Blood for Atlantis Read online

  “Pst . . .”

  I whirl around looking for the source of noise. I spot Lilly hiding behind a giant piece of coral used for decoration.

  I nonchalantly back up to lean on it, so I can hear what she has to say without being obvious I am talking to someone there. She is not allowed in this area of the ball room, after all.

  “What is it?” I ask, trying not to move my lips.

  “First, thank you for saving me. Second, Poseidon's guards gathered your gatekeepers telling one Poseidon requested an audience. They followed the guards into the garden. Poseidon is not there, he is still on the stage.”

  Panic rises through me as I look around the room, and sure enough, my men are gone, and Poseidon is sitting smugly on his throne.

  “Thank you, Lilly.”

  I push off the coral and try to follow the wall around to the garden door. The problem is I will have to walk through the main public area of the ball room. It takes every ounce of my resolve to walk gracefully in an attempt to keep my panic from showing. I make eye contact with only a select few, giving each a nod of my head or a simple smile.

  When I enter the public area, I switch tactics. I keep my eyes down, praying I won’t be spotted by anyone wanting to talk. I speed up my pace, making it into the garden without being bothered. The cool evening air gives me a shiver of foreboding. This isn’t good.

  I stalk through the garden, alert for any noise that may lead me to my chosen gatekeepers. The only sound I hear is a splash of water coming from the giant pool in the center of the garden. I pull my dagger free and sprint across the way. I find guards containing my men with the tridents supplied by Poseidon. They are made to shock their enemies.

  Only three men lay on the ground, which means the fourth is in the water. Adrenaline brings forth my half-mer persona. With my nails, I cut away the excess fabric from my gown and then dive into the water. My shift happens instantaneously.

  My eyes open in the water to see a merman sinking into the dark depths. The water has a smell in it. The stench of a creature long forgotten who still needs to be fed. I wail my distress into the water causing every particle within the vast pool to vibrate. In response, an ear-splitting scream rips through the water, and in the darkness, I see the appearance of eight open and glowing eyeballs.

  Fear temporarily grips me before I shake it off and make a nose dive through the water to get to my man before the monster does. A tentacle wraps around my waist halting me mid-swim. I use my dagger to slice through, but its skin is thick. It takes multiple swipes before the tentacle is sliced away. I pull its suction cups off my abdomen pulling fabric, skin, and scales with it. I have to be more careful.

  My eyes find my man again, his blonde hair reflects the light from the monster’s eyes. Breck. I get a split-second flashback to him kissing my forehead this morning, and anger wells up in me. I scream at the creature; in response, the creature drops his easy prey. It seems it has been a long time since he has gone on a hunt.

  I take off through the water, with the creature on my heels, swimming upward to where more light pierces the darkness. The light gives me the advantage. When I circle back around I see three more mer-bodies falling into the water. I know they will wake soon, as the tridents of the guards are not fatal.

  Whipping my body around, I am now between the monster and my men. For the first time, I get a good look at Poseidon's creation with the eight eyes. It has a giant beak, like that of a squid, and more tentacles than I can even count.

  The creature screams. In its moment of weakness with its eyes closed, mid-scream I attack. I go for the soft spots behind his eyelids. My dagger strikes the largest one first. I twist the hilt, pull free, and hit it again. His eyes open, and it begins screaming endlessly. I ride atop the creature’s head fending off tentacles with the razor-sharp fins on my arms.

  We break out of the water, I stay in my mer form, digging my claws into the flesh around its top beak. Another tentacle wraps around my waist. Thankfully for me, the monster caught my arm in with it. I jerk my arm upward, slicing deeply into the tentacle. The monster withdraws that specific tentacle, freeing me to chip away at the flesh around the beak. I want to cut it off.

  When the beak starts to hang, I dig my hand into the top and toss my strong mer body over the edge, using my body weight to rip the beak away from the creature’s body. We both fall into the water. The monster is blind and broken. I swim to the edge, dragging the large beak with me and tossing it out of the water on to the shore. I take note that the guards are gone. They most likely left after the last man was thrown in.

