Atlantis Vortex

by Sheila N. Eskew

  “I will admit, before I came down here I was skeptical. Now, after seeing the Pyramid and the grave,” Judith shook her head. “You are correct. How, I do not know, but they are Hebrew, I will await the official DNA report of course, but that is an Egyptian Pyramid. I may be a Forensic expert but,” she smiled, “I love archaeology, and Egyptian is my favorite.”

  “Well then, you are in the right place.” Jessica told her. “Come back down whenever you want, we could use an extra hand.”

  “I can’t take leave from work or I would. I feel lucky to have gotten the time to see it,” Judith smiled. “I best get back to Tallahassee and get these samples started to confirm what we all know. I’ll put a rush on it for you.”

  “Thanks Judith, we appreciate it,” Jessica told her as they rose to walk her to the waiting helicopter. “Keep in touch; here is my e-mail address.” Jessica handed her a business card and Judith got in as the engine started and she headed home.

  “You headed back to Jupiter tonight?” Bruce asked.

  “Yeah, you want to stay at my parents’?” Jessica invited, Bruce had been staying at a small hotel in town, but she knew he wasn’t comfortable. Tomorrow he had to be in West Palm to have lunch with his friend, the son of the Rabbi and the Rabbi himself.

  “Thanks, that would be nice, I’ll stop at the hotel and get my stuff then join you.” Bruce said in a grateful tone.

  “You can sleep in the guest suite,” Jessica told Bruce.

  Bruce smiled slyly, “I could sleep in your room.”

  Jessica, wise to Bruce’s determined efforts returned his banter, “Where would I sleep?”

  “In your room,” Bruce replied now serious.

  “Oh Bruce, don’t…“Jessica half begged.

  Bruce looked into her eyes for a short time,” Okay Jess, but you cannot blame me for tryin’.”

  Jessica patted him on the back, “Bruce I love you, but it isn’t that kind of love.”

  “I keep hopin’.” he replied.

  “I don’t think there is a man out there for me, not like that,” Jessica told her best friend. “I love archaeology too much.”

  “You’re way too beautiful for me to believe that. You just haven’t met him yet.” Bruce explained. “And when you do, the fireworks will be spectacular.â€� They laughed, changed their clothes and went to get dinner together. Neither suspected their movements were observed by separate parties.

  *

  Xerxes had established Bruce Lance was an associate and close friend, much to his relief. He was a highly intelligent archaeologist, the equal of Jessica who enjoyed many of the things she did, but did not enjoy her bed. They slept in different rooms. That night Xerxes slept much better. At the regular Council meeting the next morning Xerxes reported the normal state of affairs for Atlantis and the presently expected discovery of Jessica and Bruce into the next Chamber of the Pyramid. Since Xerxes had warned his Council of this probability, the only problem was with Marcus who once again demanded the termination of both archaeologists. Xerxes reminded him again it was not his place to make demands.

  “Marcus,” Xerxes shook his head in frustration, “at this point if either of the two should suddenly be murdered or disappear it would cause more questions about the dig.”

  “This is so, Marcus,” the Councilor of the Interior agreed. “Lord Xerxes plan is comprehensive enough to take care of this in a way that the upper-world will attribute it to just another mystery.”

  Marcus drew himself up from his chair and affixed the woman with a cold stare, one she physically shrank from, “You will all see!” he said in a cold, loud voice, and walked from the room.

  “My Lord Xerxes,” the Minister of Internal Security said with humor in his voice, “Isn’t it time Marcus considered retirement?”

  Xerxes smiled slightly, a little amused over Marcus’ theatrics, “I’ll look into it.”

  “I will tell you all,” he paused, and glanced after Marcus, glad he had left, “I have several agents who will step into the dig as security when the Governor alerts their military. I expect that will happen the day of his visit. After that the dig and artifacts will be in Atlantian hands.”

  “My Lord, we all trust you will see to Atlantis’ security,” the Councilor of Agriculture exclaimed. “It is only Marcus who seems to have some type of problem, but then he always has.”

  “Thank you, my friends,” Xerxes said modestly. “Council is over,” Xerxes dismissed them, his usual charisma bolstering their confidence in him.

