by Maira Dawn
Vincent's face paled to the point Devon readied himself to catch him. Vincent put his hand to his stomach. He whispered, "That is what I am. That is what I have become. How did this happen?" Tears threatened to roll down his face.
Devon scolded him as a teacher scolds an errant student. "I have no patience with this type of behavior. You did what you had to do to help all of mankind. It is what we all do, what we have to do for a better future for—for everyone. Yes, some fall by the wayside, but that is inevitable. It has always been the way. Some fall so that others go on better and stronger than before."
Vincent hung his head.
"Stop acting like a child. Your incredible curiosity and skill got you here. You should be proud."
Vincent's mouth dropped as he gave Devon a quick, hard stare. "Proud?"
Devon clucked like an old grandmother. "Yes, of course. Now follow me."
A few quick steps down the hallway, he realized Vincent wasn't behind him. Devon stopped and looked back, waving his arm. "Come on!"
Vincent didn't budge. "No, sir. I won't do it. I'm not going to help you kill your niece."
Devon marched back to Vincent. "I'm not going to kill Sonora. That subject—"
"Ian?"
"That subject simply will not break. Every time I think he is in my control, a light of independence flares in his eyes." Devon clenched a fist. "I can't have that. What happens when he decides he doesn't care what happens to Sunny? That he wants to live? He will get away. They all could have."
Vincent's brow creased. "But we are so careful. We double and triple check the straps, the locks and the drugs we give them."
"Yes, and that conditions them to think they can't. But what if we forget a dosage just once, or if all straps and locks aren’t as they should be. They could take advantage.” Devon eyed Vincent before going on, “The thing is they're a pampered lot. Wherever their home is, it must be safe, secure. If they were a streetwise, scrappy bunch, it is unlikely we could keep them so long. Breaking them is how I control them.”
Devon flipped his hand at Vincent. "I'm not going to hurt my niece, not after everything I do to keep her safe. If those imbeciles in History want anything from her, they are going to have to come get her themselves. But that one in there doesn't need to know that. He’ll see you take the dolphin trainer and Blake out of the frame. I'll give Sonora a playful push into the tank. From his angle, it will seem murderous. No harm to anyone. Of course, he will think there was, and that is all that matters. You got it?"
Vincent hesitated, but if he cooperated with Devon maybe he could make his way back to Ian. Let the man know his girl was okay, and maybe this time, succeed in getting him out of the cage. It was a sick thing to pull, but in the long run, it was for everyone’s own good.
Vincent winced. Wasn't that what he’d been telling himself all along? But this time it is really true. He stood a little straighter.
He gave Devon a sharp nod. "Yeah, I can handle it. No probs."
Twenty-Seven
Hello, Little Niece
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sonora put a hand to her aching head. "Grandpa… we need to leave now."
Blake put an arm around her waist when she stumbled. They turned toward the door at the same time as Devon burst through it with a tall skinny man in tow. Grandfather and granddaughter froze. Had Ian been warning her about Uncle Devon?
"Keep up," Devon said sharply to the young man trailing him.
Devon beamed at his father-in-law and niece. "Hello, hello! Always a welcome surprise to find family here. What's the special occasion?"
Blake released his hold on Sonora, and walked to Devon, giving him a handshake and a couple thumps on the back. Sonora stared at her grandfather, her jaw almost on the ground. She hadn't known he was such a good actor. It was as if this were the same as any other day. There was no way Uncle Devon would guess he was suspected of anything.
Devon walked to her and pulled her into a hug, rocking from side to side. "Hello, little niece."
"Hello." Everything seemed awkward. She seemed to barely hug him at first, then hugged him too tightly. Even her voice sounded strained. She froze mid-hug. A nod from her grandfather got her back on track. Pulling away, she beamed at Devon. "I'm so glad you were able to see us."
He gave her an odd stare, but she kept smiling. Then he chuckled. "Of course, I would come to see my favorite niece. Now don't tell your sister that, but then she deserted me for another man."
