by Maira Dawn
Azurine's eyes widened. "Oh, I'm not a scientist."
"Well, of course not. But the best time to learn something is when the tide is up and stirring against the shore. That is certainly now. Would you like to assist me?”
“Very much so!”
Mako nodded and waved at the two strong Atlantian men, and they began carrying in cases.
"We will need all this gone." Mako pointed at the counter and the appliances sitting there.
As Azurine rushed to remove them, Sonora moved to help her mother. When she reached for the mixer, the woman stopped her. "Who are you?"
"I'm Azurine's daughter, and—"
"Oh yes, Ian's Intended." Her gaze scraped over Sonora. "You look half-dead. Go away."
Sonora blinked at the woman. She would admit she was still slightly dizzy, but half-dead seemed a stretch.
She harrumphed. "I assure you I' m—"
"Caspian!" Mako said. "Come and help your woman back to her seat. And take better care of her. I would have thought better of you."
Indignation swelled in Sonora's chest, and she put her hands on her hips. "If you even knew—"
Ian rushed to Sonora's side and put an arm around her, pulling her back to a chair. "Yes, Council Mako."
"Ian!" Sonora struggled against him. How could the woman yell at Ian when he'd been through so much?
"Hst." Ian held his head close to hers. "You don't talk back to the council. It's disrespectful."
"Okay!" Sonora slumped in her seat and crossed her arms. "But someone really needs to let her know what you have been through."
"They will, Edinara, they will. But she says it for your sake, you are still recovering."
Mako helped Azurine clear the kitchen, treating each piece of small machinery as if it were a treasure. The two women worked quickly. Using the original material as a kind of recipe, within an hour, they had several batches of the replicated cure completed.
Mako filled the original vial and handed it, and several others to Nick then turned to Jorah. "Now, what are you going to do with the rest of this?"
Jorah held a vial to the light. "Give it over to this country. They can distribute it to the people."
Mako nodded and pulled out several small containers from her larger one and filled them.
She pushed all of them to Jorah except one, indicating she would keep it. "Just in case." She waved a hand at the humans and Atlantian-humans in distrust. “You never know.”
Jorah raised an eyebrow but agreed. "Good idea but let us hope the humans can get this right."
"I hope nothing, but I've made it as easy for them as I can. One of their supposed cavemen could do it. This is a start, and they can easily make enough for everyone." Mako eyed the last piece of equipment, making its way out the door in the arms of one of her guards. "I am done here."
Jorah gave Mako a small bow. "Thank you."
"You owe more than a thank you, believe me. And you better make sure I make it to the water's edge safely. I don't want to run into any of those infected humans." She shuddered.
Jorah nodded and ordered an additional two guards to accompany her to the water.
After they were gone, Jorah stepped into the living room. "Nick, I will have Ian accompany you, along with two of my guards. I and the four others will find and deliver this to the ruler in charge."
Mike coughed. "You can't just 'find' the President of the United States."
Jorah chuckled. "You would be surprised at what we can find." He shook his head. "But the fact is, he has been taken to a secure, underground place because of the outbreak. So I will go to the nearest military facility and talk to one of the Chiefs of Staff who recently arrived there." Jorah looked at the others. "The rest of you, make sure you ready yourself and your belongings. We leave for Atlantis on our return."
Ian put a hand on Sonora's arm. "I need to go my way and you yours for just a little while longer, Jata Ara. It pains me, but after this, you will be at my side always."
"Always? I hope I have a few private moments," Sonora said with a wry tone.
"Not many."
Sonora stared at him. He seemed serious. "Oh, my."
Ian frowned. "This is not the time for joking."
"I wasn't joking." Just how much together time did an Atlantian need?
"Sunny. We can discuss this another time."
"Yes, of course." She attempted to appear contrite. This was not the time to cause him concern. “I am eager for our life together to begin."
Reassured, Ian nodded, and he ran his thumbs over her soft skin. "You must be careful while I am gone. I prefer you stay here, but if you must go out, take care. These sick people can be unpredictable and aggressive. If someone says they need help, get an authority."
Sonora nodded.
"Promise me. Do you feel my concern?" Ian pushed his feelings to Sonora, and her eyes widened as his warm love and concern flooded her.
Sonora rubbed her on the spot above her heart, then moved her hands to hold his face. "I promise. Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
Ian softly kissed her lips, then her forehead. He pulled her back into her arms for only a moment, then just as quickly let her go and turned and walked away. He stopped at the door and turned back to gaze at her.
He smiled. "At first glance, you would seem carefree in your summer shorts and long blonde hair flowing down your back. But I see you, Edinara. I sense you. Your wide blue eyes flood with tears. Your hands twist. You worry as much as I. This will be over soon, and we will be together, my love." Ian blanketed her with reassurance and care.
Sonora smiled, grabbing those emotions and holding them tight. One tear spilled over, and she quickly wiped it away.
"I must go now," Ian murmured as he turned and strode out the door. "Before I lose the will to do so."
