Chasing Atlantis (15 page)

One question hounded my thoughts as I waited for an opportunity to ask it. As a Christian I just couldn’t imagine how or why this could ever be possible. I’m not sure I ever wanted to know. “Why is the sign of the cross made? Doesn’t that seem a little sacri
legious?” It chilled me to even discuss how someone might be sacrificed for the sake of becoming a dragon.

He smiled wryly. “I suppose it could be just to mock the church. I don’t know if it has any other purpose. I only know that the sign of the cross is made. Whether it is used to inspire fear, or it actually has a purpose may remain debatable for the rest of eternity.”

“How? I just can’t believe that this—that everything you’ve said has been kept secret for so long.” I leaned my head back, closing my eyes, trying to relax the tension I felt in every single one of my muscles.

“Thousands have died to protect the secrets. I don’t know how or why any of this is possible, Amy. I just know it shouldn’t be; none of it should be real. However, I am living proof that all of it is. I’m so sorry.” I felt a cold shiver race down my spine as he stroked my hand in both of his.

I opened my eyes to the usual pink color of the room. I found it ironic that it once made me feel so safe and secure. Now that everything was out in the open I realized just how much of a sham the house is for providing security. If something or someone really wanted to get you, it would take more than walls and bricks to stop them. I felt dizzy and unsteady, even though I was still sitting on the bed. The pull of his mesmerizing eyes was the only thing that kept me grounded. The orbs shone with a new ferocity that having the truth in the open brings. The secrets continually kept building off one another. One secret leads to twenty more. I began to think there was no end to all the things in the world that had been kept hidden from me.

“Why only twenty three hours? Why not go for the extra hour and just make it a full day?” I asked. Now that the world was exposed I began to wonder about every detail, in case it led me to a different secret.

He paused, “No one is really sure why it’s only twenty three hours. There is a strange aura that follows the number twenty three, some wonderful, others completely grotesque. There have even been religions founded that worship the chaos that the number twenty three brings with it. But, I didn’t come here to discuss alternate theories with you.”

He reached into his pocket, pulling a very long silver chain with blue sapphires cut in small circles along the middle of it, one on each side. At the end was a small silver turtle, complete with creamy white pearls embedded in its shell. At the very top of the shell were small hexagonal shaped turquoise stones. I gasped at the necklace’s beauty. The necklace was made by a master jeweler, complete with an exotic flair that had no equal. It was without a doubt the most beautiful creation I had ever seen in my life. Ty placed the necklace in my trembling hands. His eyes became alive with enthusiasm as he watched my reaction.

“It’s gorgeous.” I whispered. I twisted the tiny interlocking chains with my fingertips. Slowly moving down until I felt the smooth circles of the sapphires. The vividness of the jewels drowned out all colors near them. It was impossible not to be in awe of the intricate necklace. It had the grandeur of an earlier century.

“The sapphires remind me of the colors of the outermost rims in your eyes.” I smiled at him. His only answer was to squeeze me up in his iron tight arms, pressing his mouth to my ear.

“Do you really like it? It’s something my brothers and I found while we were scouring the old treasure ships for anything valuable. I kept it until I found someone special enough to deserve it. I want to give you this, and so much more if you’ll let me.” I felt my jaw drop as he told me his personal thoughts. He had never been this open with me, ever. He’d been the most important person in my life since I met him. I didn’t feel that I deserved the same treatment.

“Ty, I can’t accept this. It’s too beautiful for me. I’ve never seen anything this magnificent.” The trembling in my hands became more noticeable. I wanted so badly to believe that I deserved it, but I didn’t think I did.

He chuckled loudly. “Don’t be so stubborn, Amy. If you don’t accept it, then I take it to mean you don’t accept my heart either.” I opened my mouth to argue, he was faster. He quickly placed one finger on my lips to silence me. He laughed as impatience surged its way onto my face. “And,” he continued as if I hadn’t interrupted him. “I had this necklace specially infused with iron to protect you always. Ironically, I was waiting because I wanted to tell you what Adam was before he did anything stupid near you. I was too late, and I’ll never forgive myself for being that stupid. Never.”

“You couldn’t have known what he was going to do. You need to stop blaming yourself.” He scoffed loudly. This time it was my turn to pretend I didn’t hear him. “I don’t understand how iron will help me though. You are going to have to explain that one to me.” For a fleeting second quiet despair at having lost something precious filled the wide expanse of his face. He immediately replaced it with a tight smile.

