“Why would they do that?”
Poseidon cleared his throat and said, “There are many in this ocean who want to cause anarchy. We can’t spend time trying to dissect their motives.”
Kai looked at his biological parents and shook his head back and forth between them. Something was off, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was. They definitely weren’t telling him everything.
“Does this kind of thing happen often?”
Uma was quick to reassure him, “Don’t get the wrong idea. We aren’t fighting a rebellion or anything like that. There are just some roaming raiders that we have to reign in sometimes.”
“Why are they out there? Why don’t they live in a city somewhere? Why don’t they live in Hanupali or Atlantis with other underwater people?”
A look passed between them before Poseidon shrugged and explained, “Who can begin to understand the minds of someone who would do this?” He swept his hand toward the ruined structure.
Kai understood their thinking, but he couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on. Why would people be so desperate that they’d risk something like stealing Hanupali’s food stores? It just didn’t make sense.
“What will you do about it?”
With a shrug, Uma said, “We’ll send out a troupe of guards to search and see if there’s any sign of the raiders. We’ll also be hyper vigilant for a while, just in case they decide to return.”
Kai nodded his head, but something wouldn’t stop bothering him. “Why didn’t you already have guards posted here? That seems like a no-brainer for something so important.”
Both Poseidon and Uma seemed at a loss for words. They stared at him, seemingly without an answer.
Finally, Poseidon said, “That is definitely something we need to look into. Great suggestion, Kai.”
Uma laid a reassuring hand on Kai’s arm. “We’ll get some people here to clean everything up. I think you should go relax and get something to eat. There’s no reason for you to worry about this any longer. It’s a matter for your sister to take care of. After all, she is now the queen.”
Kai nodded even though he had more questions. Maybe he would discuss his concerns with Oleen, his sister, and the rightful ruler of Hanupali since he abdicated the throne. She had a brain for seeing solutions to the problems around them, which is the reason he knew she needed to be the leader of her people, not him. It was an easy decision in the end. He knew where he belonged and it was fighting by Hollyn’s side.
Poseidon put an arm around Kai’s shoulders and said, “Why don’t you come with me to Atlantis? I think it would be good for us to get to know each other, and you would be amazed at the extensiveness of the largest underwater civilization. I think you might be fascinated by the technology we use to keep it hidden from the surface world.”
“Sounds good. I just want to speak with Oleen first. Do you think we could head to Atlantis tomorrow morning?”
With a booming laugh, Poseidon squeezed Kai in close and said, “Of course! That gives me another night with the most beautiful woman in all the worlds.” He gave a pointed look at Uma who blushed and giggled with the flattering words.
“Can you send word to Hollyn that she should meet us at Atlantis when she’s ready?”
Poseidon nodded. “That’s an excellent suggestion. I’m sure Thian will be happy to bring her to Atlantis once she’s learned all she can.”
Thian!Kai still didn’t like that Hollyn was with a man he didn’t entirely trust, but with roaming raiders in the ocean attacking randomly, Kai wouldn’t want Hollyn to be alone. He just couldn’t wait until Thian was no longer needed and hoped the asshole knew what was good for him—keeping his hands off of Hollyn.
3
“How do you know we’re going in the right direction? It just looks like we’re swimming in the vast ocean with nothing but dark blue everywhere I look.”
Hollyn treaded water at the surface as Thian patiently waited for her to pull in another breath.
He seemed to think about her question for a moment before he said, “You probably don’t notice the ocean currents around you, but they often move at different speeds and can be a bit winding, kind of like one of your surface roads. Although they change sometimes, they are fairly similar. I know the area where the Sea Witch lives, so I just have to find the right current. Occasionally, we’ve switched into others along the way.”
“I noticed that.”
“Just like your surface roads lead to places on land, the currents lead to places under water. I know where we’re going and the currents are taking us there.”
Hollyn nodded, kind of understanding. “But how do you know when to switch?”
Thian gave her a little smile and said, “I don’t know. I just do.”
The answer was incredibly frustrating for Hollyn. But it was just one more irritant in a sea of them. She giggled a little out loud at her own pun, even if it was only in her head.