Forty-Eight
Disappeared
Chapter Forty-nine
Ian drove through quiet Seaside with Nick and two Atlantian guards. He stopped for a few pedestrians, but not as many as yesterday. The roads had less vehicles, and the doors to the shops, which were often open, were all shut tight. The word was getting out, and no one wanted to come across an unexpected AgFlu victim.
Once through the town, things got quieter. When they swung the car into the parking lot for Spire Cliff, Ian was not surprised to find the parking lot empty. What did humans say? Batten down the hatches? He approved. Better that then mingle and become infected.
The men left the cars, banging the doors shut. And took the trail to the top of Spire Cliff.
Ian looked over the rough water, his hair pushed from one side to the other by the restless wind. The horizon, dark as night, seemed to be closer since the last time Ian studied at it.
The storm was coming.
Ian glanced at Nick, a question on his face. "Why here?"
"This huge old rock points to a thin spot in time."
Ian scanned the rock, noticing for the first time the ocean-facing side almost came to a point. "By coincidence or by design?"
Nick shook his head. "No idea. There is more we do not know than we do. We are shooting in the dark here." At Ian's stare, Nick raised his hands. "But it's out there, and it's been tested. Sort of. I guess I'll be the final test."
"You will not fail. We will get you out there."
"It's not going to be easy. This water is really stirred up."
Ian eyed the whitecaps. "If not over the water, then under it. We have a vehicle ready."
Ian put his hand on Nick's shoulder. "Before we start, there is something you need to know. Mako says the cure you hold may not completely cure this first wave of sickness, but it will stop a secondary infection. One that is worse than the first."
Nick stepped back, surprise covering his face. "I thought this would save everyone!"
Ian shook his head. "Mako and my father know more about this disease than anyone. They say it will not save everyone."
"I'm doing this to put my brother's wrongs right. B
ut also, for Lisa, my fiancée, so she might live. Is there any hope for her?"
Ian knew how the loss of a mate could feel. "Is she close?" When Nick nodded, he glanced back over the town. "Give me her address, and I will have her brought to Atlantis."
Nick quickly gave Ian the information he would need. Ian continued, "Because of what you do today, humankind can build a new, better world. If you ever find yourself lost, make your way to this beach. We will watch for you. Traveler, you will always have a friend among the Atlantian people."
Nick nodded and clasped Ian's shoulder. He picked up his backpack from where it sat on the ground and slung it over his shoulder.
"It is time to go." He tipped his head toward the massive cloud bank darkening the sky.
Sometime later, the four men stood on a small island their clothes and hair plastered to their skin. The way over had been rough, taking all their strength, but they had made it.
Ian stared at a standing ring of rock. Around the circle, the view was as one would expect, but through it, the scene was murky. As if two pictures fought with each other. It was old with vines and moss growing on and through it, and every so often, it seemed there was a snap of electricity. He almost laughed out loud. The world was full of amazing things. How long had this been here without anyone knowing?
Nick pulled an instrument out of his bag. His hand shook as he tapped the screen. What thoughts must be going through the man's mind? Taking on such a mission, putting his life and his love on the line, must seem insane.
He turned to Ian, his face pale. After swallowing twice, he said, "I'll do my best."
Ian gave him a sharp nod. "You will."
Nick smiled. "I'll say hi to your ancestors for you."
Before Ian could respond, Nick's cell phone rang. He yanked it out of his jean's pocket and looked at the screen. "It is Lisa's mother. I need to—"
"Of course."
Within seconds of accepting the call, Nick uttered a deep wail and fell to his knees.
Ian bent over him. "Nick?"
"It's Lisa. She has the AgFlu. Her mother said she is going fast."
"I am sorry, my friend."
Nick grasped Ian's arm and stood on shaky legs. "I have nothing to lose now. Maybe-maybe this can still save her.” He again shouldered his backpack and stepped toward the rock ring. He stared at it for a few moments.
"Nick?" Ian asked. Would the man be able to complete his mission?
The Traveler straightened his shoulders and seemed to physically shake himself. He glanced back at Ian. "I will do this." Then he took the four footsteps needed to cross to the other side of the circle.
Mid-step on last one, he disappeared.
Forty-Nine
Sierra
Chapter Fifty
Sonora watched Ian go out the door. She hauled in a huge breath and blew it out. She could stand here and worry or do something. Mentally ticking off everything still needing packed, she realized it was all done. Sonora walked to the living room. It seemed so empty now with only her mother and father sitting there.
"Mom, what else is there to do?"
"Not much. We're just waiting to hear from your sister." Azurine started to bite a fingernail.
Sonora frowned. Her mother biting at her nails usually meant she was nervous. "When was the last time you heard from her?"
Her father got up and looked out the window. "We haven't."
Sonora's heart skipped. "What do you mean? Since when?"
"I text and called," Mike said. "I didn't want to seem too crazed over the phone but made sure she knew the situation was serious. She hasn't answered yet."
"Dad! She doesn't know we're leaving? Or about the outbreak?"
Azurine put a hand on Sonora's shoulder. "Sunny, don't panic. She's probably still at work, and she may have seen the news." Azurine's gaze drifted to the same window her husband looked out. "I hope."