  I swim back into the depths to find Breck waking up. I shake him to wake him up faster and motion for him to grab a body. I take Aden as he is the thinnest and Breck takes Laki. We both struggle under the weight of the men, but we make it. When we push them to the shore, both men shift back to their human state. They are only wearing the white shirts, and both are still unconscious.

  “Go to them, I will get Morgan,” Breck motions to the men, and I nod.

  I trust Breck to bring Morgan back to me. Looking down at my tattered clothing only a small portion of dress around my bust remains and a tattered skirt that separated from the bust thanks to savage tentacles. As soon as Breck resurfaces with Morgan, I walk over and pick up the giant beak of Poseidon’s monster. It is so massive that even carrying it over my shoulder, it still drags the ground.

  “Where are you going?” Breck asks, fear reflecting in his eyes.

  “To have a talk with the god of the Sea.”

  He doesn’t try to stop me. I turn, carrying my prize through the garden and into the ballroom. When I enter, a merwoman standing near me screams an ear-piercing scream. Everyone turns to stare. People move out of my way as I drag the massive beak through the center of the room.

  Poseidon sits on his throne, his face red with anger. Using all of my brute strength, I toss what is left of his creation from over my shoulder. It slides across the floor.

  “Hercules killed your first monster of the sea. Have it recorded that I, Meri, Key of Atlantis has killed your second.”

  Poseidon looks down upon me, “You will regret this, child.”

  “I will do my duty and protect my home with my chosen gatekeepers by my side.”

  “Oh yes, you will,” Poseidon agrees before he stands and points his golden trident at me. The last thing I see is a hot, white, blinding light. Then . . . Nothing.

  18

  Present Day

  I explode out of my sleep to find that the guys tucked me snuggly into bed. No one is in the room. I waste no time throwing on my sundress and storming to the deck in search of my guys. I find them all sitting in chairs while the yacht zips through the water on autopilot.

  “I remember!” I shout at them, startling them all to their feet.

  They all start clamoring, but I don’t hear any of it. Instead, I am looking at the red, orange, and pink sky reflecting on the endless ocean. It is as if the sky has turned to fire. All of my other concerns soon drift away as I walk to the edge of the railing.

  “It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

  “Sunrise, you don’t remember the ones from when you were on land?” Morgan asks.

  “No, I don’t remember anything from living on land. To me, I was struck by Poseidon and then placed on this boat with no memory. Present day, everything I have, starts and stops with you four,” I pause as all of my emotions start to bubble along the surface, “What happened to my mother?”

  Aden takes a step forward. He doesn’t appear to have changed at all, not like Morgan, who has aged some.

  “She was banned from Atlantis and is now living in Olympus.”

  “What about Ares?”

  “He continues to tear the world apart trying to find you. Since you went missing, more ocean life has died. Entire coral reefs are being killed off due to Ares’s influence on the populace. Terrorism of every kind is running amok. People and animals are dying daily of violence and poverty. He is
taking out his anger on the world,” Morgan explains.

  “Why is it so important that I don’t meet him? If he wants to find me, why don’t we let him?” I honestly have no clue as to what I should do. My body feels weak, and my energy is low.

  “Aphrodite claims Ares had a vision of you being his prodigy. Aphrodite had a vision of you being the key protector to Atlantis. Poseidon is angry at both Ares and Aphrodite for involving Atlantis and has since checked out as an ancient god who no longer cares as long as his home is safe.”

  “I’m already the Key to Atlantis, can someone explain why can’t I just meet Ares?” All four men shrug, “I guess we need to go on the hunt for Aphrodite and get more answers. I am sure my mother misses me.” It’s hopeful thinking at least.

  “We should go to Triton first,” Morgan interjects.

  “Triton? Why would we go to my uncle first?”

  “Um . . . we kind of work for him now,” Laki says to spare Morgan the brunt of my reaction.

