by Allie Burton
Another man stood in front of a tub of gray-scaled fish. “Caught this morning.”
“Great for dinner tonight,” a woman yelled.
The concentrated area of fresh fish and rank fisherman definitely stunk—like the clue described. The glass roof kept them out of the rain. And Xander enjoyed the scenery and character of the place.
“Xander, The Almighty.”
Hearing his title froze his legs. He stopped short.
Behind the iced-fish counter, a man’s gaze widened like the eyes on his daily catch. A jagged scar slashed across his left cheek. “I knew you’d come today.”
Olivia gaped, her mouth dropping open like a fish on a hook. Standing on tiptoes, she was ready to take flight.
He took a deep breath. They needed to stay calm, unlike when she’d touched the waiters making a scene. He gave a slow, go-ahead nod.
The fisherman continued, “I have what you search for.”
Xander choked. So much for looking regal. “You do?”
“Yesterday, I prepared the oil vessel as instructed.” The man waved his gnarled and weathered hand proving he was just a fisherman. “This way.”
Olivia hung back and whispered. “Do you know this guy?”
“He’s got an essential oil.” That was what was important.
Xander didn’t know everyone in the Society, but they all knew him. This must be the fisherman’s role. To hold onto an oil until the right time.
“I don’t know about this.” Her instincts were usually right.
But he wanted to be in charge this time. To make the decision. The right decision.
The fisherman dragged his right leg walking around his stand. A weak, old man. Xander could win in a struggle.
“It seems…fishy, but what choice do we have?” He whispered before facing the fisherman. If the fisherman told him more, he could decide whether to trust him. “Instructed by whom?”
“Master Jeb. He told me you would come after the solstice.” The fisherman pointed with his chin toward the docks. “This way.”
Xander followed, and beckoned Olivia to stay close. They reached the edge of the overhang. The fisherman glanced at Olivia, and then shuffled forward into the rain. Maybe the old man wouldn’t notice how she stayed dry, when everyone else got wet.
The slotted boards of the dock shook when the fisherman dragged his leg across. Xander balanced his steps, while Olivia dashed back and forth trying hard not to get hit by raindrops. An impossibility. He only hoped she didn’t cause another massive wave.
“How did you prepare the vessel?” Another aspect of the Society that had been kept secret from him. Frustration pounded in his veins. He didn’t even know if it was an important question to ask. He just knew the more questions, the more he’d learn.
“I hollowed out a crab and hid the vessel inside.” The man’s voice sounded nervous, or excited, like he was thrilled to be part of this undercover Society mission.
Xander could relate. Since his life had been turned upside down and inside out, he’d been on a great journey. Thrilling and scary.
“Now, I will present it to you.”
Jeb must’ve given the fisherman instructions before the mix up. The man thought Xander held Tut’s soul and everything was happening according to the Society’s plan.
Xander puffed out air. Yeah, right. Nothing had gone according to plan and now he was working against the Society. Life was stranger than fiction.
“Where are we going?” He used his demanding tone, a tone he hadn’t used in a while. He scrunched up his shoulders. A tone he didn’t like anymore. He’d changed. He wasn’t the cocky, superior being he’d been told to be.
“The oil vessel is on my boat.” The fisherman pointed to a boat at the end of the long dock with a scratched hull with bits of seaweed encrusted at the waterline.
The boat, called Sun Worshipper, didn’t look as if it had seen a lot of sun. The window in front of the wheel had big, black stains. The large, blue hook that hauled in the day’s catches had peeling, rusted paint. Why hadn’t the rich Society helped one of their people by buying him a better boat?
The fisherman bowed. “I’m honored to be of service to you,” his gaze flashed between Xander and Olivia, “and King Tut.”
“I’m honored, you’re honored.” Xander waved his hand, dismissing the words, playing his part.
The fisherman marched down the long dock to the very end. He stomped up the metal ladder and onto the deck. Xander followed. Olivia snarled before taking her turn. Her chin went up in a snooty tilt and she sniffed.
