by Maira Dawn
The boy had stood frozen in place. The big man continued to stare at his father. Would the tattooed man come for him next? When the man rose, he turned to the boy, his eyes red and wild. Trembling, the boy jerked back.
The strange man took a step toward him, then stopped. He turned and rushed out of the house and into the dark night.
The dark-haired man ground his teeth and pushed the memories away.
Letting him live was the tattooed man's first mistake. He would make many more over the years.
On that day, the boy made a vow. He would track down the tattooed man. He would make him pay. As a young man, the dark-haired man now older and fully comprehending the meaning of his vow, renewed it.
He searched and found, not one man, but an entire race of men. Atlantians. Some sort of freakish mutation. With the help of his uncle, the dark-haired man saw the abomination’s nature. He was both disgusted and intrigued. Once the higher-ups allowed him access, he used their DNA, working to eradicate disease and so much more in humans.
Years went by, and he found out the tattooed man had suffered. With that revenge stolen from him, the man used others to release his pent-up vengeance. Yet when it came to the science, he hadn't been as successful as he hoped. Every move forward was blocked, and there were few other avenues left to try.
The time would soon come when the Atlantian research concluded, then what would he do about any others that still existed? The dark-haired man needed them gone from the face of the earth. Because humans were the top of the food chain, the rulers of the world. He wouldn't let those vermin take over. Only with the extermination of all Atlantians would all be right again.
The dark-haired man grabbed the phone, his hand so tight around it, the plastic protested. He needed to talk with the higher-ups. It was time to devise a plan.
Fifteen
Murder
Chapter Fifteen
Ian pushed his fingers through his hair. Another Atlantian found in pieces. Though more of an acquaintance than a friend this time, each loss was personal. In Atlantis, everyone was a close companion or a friend or family member of one.
Ian sat the box of clothing on the table and pulled off the cover. A folded wrap lay on top. He picked it up and shook it out, raising an eyebrow at Sunny. She reached for it with a smile and started to put it on.
Ian put a hand on her arm and stopped her. "You are wounded."
Sunny reached around herself as far as she could, lightly touching the scrape on her back. She winced. "Oh, it's fine, I just scraped my back on a bit of coral." Ian grabbed her hand and pulled her into the kitchen. Sunny yanked back. "It can wait until we are done eating."
Ian ignored Sunny’s puny attempts to stop him. He scowled at her. "One does not put off treating wounds, Sunny, especially in the sea. Now stop." Ian worked to calm himself when Sunny repeatedly threw him nervous glances. It wasn't her fault another Atlantian was dead. He'd practically growled at her, and just when she'd begun to be at ease with him. "I apologize for my tone. My only desire is to make sure it is taken care of properly."
Sunny said nothing, just nodded quickly several times. Ian sighed. More damage he'd need to repair.
He halted in front of a cupboard. Turning Sonora away from him, he held her slim waist with one hand as he ordered her to stay still. Ian's gaze traveled from Sunny’s bowed head to the hand he pressed against her. He had thought this would be a simple matter of slapping some antiseptic on her but touching Sunny like this… the flame between them stirred. Ian’s frown deepened as he pulled in a quick breath.
Sonora shot another glance at Ian and stopped fighting him. It was easy to see he was in no mood for it. Whatever his father had told him hadn't been good.
Ian stood behind her. She heard the hitch in his breath, felt the weight of his hand. Her heart thumped.
Ian let go of her to pull the wrap back enough to reveal the wound. The light material tickled her skin. He planted one palm on Sonora's upper back to hold the cover in place and reached above and over her into a cabinet for salve.
He smelled so good. Like sea salt and sunshine. Sonora's heart thumped again.
With gentle fingers, he smoothed the salve over her injury. Still, Sonora hissed and shifted forward. Ian murmured soft words in Atlantian. Sonora may not have understood the language, but the intent was clear. He was reassuring her.
Ian's hand grazed across her back to her shoulder. He pulled her toward him. Once he finished caring for the scrape, Ian released Sonora allowing the wrap to fall and cover her again. He took her arm and slowly spun her around to face him. "Is that better?"
Sonora couldn't deny that whatever he'd put on it was already taking away the sting. "Yes, it is. Thank you." Sonora stepped away from him and tied her wrap, berating herself for her breathlessness. "Come on, we should eat now. You haven't had a single bite."
She turned and rushed to the dining room, plopping herself into her chair. Ian's long stride had him on her heels. He sat, not touching his food. Sonora looked at his downcast face and cleared her throat. "I have to confess that I nibbled at the food while you were on the… the phone. I hope I didn't commit any huge social blunder."
When she didn't get a chuckle, just a glance, and the slightest nod, Sonora ventured to ask, "Your father had bad news?"
Ian's expression darkened, and Sonora bit her lip. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything.
Ian ran a hand over his face. "Someone murdered one of us."
"What? That's horrible. I'm so, so sorry!" Sonora's hand reached for Ian's arm to comfort him. It surprised her when she saw it there, but she left it.
"Humans." Ian's low rumble was filled with grief and anger. "Humans murdered him."
