Atlantium Trilogy I: Bride of Atlantis (6 page)

And so we built a great dome to
protect our cities and sank our civilization beneath the sea, out
of reach of those who would have destroyed it and destroyed our way
of life.

But we had not counted on the effects
of isolation--or the effect of living in what to all intents and
purposes was no more than a cave. We had to create the illusion of
living in the world we had left. Otherwise it was simply
unbearable.”

Alexis was certainly no expert in the
field of history, especially not ancient history, but she could
understand the reasons for taking such a drastic step. Hadn’t China
done much the same—cut itself off from the less civilized world?
But China had rejoined the world, eventually—and found they’d been
left behind by the barbarians they’d held in contempt.

“
That was really a long,
long time ago. I can see why it might have been a good idea way
back when, but why did you never rejoin the rest of the human race?
We’ve changed a good bit, become more civilized.”

Aurora looked amused. “And we would
now ‘fit in’?”

Alexis was obliged to admit that, at
least as they were, they couldn’t. “If you adapted to this, you
could adapt to anything.”

“
But we would still be
‘freaks’, different—we would not be left in peace. The governments
of today would fight over our technology, the scientists would want
to probe and study us. We are not entirely cut off. We are very
aware of the outside world.”

“
So you can’t, ever, allow
an outsider … or outworlder, to come here and then leave
again?”

“
Not with knowledge of
us.”

“
It’s not like anyone would
believe me, even if I was crazy enough to babble about
it.”

“
Some might. Many still seek
Atlantis.”

Alexis stared at her a long moment.
“I’m not about to let anyone tamper with my memories. Eric
confessed to me that he’d killed my father. He thinks he’s killed
me. I have to go back. I have to see that my father’s murderer is
brought to justice. If you erase my memories, I not only wouldn’t
be able to, I would be defenseless. I could walk right into an
ambush and he’d just finish what he’s already tried to do
once.”

“
You would have all
memories, save the memories of being rescued by Adonis, and the
memories of us.”

Alexis said nothing. She didn’t
believe for one moment, no matter how marvelous their technology,
that they could so selectively erase certain memories and leave
others. “So … I can stay, or I can go and remember
nothing.”

Chapter Four

Alexis thought it highly unlikely that
she would be believed if she simply said she’d decided to stay
after all. Had their roles been reversed, she would be doubtful,
and she was rather inclined to be gullible—to wit: her succumbing
to the wiles of a con man—and Aurora seemed a little too savvy
about the world to be the gullible sort.

She simply said, therefore, that she
would like time to decide.

To her relief, Aurora accepted that.
She pointed out, however, that it was a little more complicated
than a decision to stay or to go. Even if Alexis decided to stay,
she would not automatically be accepted as a member of the
community. In order to be accepted, she must pass certain
tests.

Alexis didn’t like the sound of that.
She immediately envisioned those sorts of archaic tests that
involved torture of some kind. Aurora had laughed then and
explained that they were more of a medical nature and relatively
painless.

Alexis didn’t believe her.

“
Trust is difficult for one
from your world, I know. But, in time, you will come to understand
that we do not lie.”

“
I don’t want to be rude,
but you did say you were part of the human race?”

Aurora chuckled. “We are telepaths,”
she said gently.

She had a point. On the other hand, it
was still human nature to lie, for the sake of self-preservation if
nothing else, and there was always a way if one wanted to do
something.

She was released to the care of
another Atlantean, a woman named Helen. Helen’s expression when
Aurora introduced them was impassive, but, since Alexis recognized
the woman almost immediately as the one she’d clobbered in her
escape attempt, she seriously doubted Helen would become a
friend.

For her part, she was carefully polite
as they left Aurora’s chamber, not because she was fearful of these
people, but she saw no point in giving her intentions away by being
openly antagonistic.

Closing Aurora’s door gently behind
them, Helen turned to Alexis and smiled contemptuously. “You
outworlders are a rather primitive and uncouth species. I have no
idea why Aurora and Adonis consider you special. You have only to
think a thought and it is there for anyone to perceive.”

Alexis’ lips tightened. A string of
profanity came to mind. She made no attempt to stop it, or the
threat of physical violence that accompanied it.

“
As I said, rather
savage.”

“
Oh yeah? Well, I kicked
your ass.” Even Alexis was aware that the comment lacked logic as
an argument in her defense, but she decided she didn’t care. The
woman made her itch for an outlet for her frustration.

“
You caught me off guard,
savage.”

Alexis plunked her hands on her hips.
She had not liked the woman to start with and she was already very
tired of being bossed around and treated to superior Atlantean
attitudes. It might never have occurred to her under ordinary
circumstances even to consider offering physical violence, but at
the moment she felt a strong inclination toward giving in to that
particular form of release. “So--on guard then. I’ll do it
again.”

Helen sniffed contemptuously. “I have
no desire to lower myself to your level.” She turned, began walking
along the corridor they had found themselves in upon leaving
Aurora’s apartment.

Alexis supposed, with little interest,
that this must be something like an apartment building, for doors
lined either side of the long hallway.

She was much more interested in the
fight Helen had started anyway, just by being her nasty self, and
being snubbed in no way lightened Alexis’ mood or readjusted her
attitude. She fell into step beside Helen. “No desire to get your
ass kicked again, you mean,” she muttered provokingly.

Helen stopped abruptly, faced her.
“Violence is not allowed here. Thor would come instantly if I even
attempted to take you up on your challenge.”

Alexis shrugged. “That’s as good an
excuse as any.”

Helen turned away once more, walking
quickly. She was a good bit taller than Alexis and it took an
effort to keep up with her.

“
Thor thinks you are a
savage also. He bade me to keep a careful guard upon
you.”

