by Hanna Peach
“Lukas,” Tobias said, his voice taking on a firmer tone. “You getting upset isn’t helping matters. Go and wait in my office. Now.”
“But−”
“Now. I will see you there soon.”
* * *
Lukas leaned against the wall near the door to Ana’s room, breathing as quietly as he could. He hated himself for making her upset. But she needed to believe him. Why wouldn’t she just believe him?
He could hear Ana’s sobs slowly subsiding.
“I apologize for Lukas,” said Tobias. “He is understandably…upset.”
“I just…I don’t remember.”
“I know. I know.” There was a pause. “Do you want to tell me about what you do remember?”
“Yael. A few days ago I found him at our meeting place. He didn’t remember me.”
“I see.”
“That’s why he never left Michaelea to be with me as we planned. Do you understand? Yael loves me, he wants to be with me, but the Elders did something to his mind.”
“If memory loss happened to Yael, can’t you see how it could happen to you too?”
“I… I can’t think about that right now. Yael is in danger.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Yael agreed to leave Michaelea but he wanted to go back one last time just to say goodbye to his friends. I had this horrible feeling, so I followed him.” Ana’s voice broke off in a sob. After she composed herself she continued, “He was taken, kidnapped, by his own flock members. He was taken to this island, to this Seraphim city…it’s hidden. I never knew about it.”
“An island?”
“I know it sounds unbelievable that the Elders would keep a fourth Seraphim city a secret from us, but it’s real. It exists. I saw it.”
“I believe you. Where is it?”
“Off the coast of Egypt. I can give you the coordinates. I followed him there, the seraph who captured Yael. I managed to sneak inside…” Her voice quieted. “At first I thought it was some kind of training center. There were rows and rows of Seraphim fighting with weapons, training rooms, huge steel barracks. These Seraphim were like the warriors from Michaelea but…they were relentless, so uniform, almost like machines. But it wasn’t just a training camp… There were other buildings, ones with no windows. I saw inside one of them, through a skylight. Oh my God, Tobias…” She broke down in tears again.
“You take the time you need.” Tobias shushed at Ana until she was able to speak again.
“Inside…there were rooms. At first I didn’t know what I was looking at. I never in my deepest nightmares could conceive of such a thing.”
“What was inside?”
“The room filled with seraphelles. They were all pregnant and strapped, legs spread into beds like animals. It was some kind of…breeding facility.”
“Dear God.”
“I recognized one of the seraphelles. I knew her from Michaelea but she disappeared and the Elders told us that she had gone Rogue. How could they do that to those women, Tobias? How?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“And they have Yael,” Siana said with a sob. “We can’t just leave him there. We have to rescue him. Please help me.”
“If we can help you, we certainly will. But for now you need to rest. You’ve been through a lot. I’ll come back to check on you later.”
Moments later Tobias stepped out into the corridor. His eyes narrowed when he spotted Lukas waiting for him in the hallway.
Tobias closed the door to Ana’s room before he spoke. “I thought you were going to wait in my office.”
“We can’t mount a full-scale attack on Michael’s army to retrieve one Seraphim,” said Lukas.
“I agree,” said Tobias. “But we still need to know what’s happening on this island.”
“I’ll go,” said Lukas.
Tobias froze. “Lukas, there are others who could go. Vix or−”
“No,” Lukas all but yelled. “No,” he said again in softer voice. “I want to go. She is my wife.”
“Lukas, I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Tobias, there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
* * *
Jordan stormed into Lukas’s room. It was an absolute mess. Lukas’s clothes and shoes were thrown around the room. He froze for a moment when he saw the single woman’s dress − a dress that Ana left behind when she had lost her memory − laying out on her side of the bed.
Lukas glanced up from where he sat on his side of the bed, cleaning his sword, an array of blades lined up alongside him. “Sure,” Lukas muttered, as he went back to polishing the weapon in his hand, “don’t bother knocking, come right on in.”
