Warrior of Fate

by Debra Mullins

  “You’re not,” Larina said. “In fact, the Council of Elders has sent me here to collect the stone you have, so that we might protect it at the Temple.”

  “The hell they did!” Rafe exclaimed.

  “It’s safe where it is,” Maria protested.

  “Listen, lady.” John got to his feet. “You can’t just waltz in here and demand the stone. You just said the stones belong to the Seers. Isn’t that right?”

  “Of course.” Larina’s tone grew soothing, and she locked her gaze with John’s. “We only want to protect the stone. Our temple is fortified, and we have hundreds of Warriors standing by to guard the stone with their lives.”

  “You only want to protect the stone,” John murmured, a vacant look drifting into his eyes. “You have the troops to do it.”

  “Hey!” Rafe shouted, leaping to his feet.

  Tessa sprang to hers as well. “Stop it!”

  “Larina!” Adrian pushed the female Warrior out of the way to get to John. “John, snap out of it.” He shook John, then slapped his face.

  “Adrian, what are you doing?” Maria cried.

  “It’s okay, Mama. She was Whispering him,” Rafe said, hands fisting at his sides as he glared at Larina. “I’ve seen Warriors do this before. Some of them can compel humans to do whatever they want. Only physical shock breaks the compulsion.”

  “I’ve had it done to me,” Cara said, “and Rafe had to shove me in an ice-cold shower to snap me out of it.”

  John shook his head, scowled at Adrian. “Did you just slug me?”

  “Just to bring you back.” Adrian turned to Larina. “These people are our allies. That’s not how we treat them!”

  Larina lifted her chin. “Did you forget who’s in command here, A?”

  “Not at all.” He leaned down so they were nose to nose and jerked a thumb behind him at John. “He is.”

  “I think you’d better leave, Larina,” Maria said, her lips a firm line. “Tell your temple we’re not interested in your help at this time. Adrian, you’re welcome to stay.”

  “I appreciate that, Prestulana,” Adrian said. “But if she leaves, I’m compelled to go with her. I have my orders. Since time is of the essence, I’d rather we all hash this out.”

  “I don’t know,” Maria said. “Your friend here doesn’t seem to have any manners.”

  Larina stiffened. “Please accept my apologies, Prestulana. I overstepped.”

  “Yes, you did.” John drew himself up, every inch the CEO of a multibillion-dollar company. “Like my wife said, we’d all like you to leave now.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, John,” Adrian said. “The Mendukati are going to be coming with everything they’ve got, and you’re going to need help.”

  John hesitated.

  Adrian took Larina’s arm and said, “While you’re deciding, Larina and I are going to have a little talk.”

  “Yes, give me a minute here.” John rubbed his face where Adrian had struck him. “By the way, I appreciate you taking it easy on me, Adrian.”

  “We’re on the same side. Let’s all remember that. Now if you’ll excuse us, Larina and I are going to step out onto the patio for a moment.” Without waiting for a response, Adrian pulled Larina from the room.

  “Boy, would I love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation,” Cara said.

  Tessa glanced out the window at the two Warriors as they paused near the pool. “Yeah, you and me both.”

  * * *

  “What the hell was that?” Adrian demanded.

  Larina planted her hands on her hips and glared up at him. “Yeah, what the hell was that, A? Did you forget who’s in charge here?”

  “The Council told me we were partners. They did not say you were my superior officer.”

  “Well, you’d been censured. I assumed.”

  “You assumed wrong. Until the Council says otherwise, we’re equal partners on this one. And I’m taking lead with the Montanas.”

  “Fine. Partners.” Larina lifted her chin, her dark eyes steely. “But you’re letting your emotions get in the way, partner. You’ve got a thing for the daughter.”

  “And you’re letting your ambition get in the way,” Adrian shot back. “This mission could bring you glory in the ranks of the temple, and your hunger for that is making you careless.”

  “Careless is sleeping with the person you’re supposed to be guarding,” Larina retorted. “I don’t think the Council would approve of you and Tessa Montana.”