Uh oh. They didn’t need Tut interfering now. Xander recognized the signs. The way her shoulders pulled back and her mouth opened as if preparing to speak. There weren’t any other fishermen or tourists this far along the dock, but she could still make trouble.
“Where is the vessel?” Xander jumped in before the pharaoh could.
“This way. Oh, Mighty One,” the fisherman exaggerated the title and an inkling scratched down his back.
He might not possess King Tut but having the attention on him was good for Olivia. The fisherman wouldn’t notice what was wrong. That she all of a sudden had an attitude and her clothes still weren’t wet. She needed to let Xander handle the exchange to convince the man everything was as it was supposed to be. He only hoped she recognized that.
And Tut.
The fisherman yanked his hat lower, leading them through a narrow walkway on the decrepit boat toward the wheelhouse. “You must wait at the stern of the boat.” He pointed at Olivia.
Xander held up his hand. “She’s part of my contingent.”
She wouldn’t appreciate being left behind. Plus, they were safer together. She was safer.
“Jeb instructed me to give the essential oil to you alone.” The fisherman’s wrinkles collided on his face.
He must lead a hard life. Did Xander really want to make things more difficult and take more time. Getting the oil was more important.
The fisherman made a come-here motion with his two gnarled fingers. He guided Olivia to a specific spot where a messy fishing net lay twisted on the ground. “This won’t take long. Don’t move.”
The man was just a pawn in the Society’s game. He meant no harm.
“I’ll be right back.” Xander accompanied the fisherman toward the wheelhouse.
The peeling paint flaked off in the wind. The rain continued to pour down making the deck slick. Small, dark windows on the lower half didn’t let him peek inside. Not that that mattered. He’d be inside soon. Wet and miserable, he just wanted to get the oil and find some place to dry out.
The man paused at the door and glanced back at Olivia. She stood in the same place, her arms crossed, leaning against the bow. Her pensive expression showed she didn’t think of this as a game. He’d seen it as an adventure, but not so much anymore. Not when so many lives were at stake.
Opening the cabin door, the fisherman let Xander walk in first. An unusual polite gesture from the guy.
Nodding, he stepped over the threshold and his eyes adjusted to the dark interior space.
Another darker shape loomed in the corner.
His nerves sparked with alarm.
The door slammed closed.
He swiveled around. “What’s going on?”
The fisherman hadn’t come inside.
“Hello, Stone-boy.”
A chill went down Xander’s spine, fracturing his confidence. He recognized that voice. “Jeb.”
The dark shape moved from the shadow. Jeb’s dark suit was wrinkled. His messy gray hair stood up in tufts. His dark eyes zeroed in on Xander like a trophy hunter on an elephant’s tusks. “I’m surprised you made it out of the museum.”
The Society elder thought he was useless. His muscles firmed. He’d prove to the man he was wrong. He fisted his hands and punched. His hand connected with Jeb’s chest.
Jeb feinted back with a practiced move. Too bad, he’d practiced on Xander. They’d been sparring partne
rs until he’d surpassed his trainer.
“Show me what you got, old man.” Xander kicked his foot out.
Jeb stopped him with a quick twist and a jab. “I’ll show you. I’ll take you down, Stone-boy.”
What was with the new nickname? Xander didn’t have time to ponder. He needed to escape before the fisherman realized there was trouble and came in to help Jeb. Pretending to go right, Xander used his clawed fingers on his left hand to attack. He scraped the old man’s face, grabbed him with his other hand, and twisted Jeb around.
Using the pressure point where the neck and shoulder met, Xander pinched the man’s neck.
Jeb hissed and then went lifeless.
Xander let him slip to the ground. He felt bad for how easily his one-time mentor had been defeated.
Tiptoeing over, he cracked the door and peeked out.
With his back to me, the fisherman cranked a device. The fine, almost-invisible, net at the back of the boat began to rise.
The exact spot where Olivia waited.
His heart stilled.
She tripped on the raised net and stumbled. Her shoes tangled in the net.