"Oh, Uncle Devon, you're so funny."
After Devon introduced Vincent, he asked if Anne was in the area. Blake and Sonora assured him the dolphin trainer was getting supplies for the dolphins.
"Has she been gone a while?" Devon asked, looking around. "Maybe she needs help."
"I can check," Vincent offered and took off for the door Sonora pointed out. He stopped and glanced at Blake. "Hey, would you like to come with me?"
Blake's glance went from Devon to Sonora. She nodded at him, they needed to keep up the charade, and what could her uncle do here.
Blake shrugged and said, "Sure, why not?" The two took off through the door.
Devon walked to the dolphin tanks and took a ring from their selection of toys. He threw it to the far side of the tank causing excited chirps and squeaks from the animals. No matter how long they played, they were always ready for more.
When the lead dolphin brought it back, Devon held out his hand out to Sonora.
Sonora stepped up to the edge of the tank and gave her uncle a smile. "These guys sure do love their playtime."
Devon crouched, giving a couple of them a rub as they passed by. "They do. I've always admired these animals. Perfectly made for their environment. I suppose you will see that firsthand soon."
Sonora's head whipped toward him. "What?"
"When you graduate. Your dad told me you've been taking classes, and I'm assuming you'll put that degree of yours to work."
"Oh, yes. Still some time yet, but soon enough, that's true. It will be an experience."
Uncle Devon studied her as he spoke,"I'm sure it will be."
Sonora threw him a smile, then turned her attention to the inhabitants of the tank. She shivered. Was he acting strange, or was it her? Something was off. After shooting him a glance and seeing nothing but smiles, she berated herself. If her uncle did have Ian, he couldn't possibly be here with her as if nothing was happening, could he?
Devon whistled and clicked at the dolphins as if trying to speak to them. He failed so miserably Sonora was convinced the beautiful creatures were sending him puzzled looks as they bobbed in the water. She giggled. The more time she spent with her uncle, the harder it was to believe he was capable of anything awful. It couldn't be him.
"Well, until you take off on some under the sea adventure, you're stuck with us." Devon reached into the water and scooping a handful threw it on Sonora.
She gasped, not from the water, it was warm, but from her uncle's actions. He was usually so meticulous it surprised her he'd started this game. He had to know where it would lead, Sonora was not one to hold back.
"Uncle Devon!" Sonora sent him her own handful.
Another round of splashing and the water fight had begun in earnest. Sonora stumbled over then picked up an empty small fish bucket. Perfect. This would give him a real soaking. She tossed the pail full of water, sure there had to be some fish slime in there too.
Sonora tried to stifle her laughter as her uncle instantly stilled. For a moment, his scowl and ramrod straight posture told her she'd gone too far. The man was so drenched, she could see his chest hair.
"Sunny Reeves!"
Sonora dropped the bucket and brought her hands to her mouth. "Oh, Uncle Devon, I'm so sorry! I hope you have a change of clothes. I know how much you hate—"
Her uncle's shock gave him a strange expression. Then it passed, and he burst out in laughter, rushing toward her. Sonora turned to run, gasping and screeching, but it was too late. He caught her. Swinging he
r high, he carried her to the edge of the tank.
"No! You wouldn't, Uncle Devon!" When he shook her a few times over the open water, she squealed and begged, "Please, Uncle Devon, put me down."
He pretended to drop her, catching her at the last minute. "Put you down, you say?"
"No, no! Please don't, please!" Sonora wrapped her arms around his neck as she pleaded and shook her head.
"Well, you're going in one way or another."
"No!"
"Yes!"
Sonora clung to him so tightly Devon couldn't shake her, so he jumped, taking them both into the water. Sonora grabbed a breath on their way down and let her uncle drag her deep into the tank.
