Prism (Awakened Chronicles Book 3)

by Harley Austin

  “Platinum.”

  “Are you reading my thoughts, because it feels like you are.”

  “I guess I am.” His empathy backed away from her mind while the two embraced.

  “No, it’s okay. I don’t have anything to hide from you. Not any more.”

  “You’re surprised. I didn’t sleep very long.”

  “I’m surprised you woke at all.”

  “I see,” he read her surface thoughts again. “The metallics seldom wake up.”

  “You got lucky, Winter. Lucky you were awaked by a—”

  “Tellarian.” Bryn’s thoughts were completely open to him. “Interesting. An off-worlder. Wow.”

  “You know this reading minds thing is going to get very annoying.”

  He backed out of her mind, but not her feelings. “Sorry. Rookie god here.”

  She giggled.

  “We need to awaken the others. There’s a whole hoard of Seven agents on the other side of this,” he looked up at the huge crystalline dam wall, “whatever it is. I can feel them.”

  “I felt them with my crystal,” she assured. “We ran all day yesterday. They need to rest. They don’t have the endurance you and I do. But I think we’re safe, for now.”

  He nodded. “Even more reason to awaken the others. The sooner the better.”

  “Bray and I tried last night again. He tried getting rough, but, it didn’t happen.”

  “Bray doesn’t do rough. He’s too much of a gentleman.”

  “No, he doesn’t. I agree,” she smiled.

  “Well, I can awaken everyone now without all of this rolling-the-dice nonsense.”

  “We have to be careful, Winter. Your genes are potent, maybe too potent. You should only awaken someone who wants you. You could end up killing them.”

  “I understand.”

  * * * * *

  “The silicate structure of these pillars is very dense. Stuff like this only forms after millions of years of—”

  “Yea, this isn’t millions of years old, Doctor. It showed up just yesterday. Trust me.”

  “I would find that hard to believe.”

  “Yea? Well believe it. Here’s the surveillance drone image of the tunnel from two days ago.” The lead agent tapped the tablet’s screen showing video of the passage from high above. “We flew a stealth drone into the tunnel for recon after the targets started blowing up my men with IED’s. I’m still not sure where they got the explosives. ”

  The geologist nodded. As trained as he was, he’d never in his life seen crystalline formations like the flora-filled forests they were moving through now. He still didn’t know how the massive pillars were illuminated.

  “Here’s the same tunnel from the other side last night.”

  “That’s—impossible. It’s got to be a different cavern.”

  “Look at these rock formations between the two images. It’s not a different cavern.”

  “Commander, respectfully, you’re telling me something the size of Hover Dam just,” he shook his head looking at the images, “sprung up in a matter of hours?”

  “I didn’t bring you down here to ask me questions, Doctor, I brought you down here to answer mine.”

  “And I’m telling you, no one in my field will believe you. No one’s ever even seen anything like this before. It’s not possible. Crystals this size don’t just grow in hours.”

  “These did. I want to know how. And I want to know why. More importantly, I want to know how to get rid of them.”

  The geologist nodded. “I’ll run some tests.”

  “Good. You have three days before I start blasting.”

  “You can’t start setting off explosives in this place! It’s the find of a lifetime. These forests are irreplaceable!”

  The commander sneered. “Well, then I guess you’d better get to work and find me a way through this, now haven’t you?! Three days, doctor!”

  * * * * *

  “You should be dead, Parker,” Wynn folded his arms half glaring but at the same time he was a little impressed that the guy was still breathing. No one ever woke up after their eyes went metallic. It had become the sign of a failed awakening.

  “But he’s not,” Lear smiled a warm grin at him.

  “You look a little like Brooke now,” Chase admitted. The guy looked good before, but his face and body were over-the-top hot now. It seemed like all of them were attracted to him now.

  “You owe me a hundred, Dade,” O’Brien held out her hand, obviously not expecting the money, but only to make the point.

  “Huh?” Parker looked at Wynn. “You were making bets on me?”

