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Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

Kalim's primary airport was lit up with brilliant lights when Harlan landed at Hathor a little more than half an hour later.

"Did you lose something?" Kalim asked Harlan, strolling toward him after he left the craft. "You were gone far too long, and then you tell me you dropped Aban into the sea to retrieve that sled cover? I'm happy he was useful, but I expected nothing else. All my people are talented and superb. Did he do well?"

"Well enough," Harlan said. "But apparently he found the experience addictive, as I told you on the phone. He wanted to join the team that I'm gathering to go down to the caves."

Kalim nodded soberly. "Because you told him you thought Kira would be found there. None of us can fault him for wanting to bring her back. That's what we all want. Though I'm glad you discouraged him. We may need all the men we can muster here. I've been hearing that there have been a good many strangers sighted in and around the villages since Abdullah's death. Taylor may believe that this is the time to strike at them." His lips tightened grimly. "Strike at me . He'll get a few surprises if he tries. We know how to protect ourselves."

"I can bring in more men to help," Harlan offered. "Just call Belson, as I told you. He's on alert to send you whatever equipment or teams you request."

Kalim nodded. "I'll remember." He suddenly smiled as he saw Aban and Fiona exiting the plane. "Though by the look of those two, we may not need to bother with reinforcements." He tilted his head appraisingly. "Am I mistaken, or do they look as if they're ready to take on the whole damn world?"

"I gave them a few words of advice," Harlan said. "But I believe it's time I made my exit. I've already said my goodbyes. I'm taking a cargo copter to pick up my sleds and try to get them positioned before Kira shows up. Take care of Fiona." He was already heading for the helicopter. "Or as much as she'll let you. That's always the question. Good luck, Kalim."

"I don't believe luck will be required," Kalim murmured as he turned to face Aban and Fiona. "It's not as if I haven't had years of experience handling the population of this entire island. It's merely that one has to be firm…"

But Fiona was standing directly in front of him now, gazing at him accusingly. "He's gone?" Her eyes turned to the helicopter as it began to lift off the tarmac. "I was hoping to get to talk to Harlan again before he left. Why couldn't you have stopped him?"

"I realize you're disappointed," Kalim said. "But he told me that he'd had his discussion with you, and he asked me to watch out for you. I think you can trust me."

"That's not good enough." She was still gazing at the departing helicopter. "I wanted to help Kira. And I wanted to help Harlan, dammit. Instead, he sent me to you. Do you know how that makes me feel? I'm not a child, Kalim. He should have let me go with him." Her hands were clenched into fists. "I'm just as good as Aban if you give me a chance. You let Kira work with you here on the island, and look how much she improved your herds and even brought you a treasure trove. She wouldn't have been able to do that if she hadn't been much smarter than any other man you could have hired. I'm not saying I'm as smart as Kira. She's older and more experienced. But I could be, if you'd let me have the opportunity. I work hard, and all you have to do is let me try." She reached out and grabbed his arm. "Listen to me, you need help here? If you won't send me after Kira, let me stay here and help you catch Taylor so that he won't have a chance to hurt her. But don't lock me up somewhere I won't be able to do that. You need me, even if you don't know it yet."

"You very seldom appear to listen to me," Kalim said. "I'm hoping it's only a fault of the young and foolish." He shrugged. "But you seem to be very sincere, so I will take you at your word."

"You won't regret it," Fiona said. "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

"That sounds reasonable. Do you have any suggestions, Aban?"

"She does not swim nearly as well as I do," Aban said. "But Harlan has already said that I couldn't go and help him." He added reluctantly, "It seems she's been very good with the horses in the short time she's been here. She was even good with Sinbad. You might send her to help with the herds. That's what Harlan said Kira would want."

"Good. Then you take her and save me the trouble. Unless you have an objection?"

"Not if that's what you wish," Aban said resignedly. "You know I try to please you. But I've always told you herding isn't my favorite thing, sir."

"And he realizes I'm much better with the horses than he is." Fiona smiled slyly. "They like me and trust me. I promise not to hurt his pride too badly. Since he's one of your people, and I do respect you, Kalim."

Kalim shook his head. "I believe I've heard enough from the both of you to last me quite a while. All I ask is that you just keep your eyes sharp and take care of my property. Understood?" He didn't wait for an answer as he headed for his Bugatti. "Let Harlan and me worry about the rest…"

Kira looked at the four chunky black Jet Skis parked behind Taylor's cruiser. "You do know they're ugly as sin, right?"

