“When I wokeâ€� she would always say, “the first face I saw was your father’s. His beautiful hazel eyes full of concern and love. We looked into each other’s eyes for a long time. I loved him instantly.â€� Xerxes remembered the sweet smile on her lips, “Then he told me I was the only one to survive the plane crash and he held me while I cried. He told me it would be all right, that I was safe and Pacifica and Atlantis would now be my home. Andros explained to me where I was and that I could not go back. I didn’t really care. I loved Andros and he loved me. There was nothing to go back to, my family was gone.â€�
Xerxes read another entry by Andros ‘While I was in Pacifica, it seems Marcus was up to his old tricks. My Council stands loyal. I have warned him, another such incident and he will be dismissed from Council.’ Andros oddly enough did not detail Marcus’ indiscretion. Over the next few years, Marcus’ name didn’t figure prominently in his father’s journals, but when it did, it wasn’t favorably. Andros’ last entry was just before his and Xerxes stepmother’s fatal accident in the Strait of Magellan.
Marcus has requested permission to visit the upper-world on an archaeological matter. I have given him permission. With him gone he will not be in Atlantis to give Xerxes problems while he is acting regent during the time his stepmother and I are in Pacifica. Xerxes sat for a long time staring at that last entry.
Xerxes suddenly felt sick. “Geb!� he called his aid who stepped in almost before he had finished calling
“Yes, Xerxes?â€�
“Find out where Councilman Trident was in the upper-world when my father and stepmother were killed.â€�
“Yes, milord,� Geb replied and instantly disappeared to find out what facts he could.
Chapter Six
General Grill was prompt. Four hours after the Governor departed for his office in Tallahassee, two drab green helicopters flew low over Lake Okeechobee. Their throaty thumping sound reverberated off the lake and drew curious stares from the locals. Since the Pyramid and dig site was not built solid enough for them to land on, they were forced to land on the levy. When they landed, it did a wonderful job of clearing away the tourists and locals that had taken to hanging around the area. Three airboats appeared from the marina to ferry the men out to the dig site just before the helicopters touched down. General Grill, of course, boarded the first boat. Seven other men accompanied him between the two airboats. Another seven ferried out in the next transfer.
Jessica stood atop the dig sight in a detached manner and watched them approach, prepared to greet them. With the warm wind off the lake blowing the loose strands of her long dark red hair around her face, she presented an attractive picture in her khaki work shorts, though she had not gone out of her way to do so, dressed in her daily work clothes. Jessica was unaware of the scrutiny the Marines gave her. General Grill was first off dressed in a camouflage uniform and a Dark Green beret. Jessica thought he looked like General Patton.
“Ms. Carter.â€� The General said, saluted, and took Jessica’s hand in a firm handshake to find it returned. This impressed Jessica. So many times men acted as though they were afraid to firmly shake a woman’s hand, not this General.
“Sir,� Jessica said, her reservist training threatened to take over.
“A pleasure, Ma’am.â€� His eyes scanned over her dig and the small security force of now four Okeechobee Sheriffs’ deputies present. “I have been briefed on your circumstances here and have been instructed to secure this area. It seems you have found some very interesting artifacts.â€�
“Yes, General, from the indications, I think we have,� Jessica affirmed, pride in her voice.
“After we get set up, I would appreciate a complete briefing,� the General requested.
“Of course, General Grill. First of all, what do you require to get started?â€� Jessica asked, and she watched as his people had already begun to deploy themselves around the perimeter of her dig. Each sheriff’s deputy was dismissed by a Marine, each Marine equipped with an assault rifle in hand and at the ready. This gave her pause to wonder again about what she had found. One man stood behind the General, not at attention, but not at ease either.
“Let me introduce Captain Curtis, you will be dealing with him on a daily basis.â€� Captain Pericles Curtis stood well over six-feet tall, heavily muscled and extremely fit. He did not smile. Captain Curtis was nice looking young man with large brown eyes, sandy brown hair and a deep tan from hours of training out-of-doors in the harshest of conditions. When the General introduced him, he shook Jessica’s hand and received her firm handshake in return.
