the condition was to keep their true identity a secret. Their survival as a clan depended on their ability to disappear. Now the phoenix had surfaced again, and caused death and dismay on both sides, the clan knew vengeance would be not that far away. It was only a matter of which side would strike the first blow.

  Payton explained to him that while she wanted to move with him, leaving Kylee was something she didn’t know if she was strong enough to do. Kylee had saved her life many more times than she cared to remember, and Payton considered her closer than a friend. After the death of her grandmother, the two of them were closer than sisters. They were of the same mold, of the same soul, where one heart beat the other existed.

  Volos completely understood because he felt the same about his brothers. However, there was still the matter of security to maintain. The brothers had held a meeting and decided that Payton’s friend moving with her would be viable, as long as the clan was not spoken about. Kylee
had already met a few brothers, but she was happy to know they were V’s brothers and never explored any theories further.

  Taryn was a different situation entirely. Taryn had met Kylee and bonded through a similar love for all things retro. Kylee was an open book when it came to talking, there was absolutely no filter on her mouth. If she thought it, she said it. So, when asked questions about her life, job, family and so on, she was more than happy to share. The problem was when Taryn had asked all the questions to Kylee, she then started asking Payton.

  Payton was the opposite of Kylee, she told no one, anything. Her personal trials and tribulations were hers to bear, and hers to bear alone. It annoyed Volos to no end. He would be able to sense the unease in Payton’s energy, but getting her to fess up what was worrying her was like trying to get a photo of the real Loch Ness monster. When Taryn asked questions, Payton immediately pressed her vague shield, dodging and weaving her way out of the spotlight.

  “Get me down?” Payton’s brow creased. “Not at all. I know where he is.”

  “I hope his secretary is an ugly old cow.” Taryn laughed as she hinted at maybe her boyfriend was having an affair.

  “Oh, honey…” Kylee laughed as she turned and signaled to the bartender that they needed drink refills, “… V only has eyes for Payton. There’s no room in that man’s vision for anything or anyone else.”

  “Ah-huh,” Taryn said. “That’s what they all say.”