Jewel Of Atlantis

“Well, aren’t I the special little boy today.” Nearly eaten alive, then aromatically insulted. He sniffed himself, and his lips pursed. Okay, so he did smell a little.

He delved deeper into the shadows, listening for telltale signs of footsteps or the cock of a weapon. As his mind-companion predicted, the nymph left him alone.

Only when he’d gone a mile farther, however, did he relax his guard. He breathed deeply and let his gaze wander. The beauty here amazed him. Dew sparked like diamonds atop the brilliant green foliage. The whisper of waves created a melodic rhythm, and the scent of pineapple and coconut fragranced the air. Throw in a La-Z-Boy recliner, a fridge loaded with ice-cold beer, and a dozen dancing hula girls—naked of course—and he’d be in heaven.

Can you think of nothing besides women and sex?

“Sure I can,” He jumped over a pile of rocks, never breaking stride. “Why don’t you take off all your clothes and tell me who you are and why you’re helping me.”

At first her only reaction was a gasp, and he would have given anything to see her expression. To see her. He suspected she was blushing. Would her blush color only her cheeks, or would it spread, delving further, along her collarbone…her breasts?

He swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat.

We can discuss that later, she finally said.

“You keep saying that, and to be honest, I’m sick of hearing it. I don’t even know your name.”

Silence.

“A name is such a simple thing. Surely you can tell me yours.”

I can’t.

“Yes, you can. Open your mouth and let sound come out. Try it, you might like it.”

No, I truly cannot tell you. Because, well…because I don’t have one, she admitted reluctantly, shamefully.

His brow furrowed. Not have a name? Everyone and everything had a name. Was she lying, perhaps? No, he decided in the next instant. Her shame was too real. Which left the question: why didn’t she have a name?

Instead of pressing for more details, he said, “Why don’t I call you Babe? It’s short, easy, and perfect for you.”

I am not an infant, she said, clearly offended.

“In your case, the word means hot and sexy.”

Oh. Ohhh. He imagined her smiling dreamily. Still, I think. I prefer something less suggestive. You may call me…Jane Doe.

“Now it’s my turn to nix.” He chuckled. “I’m not calling you by a name I use for dead female bodies I can’t identify.”

She sighed. Will you call me Jewel?

He experienced a jolt of surprise that she had picked that name, since it was the whole reason he was here. Is that why she chose it? he wondered suspiciously. Probably. Clearly, she could read his mind, as well as toss her voice inside. He’d have to be more careful about what he considered. “Jewel it is, then.” He rolled the name across his tongue, savoring its taste. He hadn’t seen her face, but anyone with such a flat-out sexy voice deserved a flat-out sexy name, and Jewel did fit the bill.

He skirted around a pile of rocks. “Why did you help me, Jewel?”

She exhaled slowly, and the breathy trickle caressed his nerve endings, tickling like the tip of a feather. I need your help. She sounded defensive. Unsure.

“Help doing what?”

Saving me. I’ve been imprisoned again and I—

“Again?” He stopped and his backpack slammed into his spine. “What the hell for?”

For being me. I believe you surface dwellers would say everyone wants a piece of me.

The scolding edge in her voice made him laugh, and he jolted back into motion. “I’d like to help you, babe, but I’m kind of pressed for time.”

I know. Bitterness hardened her tone. You’re after the Jewel of Dunamis.

The moment she spoke, the muscles in his shoulder tensed. Oh, he wasn’t surprised she did, in fact, know—she could read his thoughts, after all. But hearing her say the words…He didn’t want to have to find her and silence her (permanently) because she knew something she wasn’t supposed to. Could tell someone she wasn’t supposed to.

He drew in a breath and slowly released it. “What I’m doing here isn’t relevant to you.”

I can take you to the jewel, Gray. That’s why I picked the name Jewel for myself. I am the only one who can lead you to it.

“Please. I can find anything, anywhere. That’s why my boss chose me for this mission. Besides that, I work alone.” He enunciated each word, wanting no misunderstanding of his refusal. “Always.”

Still she persisted. You’ll never find it without me. This I swear to you.

He shook his head and his bandana fell askew. He shoved the material back into place. “This little baby says I can,” he said, patting the GPS system he’d hooked to his belt, the quiet, steady rhythm of its beep soothing.

She snorted. So that little baby helped you out of the jungle, did, it? That little baby helped you defeat a demon? Let me tell you something. You will not successfully navigate or survive Atlantis without me.

His fists clenched at the reminder—and the threat, veiled though it was. “You’d say anything to get your way.”

Yes, she replied truthfully, surprising him. I would. In this case, however, I’m not dancing around the truth. We need each other.

His teeth bared in a scowl, and he kicked a large rock with the steel toe of his boot, sending the white stone skidding down the path. Jewel might have proven herself trustworthy, but he preferred to rely only on himself. People got scared, did stupid things. The last partner OBI had given him abandoned him in a weapons compound at the first sign of trouble, leaving him at the mercy of an infuriated alien warlord. Only Gray’s long-standing seduction of Lady Luck helped him escape alive. That, and a two-pound package of C4 explosives.

But if Jewel was the only way to reach the gemstone, he needed her. Period. He’d be wasting valuable time by not going after her. And Gray hated wasted time almost as much as he hated feeling helplessness.

I feel the same.

“I can do without the commentary,” he told her dryly.

Don’t forget I saved your life. Twice.

“That’s debatable,” he said, even though he’d thought the same thing only moments before.

If she were with him, he could make sure she didn’t tell anyone about his mission and compromise him. But if he rescued her and she conveniently “forgot” to help him find Dunamis, if she tried to harm or stop him…He sighed.

I would never harm you.

He was going to liberate her, and he knew it. No use trying to talk himself out of it. He’d save her and force her to help him, if need be. And he’d do it for reasons that had nothing to do with that I’m-waiting-for-you-to-find-and-fuck-me voice.

I am not!

At her outrage, he lost some of his anger. To be honest, he was looking forward to seeing Jewel and hearing her voice in person, to coming face-to-face with the woman who could read his mind.