“Lukas, what are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m cleaning my blades.”
“I just spoke to Tobias. He told me about you and Ana.”
“Have you come to try and cheer me up? Don’t bother.”
“Why did you volunteer to go?”
“I just can’t stay here with her like that.”
“But you could stay, spend time with her, maybe jog her memory.”
“You really think it’s that simple,” Lukas hissed. “I can’t just show her a few photos of us together or tell her stories about our time together, Jordan. You, you, of all people know how completely memory is stolen from us. She has lost everything − everything − from the last twelve years.”
“She’s your wife. She needs you.”
“She doesn’t know who I am!” he yelled. He composed himself, taking several deep breaths.
“Lukas, I get that this is a horrible shock to you. It’s a shock to me too.”
“You have no idea.”
“You’re too close to this. You’re not thinking straight. You shouldn’t go to this island.”
“I’m thinking just fine.”
“Lukas, you just volunteered to rescue the man Ana thinks she is in love with. I mean, really?”
Lukas narrowed his eyes. “What are you insinuating?”
“You won’t be objective in rescuing Yael if indeed there is a chance that he can be rescued and with his mind intact.”
Lukas stared wide-eyed at Jordan. “Do you really think that little of me?”
“No. I’m saying that you’re hurting because of the woman you love. Men can do stupid things when they are hurting, even without knowing. Don’t do anything stupid.”
Lukas glared back at Jordan. “I’m going. You can’t stop me.”
Chapter 4
“Tobias, we need to speak with you.” Alyx stumbled into his office without knocking, Israel behind her. Hot on their trail was Tii’la who had been about to knock on Alyx’s door when Alyx and Israel rushed out.
Jordan was also in the office, and he turned in his chair to look at her.
“Sorry to interrupt…it’s about the missing Amulet piece,” she clarified.
“Of course. Come in,” Tobias said. “Jordan and I can talk later.”
The three of them, Alyx, Israel and Tii’la piled, into his office. Tii’la closed the door behind her. Alyx moved around to stand near Tobias’s side. She could feel Jordan’s eyes burning into her but she ignored him.
“We all know about the Trinity Amulet,” she began. “Michael has one, we have one that we took from Samyara, and the third piece is missing.”
“Where is our piece?” Tii’la asked.
“It’s in this office, safely locked away,” Tobias said.
Alyx held up the charm. “Raphael left this for me. Engraved on it is a riddle hidden by a mirage. ‘Look inside your soul to find the path to the truth.’ Mayrekk said that it was only meant for me, the Guardian, to use. And when I use my…well, I call it Soulsight, I can see that it’s not just a charm, it’s also a compass. I can see a blue trail going out from it.” Alyx strode over to the old globe standing on the corner of the round table on the far side of Tobias’s office, the others following her to gather around it. She spun t
he globe, then stopped it. “Here. I followed the trail. It ends here.” She pointed to a blue space in the Atlantic Ocean. “But it leads to nowhere. I don’t know what this means.”
“Is it broken?” asked Tii’la.
“No,” Jordan said. “It’s not broken. There’s something there, you just can’t see it.”
“What are you talking about?” Alyx asked.
“Could it be?” Tobias said. He and Jordan traded a look.
“Could what be? What’s there that we can’t see?”
“Atlantis,” Tobias and Jordan both said at once.
Alyx blinked and stared at both of them, then back at the map.
“Of course,” said Tii’la.
“What’s Atlantis?” Israel asked.
“See for yourself.” Jordan opened his palms and a blue mist rolled out, filling the room.
“What the hell?” Israel said.
“Relax, I’m just creating a DreamScape.”
“Jordan,” said Alyx, “we’re all awake.”
“No problem. This one will be like a daydream.” The mist seemed to affect the air, changing it. Tobias’s office disappeared. Crystal structures rose up to the sky, like glass mountains, creating a city around them. The sun shone through them like prisms, breaking out rainbows across the sky and through the trees. The levels of the structures were open, making this a city of glass and air. “Welcome to Atlantis, the original Seraphim city.”
