Back to Atlantis by Bar Sagi (best book reader txt) 📗

that she was giving up, but Yasmin ignored it. She wasn’t giving up if there was no way she could save Atlantis, right?

As she got ready to leave Yasmin got an urge to see the library one last time. So she dropped her suitcases, pulled on a light jacket as it was a bit cool, and hurried to the library.

As she watched the sun go through the windows, she felt a bit refreshed. She would be home soon and she was looking forward to it.

Standing in front of the library, Yasmin took a deep breath and got ready to enter. Brushing away her nerves as jitters, she shook her head.

“Yasmin,” Amanda called out, walking over.

As usual, she was dressed grandly, with a silk shirt and a soft yellow skirt, and her brown locks framing her intelligent eyes and face. “I heard you were leaving. Why?”

Yasmin glared at her, fed up with everyone. “You heard the queen,” she spat, walking away from Amanda, who hurried to catch up. “She said the attacks have been increasing ever since I arrived in Atlantis. All I’ve done is harm Atlantis. That’s why I’m leaving.”

Amanda reached out and grabbed her arm. “You trust her?” Her brown eyes were wide, hurt. Yasmin didn’t stop glaring, though, not mad at Amanda but at herself.

“Was she lying?!” Yasmin whispered, her face filled with rage. “Tell me it was a lie, Amanda. Tell me the attacks haven’t increased because of me!”

Amanda’s face filled with doubt. She shook her head. “I don’t want to lie to you, Yasmin.”

Yasmin wrenched her arm free, but Amanda grabbed it again. For such a delicate looking woman, she had a grip of iron. It matched the look in her eyes.

“The attacks have been increasing ever since you got here, but it is not a curse. It was a blessing.”

Yasmin looked up at Amanda, startled. “A blessing? How?”

Seeing that Yasmin wasn’t going to run, Amanda let go of her arm, letting her hand drop back to her side.

“It is a blessing because we are lucky that the rebels didn’t attack like this ten years ago. They were waiting for some reason. Their attacks, even now, only inspire fear, not concur this country. They are waiting for something. Maybe it is you.”

Yasmin was silent for a moment trying to process the news. “But I haven’t done anything for Atlantis, not in three months.” She felt tears rising up again. She swiped at them, angry at herself for not being able to save anyone. “And I won’t use my magic ever again. I can’t.”

“I know,” Amanda said, her face full of pity. “Violet told me.” She smiled, her face lighting up. “But you are wrong. You have done more for Atlantis than you know.”

Yasmin snorted. “What, I’ve given them hope?” The idea seemed laughable.

“No, you have persuaded the rouge army to make an alliance with the queen.” Amanda laughed at Yasmin’s shocked face. “Apparently, when a sixteen-year-old girl tells you have an ego problem, it makes you recheck yourself.” She laughed again. “His face was hilarious!”

Yasmin walked over to a nearby bench, shocked. “So we actually have a chance? The queen and the rouge army will work together?”

Amanda twisted her hands. “I’m still persuading my mother.” She saw Yasmin’s crestfallen face and added, “But it’s more progress than we’ve had in ten years! Violet and Maven were so happy. And so was David, though he was shocked when he learned of the rouge army.”

Yasmin bit her lip at the mention of David. “So I’ve actually been helping?” Maybe she wasn’t a total waste.

“Yes!” Amanda looked happier than Yasmin had seen her in months.

With the weight lifted off of her, she looked beautiful, the light in her eyes highlighting her sweet face. No one would guess, looking at her, that she was a force to be reckoned with and one of the smartest people out there.

“And I have a lead on the rouge army. If I follow it, I might know where they attack next!” She looked like she could jump for joy. “It’s all thanks to you, Yasmin. You are helping Atlantis in a different way than anyone thought you could.”

Yasmin opened and closed her mouth, a little overwhelmed. “Wow. There’s really a chance.” She felt lighter than she had in weeks. “I really can help Atlantis without magic.” She was grinning so much, she feel like her face was splitting in half. But Yasmin didn’t care as she leaned against the stone bench. “I have to tell Lucas!” She jumped up and hugged Amanda, giddy. “Bye!”

Running with all her might, she went to Lucas.

Chapter 18

Letters & unspoken feelings

Yasmin clutched the rusty gate with her hand, gasping for air. She had run all the way from the castle to the orphanage, and now she could barely breathe.

Grabbing the metal so hard her fingers turned white, Yasmin stood up and looked around for Lucas. Where was he? She had promised to tell him if she would stay. Was he out buying groceries again?

Just then, in the late afternoon sun, she saw a figure coming toward her. Squinting, because he was right in front of the sun, she grinned. Is that Lucas? Yasmin thought, shading her eyes from the sun. He looks about Lucas’s height, but I can’t tell if it’s his face…

“Yasmin?” Lucas came closer, and Yasmin saw it was him. His blond hair was tousled, and he looked as if he had been playing rough with the orphans again, but it was him.

“Lucas,” she said, and took a deep breath. Her lungs hadn’t yet recovered from running all the way from the castle. “I’m staying after all!” She saw his eyes widen in surprise and thought nervously… what if he isn’t happy?

Lucas stepped toward her and enveloped her in a hug. Yasmin stood there, too shocked to hug him back. So he wasn’t mad? Lucas squeezed her tighter, whispering in her ear, “I’m so glad you decided to stay. I don’t care why. I just don’t