"How do you know who killed him?"
Every muscle of Ian’s tightened as he explained, "They make it clear. They have done it before, murdered others, tried to kill me. Our clansman came to us like all the others have. In pieces."
Sonora's hand flew to cover her mouth. Why would someone do something like that?
Ian put a hand to Sonora's shoulder. "I do not want to discuss this further."
She nodded as her teeth clamped on her bottom lip to stop her questions. Of course, why would Ian want to? But the information stunned Sonora. Some humans did know Atlantians existed, and it seemed they were hunting them. No wonder Ian hated them. Us.
Sonora shoved a few mouthfuls of lobster into her mouth, but her mind was elsewhere. The questions kept building, but now wasn’t the time for them. But perhaps something different, something to help Ian keep his mind off his troubles.
His expression was still as dark as a thunder cloud, and Sonora nervously cleared her throat three times before she got up the nerve to speak. By then, Ian stared at her, waiting.
Sonora glanced up at him. "I was—I was thinking about Atlantis. From all the things I've ever read about Atlantis, I thought it'd be, well, nowhere near here. I mean—"
Ian cut her off with an angry wave of his hand. “Will you sit here in my house, in my city under the sea, and question me when I have told you where we are?"
Sonora's fork clattered to the plate and she pressed her back against her chair. She pressed her lips together. She shouldn't have said a word and just let him stew in his misery. It was apparently what he wanted.
Ian's gaze softened as he reached for Sonora's hand. When she yanked it away, he stared at it for a moment, then lifted his eyes to hers. "Again, I apologize. That was harsher than I intended. You must think you've stepped into a shark's lair. Please understand my current mood is not because of you."
Sonora sagged, berating herself. Did she think a change in conversation would take all his sadness away? He needed time. "No, I understand."
Ian looked out the window, then at his salad before glancing at Sonora. "We are in Atlantis. I do not lie."
Sonora nodded, but Ian continued to stare at her as if waiting for more. "I hear you. But even if it's right here in my face, I'm just having trouble bel
ieving it." When Ian shook his head, Sonora wagged a finger at him. "And don't look at me like I'm stupid. It isn't like this is an everyday conversation, you know."
Ian's face lightened. "I don't think you are stupid. Far from it, you have a great intellect, and your curiosity is so immense that when it wakes, you lose all fear. It amuses me."
A little frown appeared on Sonora's brow. She wasn't sure she liked amusing him so much. "How many people live here?"
Ian squinted out the window. "A few thousand, I am not exactly sure of the last count. We are one of the larger communities."
Sonora's eyes widened. "What? There are more?"
He nodded. "Yes, several. All over the oceans. Once we created one city, it was easy enough to create others as our people grew."
Sonora put a hand to her cheek and looked from the city to him to the city again. Ian laughed at her reaction, and this time, she joined him. It all seemed like some crazy dream. When Ian looked at her, this time she didn't look away.
Ian's eyes danced as he leaned toward Sonora and whispered, "What if I show you where it all began? How we lived when our island sunk into the sea?"
Sonora's expression lit up. "Oh, yes, please! That would be wonderful." Questions spilled from her. "Are we going out there?" She pointed at the water. "Will I see more Atlantians? Will I be safe?"
"No, maybe and yes, very safe. It's just a short walk. Nothing alarming or frightening at all."
Ian rose and held out a hand to Sonora. After a moment of indecision, she wrapped her fingers around his him.
Sixteen
The Garden
Chapter Sixteen
Ian folded Sonora's delicate hand in his large one and led her out the same door his father had knocked on. It didn't surprise him when she lingered to investigate each decoration or painting of his ancestors lining the lightly illuminated corridor. Ian smiled as he urged her along. These were things he would explain to her in time, this evening he had a particular place in mind.
Ian slowed at the cave-like entrance to the Atlantis Memorial Park. If he wanted her to understand his people, it was best to start at the beginning. Sonora slowed, seeing only the dim interior. She shot Ian a troubled glance.
It was getting easier to read her emotions, as his people could do with their Jata Ara, and Ian imagined her internal conversation. The look said it all. Why had she come out here with him? To her, he was a criminal, and just because he hadn't hurt her so far, didn't mean he wouldn't.
Ian gave Sonora the time she needed to become comfortable with the situation, encouraging her to examine the grand entrance of the park. The delicate latticework his people were known for arched in gleaming silver over and down the sides of the dark stone. Each side ended in a small waterfall whose cheery bubbling echoed lightly around them. Entwined in the metalwork were pale green vines interlaced with flowers. Aquatic blooms floated in the small pools at the bottom on either side of the archway.
Sonora ran a finger over the silver metal and smelled the flowers before she spun back to him. "It's beautiful!"
Ian was struck, dazed by Sonora's radiant, smiling face. His heart quickened. How could he have ever been disappointed in her?
Her eyebrows raised at Ian's slow response. He cleared his throat before answering. "Yes, it is. My mother had a hand in tending it."
"She does lovely work."