"Looks aren't everything." Taylor scowled. "They're much more powerful than those ridiculous underwater sleds that Harlan and Dr. Bryson built."

"I doubt that." Kira wrinkled her nose in distaste. "I saw your men tooling around on them this morning. Your Jet Skis appear to be about as maneuverable as a supermarket shopping cart… with a busted front wheel."

Taylor's face flushed with anger. "They were custom-built for me by one of the world's finest marine manufacturers. I wanted to be ready if I needed to go after that treasure on my own."

"Really? For ordinary marine activities, they might be adequate. But what we're going to be doing is far from ordinary. You may have been cheated, that's all I'm saying." Kira turned away to keep him from seeing her smile. Now he was really pissed off. "But this is your party. I'm sure they'll get us to the treasure eventually."

"Are you quite finished?" he asked icily.

"I'll have more to say when you get on them. But your men sure didn't seem to be having too much fun. Maybe you should have consulted Harlan or Hannah Bryson before you put these things in the water. Possibly they could have helped you out."

"Enough!" Taylor growled. "I'm sick of your snide remarks. We leave now, bitch. And you'd better lead us right to that treasure."

"No problem. I realize what my purpose is at this party." She boarded the sled she'd brought from that midnight drop. But she couldn't resist one last needle. "Don't worry—if your sorry-ass Jet Skis break down, we can always swim!"

HATHOR ISLAND

FOUR HOURS LATER

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Kalim called as he got off his horse and moved deeper into the woods. His voice became considerably more strident when Fiona didn't answer. "Now!" he snapped as he reached the edge of the forest. "Aban told me that you'd taken Sinbad out for a training session over an hour ago. He said he'd tried to stop you and told you that Sinbad was too wild for anyone to ride but Kira. But you ignored him. I don't believe you'll ignore me, will you? Because I don't have time for this nonsense at the moment, Fiona."

"No, of course I won't ignore you." Fiona nudged Sinbad forward out of the forest so that she faced Kalim. Her eyes were wide with fear as she searched his expression. "Have you heard anything from Harlan? What about Kira?"

"No word yet," Kalim said. "But Harlan will let me know as soon as there's any news." He added, "I didn't need to hear this trouble about Sinbad from Aban when I'm trying to get any information I can from the villagers, Fiona. What's it all about?"

"You told me to take care of your property, and that's what I've been doing," Fiona said. "From what Kira and Aban were saying, Sinbad appears to be one of the most valuable pieces of property that you have on your island. Anyone who wanted to damage you would choose Sinbad to do it. Just like Taylor chose Golden Boy to hurt me. I wasn't going to let him do the same thing to you." She stroked Sinbad's neck as she spoke. "I tried to explain to Aban that I'd been working with Sinbad since I came here to the encampment. I thought he was ready to let me ride him. Usually all it takes is a few days for a horse to get to know me before we understand each other." She shrugged. "He wouldn't listen to me." She lifted her head and met Kalim's eyes. "And he was too afraid of you. So I thought I'd let you find out for yourself."

"How very kind of you," Kalim said acerbically. "Just what I needed when I'm so damn worried about keeping everything and everyone in my world safe and afloat." He was watching with amazement as she stroked Sinbad. "He's not displaying even a sign of wildness around you," he murmured. "Kira said you were magic with horses."

"Because I love them," Fiona said simply. "And how could I help but love Sinbad? Just look at him. He's absolutely beautiful. His coat shines like ebony. He's bigger and stronger than most horses that are considered to have Arabian blood, and his eyes are large and they positively glow with intelligence. He's already learned so much in this short time we've been training together. And the way he moves… Kira would understand all that because she loves him, too. Though she loves all animals. You know that because you've seen her work with them." She paused. "I want her back, Kalim. We have to make it happen."

"We will," Kalim said gently. "And she's one strong woman. She'll be out there somewhere helping us."

"But how can I help?" Fiona asked. "I thought if I hid Sinbad in the forest here, none of Taylor's men would be able to find him."

"Not a bad idea," Kalim said, "as long as Sinbad isn't going to buck you off his back and then trample you. I assume you're assuring me that's not going to happen?"

