Month: January 2022

If you want to go back and read Part 1 of Lenore’s story, click here.

If you missed Part 2 of Lenore’s story, click here.

To go back and read Part 3 of Lenore’s story, click here.

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Making herself comfortable in the taxi, Lenore rounded on Vaughn. “You are not going to tell my mother about all this crazy nonsense. I am not going to attempt to explain Atlan to her when I don’t even understand it myself.”

“You don’t have to worry about explaining. We will not be explaining Atlan. Or bringing it up at all. I will ask questions without mentioning any secret cities.” 

She shook her head. “No. That’s worse.”

“How so?”

With a groan she let her head crash back into the headrest. “Ugh. Just don’t talk. I need to figure this out.”

Thankfully he listened and remained silent as she kept her eyes closed and thought through what she could possibly say, rejecting it all as they came.

“We’re here.” He said, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She sat up straight and peered out the window, shocked at seeing her childhood home looking as normal and familiar as ever. Even more surprising was the sight of her mother, storming down the sidewalk toward the taxi, livid. Quickly, Lenore hopped out of the taxi and ran to embrace her.

In an amazingly fluid move Lenore’s mother hugged her, spun, deposited Lenore behind her, and went back to glaring at Vaughn in a heartbeat.

“Mom?”

She ignored Lenore, all her focus on Vaughn as he slowly slid out of the car with an easy smile. “Mrs. Shaisse. It is a pleasure to meet you.” His smile dropped and his eyes narrowed as he took in her stance. Immediately he bowed, low.

Her mother’s voice was harsh and strained as she asked, “Does she know?”

When he stood up straight, Vaughn gave a sharp nod. “I come as escort to figure out the discrepancy of her accidental arrival in Atlan.” He paused and glanced over at Lenore. “She found an old arch and practically fell through.”

Lenore could only stare in disbelief as her mother relaxed, motioning Vaugn to the house.

“Atlan. Then I suppose now would be the time to talk about a few things.” She put her arm around Lenore and looked back at Vaughn. “Join us inside, warrior.”

Lenore stared at her mother in shock. “Mom?” Turning to Vaughn she glared. “I thought you said we were absolutely not going to be bringing any of that up? Wait, Mom, do I know what? Why did you call him a warrior?”

“Inside, Lenore.” Her mother waved her inside without looking back at Vaughn. Closing the front door she took a deep breath. “Lenore, I need to speak with your guest for a minute.”

“Speak away, mom.” Lenore shrugged. “I’m not going anywhere. I want answers. You know about Atlan, talking about it like its commonplace knowledge and everything.”

Vaughn gave another low bow to her mother. “I did not know. Forgive my intrusion.”

Her mother waved her hand at him. “There was no way for you to know. Call me Zayta. Please sit down and I will explain.”

“Mom.” Lenore crossed her arms. “How do you know who he is?”

Spearing her with an icy don’t-cross-me glare, Zayta motioned once again to the sofa. “Go sit down, Lenore.”

Once all three were seated Zayta sighed. “Lenore, we come from a long line of well respected leaders in the city of Talsin. Similar to Atlan, our gates are closed to outsiders and can only be accessed through the archways. However, we believe that it is important to live among many diverse people to learn and grow from rich cultures such as our own. Your great grandfather was the first of our family to come here to Colorado. He fell in love with the place and its mountains. Eventually he moved here with his wife and children. After that, it became tradition for the women of our family to reconnect with our ancient heritage and live amongst the Talsin people for at least a year. Over the years many chose to remain in Talsin. Today only I remain here, for you.”

“For me?” Lenore jumped out of her seat and began pacing. “Why haven’t you told me any of this? Why the big secret?”

Zayta continued, unruffled by the outburst. “Tradition is special to us. I have been trying to set up the journey home with you for years. While I had hoped to take you as a gift before your wedding so you would at least know, I am sorry I have not pushed the issue harder. I did not want to burden you with so much change after your father died.”

Vaughn leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Your family line is Shaisse? I do not recognize it. And I have studied the lines of most leading families in all four cities.”

“Four?!” Lenore exploded. “There are more cities? Do they all have kings that want to study me?”

Zayta jolted. “King Taran wants to study Lenore?” 

Vaughn inclined his head. “Only because of the mystery surrounding how she saw the archway.”

