Proven (Daughters of the Sea #1): Daughters of the Sea, #5

This book is dedicated to you! Yes, you! I write to touch the lives of others. To inspire them. To breathe life into them. I hope you've enjoyed this journey with me and will join me on many more. Enjoy! And may your loyal Paramour and protective Paladin come from within your own heart. For without self-love, we have nothing to offer the ones we cherish the most.

Boreíte gínontai prágmata astéro?n . Lámpsei fo?teinó

LIAM

I stepped up to the edge of the cliff with the hazy fog of indifference hanging over my thoughts. The promise of sweet release was waiting far below. It was the only way to ease the suffering; the frigid unrelenting self-hatred poisoning my mind and stalking my nightmares. The finality frightened me, but then again the unknown frightened me more. I didn't know who I was anymore. I didn't recognize the face in the mirror that stared back at me, emotionless and defeated. My body was alive, but my soul was dead.

The moment my trident pierced the chest of the girl I loved, I died right along with her. My soul, my heart was in the Underworld with her. All that was left was an empty shell of Triton who had no future. The black mark on my essence would never be repaired; it would only weigh me down and darken my perceptions, emotions, intentions, and my once honorable status among my brethren. But that would be no more. I was not that Triton anymore. He was gone. I was gone.

I was no better than a bleeding, infected sore scratching across the surface of the world; a rotten bag of bones dragging my despair behind me and contaminating all of those I came in contact with. The voices and faces of my friends and brothers moved around me, but never touched me.  Never got through. I was a disease; an incurable virus that threatened to smother the human race and descendants alike. There was no honor in that. There was nothing left for me here. My purpose was obsolete, and I would not subject those around me to the dark chasms of evil now festering within me.

I clenched my fists and prepared to step off the canyon ledge; a wasted soul waiting for its chance to be released back into the Underworld. The fall would be long, but the water streaming below would do as much damage as concrete. My body would be washed out to the Mediterranean Sea, destined to circle the island of Atlantis until the creatures beneath the surface feasted on my flesh.

I'm sorry, Willow, I whimpered and peered up at the sky as tears began to fall. I'm so sorry.

You would allow one mistake to ruin a lifetime of power? a voice asked behind me. I twisted around to see who could have possibly found me here.

Who are you? I narrowed my eyes and turned to face her fully. She stepped toward me with confidence and smiled sweetly.

I have something for you, she offered. The pale color of her skin stood out against the dark hair falling across her shoulders. She wore a flowing silver dress that matched the silver metallic hue of her steely eyes.

You don't know me, I accused her, suddenly very irritated.

Oh, I know you very well, Triton, she purred and moved even closer. I know the ache that radiates from your soul. I know the loneliness that comes with despair. I know the perils of killing innocence.

Tell me who you are, I demanded again, but she sidestepped my request anew.

What you must remember is that no soul is innocent. She placed a hand on my shoulder and I felt a cool energy wash over me. We are all sinful beings, only separated by degrees of severity. What matters is what we do with the life force swirling within us. That anger - that pain that clenches in your chest - is the best weapon you possess. If you will accept it and surrender to it, the power can rival none other.

I am useless to my brothers. I am not a fit Leader.

Possibly, she said with a grin. But you are, in fact, a great leader. What if I told you I could give you the chance to be the leader you truly deserve to be? What if I told you I could make you stronger than you've ever thought possible?

I'd say you're lying, I accused, but she had my attention and curiosity. Tell me who you are.

I am the Goddess of the Moon and Leader of the Auras, Selene.

Your reputation precedes you, I replied with a grimace. And it's not good.

It's difficult to be misunderstood. She held my gaze with intensity and I felt as if she were reaching into my brain and listening to my thoughts. The loneliness that comes with the responsibility and obligation of a predetermined destiny is a heavy weight to bear. Wouldn't you agree?

When her question was met with silence, she continued undeterred.