He addressed her as “Ms. Carter, Ma’am.â€� - In the most respectful tone Jessica thought anyone had ever spoken to her in, meeting her eyes fully.
“Nice to meet you, Captain,� Jessica had said in return, seeing something in his eyes that said more than ordinary Marine.
“Thank you, Captain.â€� Grill’s tone dismissed him and Captain Curtis left to attend his duties.
“I see your people are very efficient, General, I would not have expected it otherwise,� Jessica commented, though she was Naval Reserve, she greatly respected the Marines.
Grill smiled, “They are, and Captain Curtis has some knowledge of archaeology. That is one reason his team was picked.�
“That will be helpful,� Jessica agreed.
“Ms. Carter, we are here to be helpful. In no way do we want to run your operation; however, where security is concerned, you must understand I will have final say.�
“General, I am sure you have a full file on me. Therefore, you know my background. I will cooperate with you, of course. Now what can I tell you or show you that you already do not know?�
Jessica gave him a brief tour and he found the mural room the most interesting, as did Captain Curtis, who had returned to accompany them, though he said little. Jessica watched the Captain and he seemed much at home within the structure, almost as if he belonged there. His eyes took in everything in the room without appearing to gaze around. Captain Curtis was a very observant man, and Jessica wondered if he was perhaps more than a Marine Captain.
“Thank you, Ms. Carter for the tour, I will keep in close touch, and should you need me, Captain Curtis will call.” He nodded to Captain Curtis. One of his men ferried him back across the short distance, so he could return to his office at the West Palm Beach Reserve Center near the airport where his office was located.
Captain Curtis and his men had set up a small, but efficient, base camp on the levy site. Jessica felt some sympathy for them having to sleep in the Okeechobee heat and humidity. Marines, however, are well known for their toughness, and discipline, and the conditions didn’t seem to faze the sturdy crew.
Secured and staffed by sundown, the dig and surrounding sleeping quarters atop the levy gave them quick access by airboat to the dig and necessities by road from the levy. Jessica had set up a comfortable tent atop the levy with the Marines, complete with air conditioning, her one luxury, in order to be closer to the dig due to the extended hours she sometimes worked. However, she retained her small apartment she had rented. Unmindful of the hour, which was common when Jessica was on a find, she sat and examined the etching of a cartouche she was deciphering. Mosquitoes buzzed outside but inside she sat on the floor of a plush, thick rug among the throw pillows of her spacious three-room tent. The room she sat in, Jessica kept as a comfortable lounging room, the other for sleeping, and the back room was a mess, artifacts cataloged with numbers for transport in the morning to a safe vault.
She was at ease with her surroundings. Marines patrolled the entire perimeter of the dig with dogs and guns. Nevertheless, even if they weren’t there, Jessica would not have been worried because she had camped in the jungles in Africa and in the outback of Australia, she was capable of taking care of herself. A shadow passed by her t
ent, she dismissed it, and continued to decipher the cartouche she was working on. Perhaps Bruce had returned or it was one of the guards.
Xerxes waited for the correct time, knowing his agents were in place. He watched Jessica closely with his sentinels for several hours until the camp had settled down and received an all clear signal from his newly placed agent. Xerxes then activated a device that gave him an invisible cape of camouflage. He needed to evaluate personally how close Jessica was to opening the final chamber to the old entrance of his underworld City. She wasn’t yet as close to finding the main entrance that it was imperative to take her tonight. Somewhat disappointed, Xerxes was in another way relieved. These facts allowed him to follow his planned schedule. In that way her disappearance and that of the artifacts would be easier handled.
