Chapter 6
SIX
ATLAS
The temptation to drink the sleeping potion again is strong. It’s a solid chance to find Rune again but considering how long I slept before and that I’m unattended, I resist.
Instead, I shimmer out of the underworld to an old hangout of mine. It’s been decades since I’ve been here, having outgrown the seedy environment, but one thing it was always good for was finding my merman friend, Meravis. He always knows what’s going on in the supe world.
My booted feet land on a damp street that smells of piss and blood.
It’s in the worst part of Paris, far away from where most mortals would dare to venture.
Just beyond the fence separating our world from theirs, the sounds of car traffic, voices, and nightclubs pierce the darkness.
It’s not great over there, but it would be far worse for any of them who stumbled onto this side.
I’ve never been into the exploitation of mortal naivete, but I do understand the appeal.
We supes spend our long lives hiding from mortals, having learned the hard way how far humans are willing to go out of fear, or even worse, the desire to control our abilities for their own devious motives.
Certainly, gargoyles have experienced firsthand the exploitation that humans are capable of.
Still, revenge was never on my mind. I’ve been too busy chasing peace.
There’s no bouncer at this door. It’s unnecessary. You can’t even find the place if you aren’t a supe, and if a human somehow stumbled upon it anyway, they’d never make it through the door.
I step through, and I’m immediately hit by a blast of pheromones, thick, humid air, and bass from the speakers blaring music. This has to be an awful environment for the vampires with their sensitive senses of smell and hearing, but that’s their problem, not mine.
Navigating the crowd, I scan everyone I pass, looking for Meravis. I get the sense that he’s here, but that could be wishful thinking. I spot another merman from his pod and make my way over to the handsome man surrounded by a variety of supernatural beings.
“Tolani.”
He looks up, his already pretty face lighting up with a smile. “Atlas. What brings you here? Slumming?”
Chuckling, I offer my hand. Tolani shakes it, using it to extricate himself from the harem surrounding him. “How are you, friend?”
“Nothing to complain about. You?”
“Mostly good, but I heard a rumor I wanted to check out. Is Meravis here?”
“He sure is.” Tolani puts his hands on my shoulders and turns me in the opposite direction, pointing above my head.
I spot a glittery gold cage, floating in the air thanks to some kind of enchantment, and inside it, the merman Meravis dances for the crowd.
He has his head thrown back, his long, silky white hair flowing in a waterfall down his back.
Instead of clothing, his teal and purple scales cover his flesh, catching the lights in interesting ways.
His cock is hidden by the tiniest pair of white briefs.
I’d forgotten how truly beautiful Meravis is.
“He’ll be down after this song,” Tolani says. “You’re welcome to sit with me.”
“Thanks.”
I plop down on the semi-circle couch and watch as Tolani pours me a drink from the bottle in the ice bucket.
I sniff it, unsure what it is. “What is this made of?”
Tolani shrugs. “Bartender special. They got a new wolf shifter working here. Just started a few months ago, but he knows his drinks.”
I take a sip and almost cough. “Damn, that’s strong, and I’m a gargoyle.”
Tolani chuckles. “He’s popular around here.” He leans forward, tucking soft blue hair behind his ear. “So why are you here, Atlas?”
“I told you why.”
“Fair enough.” He waves his hand and a pretty twink of a fairy settles on his lap.
The two turn their attention to each other, and I glance around the bar, waiting impatiently for Meravis to make his way over. When the song finally ends, the cage the merman occupies is lowered to the ground and he’s helped out by two massive bear shifters.
Unaware of me still, he saunters in my direction, swaying his hips and accepting compliments and gifts from the crowd. He looks up, his gaze settling it on me, and his smile grows.
“Oh, my Poseidon. Who do I see before me? Is it really you, Atlas?”
I stand, opening my arms for a hug. “It’s really me.”
Meravis steps into my embrace, smelling of sea salt and summer breezes, regardless of the actual weather around him. “How are you, darling? What are you doing here?”
“Do you have a minute to talk?”
“Always for you.” Meravis joins me on the couch, accepting a glass offered to him by one of the others. He sips the drink, lifting his hair off his neck. “What’s going on, my dear gargoyle?”
