Evan tried to mimic the man’s attitude and nodded enthusiastically, “We are excited to be here. We didn’t think we had a chance of getting any closer either. We were just happy to be in the vicinity of the … risen Savior.”
The man sat back and tipped his cap up. “I would be honored to give my life for him. I pray he can persuade the world powers to disarm. But if he cannot, I have cleansed my soul and I am ready to meet mi Dios.” He quickly performed the age old ritual of the sign of the cross and ended by kissing the knuckle of his pointer finger.
Evan was tired of the charade but adamantly sat forward and eyed the other man, “We are prepared to do the same.” Letting out a loud sigh, he leaned back against the post and crossed his arms, “Rest. We’ll be marching enough once we get there.”
Thankfully, the man quit talking and left him in silence. He glanced at Ni-Cio. “I don’t need any more friends …”
Ni-Cio hid a grin. “No, I believe the ones you are with have gotten you into quite enough trouble …”
“Never a dull moment with you … always stirring up trouble any chance you get …”
Ni-Cio covered his mouth feigning a yawn. “No doubt something we learned from you and your father …”
Evan let his head droop down to his chest and sent his thoughts to Kyla. “We’re almost there, my love … are you well?”
Her return was immediate. “I am holding you in my heart … I am well and everyone at the compound sends their prayers and loving thoughts for your quick return …”
“We should not be long … maybe another day or so. Once we have Daria, we will leave as soon as we can …”
“Look to yourself, Evan …”
“I will my love …”
Interrupted from sleep, Kyla sat up in bed and hugged her knees. She was terrified for Evan’s safety and she didn’t know how to occupy her time other than with worry. She had gone down to Atlantis hoping that would help calm her, but for some reason it had produced just the opposite effect. She felt worse than ever, and she had returned to the compound, cutting her visit short.
Needing something to help occupy her mind and her time, she had joined Mer-An in the kitchen. However, she found that she had become irritated by the inexperienced workers so she made her excuses and headed outside.
She found her way to the gardens, then grabbed a shovel and went to work. Thankfully, no one felt like talking so Kyla pushed her muscles and found that the hard work helped a little. After retiring to her cabin, she took a hot shower and was gratified to feel tired. She thought that she had done enough to quiet her thoughts; nevertheless, she fell into a fitful sleep. She jerked awake some time later, her fears once again churning her thoughts like salmon swimming upriver.
Restless, she got out of bed and paced the floor. She and Evan had kept their communication to a minimum, so she was thankful to have heard from him. She briskly rubbed her arms, “It won’t be long now.”
Kyla tried not to dwell on the negative. She refused to touch upon the possibility that Evan might not come home. However, everyone knew that the men were staking their lives on this charade going off without a hitch. Kyla shivered.
Grabbing a woolen sweater and slipping into her tennis shoes, she stepped outside. The night air was chilly and she quickly snuggled into the heavy sweater as she made her way through the vineyard and out to the cliffs. A salty breeze caressed her face and she inhaled deeply. The moon had already started its downward march in its ceaseless game of hide-and-seek with the rising sun.
Kyla fervently hoped that the glowing orb wouldn’t wreak havoc on the small band of rescuers. She never discounted the influence of a full moon, so she accepted the fact that things could fall apart. Poseidon willing, their plans wouldn’t turn to cinders before the onslaught of Travlor’s wrath should they be discovered.
She settled herself onto the grass. It would be long after dawn before she felt sleepy enough to return to the cabin.
Daria ordered another tray. She couldn’t help it. The kitchen probably thought she was nuts, but she had nothing else with which to occupy her time. When the knock sounded, she was at the door faster than she had moved in weeks.
Expecting someone tiredly bearing a food-laden tray, Daria threw the door open and nearly screamed. Travlor stood alone in the corridor. Daria’s throat seized and fear sparked through her like an electric current. Her mouth dried up so that she couldn’t talk and it took all of her reserve willpower to keep from falling to her knees and groveling for mercy.
Daria beckoned Travlor in. Closing the door carefully, she squared her shoulders and turned to face him. She didn’t know what to expect.
He cocked his head to one side and scanned her. Obviously satisfied with what he saw, he crossed to the desk and pulled the chair around. “I have come to thank you for what you did the other day.”
Daria’s stomach turned over and she almost threw up. She swayed uncertainly and leaned against the door. Steadying herself, she coughed, cleared her throat and managed to string enough words together to form a sentence. “I don’t know what to say.”
Travlor drifted closer. “I have been haunted by events of the past my entire life. The fact that you could give me reprieve from that awful wound is more than I ever expected. Your abilities are impressive. I think the daughter you carry will be the best of both worlds. It will be entertaining to watch her grow.”
Daria uprooted her feet from the tile and went to her bed. She lowered her body to the mattress and willed her beating heart to slow. She shook her head. “I certainly never expected you to acknowledge the healing, much less feel any effects from it. It was something I’ve never tried before.”
“Well, don’t let it go to your head. There will not be another time when you will get the chance to override me.”
She bit her lip. “Are you feeling well health-wise?”
He nodded. “I think as well as can be expected considering my advanced years.”
