Page 25 of Swimming With the Sharks

“Would you like a lift?”Polaris asked fromwithin the ocean.

Looking up, sure enough Polaris was there.“Whatare you doing here?”

“I called him.I might not be the leader of theAtlantis guard, son, but I still have some pull.”Noran statedprimly.

Smiling, Foster gave a hug to Calista andshocked the hell out of Noran, if his face was anything to go bywhen he hugged him too, “Thank you.Thank you both.Jabari and Iwill return soon.I really want time to get to know the both ofyou.Thank you.”

CHAPTER 10

Jabari didn’t remember making it back toAtlantis, or even going through the arch onto the city side.However, that was as far as he got before he fell to his knees.Hehad to be dead.His heart was no longer beating and his lungs nolonger worked.His mate was gone.He had no one.He hadnothing.

Pain.So much pain.Jabari couldn’t rememberever hurting as much as he did in this moment.It was the onlyreason he knew he had to still be alive.Pain.No one could hurtthis much and be dead.

“What’s going on?”Someone asked.

“I don’t know.He came through the arch and justdropped.”Someone else said.

“Should we get someone to help him” Anotherperson asked.

Jabari could hear the people talking and he knewthey were gathering around him.Maybe this time someone would killhim.Maybe if they saw how weak he was they would do what they hadyearned to do for so long.Little would they know they would bedoing Jabari a favor if they did kill him.

A light touch on his shoulder didn’t even catchJabari by surprise.The soft voice next to him did, “Jabari, what’shappening?Are you alright.”

Slowly he looked up into the eyes of the greathealer.Tears fell as he rasped, “He’s gone.”

“Foster died?”She asked.

Shaking his head, Jabari whispered, “No.He willbe soon, but not yet.”

“But where is he then?”She asked.

“On the surface.He...he asked me to leave himthere so I wouldn’t lose the memories we’ve made together.”Jabarianswered woodenly.

“But he’s your mate.He should be here withyou.”Tetley said, making his way closer to Jabari, ignoring hismother trying to hold him back.

Jabari couldn’t say anything so he shook hishead.The great healer softly said, “Come with me and I’ll help youto your home.”

“I don’t know...I can’t go...I...”Jabaristammered then looked at the great healer once more.“I’m alone.Great Healer, I’m so alone.”

Shaking her head, she softly said, “Andreas.Myname is Andreas and you are not alone, Jabari.You are Atlantean.That means you will never be alone.We are all here for you.”

Jabari was confused by her until Rolary came tohim and helped him stand.“I told you I was going to talk to theparents.I did, and not just my own.”

“We have been wrong, Jabari.Please accept ourapology.You saved my son...you saved us all and you could havewalked away, but you didn’t.My son...the boys you saved, they allspoke of your bravery and that of your mate.They told us of hisillness and we are all so sorry for what is happening, but you willnot be alone.Of this I vow.”Rolary’s father stated firmlythumping his chest and bowing.

“Come, Jabari.Let us take you home.”Andreasaid, but Jabari couldn’t move.He didn’t want to go there.He knewhe would see Foster everywhere.Hell, just standing here he couldsee Foster wide-eyed and hear him talking about the Queen’s Guardin England.If he walked further down the street he could see themwalking hand and hand and see his mate skipping, pointing,ewwwwwing and awwwwwwing and constantly saying, amazing, beautifuland so many other adjectives.

“I don’t want to be alone.”

“You won’t be.”

Jabari’s breath caught.Why would the gods be socruel as to have Foster’s voice whispering in the air.

“Jabari, are you so angry with me you won’t turnaround?”

Closing his eyes, Jabari rasped, “Why would thegods be so cruel to me?Is it not enough I had to walk away from mymate?”

Suddenly Foster was in front of Jabari.Jabaricould see him, he just couldn’t believe the vision before him.Wasthis a trick?Was this...