Atlantean's Quest Volume 1 Read online

  He’d made it twenty more feet when a burst of energy struck him from behind, cracking bone and knocking him to the ground. Ares had barely been able to put his hands out to break his fall. He collapsed onto the thick ferns, his face resting against their cool leaves, as he struggled to regain his breath. He could smell the acrid odor of charred flesh and realized it came from his wound. The strike had truly injured him. Ares tried to rise, but couldn’t seem to move. The blow had been aimed to temporarily paralyze him.

  I told you that you would pay for the humiliation you caused me.

  Ares didn’t have to turn to know Coridan spoke. Pain and resentment burned in the younger man’s voice, scalding his words, leaving the gaping wounds for all to hear.

  What is it you want, young one? Why is it you sneak around and attack with no honor? Ares tried to sound calm in Coridan’s mind. He didn’t want to agitate the warrior.

  Honor? You are one to speak. Was it honorable to strike me as you did today? Was it honorable to strike while my attention was elsewhere?

  Have I not taught you like a father guides a son?

  You’ve taught me everything you know and now I’m going to use that knowledge to defeat you. I need no other father, than the one who died those many years ago on Atlantis. And to prove it, I’ve come to show you that you can’t get away with your arrogant behavior without repercussions.

  My ribs are cracked. Ares released a pained breath. What more are you planning to do?

  Coridan moved until he could peer down into Ares’s face. Your woman and I plan to embarrass you, like you humiliated me. When the tribe sees you tied to a stake in the middle of the river, helpless, they’ll realize just how far the mighty have fallen. It will take you centuries to live it down.

  Jac knows about this? Ares couldn’t imagine her doing something like this. Her attacks were more straightforward. She went for the throat.

  Coridan laughed bitterly. Who do you think helped me plan all this? The great and mighty warrior, Ares felled by an inexperienced young one and a woman. Did I mention that she plans to be there to witness the fall? She told me when we first met how you needed to be taken down a peg or two. Well once she sees you trussed like fowl, she’ll be grateful, perhaps grateful enough to spread her thighs for a real warrior.

  Anger surged through Ares. He didn’t want to believe that Jac had a hand in this. The pain in his heart would be too great. She had always warned him that she would pay him back. Had this been what she’d been planning all along? Was that why she’d continually denied their connection? Had he misjudged her? Ares closed his eyes and struggled to rise, but his feet refused to cooperate. Before he could try again, Coridan secured his hands behind his back.

  As you’ve now surmised, I’ve temporarily paralyzed your spinal cord, so I have no need to bind your legs. They will be able to float upon the water to add to your shame. Coridan’s voice hissed like an angry serpent in Ares’s head.

  The young warrior heaved Ares onto his shoulder and slowly made his way through the jungle toward the river, leaving the hut fading in the gray afternoon light.

  You’ve healed yourself, so the contest is over. You’ve lost Jac.

  Coridan laughed. Jac and I care not for the contest, only your downfall.

  Bile rose in Ares’s throat as reality set in. There would be no mating ceremony. He would have no offspring to continue his family line. Only the constant reminder of how the woman he loved had betrayed him. Ares strained against his ties, unable to send an energy burst out with his hands bound, not that he had the strength to do so at the moment. He was too exhausted. Ares marveled that Coridan had managed to raise enough energy to not only heal himself, but incapacitate him also. He’d underestimated the young warrior once again and he was about to pay heavily for his arrogance.

  A half an hour later they arrived at the river. The rains had caused the current to grow swift, deadly. Coridan set Ares upon the muddy ground. The young warrior’s expression grew troubled as he gazed at the water. The color leeched from his cheeks and he swallowed convulsively.

  “What’s the matter––is something wrong?” Ares could see a stake had been set up toward the center of the river, its ragged edge protruding out of the murky, swirling depths. A rope of vines had been strung from one bank to the other, a safety net of sorts for anyone trying to make his way through the current. The trouble was an Atlantean shouldn’t need such a thing. Their swimming skills were legendary. He glanced at Coridan again and frowned. There was no mistaking the fear in his eyes.