  “It was an easy hundred, Parker. There’s no way you should even be up and talking right now.”

  “I told Bryn to take his stupid bet, Winter,” Lear offered. “I knew you’d awaken a god.”

  “You shouldn’t make bets you don’t know, Dade,” Winter scowled.

  “It was a pretty safe bet, Parker.”

  “And now that he’s awake and awakened—?” O’Brien chided looking at Wynn.

  “Yea—whatever. You’re awake. I’m still not sleeping with you.”

  Parker could feel his natural draw. He could tell that last part of Wynn’s quip had just sort of slipped out of his mouth.

  “Well, I’d want to be awakened by someone with metallic eyes—” Chase countered.

  “Is that a thing?” Brayden asked.

  “Yea, it’s a thing,” O’Brien assured. “The metallics are powerful; their sires usually awaken just as powerful as they are.”

  “Sweet!” Brayden grinned.

  “I guess you’re stuck with me after all, Dade,” Parker smirked. Wynn had his attitude problems, but there was no denying the guy was attractive and not just because of their genes.

  “For the last time, I am not fucking you, Parker,” Wynn groused. “God or no god; you’re hot; you’re not that hot.”

  “I’ll do you,” Brayden moved closer to Parker. “Right now, in fact.” The front of Brayden’s tights were already indecent with a tall bulge just standing next to the newly awakened Parker. Jesus, the god-guy smelled nice.

  “You’re kind of a given, Bray,” Parker assured. “We need to get this over quickly, guys. The sooner the better.”

  “Just because you woke quickly doesn’t mean everyone else will be just as fast, Winter,” O’Brien cautioned. “Two days in an awakening coma is unbelievable. No one awakens that fast unless they’re practically gods already. I was out for a week when Brooke awakened me by accident.”

  “How does a woman awaken another woman?” Tyler asked.

  “Use your imagination, Chase,” Romero shot him an incredulous glare. “You’ve kissed my lips before and I’m not talking about my mouth.”

  “Oh.” Chase pursed his lips, nodding.

  “That’s still not a guarantee that Brooke or Bryn will awaken one of us.”

  “I want Dade to awaken me,” Romero informed.

  Parker nodded. He immediately understood. She had some strong personal feelings for Wynn now. But he wasn’t her best genetic match. Parker could feel she was much more physically attracted to Tyler.

  “That might be dangerous, Cierra. Other people are better matches for you.”

  “I don’t care. I want Dade.”

  “Then you’ll be dead.” Lear entered the banter.

  “Huh?!” Wynn’s eyes drew wide. He looked at Lear and then at Romero.

  “If the god says it’s a mistake, then it’s a mistake. Especially this god.”

  “Parker, is that true?” Wynn asked, concern rising in his voice.

  “The way I see you two right now, yea. Cierra’s not your best genetic match. Yours is me, buddy. Sorry. Cierra’s is Tyler, or even Brooke. Not you. Your awakened blood is not going to be a good match. Lear’s right, you might kill her.”

  “Will.” Lear added, her arms folded and her face determined.

  “I—I can’t do that to you, Cierra,” he took her into his arms.<
br />
  “It’s okay, Dade. We didn’t know.”

  “I’m sorry to throw cold water on your tender moment, Cierra, but better to know now than have sorrow and regret later.”

  She nodded.

  “Alright, Parker, let’s get this over with.” He left Romero’s arms and took out a utility knife. He unfolded the blade and was about to slice open his palm.

  Like a flash Parker caught his wrist. The razor-sharp blade hovered just millimeters above his skin.

  Wynn looked at him curiously. Parker’s eyes were lit like fire burning within them. Wynn tried to move his arm but as muscular as he was, the god held him motionless in a stone-hard grip.

  “Wait.” The light in Parker’s eyes faded. “I’m not awakening him,” he informed the rest of the group.

  “Huh?” Wynn looked surprised. Parker’s grip was like steel.

  “Why not?” Romero asked.

  “I’m—I’m just not.” He let go of Wynn’s wrist.

