Sanctuary's Aggression Complete Collection Box Set: A Post-apocalyptic Survival Thriller Series

by Maira Dawn

  "Are you saying that in the whole world, I'm the only person who you can be... Intended with?"

  "Yes."

  Sonora gasped. Her eyes widened as she stared into Ian's anguished grey ones. "No, it can't be true," she whispered, bowing her head.

  Ian brushed back Sonora's hair then dried her cheeks with his thumb. "It is." He dipped his head to reconnect their eyes. "You are my life. Edinara. My heart. Stay with me. Tell me your dreams, and I will do my best to make them come true.”

  She couldn’t stop from glancing out the ocean window.

  He followed her gaze and continued. “I will show you all the mysteries of this ocean you love so much, show you more than you ever imagined. With me come all the answers, I will not hold back a single one."

  "How is that fair to you? How can I stay knowing you care for me as you do, and I don't know how I feel at all? Perhaps I would never sense the connection."

  "It will be enough. I will make it enough. I am the one that fell for a human."

  "Ian—“

  He smiled and put a finger to the side of her mouth. "I love the sound of my name on your lips."

  Sonora swallowed a sob. “Oh, Ian. I’m so sorry.”

  "Shh, my heart. It is okay." Ian leaned his head against hers. "I already know. I knew the instant you decided.”

  Thirty-One

  Our Son

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Jorah and Aleena held each other as they stood next to the floor to ceiling window in their bedchamber. Their sad eyes trailed Ian and Sonora as they left the city, their faces mirroring their son's emotions.

  Aleena wiped at the tears coursing down her cheeks. "I had thought when Aunt Coral gave her approval, the worse was over."

  "Me too, darling." Jorah's voice was gruff with emotion. He'd tried to hold back the tears, but he was failing.

  "We can make her stay, even if Ian won't."

  Jorah shook his head, admonishing his wife. "You know as well as I do, that if she is not happy, he will not be."

  Unable to watch any further, Aleena tore her gaze from her son's sagging shoulders and buried her head in her husband's chest. "Our poor son! What kind of life will he have now?”

  Thirty-Two

  I Wish…

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Head bowed, Sonora sat on the water bike in front of Ian as they moved through the ocean to her home. Ian drove slowly, his arms encircling her. He'd asked her to sit in front of him, and Sonora hadn't had the heart to deny him this last bittersweet pleasure.

  Sonora had spent the night tossing and turning. On more than one occasion, she'd gotten up and gazed out the window at the dark sea, wondering what it would be like to live there. But once the morning broke, Sonora knew the answer. It was the same one she'd given to Ian the night before.

  Neither one of them had spoken this morning. When Sonora walked out of her room, Ian quietly handed her something to eat and motioned for her to follow him.

  The ride back home seemed both longer and shorter than Sonora remembered. It was definitely less frightening, but much more tortured. Ian was a good man. She knew that now. A really good man. But to give up everything she had ever known, possibly forever, he would need to be better than a really good man. He would need to be the love of her life.

  Her feelings did not match his, didn't even come close to what Ian felt. And if she were honest, the intensity of his scared her a little. The pain she saw in his eyes every time she looked at him reminded Sonora he believed she was his whole life.

  But this relationship wasn't perfect for Ian, no matter what he thought of her. Sonora recalled his list of grievances from yesterday. His constant need to explain his human wife. She would probably never have the same deep emotion he did. He couldn't even be comfortable in his own home because of her needs.

  Sonora glanced at Ian and lowered her head. She hadn't even used his name, something Ian had apparently yearned for her to do. She'd failed him so much already. Her mere existence failed him. And how could she ever be with someone who saw her as less than himself? Less than his people? No matter Ian's feelings, he believed humans were inferior. Sonora's hot tears mixed with the saltwater. She put a hand to her mouth to hold back a sob. No matter what she felt, she couldn't live like that.

  When Ian slowed the bike, Sonora looked up at the surface of the water. They were here.