The weight of the disturbed water and the tickle of air bubbles surrounded them as they fell. There was a smooth brush of rubbery skin. When Sonora opened her eyes, three curious dolphins surrounded them.
Devon still held one of her hands, as he petted the dolphins with the other. His smile shone through the shadowy, light-streaked waters. Sonora couldn't help but smile back at him. For a time, they hung suspended in the warm water surrounded by sea creatures.
It was a magical moment, something exceptional she would never forget. Sonora prayed her instincts about her uncle were right, that he was a good man. How could he have tricked all of them?
Devon's expression turned serious. He grabbed the fin of the nearest dolphin and let it pull them to the bottom of the tank. Sonora nervously looked at the surface. They were going the wrong way. The need to pull in air was building, and a bit of panic set in as she recalled the last time she'd been underwater without sufficient air. She tugged on Devon's hand.
He didn't seem to notice.
At the bottom of the tank, the dolphins lazily circled the outer perimeter. Sonora tried to pull her hand from her uncle's.
He held fast.
Sonora's heart started to pound. What was he doing?
She used her other hand to pry his fingers off. He turned to look at her. Something was there she'd never seen before. But there was no time to examine it. She pointed to the top of the tank.
Devon studied her as if trying to piece something out. Sonora put a hand to her throat and pointed up. As if he finally understood, her uncle nodded and smiled. He let go of the fin, and they floated to the top. Two of the dolphins pushed them to the opposite edge of the pool. As they pulled themselves out of the water, Devon glance at the room's only camera. They were on the backside of it.
Sonora plopped by the edge of the pool, gasping. "Geez, Uncle Devon. I thought you weren't going to get the message there for a minute."
"I'm sorry. I noticed one of the dolphins has an injury. I should have been paying more attention to you."
Sonora worked not to narrow her gaze. But when he whistled one of the dolphins over and looked it over, sure enough, there was a long scratch along its side. Okay, so he had not tried to drown her.
When the others came into the room, Devon waved Anna over to show the trainer where the animal needed attention.
Blake glanced at their soaked clothing. "What happened here?"
Devon chuckled. "Oh, I just tried to drown your granddaughter."
Vincent choked and looked to the floor.
"No, you didn't, Uncle Devon," Sonora giggled.
"You're right." He bopped her nose like he had when she was a child. "You survived. Your so resilient, just like the rest of your family."
"Our family."
"Yes, of course. Our family." Devon pulled at the clothes sticking to him. "Well, a change of clothing, and I'm back to work. I have a subject in need of an injection."
"Yikes!" Sonora said. “I hate needles.”
"Yes, yikes," Devon said, "You wouldn't believe how yikes it is."
Twenty-Eight
A Special Cocktail
Chapter Twenty-Eight
In Atlantis, loved ones lived for centuries. Ian still had multiple generations of grandparents. Those who had died were not close to him. So, he didn't know what it felt like when someone beloved died. He shuddered, waiting in agony for the moment he sensed Sunny was no longer there.
He imagined a deeper, darker hole than the bottomless black one he had been in when she left to return home. A world where every bit of love, happiness, goodness, and kindness was gone. His heart grew heavy, already aching in anticipation of its split.
Pain beyond belief was coming. He gripped the bars and prepared himself for it.
Once, in a city on land, he'd watched a work crew implode a building. They’d announced the time and started the countdown. Each minute had seemed both shorter and longer than it ought to have been.
That is what happened now. But instead of eager expectation, he was in despair. Tears flooded Ian's eyes and ran to the floor below as he savored each last moment with her.
Ian couldn't stop himself from lifting his heavy, drug-addled head. His gaze skittered around the room as he forced himself to look at anything other than what played out on the monitor.
He sensed Sunny's wavering emotions. Her nervousness, relief, joy, and fear. Ian cringed as his gaze darted to the screen. He saw the dolphin pool. One lone dolphin, circling the surface of the water. The others merely shadows as they swam in deeper water.
No threatening Devon. No Sunny.