“Sorry, I’m going to have to get better at explaining things aren’t I?” He smiled sheepishly. “The only manmade item that hurts dragons is iron. Before you ask, I don’t have the faintest clue as to why it works. The only example I can give is Superman to kryptonite, if you will. It disables their powers, while making them helpless. I have even heard stories that in a few cases dragons have been known to become burned from it.” A heard edge crept into his tone, like he was imagining burning Adam with iron. I wouldn’t have minded it at this point. I didn’t ever want to see him ever again.

“Are you sure you’re only nineteen? I don’t know many nineteen your old boys that possess the maturity, not to mention the eloquence that you speak with, at that age.” I smiled at him, still not relinquishing the necklace that felt more like a lead weight than iron in my fingers.

“Adam’s not the only one who went to a fancy private school. We went to the same one all our lives. I’ve always been more mature than that idiot. You learn maturity quickly when both your parents are taken from you.” He retorted. Suddenly, I felt very childish around him. I had no idea what it would have been like to grow up without parents. I placed a comforting hand on his shoulders.

The laughter that exploded from his lips startled me at first. He ran his hand through his coal black hair. “Look what we’ve come to! You’re the one who’s had the second near death experience since I’ve met you. And look! You are still trying to comfort me!” he exclaimed breathlessly. “Now missy, I’ve given you plenty of time to think about the decision. The necklace and I come as a package deal. Take us both, or leave us.” He grinned impishly. I became angry at how light he was taking the matter.

“That’s not a fair deal! This necklace is extraordinary! I don’t want you to feel like you have to give it to me.” Insecurity overwhelmed me when I realized how very childish and immature I did sound around him. I hung my head in embarrassment.

He laughed once again. “I never felt like I have to do anything with you. Now, quit being so stubborn and put it on.” Despite his words he took the necklace from me. As soon as it left my fingertips I had a painful longing to touch it again. My fingertips extended forward involuntarily to grab it. My heart felt like it was torn in two; the only way it could be made whole again was to have Ty sitting next to me, the necklace securely wound around my neck.

“Fine,” I snapped, rolling my eyes. “I accept both you and the necklace. Only because the necklace is pretty, don’t get full of yourself.” He laughed once again. In slow movements he carefully opened the necklace, and then lightly placed it around my neck. It was long enough so that the clasp could remain buckled with the small turtle resting just above the middle of my stomach. I couldn’t believe something this beautiful was given to me. I knew that despite the necklace’s beauty it would never compare to the feeling that Ty now belong to me, as I did to him.

We belonged together.

“It’s so pretty. It reminds me of starlight.” I let my fingers lightly feel every minuet detail of the turtle. I’ve always had an odd way of looking at things, so it came as a shock when he agreed with me.

“I think so too.” He answered. “It’s funny, isn’t it? How everyone, both humans and creatures alike, are always chasing starlight. Just close enough to see, though never close enough to touch. That is one trait that we all share whether or not we realize it.”

It was simple. In just that simple act of accepting the necklace I had accepted Ty, and the strange new world that suddenly surrounded me. I had known that I had liked Ty a lot, more than anyone else I ever met, or could ever dream of meeting. I just wasn’t one of those girls who liked to throw the love word around to everyone. There was no mistaking it now. Every book, every movie that I had seen depicting love couldn’t come close to how I felt about Ty. The realization that I loved him, that I could love someone other than my family struck me like a blow to my stomach. I couldn’t breath. I felt a strangled lump form in my dry throat.

“I’ll be right back. I’m just going to get a drink of water.” I needed the water to open up my throat. I went to move off the bed when his hands held me still.

“Are you okay to go down there by yourself?” he asked, the piercing blue eyes cutting through any pretenses I might have used.

“I’ll be fine. I’m just going to get a glass of water. Really, the only hazardous thing that I’ll have to worry about is tripping down the stairs. I know, it terrifies me too. Don’t worry I’ll hold on to the banister.” He scowled at my sarcasm, though he did release me.

“I’m giving you ten minutes, if you aren’t back in here by then I’m going to come down and bring you back myself.” He folded his arms in front of his chest. I started to protest but he tapped his watch saying: “Ah huh. Ten minutes. It already started.” I headed out the door, mumbling about overprotective Mermaids for his benefit.