  They stood waist-deep in the water, just out of sight of the beach, to say their goodbyes.

  "Can I just—“ Ian reached for her hand and gently took it into his large one. He lightly traced each of her fingers. No words were exchanged. The only sounds were the calls of the birds, the splash of the ocean waves and their own tortured breathing.

  Ian kept his eyes glued to the patterns he traced on her hands. "You take my heart with you. Treat it kindly, perhaps one day, you will bring it back to me."

  Sonora laid a hand on his stubbled cheek. "I'm so sorry, Ian. Maybe… Maybe when I'm older."

  Ian raised his eyes to hers, and Sonora saw more than sadness. She saw fear and grief. Grief over losing her? Fear of what his life would be like once she left?

  This situation wasn't her fault, but guilt weighed heavy on her. She looked at the ocean so she couldn't see the pain clearly written on Ian's face. "I wish you would have never seen me."

  Ian's eyes widened, and he crushed Sonora to him. "Do not say that. Never think that. One moment with you is worth all the pain."

  Sonora pulled away but weaved her fingers through Ian's. Her tears splashed on their clasped hands. Her voice broke as she spoke, asking the question she already knew the answer to. "What is it you want from me?"

  "I want you to feel the way I do. But if you cannot, I want you to go and never tell me where you are. Because if you do, I will not be able to stay away. I fear the instinct is too great for me to control. That I would come for you and drag you back to my home."

  Sonora gave the smallest shake of her head. She didn't want to stay hidden from him. Ian put a hand under her chin and raised her head. Her gaze flew to his. Tears flooded his eyes, but his tone was firm. "Do you understand?"

  Sonora nodded. Her eyes searched his face, memorizing it before she looked down at their hands. Her small, pale ones in his large, darker ones. She squeezed his once, then pulled and broke their connection.

  Turning toward the beach, she took a step. Just one, before turning back and flying into Ian's arms. He gasped. Tightly embracing, she listened to the thump of his heart as her head lay against his bare chest. Ian laid his head upon hers, as Sonora said, "I am glad we met. I only wish..."

  "I know." The words rumbled through Ian's chest, and she closed her eyes.

  Once again she pulled away, then quickly turned and walked through the waves toward the beach. This time she didn't look back until she reached the shore. But as hard as Sonora searched the waves, she couldn't find Ian.

  Thirty-Three

  Home

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Shoulders bent, Sonora stood at the water's edge, her feet firmly planted in the light-tan sand. She faced the open ocean, her blonde hair dancing as the wind came off the water. Behind her lay her family's homes, her grandfather's, her parents and her aunt and uncle's, all the porches empty but one. Aunt Claire and Uncle Devon sat on their swing enjoying the evening and sneaking a glance or two at their troubled niece.

  Sonora wiggled her toes as the warm waves barely swept over them carrying little bits of sand and rocks lightly scraping against her skin. She lifted her foot and swirled a toe through the small eddies the water made on its inward trek. This was as much ocean as she can handle now.

  She’d been home a month. And while she hoped Atlantis would fade away like the dream it seemed to be, it continued its hold on her. And it was not just the city invading her thoughts but also a certain inhabitant.

  The day she’d come home, Sonora had walked out of the ocean and into her family's arms, literally. They had all been peering into her car as s
he crossed the beach. It bothered her that the moment she saw them, she started lying to them. She felt like she hadn't stopped since.

  First, there were about a million questions concerning where she had been. She couldn't exactly tell them the truth. Sonora scoffed at herself. Oh yeah, Mom and Dad, a crazy non-breather dragged her to his ocean home against her will. Turns out it's Atlantis, yep that's the one! And he wanted to be her boyfriend or something. Yeah, that would get her a trip to the looney bin.

  So Sonora told them a version of the truth. She got hit by a small rogue wave, and a man named Ian saved her. She was disoriented, not enough to go to the hospital, but a bit dizzy, so his family kindly took care of her. And it was too bad, but her family had just missed meeting him.