Lenore watched as her mother visibly relaxed. “Shaisse is not our Talsin family line.  My grandmother married a Shaisse from here. We are of the Reske line.”

Immediately Vaughn was on his feet and moving away.

“What?” Lenore grabbed him.

Glancing between the two of them, Vaughn struggled to speak. Finally Zayta chuckled. “Your friend is merely struggling with shock. He doesn’t know whether to call me a liar or bow again.”

“Why?”

Her mother once again speared her gaze into Lenore. “The Reske line was rumored to have died out years ago when political intrigue led way to the assassination of your grandmother’s brother and his family. Since my mother lived here and had married into a new name, none knew to look for her. Though many tried. Over the years people forgot about us and I have sought to keep it that way.” Turning her full attention on Vaughn once again Zayta smiled. “Now, warrior, I would hear what line you are of. You bow like you aren’t used to it and study noble family lines as if you are one.”

“I am Vaughn Laros.”

Zayta stood and swept a beautifully intricate curtsey that Lenore had never in her life seen her do. “The only son…and heir.”

Vaughn glanced at Lenore. “Yes. Though not the only heir in the room apparently.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lenore shook. 

Her mother touched her arm. “My mother was sister to the king of Talsin. You are the forgotten heir to the city of Talsin.”

“So like a princess?”

Vaughn shook his head. “Not like a princess. You are one.”

She scoffed. “And what? You’re a prince?”

He bowed his head with a nod.

Click here to start Lenore’s story from the beginning.

Click here to read part 2 of Lenore’s story.

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Vaughn did not leave her personal space for a moment as he walked her through the most amazing and clean city she had ever seen. Spiraling towers shaped like narwhal horns shot high into the bright water, shimmery bubbles encasing each one. Hundreds of walkways and bridges connected the city buildings. There was so much to see and gawk at and Vaughn would not let her slow down at all.

When she grumbled and tried to pull away, he only laughed. “Ah, Lenore. This is not the time for sight-seeing. We have things to accomplish today.”

“But we are leaving. When will I ever get the chance, if not now?”

“You will be back.” His hand on her back propelled her forward, his eyes scanning for openings in the crowd for them to pass through. They were moving fast.

Lenore shook her head. “You don’t know that. Your king might decide to have me disappeared instead. Get rid of the pesky annoyance before she can make any real problems. Maybe that’s what we are doing now. Are you going to make me disappear? Send me through a gateway with nothing on the other side? Make your king’s life a little less stressful?”

Vaughn continued walking, half pulling her along. “Such a delightful imagination, Lenore. However, despite your gruesome opinion of me, we are going to visit your mother.”

“My what?!” She shrieked, halting in the middle of the path. “I thought you were joking. You are not going to meet my mother. Are you insane? Why would I take you to visit my mother?”

It was his chuckle that stopped her cold. “You act as though you have a choice.”

Her shoulders slumped just a little. “I’m not going willingly. And you will have a hard time explaining yourself if you drag me everywhere. It’s not socially acceptable where I’m from.”

“Lenore. I will not be dragging you anywhere.” He held out his arm and gave a small bow. “However, I am the one who will be escorting you on the journey.”

“No. What am I supposed to tell her? I just met you and randomly thought the two of you should meet?”

He pulled himself up straight and shot her a charming smirk. “I will pose as your boyfriend.”

“No.” She shook her head so fiercely that her ponytail smacked her in the face. “That won’t work. I have…had a fiance and she’s met him, so you can’t be him either.”

“Do you currently have a fiance, Lenore? Or do you no longer have one?” The poor man looked genuinely confused.

“Had. I had a fiance. Though my mom doesn’t know yet that I don’t.”

“Why not?”

She sighed and pulled herself a little further away. He didn’t stop her. “Because I stupidly went to check out the golden arch that was shimmering on the wall of a cliff and a crazy psycho pulled me through it.”

Vaughn had started walking again and Lenore realized that she had followed without thinking. “I do not see the connection.”

Holding in a growl, she clenched her fists instead. “I broke up with my fiance the same night I was pulled through the arch. Was that last night?” She sighed, remembering how angry and sad she had been, walking down the beach. “I obviously haven’t had a chance to talk to her since then.”