It's a destitute existence, but our critics are many and our enemies relentless. A great leader has the most enemies, and the powerful leaders are the ones everyone else wants to destroy. I cannot control what others claim of me. I can only follow my own path and stay loyal to my descendants. They are what truly matters.

How do I know I can trust you? I countered.

Come with me, she commanded. The darkness within you is strength, not weakness. But there are others who need you. There are others who need a leader.  I can make you powerful. I can make you more than a Chosen descendant waiting for endless years to realize his full potential. I can make you a God.

How? I questioned carefully.

Allow me to show you. She grinned, knowing I was close to accepting her offer. But first you must do something for me.

You want me to come with you, sight unseen, and then do something for you? I furrowed my brow at her.

Of your limited options at the moment... She peered over the ledge and raised an eyebrow. I believe mine is the most desirable.  What could you possibly have to lose?

I took a deep breath and thought about the Triton Order. I would only taint them with my leadership. I would only poison their pure sense of duty and prestige. I was no longer worth the title of their Leader or of their brother. 

If you are lying, I will destroy you, I warned her. She smiled widely as her silver eyes flashed and she placed her other hand on my shoulder.

You have my word, she insisted. You will not regret this.

She met my gaze once more and the world around us suddenly blurred and darkened. The cliff we were standing upon mere seconds before was replaced with a hard stone floor and the sound of dripping water. I glanced around and saw that we were standing in a stone tunnel. Instead of an explanation, Selene turned on her heel and walked away. I glanced in both directions before following her closely. Although the stone passageway was dark, there were streaks of light filtering through from above that provided just enough light to see. 

We took several turns before stopping in front of a substantial metal door. She placed a slender hand against the metal and I heard the click of a lock. The door swung open and she breezed inside casually. I walked through the doorway, but it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The first thing I noticed was a slight figure, a female, slumped in a corner with her arms locked into metal clasps bolted into the stone wall. Her head was hanging forward and one arm looked like it was in danger of popping out of its socket. One leg was lying at an abnormal angle, but still she remained motionless.

A mass of light hair hung limply around her face, but from the bruises and lacerations on her legs, I could only guess her face would look similar. She appeared frighteningly malnourished, and my heart went out to her. A light shuffling sound diverted my attention to the other wall, where another figure was in the same position; arms locked into the wall while the rest of her body hung loosely beneath. Her legs were tucked underneath her, probably relieving some of the pressure on her arms.  Dark, wavy hair partially hid her face, but Selene walked right up to her and clenched a fistful. She yanked the girl's head up by her hair and a pair of dark, angry eyes settled on me.

I moved closer and stood next to Selene, unsure what I was supposed to do or who these two girls were.  She released the girl's hair and turned to me with purpose. 

These girls must be punished, she stated plainly. She produced a sharp dagger from the folds of her dress and handed it to me. And I want you to do it.

I took the dagger and looked at her with questions written all over my face. Punished?

This one's wounds are healing, she said flippantly, and waved a hand at the dark-haired girl. Make sure they are reopened.  Prove to me I haven't made a mistake in choosing you.

I took a deep breath and grasped the dagger by the hilt. The blade was sharp, but I could tell it was extremely old. The markings looked to be from ancient Greece, although I couldn't make any sense of them. I knelt down beside the dark-haired girl and inspected her arms. There was a jagged slash running the length of her bicep, and I put a hand on her shoulder to keep her still. Even though she must have done something awful to deserve this fate, I wasn't sure I'd be able to inflict more pain on her. I sat there for a moment too long, and I felt Selene become restless behind me.

Do it or join them, Triton, she hissed at me. At her words, the girl's head snapped up and she examined me with bloodshot eyes. Dirt and soot covered her skin and dried blood was on almost every inch of her face, but she looked familiar. She smelled of urine and infection and I felt my stomach turn violently before I could look at her again. When I heard her gasp, my head spun around and I was able to see her whole face.  I knew exactly who she was. Olivia Campbell. She coughed, and with a raspy, forced voice forced out one word.