  “Geb, have my yacht-sub readied, I have business in West Palm for Kallias Enterprises,” Xerxes requested of his aid.

  Geb smiled, “It is ready my lord, I was already aware of your schedule.”

  “Thank you Geb, I will also need my charge cards.”

  “Yes Lord, those are in your upper-world wallet along with your proper I.D. and a comfortable amount of currency. I am aware that you need to do some shopping for your future wife.” Geb told him with a knowing smile.

  Xerxes patted the man on the back, “Thank you Geb, you are invaluable friend,” and he left for the marina.

  *

  “Bruce what time are you having lunch with your friend David and his father, Rabbi ben Levi?” Jessica inquired. She rummaged through the huge bag she used daily and transferred her wallet and cell phone to a smaller purse for shopping.

  “I’m going to David’s house at noon. His mother is preparing lunch for us. They are Kosher so they prefer to eat at home, besides his mother is a wonderful cook.” Bruce would never turn down a good home-cooked meal.

  “Okay, I’ll see you back here sometime late this afternoon. I’m going to do some serious shopping at Gardens Mall. Who knows when I’ll get another chance? We are into hurricane season, and when we get into the next chamber, I’ll not have time. I’ve decided to close up the house, and take a small apartment in Okeechobee, instead of commuting.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I’ve got to fly back to school for a day or two and finish up a couple of things then I’ll be back down, I’ve been waiting until the Governor’s visit and he’ll be down day after tomorrow,” Bruce explained. “I don’t like you driving back and forth as late as you do.”

  “Okay, that sounds like it will work out. I’ll be alone but it shouldn’t be a problem,” Jessica sighed.

  “It won’t bother you?” Bruce came to stand close and started to put an arm around her, but stopped himself.

  “Oh I’ll be just fine, Bruce,” Jessica assured him. “I’m going to call Mom and Dad in Hawaii tonight and tell them what we’ve found now that we are sure.”

  “Okay… Ah, Jessica, I really don’t want to leave you alone down in Okeechobee,” he couldn’t resist the urge any longer to touch her and put his hand on her shoulder. As close as they worked together the last few weeks had been difficult enough, this past night in the same house had been hell.

  “Bruce, I’m twenty-two years old. I’m a reservist Lieutenant in the Navy. I’ve been on digs in Egypt with terrorists all around and on digs in South and Central America. I think I’ll be okay in Okeechobee with a few alligators.” Jessica laughed.

  “You’re right I know, but I have a funny feeling about all of this,” Bruce kissed her cheek, gazed into her large warm brown eyes and wondered if he dared to place kisses in other places. Instead, cleared his throat, turned and went to his rented car to keep his luncheon appointment.

  Jessica wasn’t unmoved by Bruce, just not moved in the way he wanted. She had sympathy for him but knew she would never love him as a woman loves a man. Her parents too, had hoped for more of their relationship. They loved Bruce as a son, and Jessica loved him too, as a brother.

  She finished brushing out her long dark red hair and grabbed the keys to her mothers Lexus. She eased it out of the garage and headed for the classy Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens. First, she decided to stop and get a pastry at Carmines, an exclusive bakery, pizza and café a block from the mall. She had be
en at school for a while; it was treat to be back in the comfortable places she knew as a girl. She continued to the mall and parked her parent’s Lexus next to a handsome black Porsche Boxster convertible, admiring the powerful sports car she before she went inside.

  Xerxes was for the most part, practical, and he knew that eventually Jessica would find her way into the secrets of the Pyramid. Certain of this, he had already begun preparations to bring her to Atlantis as his wife. He had completed his responsibilities to Kallias Enterprises the upper-world company that helped support Atlantis’ financial base. Under the guise of a delivery to small tourist hotel on a Bahamian Island, he arranged a delivery of various items for the population of Atlantis’ use. One of the many things his father and he did for their people was to provide them with upper-world items, not only of necessity but also of luxury.