It was Alexis’ turn to sneer. “Stop!
You’re hurting my feelings.”

Helen’s eyes narrowed. “You are a very
provoking creature.”

“
I don’t feel like being
nice. It’s not like I actually wanted to come here.”

“
Adonis was a fool to bring
you.”

“
He was trying to be
helpful.”

“
He lusted for you, savage.
That is all. If he had not, then you would be drifting with the
fishes now.”

Despite her best efforts, Alexis could
not prevent a surge of fear at the memory.

Helen chuckled maliciously.

“
Dad always used to say
‘pretty is as pretty does’. I’m sure some people think you’re
pretty, but you’re such a bitch, somehow I just don’t see
it.”

Helen preened. “Thor thinks I am
beautiful. I am his first wife.”

Alexis was startled. “First? How many
does he have?”

“
You do not understand our
ways. I am his first wife. It does not matter how many he takes. I
will always be first wife.”

“
Lucky you,” Alexis said
dryly. “I’m not ‘in’ to sharing, myself.”

Helen laughed. “I will never share
him. It is I whom he loves. He may take other wives, or concubines,
but I am the only woman he has ever loved.”

“
Good for you,” Alexis
snapped, refusing to analyze why Helen’s comments bothered
her.

“
He is the most powerful
among us, our greatest warrior. That is why he is
Guardian.”

Alexis might have been impressed if
she hadn’t been so irritated. “What is this guardian thing
everybody keeps spouting? I don’t get it.”

“
Thor is the peace keeper,
defender of the laws, protector of the people.”

“
Don’t get me wrong—I’m sure
that’s really impressive—but all things considered I can’t image
that ‘the people’ really need a lot of protecting. It isn’t like
anybody knows you’re here.”

Helen shrugged. “It is true that he
has not been called upon for many years to protect Atalantium, but
it is a comfort to know we have him to defend us should the need
arise.”

“
I’d think you’d need an
army of Thors if Atlantis ever came under serious
attack.”

“
That’s because you do not
know what he is capable of. Even your most powerful weapons would
be useless against him.”

This really was stretching things.
Alexis decided to ignore it. Obviously the woman was demented …
certainly obsessed with the man.

She supposed she could see it, to a
certain extent anyway. He was gorgeous. Too bad he was such an
ass.

“
He does not think very
highly of you either. He said he could not understand why Adonis
was so smitten with you, for you are nothing above the ordinary …
quite plain, actually.”

“
Guess I’ll be crying into
my pillow over that.” Despite her flippant response, that stung,
but Alexis wasn’t about to show it.

Helen smiled, allowing Alexis to know
that she’d wasted her time trying to guard her feelings.

Alexis resisted, just barely, the urge
to slap the smile off the woman’s face.

They had come at last to the end of
the corridor. Ignoring Alexis’ indignant glare, Helen opened the
door, gesturing for Alexis to precede her.

The bright sunlight after the dimness
of the building was almost blinding, but it was warm and inviting.
A pleasant breeze brushed Alexis’ cheeks, making her think of
springtime.

It took Alexis several moments to
realize that none of the sensations she’d just interpreted as a
bright spring day were real.

Feeling almost disoriented at the
realization, Alexis stepped cautiously outside and found herself in
a garden. Stone walkways extended in every direction in a geometric
design. Between the walkways exotic flowers created a riot of
color, perfuming the air with their combined scents.

It reminded Alexis of the garden at
her father’s home, the one designed long years ago by the mother
she could barely remember.

It made her homesick as nothing else
could have.

“
You are to stay at the home
of Adonis for now, until the council has decided your
fate.”

Alexis definitely didn’t like the
sound of that last comment, but she wasn’t about to allow Helen to
see her concern. Instead, she focused upon Adonis. “And Adonis?
Where will he be staying?”

“
Adonis has been banished.
It is his punishment for bringing you here. He will not be allowed
to return for a full cycle of the Earth.”

“
A full cycle?”

“
One year.”

“
A year!” Alexis exclaimed,
dismayed that he was being punished so severely only because he’d
been kind enough to help her. “That hardly seems fair.”

“
He broke the first law. He
is fortunate it is only a year.”

* * * *

Alexis was a little surprised when
Helen dismissed her and turned to go back inside. “You’re not
taking me there?”

Helen turned to look at her with a
mixture of contempt and surprise. “Can you not find your
way?”

Alexis flushed. “I was merely asking
if I was free to come and go as I please.”

“
You cannot escape. I see no
reason why I should have to trail along with you. I was not told to
do so.”

“
Bitch,” Alexis muttered,
whirling on her heel and stalking toward the door she could see on
the opposite side of the garden. She nearly creamed Thor with the
garden door when she flung it open.

They both halted abruptly, staring at
each other in surprise.

They recovered from their surprise at
the same instant, glaring at each other.

“
I should have known they’d
send a watchdog,” Alexis snapped angrily. “But I don’t know why
they couldn’t send somebody that would be more fun, like a
mortician.”

“
Do you always burst through
doors as if you were pitched out?”

Alexis studied him for a moment.
“Well, now that we’ve established how glad we are to see each
other, bye.”

She looked around, took her bearings
and struck off along a narrow, cobbled street in the direction she
thought Adonis’ home to be. It wasn’t as if she could possibly
become hopelessly lost. The city had been laid out much like the
spokes of a wheel. The coliseum and governmental buildings were
clustered in the ‘hub’. Streets formed ‘spokes’ running away from
the center, each lined with what appeared to be shops of one kind
or another and other buildings similar to the one she’d just left,
which she thought might be other apartments. Beyond the shops were
single family dwellings, the homes of the Atlanteans. If she
followed the street to the waterfront she was bound to find Adonis’
home without much difficulty.