“Olivia!” His shouted warning was too late.
She yanked at her foot and tried to take a step. The net rose around her, encircling her like a fish.
He took a slow step forward, analyzing the best way to help.
Her feet slipped from beneath her, but she didn’t hit the ground. The net kept her off the deck. The fisherman continued to crank the net higher and higher. It was attached to a huge, rusted metal hook. The hook jerked higher catching her up.
Helplessness swamped him. The fisherman knew she hosted Tut. Pretending to give Xander the oil had been a distraction. They’d played him for a fool.
Something solid hit him over his head. Pain rang through his skull. He faltered and twisted, grabbing the bottom half of the cabin door.
Jeb hovered over him, a rowing paddle in his hands. The man had recovered faster than expected.
Swinging the door back with velocity, Xander banged the metal into his foe’s crotch. Jeb swayed back with an expression of surprise. Xander had learned a few tricks about fighting dirty. He jumped over the cabin threshold and ran toward the fisherman. He had to get to Olivia.
A piece of rope went around his neck and jerked him to a stop. Turning, Xander gripped the rope and wrested the other end from Jeb’s hands. The man let him take it because Jeb pointed a gun.
Xander froze. His gaze darted around searching for an escape.
Forgive me, Olivia.
Taking a leap, he dove over the edge of the boat.
Chapter Seventeen
Olivia
“Xander!” Disbelief hollowed out my chest. My eyes didn’t accept what they’d seen. Xander had jumped off the boat and into the bay. Without even a backward glance. He’d abandoned me, leaving me alone with the old fisherman.
“Xander.” The horror of the situation scraped up my throat. The net had me trapped, and I was alone.
I yanked on the strange material. I couldn’t worry about him. He’d ditched me, leaving me with the crazy old fisherman. I had to worry about myself.
The net rose higher, faster. In seconds, I was five feet off the ground. Jerking the threads, I twisted around trying to find a weak spot in the net. I kicked with my feet and pushed with my hands. The net dug into my palms tearing into the skin. This wasn’t regular fishing rope.
I had difficulty swallowing, struggling to gulp down air. I hoped Xander was choking on saltwater. He’d said it was okay to go on the boat, that the fisherman was just delivering an oil, and I’d followed him.
The net tightened more. It was going to strangle me. Placing my foot against a thread, I pushed against it trying to give myself more room. My body flipped and faced downward, the threads cutting into my cheeks and forehead. Taking a deep breath, I stared at the deck with its metal cages filled with wriggling crabs. Was I to be another catch of the day?
Footsteps pounded on the old deck and I lifted my head. Two people ran toward me. The fisherman and…Jeb. I recognized him from the museum.
“Where’s Xander?” For a second, I’d thought he’d returned. “Did you throw out a life preserver?”
Not that a life preserver would do him any good because I’d kill him for leaving me.
“He jumped overboard.” Jeb’s lips formed a sneer. “Too bad he never learned to swim.”
My heart crushed and then crumbled into pieces. I might’ve wanted to kill him, but I didn’t want him dead.
“Good riddance. Maybe he’ll sink to the bottom like a stone statue.” Jeb’s odd smile appeared to be his wishful thinking expression.
The man kept talking about stone and statues when he referred to Xander and I couldn’t figure out why. I sniffled and my eyes burned. Xander was the guy I’d wanted to kiss, to get to know better, and be my partner in this crazy quest. And now, he was gone, probably drowned.
“Xander was like a son to you and you don’t even care.” Not exactly what he’d told me, but I wanted to see if Jeb felt even an inkling of guilt.
“He wasn’t my son.” Jeb flung his arm in a carefree expression. “You’re what’s important now. You and what you’re going to do for the Society of Aten.”
My lungs blackened remembering the files on the computer. Blackmailing the president, ruining the environment, taking over the world. I wrenched at the net. “I’m not doing anything for you or your stupid Society. Let me out.”
“That’s special Egyptian nylon netting.” The fisherman showed his toothless grin. “Strongest nylon in the world.”
