Turbulent Waves, page 24
“Exactly,” her mother Hadley said.
“Call the guard out and give her some instructions,” Kai said to the control room at the facility.
“Yes, Highness,” the woman said a few minutes later.
“It’s a lot to ask, but I need you to make a bond with her and ask the following questions.” Kai explained what she wanted, and the woman nodded. “Try to make it as fast as possible.”
They all watched as the woman went in and lay down next to Tanice and started talking to her. She held her and kissed her like only a lover would, and Kai wondered if this romanticized version of Pontos ever existed. Tanice seemed to respond, and she started to whisper in the guard’s ear. A mental bond of this kind was hard when there were no feelings for the other person, but she’d had no choice.
“Do you remember how annoying my sibling and parents were?” the guard asked, and Tanice laughed as if sharing an inside joke. “I’ve been here so long I can’t remember everything. Do you?”
Tanice hesitated and Kai held her breath. The more time that went by, the farther away Vivien slipped. This had to work. This idiot had to talk.
“Daria was annoying,” Tanice said as she laid her head on the guard’s shoulder. The name made Kai pay closer attention. “At least we got away from all that. Once we take over, do you promise to bring my family with the first wave?”
“Of course,” the guard said, placing her hand on the back of Tanice’s neck. “Now show me how much you love me.”
There was no more talking, and Vivien’s family glanced around the room, appearing confused as to what was going on. It took another ten minutes for the guard to excuse herself and walk out. The staff hooked a device to the guard’s head that resembled the setup for a brain scan. This device was able to pluck the thoughts Tanice had shared while they were in an intimate embrace and render any images. When they saw what had been retrieved, it didn’t surprise her to see an almost twin to Pontos. So Daria was Pontos’s sister, not his mother. Sol Oberon had only one heir left, it was a daughter, and he’d sent her to finish the job.
“Does this help, Highness?” the guard asked.
“It does, but I need you to continue to ask questions about the Oberon family. Anything that can help us will only better prepare us. Thank you.” She mentally sifted through the information she already had and made a decision. She stood and motioned for her guards. “Get ready to move, and make sure you’re loaded for anything.”
“Where are we going?” her mother Hadley said.
“I’m going to where Vivien and I first spent time together. Frankie was right—the answer lies in our past, but the complete picture lies in both our pasts. Pontos is dead, and his sister is here not only to avenge him but to finish what he started. This has as much to do with Sol as it does with the vipers he raised.”
“Laud, start monitoring Earth for the same frequency Pontos used, and report any trace of it,” her mother Hadley said. “We need a team who’s willing to travel and destroy the ships left on the moon. We’ve been monitoring them to see if anyone returns, but no one has. Once we have Vivien and the others back, we’ll start working on what to do about the pathway here so no one else can follow the Oberons.”
“It can’t be destroyed without some flashback to our world, but I’m sure we’ll think of something,” her mother Galen said. “Don’t forget to call, and take care of Frankie.” There was no question that Hadley was going with her.
“I promise both things.” She kissed Galen before turning to Vivien’s parents. “We won’t come home without her. I have a wedding to attend this weekend, and I’m planning on being there.”
“Don’t forget to bring yourself home too, and good luck,” Cornelia said.
Kai went upstairs and put on her uniform. After the battle with Pontos, it had been upgraded, and this uniform was now standard issue for everyone. She’d had some commissioned for Frankie and Vivien too. She wanted them to swim wherever they wanted but also wanted to keep them safe.
Frankie met her outside the master bedroom in the navy-blue suit, carrying his trident. He looked ready, and she said a small prayer that his fighting would be as good as the fit of the uniform.
“Are you sure about me coming? I don’t want to screw up.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” she said and winked. “You don’t want the entire nation thinking that breeding men out of our realm was a good thing. All you need to do is stick close to my mother and follow her lead. The other thing to remember is aim well, and shoot to kill anyone not with us.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Thanks, that adds no pressure.”
“You’re welcome, and remind me to tell Viv I thought of a baby name.”
“I’ll tell her that right after teasing her about what Mom bought her to wear to the wedding. After everything Marsha did to avoid Mom’s idea of cute, I’d think she’ll vote for Marsha Jr. as a good baby name.”
“Keep dreaming, and let’s get going. I’m sure the two of them are good and pissed by now.”
As they got underway, Kai thought about the fight on her doorstep. She’d been born with a prophecy guiding her to a future with Vivien. Taking a wife from the human world wasn’t something she’d overthought, but her decision to pursue Vivien had put her and their child in harm’s way. The guilt of something happening to her was something she’d never get over, but she tried to put that out of her mind. Her mom Hadley had taught her the importance of going into a fight with the right mindset.
Instead, she thought of the life she’d have with Vivien and how different that would be from how her parents lived. She’d spend more time in the human world than any other queen, and that would hopefully make their child even more empathetic to the link between their race and the humans. Some might not care for that, but the majority of Atlantis would benefit from a better relationship with humans. And as for spending more time topside, if Queen Elizabeth could spend her summers at Balmoral, they could spend their summers in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.