Sonora nodded and chewed her lip a little harder. For most people, this was just another ordinary day. The news report about a strange illness was one of the hundreds of others. Most people would brush it off as they did all the other unwelcome news. Sonora looked from her mom to her dad. "We should go get her. We are done here, aren't we? What will we do if Ian is done and waiting for us at the beach, and she isn't here yet?"
Sonora worried they would need some convincing. They didn't.
Mike turned toward the garage. "Okay, I'll start the car."
"I'll take mine," Sonora said, "and follow you. In case we have to split up."
"We are not splitting up," Azurine said, her tone stern.
"Okay, but yours is full to the brim. We'll need mine for the room."
As Sonora followed her parents to Sierra's accounting firm, she kept a sharp eye out. Other than fewer people out and about, there was little out of the norm for a typical weekday. They used the parking lot behind the building and walked around to the front.
Sonora's stomach tightened as Azurine looked up at the multistoried building. "Have you been here before? Do you know where her office is?"
What condition would her sister be in? She glanced at her mother. "Yeah, up the elevator to the second floor and the first left.
Sonora scouted the lobby as they walked through it. Everything appeared normal here too. No coughing, no sick-looking people here, just employees doing their jobs. She'd been through so much the last few hours, it felt odd, eerie even, like the calm before the storm—except no one knew the storm was coming.
When they reached Sierra's office, it was empty. Sonora drew in a breath. "Let me try the neighboring office."
She tapped on the door and heard a faint, "Come in."
Sonora creaked open the door, heart pounding over what she would find. But it was only her sister's blonde co-worker sitting at her desk. A smile lit her face when she saw Sonora.
"Hi," Sonora said. "We're looking for Sierra. Do you happen to know where she is?"
"Um, I had my last break with her, and she said she was going to hit the library for something."
Sonora frowned. "The building's library or the one down the street?" Both had law sections, and Sierra needed to use each of them on occasion.
The blonde woman sagged. "Oh, I'm not sure. She didn't say."
"Okay, thanks." Sonora started to close the door, then pushed it open again. "Have you heard about this new flu outbreak?"
"Oh, yeah, terrible isn't it? If it's not one, it's another these days."
Sonora nodded. "This one is bad, though. You should probably go home."
The blonde chuckled. "If I went home every time the flu went around, I'd be broke. It'll be gone before we know it."
Sonora didn't know what else to say without appearing crazy, but she tried. "Some of the people who get it, they get—dangerous. And the symptoms come on really fast. Please be careful."
"Well, thanks. But like I said, I gotta work." The woman smiled and dipped her head back to her computer, dismissing her.
Sonora shut the door and turned to her parents.
Her mother sighed and glanced from Sonora to Mike. "I know what I said, but it looks okay here. What if Sunny checks out this library, and you and I go the one down the street, Mike? We need to find Sierra as fast as possible and get word to Bruce."
Sonora winced. Sierra’s new husband worked in construction. Who knew where he was on any given day—hopefully close.
Mike stared at Sonora. "You see anything crazy, you just move along, ya hear? Don't be taking any chances."
"Dad, the library is right down there." She pointed to the end of the hallway.
"You heard me. No chances."
"Okay, Dad."
Satisfied, he patted her shoulder.
Azurine gave Sonora a quick hug. "We'll be right back. Wait in your car when you're done, okay?"
Mike gave her a stern look. "And don't talk to anyone you don't have to."
"Yes, Dad, I'll be careful. I promise."
Sonora watched her parents walk toward t
he elevator and turned toward the law library. She came to an intersecting hallway and, after a quick peek each way, continued to the other side. The library area contained a deeply recessed carved door, so Sonora passed tall windows on both sides of her, boasting thick wood shelves stuffed with books. It was quiet here, and if a pin dropped on the tile floor, Sonora would undoubtedly hear it. The elegant area should have seemed serene, but given the circumstances, it sent a shiver up her spine.
Sonora's gaze darted from one part of the corridor to the other. Stupid. She shouldn't be so overdramatic. But right now, she longed for the hustle and bustle of the fully staffed lobby.
Reaching the entry door, she pulled. It seemed to resist at first, then gave in. She stepped inside and halted, drawing in a ragged breath. This side of the door was just as whisper-quiet as the other side. Sonora scanned the room, as far as she could see. Not a soul around, not even a librarian behind the front counter.
She started to call out, even if it meant getting shushed, but she stopped. What if there was an infected person here? Better not to give away her location. She winced. That seemed stupid, and it probably was. Unless it wasn't.
Sonora took in a large breath as she made a plan to look for Sierra. She turned to the right side of the library, her feet barely touching the carpet. If she kept this up, she'd be done in no time. She wrapped her arms around herself as she peeked down the book aisles. When she'd finished that side, she passed the librarian desk again to check out the other side.
No one. Most importantly, no sister. She hoped her mom and dad fared better.
Sonora hustled to the main door and pulled, glancing back into the library when she heard a noise. Then smacked hard into someone coming through the library doors.
She took a couple of steps backward. "Sorry! So sorry!"
A smartly dressed woman stood in front of Sonora, laughing.