“A friend of mine is being held captive, and I don’t know where, but he mentioned something about a war coming. I don’t know what he could be talking about, but I know you keep your finger on the pulse of everything. I thought you might know something.”
“A war?” He tilts his head, tapping his chin with a slender finger. “Between who?”
“No clue. He said his captor mentioned it but gave no details.”
Meravis shakes his head. “I can’t think of a single thing.
Our world has been rather peaceful of late.
Even the vampires are chill. And if you don’t know anything from the underworld, then I don’t know what war it could be.
Humans are always involved in one dustup or another, but who gives a shit about that? ”
I grunt in agreement, then sigh. “I was afraid of that. It’s possible that the captors, whoever they are, are planning a war no one knows about yet.”
“That’s not good.”
“No.”
“What kind of friend is it?” He grins. “A romantic friend?”
“Far from it. In fact, he barely likes me. Long story, but I learned of his kidnapping in a dream.”
“A dream? That’s unusual, isn’t it?”
“Dreaming? Not really.”
“Lucid dreaming that leads you to a real-world problem. That’s not a dream, Atlas. That’s a message.”
I shrug, trying to push off the implication of his statement. “I found him in my dream state, but I don’t know where he is. I thought the war might be a clue.”
“Sorry.” He pats my hand. “Know any spirit guides? They can find out anything.”
“Not really. They’re in a different section. Do you know any?”
“Of course I do, silly. Give me your hand.”
I hold my hand out to him, palm up, and he scribbles something with his fingertip, the sensation of it spreading through me like embers growing into flames.
“Reach out to Kallis. She has access to powerful guides.”
“Thank you.”
“Bring her something. She’s devoted to Persephone and Hecate. An offering will go a long way.”
“Kallis is a witch?”
“Indeed, she is. Friendly-ish. Tell her I sent you and she’ll most likely be willing to help.”
“I will. Thanks for your help.”
“Anytime, Atlas. Good luck finding your friend.”
Smiling, I nod, say my goodbyes, then dip out, heading home again. I’ll need to find some appropriate offerings for Kallis before I head out again.
I get back at the same time Cassius appears. “Oh, hey, Atlas. I didn’t find anything out. Did you?”
“No. I think only the captors know of this war, but I got a lead that might help. A witch who has access to spirit guides. She might be able to help me find Rune.”
“What are you waiting for, then?”
“I need to bring her offerings for the goddesses she’s devoted to.” I scratch my chin. “I was thinking I should let Rune know I’m working to help him.”
“Uh-huh, and how do you plan to do that?”
I need to trust someone, and Cassius is as good as any of the guys. “Come to my place?”
“Sure.”
We navigate the maze of hallways until we get to my unit. Inside, I turn to face Cassius. “I got my hands on a sleeping potion. That’s why I was asleep so long and that’s how I found Rune.”
His brow creases. “I don’t follow at all.”
“I found him in my sleeping state. I spoke to him, saw the room he’s in, all of it.”
“With a potion?”
“I got it in New Orleans. Sleeping is how I knew Rune was in trouble in the first place, so I figured, why not try it again?”
“And it worked? Interesting.”
“Yes, but they warned me that I should be monitored when I take it. My psyche is vulnerable to supernatural attacks.”
“Shit, Atlas. You took it without us before?”
“I did. And I slept for sixteen hours,” I remind him. “I can’t lose that much time again.”
“Okay, I get it. What do I do?”
“If anything goes wrong, or if I’m asleep for more than a few hours, wake me up however you have to.”
Cassius nods, even as his pale face turns a shade lighter. “I understand.”
I clap his shoulder. “Thanks, man. Hopefully I can let Rune know help is coming, then when I get back, I’ll go find the witch.”
“We’ve got your back.”
I walk to my armoire, open it, and delicately remove the potion bottle. After taking a deep breath, I pull off the top and very carefully squeeze out a single drop. My head is woozy before I even manage to put the bottle back.
Stumbling to my bed, I nearly fall over. Cassius hovers above me, concern etched into his features.
“I’ll be right here, Atlas.”