Liam?

STASIA

I could have been peering into the depths of a brazen wildfire, encompassing the eternal, relentless paradox of creation and destruction within its slender tendrils. A mane of crimson and orange flowing down the back of a woman so subtle, so graceful, she could warm the sky with one upward glance. Maera, the Queen of Atlantis and wife of Atlas, walked briskly ahead of me with obvious anticipation and excitement. The hem of her long, flowing white gown licked the grass beneath her delicate, bare feet with every step.

We traversed the narrow path from the treehouses, and though the unassuming forest had stretched for miles, her legs never tired. She was immortal, just as I was, but something else drove her forward. Something burned within her that I could never understand. She was of the land. Her every movement reminded me of a majestic willow; its graceful limbs riding on the wind, yet grounded securely by deep roots of wisdom and purpose.

Almost there. She pointed up ahead with a beaming smile and gleaming, emerald eyes. Unlike my companion, my gait was anything but light. My apprehension was tainted. My thoughts were in a much darker place. The beauty of Atlantis stretched in every direction, but the suffocating cloud that followed me didn't allow for such indulgence. My heart was shattered into a million pieces that night as I watched Olivia and Fallon succumb to the avalanche of rock and dirt before Natasha whisked us away to safety. Finn, along with Natasha and Sebastian, returned soon after with the hopes of finding them quickly, but that was two days ago.

I shifted my attention to the horizon, where the night sky was giving way to the light of dawn and took a deep, ragged breath. I knew Maera was trying her best to lift my spirits and distract from the horror that unfolded under the blood moon, but her efforts were short lived. The heaviness resting on my essence was proof that I would not be whole until they were returned - alive, or... I didn't even want to think about the other possibility.

This is it! She pushed the splayed fan of a palm tree aside and wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. I followed her lead and ascended onto a white sand beach so pure, I felt guilty for so much as creating a footprint. Krystállina nerá ti?s Limnothálassas.

My raised eyebrows elicited a grin from her red, full lips as she closed her eyes and lifted both arms dramatically before repeating her last words in English. Crystal Lagoon.

Crystal Lagoon, I repeated breathlessly. The first thing I noticed was the feel of the sand beneath my feet, as well as the oddness of it. There was no immediate influx of warm energy or acknowledgment that usually accompanied my arrival to a beach. Instead, a slight quivering tickled my toes and the sand where I stood began sparkling with the light of a million diamonds. I knelt down and ran my fingers through it with bewilderment. I suddenly realized the significance of the lagoon's name. I squinted up at Maera in disbelief. The sand...is made of crystals?

The crystal Selene stole was only a small piece of the larger crystal Luna brought here so many centuries ago. Knowing her sister's propensity for power, she ensured it was blown apart and dispersed across the island; a gift to every tree, rock, and blade of grass. The largest collection remains here on the beach and along the bottom of the lagoon itself.

I bet that got under Selene's skin, I chuckled. I like Luna already.

I see a great deal of Luna within Fallon, Maera observed with a nostalgic smile. Atlas's infidelity was quite difficult at first, though it was bound to happen. But it is impossible to harbor ill will against Luna. She is a magnificent Goddess.

I guess I didn't realize... I fumbled. For whatever reason, I'd never considered how the birth of Fallon, born essentially to 'the other woman' would have affected Atlas's wife. But something she said piqued my interest. What do you mean by bound to happen?

Neither Luna nor Atlas were going to accept being banished for eternity, and Fallon was their obvious answer...as well as the only hope for the Aura Order.

And now she's at Selene's mercy as well, I sighed. Or in the Underworld.

Fallon is extremely resilient and has a way of turning unfortunate circumstances into positive opportunities. She wrapped a supportive arm around me and admired the lagoon. I have a very good feeling she and Olivia are still alive. Destiny is a potent force, dear. As you are well aware.