  “You’re the gatekeepers of Atlantis! You work for no one!”

  “Actually, we never took to the Ring to officially become gatekeepers. Only you said we were,” Breck took it as his turn to explain. His long hair is a stark contrast from the first time I met him, but it suits him perfectly.

  “What are you saying?” I question him, narrowing my gaze.

  “Poseidon continued on with the Ring. Since we were distraught over you, we did not participate. Poseidon selected the gatekeepers from the Ring victors.” I realize how British Aden sounds now that a part of me recognizes how a British accent should sound. It is sexy as hell.

  I am getting distracted again, “So, you’re telling me I am still the Key of Atlantis, but you are not my gatekeepers?”

  All four men nod at me, and an anger I forgot I possessed bubbles up within me. There has to be a way to set everything right. The ocean is the victim in the drama of gods. There is the heart that keeps me from being like Ares. That is what sets me apart.

  “How many days until we reach Triton?”

  “Three, if we can keep this speed,” Morgan answers.

  “My body is weak, I will spend the time training. It has been too long.”

  “You need to feed first.” Laki extends his wrist. The pulse of his vein causes my fangs to instantly pop free of my gums.

  I will always hate taking the life force of my men, but with my memories now intact, I’m aware I don’t really have a choice. I nod at him, taking his wrist and carefully piercing it with my teeth. Laki doesn’t even flinch. His bronzed skin is a stark contrast to my porcelain white.

  His blood tastes so perfect and so sweet. I slurp until he pulls away, and then Aden presents his wrist to me to finish with. I know soon I won’t need so much at each time, but right now, I don’t have a choice. When I finish, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

  “Do you have my weapons?”

  “Of course, there is no way we would let that wanker keep them.”

  I burst into much needed laughter because I know by ‘wanker,’ Aden was referring to Poseidon. Plus, I don’t recall ever hearing that term before, but nevertheless it is hilarious.

  “Well, would one of you fine gatekeepers mind re-introducing them to me?”

  “This way, madame,” Breck takes my arm into his elbow.

  “We, will get breakfast started!” Laki yells at our backs.

  “I already had my breakfast, thank you!” I shout back with a smile on my face.

  I may not be in Atlantis, but with these four men, I feel like I am home. Our time together was cut short, and yet, our bond is still strong. The smile vanishes from my face, replaced by the righteous anger I have pouring through me. There is good reason for me to be angry, but right now, I need to focus on getting right and figuring out our next course of action.

  Breck leads me down stairs into the bowel of the monster-sized yacht. He turns on a light, and we enter a room full of metal contraptions. Vague memories of my land life flash through my mind, and I realize, “This is a gym.”

  “Yeah, we have to keep in shape, and it is easiest to lift weights while we are on the sea,” Breck says nonchalantly as he strides to the back of the room and flips a switch on the wall.

  The wall magically turns, opening to show a room full of every weapon under the sun, but the only ones that matter to me are mine. They are highlighted by a bright light on the back wall. In the center, my armor is on full display. The beauty of it all brings tears to my eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” Breck really doesn’t have a clue. He is a beautiful man, but sometimes he can be a little thick. Even though he does, occasionally, present moments of insight, it isn’t often.

  “The part of my land life I remember is an intense loneliness. I lived more than a decade lost in routine without any purpose or any passions. What I have left of my memories are sadness. The sense that there was nothing to live for. I’m so grateful Morgan found me when he did.”

  Breck wraps me in his arms, comforting me when I need it most. If I remember correctly, Breck is good at that. His strong arms and bare chest are a perfect solace to the pain I experienced all those years being utterly alone. His fingers run through my hair, and I tilt my head up looking into his defined almost god-like face. His lips caress my forehead just before he rests his chin on my hair. He doesn’t make any attempt for more, because Breck can read what I need, and this comfort is it.

  When we finally pull apart, the tears have stopped although the proof of them is still wet upon my cheeks. I approach the wall, gently running my fingers along the blades of my swords. It seems like it was only yesterday that I wore them and cut the beak off of Poseidon’s sea monster.

