by Anna LaVerne
“Last night when you were drunk, you were talking about something we hadn’t heard before. You said that another god has to die for you to exist,” Morgan sits down and explains.
Oh, crap. I wipe my hand across my face, not knowing how to respond. My heart beats rapidly within my chest, and perspiration breaks out on my skin.
“We just want to know where you heard it,” Aden prods from his position behind me.
I take a deep breath, knowing I can’t lie to them, “Aphrodite told me. She said that there is a balance of power that we all possess, which is the reason a full powered god hasn’t been born in thousands of years, and no one ever expected me to be one. Since their existence is now off-balanced, they know one of them is going to die soon.”
“So, what does that mean for you?” Breck asks while standing near his usual spot by the bar.
I shrug, “I guess that makes me a target?” I answer with a question
“You think Zeus is watching you?” Morgan pushes me to expose more information.
“Yes, I know Aphrodite can’t watch me alone.”
“When did you speak with her?” Laki asks, leaning forward in a thinking pose with his elbows on his knees.
“The other day on the boat when I was alone on the deck. It was the day I kept thinking I was being watched. She just appeared out of nowhere and left the same way. It makes me wonder, if I am full-powered can I do the same?”
“Maybe, but you are still a baby goddess. It may take time to level up to that point,” Charles responds.
“Who are you? I know you are more than anyone else here says. Something about you is familiar,” I trail off.
“We have met a few times. I am sure that is it,” he responds, brushing off my question. I know that isn’t it.
I shake my head, while Aden renters the conversations, “So, she was just able to appear? Does that mean other gods can just appear?”
“Yeah, some can, and some can’t. It probably helps that Aphrodite is her mother,” Charles explains.
I stare at him skeptical and no longer trusting. “We need to get to Atlantis to finish this,” I state, getting annoyed with the questions.
“I am not sure that is a good idea still. Poseidon might make another attempt on your life, thinking you are there to kill him,” Morgan answers.
“I don’t want to kill Poseidon, or anyone. I want you four to gain immortality by becoming my gatekeepers. I want to be able to come and go from Atlantis, my home, without fear. And I want Ares to end his war on the ocean and protect our sea life. I am tired of petty shit ruining good things!” I stand up from the couch, “How are my weapons going to get to Greece?”
“They are being checked in as artifacts in a suitcase. It is a one way flight, they will be safe.” I glare at Charles. Sure, if he says so.
Annoyed, I say, “Well, I guess we should be going then, right? Either way, I am going to Greece. We can discuss the next course of action then.”
They continue to talk, while I pick up my small bag I left on the table the night before and head out onto the deck of the yacht. Laki follows me.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” he asks calmly.
“I knew you would try to convince me not to go. All I want is for you to be my gatekeepers and for my life to return to some semblance of normal. I didn’t ask to be who I am.”
“You’re not scared of Poseidon?”
“Of course, I am scared, but I am also convinced if he knew I didn’t want to kill him, then he would stop trying to kill me.”
“I don’t think you understand the gods at all. It isn’t just himself he is scared for, it is all of them. Ancient beings don’t care for change. Atlantis is almost the exact same as it was when he sunk it. Look at the technology everywhere else and think back to the magical but dated place you grew up.”
Laki is right, Atlantis is horribly outdated.
“I will always be dedicated to Atlantis and the ocean. I could be more help to Poseidon as a friend than as a foe.”
“True, so how do you convince him of that?”
I pause because I truly don’t have an answer to his question, “I am hoping if we continue to our goal, something will come of it. It is like I am being guided. Everything from how I ended up being the Key of Atlantis, to how I met all four of you. Even my reaction of cutting off the beak of Poseidon's monster and throwing it at his feet. It is as if we are participating in a story of old; being guided by the fates to bring about a change. I don’t know what the change is, and I am not happy about being manipulated. But I do need to trust my gut, and my gut says I need to return home. If that means I have to take to the sky to do it and face down a god of the sea, then I will.”
“Is that all you are driven by?” Laki asks, being insightful.
I slam my hands down on the railing, “No. I’m angry. I am so angry he took you four away and ruined our chance at immortality together. I don’t want to live a moment without you four in my life. I have sacrificed my blood for Atlantis, and that is how he repays it? I don’t want war, but I do want his wrong to be righted and for you guys to have a chance in the Ring.” I don’t even mention the devastation facing the ocean that Triton is fighting alone.
Silence follows my passionate speech that only Laki was privy to. He does the only thing he could probably do in that moment, pulling me in for a tight embrace. His large hand rubs my back as I shed my tears on his broad shoulder. Tears I don’t even realize I need to shed. The weight of the world is heavy, and what we are facing could have deafening consequences.
“Are you okay?” Aden asks from over Laki’s shoulder.
“I’m fine,” I mutter but make no move to pull myself free of Laki.
“We need to get going, if we are going to make it on the plane in the time,” Morgan says.
This time I do pull myself out of Laki’s arms, “Really?”
“Yeah, might as well, it is not like you can hide anywhere for long now.”