Xerxes’ unique attraction to the beautiful scientist made the decision easy. Now it was a matter of timing and being sure no other personnel on the dig was as knowledgeable to require abduction at the same time. Her partner, to Xerxes knowledge, knew too little to be of any concern. Afterwards, when the problem dealing with Marcus had been resolved, Xerxes was prepared to offer him a position as Councilor of Antiquities. He would fill the position and relieve the tension inside his Council. If Marcus was the traitor, as Xerxes had become convinced, he would need Mr. Lance, if not, Marcus was close to retirement age, and he would still need Mr. Lance. After the inspection of Marcus’ department, he would not be Councilor much longer either way. He was aware Bruce Lance would miss Jessica but Xerxes knew their relationship was platonic. Xerxes smiled, now was the time he looked forward to, a direct meeting with Jessica. He wondered if the drug he put into her drink the day he rescued her would still be strong enough to cloud her memory. If Ambassador Barrous was correct, it would, just barely.
“Excuse me.â€� Xerxes’ remarkably - accented voice politely elicited Jessica’s attention from outside her tent.
Jessica jumped, slightly startled at the interruption. She rose and went to the tent door, opened it and stepped out, unmindful that she was dressed in her lounging clothes. Before her was not a Marine in camouflage fatigues, but a tall, powerfully built man. Jessica, a little over five feet six, had to look up just to meet his deep aquamarine, heavily lashed eyes. He could see a flicker of recognition in her beautiful and captivating eyes. Her warm brown eyes moved over his broad shoulders rippling with heavy muscles under the dark gray linen shirt he wore tucked into a trim-wasted pair of white linen shorts. “This is a closed dig, sir. How you got past the guards…� Jessica paused “How did you get past the guards?� she demanded.
“I apologize,� Xerxes expressed gallantly, his accent heavy when he wished it, “but I have information to trade for new information and I have traveled a great distance. Are you Ms. Carter?� Xerxes knew she was, but he enjoyed the surprised look in her warm brown eyes and the way her loose dark red hair cascaded down her back as she looked up at him. He smiled persuasively down into her upturned face and employed all his willpower not to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
Jessica eyed him suspiciously, “Yes, I am she, but who are you, sir, and where are you from?� Again, he saw a flicker of recognition cross her eyes, and momentarily she seemed perplexed, not realizing how alluring her unconscious vulnerability made her appear.
“I come from Chile, and we have had a similar find in my country, but excuse my poor manners, my name is Xerxes Kallias.� His eyes traveled boldly over Jessica and her casual attire. Loose silk blue pants with a matching thin-strapped top that draped low across her ample bust. She blushed slightly, giving her eyes a heated glow. Xerxes wondered if he would have the strength to leave her and return to Atlantis alone. If only he could take her tonight with his agents in place, it would be so easy.
“I would be most interested to hear about your find, Mr. Kallias, but perhaps you could come back in the morning.� Jessica paused, “When did you locate your Pyramid?� She asked, her curiosity winning out.
“About the same time, but not from a drought, my government was damning a river.â€� Jessica was still taken back by his accent, it didn’t sound Spanish or Chilean. “You said in Chile?â€� she asked, a little puzzled frown crossing her face.
“Yes,� Xerxes eyes drank in every detail, and he noticed his perusal suddenly seemed to make her aware of her attire, causing her face to blush. Aware of her discomfort, Xerxes chided himself for enjoying her uneasiness. She bristled under his perusal.
“Tell me, is your find a step Pyramid or more a latter dynasty Egyptian Pyramid?� Jessica asked, trying to keep their encounter professional
“A strange combination,â€� Xerxes said with a winning smile, but his eyes held unmasked desire. “It seems to prove a pet theory I have always held, that in some way they are connected.” His tone of voice lowered to an erotic level, caressing her with each word he spoke. He discussed archaeology, but his voice-conferred passion and held Jessica’s full attention. She was lost to his control.
Xerxes yearned to taste her slightly parted lips. Xerxes stood close, their bodies almost touching. “Possibly these two will prove they are.â€� His eyes held hers, entranced with ease as they had in the mall. “Perhaps, Ms. Carter, you are correct, I should not have come so late.â€� he apologized amiably, the last of his words trailing off. “I should go now.â€� Still holding her eyes, Xerxes offered his hand in a professional manner, and, without a second thought, hypnotically Jessica extended hers.