  Coridan pointed to the post. That is where you will be in a matter of moments. Bound and humiliated, trussed like some great bird. When all is in place, I will call the tribe here, to witness your fall. They will hail me as a hero. Perhaps even allow me to replace your position of honor amongst our people with my family’s bloodline.

  Ares’s eyes locked onto the warrior’s excited face. The village will not honor one who has shown that he is treacherous and cannot be trusted, even when he is showing the ignorance of his youth. You will become an outcast if you see this through. I suggest you untie me, before you do something that you will truly regret in the end.

  Coridan laughed. Is that fear talking, Ares?

  Truth. The only fear I see is in your eyes. What is it about the water that troubles you so?

  Silence! I will not be swayed by your wicked tongue. For a second, doubt flashed across his face. Just as quickly Coridan’s expression hardened, all emotion pushed to the side. He threw Ares over his shoulder again and walked to the water’s edge. One trembling hand held Ares close, while the other gripped the thick lianas for support. He hesitated for a moment, then took a step into the river. The current swirled violently around his shins. From Ares’s upside down position, he saw debris of various sizes, ranging from twigs to animal carcasses float by. The rain had brought on floods.

  Step after step, Coridan made his way deeper into the raging water. By the time he reached the post in the center, he struggled to hang on. Ares sensed the fear that registered for a moment in Coridan’s mind, but the young warrior quickly pushed it aside. He slid Ares off his shoulder, and then slipped him onto the stake. The bindings on Ares’s hands coupled with the swift current held his back firmly against the wood.

  The water immediately came up to the top of Ares’s chest. He would soon have to lift his head to keep the murky wash from coming into his mouth. His eyes sought Coridan once again. ‘Tis not too late to undo this mistake.

  He glared at him. The only mistake I made was not doing this sooner. You told me that we would return home and I’d find my mate. Every year I asked and you told me soon, but it never happened. You lied. This will be your last lie. He swung around and made his way back to the shore, his knuckles white as he gripped the vine. The liana strained beneath his hand as the muddy force of the river hit his chest, trying to sweep him away. By the time Coridan reached the bank, the color had drained from his face. He then turned one last time to look at Ares. I will bring Jac here first, so she can witness firsthand your defeat, then I will summon the tribe.

  With that he slipped into the jungle, leaving Ares to the fates.

  Ares struggled to pull his hands free. The skies continued to dump bucketfuls of water. Coridan had done a good job of binding him. He’d need his knife to cut the ties, but with his muscles partially paralyzed, he couldn’t retrieve it. He glanced up at the gray clouds, and then at the rising current. The water had already risen a couple of inches. It now reached his collarbone. Within an hour or so it would surpass the stake and he’d drown.

  He’d accept whatever the goddess willed. Ares let out a resolute breath as pieces of debris tore at his skin. Without Jac, maybe it would be for the best to die here.

  There was nothing left for him on this planet or off.

  The rain fell in earnest, the spattering of drops tapped out a steady rhythm on the roof. Jac paced the small confines of the hut, wondering what in the hell Ares was up to. The ground
crunched beneath her hiking boots with each step she took, while her long sheer skirt gentle swooshed from side to side. She glanced around the room as if searching for a clock on the wall. He should have been here by now. Was he still with Ariel? Was that why he hadn’t arrived? The thought sickened her.

  Jac rubbed her hands along her arms, trying to ward off the sudden chill. Her stomach knotted and she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of unease snaking through her. She’d been so concerned over his safety earlier, that she’d practically bitten his head off. Surely he wasn’t avoiding her. It didn’t seem like Ares’s style. He liked a good fight, just like she did.

  Jac pursed her lips and recalled the conversation she’d had with Rachel earlier. If all went well, her friend would be jettisoning, rocketing, or however they planned to travel into space, within a couple of days. Every movie she had ever seen raced through her mind, and when she got to Alien she shuddered. Heaven help them if acid for blood lizard monsters were what waited them in space.

