Warrior of Fate

by Debra Mullins

  He’s loving this, her brother said in response to her unanswered question. Dad’s talent for hiding his true feelings is one of the things that makes him such a successful businessman.

  Except from you, she said.

  Except from me, he agreed.

  Ezares produced an access card from beneath his robes. He swiped it, then keyed in a PIN. A quiet buzz, and the door clicked open. “Follow me,” he said and stepped through the doorway.

  They filed in after him, Rafe bringing up the rear. Dark glass bubbles of security cameras lined the corridor, which dead-ended at a steel door. Another keypad and a retina scanner awaited them beside the door.

  “You could add a hand reader,” her father said. “The new model for this system has one that comes included.”

  Ezares said nothing, just swiped his card, keyed his PIN, and looked into the eye scanner. Everything beeped green, and the door clicked open. He put his hand on the latch and looked at all of them. “Please say nothing about what you see here. The survival of our temple depends on your discretion.”

  “Of course,” Maria said. “We have to trust each other, don’t we?”

  “That’s the key to this whole thing,” John said. “What we’re entrusting you with could change the course of this whole war with the Mendukati. And that’s in both our interests, isn’t it?”

  Ezares gave a nod. “Indeed.” He opened the door.

  Lights came on automatically inside the treasury chamber. Gleaming weapons, clearly antiquities, hung on the walls. Gold and orichalcum artifacts sat on shelves and beneath glass. Locked steel cabinets lined the walls.

  “The cases are pressure-sensitive with unbreakable glass,” Ezares said, as the Montana group filed into the room. “The temperature is kept at a strict sixty-nine degrees to preserve the artifacts. We also have some documents in special cases to prevent the disintegration of the ancient papyrus. Many of these were saved by survivors of the cataclysm who ended up on Santutegi.”

  “We have some documents, too,” Maria said, “handed down from my ancestor, Agrilara.”

  “I would enjoy seeing those sometime,” Ezares said. Strangely, since they’d entered the treasury, a reverence seemed to rule Adrian’s father, his former posturing gone. He looked around with definite protectiveness and something like awe.

  “Do you have stones of power here?” Faith asked. “I’m feeling something very strong, ever since we came into this room.”

  “We have one,” Ezares said. “It is a stone that is used in the ceremony to ascend a Warrior to the Leyala.”

  “Is that what you use for the tattoos?” Faith asked.

  Ezares looked startled. “Yes, exactly.”

  “I’ve seen Adrian’s tattoo.” Faith held up her own hands, covered in twining vines of ink. “Stone Singers are tattooed with ink made from ground-up minerals. It enhances our powers. I imagine you do something similar with your Leyala.”

  “You are correct.”

  “I’d be interested in seeing that stone,” Faith said, “providing it’s not forbidden or anything.”

  “You are the last Stone Singer alive,” Ezares said. “I would be grateful if you would examine our Ascension Stone and make certain it is still at full power.”

  “I would be happy to,” Faith said.

  “Well,” John said, clapping his hands together, “perhaps we’ll be doing some business together after all. Shall we talk terms?”

  “What terms?” Ezares asked.

  “You allow us to store the stone here on a temporary basis.”

  “Of course.”

  “We retain ownership of the stone.”

  Ezares pressed his lips together. “Everyone knows the stones belong to the Seers.”

  “Yes. And Faith has complete access to the stone, day or night.”

  “I’m still balancing it,” Faith said. “Since I can’t very well take it out of here safely, I’d need a room where I can work with the stone.”

  Ezares nodded his head. “Of course.”

  “Then we have a deal.” John held out his hand, and Ezares slowly shook it.

  “A temporary basis,” Ezares said. “Perhaps we should define that a bit more.”

  “Temporary,” John said. “Until it’s safe again. It might be a while.”

  Ezares nodded, a smile playing along his lips. “A long while indeed.”

