With that pronouncement, her friend whipped out her cell phone and started pushing numbers before Cindy managed to grab the phone and hang up.
“Hang on…wait…just hang on! I need to think a minute”, Cindy pleaded. “Surely we’re overreacting. I mean he can’t honestly mean to harm us.”
She met Marley’s pointed stare.
Just then, the sounds of someone pounding down the stairs left little doubt as to who was coming. They ran to jump back in the elevator again.
***
Ronan swung from the doorway of the staircase in time to catch a glimpse of the retreating women.
“Wait!” he called, “I only want to…”
The doors pulled shut before he could get the words out. This was insanity! He hadn’t been led on such a merry chase in…well never, and certainly not by such a slip of an aggravating female. He’d found the wench intriguing back at the tavern on the beach, was enchanted by her mystery, but now he was so irritated that he didn’t know if he’d be able to keep himself from wringing her neck once he got his hands on her. He’d never manhandled a woman before, however, and didn’t suffer men who did, he was just anxious to get this whole debacle behind him. Then he’d have a mind to tell the great god of the sea just what he could do with his elixirs and amulets!
He heard voices coming down the hall and dashed back into the stairwell. He had no wish to meet any more modern day humans this night. Climbing back up the stairs, he decided to hide and wait for an opportunity to take the elixir back.
Chapter Six
Colorado – Time Keepers Headquarters
“Evening Simms, how’s everything looking tonight?”
The red head shrugged, adjusting the headset she was wearing. She pushed her chunky designer glasses back into place on her freckled nose before she looked away from the screen to answer.
“Everything’s about the same Commander,” she said, “we’ve noted activity in at least three of the twelve vortexes this week. The strongest has been in Vortex N1 with Vortex S7 coming in a distant second, not to mention that the Diamond is exploding all over right now, especially in the Mediterranean.”
“Right, and we just sent our most high profile case right into the thick of it.”
Shep shook his silver head.
Simms pursed her lips together for a second. Her eyes darted from her superior to the screen then back again.
“You were only following the prophecy Commander,” she said, her voice tinged with concern. “Six is with the subject and a team of locals are on stand-by. She’ll be fine. Eagle Eye says this is the real deal this time. Something’s supposed to happen between the equinox and Samhain, so that’s,” she made a show of looking at her arm like she was wearing a watch, which she wasn’t, “right about now. We had to go through with the plan to be sure.”
Shep grunted and looked over Simms’s shoulder at her monitor. She was right, but their high profile case was more than just a case to him.
“I know, I know, fucking equinox” he said, his voice filled with gravel, “forgive me if I have a hard time believing that this time, we might have it right. It’s selfishness on my part to hope that we aren’t, you understand.”
Simms nodded and gave a thin smile.
“I think we all feel the same Commander.”
“The Keepers have waited for this moment for centuries with nothing happening. It’s hard for me to think that the prophecy is really going to play out in our time. Plus, the whole business with that civilian girl makes me suspicious. It could be that this is just another trap of the others trying to get at Aura.”
Simm’s glanced up at him from behind her glasses. God she was young. They all were. There was so much at stake. It really looked like the prophecy was going to play out this time. They could have an all out war on their hands and his organization was made up of a bunch of kids. All except for him and his brother anyway and Shep was the geezer in charge of everything. That made him responsible for all of them.
All the generations that the Time Keepers had spent waiting for something to happen, to get some mystic sign from above, only to have it turn out wrong. It made him a skeptic. He had his reservations about sending any of his agents out on what could be just another attempt on the sacred treasure the Keepers fought so hard to protect every day. It didn’t help that that treasure was also his daughter.
“What’s that down in the corner of the screen?”
He pointed at a monitor.
“That’s what I’m keeping an eye on,” Simm’s said, “looks like a storm out in the Atlantic is brewing. If it picks up momentum, it’ll be heading straight toward our girl.”
“Christ,” Shep hissed, shaking his head, “any of the news stations down there talking about this yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard.” Simm’s started clicking away on her keyboard. “I think it’s too new for meteorology to detect, which means that this is coming up through our magnetic systems so it could be stemming from inside the vortex itself.”
Shep nodded. Not only did the Keepers monitor storm systems but also astrological happenings. It was a lot. but at least they had their resident geek on it and Simms was very good.
“Good work, agent. Make sure Six knows. We’ll ask Harbinger what he thinks since he’s point man down there. Fucking equinox,” he muttered again. “Are the others here yet?”
Simms looked at a different monitor then nodded.
“Yes sir, they’re waiting in the conference room.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“We may be moving operations to The Mountain soon,” he said.
“I’ll be sure to have everything ready,” Simms assured him.
“You come in through the bar tonight?” He asked her, talking about his place, Shepard’s, the biker bar over their heads. It was the perfect front for their organization.
She nodded.
“I did. The band was killing it tonight boss,” she said with a wink.