  “You just don’t like me, Parker. Admit it. You’ve never really liked me, since day one.”

  “Not true, Dade. You and I have been attracted big time since day one. You’re just—not ready.”

  “Not ready? Dude, I am more than ready.”

  “No. It doesn’t feel right. It’s not time.”

  “Not time? Time for what?”

  “Never mind. I’m just, not doing it.”

  Lear raised her brow to Parker. “Wise choice.” She turned and walked away.

  * * * * *

  “Your city is beautiful, Carissa.” Julia stood in a long limousine-like undersea vehicle that moved smoothly through the depths between tall golden spires, clear domes and tube-like walkways and highways through and between buildings. The illuminated city sprawled for miles beneath them.

  “Thank you, Julia; but, it wasn’t always mine.”

  Dressed in fine Atlantean attire that draped both of the women’s dangerous curves sparingly, Julia lifted the glass away from her lips. “Oh?”

  “I used to be an officer in the Dark Corps.”

  Both of Julia’s brows lifted.

  “Surprised?”

  “I am. What happened?”

  “The Seven, happened.”

  “Some of your family was killed?”

  Carissa nodded. “Almost five years ago. Overnight I went from being an officer in the corps to eldest heir of a city I’d never even been to—or knew existed.”

  “Both you and Denton.” Julia sipped her drink with elegance.

  “Our parents were killed in the raid along with dozens of other clanspeople. It was only by accident that Denton and I weren’t with them.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Carissa nodded. “It’s been a difficult road. The loneliness.”

  “You were engaged. To a Human?”

  “About to be. Winter Parker.” She sighed.

  “I see,” Julia nodded. Carissa wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting.

  “Duty called. I couldn’t bring Parker into my world. I didn’t even know what kind of world I’d just been thrust into. They told me I was an heiress now, a princess to a vast kingdom spanning the undersea coasts of Atlantica to Pacifica.”

  “There’s more than one city?”

  “Hundreds.”

  “Carissa!” Julia’s face shown surprise.

  “Now you see what I mean?”

  “How did we not know this?”

  “I was in the Dark Corps just like you and Mitch, Julia, and I didn’t even know.”

  “Does the Dominion?”

  “Carson does. Probably why he sent you to spend some time with me. All of Dominion’s amphibian knowledge came from Atlantica, Julia. Dominion is our only connection to the surface world.”

  Julia set down her glass. “I just—I had no idea.”

  “It’s by design,” Carissa assured. “The Dark are nothing if not clandestine.”

  “I understand that. I just had no idea we’d built anything aquatic.”

  “The sea has never been an impediment to the halfbloods, Julia. Our bodies adapt to it; we breath it as easily as we do air, we adjust to its pressures. Where we are right now would kill a Human.”

  She nodded.

  “I couldn’t bring Parker here. And as the new heiress I couldn’t be with him on the surface. It killed me to have to leave him behind, Julia.”

  “I’m sorry, Carissa. Your story is killing me inside. What did you do?”

  Carissa put he hand on the window of their vehicle. “We were from two completely different worlds. I had to let him down somehow without him thinking I’d just left him. I had Denton fake my death. A tragic accident. Then I could leave and he’d be able to move on with his life, and I with mine.”

  “And the Seven would leave you alone as well.”

  “Denton and I were supposed to be among those killed in the raid; the assassins were still tailing the both of us. He made it look real. They stopped looking after that.”

  “But you didn’t stop looking after Parker. You gave him a key. Giving him at least some access to the Atlantean continuum.”

  She nodded. “I did. Honestly, Julia, it was the only way I was able to get through some days. Just feeling him; his sadness for me. It gave me comfort that he was connected to me.”

  “Did you ever talk to him after that?”

  “No. I mean, sometimes I couldn’t help myself and while he slept I’d move into his feelings.”

  “You’re still in love with him.”

  “I am.”

  “Did you know he was a newblood?”

