Sherrilyn Kenyon: The Dream-Hunter

M'Adoc cocked his head as if he couldn't fathom Ash's reasoning. "With this information, you could own us."

Ash flinched as bitter, painful memories surged through him, but he banished them. "Contrary to Nick's opinion, I don't ever want to own anyone. It's wrong to take away someone's independence." And on that he sought to change the subject. "D'Alerian says that you and Zarek can help each other. I hope so. Z's too decent a man to keep suffering. If you can take any of it off him, then I'll owe you ."

M'Adoc frowned at him. "I wouldn't say that if I were you. Being indebted to a god isn't the way to maintain independence."

"Yeah, believe me, I know. But it's all right, M'Adoc. I can see the future. You're going to be fine."

M'Adoc glanced to the door where Kyrian and Nick had vanished. "You can see my future so clearly. It's a pity you can't see your own."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

M'Adoc cleared his throat. "It's not my place to say. I'm a dream god. Not one of fate. Take me to this Zarek and let me see what I can do for him."

Ash obliged, but even as he did so he couldn't shake the feeling that something had transpired this night that he should have picked up on. As a god of fate, he knew that somehow he'd just set something into motion and, knowing his luck, it was most likely something he shouldn't have.

ONE MONTH LATER

GEARY STOOD ON THE DECK OF HER NEW BOAT AS THE WATER lapped gently against it. While she stared out over the crystal blue sea that was as timeless as her quest she could hear Cynthia below playing an old Andy Gibb album. They were right above the spot where Atlantis rested. Where Geary had held the old box and had touched a tiny portion of that lost, mythical city.

Two weeks ago, she, Arik, and Kat had retrieved everything that had marked this area and they'd destroyed every piece of evidence that Geary and her father had collected.

No one would ever know what they'd found.

Arik came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her on her shoulder that was left bare from her sagging tank top strap. "Are you having second thoughts?" he asked warmly in her ear.

She shook her head as she felt her love for him swell through her. "How could I?" She smiled.

He leaned his cheek against the top of her head as he rocked her gently in his arms. "All you wanted was to save your father's reputation."

"And so I have. I don't care what the rest of the world thinks. I know the truth. That's enough for me."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. Even Tory had taken it better than Geary had expected. True, the girl hadn't been pleased, but she hadn't argued, either.

Sitting on the couch at Teddy's house, Tory had stared at Geary in disbelief. "What do you mean we're through?"

Geary had flinched at Tory's irate voice. "It's over, Tor. We now know our fathers weren't crazy and that they didn't die in vain. It's enough. Atlantis wasn't meant to be discovered by us. She needs to stay on the bottom of the sea forever."

Geary had expected Tory to shout. Instead the girl merely got up calmly and gathered her books. "I see. So are you shipping me back home to New York?"

"Not right away. I thought we could enjoy the rest of the summer together… Are you sure you're okay?"

Tory had shrugged. "I'm fine. The boat's gone. The research is gone, and you're giving up. How can I change any of that?"

Even so, Geary had expected more of a fight from her cousin. "You're taking this a lot better than I thought you would."

Cradling her books to her chest, Tory had merely sighed. "I'm a sane, rational person, Geary. I know when I can't change something. If I thought throwing a fit would sway you, I'd do so. But I know you better than that. If you say it's over, then it's done. All I can do is hope you'll change your mind one day."

Tory had then laid down her book of Plato and headed for the door. "I'm gonna go make Thia's day by telling her the news. You two have fun."

And so their zealous quest had ended with nothing more than a whisper. What had seemed so important at the time had turned out to be nothing more than a fool's errand when put in perspective. Yes, finding the island was important, but not nearly as much as enjoying the lives of the people who really mattered.

Atlantis would always be there. But Tory, Thia, Scott, and the others wouldn't. At last Geary had come to understand the secret of Atlantis. It wasn't the power or the history. It was to value those around you—to treasure family. To love unconditionally in spite of faults and suspicions.

And as Tory had predicted, Thia had been ecstatic over the news that they were through seeking it.

But for Tory and Geary it was bittersweet.

Arik moved away from her, bringing her thoughts back to the present. "Close your eyes."

Frowning at him, Geary obeyed. She felt his hands at her neck an instant before something cold slide between her breasts. She opened her eyes and found a beautiful necklace there. It was a gold sun, the rays of which were outlined by diamonds. "It's beautiful."

He smiled. "Kat sent it to you. She said in her note that it was a gift from Apollymi to let you know there were no hard feelings for not releasing her."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Apollymi had said, 'Victory to the spider.' She's waited this long to be free, what's a few more centuries?"

Geary shook her head, grateful the goddess wasn't holding a grudge against them. "I miss Kat." She'd left them a week ago to head off to a new assignment for Artemis. Apparently there was some woman in Greece being pursued by Daimons whom Kat was supposed to watch over.

"Yeah. She was a lot of fun. But I have a feeling we'll be seeing her again."

"I hope so." Geary turned around and took Arik's hands into hers. It was so strange to have him here with her. To know so much about him and the other world but to not be able to share it with anyone, not even Tory or Thia.

But that was okay with Geary. She could definitely live with this secret.

Arik lifted her hand in his and kissed the back of her knuckles. "So when are you going to tell me your news?"

"And what news is that?"

He arched a brow at her and looked down meaningfully at her stomach.

Geary gaped as she caught his meaning. "How did you know about that?"

He gave her a wicked grin. "I still have a lot of my powers, baby. You know that."

She sighed heavily. "I wanted it to be a surprise." She pouted playfully until a thought occurred to her. "Do you think the baby will inherit your powers?"

"I don't know. Possibly."

Oh, that could be fun. She suddenly had images of Tabitha from Bewitched in her mind. Yeah. Just what she needed. A baby who held the powers of a god. But that didn't really matter. She would love her child no matter what. "Lucy, we'll have a lot of explaining to do."

"Yes, we will, but first, Ricky has to make an honest woman of his Lucy."

Warmth spread through her at his words. "I was wondering when you were going to get around to that."

"It's a yes then?"

She gave him a droll stare. "No. I thought I'd walk through hell to reclaim you and carry your baby just for the heck of it. Who needs marriage?"

"I do."

She smiled. "Good. I can let you live another day."

Laughing, he pulled her into his arms and held her close. "Thank you, Geary."

"For what?"

"For giving me a life that is the best dream I've ever had."