Even though his worries were just as silly as my own, it was sweet that he cared enough about me to be that worried. My heart felt slightly lighter at that prospect. I turned down the last flight of stairs when I heard Steve’s harsh voice whispering loudly. From the sound of things, he was not happy. I crept down the last couple of stairs, bending low enough so that no one could see me.

All lights were off, casting the house in midnight. It was deathly quiet, with the exception of his voice. Shadows played beneath the modern furniture, I began to jump at every little speck of dust. I guessed that Steve’s voice was coming from the family room. I looked towards it, trying to be as silent as I could, without much luck. The last couple of stairs groaned noisily as I gently placed my weight on each. Steve didn’t seem to hear them. I saw him standing tall and straight, his body language was haughty and abrasive. I felt a strange craving to know what was going on, I had been kept out of the loop on so many other things I thought everything was a plot. I crept closer, trying to stay out of the light as much as possible.

I couldn’t stifle the gasp as I realized with horror that he was talking to a pleading Gaby and that she was on her knees, her hands clasped in front of her in the fashion of a prayer. Her face was streaked with tears, her tall body trembling with the effort of controlling her sobs.

“Please, Mr. Davidson. You can save him, I know you can. Please, I’ve done all that I’ve been asked to do! Pl-l-ease sa-ave him. He deserves to live! He’s a good man! I-I’m begging you! Please!” She bravely fought back the tears that threatened to avalanche down her warm brown skin.

Steve answered in the detached tone of someone fixing a flat tire. “Gabriela, be serious. I can’t do that, now. You must be patient and hope that he survives until we are ready. You understand that don’t you? You still have one very important job left to do for us.” His milky white skin softly glowed in the darkness that enveloped them. I took one more step forward, trying to hear as Gaby whispered more words to Steve. My stupid shoe caught the wooden floor the wrong way, making a loud scuffing sound. Steve whirled around to face me, his dark eyes burning with rage at being eavesdropped on.

“Can I help you with something, Amy Jane?” he snarled, eyes ablaze with fury.

“No.” I stammered. “I just came downstairs to get a drink of water.” I braced myself for the fury that was likely to ensue, instead he turned silent. His venomous eyes reflected tiny specks of red in the dank shadows of the kitchen. Gaby turned her round face away from me, trying to brush off the tears with her hands. I moved towards her, but she backed away to stand by Steve. I wanted to scream at Steve for doing that to her. He watched me intently while I took a cup from the cabinets and proceeded to fill it with water. I shut the faucet off when it was full. I turned back to the cabinets to shut the door when I heard the water dripping steadily from the faucet once again.

“I could swear I turned that off,” I thought. When I lifted my head back up there wasn’t a trace of either Steve or Gaby. I wrenched my head left and right scanning for them.

Nothing.

There was no evidence that the fight even occurred. I almost ran out of the kitchen I was so shaken. I hadn’t even heard them move: it wasn’t natural.

I flew up the sta
irs into my room, just in time to see Ty’s outstretched hand reaching for the knob of the door. He held up his wrist, pointing towards his watch, a look of absolute distress weighing down his pleasant features.

“You had two seconds left before I came down to get you. What in the world could have taken ten minutes to get a cup of water?” He took the cup of water from me and gently set it down on the table near my bed. Tugging me forward he gently looped his hands through mine, placing one hand under my chin so that I was forced to stare into the glittering spheres.

“Er-well.” My mind drew a blank. Staring into his eyes was like having every thought erased, leaving only awe in their place. My stomach got that painfully joyful tingling that I was beginning to get used to every time I saw Ty. I explained the encounter with Steve and Gaby in the kitchen. His only response was to nod gravely a few times before he turned away from me.

“Do you think I should tell Mom about it? I mean, if something is going on, don’t you think she should be the first to know? I just don’t understand why Gaby thinks Steve can save Juan, when all the other doctors couldn’t. It doesn’t make any sense. Nothing makes sense anymore.” The last part was almost inaudible even to me, though Ty seemed to catch every word of it.

He thought for a moment before taking two of his fingers and lightly running them slowly up and down my forearm. I stood abruptly straighter, my heart fluttered so noisily I was sure I must have woken up the whole city. I never thought just the touch of someone could do that to me. My body felt dead until I met Ty, I had never felt more awake or alive than when I was with him. Without him my body felt cold, the tangible shivers of loneliness poking their way into my mind. He swallowed noisily, indicating that he was ready to talk about my questions.