  * * *

  Under cover of night that same day, Adrian and Larina delivered the stone to the temple. Once it was secured, they headed back to the temple’s helipad. Adrian was heading back to Sedona, with Larina to follow the next day.

  While it was a relief not to have someone watching his every move, he suspected the real reason he was being allowed to go back to the Montana home by himself was because the stone was no longer there—which meant there was no chance of him losing it to the Mendukati a second time. It still chafed.

  Larina didn’t speak until they’d stepped outside the temple. “I’m glad the Seers finally got smart. This is the best place for the stone.”

  “It’s certainly more secure.”

  Larina paused on the stone pathway. “You’ve gotten close to these Seers.”

  He stopped. “That’s not a secret. It’s why the Council left me in place.”

  “What about taking Tessa to bed? How do you think the Council will feel about that?”

  He didn’t betray his surprise by so much as an eyelash. “How did you know?”

  She gave a quick laugh. “Come on, A. The girl’s scent is all over you.”

  “It won’t be a problem.”

  “It already is.” She folded her arms. “You know getting involved with the people you’re protecting is never a good idea. Makes you lose focus.”

  “On the contrary, I’m very focused.”

  “On her maybe. Look, A, you need to end it.”

  “I can’t.”

  “You have to.”

  “I said I can’t.”

  She let out a sigh. “Then at least be careful. Keep your head in the game.”

  “I will.”

  “I’ll see you back there tomorrow.”

  The whir of the chopper blades was the only sound for a long minute. He suspected she was operating on his father’s orders, maybe even reporting back to him. But hopefully their years together in service of the temple carried some weight. “We’ve been friends a long time.”

  “Yes, we have.” Her impassive expression never changed.

  “You do what you need to do,” he said, “but I’d appreciate a heads-up if I end up with a target on my back.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind,” she said.

  Knowing that was all he was going to get, he gave a nod of his head. “See you tomorrow, Larina.”

  “You bet.”

  He ran to the chopper. She walked into the temple and never looked back.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The next morning, Adrian awoke in a room flooded with sunshine and a clock that said it was almost nine in the morning. He groaned. He’d never slept so late in his life, not even when wounded. His father would say the Montanas were making him soft.

  Then again, his father always had a lot to say.

  When he’d called Ezares to arrange the tour of the temple, Ezares had taken it as a challenge to display the power and strength of the Warriors to the Montanas, especially John. Ezares had never liked the easy relationship Adrian had with Tessa’s human father. Ezares was old school and thought of humans as inferior. He’d even ordered Adrian to participate in the dancing as a way to flaunt his power to John. I control everything, even Adrian.

  He hadn’t wanted to encourage his father, but participating in the dancing fit in with his own agenda of showing Tessa a little about his culture. And it had worked—big time. He’d felt her engagement through the link, experienced her very physical orgasm as she watched him dance. For all that she wanted to slow things down between them—which went against his deep-rooted instincts to claim and conquer
—he would do anything to solidify their relationship. He’d had her in his arms less than forty-eight hours ago, but already he was starting to crave her again.

  She wanted a date? They’d go on a date. And maybe he could coax her into his bed again.

  He got up, feeling like a lazy sloth after the indulgence of sleeping late. He counted the heartbeats in the house. Everyone was home—Tessa included—and the distant laughter that reached his ears indicated nothing was amiss. He stretched. Mornings at the temple were silent, regimented. All the Warriors performed their morning meditations, followed by vigorous exercise. Only after that did they gather together for a healthy breakfast in the hall before reporting to their assigned duties.

  He would take a few minutes for his morning meditation, then get dressed and put on his sneakers. A long run across the property sounded like just the thing. But before he left, he needed to check in on the Montanas.

  * * *

  Tessa sat at the breakfast table with her family. Even her father had taken a day off from work after the events of the past forty-eight hours.

  “I have to say, I’m glad that’s done,” John said. “I know we’re still in danger, but maybe less so without the stone here.”