I wipe the tears from my face. I look at all of them. They are all dressed nicely with white business shirts and black slacks; nice watches help complete their look. All but Laki is holding a fancy suitcase. I am assuming our weapons are tucked safely inside, and one must contain a change of clothes. My dress from last night looks awfully drab compared to the men I am accompanying.
“Should I change?”
“No time now,” Breck smiles and is the first to start down the stairs.
“Who is going to take care of the yacht?” I ask while I begin my decent down the steps that ended my land life for good.
“I have taken care of that. Associates of mine will be sailing it to Greece. It will arrive in a few weeks,” Charles says from behind me.
I don’t even bother to turn and give him my skeptical look. I guess my men do have their land businesses to fund such ventures, but I still don’t trust Charles anymore.
31
Entering the airport was like entering an entirely new world. People everywhere and loud voices echoing from speakers. I almost wish I was drunk like the night before just to get through the lines and the sensory overload that comes with it all. It is never a good idea to turn to a substance for comfort, though, so I push on. Even when Laki offers to buy me a drink, I shake my head no. I can do this. I fought a sea of giant squid, surely I can survive a human airport. After making it through the basic lines, I am exhausted.
“How can people live like this?” I ask no one in particular.
“They don’t know anything different. We were all raised on land,” Aden responds. His British accent affects me more now than it did in Atlantis. I had become accustomed to the sound of Americans. At the same time, it makes him ten times more sexy.
“All of you?” I ask, knowing they started out on the land, but had no idea they lived around places like this busy airport.
“Well, I’m from a small town in Australia, and Laki is from one of the smaller islands in Hawaii,” Breck replies, reminding me that Aden isn’t the
only one with a sexy accent.
“Were airports overwhelming to you, too?”
Laki laughs, “No, we may have not been raised within a city, but everyone knows what an airport is like.”
Now I am grateful I was born in Atlantis, away from crazy chaotic places like this one. Morgan gestures for us to sit after finding our gate. I waste no time squeezing between him and Aden in an attempt to shield myself from all of the noise.
Morgan has his focus on the cell phone in his hand, and Charles is in the same position. Aden drapes his arm over my shoulder, offering me some comfort. I wonder if he can sense the nerves twirling around within me. I am about to step on a plane, where I will be for over twenty hours while we fly to Athens, Greece. In the sky. The plane will have to be in the sky. This could be the moment I die and set the balance right again for the gods by doing so. What a horrible thought. I tremble.
“Are you sure you are okay?” Aden asks.
“Yeah, I’m cold. The air is blowing right on me,” I point to a grate in the high ceiling above me. Aden raises an eyebrow, signaling he is aware I lied. I divert my eyes to my feet and wait patiently.
The flight attendants call for first class. All of my men plus Charles stand. Of course, we would get to take this trip in style. Charles and Morgan ooze extravagance. I don’t think Laki, Breck, or Aden would have minded riding in regular seating.
Once in the tunnel walkway to the plane, I start thinking about backing out for the first time. Maybe we can survive taking the sea to Greece, after all. I stop to turn around, but Aden’s hand stops me.
“I promise, I have flown several times, it will be safe.”
I look into his eyes through his black-rimmed glasses. I trust Aden, but the idea of leaving the ground and water for the sky is frightening. Not able to reply without betraying my fear, I nod my head and continue with them onto the plane. We make our way past long rows of seats to the front, blocked by a thick blue curtain.
On the other side, I find myself looking at big comfortable recliner seats with cup holders and individual TVs on the back of the seats in front of them. I don’t feel like this will be bad at all. I do feel a little naked without a weapon, but it is what it is. I motion for Aden to take the seat next to the window. I have no desire to see out it.
“Don’t want a seat with a view?” Charles teases, and I like him even less than I did before.
Once seated, I wait in anticipation with my hands clutching the armrests on either side of me. Aden places his hand over my right one, trying to reassure me. Deep breath, Meri.
“You can breathe a little. They still have to load the rest of the plane before we can take off. We will be here for awhile, so we might as well relax.” Aden peels my fingers from the arm rest, placing my hand in his.
“I don’t think I will relax until we get to Athens,” I reply.
“You will once we take to the air, and you realize everything is going to be fine,” Breck replies from across the aisle where he is sitting next to Laki. There is plenty of empty seating in first class. We are probably the only ones who can afford it. That must be another flashback from my land life, even if I can’t picture it clearly I remember thinking most things in life were expensive.
Morgan sits two seats in front of me with Charles. We are all spread out through first class with plenty of room to be comfortable. Aden takes out his phone and begins flipping through things, occasionally laughing. I lean over to try to see what he is looking at. I didn’t even know he had a cell phone.
“What is that?” I ask pointing at the screen he is finding so interesting.
“Social media. I browse it to keep in contact with my family and look at funny videos or memes.”
“Memes?”
“Pictures people make with funny sayings.” He leans over, showing me one, and although I read it four times, the joke clearly goes over my head.
“I guess I don’t know much about American Presidents to get the joke.”
He laughs, “I really don’t get to follow it closely, myself.”