That's true, I replied, and relaxed slightly. I knew all about the potency of destiny.

Now, back to the task at hand... I followed her gaze as it meandered across the pristine waters of the mile-wide lagoon and up the opposite beach. A glistening cliff, presumably also covered with crystals, towered high above, overlooking the breathtaking landscape. But the stunning beauty of the cliff was overshadowed by the sprawling castle sitting atop; its mighty turrets twisting towards the heavens, golden walls encasing picturesque windows, and arched walkways leading to more treasures out of sight. A lush blanket of vines and flowers crawled up its walls, softening the hard lines and dotting its exterior with brilliant pinks, purples, and blues unrivaled by any rainbow that dared to compete.

You should see it at night, she implied with pride. Atlas had it built for me when we were first wed. My daughters fill its halls with laughter and an innocence that reminds me of him. They are so much like him. A quiet strength; innocent and playful, yet powerful.

She lived there...in a castle...made of gold. It had also never dawned on me that Maera's daughters were Fallon's half siblings. They shared a father in Atlas. A ripple of jealousy shot through me at the thought. My only sibling was long dead. I would never be able to laugh with him or run through the halls of our childhood home with him. I quickly suppressed my feelings as the possibility of Fallon also dying flitted through my mind. I cleared my thoughts, pushed down my emotions, and tried to focus on what was in front of me.

Do you ever get to see him? I probed carefully. Atlas?

Not but once a year. Her eyes hardened and she cleared her throat before taking my hands in hers. Anyway, I insist you and your Council stay in the castle. It will provide greater security, as well as accommodations fit for a Goddess of your stature.

Really!? I squealed with a little too much eagerness. I attempted to gather my wits, but Maera's chuckle told me I failed miserably. I would be honored.

Excellent! she said with a conspiratorial grin. I'm having everyone's belongings transferred as we speak. Your Council should be settling into their rooms right about now.

I can't thank you enough. I embraced her in an appreciative hug.

Now, for the real reason I brought you here, she diverted.

It wasn't to show me all of this?

This is just icing on the cake. However, in order to show you the rest, I need your divine assistance.

My help? I glanced around. What could she possibly need my help for? As my eyes swept across the still water, I felt a tug from somewhere beneath the surface and stilled in awe as a ripple stretched across its width and made its way towards us in greeting. I felt the cool energy within it spike at my presence and smiled. I stretched my own essence back across the crystal sand in response and almost fell to my knees as it crashed amongst the water's purity and strength.

As if she felt our little exchange, Maera chuckled and surveyed the depths of the cobalt lagoon. 

This task used to fall on me and your mother. She squeezed my hand. And now it falls upon me and you.

I fell into the endless depth of her enlightened eyes and I felt her essence wash over me in earnest. The smell of moss filled my senses and a rolling wave of springtime settled over my body. While I awaited further instruction, she released my hand and turned towards the water once more. I mirrored her actions obediently.

We must raise the Metropolis where the Atlantean Games will be held, she stated simply. The participants will arrive tomorrow morning.

Raise the Metropolis? I wasn't sure I'd heard her correctly.

Technically, you will displace the water. She peered at me from the corner of her eyes before finishing, while I raise the Metropolis.

I instinctively took inventory of any lives that could possibly be destroyed in the looming chance I screwed this up. Thankfully I didn't spot even one Atlantean combing the beach or swimming amidst the clear water.

There are powerful forces at work within the lagoon, not to mention the crystals, Maera addressed my insecurity calmly. The lagoon is largely vacant, with the exception of a few special occasions. One of which is nearing once more.

The relief that flooded me was quickly replaced by my fascination of the 'power' she was referring to. Although I did feel the strength it contained, what struck me most was the water's purity as well as its...complexity. It was a curious combination; one that apparently held an entire Metropolis that would soon become home to the Atlantean Games.