  “First of all, there is no me and Tessa—”

  “That wasn’t what I saw earlier when I came to get you for the meeting.”

  “Tessa and I are not lovers, Larina.”

  “Yet.” She smiled and tapped his chest with her finger. “Don’t forget, I’ve been your lover, A. I know how you look at a woman you want.”

  “Tessa and I are not lovers,” Adrian repeated. “However, I’ve spent weeks cultivating a relationship with this family, and you nearly undid everything in the space of moments with that stunt with John.”

  “Oh, for pity’s sake, A, get over it.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s just a human. It’s not like I went after one of the Atlanteans.”

  “There it is, the snobbery about humans. That may work against you here, Larina. Maria Montana loves her human husband, and it would not serve us to anger the apaiz nagusi. Now, I have to go back in there and convince them to let us stay. I need your word you won’t try something like that again.”

  “If I did rush things, it’s only because we don’t have a lot of time. You know the Mendukati are coming.”

  “Yes, and the temple is probably more secure,” he agreed. “But just when were you going to tell me about that plan? Partners aren’t supposed to keep secrets.”

  “I thought I was your superior officer, remember? The plan was need-to-know.”

  Adrian leaned in. “Well, you’re not my superior. When it concerns the Montanas, I need to know.”

  Larina raised her brows. “For her?”

  “For the mission. I didn’t spend the past few months chasing this stone all over the globe to lose it now. The situation requires finesse, negotiations. You know these are my strengths.”

  “Oh, yeah. Mr. Smooth Talker.” She rolled her shoulders. “All that chatter makes me itchy. I’d much rather bust down doors.”

  “Exactly why you’re going to follow my lead on this one.” His mouth quirked at the corner. “When it’s time for door busting, I know where to find you.”

  “Yeah, you do.” She glanced at the house. “So, we done here?”

  “Depends. Any more secret plans I should know about?”

  “No, that’s it. You have to admit, it’s a good one. The Mendukati won’t see it coming.”

  “The Montanas won’t be so easily convinced—especially now that you pissed off John and Maria. Let me do the talking this time. I know these people better than you do.”

  “I’ve read all their dossiers.”

  “I’m sure you’re completely briefed on all the players, but intel doesn’t always tell you everything. Follow my lead when we go back in.” Adrian turned back toward the house, just in time to catch Tessa watching him through the window. Their gazes locked. His body tightened. He wanted nothing more than to lay her down and make her his, to explore that lean swimmer’s body, to taste that golden skin.

  Nothing more than that … except to keep her alive.

  * * *

  Tessa moved away from the window as Adrian and Larina came back to the dining room. She knew he’d seen her watching him. As always, there was that strange connection, that compelling energy whenever he was around that made her want to be near him. She didn’t like it, didn’t understand it. And couldn’t resist it.

  “Well, John?” Adrian asked. “Are you willing to accept our assistance?”

  “I will,” John said, “but only because it’s the smartest move right now. You’re right when you say we need help, Adrian, and my re
gular people aren’t up to dealing with a threat of this caliber. Talk of moving the stone to the temple is off the table for now. Not until I know more about it.”

  “Thank you,” Adrian said.

  “But,” John continued, holding up a finger, “you are responsible for the actions of your people.”

  Larina’s lips tightened but she said nothing.

  “Understood,” Adrian said. “We’d like to bunk here, if you have the room. It would be easiest.”

  “Fine,” John said.

  “Your usual room is ready, Adrian,” Maria said. “And while you were outside, I had Lupe set one up for your friend here.”

  “Larina is my partner,” Adrian said. “The temple has entrusted both of us with your safety.”

  Rafe gave a harsh laugh. “Yeah, well, after that Whispering move, you’ll forgive us if we don’t roll out the red carpet for Larina, here.” He pointed at Adrian. “But you, we trust.”

  “You have my word,” Adrian said.

  “Don’t make us regret it,” John said. “Meeting adjourned.”

  The family cleared out of the dining room, Faith and Cara giving Larina wide berth, Rafe and Darius giving her warning looks before following their ladies.