All she had to do was get this done, and the only things to worry about after that would be diapers and early morning feedings.
Chapter Nineteen
The delta at the end of the Mississippi River was a place Vivien thought of as art that was constantly changing and perfecting itself. This canvas was left to run wild, to cut the veins that made up the acres that were used for farming. The river was tamed by levees years before, but here it was left to leave its mark however it wanted. The result was a picturesque design she’d never ignored on her trips offshore. Only nature could create such a stunning embodiment of change and flow. Focusing on it out the window gave her a sense of calm that allowed her to breathe past the panic of not being able to reach Kai through their link, which she’d thought was indestructible.
Marsha was next to her, and Etta was on Marsha’s other side. Both of them had stayed quiet from the time they’d been pushed on board and locked inside the main cabin of a medium-sized boat. It was her job now to make sure whatever came next didn’t involve swimming underwater for any length of time. She and Etta would survive, but Marsha would die quickly and painfully.
“Where are we going?” she asked Bella.
It hadn’t made much sense that the woman who’d orchestrated this whole thing was locked up with them and looked like she’d been mauled. She wasn’t falling for Bella’s submissiveness. Bella hadn’t made eye contact once in the time they’d been traveling. Whoever had put all those bruises on her face had to have been on Daria’s side, because Bella had escaped before Galen caught and tried the traitors. Any bruising from that would’ve faded long before now.
“Do you think they’d mind if I punched her?” Marsha asked. “If she’s the one responsible for all this, she deserves it.”
Vivien smiled at Marsha before turning her attention back to Bella. “You can cut the act, and I hope you’re happy with your choices.” She didn’t raise her voice, and Bella’s head moved slightly from its bowed position, showing she was listening. “You’ve betrayed your entire nation and queen for this? I mean, look at yourself. Was it worth it?”
“I’m sure you’d never understand. Our nature is to conquer and lead. That’s the Oberon heritage, and it’s in my blood.” Bella was soft-spoken and meek sounding, but she was still caught in the fantasy she’d woven for herself. “Someone like you was never meant to rule.”
“You started this before Kai ever met me, so don’t start lying now. Is it that Kai didn’t choose from within the realm, or is it that she didn’t choose you from within the realm?” It made sense now. “Your family put you in a position where you’d be in Kai’s path, and she was supposed to fall for you and continue the Oberon line here. Is that right?”
“Stop before your mouth gets you into more trouble than you’re already in. Daria is here to show true power and strength. It’s something Galen has never done.” Bella finally lifted her head, and her expression was one of true hatred.
“I think your first guess was right on the nose,” Marsha said and laughed. That only deepened Bella’s sneer. “Kai must’ve seen you on a daily basis and found you lacking if she never tried to sleep with you. It didn’t take my friend here that long to get her naked and wild.”
Etta laughed softly at Marsha’s cutting wit.
“Shut up, human.” Bella’s voice finally rose from her fake whisper, and she touched her split lip when it began to bleed. “Daria will wipe the planet of your plague.”
“So biblical, huh, Viv?” Marsha smiled and shook her head. “Where’s your mother? Did the great Daria find her more appealing? That would make it two women in a row to reject you, if that’s what she did to you,” Marsha said, pointing to her face.
She squeezed Marsha’s hand, knowing her well enough to realize where the teasing would go if given free rein. “You do remember what happened to Pontos, right?”
“Pontos was only the first wave. Daria has come with greater numbers, and when added to the voices of my sisters who think like me, Kai will be forgotten before her body is cold.” Bella laughed, sounding deranged.
“You speak for Daria, do you?” She smiled and waited. “Marsha’s right. Your face tells me otherwise, and the fact that your mother isn’t here makes my friend even more right. Daria used you like she’s going to use a lot of people—to get what she wants. It’s you who’s going to be forgotten, but not by everyone.”
“You’re damned right.” Bella leaned forward, and Vivien expected her to try to hit her. “I’ll be a hero to my people.”
“I doubt that. You talk about Daria like she’s a goddess, but in reality all she’s done for you is kill your mother and beat you like an animal. That you’d think she’s going to treat our sisters any differently is laughable. Every slave Daria makes of your sisters will guarantee they’ll never forget you and what you’ve done. They’ll curse you to the goddess for the rest of the miserable lives your new leader has in store for them.” She finished as Daria came in and sat next to Bella and took her hand. The way Bella flinched made her think Bella wasn’t long for this world, and that her verbal pledge of loyalty wasn’t totally heartfelt.
“What’s gotten into you?” Daria grabbed Bella’s hand, and Bella grimaced as if Daria was squeezing too hard. “You’ve finally found your voice and think you can speak for me?”
“I was telling them about how you’re here to win the entire planet. Kai will die, as will Galen’s reign.” Bella tried to keep up her loud voice, but it had died away before she was done.
“Where’s Wilma, her mother?” Vivien pointed at Bella and made sure that her voice wasn’t hard to hear. “I’d like to tell her to fuck off too.”
“Wilma’s dead,” Daria said with an evil smile. “Lying is always repaid by death.”