“Do you still have all of your family?” I wonder how they deal with him being away so often.
“Yes, I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
Talking about life outside of the plane is helping me relax. I lean over to whisper my next question, “What about the other guys?”
Aden smiles and whispers back, “Laki has his entire family, they are royalty of sorts in Hawaii.”
I make a quick mental note to ask Laki about that later.
Aden continues, “Breck was raised by his Grandmother, he visits her several times a year. And Morgan is an orphan, but a very wealthy one. He may say that everything belongs to Triton and his endeavors, but most of it is Morgan’s.”
“I noticed he has aged significantly more than the rest of you.”
“He is a little older than us, but his looks are mostly because he has had to spend so much time out of the sea.”
“Because of me,” I whisper certain it is my fault.
“Partly, but also because he is the only person who can manage his estate and the lack of technology in the water puts a strain on that unless he is on his yacht or on land.”
I go to respond, but a captain comes over the speakers, announcing that we are ready for departure and will taxi to the runway. The nerves hit me again all at once, and I question my decision to not having a drink before I got on the plane.
“Breathe,” Aden adds.
My hands goes to my seat to make sure I am still buckled in tightly. Everyone else is relaxed. I start giving myself an internal pep talk. Everyone is calm. This is okay, it is normal. You’re safe. You are a goddess. The sky won’t hurt you.
Aden takes my hand again, and I squeeze it tight. I notice him tense, causing me to remember I am much stronger than I look. It feels like the minutes have slowed down to an excruciating pace. I just want to get this over with. If we make it into the sky okay, I will feel better.
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the plane takes off. My body pushes back into the seat, and I close my eyes, fighting the urge to scream, hiss, or even shift. This is not the place to shift. I don’t open my eyes even once. My ears pop, and Aden nudges me gently.
“It’s okay, you can open your eyes now.”
“We survived take off?” I ask, almost to the point of tears. I hate looking so weak, but planes flying through the air are unnatural.
“We wouldn’t have brought you on a plane, if we thought we would die,” Breck states.
“Solid point,” I reply, leaning back in my chair in an attempt to relax. This is going to be an awful trip, if I can’t get it together and relax.
It isn’t long before the seatbelt sign turns off, signaling we are able to move about. A woman comes by with a cart, offering us beverages and snacks. I take a water, but turn down the offer of food. Following her, comes another woman dressed in the same navy-blue flight attendant suit. She stops by my seat and leans in close. All eyes are suddenly diverted to her. Even Morgan turns around in his seat.
“The captain would like to see Ms.McNamara and Charles in the cockpit.”
“Not without my guys,” I reply.
“She will be fine with me,” Charles reassures, standing from his seat.
I look to the other guys, debating if I should continue to argue. They all nod, and Morgan adds, “We have faith you can defend yourself, but scream if you need us.”
“Deal,” I answer with one word before stopping, “But why would a captain want to see me?”
The flight attendant looks stumped, “Sometimes, he will invite people in first class to view the cockpit.”
Her reply isn’t convincing, and I sit back down in my chair. “If he wants to see me, I guess he can come out here. I have no desire to see the cockpit of a plane.”
Charles appears relieved, “I’d still like to meet the captain.”
The flight attendant smiles and gestures for him to follow her to the front o
f the plane.
“What do you think that is about?” Aden asks, not bothering to keep his voice down.
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t feel right, and I don’t trust Charles,” I reply.
“Charles has been essential in our business, finding you and any land dealings we have,” Aden argues.
“But who is he and how does he know the gods so well?”
“He is a demi-god,” Aden responds not giving me any additional details.
“What is his parentage then?” I press on for more, causing Morgan to turn around in his seat.
“We never asked . . .”
“You never asked?” I am surprised by their lack of insight.
“That doesn’t seem right, we would have always wanted to know everything about our colleagues,” Aden continues for Morgan.
I observe the alarm on Breck and Laki’s faces. I knew something was off, and I stayed quiet too long. Before we can discuss a plan, the captain emerges from the curtain. He has curly blond hair, beautiful jewel-blue eyes, and is wearing a white captain’s uniform.
“Ah, I am so happy to have the time to visit with my first class passengers.”
Not one of us respond, but I observe Charles behind the captain with his eyes diverted to the floor. My emotions bounce back and forth from fear to anger.
“Who are you?” I demand an answer.
“Your captain!” The blond man waves his hand, gesturing at the uniform he wears, with his smile more vicious than reassuring.
I unlatch the buckle about my waist and manage to be at the captain’s throat before he can blink. One hand grows in size just enough for me to get a good hold on his skinny neck. I lift him from the ground with one arm, while my nails put just enough pressure on him to draw a slow stream of blood.
Now in my half shifted form I hiss, “Who are you?”
The captain’s chest rumbles with a chuckle as he tries to garble an answer. I loosen my grip, allowing him to stand on his own. He rubs the side of his neck and looks at me, his smile never fading.
“I did not expect that!” He seems just has happy as he was moments before. “Hermes,” he says, stretching his arm out for a handshake.