  “I need to call my office,” John said. “Maria?”

  Maria rose from her seat. “I have to be on a conference call with the Historical Society in a few minutes. Tessa, would you show Larina to her room, please? The blue room.”

  “Sure, Mom.” Tessa got to her feet as her parents left her alone with the two Warriors. “This way.” Not looking at either of them, Tessa led the way through the house to the staircase.

  She’d imagined escorting Adrian Gray upstairs plenty of times, but her fantasies usually ended with the two of them in her bed, naked and tangled in the sheets.

  They had definitely not included another woman.

  Two identical black backpacks sat at the foot of the stairs. Larina and Adrian each scooped one up, slinging them over a single shoulder in disturbingly identical moves. She bit back a smart remark and led the way up the stairs.

  “Larina, you’re here.” She opened the door to the first bedroom at the top of the stairs, a small guest room done in blue. Lupe had made up the bed and left a small mason jar of fresh flowers on the bureau. “It has its own bathroom. Just a shower, no tub.”

  Larina dropped her backpack on the bed. “It’s fine.”

  “Adrian, you’re down the hall in your usual room.”

  “I know where it is.” He disappeared into the hallway before Tessa could blink, leaving her alone with Larina.

  “Wish he’d stop doing that,” Tessa muttered.

  Larina laughed and opened her backpack. “Yeah, he does move fast when he wants to.” She drew out a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. “I’m going to hit the shower. Then A and I will scope out the perimeter, look for any holes in security.”

  “Okay, sure. Um … dinner’s at six.”

  “Got it.” Larina disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door.

  Tessa frowned at the closed portal for a moment, then shook her head and left the room, closing the door behind her. She couldn’t help looking down the hall to the room where Adrian was staying. The one next to hers.

  The door was shut.

  She told herself she should go downstairs. Leave the Warriors to their Warrior things. Yet somehow she found herself standing in front of his room. She gave a soft knock. No answer. Eased the door open. No sign of him, though his backpack sat on the bed, unzipped. His irresistible scent swept over her, luring her like sizzling bacon on a Sunday morning. She stepped into the room, closing the door with a soft click, and wandered over to the bed. Peered into the backpack. Even there, precision ruled, everything snugly rolled and neatly placed.

  The door to the bathroom opened, and Adrian stepped into the room, every sleek, gorgeous, muscular, naked inch of him.

  He stopped. She stared.

  “Can I help you, princess?”

  Heat rushed to her cheeks. And other places. “I’m sorry. I knocked. Just wanted to make sure you were naked … I mean comfortable.”

  He raised his brows. “I’m both.” He went back into the bathroom, giving her a quick glimpse of a truly spectacular rear end, then reemerged, wrapping a towel around his waist.

  She wanted to cry. Her mouth watered, her gaze sliding over all that beautiful, rippling, olive-skinned muscle. Her hands shook, and she felt dizzy. What was wrong with her? She’d seen naked men before. Not as magnificent as this specimen, to be sure. But still.

  A tattoo graced his chest, three triangles around a circle with a squiggly symbol in it. She wanted to press her lips there. Then her gaze dropped to a pink, jagged scar on his side. It looked recent. “Adrian, what happened? Is this what you’ve been hiding?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “It doesn’t look like nothing.” She brushed her fingers over the puckered flesh. “When did this happen? Belize? Were you shot?”

  “Stabbed.” He caught her fingers and held them. “I’m all right.”

  “That doesn’t look all right. That looks serious. Who stabbed you?”

  “A Mendukati agent. Look, it’s over. Don’t give it another thought.”

  “But—”

  “Tessa. Stop.” He squeezed her hand and dropped it. “I’m fine. All right?”

  “Sure. Yeah.” He’d had a close call. She knew it, no matter how much he denied it. Gut wounds, especially stabbings, were nothing to mess with. And the idea that he might have died, that she might never have seen him again …

  “Hey, come on.” He took her by the shoulders, those dark chocolate eyes searching hers with obvious concern. That masculine energy of his seemed to envelop her, like a blanket. No, a net. Because she was utterly captured. “I’m really okay.”