Had it already happened? He shook his foggy head, reaching for her. Sunny's bright joy warmed him, and Ian let out a slow breath. She was okay. Perhaps Devon had changed his mind.
Ian stayed with Sunny until he heard the evil man marching down the hallway, Vince's squeaky shoes accompanying him. He slunk to the back of his cage.
Devon burst through the door. "Did you see that, Abomination? She's dead."
Ian narrowed his eyes. Why would the man pretend that when he knew Ian could sense she was alive? Could it be that no one ever told him they could feel one another?
The more Ian thought about it, the more sense it made. Any chance an Atlantian had of escape would have relied on them reaching out to each other. Who would one cut their last chance at life, slim as it may be?
Ian put his hands to his face. Devon needed to believe his sorrow. Tears were easy to come by in this place, and they soon trailed his face.
"Now, let's get back to business." Devon went to the back room and brought back a glass vial. "This is a special cocktail." He swirled the small bottle. "A mix of what is sometimes called the 1918 Killer Flu and the Rabies virus."
Vincent's gasp sounded through the room.
Devon threw him a satisfied look. "Yes, you're right, Vincent. Quite a toxic mixture."
Devon walked to Ian and peered down at him. "I'm not sure if it will be painful or not, but I suspect you will be able to handle that part of it. You've had worse. But it will change you before you die. In fact, our History brethren suggested we leave you in your strong cage and secure you to the bars."
"They have used it on some of the chimps." Devon turned and pulled a few thick straps from the drawer. "They all have turned violent, so there's that. Turn around and stretch your arms along the bars."
Ian wanted to resist, but how far would he get? He was still in this prison. Did the fact Devon hadn't killed Sonora prove he wouldn't, or was it merely so he could use her another time? Ian shot a look at Vince behind Devon's back.
Vincent mouthed, "I'll get you out."
Of course, that was if the injection didn't kill him. But there wasn't a way out of this. Devon already fingered the taser on the counter with glee in his eyes.
Ian's slight hesitation irritated the scientist. He sighed, grabbing the taser off the counter. "I really get so sick of this."
Ian uttered a loud grunt as he felt the sharp shock of electricity rumble through his body, making his teeth cold and his jaw clench. He sunk further into the floor. Devon had given no warning today.
He continued until Ian's only movement was a slow trembling. When he felt Ian sufficiently subdued, he stopped and dragged his arm between the bars, shoving a needle into it
.
"That," Devon said, "was not the virus. That is your sedative."
"No," Ian garbled out. He was already so drugged the additional dosage would have him nearly incapacitated.
"Well, as I always tell you, you should have thought about that before we got to this point. You are a stubborn one. I imagine we'll be using this for a long time yet. I thought you'd have a different attitude after Sonora, but I guess you didn't care for her as much as she thought you did."
The wrath steadily simmering deep inside Ian flared. He closed his eyes so Devon couldn't see it. The men wrapped straps around his arm, tightening them to the bars to the point of discomfort. Once his numbness wore off, it would be worse.
The virus didn't worry Ian. It wasn't likely to kill him any more than the other things did. But as his fuzzy brain and slow limbs obeyed the man he hated more than anything in this world above or the sea below, he harbored the hope that Vincent would stick to his promise and free him.
He glanced at Devon. If so, he would end this man in front of him.
Either way, maybe this day would end his pain. Except for his Beloved, it would hardly be a bad thing.
Twenty-Nine
Labs
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Sonora’s heart dropped when Blake said, “Well, Sunny, I don’t see what else we can do here. Let’s try to meet with Ian’s father. He should be here soon.” He patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. We won’t stop until we find him.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Instead, she tried to swallow the lump in her throat as she followed her grandfather back through the lobby. He was right, they needed more help with this.
As they passed the restrooms, she felt a need and glanced at her grandfather. “Hey, Grandpa, I’m going to hit the restrooms. Go on out to the car, if you want.”