“Do you want another healing?”
“No, I just came to offer an olive branch. Unless North Korea and China back down, the U. S. and Russia are prepared to release their missiles. I don’t know where their madness will take us.”
A crazed urge to laugh gurgled up and out of her chest, so Daria pinched herself in an attempt to strangle the sound. When she regained control, she offered, “It might help if you backed down first.”
Travlor stood and straightened his clothing. “If I wanted your advice, I would have asked for it.”
He strolled to the door and opened it. The woman bearing her tray had waited patiently outside, but it was evident that she wished to be rid of her burden.
“Ah, I see that your appetite grows. Do not follow the ways of so many and overeat. It’s not easy to lose the baby weight.”
Daria shook her head, perplexed. “Why should you care?”
He shrugged. “You are a beautiful woman; one would hope that you stay that way. Well, I’m sure your healer’s metabolism will take care of any excess. Disregard what I just said. Attend your health in any manner you choose.”
Stepping aside to let the woman enter, he closed the door behind him.
Daria’s stomach was still filled with acid and she wasn’t sure she could eat. But when the silver covers were lifted, the enticing aromas ignited her hunger with gusto.
She held the door to let the woman out, then pulled up the chair and dug in. As she ate, she tried to figure out what had happened to Travlor’s ability to block her thoughts. How did we get through? And then, it came to her. The healing! Somehow, I broke through the barrier he created and he doesn’t know!
The truck had been traveling for approximately half an hour and Ni-Cio was becoming more restless by the minute. “We should have been there by now …”
He looked skeptically at Evan and his friend raised a hand, palm down, signaling him to slow
down. Evan turned to the soldier next to him. “Do you know how much longer it will be?”
The man shook his head. “No, I have never been there.”
Evan looked back at Ni-Cio and raised his shoulders. Ni-Cio crossed his arms and glared out the back.
Finally, the gears shifted and the truck began to slow. The men started yawning and stretching and tightening belts that had been loosened during the ride. Some of the men checked their rifles and others looked through their packs to make sure everything was secure.
Evan’s masking made it look as though all of the Atlanteans carried rifles and guns and even machine guns. The men emulated the other soldiers and acted as if they, too, checked their belongings.
The truck eventually pulled to a stop. But before they were allowed out, a cadre of soldiers loaded with rifles, grenades, and Kevlar, and holding tight to the leashes of their working dogs, swept mirrors around and under the truck. Assured that nothing had been hidden in the recesses of the vehicle, they opened the tailgate and ordered the arriving squad to pile out.
A man with captain’s bars on his shoulders shouted orders in Spanish. The men quickly dispersed and formed a line. Ni-Cio, Evan and their men followed suit, double-time.
Standing at attention, they watched the captain walk up and down their line as he surveyed the new recruits. He motioned to one of the men who stepped forward. Leaning toward the soldier, the Columbian captain waved his hand toward the Atlanteans. “Quienes son?”
The man held his hands up and shrugged. The captain signaled for him to retake his place in line. He approached Evan. “Americano?”
Evan nodded. “Si, mi capitan.”
“Habla Espanol?”
Shaking his head, Evan tried to explain, but the Columbian held up his hand. He motioned to someone behind the group and a tall, lean man rushed to the captain’s side. “Necesito su interpretation.”
The lieutenant nodded and waited for the captain to begin. As his superior spoke, he interpreted for the newcomers. “The captain welcomes you to the sacred site of our beloved Messiah. He wishes you well and knows that you will perform your duties without hesitation. He has asked me to stay by your side in order to relay his commands. Do you understand?”
Ni-Cio and his men stood straighter, eyes forward, and Evan spoke for the group. “Muchas gracias mi capitan, we are honored to be here.” He saluted smartly. The captain returned his salute and continued barking orders.
The interpreter did his best. “You are to surround the outer perimeter wall. Shifts will change every three hours. He has asked that I lead you to the back of the complex. Are you prepared to walk?”
Evan nodded and signaled for the others to fall in behind. They gathered in single file. When they were ready, the dusky-skinned interpreter introduced himself. “I am Juan Espinoza. Please follow me.”
Juan took off at a rapid pace, pulled out a machete and started hacking his way through the jungle growth. The complex was huge and the grounds engulfed an enormous amount of land. Thirty minutes passed before Juan showed them their post.
Ni-Cio asked, “Evan, how are we to gain entrance from here?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll send a compulsion to the watchtowers. They’ll believe that we’re still here, so for them, nothing will be different …”
“And what do you propose to do with our interpreter?”
“Bring him with us. We may need him so I’ll compel him as well …”
Ni-Cio’s relief was evident. Evan patted him on the back. Squinting at the guards in the two rear towers, he sent a very strong compulsion. Although there was no break in their stride, Evan had no doubt that they would see nothing amiss. They would believe that Ni-Cio and the others faithfully stood guarding the perimeters.
Evan looked at Juan, whose expression had immediately changed. Blank-faced, the interpreter waited to follow any order issued by Ni-Cio or Evan.
Ni-Cio finally cracked a smile. “What a talent you have!”