“Whoa,” said Alyx as she let her gaze run across the DreamScape.
“They’re like man-made skyscrapers but made of some sort of crystal,” said Israel.
“We were never told how amazing this place was in lectures,” Tii’la said as she studied the closest building. “We weren’t even told about these buildings.” She turned to Jordan. “Why wouldn’t we build like this anymore?”
“For these buildings to have been made, it required teams of Seraphim all pitching their magic to work together. The DreamWalkers designed it in the ’Scape and the MemorySong made sure that copies of all the details and plans were placed in everyone’s minds. The Alchemists would create the raw material and FireTwirlers forged the crystal while the AirWhisperers would blow the liquid glass into shape. The EarthSifters would create the stable foundations and the WaterBearers cooled the glass to let it set. The MirageWeavers would weave wards into the very fabric of the city in a way that it was self-regenerating, like a perpetual motion machine. That’s why these wards still stand even today. Everyone played their part, everyone worked together to build something that was greater than what we could do individually.”
“So no one lives there anymore?” Israel said.
“We abandoned this city before splitting into three under the three Original Elders,” Alyx explained to Israel.
“Why was this place abandoned? It looks pretty kept together if you ask me.”
“There was a growing feeling back then that the Elders were not leading our people correctly,” Jordan said. “There was an uprising led by Elder Raphael himself.”
“But it didn’t work,” Alyx said.
“No. All those years ago, someone betrayed the rebellion and the uprising was crushed. Elder Raphael was killed. Atlantis was abandoned and the Elders separated and created the cities and society we know today. All to keep us from ever rising up again. Memories were altered so that no one would remember what almost happened under Raphael’s leadership. Except some managed to hide these memories in secret and smuggle them out of the society so that some of us out here could remember. That’s why we, us Rogues,” Jordan used the Society’s name for FreeThinkers, “are so dangerous to them.”
“But why wouldn’t the Elders want us to know the truth about Atlantis…about what we’re capable of?” said Tii’la. “It seems so crazy that they would construct such a lie to hide our history.”
“If we all knew the real story of Atlantis, then we might realize how powerful we are if we work together.” Jordan turned to Tii’la, a fierce look on his face. “If we realized we could work together, imagine what we could do against the Elders. At least, that’s what the Elders think. They would rather keep us separate, chained and divided by class, and bickering among each other. Didn’t you ever wonder why the Elders structured our society in Michaelea and Urielos and Gabriela that way? Why did they create such a separation between us: Castus and Warriors, Elders and Earth-borns, Society and FreeThinkers? Why do you think they separated the professions and chose them for us? Why, if we have the technology to build such incredible structures, are the pods in Michaelea made crudely from wood and canvas and straw? Built hand by hand? They don’t want us working together. They don’t want us thinking for ourselves. Together we could overpower them. That’s what almost happened here over a thousand years ago.”
Tii’la remained silent. Her eyes wide.
“That’s so sad,” Alyx said.
“As they say,” Jordan said. “‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely’.”
Jordan let the DreamScape fade and Alyx found herself suddenly back in Tobias’s office.
“Well then Jordan, thank you for that informative demonstration,” Tobias said, clearing his throat.
Jordan smirked. “No problem.”
“Show off,” Israel muttered under his breath, but Alyx heard it.
“Alyx, it’s clear,” Tobias said. “You need to go investigate Atlantis. Take Jordan with you. His knowledge of Atlantis will prove invaluable.”
Alyx felt her cheeks flush as she glanced at Jordan. Things were so strange between them now. Would he even want to help her, to go with her alone to investigate? Jordan wouldn’t meet her eye. That seemed answer enough.
“I’m coming too,” Israel said.
“Israel, I don’t think that’s wise,” said Jordan.