He gave her a half smile then turned to exit through a metal door. Underneath, Shepard’s was set up like a bunker, but it was nothing compared to the secret base the Time Keepers kept in the mountains ─ as far as they could get from the ocean’s deadly triangles as possible. The perfect place to keep their princess safe and yet they’d sent her down to a volatile coastline on the word of some makeshift oracle.
Shep cursed under his breath.
Outside the conference room he waited a beat with his hand on the doorknob. He could hear raised voices. Great, they were already arguing. The world was coming unhinged and he had a bunch of bickering youngsters to contend with.
He opened the door and strode into the room. At his entrance, everyone fell quiet.
“Right,” Shep barked out, “now if you’re all done squabbling and cat fighting we can get to work.”
Chapter Seven
Miami
Cindy flopped onto the bed in her hotel room, relieved to have a few moments alone after all the excitement of the night. She’d had a devil of a time convincing Marley that she’d be fine and that “no” they shouldn’t call the police, S.W.A.T., or coast guard for crying out loud. She let out an exhausted breath and relaxed against the scratchy comforter trying to look on the bright side. Tomorrow she’d get to see the sun rise over the ocean, then she was going to the Keys to visit a historic lighthouse.
Never mind the part about the ongoing investigation of her friend’s missing person’s case. Once you took the whole criminal element out of the mix, it kind of sounded like fun and maybe it would yield some good news. Maybe they’d learn that Kay had just been distracted by some really pretty rocks, like the geology nerd she was, and she was hunting around on some beach collecting them at this very moment.
Please let that be the case – Cindy sent up a silent prayer. She didn’t think her nerves could take any more meetings with Marley and Detective Santiago. And no more darting around beach bars, knocking into hot men with lethal blue eyes either.
Speaking of which, she gazed up at the copper charm in her hands. It really was beautiful. She stood up and walked over to the dresser, placing the necklace with her things, then grabbed her phone. There were two texts. One, predictably, was from her Dad. The other was from Leslie, she opened it right away.
“Levi Geuse. I think that’s a German name, soft ‘G’ ☺,” it read.
Cindy laughed.
“German. Right. Good one Les.”
Setting her phone down, she looked back at the necklace again, unable to keep her mind off of the thing…or its owner. It really looked like it opened. She wondered if there was anything inside. Maybe she could pry it open...
At that moment, a knock sounded on the door and she jumped sky high. Fierce eyes and a savage pair of lips popped up in her mind, her stomach did a little flip. Of fear, she told herself, and nothing else. Who in their right mind wouldn’t be afraid of a barbarian coming after them? Oh God, what if he really was a hardened criminal, just like Marley had said. Or a psychotic killer and rapist. He was probably outside her door right now, waiting to drag her…
“Cindy, are you in there?” Marley’s voice called through the door. “Cin, you okay?”
She knocked again, more frantic this time.
“I’m fine,” called Cindy, letting out a relieved breath. She walked over, opened the door and nearly laughed.
Marley’s hair was held on the top of her head in a spiky ponytail. She had on a short, red satin robe and fuzzy pink slippers. All in all, her appearance was quite a bit fluffier than the one Cindy had imagined a moment ago.
“Hey, I just thought you might want some fruit.” Marley held up a basket with apples, oranges, bananas, kiwis and a pineapple all artfully arranged underneath cellophane wrap and a bow. “The hotel’s just trying to romance me for a review so I thought I’d share, since I can’t possibly eat all this by myself.”
“Thanks,” Cindy smiled.
She moved out of the doorway to let Marley in and sat down on the bed as her friend started opening the basket.
“I didn’t know you were working on this trip.”
Marley looked at her wide eyed for one awkward second.
“Oh…yeah, well, as soon as my editor heard I was headed down here she set me up to do a piece for our winter issue. The hotel’s nice enough, even if it is geared mainly toward honeymooners.”
She made a gag face that had Cindy laughing, then tugged on the ribbon holding the fruit arrangement. It all spilled out of the basket and onto the floor. Cindy couldn’t contain a look of horror as she started to get up to help with the mess.
“Hang on miss neat freak,” Marley said, holding up a hand as she bent down to grab the runaway produce, “I’ll get it. Don’t you worry your pretty little over-organized head.”
Cindy laughed then shrugged her shoulders.
“I’m not that bad.”
“Mmmm,” Marley murmured, “I’ll bet you leave the do not disturb sign on the doorknob all day tomorrow to keep housekeeping from rearranging your stuff.”
Cindy threw her an annoyed look. That was exactly what she’d planned to do. Marley just snickered.
“So, about tomorrow,” she said finally, “maybe it isn’t such a good idea to split up.”
“Quit mother-henning me Mar. I’ll be fine.”
“Even after tonight? What if Craz-o shows up again?”
“I’ll leave the necklace with the hotel’s lost and found, or better yet, the police. If he comes looking for it I’ll just tell him where to find it. Besides, I’ll be perfectly safe in the middle of broad daylight with people around.”
“Alright,” Marley relented, “if you’re sure you’re not too creeped out.”
Cindy rolled her eyes.
