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

by Maira Dawn

  At the bottom of the stairs, two choices waited. Head for the large open parking lot or the restrooms.

  Blake pulled Sunny down the darkened hall and shoved her into the women's and said, "Stay put!" Then he slammed the door shut.

  Sonora leaned her back against the smooth wood door, catching her breath. It was quiet for a few minutes. Then shoes scraped against the hallway's tile floor.

  The low rumble of rough male voices sounded. Sonora made out Blake's voice as he said, "I'm waiting for my granddaughter."

  More rumbling, but she couldn't hear what they said. Were the thugs giving her grandpa trouble? She felt sick.

  Sonora scanned the room for anything she could use to help them get out of this mess. She eyed the sink and rushed to it, turning it on high and letting it splash her dress. She patted more water on her face, then hurried to the door and grabbed the handle.

  Sonora threw open the bathroom door and stepped out. She put a hand to the brick wall and bent at her waist. "Whoa, Grandpa, I may have upchucked a small animal in there!" She put one arm around her stomach. "Musta been those shrimp. You all didn't have any shrimp, did you?"

  The men's emotionless gaze took her in and dismissed her.

  "Or, I don't know," she continued. "Maybe I have a fever." She laid a hand on her forehead as she stepped closer to her grandfather and the men. "Do you think I have a fever? Oh wait," Sonora half-turned back to the restroom and clenched her stomach. "Oh no, false alarm."

  Sonora stumbled back to Blake and took his arm, hanging onto it for dear life. She coughed in the men's direction and wiped at her mouth before holding out a hand to shake theirs. "Hi. Are you friends of grandpa's?"

  One man looked at Sonora and Blake with a frown and said, "Nothing here." They turned and ran back up the stairs.

  Once the thugs were out of earshot, Blake proudly whispered, "Good thinking."

  "I'm not sure it took that much thinking." Sonora giggled. "My nerves are shot. And their dead-fish eyes were making me nauseous, anyway.”

  Six

  A Start

  Chapter Six

  Later that night, Sonora changed from her bridesmaid dress to more comfortable clothes. She hung the outfit on a hanger over her white closet door, and she stared at the gown as she sniffed her bouquet. She would never forget tonight. Never.

  Sonora turned down the sea-blue covers of her bed and removed half of the pillows she piled on its surface during the day. When she flopped down on the mattress, it hardly bounced. She had the plushest bed on the market. It felt as if she were floating on the ocean.

  She rubbed at her face. Why had she even laid down? She was more amped up than she'd been this morning. Sleeping was out of the question. Sonora sighed. When her stomach growled, she was almost relieved and laughed. With all the excitement at the reception, she hadn't eaten more than a few bites all evening.

  Sonora made her way down the stairs to the large kitchen and opened one of the two refrigerator doors. Without an overhead light, the square little fridge dome needed to do all the work, and after the darkness of her room and the hallway, seemed bright and caused Sonora to squint. She found a large tin pan of leftover salad. After putting it on the island, she stood at the counter and dug out a bowlful.

  While crunching on her last bite of lettuce, her grandfather's kitchen light flashed on. She watched through both her and his windows as he crossed his kitchen to the back door. She narrowed her eyes. A big shadow broke away from the rest of the darkness and stood to wait by Blake's door.

  Ian.

  Sonora shoved the salad back into the refrigerator and grabbed a couple wedding cookies from a tray piled high with them. She threw a glance toward the stairs, but there was only silence. Her parents must be fast asleep already. Sonora crept out of the house and across the small yard. She tapped at her grandfather's door.

  Blake opened the door, a frown on his weathered face. "You shouldn't be here."

  She slipped by him. "I think we are past that, Grandpa. Besides, I have questions."

  Ian's deep chuckle echoed through the kitchen, and he said, "Here we go."

  "You," Sonora said as she rushed to Ian. "Are you okay?"

  "Yes, I am fine."

  "Should you be here? Up here, I mean?"