He nodded. “I can see how that would prove to have been difficult. Why did you end the relationship with your fiance?”

There was devastatingly chill silence as Lenore abruptly put significant space between them and walked at a faster clip, her jaw clenched shut. It didn’t take more than a second for him to catch up, however he didn’t speak. They walked side by side for several minutes until his hand caught her elbow. She didn’t have a chance to yell at him because he quickly pointed down a hallway. 

“We turn here.” He didn’t say more, waiting for her to begin her long striding steps. Not wanting to deal with looking at his penitently chagrined face, she complied.  Again they walked until they reached a room that looked very much like the room she had arrived in, however there were several plush couches to the side where people were sitting around amiably chatting.

“Are they waiting for something?” Lenore whispered.

Vaughn motioned her closer to the arch. “This is one of the portals that is in current regular use. And they are probably waiting for people to arrive, not waiting to leave.”

She peered at the twisting archway again. “Regular? Where does this one lead to?” Her analyzing stare turned on Vaughn.

“For the next twenty minutes this one connects to downtown Denver, Colorado. Which reminds me. Where does your mother live? And what is her name? Where is your father?”

A little ‘ha’ burst out of her lips. “Shouldn’t you know all that already?”

“I was attempting politeness, but if you’d rather I not bother…” His face blocked out the rest of the room as his arm snaked around her waist. 

She was stunned to discover herself in his embrace, and not hating him for it. Despite her startling feelings she pushed him away. “How about we not hug it out. And you can let me go through the shiny magical portal alone.”

“What happened to being worried about going through a gateway to nothing. Have you decided to trust my word?”

She laughed sardonically. “No. Though I seriously doubt all these other people have gathered to willingly walk through the portal of doom or wait for people to come back through it.”

He shook his head and extended his arm to her. “Come. It is time for our departure.” Vaughn nodded over at one of the men standing near the arch and then pulled her through. He caught her around the waist once more before she had a chance to stumble when they ended up in a small empty office. Blithely walking into the also empty hallway, Vaughn nodded toward the window. “Now, your mother lives in the small town just to the west of here and we must hurry if we are to avoid traffic.”

“Here?” Lenore tried processing the sights she was taking in. “This is nowhere near the beach. This is Colorado.”

His persistent tug on her waist, had her in a taxi and zipping away towards her mother’s house before she could think to ask any questions. 

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Click here to read the next part of Lenore’s story.

If you want to read part 1 first, click here.

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Trying to shake the fuzziness in her head, Lenore blinked furiously. Her brain could not make sense of what she was seeing. A giant manta ray was swimming over her, on the ceiling. No, in the ceiling? Yet she was in bed. But not her bed. And she had no idea how she had come to be in that amazing comfy bed. 

Luckily, the more she blinked, the more her memories filled in the blanks. The Adonis guy, no. He said his name was Vince? Van? Maybe Vaughn? He told her where she was. 

But where was she, really? And she didn’t mean the city they were in. She didn’t even want to think about that yet. This was not the room she had been in before. No gateway or guards or views of a crazy awesome underwater city. And Vaughn was gone. He had ditched her in solitary confinement as soon as she had answered his questions and now he had no further interest or use for her. Though she had to admit, it was rather plush for confinement. 

But had she answered him? She couldn’t remember.

If she hadn’t still been laying in bed, she probably would have jumped out of her skin when the door slammed open and in walked a very officious looking woman, not a hair out of place.

“Staisse? Spell it.”

Lenore gaped at her. “Who are you?”

The woman’s eyes speared her. “Spell your name, girl. I can’t believe they sent me in to deal with the outsider. Me. I have far too much to do today to pamper a spoiled little nobody.”

“S-t-a-i-s-s-e.” Lenore gulped. “Am I a prisoner?”

With a groan, the woman finished typing in the translucent tablet she was holding and clasped it behind her back. Suddenly she looked like the stereotype ‘school marm’ ready to chastise her students a.k.a Lenore.

“Don’t be foolish, child. “ She gestured around the room. “Does this look like a cell? You are in a guest holding room until you can be confirmed and vetted.”

“And if I’m not?”

Another spear-tipped gaze was tossed her way. “Then you will forget any of this happened and no longer be my concern.”

Lenore exhaled. “That works for me. I’d rather be back to blissfully unaware.”

