Singularity: Quintessential Aeon, #2

By Blake Emerson

Blake gravitates towards the mystery of Atlantis. He is rattled by villainous forces - but his need to stay undefeated and rescue his loved ones remains indestructible.

 

Demoralising and overwhelming challenges plaque Blake, a leading archaeologist with a big secret. When his wife Natasha is abducted, thanks to his reckless actions, he has to rely on Yelena, the doctor who once saved his life, but has since deeply betrayed him. Now his colleague Ledger is missing and in terrible danger. Mysterious forces are afoot and only Blake can save those he loves, and reveal the long-long secrets of the universe. But at what cost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blake Emerson
• Release date: Sep 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201654689

Book preview

PROLOGUE

The sinister clouds whirled and streaks of lightning flashed across the murky sky. An uproar of dust kicked from the face of the earth, carrying everything it came across, as frantic winds danced the trees from side to side in a mocking wave. Gradually, the flurry subsided, causing the wind to hiss while the trees slowly adhered to the ripples of wind. The tranquillity could not be trusted. Like all things, it was temporary.

Particles of dust glided in the thin air, swaying in unpredictable motions as the hazy atmosphere embraced peace. Suddenly, a clap of thunder rumbled through the thick dark clouds with dim lights twitching in the opaque skies. Curiosity birthed the wonder of what those lights were. The vividness accumulated with a loud bang, causing a portion of the sky to part. Gloominess depressed into the earth as a vague object, somewhat like a spaceship, plunged to the earth. The wild activities of the biotic system charged again. The dust pushed up from the crust in a violent windstorm, creating a funnel-shaped cloud that connected with the other disordered clouds. A fierce dazzle glared from the foreign machines as they gracefully balanced onto the earth.

The high-pitched sound of the blaring engines slowly diminished to a stop as the hatch opened. Feet, covered in greenish scales touched the cold ground as a subtle growl ensued; eyes squinted to see through the dense air.

Ta ura mo ikana, a voice rasped the words.

CHAPTER 1

Blake paced the room, fretting. He was torn between attending to Yelena and checking through the blind slats to keep updated on the chaos going on downstairs. This could be it. He might be the next to take a bullet. His heart pounded hard within the wall of his chest as sweat crept through the pores of his palms. He tried to gulp saliva down his throat. Sweat trickled along the sides of his head, he wiped it away as best he could, hand dripping as he battled the slickness.

Blake was pretty good at martial arts. He had three belts to his name after enrolling in a local tournament back in Denmark. But the adventures of archaeology were a great commitment, giving him little time to train. How could he even muster his martial arts skills if he was this nervous?

He was a bit rusty. He knew he still had the moves, though, the swiftness, and the accurate delivery of punches. But he was too unsettled to gather himself.

While gazing out at the streets, the thought of how the soldiers had taken over the site flashed across his mind. He remembered them being armed to the teeth. Those details were vivid in his memory, presenting him with more reasons to panic. How the men clutched those firearms against their bodies, stomped out of their vehicles and ransacked every nook and cranny of the site like they owned the place. Blake’s fist hardened. This experience had not been an easy one. Archaeology had brought the finest of dangers to his doorstep.

He concentrated on his breathing, closed his eyes and stared through the window blinds. The only thing that served as illumination amidst the outside gloom was the full moon that shone in the ominous clouds. The chaos was dying down. Blake looked harder, trying to pick out figures in the dark. Something was still lurking out there, hiding in the shadows. As he browsed the street, searching for clues. He caught the vague shape of a car. It blended well into the night. Tinted windows meant he couldn’t see inside the vehicle.

That car wasn’t there when we arrived, Blake scowled.

Yelena looked pale. She had not stopped bleeding and Blake had given her his coat to put pressure on the wound.

I’m sorry. I got distracted, Blake stepped back from the window.

It’s okay, Yelena replied, looking frail.

Blake dashed into the bathroom and opened the cupboard, searching for anything that could serve as first aid to the bullet wound. He found some antiseptics, bandages and towels. Yelena was in luck.

Take the coat off your shoulder, Blake said as he charged out of the bathroom.

Pain and fatigue registered on Yelena’s drawn face. Blake’s mind tormented him with images of how she had looked onsite, the first time they’d met. How she was enveloped in glamour. Now, she looked distressed and compromised. He shook the thought off and concentrated on stopping the bleeding.

Yelena attempted to draw some saliva into her parched throat but her mouth was too dry. Her lips were cracked, her eyes were sunken, and she was getting drowsy. She was dehydrated.

Stay with me. Hey. Blake’s voice echoed through her fragile consciousness. It sounded like he cared, but she was too weak to comply with his instruction to stay awake.

Stay with me. Blake shook her. He saw in her eyes that she was on the edge of slipping into unconsciousness, and he didn’t want that to happen. He was going to engage her in conversation. That should work.

Who are those guys and what do they want?

I... I don’t know... They, they... All I know is that they are ready to crush anything that stands in their way.

I can see that. Blake shook his head.

After a few tense moments, Blake had successfully stopped the bleeding and was now administering some antiseptics.

The bullet barely broke your skin.

Blake could see the scepticism in Yelena’s face. She didn’t know if he had said that just to rejuvenate her optimism or if it was true. But there was something else hiding within her expression, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Blake reached for his bag. He had some pain relievers in there. He took pretty much everything with him when he travelled. Natasha had taught him well.

You may need this.

He got Yelena a glass of water to flush the pill down.

Thank you.

She took the pill and after a few minutes, she looked a little brighter.

Who are these guys? And why are they after you?

I could ask you the same question. Yelena took a peek at her wound. The sharp smell of antiseptic filled the room.

Blake walked to the window again, piercing the darkness with his eyes to take a look at the car. It was still there. One unbothered automobile daring to stay in the night that lingered with dangers. Blake thought about Natasha. He was concerned that she was out there and he was in here. What if she encountered trouble too?

He whipped his phone out of his pocket and pressed the speed dial.

Come on, Natasha. Pick up. He paced the room while Yelena watched him.

He hoped to hear Natasha’s familiar voice spread into his ear. He was growing impatient when the call went to voicemail. He dialled again, sending another call.

Come on, Natasha. Please pick up. Please pick up. He bit his lower lip as he bent his head to look through the blinds again.

The car was still out there. It set him on edge.

Blake cursed and flung his phone onto the bed.

Relax, Blake. I’m sure she’s safe, Yelena said. Her words irritated Blake.

How do we know they are not after her too? Blake interrupted.

I mean, they could be tracking her just like they tracked and shot you. They shot me too, Yelena. These people are dangerous.

You need to calm down. Panicking won’t solve anything. Yelena’s voice was even, reasonable.

Blake dropped to the bed, bent his head and ran his hand through his hair, disheveling it.

Clearly, they want me because I have something they need. Why did they shoot you? Do you have something too? Blake didn’t intend his words to be accusatory, but that’s how they sounded.

Yelena’s eyes flinched, and her heart must have skipped a beat.

I don’t know... maybe because I helped you. They think I know things too. Her response was quick.

Blake paused to process what she’d said and he slowly nodded.

He stood again, dialling Natasha’s number a third time. There