Atlantis in Peril Read Free Page A

life.”
    â€œThen why,” snapped Promi, “did you send for me?”
    â€œThe veil.” Sammelvar locked gazes with his son. “Right now it’s barely strong enough to hold back any spirit warriors who might want to invade the mortal realms. And, Promi . . . every time you make one of your journeys—”
    â€œI know, I know,” said Promi with a casual wave of his hand. “It tears another hole in the veil. I’ve heard your theory before.”
    â€œIt’s not just a theory!” Sammelvar struggled to contain his temper. “If you really care about your friend Atlanta—and all the rest of Earth’s creatures—you’ll heed my warning before it’s too late.”
    The sheen of Promi’s skin darkened. “So I should simply
trust
you? Take your word for all this?”
    â€œYou can trust,” his father replied, “that whatever I’ve done that affects you . . . I’ve done because I thought it was best.”
    â€œFor who?”
    â€œFor the spirit realm. And the mortal realm, too.”
    Promi frowned. So did Jaladay, as she watched him with compassion.
I know how much that hurts you, Promi,
she told him telepathically.
But he really doesn’t—
    Promi shot her a glance, cutting her off. Then he turned back to their father.
    â€œYou’re always talking about what’s best for the world,” he declared. “What about what’s best for
me,
your own son? Do you even care about that at all?”
    Sammelvar winced, while Escholia held her breath.
    â€œAll I want,” Promi continued, “is to go down to Earth whenever I like. You should support me in this! That’s what a parent who really cared would do.”
    â€œI
do
care,” Sammelvar said in a voice as quiet as a whisper. “More than you know. But our personal needs must come second to the needs of our world.”
    â€œEasy for you to say,” snapped Promi. “You didn’t lose your whole childhood! You didn’t have everything in your life ripped away. And now you’re telling me to trust you that you know what’s best?”
    Sammelvar reached for Promi’s arm. “My son . . . I never meant to—”
    â€œWhat?” Promi brushed aside his father’s hand. “To hurt my feelings? To make me angry? Well, maybe you should have thought about those things before you sent me away.”
    â€œWe’re not talking about only you,” said Sammelvar sternly. “We’re talking about
everyone,
mortal and immortal. That’s why saving the veil matters. It’s more important than any one person.”
    Promi’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t even know for sure the veil is getting weaker! You’re just guessing—it’s totally invisible, after all. Do you have any real proof?”
    Sammelvar muttered, “Well, I—”
    â€œJust as I thought,” said Promi with a smirk. “It’s a guess. Nothing more.”
    â€œPromi,” objected his mother. “You’re going too far.”
    â€œAm I? Listen, I know what you’re doing! Don’t think you can fool me. You’re trying to keep me from seeing Atlanta. Just because she’s mortal. You don’t want us to be together!”
    â€œNo, no,” insisted Sammelvar.
    â€œThat’s not true at all,” said Escholia. “You must believe us.”
    â€œWhy?” demanded Promi. “The only person I can believe is
myself
. That’s what I learned in those years on the streets.”
    Jaladay shuddered, feeling more pain in her brother than she could bear. She drew a deep breath and sent him one simple thought:
I’m so very sad, Promi—for everything you’ve been through.
    He gazed at her somberly before sending her a thought in reply:
Glad someone understands . . . at least a little.
    But you make it hard