  I look to the leather of the scabbard and notice it has been oiled and well cared for. Deep down, I know that it was Morgan’s doing. He is the one that keeps things perfect and running smoothly. It is the natural leader in him.

  On the ledge below where all my gear is hung, are candles, and in the center of the candles is my necklace. The one that my mother put on me before I went to join with the rest of the potentials. The stone that glows with my song and warms when I am following the right direction.

  When my fingers touch it, the stone bursts to life, and the energy hums through me, beckoning me to put it on. I lift it from its place, and the weight of it surprises me. I don’t remember it being so heavy, but I was so much stronger a decade ago. I hand it to Breck, lifting my long blonde hair from my neck, so he can latch it in place. When he does, a shock goes through me, causing my muscles to tingle with power. I may not be able to fashion lightening bolts or to command the seas, but I have power, nonetheless.

  I roll my shoulders back, already feeling infinitely more powerful than just moments before. I then realize this stone must be a way to amplify the energy. Mother gifted it to me to make sure I found my power and made it through the challenges after a lifetime of hiding who I am.

  “I should train hand to hand first to rebuild my muscle memory.”

  “Good idea, you will have to practice on the top deck for enough space. We will all take turns sparring with you.”

  I smile towards Breck as I strap my dagger to my thigh. There now, I feel right again. Breck follows me back up to the main room where a breakfast of waffles are being served. I have no memory of how I recognize waffles, all I know is that I do. I sit down with my men, feeling at home for the first time in years. There are challenges ahead, but in this moment, I can relax and rejoice in being found over a table full of waffles and the company of my men.

  19

  I crack my neck, preparing for another attack by Breck. He has his blond hair pulled back into a man bun, and like usual, he is shirtless and in board shorts. I smell of coconut because the men made me lather on something to protect me from the harsh sun. Although, I am not sure it is something someone like me really needs to worry about.

  “Bring it, beach boy!” I tease.

  Breck rushes me then fakes the directio
n to try and throw me off balance. My reflexes are a bit rusty, but after two days of training and regular feedings, I am making a swift come back. I show proof of that when I catch Breck and quickly bring him to the ground where we are left grappling each other on the polished wooden deck. I manage to get my legs around him and his arm pulled back into what Laki told me is called an ‘arm bar’.

  “Mercy!” Breck yells at me, and I laugh. Life is good aboard the fancy yacht.

  I release his arm, and Breck immediately rolls over, crawling onto me. My heart races as memories of my one and only night with my men flashes through my head. I lay on the deck with his strong arms on either side of me. I close my eyes, unable to look upon his face, as I am crimson from my own want.

  “Is this okay?” he asks, giving me the chance to say no, but I don’t. I nod yes, barely opening my eyes to look upon the perfect beach specimen and his blue eyes.

  He dips down, claiming my lips. My body hums with a need I haven’t felt in years. I moan, and when my teeth come out to play, they nip Breck’s lip. He pulls back in surprise as a drop of blood rolls down his chin.

  For a brief second, I’m terrified it turned him off, but when I look upon his face, all I see is a need equal to my own. Breck’s eyes darken, and he lowers his face to mine. My tongue starts at his chin, licking the blood all the way up to his lip where I suck on it voraciously getting every bit of life force the small cut is willing to give.

  Breck groans in pleasure, and his hips drop, grinding against my leg. It lasts for a brief moment before he abruptly stands. His arm extends, helping me to my feet. As soon as I am standing, he sweeps me off of my feet and heads towards the cabin.

  We pass Laki who is relaxing on a chair, “Where are you two going?” Laki asks with an eyebrow raised.

  “Mind your business,” Breck grunts out just before turning into the cabin.

  His possessiveness is a major turn on. I admit Breck is one of the men I know the least, and all I want right now is to experience every inch of him. He twists me around in his arms where his hands are now holding me below my ass, and my legs are wrapped around his waist.