His touch was devastating. A man’s touch had never affected her so passionately. Instead of shaking her hand, he touched her fingers to his lips and turning her hand over, again touched her wrist with his lips, his eyes never released hers. Jessica’s mouth went dry, her knees weak. Mesmerized by the power that seemed to flow from this strange man into her, Jessica found she could not speak. When he released her hand, she lowered it slowly watching him in amazement. Xerxes smiled and took several steps back holding her gaze easily. He turned, and in a moment had disappeared from sight. Jessica stood immobile for a moment, stunned having never experienced such an encounter before.
Puzzled she grabbed her flashlight and scanned all around the campsite. Chills ran up and down her spine, her mouth was dry and her nerves were raw. She in no way felt intimidated, only a mounting sense of arousal, perplexity and intrigue. She could still feel the warmth of his lips on her skin and the awakened desire he provoked that no man had ever inspired before. Yet deep inside, the distant memory of a young man in her past came to her, a frightening event, and a strange encounter, but she couldn’t quite put it all together.
Going back into her tent, she put her jeans and a shirt on over her nightclothes and gathered up her laptop computer, jumped in her jeep and drove to the guard station atop the levy.
“Did you let a tall, blond man on site this evening, strange accent, said he was from Chile?�
“No, Ms. Carter.â€� the Marine named Merk, one of Captain Curtis’ special group, told her.
“Then search the area, I just had a visitor.� Jessica could swear he had a knowing smile on his dark face. Her eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion.
“Yes, Ms. Carter.â€� the searchlights came on. The whole area, the size of a football field, immediately became brightly lit and thoroughly searched. Only his footprints around the tent of the Teva’s he wore provided proof of his visit.
“I’m going to my apartment for the night, please put a guard on my tent, or in my tent, have someone sleep there if you wish, enjoy the air conditioning. Good night!â€� She told Captain Curtis, noting he too wore a strange aware expression in his eyes that made Jessica wonder if he knew more than he acknowledged. Jessica shifted her jeep and drove to her temporary home.
She allowed herself a glass of wine and a relaxing hot soak in the tub before bed, yet she could not lose the haunting aquamari
ne eyes or the vaguely familiar voice of Xerxes Kallias from her thoughts. At the edge of an entranced memory, he sat smugly smiling back at her, even the encounter at the mall failed to jog her conscious memory. It was a most infuriating feeling, one she could not shake, and left her feeling aroused in a manner foreign to her.
Relaxing in the hot steamy water of the tub, she absently admired the ankle bracelet of romping white and yellow gold dolphins she wore on her left leg. Jessica closed her eyes, tired. Her memory flowing back to the day she found the jewelry while diving on the wreck of the Mitzpah. Now why did that come to mind? She asked herself. Then the thought flew when the phone rang, startling her badly. She rose from the tub covered in bubbles, to answer the summons.
“Hi Mom,â€� She said, her voice listless “How’s Hawaii?â€� Her parents were sailing in the fiftieth state for a couple of weeks and they were just checking in.
“Jessica, what’s wrong?â€� Her mother asked, Jessica could never hide anything from her mother.
“Nothing, just tired from the dig and the heat.â€� Jessica told her. After a brief conversation, Jessica returned to rinse the soap from her body, smoothed on her usual body lotion and went to bed. Sleep was another matter. Jessica did not sleep well that night. In the morning, she woke feeling weary. She dreamed throughout the night of strange eyes watching her, but couldn’t remember more. Too queasy to eat, she skipped breakfast and drove to the dig.
What waited for Jessica at the dig site didn’t make her mood any better. It seemed the Military had discovered a leak of information and assigned another branch of the government to handle the problem.
Agent Meredith Simon of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a Federal Officer who specialized in archaeological projects, awaited Jessica’s arrival with a multitude of what seemed like trivial questions. General Grill was on hand to introduce Ms. Simon. Although Jessica greeted her warmly, gave her an in-depth tour of the site, and answered all her questions, Jessica had an immediate negative reaction to the woman. She was a couple of years older than Jessica was and instantly attempted to assume a superior attitude with the younger scientist.
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