  “I’m still not done with it yet,” Faith said, digging into her pancakes. “But I have to admit, I got so used to that stone popping into my mind that having it gone for a while is a nice break.”

  “The Warriors said you can come and work with it whenever you need to,” John said.

  “Sure, at the temple,” Faith replied. “They’re pretty possessive of something they claim is still ours.”

  “I’m glad of the breather.” Darius laid a possessive hand on the back of her neck. “I think last night was the first time you’ve had a sound sleep since you got here.”

  “Well, it wasn’t just the stone.” Faith’s face grew somber. “I miss Ben.”

  “Of course you do.” Darius slid his hand down her back and hugged her one-armed. “You always will.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder for a moment, then sat up again. “Damn Azotay. I hope he gets his.”

  “People like him rarely come to a good end,” Rafe said sipping his coffee.

  “So, are there any plans to go after him, kick his ass?” Faith asked.

  “Gray’s working on something,” Rafe reminded her.

  “Until then, we just need to keep that third stone out of Mendukati reach to hold them at bay.” John rose with coffee cup in hand. He turned a loving smile on his wife. “More tea, sweetheart?”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine.” Maria turned to Tessa as John headed to the coffeepot across the room. “Where is Adrian, Tessa? I know he came back late last night, but I haven’t seen him.”

  “Neither have I,” Tessa said.

  “Oh. I assumed—Never mind.” Maria stirred her tea.

  The sliding door to the patio opened, and Larina walked in, dressed in black leggings, a black sports bra, and sneakers, her long, dark hair in a ponytail. “Good morning.”

  “Oh!” Maria set her spoon on the table. “Larina, I didn’t know you were back.”

  “I got here at sunrise and took a lap around the perimeter. Everything looks quiet. Coffee hot?”

  “Uh, yes.” John indicated the coffeepot and came back to the table with his second cup. Larina went over to pour hers.

  “Is Adrian with you?” Maria asked.

  Without adding anything to her coffee, Larina raised the cup to her lips and sipped the steaming black brew. “You haven’t seen him?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Hmm.” Larina sent a telepathic call that she didn’t bother to mask. Coffee’s hot, A, so get your lazy butt down here!

  Tessa rolled her eyes, and John turned to his wife. “You know, honey, I was just thinking. Now that the stone is safely under guard at the temple, we don’t have to miss the charity dinner after all.”

  “What charity dinner?” Cara asked.

  “Yeah, what charity dinner?” Larina echoed. “Just because the stone isn’t here anymore doesn’t mean you can go jetting off anywhere you want. You’re all still in danger just by being Seers.”

  “We can’t live our lives in fear,” Tessa said.

  “You can if you have reason to be afraid.” Larina swallowed the rest of her coffee and turned back to the pot for a second cup.

  “About the dinner, Cara.” Maria turned her back to Larina. “Every autumn, Montana Security throws a big charity dinner to benefit the hungry. We usually have it in late October or early November.”

  “Close to Thanksgiving, I get it.” Cara dug her spoon into a grapefruit. “So you were going to skip it this year?”

  “That would be the smart move,” Larina said from the coffeepot.

  “We didn’t want to,” John said to Cara, “but with the sudden increase in activity by the Mendukati, I felt it best.”

  “It broke my heart,” Maria said. “It’s my favorite event of the year, and I was worried what people would say if the hosts didn’t show up at the party.” She touched her husband’s hand resting beside hers on the table. “Do you really think we can go?”

  He turned his hand over to twine his fingers with hers. “As long as we bring adequate security, I think we’ll be fine.”

  Maria beamed at him.

  “Guess that means I’m going,” Larina said, strolling over. “A and I are the best security you’ve got.” She lifted her cup, her dark eyes determined.

  “I suppose you’re right,” Tessa’s father agreed, though he didn’t sound as though he liked it.

  “When is it?” Faith asked.

  “Tomorrow,” Maria said. “Rafe, you’re coming aren’t you?”