Israel swung towards him, eyes darkening. “I don’t think it’s your call.”
Jordan shrugged. “Nothing personal. Just trying to keep you safe. You were captured during the battle with Samyara, remember?”
“I freed myself and won us the battle by killing Samyara, remember?” his voice heated up.
“Boys, please,” said Tobias.
Israel glared at Jordan. Jordan met his glare with an indifferent stare.
Alyx placed her hand on Israel’s arm. At her touch his anger seemed to diffuse. Angel? he said into her mind.
Please, Israel,” she thought back to him. You need to stay here until it’s safe.
But I’d be with you. I’m always safe with you.
I can’t do this and worry about you at the same time. Michael will have people out looking for the missing piece. And you. I can’t take any unnecessary risks with you.
But…the last time you and he went together alone…
Guilt stabbed her, opening up those wounds again. I love you, Israel. It shouldn’t matter if I’m forced to spend time with Jordan. It’s just for a mission. I love you.
Israel cupped his hands around Alyx’s face. To everyone else they would have just looked like they were gazing at each other silently even though so much was being said.
“Get a room,” Jordan muttered. But they both ignored him.
I know you love me, Israel said in her head.
Then trust me.
You really want me to stay, angel?
Please, you’re safer in the castle. I can’t lose you.
Then I’ll stay.
“What are they doing?” whispered Tii’la.
“They have a special bond,” explained Tobias. “They can link minds, share their thoughts, what they see and feel with each other.”
“That’s so cool.”
“That’s so overrated,” muttered Jordan. Then in a louder voice, he said, “You two can stop your little love-fight. I’m not going with Alyx to Atlantis.”
“What?” Alyx and Israel both turned at once.
Jordan smirked. “As fun as that might be, I have something else I need to do.” He turned to Tobias. “I was going to
ask you when these three rushed in…I want to go with Lukas to investigate that island. Make sure he doesn’t get himself into any trouble. I’m worried about him.”
Tobias sighed and rubbed his forehead with his hands. “Yes. That’s probably a good idea.”
“Alyx, you can’t go alone,” Israel said.
“I’ll go with her,” said Tii’la. She glanced around the room, obviously seeking approval. “I may not have magic or that much knowledge of Atlantis, but I’m smart and I can fight. I can go with her. Keep her safe.”
“I used to fight alongside Tii’la in Michaelea,” Alyx said. “She’s a great warrior.”
“Thanks,” Tii’la mouthed to her.
“It’s settled then,” Tobias said, looking between Alyx and Tii’la. “Get some rest. You two leave first thing in the morning.”
* * *
“Israel, wait,” Alyx said. She had followed him to his room after the meeting with Tobias had ended. She knew he was still upset about Jordan. Israel spun and stared at her. She stood near his door, staring back at him. “I’m sorry. Jordan can be such an ass sometimes.”
Israel let out a breath and he seemed to deflate. “No. I’m sorry. I reacted badly back there. I just… I love you so damn much, sometimes it clouds my head. If it was anyone else I wouldn’t care, but…him.”
“Nothing is going on between Jordan and me. Absolutely nothing.”
“Anymore,” he said quietly.
This word hung between them, making Alyx cringe at the guilt that rose up in her. What the hell was she supposed to say to that?
“I’m sorry,” Alyx said. What else could she say? She couldn’t tell Israel that the feelings that she once had for Jordan weren’t real because at the time, they were. “How many times do I have to tell you, I’m sorry?” She moved to him and reached her hands out. She knew if he accepted her touch, then they would be okay. Her fingers moved tentatively around his waist. She stared up at him and bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I love you. I love you so much. More than my own life. I would do anything for you.”
Israel sighed and pulled her against him, wrapping his hands around her back. “I know I’m supposed to be okay with this. I know that. And I do trust you. I do. But…” A deep pain fell across his face and it stabbed at her heart. “Remembering you kissing him…just the thought of losing you to him…again…”