How could something so delicate be so strong? I huffed. I didn’t have super strength. I had the powers of the sun. What good was the sun going to do me now?
“Now that we know she’s secure, let’s get out of here.” Jeb saluted me like a sailor to a captain. Only he knew he was the one in charge. Both men disappeared into the wheelhouse and I was alone.
Bereft, I watched the clouds darken matching my mood. I was on my own and Xander’s abandonment hurt more than it should have. I’d just met the guy. He shouldn’t be so important in my life. He hadn’t stayed to fight by my side. He’d rather drown than get caught up in this stupid net.
The boat’s engine chugged. The fisherman untied the ropes tethering the boat to the dock. Un-tethering the only hope I had of escape. The boat moved slowly past the docks and toward the manmade breaker. One of the empty docks had a group of sea lions moaning their sad cry. I wanted to cry with them.
A shudder passed through me. Xander gone. Shattering shivers raced up my spine. Me entrapped by the evil Society. Our familiar world would end.
“Olivia.” My name carried across the wind.
It sounded like Xander. No, it must be the sea lions crying out.
“Olivia. Look down.”
“Xander?” My chest lightened. I leaned forward and peered through the nylon threads, unbelieving what my ears were telling me.
His clothes dripped like a mini rainstorm forming puddles on the deck. His black hair was plastered to his head. A thick rope was tied around his arm. He looked like a drowned cat, but he was alive.
“You didn’t drown.” Celebration sang through my veins.
He hadn’t tricked me, and he’d hung around to save me. Feelings gushed inside like an out of control fountain. I was wild about Xander and he must have feelings for me, or he wouldn’t have risked his life. Again.
“I held onto this rope attached to the boat.” He unwound the rope as he spoke and dropped it to the deck. Keeping low, he came to a spot underneath me. “You have to get out.”
No, I thought I’d just hang around here and enjoy the view. “If I had received super strength instead of super heat I could break this nylon. Or if I’d received the soul of an animal I could’ve eaten through the net. Or if—”
“Well, you didn’t.” He stomped his foot on the deck, obviously frustrated. “We’ve got to hurry before we’
re noticed. Use your fire breathing ability to melt the nylon.”
“You deserted me,” I whisper-shouted unable to forget he’d left me, even though he’d come back.
He crouched below the net trying to stay out of view from the wheelhouse. “Jeb had a gun and he was about to shoot.”
Xander’s explanation made sense but I was not ready to forgive. Especially since I’d worried about him dying. “I thought you drowned. Jeb said you didn’t know how to swim.”
“Well, I do.” He shook his head and spoke in a so-there tone. “Let’s argue about this later.”
My muscles tightened, mad that he’d made the suggestion. “Fine.”
“While you work on your fire, I’ll look for a knife or something to cut you out.” He didn’t have a lot of confidence in me.
Which added to my anger. Which was good because it had been anger that brought the flames on at the park. I should be furious now. Caught like a fish. Trapped on a boat heading out of the San Francisco Bay. Tricked by an old fisherman. Believing Xander had abandoned me.
Lasering my gaze at the net, I let the anger overtake me. I pictured the sun in all its blazing glory. The temperature of the golden orb was something like a bazillion degrees. I let the heat of my fury flame inside my body. My belly burned. My chest felt on fire. A scorching inferno burned up my throat.
I opened my mouth. Flames shot out.
Facing the nylon, I let the fire burn into the net. The nylon wilted and then melted. A hole formed at my side. But that wasn’t all.
Heat surged through me. My insides began to squish together like they were being sucked by a huge vacuum. The internal pressure gathered force. I felt like I was going to explode. Had I used too much power?
The rain stopped. The sun burst through the clouds. The clouds burned away with each bright ray.
“OMA,” Xander whispered.
My vision cleared and my mind focused. My body returned to normal temperature. “What?”
“OMA. Oh Mighty Aten.” The awe in Xander’s voice cleared any cloudiness in my brain. “I mean, I’ve seen you breathe fire, but you actually made the sun shine.”