  She ran her hands through her hair and continued to pace. She’d been serious when she’d told Rachel that she planned to leave right after the challenge concluded. So why was she having second thoughts? She wasn’t, damn it. There was no decision to make. She couldn’t just take off into outer space. It was utterly insane. Wasn’t it? Heck, it wasn’t even possible. This wasn’t an episode of Stargate, this was real life.

  She had to get back to New York, her plants—Brigit. Jac didn’t need to be traipsing across the galaxy with some muscle bound sex god. No matter how much he curled her toes. Not going to happen. No can do.

  Jac paced for several minutes more, then decided to head off in search of her green- eyed jackass. If she found him on top of Ariel, then heaven help them both. She walked to the door and pulled the hide aside. Coridan was standing in the doorway, drenched from the rain. She gasped and clutched her heart. “Stop sneaking around. You scared the crap out of me.”

  Water ran down his handsome face in rivulets, plastering his long blond hair to his head. His golden muscles gleamed as the light from the fire pot illuminated his skin. How long had he been standing out there? No one had come to Ares’s hut, since she’d been staying there. She wasn’t even sure if the tribe knew where it was located, but Coridan obviously did. Given their rivalry that struck her as odd.

  “What are you doing here?” Jac frowned and looked behind him for Ares.

  Coridan smiled, flashing brilliant white teeth. “I’ve come to get you.”

  “For what? Surely the challenge isn’t continuing today.”

  “No, no, nothing like that,” he said, impatiently. “I’ve done what we set out to do.” Excitement laced his voice. “Forgive me, I forgot formalities.” Coridan dropped to his knees and gave her a proper Atlantean greeting, kissing each nipple, but this time he didn’t linger.

  Jac forced herself to not move. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Come see.” He grabbed her hand and tugged.

  She pulled away. “I’d better wait here until Ares gets back.”

  The smile left his face for moment and his eyes seemed to dim. Then just as quickly Coridan recovered. “You need to come now. I have something important to show you.”

  “Can’t it wait?” she asked.

  “No!” he said, then added softly, “you’ll want to see this.”

  “Coridan, what’s going on?” Her bad feeling intensified.

  “I can’t tell you.” He shook his head, sending water droplets to the ground. “You’ll have to see for yourself. ‘Tis a surprise.”

  Jac stared at the young warrior. She didn’t want to be missing when Ares returned, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to tell her what was going on. She’d have to go see for herself. Jac slipped out of the hut, allowing Coridan to pull her through the jungle. The rain had cooled the air, yet it still remained oppressively muggy. The dark clouds had shadowed the jungle, making it difficult to see.

  They stepped over felled branches and around trees. The sweet smell of rain laced the air, blending with the various strains of wild orchids growing in the area. Coridan marched on toward the river, dragging her behind, all the while mumbling about comeuppances, rivers, and pegs. Jac had no idea what he was talking about, yet the further they trekked into the forest, the deeper her sense of dread became. Thirty minutes later they reached the banks of a muddy river. She stopped.

  Coridan turned. “We’re here,” he said.

  “Yeah, I can see that we’re at the river. Now what did you want to show me?” Jac glanced around, but didn’t see anything unusual. If Coridan drug her out here to try to have sex, then he was about to be sorely disappointed.

  His blue eyes sparkled. “I’ve done it,” he said. “We’ve done it.”

  Jac shook her head. “Done what?”

  Coridan raised his hand and pointed to the water.

  Jac stared at the raging river, then glanced back to Coridan. “Still don’t know what you mean.”

  “Don’t you see him?” He grinned and pointed again, this time leaving his hand up.

  Jac followed the line of sight, but didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary, other than debris, murky water, and a few stumps that had obviously lodged in the riverbed.

  “I wanted you to be the first to see how the mighty has fallen,” he said.