She smiled. "I'm safe with him. Give me another month, and he'll be safe for almost anyone to ride. He just didn't understand that his behavior wasn't acceptable. Can you blame him? He's been king of all he surveyed since the day he was born. It was obviously ingrained in his DNA." She was suddenly smiling. "Just as it was in yours." Then her smile faded and she frowned thoughtfully. "And you can tell just by looking at him. It would be no wonder if Taylor decided to go after him if he got the chance. He knows the value of an exceptional horse when he sees one. He saw it when he was using Golden Boy to try to kidnap me. He told me then that he was too valuable to destroy. I hated Taylor, but I was grateful at the time that Golden Boy was safe." She gazed at Kalim. "But what if he saw me riding Sinbad and decided he really wanted him? What could we do if—"

"No, Fiona," Kalim said firmly. "Don't give me any more what-ifs. Harlan would be justifiably furious with me if I exposed you to a risk like that. Besides, Harlan has enough on his plate down in those caves trying to survive. He doesn't need another challenge because you want to be involved in the rescue." He got back on his horse. "You stay here in the woods with Sinbad and do a little training just as you planned. I'll let you know any news about Kira as soon as I hear anything. Okay?"

She nodded. "No, it's not, but what can I say? As long as I can keep your blasted island safe and away from Taylor, I'll do anything I can." She paused. "Unless I find a way that sounds more foolproof. Then I don't promise anything." She pulled the horse's reins and turned back into the forest. "But you can give Aban a call and tell him that I'm not in any danger from Sinbad. The last thing I want is for him to come running after me because he thinks I'm still the lady in distress he rescued before."

"I can see how that would annoy you," Kalim said. "Aban meant well. His instincts are good. He's just not accustomed to ladies in distress being able to bring wild horses to attention with a single glance. Though he's known Kira long enough to be familiar with the concept. I'll give him your message, and I'll let you know as soon as I hear from Harlan."

"You're worried about him, aren't you?" Fiona asked.

He looked back over his shoulder at her. "I should lie and tell you I'm not," he said. "But you said you respect me, and I won't violate that trust. I'm beginning to respect you, too, Fiona. Yes, I'm very worried. I've been down there in those caves where they're playing their games with Taylor. It can be strange… and very intimidating. Kira and Harlan are exceptionally tough, and they have an excellent chance to survive. But you're right to be concerned. Just know that I'll be doing everything I can to keep the balance on our side."

Fiona tried to smile. "So will I. Thank you for being honest with me." She nudged Sinbad forward. "Come on, Sinbad, we're not quite on our own, but it's close… very close. Let's go find a way to show them that no one can push us around and get away with it…"

"Oh, shit," Kalim muttered.

Fiona could feel Kalim's gaze follow them as she and Sinbad vanished back into the forest.

Taylor and two of his helpers climbed onto the Jet Skis and motored behind Kira as she traveled toward the cave system. Although the craft were awkward and less responsive than the sleds, they performed better than Kira expected. But they were also noisier, scaring away marine life in a way that the sleds hadn't. As they approached the orange reef, the group dove underwater on their vehicles. She adjusted her mask and was relieved that it formed a tight yet comfortable seal over her face and ears. Like all the sled-connected masks, it came equipped with a radio that allowed her to communicate with the others in her group.

"Is everybody with me?" she asked.

"Right behind you," Taylor said sharply. "You're leading this parade."

Kira turned to avoid a cluster of vegetation. She was impressed by the Jet Skis' underwater capability, although they couldn't match the sleds' smooth feeling of flight.

Taylor's voice crackled over the radio. "Now what do you have to say about my Jet Skis?"

"Nice toy," she said. "But compared with Harlan's underwater sled, that's all it is. A toy. But it'll do the job, Taylor."

"You're damn right it will!"

They crossed over a ridge and beheld the valley of orange coral. Kira inhaled sharply as she recognized the shape of the rocks and the sluggish darkness of the flowing water. "Well, here we are. Didn't I tell you that you'd get what you wanted, Taylor?"

"This is it!" Taylor's voice vibrated with excitement. "You weren't lying to me. This is where you found the treasure, isn't it?"

"Yes. Get ready, everybody. We're going into that coral reef."

"Where, exactly?" Taylor asked. "Can you point it out?"

"No," Kira said. "Not yet. It's just past a group of white boulders. It's easy to miss, so we'll have to slow down to see it."

Kira slowed down herself. Suddenly it seemed there were white boulders everywhere. Where in the hell was it?

There!