“Honestly, I’m a big girl. Between you and my dad you’d think I was incapable of taking care of myself.”
“Okay,” Marley said, “I get it. But just make sure you have your phone. I’ll check in with Kay Kay’s friend and probably talk with the detective again. Then we’ll meet for dinner and go over everything. Make sure to ask everyone at that lighthouse if they know or saw anything that could be helpful.”
Cindy nodded her head in agreement.
“Okay Mar, sounds like a plan.”
It was actually a little scary just how good Marley was at all of this. The whole time they’d been trying to dig up information on Kay, she’d remained calm and precise in a way that Cindy marveled at. Even now, she was laying out their new plan of attack like she was organizing some kind of military operation. Cindy shook her head in fascination.
“What?” Marley asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’ve just never seen this side of you before. I think you missed your calling. You should be heading up the CIA or something.”
“Pshh,” Marley blew out in response, “I just want to make sure we leave no stone unturned. I know the PD here isn’t giving Kay’s case its due. I mean, did you see the arrogance of that detective today. Uhhh! I could just wrap my hands around his conceited neck…”
She mimed strangling the man.
“This is the only real worry I have about splitting up tomorrow,” Cindy interrupted. “Seriously Marley, don’t get arrested. I’d rather meet up with you for dinner tomorrow night than have to bail you out of jail.
“Sounds good to me, I can’t wait to have sea food from somewhere that actually has a sea,” Marley joked, then gathered up some of the fruit and headed for the door. “I’ll leave you to group your produce into formation” she taunted, on her way out.
“Night,” Cindy called out on a yawn as she shut her door. Rest was what she needed. Then she could face the morning head on.
Chapter Eight
On the pavement in front of the hotel, Ronan kept to the shadows. Initially, his plan had been to wait outside the woman’s room and confront her when she ventured out. But the mousy one with the sharp knees had come out of her door wielding a pineapple. He was sure she wouldn’t hesitate to fling the thing at his head or whatever else her probably lethal aim would attempt if she caught sight of him. So he’d slunk back around the corner, heading for the exit to come up with a different strategy.
In retrospect, he couldn’t blame the women for getting spooked. He supposed he had appeared rather frightening to them, covered in demon slime as he was. But time was of the essence and he was swiftly running out of it. He scanned the streets. The Olympian still hadn’t turned up and if he didn’t get the elixir back before sunrise, when Thema’s curse took full effect, he wouldn’t be able to make the exchange. It seemed that all the forces of the universe were conspiring against him. Out of frustration, he started to walk down the strip towards the sea.
The blonde had no idea how much trouble she was causing. It made no difference that she’d sent a shock wave through him when he’d touched her earlier. He had no business lusting after her anyway. He was from a different time and place and bore the curse of a merciless sea goddess. In addition to all that, he was on a mission for Poseidon and though they’d never met face to face, the god’s temper was legendary.
A thought occurred to him just then. He very much doubted that the sea god cared if the vile found its way to the ones who sought it. His only concern was with getting his hands on the amulet.
A plan started to take shape in Ronan’s mind. If he could find the Olympian, he’d wrest the amulet from him and use it as a bargaining tool to get Thema to give him more time to get the elixir. That way, he could keep the woman safe and appease the gods.
As he walked, he saw the sights of a world that had been much changed from the time he’d last left it. It amazed him how the culture had evolved – the people, the markets, transportation and clothing. He had to say, he had a deep appreciation for the way the women of this era were dressed, though the people of his own time would have been scandalized by the skimpy skirts and revealing tops.
A laughing group of females caught his eye as they w
alked past and, to a one, their jaws dropped when they saw him. They obviously had no qualms about ogling him in public, their hot stares raking him up and down. One of the women let out a low whistle in his direction. Ronan nodded at them and smiled. That was the kind of response he was used to getting from women. Before tonight, he couldn’t say he remembered ever being attacked by a member of the fairer sex or having one run from his approach screaming, for that matter.
He made his way across the strip, searching the whole time for anyone that seemed out of place. He was sure he’d be able to spot the Olympian if he was there.
Others had a look about them that was entirely, well, otherworldly. Try as they may to disguise themselves when walking among humans, Ronan had always been able to recognize them for what they were. Even on the island he was able to detect the spirits and monsters that hid, waiting to attack for no other reason than that it was their very nature. It didn’t matter if the creatures tried to cloak themselves. He always knew what they were. This talent had impressed Poseidon when Thema had told him about it and probably explained why the god had decided to let Ronan and his men remain on the island for as long as he had.
Making his way to the beach, he found a quiet spot and looked out at the ocean, breathing in the moist sea air he listened to the cadence of the night tide rushing over the sand. He always felt most at home by the water and it was good to be standing on an earthly shore again.
He must have stood there for a good long while before he felt the intrusion on his privacy. The fine hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he knew without looking that the one he’d been searching for had found him. His muscles flexed involuntarily and he tensed, readying himself for a battle. It was the reaction he always had when faced with those from the immortal world.
Moontide (Tides of Atlantis Book 1) Page 5
