Atlantis in Peril Read Online Free

Escholia lamented. “More than words can express! But if I had done that, the sight of me would have triggered all sorts of other memories. And the more you remembered, the more you’d have been in danger of realizing your identity and returning to the spirit realm. Which would have put you right into the hands of Narkazan.”
    Sammelvar nodded. “That’s right. Your best protection was ignorance. The greater your knowledge, the greater your danger. So keeping you ignorant was best—both for you and for the Prophecy.”
    The young man’s anger rekindled. “Keeping me ignorant—that’s easy for you to say. But it’s
me
we’re talking about! My memories. My life.”
    â€œBut,” protested his father, “the Prophecy—”
    â€œFace it,” snarled Promi. “You cared more about the Prophecy than you did about me, your own son!”
    â€œNo, no. That’s not—”
    Sammelvar’s unfinished sentence hung in the air. For Promi suddenly sprang into the sky, leaving behind his entire family. In seconds, he vanished into the swirling mists above the domelike cloud.
    A cold wind passed over the cloud, making the purple flowers tremble. Promi’s parents and sister also trembled . . . but not from the wind.

CHAPTER 4
    Feather Crystals
    A realm away, on Atlantis, the mortal world’s most magical island, a voice rang out. Deep in the forest, the young woman’s cry echoed among the trees.
    â€œHide me!”
    Atlanta pleaded with the ancient blue spruce tree, leaning her whole body against its trunk. “Now! Before he finds me!”
    The old tree seemed to shudder. Its upper branches tossed as if caught by a breeze. Except there was no breeze.
    Atlanta rubbed her hands against the rough, rutted bark, using her gift of natural magic to awaken the tree—one of many in the Great Forest who had known her since that day she first came here, lost and alone, as a child. The trees, back then, had protected her and become her friends. But even now, as a fully grown young woman, she still turned to them when in need.
    â€œPlease, Master Spruce,” she begged. “He’s coming . . . and there’s not much time!”
    Again, the tree shuddered—this time so forcefully that hundreds of blue needles poured down from the branches, showering her. She shook them from her curly brown hair, not even noticing how their tangy-sweet scent filled the air. She only clasped the trunk harder than ever.
    â€œNow, old friend. Only seconds left!”
    With a sharp crackling sound, the trunk started to expand. A whole new layer of bark sprouted from the ruts and wrapped around the tree—as well as Atlanta.
    Seconds later, no sign of her could be seen. She was completely covered—her head, her purple gown woven from lilac vines, and her bare feet. Only the spruce’s unusually wide trunk gave any hint of her whereabouts.
    Safe inside the blanket of newly grown bark, Atlanta sighed. She squeezed the tree thankfully.
    Meanwhile, all around the spruce, the forest hushed, as if holding its breath. All the other trees in the grove fell utterly still. So did the animals in their branches, ranging from a normally chattering squirrel to a pair of cockatoos. Even a small butterfly with green-striped wings froze in place.
    Then a slight movement entered the grove—so subtle it was almost invisible. A faint whirring of wings . . . a hint of blue . . . a blur of something passing through the air. Nothing more than that.
    The faery landed on one of the old spruce’s lowest branches. Now fully visible, his luminous blue wings opened above him, shimmering with light. Between his delicate antennae sat a white cotton hat; a translucent cloak rested on his tiny shoulders. Hollowed-out red berries served as shoes.
    The faery’s antennae quivered ever so slightly. Then, after a few seconds’