  Rafe smiled at Cara. “What do you think? Want to get all dressed up and go to a swanky shindig tomorrow night?”

  Cara’s mouth fell open. “Tomorrow? I have to find a dress!”

  “I’ll help you,” Maria said. “It will be fun to go shopping.”

  “Now you’re shopping?” Larina said. “Guess I’ll be going along for that, too, since I’ll need something to wear to this thing if I’m going to blend in.”

  “Of course.” Tessa could hear the strain in her mother’s voice as she tried to remain polite.

  “What about you, Darius?” their father asked.

  “I hate those fancy dinners.” Darius winced. “Tight collars and ties. I don’t know how you do it, Dad.”

  “I like to look good.” John grinned.

  “Not everybody likes the yuppie look, professor,” Rafe teased.

  “Well, luckily I don’t need a suit and tie to work in the lab,” Darius shot back. “Age of the geek, bro.”

  “You mean nerd.” Rafe chuckled and reached for the hot sauce for his eggs.

  “Geek.” Darius lifted his coffee cup in toast. “Without geeks like me and Dad, the company would have no product to sell.”

  “Chip off the old block,” John agreed, clicking his cup against Darius’s. “Rafe, you just didn’t get the techie gene. Sorry, son.”

  “Yeah, he just got the ’roid rage gene.” Darius smirked.

  “Those who do, kick ass,” Rafe said. “Those who can’t, hide in a lab.”

  “Keep talking like that, little bro. We’ll see what’s what.” Darius got up to refill his coffee. Rafe snickered.

  “Hey, something smells awesome. Got room for two more?” Carter came into the kitchen, accompanied by a slow-moving—but walking—Rigo.

  “Rigo!” Maria leaped from her seat to give John’s head of security a brief hug, nearly knocking him down. Carter’s quick reflexes steadied him. Maria beamed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better, thanks.” Rigo sniffed the air. “Do I smell pancakes?”

  “That you do. Hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  “Excellent. That means you’re healing.” Maria turned her smile on Carter. “And what about you?”

  “Also starved,” he said.

  “Perfe
ct. I’ll have Lupe make more pancakes.” She hurried down the hall toward the laundry room, calling for Lupe.

  “Rigo, sit here.” Tessa indicated the chair beside her, which was the lone open spot at the table. Rigo made his way over, and Carter hovered until he was safely seated.

  “I’ll get us coffee,” Carter said.

  “You might need to start another pot,” Larina said, drawing the men’s attention.

  Tessa nearly blushed at some of the explicit images that hit her from Carter and Rigo, but she couldn’t blame them for a very natural reaction. They were male, and the female Warrior looked like a dusky-skinned, supremely fit advertisement for sexy workout wear. Larina raised a brow at their appreciative regard and sipped her coffee.

  “I’ve got another pot going,” Darius said from across the room. The quick glance he shot Tessa told her he’d picked up on the men’s distraction as well. “You want to give me a hand, Carter?”

  “Sure.” Carter headed over.

  Tessa glanced at Rigo, who still pondered Larina. Real attraction there, Tessa noted, not just a guy noticing a hot girl. “And how are you feeling, Rigo?” He turned to face her, and she studied him carefully. “You look better. Your color is back to normal.”

  “Thanks. I feel better. Whatever you all did with those rocks really helped.” She could sense him trying not to look back at Larina. Boss’s daughter, ran through his mind. Boss’s daughter is talking to you.

  “Yes, they promote healing.” Tessa sent a message to Faith. How much does he know?

  A lot, came the reply. He saw me do a bunch of stuff in the cave. But he makes a point of not asking too many questions.

  “Whatever it is, it’s working,” Rigo said. “I feel tons better than when I was in the hospital. Now if I could just get some coffee…!” He called the last word to Carter, who chatted with Darius at the coffee machine. The medic grinned and held up two mugs, but kept talking.

  “The service around here is terrible,” Tessa murmured sotto voce. “Don’t leave a tip.”