The notion of thousands of descendants converging upon the shores of Atlantis to participate or watch the Games in a few days was nauseating. I didn't know if I'd be able to live with myself if anything happened to even one of them. Thankfully, I had plenty of other disasters to tend to before they arrived.  The weight of Maera's concerned gaze pulled me from my dismal thoughts and I was thrust back into the present.

You are not alone in this, sweet Anastasia, she calmed me with understanding as if reading my thoughts. Without further explanation, she trained her wise focus on the lagoon and set her shoulders with purpose. It's time to bring it back to life.

I waded into the water until my feet and ankles were fully submerged. At my touch, it began to bubble and dance with elation. A rush of power infiltrated my feet and surged through my essence, wrapping my body in a cool embrace. I crouched slowly and placed my palms flat on the surface ever so lightly. I had no intention of causing a rogue wave, so I wanted to be cautious before throwing my entire essence at this relatively small body of water.

I'm ready whenever you are. Maera surprised me by appearing at my side. She buried her feet into the crystal sand near mine with a gleeful wiggle of her body. I wasn't sure if it helped channel her essence into the ground or if she simply liked the feel of it, although the girlish grin on her face hinted at the latter. I collected my essence, noticed my triskelion trace shining with a turquoise light beneath the water, and gently urged the water to pull away from the center of the lagoon. As it gradually retreated inch by inch, I was able to stand up straight while still keeping my hands resting on the surface. I centered my attention on the middle of the lagoon and urged the water to crest, creating quite an impressive wall of water on either side.

Maera clasped her hands over her mouth and squealed with delight. You are truly as talented as your mother, Anastasia! I never tire of seeing that! Not wasting any time, she steadied her stance and held her arms out with her palms up. Then, with an aching slowness, she began to raise them. Light tremors echoed throughout the crystalline sand beneath my feet, quickly followed by the rumbling of moving earth farther below. I fought to stay upright and willed the water around me to stabilize my body.

The ground shook with force and I feared the island would break apart; collapsing into the ocean once more and killing us all. The cliff supporting the castle shed several pieces of rock and sheets of crystal as it shuddered and vibrated within. A guttural roar erupted from the bottom of the lagoon as it began to bulge and push upwards in a dramatic display of glittering sand avalanches.

What could only be described as a small city began to rise from the lagoon's depths. Silver and gold columns adorned with sculptures stretched steadily toward the sky, bringing with them an impressive arena that would dwarf any modern stadium in America. A myriad of smaller buildings and amphitheaters followed suit, and I became overwhelmed by the extravagance unfolding before me.

A series of bridges lifted in the form of seven stone spokes, all leading from the surrounding beach to the Metropolis edge. The roaring in my ears stopped abruptly and I looked on with admiration as the crystal sand and earthen dirt cascaded down the structures and back into the lagoon. The massive platform supporting the Metropolis settled just above the water and my wide eyes shifted to Maera for instructions.

You may release the water now.

I eased the water back towards the lagoon's center and painstakingly lifted my hands from its surface.  The walls of water filtered back around and underneath the impressive gold platform; evening out and becoming still. What was once an empty stretch of water now contained a small island of gold and silver fit for the Gods and Goddesses of old. It glistened in the light of the morning sun and I had a hard time taking my eyes off of it.

Come. Maera gestured to me with misty eyes. I've waited a long time for this.

OLIVIA

Sit up.

Considering the command that rang in my ears involved actual, voluntary movement, I stubbornly remained crumpled on the frigid stone floor that had been my only companion for the last twelve hours. Unfortunately for my kidneys, she had no intentions of asking twice. The piercing, sharp pain that reverberated up my side and across every internal organ gave me the motivation I needed to push my body against the wall and slowly push myself up into a sitting position. The chains clamped to my ankles had become my nemesis. They taunted me; stealing my essence and leaving me broken. I hated them almost as much as I hated the devil of a woman standing over me. Almost.

