The Atlantis Plague (The Origin Mystery, #2)(26)

CHAPTER 24


Old Town District

Marbella, Spain


Kate hated the tunnels. They were filthy; the stone walls were moist and seemed to ooze a blackish slush that brushed onto her at every turn, and there had been too many turns to count. Some time ago, she had whispered to Martin, asking him if he knew where he was going, but he had quickly shushed her, which she took to mean no. But where else could they go? Martin led the way with a bright LED bar that illuminated just enough of the tunnel to keep them from running headfirst into a grimy stone wall.

Up ahead, the cramped tunnel opened onto a circular intersection that branched in three directions. Martin stopped and held the light bar to his face. “Are you hungry?”

Kate nodded. Martin unslung the pack and dug out a protein bar and a bottle of water.

Kate chewed the bar, chugged the water, and when her mouth was clear, said in a low tone, “You have no idea where you’re going, do you?”

Martin shook his head as if the question were irrelevant. “Not really. In fact, I’m not sure the tunnels go anywhere at all.”

Kate looked at him curiously.

Martin set the light bar on the ground between them and sipped his water. “Like most old cities on the Mediterranean, humans have been fighting over Marbella for thousands of years. The Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Muslims. The list goes on. Marbella has been sacked a hundred times. I knew we were in the old town and that the old merchant houses would have escape tunnels so that the wealthy could avoid… could escape all the nasty things that happen when a city gets sacked. Some tunnels are just shelters—for hiding. Some might lead out of the city, but I doubt it. Best case, they link up with the newer city’s sewer system. But I think we’re safe down here. For now.”

“The Immari won’t search the tunnels?”

“I doubt it. They’ll do a house-by-house sweep, but it’s cursory. They’re mostly looking for troublemakers and anyone they didn’t catch with the wider sweep. I imagine the worst we’ll face down here will be rats and snakes.”

Kate cringed at the thought of an unseen snake crawling across her in the darkness. The thought of sleeping down here, with snakes and rats… She held her hands out in a pleading gesture. “You might hold back on some of the details.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.” He grabbed for the pack. “More food?”

“No. Thanks, though. What now? How long do we wait?”

Martin considered it for a moment. “Based on the size of Marbella, I would say two days.”

“What’s happening out there?”

“They’ll round everyone up and do a preliminary sort.”

“Sort?”

“First they separate the dying and devolving from the survivors. Every survivor faces a choice. Take the Immari pledge or refuse.”

“If they refuse?”

“They’ll put them with the dying and devolving.”

“What happens…”

“The Immari will evacuate the entire population. They’ll load those that pledge and the rest on a plague barge bound for one of their operations bases. Only those that pledge will arrive.” He grabbed the light bar and held it up so he could see Kate’s face. “This is important, Kate. If we’re caught along the way, and you face the choice, you have to pledge. Promise me you will.”

Kate nodded.

“They’re only words. Survival is what matters now.”

“And you’ll take the pledge as well?”

Martin let the light bar drop to the ground, and darkness again filled the space between them. “It’s different for me, Kate. They’ll know who I am. They’re looking for me as well, though you’re the real prize. If we’re caught, we must separate.”

“But you’ll pledge.”

“It won’t be an issue for me.” Martin let out a ragged cough, like a lifetime smoker on the verge of coughing up a piece of his lung. Kate wondered what sort of particles they were breathing down in the tunnels. It might kill Martin if the Immari didn’t. He shook his head. “I joined once. It was the biggest mistake of my life. It’s different for me.”

“They’re just words,” Kate chided him.

“Touché,” Martin murmured. “It’s hard to explain…”

“Try.” Kate took another sip of the water. “We’ve got a little time to kill.”

Martin coughed again.

“We need to get you some fresh air,” Kate said.

“It’s not the air.” Martin reached inside the pack and brought out a small white case.

Through the dim light, Kate saw him slip a white pill into his mouth. He dry swallowed it. There were only three other pills left. Each was shaped like a flower, with three large, heart-shaped petals and a ring of red in the middle. An orchid.

Shock spread over Kate, and she couldn’t find her voice. “You’re—”

“Not immune, no. I didn’t want to tell you. I knew you would worry. If we’re caught, I’ll be in the camp with the dying. If that happens, you’ll have to finish my research. Here.” He handed her something from the pack—a small notebook.

Kate set it aside with disinterest. “How many pills do you have left?” she asked.