Evan grimaced. “Yeah, lucky me. Who knows what other abilities lurk inside me that I’m not aware of.” He jerked his chin toward the path they had just marched. “Aris, it’s time to see if your plan really works.” Aris grinned at Evan as Evan addressed the group, “Let’s move!”
Full to bursting, and with the remains of her meal gone, Daria once again stared out the window, muttering, “If I was the heroine in a romance novel, I would be wringing my hands by now.” To keep from doing just that, she had retrieved a scarf from her closet, which she now clutched tightly in both hands.
She had recently heard from Ni-Cio. They had been taken to the rear of the complex where they were supposed to be guarding the perimeter wall. Evan had compelled the watchtower guards to believe the new recruits still manned their posts; however, Ni-Cio and his men were making their way back towards the entrance. They would come through the front gate. Masked completely, they were no longer visible to the naked eye. Nevertheless, Daria didn’t feel any better.
Her hands ached, and when she looked for the reason as to why they should hurt, she realized that she was squeezing the scarf so hard it looked as though she was trying to strangle it. Prying her fingers loose, the material trickled to the floor in a cascading pool of scarlet. Spreading around her feet, Daria shuddered. “Please don’t let that be an omen.” The scarf resembled spilled blood.
She kicked the fabric away from her feet and resumed her surveillance. Her eyes narrowed and her focus sharpened as she looked for any indication that Ni-Cio had entered the grounds. The gates, while open during the day to admit military personnel, still remained closely guarded. The soldiers never wavered in the inspection or care with which they checked vehicles before admitting people inside.
The sun’s rays had just touched the jungle canopy, and inside the walled complex, shadows were drifting to the ground. Night would come soon.
“Please hurry.” Daria stroked her belly. The baby had pummeled her all day. Daria knew that she was restless too. She tried to sing a song, but her throat was parched and her voice cracked. She crossed to the bedside pitcher and poured a big glass of water. She drank it quickly and then went back to the window. With a sudden gasp, she craned her neck. She wished she had a pair of binoculars.
A lone man approached the entrance. Swarmed by soldiers, he was patted down and searched thoroughly. He exchanged words with two of the guards, but Daria couldn’t detect anybody else near him. Pulling up the desk chair to relieve her aching back, she sat down and studied the man.
Having been checked and cleared, the guards allowed the soldier to enter the grounds and walk up the brick drive. When he arrived at the house, he stopped at the base of the stairs and stood without moving. Was that a distortion or was it her imagination? No! There was something apart from the scenery right behind him! Could it be?
Daria stood, barely breathing, eyes riveted to the Columbian. She braced her body against the back of the chair. There it was again!
Gulping air, she went to the windowsill. With both hands on the glass, she placed her forehead against the pane and stared, unblinking, at the space just behind the man. An unmistakable shimmer moved the air. “They’re here!”
She spun the chair out of her way. At the desk, she pulled the lamp as close to the window as the plug would allow and she clicked the light on and off several times hoping to catch Ni-Cio’s attention. She dared not send a thought for fear Travlor would know.
She returned the lamp to the desk and hurried back to the window. The wait was interminable and she was starting to sweat. She strained her vision for a glimpse of any distortion. It took forever, but the man finally began to ascend the stairs. He looked up and saw her. Startled, she lifted her head from the glass and noticed just the smallest nod of his head. They were inside!
She hurried to the door and placed her ear against it. Closing her eyes, she listened with every cell in her body.
Nothing. She tried to hear any sound that would indicate what was happening or where they were. She held her breath. Was that a rustle of movement outside the door? Were her guards repositioning themselves? She hesitated. If she opened the door would it help or hinder?
Deciding it could divert the guard’s attention, she cracked the door. Her groupies stood in various bored positions. Distracting themselves with games, they tapped their phones or rested lazily against the walls. Just another tedious day.
With a bravado she didn’t feel, she swung the door wide. She boldly stepped into the corridor and signaled one of the men. He hurried to her side with an inquiring gaze but she hadn’t thought that far ahead. She didn’t know what to say. She opened her mouth to ask for more food when a quiet demand from Ni-Cio flowed into her mind.
“Show us the way to your quarters …”
Stammering apologies, she backed into her room and slammed the door in the guard’s incredulous face. Marshalling her racing thoughts, she sent Ni-Cio a picture indicating where she was.
“We are coming …”
Her stomach roiled and she wished with all her heart that she hadn’t eaten anything. Her heart beat like a frightened hummingbird and the blood pulsed through her ears so that she could no longer hear anything. She tried to pace, but her legs suddenly felt like jelly. Her fine muscle coordination departed. She knew if she dared a step now, she would collapse on the tile in a massive, elephantine heap. She ordered her spine to stiffen and commanded her blood to slow. She took one slow deep breath, then exhaled, controlling her breathing.
She took one step and then another until she was back at the door. Putting her ear against the wood, she heard footsteps. Were her guards on the move? She angled away from the door and watched the knob turn. Her heart hammered and the baby spun crazily. Her breathing escalated and she felt lightheaded, dizzy. The door pushed open and Travlor stepped into the room.
Daria fainted.
Currents of Will Page 22