  Ian gave a casual shrug as he walked closer to her. Sonora leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. If she let him wrap those muscled arms around her, Sonora’s emotions would be more a swirl than they already were. Where Ian was concerned, her emotions were already too out of control for her taste when she needed to figure out stuff.

  Ian accepted her distance and leaned against the marble counter beside her, his fingers wrapped around its edge.

  Sonora gave Ian a once-over to make sure he had no injuries. She giggled and rolled her eyes as he stretched taller and rolled his muscles. Men. They were the same no matter if from the air or the sea, apparently. Give them a little attention, and they preen. Clearly, he thought she eyed him for a completely different reason. But Sonora had to admit the view was pretty nice.

  Sonora cleared her throat and pointed at each of them. "Something is going on here. More than I've figured out, so explain. I don't care who starts, or where you start, just start."

  Ian coughed and moved away when Sunny's finger pointed at him. Blake immediately looked at the kitchen's cream-tiled floor, guilt written all over his face. Ian understood. The last thing Blake wanted was his family to know what he had done. The man could barely think about it.

  Blake shot Ian a panicked glance, silently asking for his help, but he received none. Ian ignored him and paced back and forth across the kitchen floor. The man had made this bed.

  Blake stuttered, "H-honey, I wasn't… who I am now. What I did…" He choked, unable to continue.

  Ian's pacing slowed as Blake trailed off. His friend was guilty of many things, and he would have to face them. But he had helped Ian today, and he would return the favor.

  Ian moved to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair, waving Sunny into it. She gave him a ghost of a smile. This was so similar to their dinners at his home. Ian smiled back and glanced at Blake. The man's face was so pale, Ian was afraid he would fall over.

  Ian took Sunny's hand. "A long time ago, an artifact was taken. A significant one to our people. It is a piece we brought down from the original Atlantis. We have searched for it for decades. Your grandfather knows where it is, and he will help me retrieve it."

  Sunny frowned. It seemed she knew this wasn't the entire story. "You're meeting with Grandpa about this?"

  Ian nodded.

  "Okay then, where is it?"

  Blake shot a look that said thank you to Ian. "It was at the Museum of Natural History, in some back room somewhere. But Ian heard it would soon be loaned to the Marine Center's little museum."

  Sunny’s gaze bounced between the two men. "Please don't tell me it is a beautiful carved wooden box about this big." She mimicked the size with her hands. "With tiny jewels embedded in it."

  Ian stood, put a hand on the table, and leaned toward Sunny. "Yes! You have seen it?"

  "Uh, yeah. I was at the Center a couple days ago, and it was all Aunt Claire and Uncle Devon could talk about. They are very excited about the exhibit. Everyone there is. I don't think you are going to be getting it away from them anytime soon."

  Ian turned, crossed his arms, and leaned against the kitchen table as he stared at Blake.

  "Well," Blake said. "We have to."

  "Grandpa, you don't understand. There are like days and days of special events going on and—"

  Blake shook his head. "We have no choice, Sunny. It's a matter of life and death."

  "What are you talking about?" Sonora asked. "Who's life? And why is it your job to get it back?"

  Blake rubbed his chest, then walked to Sonora and ran a hand down her arm. "I've always known I'd need to explain. But I'm afraid I can only confess bits at a time. You asked for a start, and this is a start. I hope you
can accept that."

  Sonora's stomach tightened. Something was really bothering her grandfather. And she didn't know why, but she felt it was something really, really, bad. "It's okay, Grandpa."

  Blake squeezed his eyes shut. "No, sweetheart, it isn't." He shook his head and opened his eyes, looking down at her with the saddest expression Sonora had ever seen. "Right now, Sunny, I can tell you that I… I had something to do with the Artifact being on land. That's why I want to help get it back."

  "Okay, that's good, Grandpa."

  Blake kissed the top of Sonora's head. "And whose life is in jeopardy? Everyone’s. Every single person who walks this land, including our family."

  Sonora grabbed her grandfather's arm and felt the dread that rolled off him. She put a hand out for Ian. When he took it, she sensed his dismay. Whatever this was, it was even worse than she imagined. Sonora felt numb.