  “We were attracted, Julia. I knew what he was. It’s part of the reason I gave him the key. To shield him from the Seven and protect him.”

  She nodded. “You should have turned him into the corps. We would have protected him.”

  “The corps would have used him, you mean.”

  “Probably. But at least he’d have been safe.”

  “As safe as Dade Wynn?”

  “That’s not fair, Carissa. Wynn wasn’t ready to be awakened. He said so. He’s still an officer, like we are. He wanted to be working for the Dark. We had no idea O’Brien was working for the Seven. Now we do.”

  “I don’t mean to sound cross, Julia. I’m just concerned about Winter. I know I should have told others about who he was. I just—” she shook her head.

  Julia moved up beside her, resting her hand on her bare arm.

  “I made a mistake, Julia. A mistake that could cost Winter his life. All of Atlantica is at your disposal if you need.”

  “We’ll find them, Carissa. We will.”

  The princess nodded. But she could sense Julia’s uncertainty. It was nice that she was trying to calm her feelings, but both knew the score: Each passing day meant just that much more of a chance that Carissa would never see Winter again.

  48

  B ryaden rested peacefully next to Parker. His eyes had turned a piercing blue. Parker had hoped they might go metallic, but now he was glad they hadn’t. Brayden would awaken, most likely in a few days. But the chances were now better than good that he would at least awaken. The real problem was Wynn now. He’d refused to awaken Dade and that refusal without explanation hadn’t gone over well with the easily hot-tempered Wynn. Their argument had been heated. Wynn, Romero, and Tyler had left in a huff.

  “You’ve split the group now,” O’Brien spoke quietly, looking at the others in the distance by one of the streams. O’Brien, Parker, and Lear sat by themselves next to the still awakening Brayden.

  “Better split than dead.” Parker ate slowly.

  “He doesn’t understand.” O’Brien had already sensed Wynn’s feelings hours ago. He was angry, more than angry.

  “He’s not ready. I’m not awakening a monster.”

  “I wouldn’t say he’s a monster, Winter,” Lear softened. “That’s a little harsh.”

  “I saw something—something I can’t explain.”

  “Like what?” O’Brie
n bit into a hard biscuit that was part of her MRE.

  “I didn’t want him cutting himself. That’s why I grabbed his wrist; but the moment we touched, it was like I could see him—here in the prism forest. In a firefight, with soldiers of the Seven.”

  “Like a premonition?” Lear asked.

  “I don’t know, maybe. It was really vivid. Like I was right there with him. But I was just watching.”

  “What happened?” O’Brien asked.

  Parker pursed his lips. “They killed him.”

  Both women said nothing. Their faces blank.

  “He was mowing people down. Killing them, left and right. I’ve never seen weapons like the one’s he had. Shooting bright flashes of light that just dropped people with huge holes in them.”

  “Weapons of the gods,” O’Brien assured.

  Lear said nothing.

  “They had the same rifles. Their guns tore him apart; it was horrific. Like a nightmare. I’m not awakening Dade into that. It’ll be like awakening him into hell.”

  “The war is coming, Winter,” Lear spoke. “Yours is not the only world that knows about it. Unimaginable battles have already been fought on worlds you will never know. By warriors who will never be heralded. But as war has moved through the cosmos, from galaxy to galaxy, the final conflict will be here. On Aden.

  “Even now they gather their forces for battle, Yin, Yang, and Ra. The final great battle between the three Kingdoms will culminate here—at the Meridian.”

  A cold shiver rippled down Parker’s spine as she spoke her words, as if something deep within her being spoke to his; revealing an ominous evil more powerful than even his own imagination could fathom.

  49

  R omero slipped quietly from between both guys who’d half snuggled next to her. The ever-present warmth of the crystal cavern was a stark change from the former chill of their ice hotel. None of them slept clothed in the warm air. She moved silently out of their tiny camp past glistening silica flora and tall towering prisms the size of trees. She didn’t know where she was going, but something drew her. She moved slowly, her body listening to something she couldn’t hear.