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At some point in our long lives, we hope to have children. But conception is rare and sometimes takes centuries. We have slow movers.
You’re referring to sperm motility.
Again, he laughed.
Was that funny?
You’re funny, you just don’t know it. But yes, we have lazy swimmers, for which your earth population should be immensely grateful.
I see your point. You would have taken over our world by now.
I have no doubt of it. We have a population of only a few million, but look how close Daniel is to taking over both our worlds.
Shayna sighed. Speaking of Daniel, I’m a little uneasy about Quill. Daniel told him not to harm you, but I know Quill wants you dead. Apparently you pose some kind of threat to his own position in Daniel’s hoped-for empire.
I don’t see how. I’ll never serve Daniel.
I know that, but it seems to me Daniel still holds out hope that he can find a way to turn you.
He won’t, Marius said.
I have no doubt of that. Just be careful, that’s all I’m saying. Daniel may have ordered him not to harm you, but I got the sense Quill has other ideas.
Marius squeezed her waist yet again. Warning duly received. Now look out on the horizon. Land.
I see it. The Yucatán Peninsula came into view, forming a recognizable horn that separated the Gulf waters from the Caribbean.
Now it was Shayna’s turn for her own adrenaline to hit her veins and her heart started racing. While they were in flight, they were safe, but close to Quill, who knew what might happen. And the weapon was there. She could feel it now, as well as Marius’s powerful intent to do everything he could to get hold of it.
Marius set his trajectory for Costa Rica and a minute later started a sharp descent.
As he penetrated the jungle landscape, Shayna had to close her eyes once more. The trees then the cavern system created the feathery feeling again, then nothing as Marius reached their destination point within this latest cave.
Shayna was taken aback by the unimproved state of the cavern, which was riddled with the usual dripstones.
Marius hovered in altered flight, five feet above the ground. Shayna sensed he’d take off in a heartbeat if he had to.
But only Quill, Lev, and what looked like the black base to the weapon awaited them. A small, faded blue canvas bag sat against the wall not far from the weapon.
Yet the lack of a security force alarmed Shayna, though she didn’t know why. Something about the whole situation felt wrong. Why would Quill and Lev come here without a team of well-trained fighters to protect them, especially after having seen what Marius was capable of?
As Marius slowly lowered to the ground, his voice shot through her head. I won’t turn away from this battle, Shayna, so I want you to step off my boot then disappear like you did before.
She didn’t need to be told twice. As soon as he released her, and her own fur-lined boots hit the cavern floor, she pulled back into her safe, invisible place. Like before, as she siphoned Marius’s power, she levitated toward the ceiling of the cave, though slower this time. She didn’t need to deal with another goose egg on top of her head.
* * *
Marius stared at Quill, his oldest half brother. Lev, as the weaker of the two, Marius ignored.
All five brothers had had different mothers, each of them killed by Daniel when her son reached the age of four. The pain of losing his mother still lived in Marius and always would. He remembered her, and her love, the primary reasons he would never succumb to Daniel’s persuasions. Marius’s mother had taught him well during those early years, talking to him often, teaching him, and advising him.
When the torture had started, the primary reason he’d survived without completely losing either his mind or his soul was because of the strength his mother had built into his character. Why Quill and Lev had chosen to align with Daniel, Marius would never know.
But Quill’s choices had made him a murderer, rapist, and slaver, which meant that Marius would not feel any kind of remorse if he ended Quill’s life right now. And Lev was cut from the same cloth.
Shayna’s voice pierced his mind. Marius, I’m uneasy about this setup. Something doesn’t feel right to me.
I know, I’m feeling it, too. But if Quill wants a battle, I’m ready.