  As the upper-world had progressed in the New World after the Revolutionary War Period, the Rulers of Atlantis made many investments for the underworld City. Now Atlantis was a wealthy conglomerate known as Kallias Enterprises in the upper-world. Xerxes, as High Lord, held the position of CEO of the Company and as a United States Citizen, his sister Alena and brother High Lord of Pacifica Ainu were in similar positions.

  After Xerxes had completed his duties to Atlantis, he took the time to shop for his future bride’s trousseau, knowing she would not have the opportunity to do this simple chore for herself.

  Xerxes, an extremely handsome man, generally drew the attention of the lady shoppers he passed. Destiny had already intervened in both Xerxes and Jessica’s lives and when he passed Jessica, their eyes briefly met. Nothing could have prevented the natural spark that crackled between them and both stopped, captivated by the other for what seemed a brief moment. As the other shoppers passed around them giving them odd looks, they gazed into each other’s eyes. The time passed and they continued on their way. Xerxes quickly ducked into a man’s shoe shop to avoid further contact with the woman he had so often watched over the past several years, every instinct in his male body screamed for him to approach Jessica now and tell her all. Only the discipline his parents taught him, and his logic, kept him from making that mistake.

  Jessica did not realize she stopped for more than a moment she was so completely mesmerized by his eyes. His presence, and the unshakeable remembrance of a past encounter, imbedded in her subconscious, yet unremembered, and firmly held by the substance that she unknowingly imbibed upon her rescue after the dive accident that clouded her conscious mind. Yet something so familiar struck her about this man, but she could not place him. Without noticing the length of time they shared, she continued into Victoria’s Secret to obtain her favorite bath soap and dismissed the encounter from her conscience mind.

  Xerxes watched her from across the wide mall corridor. He could clearly see what she looked at and what she bought. He waited until she left and ventured into the shop to question the sales clerk about the items she had purchased. Xerxes acquired a quantity of the same bath supplies, smelling the perfumed soap himself. He enjoyed her choice. He also bought several of the lingerie items she had admired but had failed to purchase for herself. Xerxes wondered why she had not bought the items, she certainly could afford them, he knew, but she had seemed almost shy about the scanty night garments and under things. Instead, she purchased items that are more conservative. Xerxes was not shy about buying these things for her. He very much looked forward to her wearing them. He obtained her size on an earlier expedition, by entering her parents’ home in Jupiter when he knew no one would be there, and looked through her things. He felt a little bad about that, but it was the only way he could be sure to get the items the correct size.

  Jessica finished her shopping, Xerxes observed, and he watched as she left the mall to get into her car, parked next to his Porsche, and drove away. That was a bit close, he thought. Xerxes knew it was not yet time to reveal himself to Jessica, yet he longed to. The desire just to touch her face, had strained his control almost to the breaking point. Their chance meeting left him more aroused than he was willing to admit. The vision of her large brown eyes gazing up into his would keep him awake this night he knew. However, only when he was in total control of the situation and of her, would the time be right. Jessica Carter was a strong-willed woman. It would take a powerful man in a controlling, almost omnipotent position, over her to be able to gain her trust and, he hoped, her love. It was also imperative to have Atlantis’ security in a situation to do this. Xerxes returned to Atlantis, and the more pressing matters of a traitor in his midst.

  Chapter Five

  Jessica dismissed the incident at the mall. Those unusual eyes, however, remained firmly ingrained in her subconscious. She swung the Lexus into the drive at her parents’ home and drove into the garage, closing the door after the car. Bruce’s car was in the drive, and she hurried into the house to find out how soon Rabbi Levi would be out to the dig and bless the grave. A strong wave of intuition struck her when she entered the house. With the sun well behind the house in the west, the water had turned the exact color of aquamarine of Xerxes’ eyes, and it caused Jessica a moment of dizziness. She found Bruce’s supportive arm around her.

  “Jess? You okay?” he asked, concerned and thankful for whatever reason to hold her close.

  “Yeah, I should have eaten lunch.” She made the excuse, and closed her eyes for a moment to open them as suddenly from the vision of those eyes staring back at her. “I did stop and pick up steaks for dinner,” she concluded.

  “Great, I’m starved.” Bruce smiled down into her eyes and planted a short kiss on her vulnerable, unsuspecting lips.