I open my mouth, but no words come out as my eyelids close and sleep drags me under.
RUNE
“Listen here, Elvira, I demand to know why I’m being held captive.”
My guard makes no attempt to speak to me, instead focusing on setting down a tray of food.
My nose twitches at the delicate scent of buttered potatoes and grilled meat; a common meal in my household growing up.
It’s better than the soggy grilled cheese, but unsettling that whoever has me captive clearly has some access to my childhood memories.
I set my shoulders and step in front of her before she leaves. “Tell me.”
“You’ve been told,” she replies in her stilted voice. “Eat.”
“What war are you talking about? How long have I been here? I have responsibilities, you know.”
She has the nerve to sigh in exasperation. “You talk too much.”
“Likely true. Imagine how quiet I’d be if you just answered some of my questions.”
“Eat.”
She leaves before I can continue prodding her. I sit down to eat my meal. The aroma of the steak makes my mouth water, so I shift my focus to filling my belly.
My thoughts drift to the many outstanding questions in my mind—why am I here and who is behind this, how did I speak to Atlas a few nights ago and will he return, and if he does, is there any hope of getting me out of here?
While I’m eating, the air in the room noticeably cools. I put down my fork and brace myself for whatever might happen next. The space around me shimmers, and right before my eyes, Atlas appears. I gasp, rising to my feet.
“Atlas.”
He stumbles a bit, catching himself on the wall. “Hey.”
“How did you…” I reach out to touch him, but my hand goes right through him. “It’s a vision.”
“I used the potion again,” he says. “Sleeping is the only way to reach you right now.”
I nod, cautiously optimistic. “Why are you here?”
“Did you find out anything new?” he asks instead of answering my question.
“Nothing at all. The guard won’t talk to me except to tell me to eat, and whoever is behind this still hasn’t visited.”
“I have a lead. I might be able to find you. Physically, I mean.”
My heart beats a little faster. “Really? How?”
“A witch named Kallis.”
I pull back slightly. “Kallis? How do you know her?”
“I don’t. I was given her name by a friend. He said she has access to spirit guides.”
“She does, yes. She’s… not nice, Atlas. She hates other magic users. If she knows it’s for me, she won’t help.”
“You personally, or because you’re a magic user?”
I scrunch my nose. “Both. We had a run-in a few years ago, and I bested her in front of a crowd. She hasn’t forgiven me.”
Atlas frowns but nods. “I’m going to bring offerings for her goddesses. Think that will help?”
“It should, yes, but I’d still avoid talking about me if possible.”
“I’ll do what I can.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Are they treating you okay?”
“For the most part. Obviously, I need a shower, and a decent mattress, but the food is good and they supply plenty of water. No one has hurt me, but my magic is nothing but a flicker still.”
“And you have no idea who might be behind it?”
“None. I don’t know of a living soul powerful enough to suppress my powers. I’ve had my clashes, but my skills have always been strong enough to get me out of them. Until now.”
“I’ll find you, Rune. One way or another.”
“I still don’t understand why?”
“Honestly, I don’t either.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“That’s not what I mean.” He steps forward, though there’s an invisible barrier between us. “All I know is I can feel you, inside me, and it’s not something I could ignore even if I wanted to.”
“I won’t argue with you. I need help, as bitter as those words taste.”
“Sit tight, Rune. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll get you out of here, I promise.”
I nod, wrapping my arms around myself. “Thank you, Atlas. Whatever happens, I appreciate your efforts.”
Offering a slight smile, he steps forward again. “I…” He pauses, his head twitching. “What the fuck…”
“Atlas? Is something wrong?”
He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out, and his body starts to fade.
“Oh. You have to go now.” I step forward. “Thank you again.”
Then he’s gone, his confused face still faintly visible for several seconds until he disappears completely.
I plop down on my cot again. It’s a relief to know someone is out there looking for me. I feel a little less stuck and lonely. As much as I’d like to find out who did this to me, I’d be very happy to do so from outside of this prison.
Closing my eyes, I lie back and focus all my energy and gratitude on Atlas, hoping wherever he is, he can feel it.
Right now, he’s my only hope. Ugh, needing other people is the worst.