“Ms Staisse, you are the first to naturally see our doorway in over 400 years. The likelihood that the king will simply let you leave with no memories of what happened is next to none. Most likely  you will be vetted merely so he can hand you over to the science division to determine what went wrong so that we can prevent any more spill over.”

“I vote no.” Lenore plopped back on her bed.

“You lost your ‘vote’ when you crossed that doorway.” The woman crossed her arms.

“I didn’t cross the doorway.” Lenore tried to not screech hysterically. “The gorgeous, muscly guy pulled me through.”

“What do you mean?”

Before she blurted it all out, her eyes narrowed at the suddenly attentive tone. “You never told me who you are.”

“No. I did not.” The woman’s smile remained fixed. “I do not like to waste my time. Now you will tell me what happened or I will send you down to the interview room for a more thorough discussion.”

“Where’s Vaughn? That’s his name, right?”

Again the woman’s attention slammed into her. “Did Vaughn bring you here?”

Lenore was nodding as the door once again burst open. Vaughn came striding in with an easy smile.

“There you are, Ms Perkins. Are you still harassing the girl? I thought you just needed to confirm her name.”

Ms Perkins turned on him. “I was just about to hear an interesting story from the staisse girl. She claims that you pulled her through.”

Vaughn sighed. “Of course she did. She doesn’t understand how the doorways work. Her hand was already through the doorway. She was coming through whether she wanted to or not. I only finished the process faster so that she wouldn’t be spotted by anyone else as she was slowly disappearing into a cliff.”

“No! You…” 

Vaughn cut her off with a glare before switching back to his utterly charming smile. 

Ms Perkins humphed. “I’ll see that the king receives my report now.”

Lenore watched her leave. She quickly slammed her mouth shut as Vaughn faced her again. The door closed and she jumped just a little.

“Are you trying to get me in trouble?”

“Not knowingly.” With a bright smile she rose up. Standing with her arms crossed she cocked her head to the side. “If you weren’t so abrupt before and took some time to explain things I wouldn’t be talking to anyone who would listen.”

“Do you have a great great grandparent or further back that mysteriously disappeared without a trace and reappeared years later?”

“What?”

He shrugged. “I’m trying to figure out how you saw the doorway.”

“No disappearing relatives. Though every woman in my mother’s line goes on a year long trip with no phone or anything when they reach 20. Does that count as disappearing? That probably doesn’t count. Unless you are looking for women who are adventurous and have wandering spirits. Now I’m rambling.” Lenore clamped her mouth shut.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty one.”

“Did you go on this family trip?

“No.” Her arms crossed tightly across her middle.

“Why did you not go on your trip?”

Lenore shrugged. “I was busy with school. My mom has been trying to convince me to go but by the time I was done with school I had a fiancé. I couldn’t leave.”

“We must meet your mom.”

She laughed. “Your scary guard dog/secretary…”

“Ms Perkins?”

“Yes. She told me that I would either be heading to be experimented on or returning home minus the memories.”

“New development.” Vaughn slipped an arm around her waist and propelled her to the door. “And it looks like we get to spend some quality time together.”

Lenore glared up at him. “No kissing.”

“Let us meet your mother, then we can talk about kissing.”

“No, not kissing. We will talk about not kissing.”

Vaughn continued to escort her out. “We surely will have time to talk of both. Though I agree. No kissing in front of your mother yet.”

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Come back next week to read part 3 of Lenore’s story!

Lenore walked along the beach near La Jolla Cove, breathing in the crisp salty air. It was the calming breath she needed. After the fight she had just had with Colin, her now ex-fiance, over the fact that texting other girls to set up dates while she was out of town definitely counts as cheating, she needed the space.

She needed to hear the crash of the waves to steady her breaking heart. She needed the soft sand underneath her feet to ground her. And she most definitely needed time away from the restaurant she had just run out of crying, following their far too loud for being in public fight.

Several deep breaths later she stood still, staring at the looming cliff. The tide was rising and she didn’t have much time left before she wouldn’t be able to walk on the beach at all. Daylight was also fading, so there was that.

Just as she was about to turn back to go find her car she spotted an odd intricate arch that looked to be embedded in the cliff. There were beautiful shells and twisting seaweed like vines along the arch.