She turned her sled hard left and followed the maze she'd traveled just a few days earlier. She was closely followed by Taylor and his men. Their Jet Skis were equipped with sonar sensors that made them relatively easy to navigate into the cave system.

Another voice spoke to her through the underwater helmet radio. "Hello, Kira."

She heard herself gasp. What in the hell…?

"Can you hear me?" It was Harlan's voice! "Don't worry, Taylor and his friends can't hear us. I just need to know you can hear me."

"Where are you?" she whispered. "How in the hell are you doing this?" She turned back to make sure Taylor wasn't privy to their conversation. He clearly wasn't.

"I have over a thousand patents and a couple of Nobel Prizes, Kira. You think I can't hack into a simple wireless communications system? I'm temporarily blocking them from hearing you."

"Foolish me." She moistened her lips. "Where are you?"

"Nearby, on the surface. How are you?"

"Better for hearing your voice. What's the plan?"

"Hey, turn toward Taylor and tap your helmet like you're having trouble hearing him. He's trying to talk to you right now."

"Shouldn't I answer him?"

"To hell with him. Let him think his equipment is faulty. It'll drive him nuts."

She chuckled. "You're right."

"I have a surprise planned for him and his men."

"And for me, apparently."

"I don't have time to explain. Just be ready to be very appreciative when you see the alternative transportation I've arranged for you."

"A navy submarine?"

"Better than that."

"Don't overpromise."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Okay, you're about to arrive at the first large cavern. You'll lead them in there, then back out immediately."

"They'll just follow me out."

"They won't be able to."

"How are you going to pull that off?"

"Did I mention that my sea sleds can be controlled remotely?"

"And…?"

"Don't worry about it. Just keep listening. Oh, and give Taylor a thumbs-up. He's getting a little frantic right now."

"I'd rather show him a different finger."

"Later. Right now, we want him to feel that everything is okay."

She turned back and raised her right thumb. Taylor nodded and raised his thumb in response.

"Just another few yards," she said. She eased off the throttle as they moved into the large cavern. She allowed Taylor and his men to drift past her, and she pointed vigorously at the far wall. They accelerated to take a look, and she spun around and roared back through the opening!

"I'm out!" she shouted to Harlan. "What now?"

"Keep going. Here's where the fun begins."

"She's getting away!" Giles shouted.

Taylor spun his watercraft around. "You idiot! Don't tell me about it. Go get her!"

The three men raced back toward the opening, but before they could reach it, one of Harlan's underwater sleds suddenly surfaced in front of them!

BLAM! Giles and Donovan struck the sled and were thrown from their Jet Skis. Donovan struck the cavern wall, and blood oozed from his forehead.

Giles struggled to get his bearings. "I can't feel my legs! Taylor, help…?"

The sled swung around and struck Giles, breaking his neck! It then raced toward Taylor, targeting him with deadly precision.

"Harlan," Taylor muttered. "It has to be Harlan…" He was controlling that damn sled from the surface, no doubt. Taylor gunned his Jet Ski and dodged behind a cluster of boulders. "Donovan! Where are you when I need you? Are you still here?"

"Yes," Donovan said weakly. "I'm bleeding. And I need to find my Jet Ski. I'm not sure if I can—" Donovan interrupted himself with a bloodcurdling scream.

Taylor turned just in time to see that a huge, thick sea snake had wrapped itself around Donovan's body and was literally eating his face.

Taylor stared in horror. Everything was going wrong. This shouldn't happen to him. It had to be Harlan who was causing it all. All he knew was that he had to get away from this place before he died like that fool Donovan. He had to get the hell out of here!

He rocketed out from behind the boulders, narrowly dodging the sled as it tried to ram him again. He sped past the snake and Donovan, who was now nothing more than a shredded bloody cloud.

The sled was after him again, he saw frantically. It was like some robotic monster Harlan had created to destroy him.

Taylor gunned his engine and raced back through the opening and past the orange coral formations that had seemed so beautiful and majestic on their way in, when he'd been certain they were leading him toward all those jewels Kira had promised. Now he was struggling to get away with just his life.

He finally cleared the coral and broke the surface. There, in the distance, was a yacht he assumed to be Harlan's, where Kira was undoubtedly headed. Bitch. Bitch. Bitch. She had done this to him. She and that demon from hell Jack Harlan. But none of it mattered. He would still win. All he had to do was bring in more of his men and attack from another direction.

This wasn't over yet.

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