Guardian of Atlantis (The Children of Atlantis) (28 page)

Raven looked around the room. Everything looked clean and new. Slowly she walked over to where she died. Kneeling down, she touched the tiles covering the floor.

Raven stood up and turned around. “What happened to Morrison?”

“We don’t know.” Ethan took a step toward Raven, but stopped when she put up her hand.

“You don’t know?” she asked.

“Morrison wasn’t human,” said Ethan.

“I know.
Her eyes blinked sideways instead of the normal up and down. W
hat was she?”

Diana put a plate full of food on the table at one of the empty chairs.  “I suspect it was Chimera in disguise. But no one seems able to find her.”

Raven nodded. She wrapped her arms around herself. “Is it always going to be like this?”

“What do you mean?” asked Ethan.

“Is there always going to be someone trying to take Atlantis or kill me or whatever?”

Diana walked over to Raven and put her arms on her shoulders. “I realize you don’t know me, or think you can trust me.
But understand this.
I don’t want Zeus or anyone else to gain control of Atlantis. Honestly, it needs to stay hidden—wherever it is. It’s better for everyone. I and everyone else here promise to do everything in our power to protect you.”

Raven nodded.

Diana smiled. “Now, sit down and eat.” She gave Raven a quick hug, then turned back to the
stove.

Raven sat down at the new kitchen table and attacked the food on her plate
.

No one spoke until she was finished. But as soon as she pushed her plate away from her, the kitchen erupted into a ton of questions—almost all directed at Raven.

“I don’t know the answers.” Raven shook her head. “I just don’t know.”
Raven repeated over and over.

“Enough!” Diana raised her voice so everyone could hear her. “Let the poor girl alone.”

Billy got up. “Come on,” he motioned to Pauline and Sheena. “Let’s go check the grounds.”

The girls nodded and followed him outside.

“And don’t you start either!” Diana shook a finger at her husband.

“But—
”

“No buts either. Let her be. You’ll have plenty of time to talk with her.”

Professor Snyder sighed as he got up from the table. “I’ll be in the study.” He slowly walked out of the kitchen.

As soon as he was gone, Diana reached into the cabinet over the stove and pulled out the journal Raven had dropped when she was whisked out of the house by Xander, the gargoyle. She handed it to Raven. “I’ve had a time keeping this from Ryan. He’s like a kid sometimes.” She rolled her eyes. “This is meant for you and you alone.”

Raven took the journal. Gently she caressed the leather. “Thank you.”

Diana nodded. She started clearing the dishes off the table. “Go find yourself someplace quiet to read.”

Raven got up from the table and went into the hallway.

Ethan followed her. “Are you okay?”

“I think so. I have to be. There’s no other way.”

“Do you want to talk about it? Any of it?” asked Ethan.

“Not right now.
Maybe later.”

“Okay,” Ethan sounded a little disappointed.

Raven put her hand on his arm. “When I’m ready to talk, you’ll be the first person I go to. There is one thing I want to tell you.”

And what’s that?” Ethan flashed a toothy smile at her.

“I think you’re kind
of
cute when you’re bossy.” Raven gave him a quick smile and a hug that surprised her as much as
it did Ethan. “I think I’m going
up to the attic and read.”

“I’ll guard the door.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I do.”

Raven nodded. She went up stairs to the attic.

Ethan followed he
r and sat down outside the
door.

Raven looked at the different paintings on the walls. Slowly she walked over to the ocean scene and let her fingertips brush the water. She looked at her hand. Her fingertips were wet. She
lifted her fingers to her mouth and licked them.

Salt water.

Raven smiled.

“You don’t have to be afraid of me,” she told the painting. “I won’t hurt you.”

Raven
plopped down on a bunch of pillows next to the painting. She stared at the journal. Raven knew her life would never be the same. But she was okay with that.

Slowly she unbuckled the strap and opened the journal.

And she started reading.

Mom, I miss you so much.

Somehow, some way, I will find you and bring you home.

This I promise as your daughter, and as the Guardian of Atlantis.

             
--Raven Weir’s journal

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annie Rachel Cole was born in Temple, Texas, and grew up in the small town of Buckholts. Annie graduated from University of Houston—Clear Lake and has worked for the past several years as both a high school English teacher and a junior high Language Arts teacher. She currently teaches Communication Applications to 8
th
graders. She enjoys reading, fishing, and playing Texas
Hold’em
poker. Annie lives in New Braunfels with her husband, son, and two very spoilt cats.