  “You’re starved alright, and I’m not so sure it is for food,” Jessica laughed and moved away to get dinner started. “So tell me about your lunch with the Rabbi. When can he come out and bless the grave?”

  Bruce laughed good-naturedly at her banter, “Rabbi Levi and David will be out the day after the Governor has visited, but only if we are sure they are Hebrew. He however, does not want to wait the week or so that the DNA testing will take. Actually, he would come tomorrow if he could. He really doesn’t like leaving those bodies exposed at all, but he can’t come tomorrow, and doesn’t want a media circus the day the Governor is there.”

  “I can understand his view,” Jessica agreed, as she put the potatoes in the oven to bake, then poured a couple of glasses of wine and started the salads. “We can eat the salads before the steaks and potatoes are done. I am so hungry…â€� Jessica set the table and they sat down to their salads.

  *

  Xerxes docked his sub and gave one of his aids his purchases to take back to his personal apartments. He went directly to his office. “What has happened in Atlantis today, Geb?”

  “Little, Xerxes,” Geb said, “it has been a quiet day. Here are the daily reports, and the one on Marcus. He has been sullen and quiet. We have monitored two phone calls to the surface. However, we could not trace them. He is a clever one. He routed them through two different connections on the surface, both legitimate.”

  “Actually Councilman Marcus shouldn’t have need of any contact with the upper-world at all,” Xerxes said as he looked over the day’s reports. “Thank you Geb. Could you have my dinner brought here to my office?”

  “Of course. Oh and there were no new reports from Okeechobee today,” Geb told his superior.

  “No I wouldn’t expect there would be, I—ah ran into Ms. Carter at the mall today.” Xerxes smiled and remembered their brief encounter.

  “My Lord?” Geb questioned, surprised.

  “Quite literally, she and I met at the mall. We stood in the middle of the mall for a few moments and just stared into each other’s eyes,” Xerxes eyes took on a sad expression. “It was difficult not to … well ask her to … lunch.”

  “I am sure it was,” Geb agreed. “What did you do?” Geb held great affection for Xerxes, as he would a nephew, and heard the pain in the younger man’s voice.

  “N
othing, I parted from her quickly; it is too soon for her to be brought down here and too soon for her to know about me.” Xerxes explained with discomfort in his voice.

  “Yeah, Xerxes.” Geb agreed, understanding. He hurried to get his dinner.

  Xerxes sat down to await his dinner and spent another lonely night going over the business of Atlantis. He picked up a picture of Jessica and looked at it. “Ah, hell -” he said to the walls of his office, “Maybe I should just kidnap you now and be done with it,” he heard his office door open and Geb brought his dinner.

  *

  Jessica had packed an extra suitcase before Bruce woke the next morning. She slept less than normally, chased all night in her sleep by aquamarine eyes and the same dream she could not seem to leave behind, though it had given her some peace as of late. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her movements were tired and listless. Jessica had not consciously connected the man she had encountered in the mall, with the one in her dream, or the young man who had saved her and her parents in the dive accident. Had she, it would have only served to arouse her curiosity to the point she would have stopped at nothing to find him. The memory suppressant that Xerxes had put in their drink that day had been a strong alien drug.

  Bruce watched her with growing concern as she loaded her bag into her jeep. “Jessica, are you ill?” he asked.

  “No!” she snapped. “I just didn’t sleep well. It’s that damn dream, I didn’t sleep more than an hour at a time last night; it kept waking me up.”

  “You cannot keep this up, Jess.” Bruce took her by the shoulder, only to let her loose when he saw the look in her eyes, “You’ll get sick.”

  “I will be fine. Tonight I’ll take a sleeping pill. Mom left a few of hers here and they would knock a horse out,” Jessica promised.

  “Have you already got a place to stay in Okeechobee?” Bruce inquired tentatively.

  “Yes, I rented it the day before yesterday. It’s even furnished and about a mile from the dig - right on the levy ring canal,” Jessica said, getting into the jeep. “I’ve locked up the house and I’ll see you at the dig. The Governor’s coming tomorrow, so I hope we can get into the second Chamber today.” She started up her jeep. Bruce got into his car to follow her.