  From the questions her family continued to ask, it was clear they thought something was off. Not to mention the strange stare Uncle Devon gave her.

  Sonora had moped around the house for days before deciding she might as well add to the lying. With Sierra's help, she was able to get into a couple of marine biology classes at the college. Now she needed to keep them a secret from her parents and make excuses for her absences.

  Between classes and work, her busy schedule helped keep her mind off the ocean and what was below it. Still, whenever Sonora got a moment to herself, there was only one place her mind went. And now her brooding turned to anger.

  She hadn't asked Ian to show her his world or tell her about his feelings. She hadn't wanted that. He forced it on her. If he was a normal person, they would have a relationship. But no, he had to be... Atlantian. It seemed strange for Sonora to even think the word up here.

  Admittedly, Ian was an extremely attractive, kind, attentive Atlantian. Who believes humans are below him, including her. How would that work? Not well for her.

  Sonora drew back her leg and kicked at the water as hard as she was able. She huffed out a sharp sigh before turning around and heading for the house.

  Sonora walked to her aunt and uncle and plopped herself down between them as she had since childhood. With no children of their own, they welcomed every opportunity with their nieces. They both put an arm around her, and Sonora laid her head first against her aunt, then her uncle.

  "Oh you poor dear," Aunt Claire said, "Tell us what's upset you. You haven't been the same since you've been back."

  Sonora stilled for a moment, worried her agitation revealed too much. Best to let everyone think the water accident traumatized her. She lowered her gaze. "I don't know. I'm a little afraid of the ocean now, I guess. After the wave and all. It's upsetting."

  Uncle Devon patted her head as he gave her a sidelong look. "Yes, well, if that's all it is, I'm sure you'll get past it. It will take a bit of time, Sunny."

  Tears welled in Sonora's eyes. Unknown to her uncle, she told herself those same words every day. And they echoed what her grandfather said to her just this morning.

  Sonora and her grandfather often accompanied each other for a morning walk on the beach. Since returning from Atlantis, it turned into a daily occurrence. Her grandfather was always there for the family and now, keeping true to his nature, he was there for her.

  Sometimes Sonora and Blake chatted, and sometimes they just walked, his quiet strength filling her with every step they took. Occasionally, Sonora wondered if her grandfather knew something more than what she told him. More often than not, she was sure he suspected.

  This morning it had been foggier than usual as though more salt hung in the air. After staring at her, Grandpa had put his arm around Sonora and said, "You'll be fine, girlie. I know you will."

  Sonora nodded as she raised her arm to his waist and returned his hug.

  "You know, Sunny, you've always been the most like me, even more than my own children. More than the blonde hair and blue eyes. Funny how it sometimes turns out like that. You and I, we feel things deeply, don't we? I know you’re hurting, but you'll mend. Healing takes a little bit longer for you and me."

  Grandpa smiled down at her, and Sonora saw something in his eyes, something ancient and tragic. She wondered if he meant when he lost grandma. The question was on her lips when one of his friends walked up to them.

  "Blake Karras, as I live and breathe, it certainly has been a while!"

  Sonora smiled and shook the man's hand when her grandfather had proudly introduced her. As the old men reminisced, her gaze drifted out to the sea.

  Thirty-Four

  Lessons

  Chapter Thirty-four

  That evening, Devon sat in the living room with the rest of his wife's family. Blake had made dinner for everyone, grilling up an all-American meal of hot dogs and hamburgers. A serving of apple pie with a dollop of vanilla ice cream completed the meal. Devon patted his toned stomach, he'd eaten more than he should have.

  He flashed a glanced at his father-in-law. Blake told some story about his girls when they were small. Devon made a show of looking at his watch, but no one took the hint. He supposed he was in for at least another hour of this.

  He winced when he looked at the dirty dessert plates littering the coffee table. Why did everyone just leave the dishes sitting around. He carried them into the kitchen, rinsed them, and set them in the dishwasher. Over the clacking of the plates, Devon heard Sonora as she came into the kitchen with more dishes.