  The men exchanged a long look. "Well," Blake said and sighed. "If what we have in mind doesn't work, we will need to steal it.”

  Seven

  My Main Man

  Chapter Seven

  After creeping back into her bed, Sonora tossed and turned all night. What had her grandfather gotten himself into? And what had he done in the past that still haunted him after all this time?

  She dozed off right before sunrise only to be woken up, shortly after, by her dad for a pancake breakfast.

  Sonora followed him down the stairs, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "You are aware, Dad, I'm only up for the pancakes."

  Mike chuckled and glanced over his shoulder at her. "Long day yesterday and crazy night, eh?"

  "You have no idea."

  At the bottom of the stairs, Mike turned and put an arm around Sonora. "I saw you dancin' with that man. I'm not losing you too, am I?"

  Her dad kept his tone light, but it was clear he had deep feelings about his daughters moving on with their lives.

  Sonora squeezed him back. "You'll always be my main man, Daddy."

  Mike kissed the top of her head. "I wish that were true, honey. Let's just say I'll be your main man over fifty."

  Sonora gave a weak laugh. Since Ian was over eighty…

  Mike grabbed her hand and pulled her into the kitchen. ”Come on. Your mom made our favorite. Pecan!"

  She giggled when her father's eyes lit up at the last word. Pecans were indeed their favorite, but it's not like they didn't get them often. Every weekend mom made the delicious little flapjacks for them.

  Sonora was mid-bite, her mouth full of the buttery, syrupy goodness when her grandfather popped his head into the kitchen door. Blake scanned the room, nodding to the rest of the family, then looked at Sonora and tipped his head at her then his house. "Hey, pumpkin, you ready?"

  She looked down at her plate, then at Blake. Mouth still full, Sonora pointed her fork at her plate. She wasn't going anywhere until she finished her favorite breakfast.

  Blake snorted and plopped into Sierra's empty chair. "Knowing how many pancakes you can put away, I'll be here a while. I might as well have some too."

  Once breakfast was over, Sonora helped clear up. Then she loaded a heaping plate of leftover pancakes. When her mother gave her a strange glance, she said, "I hardly ate yesterday. I might get hungry later."

  Azurine laughed as Sonora grabbed the syrup and tucked it under her arm as she walked out the door. Sonora whispered to her grandfather, "Is he still there?"

  Blake nodded.

  Ian was in the kitchen of Blake's house, waiting for them. When Sonora noticed he'd been eagerly looking for her, she couldn't help but go to him. After giving him a one-armed hug, she held the pancakes to his face. "I brought you a plate."

  Ian examined it without saying a word.

  Sonora sighed. "They're pancakes."

  “I am aware of what they are. I have never ate them."

  Sonora made a shocked face. “How could you not? They're delicious. These are pecan pancakes, my mother's recipe." When Ian still frowned, Sonora huffed and waved a finger at him. "After everything I ate at your place. I willingly downed everything you gave me. I expect you to eat the food of my people and enjoy it.”

  Ian threw up his hands in surrender. "I'm eating them. I'm eating them." He shoved a massive forkful into his mouth and stopped, his eyes widening. After swallowing, he said, "You’re right. They are delicious."

  As Ian ate, Blake filled Sonora in, "I googled the museum. You're right, it's part of the new exhibit." He heaved a sigh. "We don't want to ask this of you, but we can't be seen there. Can you go in and scope it out? See where the closest exit is, how it is set up? That sort of thing. We can do everything else from there."

  "Yep, sure. I was going to help you, anyway."

  The men exchanged a glance and tensed. Ian took her hand and said, "It is my desire that you are far away from that place." Sonora started to shake her head, and Ian scowled. "You may help with this, but nothing else. I will not allow it."

  Sonora frowned back. "It's not up to you to allow me anything. Besides, look at yourselves. Ian, you’re so overgrown, people can spot you for miles. You would definitely be noticed."

  Ian scoffed and folded his arms at Sonora's exaggeration, but he didn't deny that heads turned when he walked into a room.