“What?” She whispered.

As soon as she spoke, the rock face inside the arch shimmered. Almost like when you go snorkeling and look up at the surface from under the water and see the sunlight scattering through the depths.

Without much forethought she moved toward it. The whole thing was stunning. And the closer she got to the arch, the brighter it shone. In the fading light it was calling to her curiosity, tugging her to inspect it closer.

She reached out to touch the water-like cliff face and found that there was no resistance. It was as if the rock she had seen before had liquefied into something else. However, she wasn’t able to pull her finger back. It didn’t hurt per se but she wanted her hand back.

After tugging for a minute she became a little more panicked, yanking hard. Just as she sucked in a deep breath to yell for help, a large bronzed hand and arm reached through the shimmery water and grabbed hold of her upper arm. Shock stole the air from her body when an Adonis-like face appeared attached to the hand currently holding her. With no warning the man smiled and pulled her in. The shock causing her to freeze melted into an oddly relaxed shudder, until he kissed her. Whether it was instinct or habit, Lenore’s eyes closed as she was filled with a rush of heat. She stumbled forward, falling further into the kiss and forgetting about the arch she had been struggling to extricate herself from; the same one he had just emerged from.

 Unable to pull back, now that her shoulder had touched the shimmering cliff face, her attempt to push him away resulted in her stumbling into his lips.

Like a rush of ice in her veins, her eyes popped open and she shoved him away again. Surprisingly it worked the second time and she was able to create some distance between them. She was met with an incredible sight that had nothing to do with the handsome man now standing in front of her.

Gasping, she reached a hand out to touch what looked like a bubble wall. On the other side of it was the ocean… and a city. She could see other large bubbles and connecting hallways of light forming around the vast city.

“Where?” Lenore couldn’t think of words to form her question further.

Apparently her new kissing buddy had questions of his own. “How did you know the archway was there? You shouldn’t have been able to see it.”

Her focus snapped over to him. “Is that why you kissed me? Because I saw an arch in a cliff? Or was it because I touched it without permission?” Even as she could hear the slight tinge of hysteria in her tone she couldn’t stop talking. “Where am I?? How do I get back?”

His arms folded as he gave her what she assumed was supposed to be a soothing smile. It looked a little more like a superior gloat though.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“You didn’t answer any of mine.” She folded her arms to mimic his.

“Mine are more important ones that require immediate answers.”

Lenore took a deep breath to keep herself from launching at him to smack that pretty boy smile off his face. “That is a matter of perspective.” She looked around again. “How do I get out of here?”

“You don’t, unless I clear you.” He pointed behind him. “Once I do, my friend in the control room will open the door to this hallway and we can see what we can do about finding you a place to stay until we can return you to the surface.”

She clamped her jaw shut and shook her head. “I need to know what is going on before I talk to you about anything.”

He took a step forward. “Or maybe I should just kiss you until you tell me everything I want to know.”

“Is that supposed to be a threat or my reward?” She taunted, unwilling to admit that she really had enjoyed kissing him.

His smirk broadened. “My name is Vaughn.” He stuck his hand out. “Maybe I should start there. You touched one of the few portals still accessible to Atlan. Since you were an unknown, I was sent to assess the situation.”

“Does typical protocol include the kissing or am I special?”

“I’d say you are very special because kissing is against protocol on first contact and I am already very much tempted to do it again. However, I should probably at least know your name first?”

“Wait. Did you say Atlantis?”

“No. Atlantis is several miles north of here.”

“Oh.” She turned to stare out at the city. Almost as if she wasn’t aware that she was talking she whispered. “I’m Lenore. North?”

“Ms. North. We need to know how you broached security.”

Lenore shook her head. “My name is Lenore Shaisse. Not North.”

“Lenore?”

Hearing her name caused her to jump. “Yes?”

“How did you see the archway? Were you looking for it?”

She shook her head. “No. I was just walking on the beach and I saw it, then something started shimmering on the cliff face and I felt a strong desire to touch it, and then my finger was stuck. Then you showed up. You want to kiss me again?” Feeling unsteady she wavered, reaching her hand out to find some support and found his arm around her instead.

He smiled down at her. “Very much so, my lady.”

“Oh. Good.” Her world went black.

Click here for Part 2 of Lenore’s story!