Jewel of Atlantis by Gena Showalter Read Free Book Online Page B

that, and we’ll speak again in the morning.” Marina stalked from the room, slamming and locking the door behind her.
    The threat lingered in the air long after she’d gone, and a shudder racked Jewel. Marina always found a way to get what she wanted. Jewel longed to call her back, but pressed her lips together. The knowledge she possessed had the potential to destroy all of Atlantis.
    She leapt to her feet and paced the confines of her chamber. Or rather, prison. A prison fairly bursting with anything and everything a woman could desire. Fluffy pillows spilled from the gold-wrought bed; brilliant sapphire-and-emerald dyed lambs’ fleece carpets adorned the marble floor. A large, heated bathing pool, canvas and paints, and a table piled high with mouth-watering food. All were here to keep her occupied, keep her thoughts away from escape.
    She might have luxuriated in the room and its offerings if she were allowed an ounce of freedom. Instead, the queen kept her sealed inside. Jewel was only allowed out to hold court with the queen’s supposed enemies, where Jewel herself judged them friend or foe. Oh, she had tried to escape. Many times. She had always failed miserably—and others had been punished for her efforts. Still, she kept a satchel hidden and ready, just in case an opportunity arose.
    “Just in case” might actually be tonight, she thought with a slow grin. Gray had promised to come for her,to save her. She needed to plan their escape route. Should have done it already, but had had no time alone.
    There were no windows here, but she knew darkness had already fallen, for sentinels marched outside her door. Their boots thumped against the floor, blending with the sound of her own pacing. Her silky white robe wisped at her ankles, as delicate as clouds.
    Be ready, babe, he’d said. I’m coming in.
    With every step, Gray’s words echoed through her mind, bringing with them a wealth of emotion: joy, excitement, hope. His arrival almost seemed too wonderful to be true. How long had she waited for this day?
    The answer was simple. Forever. She’d waited forever.
    He will be hurt.
    The warning suddenly echoed through her mind with the force of a tempest, swirling and churning, consuming. Her joy and excitement were instantly replaced by dread. Her eyes widened in horror. Oh my gods, what had she done? Her premonitions were never, never wrong. If Gray entered this palace, he would be hurt. The knowledge now burned inside her as hot as flames, and she covered her mouth with a shaky hand.
    What if she’d led him to his death?
    If something happened to him, she’d never forgive herself. The demons were a vicious race, always happy to kill and maim. And now, with knowledge of the portals apparently spreading, the demon queen would desperately need Jewel’s aid. She wouldn’t hesitate to kill Gray in the most painful way possible. A tide of apprehension slammed into Jewel.
    “What have I done?” she whispered brokenly.
    She never should have led Gray here, no matter how desperately she needed him. The demons would smell his human blood. They would find him and rend the flesh from his bones.
    The consequences of her actions rose full force in her mind. Jewel rubbed a hand over her forehead and briefly closed her eyes. A dark, dangerous inner storm threatened to flood and drown her; she was responsible for this. She should have known better, she thought, laughing bitterly. She of all people should have known better than to ask someone to help her. Especially Gray.
    He had always been a part of her life. Her earliest memories were filled with him; throughout her life, she’d had visions of him, of his path from child to man, of his silly antics with his siblings. Of his kill-or-be-killed missions. Of his numerous—too numerous, to her way of thinking—women.
    Quite simply, she’d always loved him.
    His image formed in her mind, though it didn’t soothe her as it usually did. No, her fear increased. Wonderfully