  Blake hooted. "Guess it helps I'm the smallest in my family."

  Sonora continued, “And Grandpa when you get that mean expression on your face, no offense ‘cause I love you, but you look downright creepy.”

  Ian snorted in amusement.

  Sonora recrossed her arms and huffed. "So, I'm going to help as much as I like. And that's the end of that discussion. I warn you, I'm still tired from yesterday and grumpy."

  "I had not noticed," Ian mumbled as he put his dirty plate and silverware in the dishwasher.

  Sonora shot him a stern glance and said, "But me? Who is going to suspect lil' ol' me?" She pushed at her long, blonde hair and batted her eyes.

  Blake laughed. "I have to admit with those big blue eyes you are the picture of innocence, even when grumpy. You could pass for many things, but never a nefarious criminal. I just hate you going alone."

  "What if I invite a bunch of my friends to go with me? Absolutely no one will find a bunch of giggling girls suspicious!"

  Both men heartily agreed.

  "Before we do this, I have a couple of questions for the two of you," Sonora said. The men groaned in unison. She made a face at both of them, then asked Ian, "You told me your people visited up here, but you know an awful lot for a visitor. I mean, how many Atlantians can drive, or fill the dishwasher correctly?"

  Ian's eyes glittered as he looked at her. "Your boldness and perception make me proud, Edinara." Sonora gave him a shy smile and glanced down. He continued, "I have been chasing down this artifact for decades."

  "And according to what you said last night, my grandfather."

  Blake looked at the floor and scuffed his foot.

  Ian agreed, "Yes."

  "How many years?"

  "Over fifty years."

  "Over fifty years?" Sonora's hand flew to her open mouth. "Grandpa was young then! You knew Grandpa when he was young."

  Blake moved to stand by her. "Yes, dear, we were friends."

  She glanced from one man to the other. That made sense. There was a familiarity between the two of them, they read each other well.

  "Grandpa, did you know you would age like a human?"

  "It hadn't been tested, because very few Atlantians stay above water for any length of time. There were always rumors, but they went either way. Perhaps all the stories are true, perhaps some Atlantians age out of the water, and some don't. Unless something else has happened that I’m not aware of." He looked at Ian, who shook his head. Blake continued, "But, Sunny, I didn't care so don't feel bad for me."

  Sonora eyed her grandfather, wondering if his love for her grandmother had kept him here. But she didn't want to bring up a painful memory, so she didn't ask him.

  She pointed at Blake.
"I would assume it best to believe the evidence of the one Atlantian who has been here."

  "Other factors could be at play," Blake said.

  "Other factors?"

  "The men last night—" he started then stopped short.

  "Yes. Who were the men last night?" Sonora turned to Ian. “I listened without a word because I wasn't going to endanger you, but why are they chasing you?"

  Ian put his hands on Sonora's arms. “They want to study us, find out why we are different and take what they can from our bodies no matter what it does to us," said Ian.

  Ian looked over at Blake and tipped his head for him to tell Sonora his story.

  "When I was young, one of those people kidnapped and experimented on me. I endured for many years, until your grandmother helped me escape. I couldn't even tell you what they did. Maybe they took away some of what makes us—us."

  Sonora's face fell. "Oh, Grandpa."

  Blake sighed as his hands moved to the buttons of his shirt. Sonora looked at him with a question in her eyes. Her grandfather never took off his top, not during the muggiest of weather. He even wore a t-shirt when swimming.

  As Blakes shirt fell away, Sonora saw why. Horror covered her face as she saw the zigzag of scars across his chest and stomach. They puckered around his side, from his back to his front. Some were old and silvered, some still reddish in color. There were so many scars, Sonora would've been hard put to lay her palm on any smooth piece of skin.

  She softly cried as she flew to his arms. "What did they do to you?”

  Eight

  The Most Danger

  Chaper Eight

  Ian stepped back, giving Sunny and Blake room. The love they showed for one another moved him, made him confident of one thing. Argos from Atlantis no longer existed, Blake had taken his place. Vengeance no longer lived in this man's heart.