Well, since you asked so nicely... I spit out before wiping my mouth; mixing blood with the inch of dirt already caked onto the back of my hand. I really needed a shower. And possibly a medic.

You're going to do something for me. Selene turned her back to me and took something out of the fire burning just across the cave of hell I was stuck in. It was the only source of light, but the heat rose quickly, circling above me, jeering at me.

I doubt it, I grunted and attempted to adjust my body to a more comfortable position. It didn't work. She poked at the fire with something before yanking it out and facing me with a sly grin filled with a sick anticipation that made my skin crawl.

You're going to give Anastasia a message, she informed me evenly and crossed the room to where I crouched in pain. That's when I noticed the branding iron secured within her hand. Even more disturbing was the small emblem on the end of the rod that glowed a bright, menacing orange.

I'm not doing shit until you tell me what you've done with Fallon, I growled in an attempt to stall.

Stupid girl. Selene laughed, hollow and crass. The remaining muscles that still worked in my body tensed as she swung the end of the rod above my legs and in front of my face. You're in no position to be making demands.

Little did she know I already knew what had become of Fallon. During one of my many bouts of unconsciousness, I awakened to find Selene hovering over the crumpled body of Fallon. She pulled a pulsing orb from around her neck and held it in her palm above Fallon, and then she crushed it in her hand, prompting a river of silver light to drip down onto Fallon's skin. As Selene helped her sit up, I watched as her wounds healed and the color returned to her face. Selene took her chin and whispered something to her. Fallon glanced up at her wearily and whispered thank you.

Come, Selene instructed her gently. We have much to do.

The two walked out of the room, leaving me with the sounds of gurgling water as it snaked its way through the walls and the wheezing of my breath under severely bruised lungs. The gift of immortality did me no good under the control of the chains that held me captive; literally draining the life out of me. And now it would appear the one I'd risked my life to save was on Selene's side all along.

Before I knew what was happening, Selene stepped to the side and drove the glowing emblem into the tired bicep of my left arm. I heard a scream filled with anguish tear out of my mouth as my eyes squeezed shut and I lurched sideways. The scorching in my arm soon morphed into numbness and the world tilted and blurred around me. I felt my body go limp just as my mind was overcome and I fell into a blissful state of unconsciousness once again.

The next thing I registered was a monotonous rocking motion and the shiver of cool droplets of water hitting my face, neither of which made sense to me. I was lying down - that I knew for sure. I also knew I couldn't move. Not that I wanted to. The simple act of opening my eyes was a monumental task. I felt as if my entire body was heavier. Maybe something was on top of me. A boulder? An elephant? 

I heard a curious rustling sound to my left and attempted to open my eyes once more. A brilliant light seared through my retinas and I closed them immediately. I wiggled my toes and fingers to make sure I still had them and was relieved when they followed suit.

She's moving, a young girl's voice hissed.

We'd have to wake her up at some point anyway, another replied, bored.

How much farther?

A couple miles. Stop complaining.

It was just a question.

Exactly.

The two girls didn't sound familiar, but I was almost relieved neither of them were Selene. Or Liam. Backstabbing bastard. I allowed the light filtering through my eyelids to ready my eyes before attempting to open them again. This time I saw blue sky and one lone cloud hanging above. The sloshing of water filled my ears and I felt wind gliding across my skin. I tried to move again, but to no avail. Seemingly of its own volition, my head turned to the side.

Where am I? I croaked uselessly. No one acknowledged my request and I realized I hadn't spoken above a whisper. I tried once more and felt something close to sandpaper scrape across the back of my throat. Where am I?

On a boat, was my useless answer.

Who are you? I coughed out; pain encasing my rib cage.

We, a third voice answered. Who are we.

We, a fourth, high-pitched voice answered, thick with regality, are the Raven. I strained my eyes and was able to catch sight of a muscular girl with limitless black hair, copper skin, and long feather earrings. Her native-American features were in stark contrast with her