  “I know.”

  “Then why are you shaking? Come here.” He led her to the bed and helped her sit on the edge, settling beside her. “Just breathe. I’m supposed to meet Larina in a little while to patrol the grounds, but I can call someone to stay with you.”

  She laughed. “Like who, my brothers? My mom? My dad?” She jerked her chin at his towel. “This scenario wouldn’t really go over well with any of them. But that’s what I get for barging in.”

  “That’s okay.” He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “There are worse things than a beautiful woman bursting into my room.”

  The tender gesture sent a quiver through her that settled in her core. Throbbed. “What is this thing between us?” she whispered. “It’s like I lose my mind whenever you’re around. If your powers worked on Atlanteans, I’d suspect you of putting your whammy on me.”

  He frowned. “I don’t make a habit of Whispering women into bed. Just the idea is distasteful to me.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just don’t know how to explain what’s happening to me.” She rested her forehead against his shoulder and closed her eyes. Inhaled the seductive scent of him. “I’ve spent so much time trying to hate you. And that wound … you almost died, didn’t you?”

  “Ah, princess.” He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. Like she was a child.

  She was no child.

  She raised her face to his, captured his gaze and held it, their lips nearly touching, their breaths intermingling. And kissed him.

  The taste of him exploded through her, dark and dangerous, a heady, intoxicating liqueur that swept her into a wild world of sensation that whipped her inhibitions to ribbons. He dove into the kiss, threading his fingers into her hair with one hand, angling her head for better access. With the other, he slid his fingertips oh-so-lightly down her throat, coming to rest on her pounding pulse as he stroked his tongue into her mouth with devastating skill.

  Any sanity she had left was decimated. She surrendered to his mouth, his hands. To him. She slid her arms around his waist, his skin silk beneath her palms, and hung on. Anywhere he led her, she would
follow.

  Anywhere.

  * * *

  Adrian had been with other women over the years, and because of his enhanced Warrior senses—touch, scent, taste—each sexual encounter had been a feast in sensuality. But Tessa … something about her amped everything up to a level he’d never felt before.

  His senses exploded with the essence of her, her touch like fire, her taste like nectar. Her scent intoxicated him, flooding his system like a potent wine the more aroused she became. He could hear her heart racing, her blood thundering through her veins. Feel the faintest tremor in her fingers as she clung to him, her entire body softening and yielding to his.

  He could have her, right here, right now. Finally.

  She slipped her fingers beneath the flimsy barrier of the towel, and his heart nearly stopped as she closed them around his straining erection. He jerked his mouth free, cursing in Atlantean as dark pleasure swamped him. The towel loosened, fell away.

  She inched closer, stroking one hand over the tattoo on his chest and the other hand … by Poseidon, the other … She whispered his name, kissed him again.

  And he exploded, her name a hoarse shout as she brought him to glorious, forbidden release.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Long moments passed, the quivering silence broken only by rapid breaths and echoing heartbeats. Tessa slowly released him, her gorgeous violet eyes wide. He knew he should say something, but for some reason, his usually glib tongue had deserted him. Without speaking, she stood and went into the bathroom.

  The sound of running water shook him from his inertia. He quickly cleaned himself off with the towel, and by the time she came out, he’d pulled on his jeans. She stopped when she saw him standing there, a hint of relief sweeping across her face when she saw he was clothed. Despite knowing that what had just happened shouldn’t have, despite the concern at the unusually fast and shattering climax he’d reached, despite the fact that the mission dictated he maintain discipline and distance—despite all that, he still had to resist the urge to lay her down and make love to her slowly and thoroughly.

  She stood there, her hands curling and uncurling at her sides. “Adrian—”

  “That shouldn’t have happened.” He cut her off, not wanting to hear whatever excuses she’d conjured to spoil the memory. “But I’m not going to apologize. I want you pretty badly, Tessa.”