“Even after she got you here? And I thought your brother was an asshole.” She was in no way someone who loved confrontation, but this was the exception to the rule. “He died begging for his life. Is being a coward part of your family line?”
“Do you honestly think you can goad me into a fight and survive?” Daria let Bella go and gave Vivien her full attention. “I can name every king in my family line, and why they came into power. It had to start somewhere. The answer lies with Nessa, and I understand she’s worshipped here.”
“We all interpret history differently, but only one side can be right.”
“The truth is the little bitch left her father to die at the hands of our people. Poseidon’s name died out just as soon as she gave it away to some commoner, and the people followed her anyway.” The way Daria lunged forward and grabbed her by the chin made her blink, but she’d be damned if she was going to flinch like Bella had. “Now that weak bloodline has come full circle and chosen a human. Galen doesn’t deserve this planet.”
“Then throw me and Marsha over the side and use our loss to tear down Kai when you face her.” She jerked out of Daria’s grasp and straightened her back. “You probably won’t go with that choice, though.”
“Why do you think so?” Daria went to grab her again.
Vivien grabbed her hand in a death grip, keeping her from touching her. “Pontos bragged about what a great warrior he was before he faced Kai. Once they started, he had to be backed up by all the people he’d brought with him. Sounds like you brought enough to prop you up when the time comes, just like he did.” She shoved Daria’s hand away but kept hold of Marsha’s hand to keep her face neutral. She wasn’t going to show fear. “I think it’s easy to see through your plan. You’re going to hide behind me, hoping Kai loves me enough to surrender before you have to fight her.”
“It’s funny that you’re keeping this up. You’re crazy if you think you’ll get inside my head.” Daria sat back down and slapped Bella when she stared at her.
“Maybe all I am is a human, but I can see right through you.” She had to hope that Daria had no way to know she’d been made an Atlantean in their joining. “Wilma’s dead, and I’m sure the battle it took to end her life must’ve been something the historians will write about when it comes to your glory.” She laughed, and Daria’s face twisted into something ugly. “If she resembled Bella, she must’ve been a worthy opponent. It’s clear now that the Oberons know how to rule by beating great enemies.” She laughed again and didn’t look away from Daria even if her brain was screaming this was suicide. Sometimes you had to fight through your fear, though, and show strength in order to gain even a miniscule edge that might provide a gap to escape.
“Do you think dying at my hand now will make you a martyr the people will rally around?” Daria was starting to get angry, but instead of moving she hung on to Bella by her hair.
She could tell Bella wanted to pull away to stop the pain, but trying what Vivien had and grabbing Daria’s hand wouldn’t end as well for her. “I think the idea of coming here, taking over a whole planet, and killing Kai and her family sounded like what we call a cakewalk. You thought that because of the information you’d been given, but you’re about to find that neither Kai nor her mother is going to let go of the crown that easily. And even if you can make it through them, you don’t have enough people to defeat every military force on this planet.”
“The humans have no forces,” Daria said, screaming now. “Stop trying to talk me into killing you. Believe me, it won’t be that hard.”
Vivien laughed incredulously. “Who told you that? The human race isn’t as backward and helpless as you think. There are huge military forces all over the planet. If Bella didn’t tell you that after you put all those bruises on her, then she’s tougher than she looks.” She laughed and pointed at Daria. “You’ve touched me, and doing that in front of Kai will be the only permission she’ll need to rip your head off.”
“Which is it then? Will she kill me for touching you or for killing you?”
She waited to answer as she tried to connect with Kai, needing the strength to finish this without ending up with a trident in her chest. “You figure it out. You’ll never be the warrior Kai is, and Pontos said as much. He told me he had a sister, and he was glad I didn’t remind him of her. You were a joke to him and your father.”
“Shut up.”
“Why? I’m not Bella, and I have every right to tell you the truth. You’re stuck here, and you’re going to have to fight, but you’re never going to win. At least you’ll die like your brother. That would be swiftly and easily.” She felt her shell warm, and she glanced at Marsha and Etta and got a slight nod from each of them. Hopefully, that meant they’d felt the same thing.
“You want to drown? Is that it?” Daria stood and grabbed her with both hands, and she moved Marsha’s hand to the waistband of her shorts.
No matter what, she didn’t want Marsha to let go. The river’s current was brutal and a known killer. She’d be able to swim through it, most likely, but Marsha would have no chance. “On the contrary, I want to live to see Kai kill you and everyone with you, starting with her.” She pointed to Bella and was surprised that she totally meant it.
They were out of the delta and into the very beginning of the Gulf. From here it would be an easier swim when it came to keeping Marsha’s head above water, if it came to that. She was about to keep up her taunting when something hit the boat, throwing Daria and her people to one side. Daria swore and shoved away from them, heading to the front of the boat to see what was going on. Bella was bleeding from a cut on her head and looked dazed.
The ship had been hit in such a way that it pitched to one side but wasn’t punctured. Once it was on its side, though, they started taking on water. Whatever it was hit them again, which meant this was deliberate, and by bracing themselves they stayed in their seats. She took one last look out the window and saw that the boats around them were piles of smoking wreckage. The water was starting to rise and Marsha’s panic with it.