  "Hey, Uncle Devon, I thought you might like some help."

  "Ah, dear. Yes, I would."

  For a few minutes, they worked in silence, until a spray of water hit a plate the wrong way and bounced back at Sonora, causing them to burst into laughter.

  "So, how are you feeling this evening, Sunny?" Devon carefully watched her. "Any better?"

  Sonora focused on the dish she washed. "Yes, much. I was just overdramatic earlier. What's done is done. I need to move on now and quit dwelling in the past."

  "Very wise, Sunny. Moving on is usually the best course of action. You have a lot to keep you busy."

  After a quick glance up at her uncle, Sonora scrubbed the plate harder. "Yeah, I sure do. Believe it or not, I got my job back. I was sure after I walked out, Bob would fire me. But he said I was too good a worker to let go and wants me to pick up as many shifts as I can. He even put up this big sign at the restaurant that says, ‘Touch a Server, You get Served... by the Cops.’”

  "Good for him! Always knew I liked that man. I'm glad he is sticking up for our little girl."

  Sonora giggled. "I'm not so little anymore, Uncle Devon."

  "Yeah, well, you always will be to us." Dishwasher filled, Devon started to hand-wash the pans. "Why don't you listen to your grandpa's stories. I can finish up in here."

  "You sure?" Sonora asked. When Devon nodded, she went back to her seat on the couch.

  That girl was hiding something. Devon's heart thumped as he worried about what it might be. But to think she somehow found out about Atlantians and continued acting like everything was normal was too incredible. Still, what if... No, it was probably what Claire thought, she has a crush on that Ian character.

  Done with the dishes, Devon walked back into the living room and sat on the arm of the dark-brown puffy chair his wife sat in. He hated puffy chairs, but it seemed like every man over forty felt they needed to have one.

  Devon put an arm around his wife and pulled her close. She tried to draw away, as she always did. He ignored her behavior and tugged harder. She'd started this shortly after their marriage—it was just her way. She was an independent woman, and he sometimes had to use a firm hand. Devon smiled down at his wife, other than her little quirks, they'd always had an excellent marriage.

  "Are you ready to go, my dear?" he whispered close to her ear. Claire nodded. He loved how thoughtful she was, always anxious to please him. "I have to go into the lab tonight." Claire's face paled, and Ian continued, "No worries. You will stay at home. You could use the rest." Claire once again nodded, this time more enthusiastically.

  Devon and Claire said their goodbyes to the family, and after he dropped his wife
off at home, Devon drove to his lab. His secret one.

  They’d brought a new specimen in today. From his pocket, Devon pulled a paper containing a long, detailed list of the experiments he wanted to perform this week. He chided himself for being so excited, but this was practical. He would complete this first experiment by morning and have a head start.

  Devon whistled a peppy tune as he marched through the glass doors into the all-white lab. The aroma of fresh hay and wood shavings filled the room from the cages of his small laboratory animals.

  He flipped the light switch on. All came to life, but one. It blinked twice, then lingered somewhere between light and nothing for a moment before powering up. Devon made a mental note to have the defective bulb replaced.

  When Devon peered at the cages and tanks containing the small animals, they scurried around their pens seeking shelter. But Devon always made sure there was no shelter, no sanctuary for any specimen in this room. No sense in making it harder for himself when he needed to use them. He tapped on the glass of one agitated rat. "Don't worry. Not your turn today."

  Devon picked up the cattle prod sitting on the countertop and banged it against the metal table on his left. He wanted it to know what was coming. Devon's employees had said this one was a fighter. The audacity of the thing.

  The closer Devon got, the more he smelled its stink. Sea salt and dankness.

  He brought the cattle prod close to the Atlantian's bruised face and pushed the 'on' button. It sizzled and sparked. The Atlantian jerked away from it, and Devon laughed. The thing knew what it could do.