Jewel Of Atlantis

It took a conscious effort to tug herself out of the sensuous spell he’d woven over her, but force herself out she did. “Yes.” Swimming was one of the few memories she possessed of her childhood. Frolicking many hours in sunshine and water. Laughing. Enjoying the day. Over the years, she’d forgotten how to laugh and enjoy, but she’d never forgotten how to swim.

“Just try to keep up with me,” she said, proudly tilting her chin.

His lips twitched. “Can you hold your breath for long periods of time?”

That, she didn’t know. “We’ll just have to see, won’t we?”

“I’ll take that as a no,” he muttered. “Listen, I’ve trained in water. The key is to stay calm, to slowly release the air trapped in your chest. Understand?”

“I will not let you down.” She’d prove herself worthy and strong if it killed her.

Jewel entered the water with Gray right behind her. The wet warmth lapped at her skin, seeping past the thin garment she wore, making her shiver. A cloud of red swirled around Gray, his open wound coloring the water.

“I want you holding on to me at all times once we leave the pool,” he said. “Don’t let go for any reason.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“No, you’ll do it.” His voice whipped out like a king instructing a servant. “I want to know you’re with me every second we’re down there.”

“Yes, sir.”

He shook his head at her impudence. Without another word, she dragged in a breath and dove underwater.

She kicked her way to the bottom. Marina often used this secret doorway to sneak into the city undetected, commit her crimes, feast off unsuspecting creatures, then return. The queen thought she herself was the only one who knew. She should have realized long ago that with Jewel, there were no secrets.

Once they reached the bottom, Jewel grabbed for her dagger. When her hand encountered only wet cloth, she nearly panicked before she recalled Gray had taken it.

She jerked on his pants to gain his attention. A few bubbles slipped from his mouth as he faced her, and he nodded as she slipped the weapon from his belt. Gliding away from him she inserted the tip into a tiny crevice. Marina used a key, a key Jewel did not possess. She pried at the opening, making it widen slowly.

The water stung her eyes, and lack of air soon caused her lungs to burn. Her dark hair floated into her line of vision like curling ribbons. Gray worked feverishly beside her, his strong hands pushing the slab of rock farther and farther apart.

Both she and Gray had to go up for air before the opening was wide enough for them to slip through. Jewel wanted to swim to the surface one last time and steal another gasp of precious oxygen, but when she pushed up, she saw a horde of demons had entered the room. They spotted her and cried gleefully.

Ice filled her veins, and she sliced her way back to the bottom and pointed up. Gray saw them and tried to wrench her through the opening, but she violently shook her head. I have to keep them from following us.

He stilled. Had he heard her, or was the block still in place? Gray, deciding to trust her, released her and held his palms up. Do your thing, baby.

Thank the gods, no block. She closed her eyes, her thoughts directed at the creatures above. No one is in the water, her inner voice suggested to them. You do not see the human; you do not see the girl.

She’d never attempted to direct so many at once, never tried so valiantly to keep a being from knowing she’d entered its thoughts.

The shouting demons pressed their lips together, going silent. They stared down at the water, shaking their heads, their eyes glazing as they accepted her plea, but they didn’t leave the room. They looked around, confusion flittering over their expressions.

Why wouldn’t they leave?

Jewel’s strength was quickly depleting, and her hold on them began to lessen. Gray must have sensed her need for him because he yanked her through the opening and worked swiftly to close the hatch.

Whether the demons had seen them there at the end or not, Jewel didn’t know, and she no longer had the strength to find out.

She held a firm grip on Gray’s pants. Her lungs burned, and she desperately needed air, and even though her strength was nearly depleted, she kicked her legs and lowered her free arm, trying to increase their speed. A thick fog soon wove its way through her mind.

I can’t…need…to breathe…

Gray wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. His eyes met hers and the connection managed to strengthen her. Calm her. She’d been thrashing, she realized, but settled as his hand snaked around her neck.

Slowly he drew her face to his and their lips met. Open, he commanded. His voice filled her head, bringing with it a wealth of hope and confidence she eagerly embraced.

She did so without question, parting her lips wide.

He blew air into her mouth, precious air her lungs accepted with relief. The warmth of his breath curled through the rest of her as her black tresses floated around them, a dark cloak that wrapped them in a private haven. Time seemed to slow. She savored his sweet essence.

All too soon, he drifted a few inches away and met her gaze. Better?

Better.

You can do this. I know you can.

She nodded, praying he spoke true.

Chapter Five

JEWEL’S HEAD BROKE the water’s surface, her lungs screaming in pain. She gulped in great gasps of oxygen, her arms and legs flailing to keep her afloat. Pitch-black greeted her eyes, an unholy darkness filled only with phantomous shadows. Every inch of her burned for more air, and the burning eased only slightly with each intake. In, out, she breathed, as fast as her lungs would allow.

The choppy, frantic sounds must have disturbed nearby wildlife, because the clatter of snapping limbs, rustling bushes andpitter-pattering hoofbeats rang in her ears.

“Gr—Gray,” she called between pants, swallowing a mouthful of water. The liquid slid down her throat, cool and sweet, but it was too much, too fast. She choked and coughed.

“Don’t,” he said, his voice labored and hoarse as it sliced through the void. “Don’t try to talk. Just breathe. Slowly.”

Where was he? She’d lost her grip on him somewhere along the way. The darkness around them wasn’t thinning and she couldn’t feel him near her. “Tr-trying.”

“You’re talking again. Stop,” he demanded.

“I need you,” she croaked. “Where are you?”

He must have followed the drum of her voice, silently treading through the restless water until he found her. His arm brushed her stomach, and she shivered, resisting the urge to grab onto him and ascertain he truly was there.

“You okay? Since you won’t obey a direct order, you might as well give me the info I crave.”

“Yes.” The sound of lapping water beat between each syllable. “You?”

“I can’t see shit, but I’m fine.” He sounded relieved, concerned and angry all at once. “Think you can make it to shore? Wherever the hell the shore is,” he added darkly.

“Of course.” Determination rode her hard, and she said, “I can make it.” The words were for her benefit rather than his.

She must not have sounded convincing. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her into the curve of his body. “Just keep breathing, and I’ll do the rest.”

“No, I—”