  She stared in confusion. Had the energy blast competition addled his brain? He wasn’t making any sense. “Coridan, honey, you’re talking in riddles and to be honest with you, I’ve never been very good at them.” She was tired of whatever game he was playing and wasn’t in the mood to continue. Soaked to the bone, Jac lost what little patience she had. “Cut the crap.”

  “He thought he could humiliate me and get away with it, but look at him. Who’s the fool now?” Coridan laughed.

  Jac felt the color drain from her face. Her eyes bulleted onto the water’s churning surface, scanning. She picked out every piece of debris, identifying it, then moving onto the next. She stared at a post floating near the center. The wood appeared black on one side and started to tilt from the force of the current. Her gaze was about to move on when her eye caught a flash of movement. It had been so minor she might have missed it had she blinked. Jac focused on the log. The movement occurred again, like the last sparks of life from a fire before it fades to darkness.

  Fear choked her as the magnitude of the situation became clear. The black was Ares’s hair and the movement she’d caught had been his attempt to catch a breath in the rising water. He was drowning. Jac couldn’t seem to move. Air refused to enter her lungs. In that second, she was back in her parent’s home, staring down at the body of her father. She’d tried to save him, but couldn’t. She stood by helplessly, watching as her father’s once vibrant life slipped away before her eyes.

  The water continued to rise. The current roared with unchecked fury. Jac’s muscles were locked in place, like the fear in her heart. She was going to lose him all over again, but this time it wasn’t her father’s lifeless body staring back at her, it was Ares’s. The only other man she’d ever loved.

  The realization socked her in the solar plexus, almost knocking her to her knees. “What have you done?” Jac heard herself scream.

  Coridan’s shocked expression barely registered. “I did it for us. We did this.” He struggled to speak, trying to make her understand. “We needed to show Ares, he is not as great as he thinks he is.”

  “This wasn’t what I wanted. You’re killing him.” Jac grasped him, her nails sinking into Coridan’s meaty arm. “Help me.”

  His eyes shot from her face to the speck sticking out of the water. “I cannot.”

  “What do you mean you can’t? You have to.”

  He shook his head and pulled away from her. The color leached from his face. “I cannot swim. I took him out there using the vines.”

  Jac scanned the river. She could see what appeared to be vines tied off on tree trunks on the far shore, but they didn’t stretc
h across the water. “Where are they?”

  “Gone. Washed away.” Coridan backed away, then raced off into the jungle.

  Jac took a deep breath, trying to still her rising panic. Her heart slammed against her ribs. She stared at the water, unable to move. Ares head dipped below the surface before coming back up. There wasn’t anything she could do. She would have to watch him die, just like her father. “No!” she screamed and bolted upstream.

  Ares knew the second Jac and Coridan entered the clearing near the riverbank. He’d sensed her before they came into view. Coridan had been leading her by the hand, the warrior’s triumphant smile clearly visible, even from Ares’s precarious position. The water continued to rise rapidly. He only had a few minutes left, then it would take him. His eyes locked on Jac’s slender form, basking in her beauty one final time before leaving this Earth. His heart swelled as he recalled the moments he’d shared with his mate. At least he’d been lucky enough to find her before the goddess took him away. He only wished she’d cared enough to want to remain by his side.

  He watched as Coridan pointed out his position. Jac looked and shrugged, smiling tentatively at the young warrior. Obviously she didn’t care if the water swallowed him up. She’d glanced at the river’s surface once again, then turned her attention back to Coridan. It was all Ares needed to see. He closed his eyes and gasped for breath. Water swirled around his head, tugging at his hair with ever building force, releasing the binding holding it. He pulled at the ties around his wrists, if anything the river had caused them to constrict.

  Ares forced the pain away, letting go of the heartbreak, instead readying himself for the next journey. The onslaught of debris left his skin raw. Soon there would be enough of his blood in the water to bring out the caiman. If the river didn’t get him first, the caiman surely would. His mind centered, he forced away all thought, then he heard Jac scream. It was so pain-filled and mournful that he’d be surprised if the whole village hadn’t heard it.