Ian nodded as he stepped toward Sonora. When she didn't dance away, he put one hand on her shoulder and waved her in with the other. Ian let her take the lead in the winding, stone corridor. With its rough-hewn walls and subdued lighting, it was darker than the hallway, and he wanted Sonora to feel safe.
Ian's voice echoed as he explained." These walls started as a small, cramped entrance one could only crawl through. We enlarged them long ago. Each painting hung along the walls have a story of their own. I'll share those with you another day."
Sonora nodded, flashing him a look. He knew what it meant. She was going home, and there would be no time for stories.
Ian's heart softened. She didn't know it yet, but there would be stories, their stories, and decades in which to tell them.
Ian watched Sonora's face as they walked into the central park. The water features, greenery, and flowers continued here but on a much grander scale throughout the open area. As lovely as any park one could see on land, its beauty tumbled in organized chaos across their field of vision. Flowers and ivy-draped terraces of various heights could be seen throughout the large open garden, and small trails led off to more secluded spots along the uneven walls.
Ian's gaze traveled from her long, golden hair to her full, blue eyes enhanced by the color of the thin wrap she wore. Entranced, as he knew she'd be, Sonora raised a hand to her lips and stilled like some beautiful statue.
Then she spoke, his Jata Ara breathed out his name for the first time. "Oh, Ian!"
Ian's knees weakened, and emotion almost overcame him. His name on her lips had almost undone him.
He turned away, taking Sonora's hand and leading her to a smooth-as-glass oak bench sitting on a low platform surrounded by the freshest blooms in the garden. It was here Ian wanted to start the story of his people.
Seventeen
The Beginning
Chapter Seventeen
Ian looked from the garden to Sonora. "Only a few of my people survived the great destruction. Twenty-three souls. And only because of the disobedience of a few boys.”
Sonora settled on the bench, her hand folded in her lap as she listened. ”The boys were young and had been told many times to stay close to home. But, as growing boys do, they misbehaved. Unbeknownst to their families, they would take an old boat out to sea. Some days they would fish, and others they would dive, as the clam divers of old, holding their breath for a long time under the water.”
Ian leaned to Sonora, and her eyes brightened. “While diving, they found the entrance to this place, the very place where we now sit. They would play in this cave, never knowing the vital role it would one day have in their people's survival.
"When the earthquake came, it shook the city to rubble. Those who survived knew it was not over, a tsunami roared their way. It would be massive.”
Sonora clenched her hands together, intent on Ian’s story as he continued. ”Some took to the highest buildings, but the force of the waves would topple the remaining structures. Some chose boats, many of which would be overturned. Others ran in scattered confusion. The water would soon rush over them, dragging them out to sea.”
She straightened in her seat. ”The boys grabbed the hands of those close to them and called for others to follow. Many didn't listen as the boys headed into the water, instead of away from it. They could not see a way to salvation there.
"Some did perish as they attempted to follow the boys. They were unable to hold their breath long enough to reach the entrance. But twenty-three made it. The only known survivors of Atlantis.
"The cavern easily held that many people. The air in the cave was not trapped but from a naturally occurring air shaft hidden in the island above. To their great relief, they found that rainwater flowed in small amounts down the inside of the air shaft, and they could fish. They would survive. After a while, survival became more than simply day-to-day existence, and this became their home."
Sonora looked around the room. "Why didn't they go back to land?"
"Nothing was left of their beloved city. A swamped island, unusable. No ships or boats, only debris, and no one looking for them. Within a few days, it became dangerous to venture out of the cave because death had gathered the predators.
“When it was safe and for a long time after, they sent someone up. Then they stopped. On that day, they quit looking at what was behind them and started looking at what was in front of them. It was on that day, they started to build this city.”
Eighteen
Family Fights
Chapter Eighteen
Sonora sighed in wonder. "I wouldn't believe a word of that stor
y if I wasn't literally sitting here in the middle of it. That's amazing." She waved at the room. "This is amazing!"
Sonora stood. Unlike the others, the path to her right was marked, and she wanted to see why. It led directly to the stone wall. Atlantian writing fanned above her head, and a tall stand with a display case sat below it. The plants had been planted further away from the dais, giving it a sparser appearance than other areas. It had been done deliberately. Here the case was the focus. Sonora scanned the garden. The vast cave was a tribute to their past, and this display, the crown jewel.
And the case was empty.
Sonora turned to Ian, a question on her lips, but his demeanor had changed from the eager storyteller.
"We don't talk about that," he said through stiff lips.
"As in, you and I don't talk about it, or no one here ever talks about it?"
"You and I don't. The rest of us avoid the subject whenever possible."
Sonora swallowed an exasperated sigh. Moody men didn't really bother her. Her father had his emotional days, and her grandfather was the moodiest person she knew. The family often teased him he was the grumpiest grandpa alive. Not only could his emotions change on a dime, but they were sometimes extreme, to the point her grandfather would remove himself from his family to spare them his low spirits.
Despite that, her grandfather was also the most loving, giving person she knew, and they'd always had a special closeness. He'd often told Sonora her bright personality coaxed him into a better frame of mind.