The Volatile Amazon

by Sandy James

  A spell sprung from her lips. “I bind your magicks, Helen, from doing harm to yourself and doing harm to others.”

  The ground stilled.

  “I bind your magicks, Helen, from doing harm to yourself and doing harm to others.”

  “You think that—that—nonsense will work against me?” Helen shouted. “I’m an Ancient—a goddess. You should grovel at my feet!”

  “An Ancient with no followers to give you power.” The spell had to be recited four times so that Helen was disarmed of her powers. Then they could send her to the goddesses to imprison. “I bind your magicks, Helen—”

  “Die!” Helen snatched at tufts of her hair. “Why won’t you die!”

  The sky darkened, clouds gathering and winds whipping Sarita’s hair and gown. Lightning struck the beach close to her feet.

  Sarita closed her eyes and absorbed the energy.

  “I bind your magicks, Helen—”

  Her words froze when Helen fell to her side.

  Striding across the littered beach, Sarita felt pity swell in her heart. That pity grew when she saw the wretched creature lying on the dried grass. To kill Helen like this would be a crime.

  “I bind your magicks, Helen—”

  With an enraged snarl, Helen rose, thrusting a dagger into Sarita’s chest.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  The energy erupted from Sarita’s hands, a united force of four similar, destructive desires.

  The shimmering beams morphed into an ethereal rope, encircling Helen, binding her arms against her sides and then lifting her until her feet dangled.

  With a hoarse cry, Sarita unleashed two spirals of white fire from her eyes, hitting Helen’s chest. Instead of burning her, the flames seeped inside her. Her skin seemed to shrink, cracking into long fissures. White light erupted from each crevice until Helen exploded into a blinding shower of sparks. They shot high in the air before raining down on the island like dying fireworks.

  The battle was over.

  Sarita looked down at the hilt of the dagger embedded between her breasts. She waited for the pain.

  It never came.

  She blinked herself back to Avalon, materializing in the middle of the grassy compound. Jerking the blade free, she gasped at the rush of blood staining her white gown. She tossed the dagger aside.

  “Sarita!” Ian was at the door to the lodge.

  He sprinted toward her as the rest of the men spilled out the door. Everyone ran her way, their faces full of concern.

  “Wait.” Her voice was calm, as were her thoughts. Three spirits—and her own—told her all would be well, and she trusted her sisters’ intuitions. With her life. “Just wait a minute.”

  “What in the hell happened?” Artair demanded.

  “Helen. She’s dead.”

  “Oh, loving,” Ian said, his voice gruff. “What have you gone and done?”

  When he tried to touch her, she pushed his hand away. “Wait. I—I—”

  A sudden vibration rose from inside her. Heat flared in her lower belly, snaking its way up her body to her chest. Then the stab wound began to glow, the heat intensifying until it was almost unbearable. Her breathing sped as the healing energy moved through her body.

  The wound closed, and the glow faded away as the heat died.

  Ian reached for her with trembling hands, pulling apart the material of her gown. “Are you well?”

  “I’m fine.” She giggled when his fingers brushed over her healed skin. “That tickles.”

  “How did you do...that?”

  “I don’t know for sure, but I think I healed myself.”

  Lights flashed only a few yards away, and the patron goddesses appeared. Ganga strode over to Sarita and gently pushed Ian away. She lifted the edge of the blood-stained material to look at where the wound had been.

  “How did it heal?” Sarita asked her goddess.

  “With love,” the goddess replied with a smile.

  “So it was my sisters who helped the wound heal? I thought it was me. You know—my Water powers.”

  Ganga shook her head.

  That made no sense. “Then was it Ian? He didn’t touch me—”

  “We shall discuss this later. Now, we must restore you and the other Amazons.” She took Sarita’s hand and they were suddenly on top of Gina’s tower, as were the other patron goddesses.

  Although her sisters’ spirits were safe inside her, Sarita couldn’t help but stare at their crumpled bodies.

  Rhiannon stepped up to lay her cool fingers against Sarita’s forehead as Ganga, Ix Chel and Freya all placed their hands on her shoulders. “The task is done. The corners must be released. We call for the watchtowers to again stand alone.”

  Sarita screamed at the pain shooting through her as though someone had sank a hand deep inside her chest and ripped out her heart.

  Three lights floated up—green, red and white—spinning in a circle before they separated. Then they zipped across the platform to the proper Amazon, slamming into their bodies.

  Mercifully, the pain disappeared, and Sarita’s thoughts were now hers alone.

  She tried to catch her breath as she rubbed her chest, waiting for her heart stop racing.

  The groans coming from her sisters were music to her ears.

  All was as it should be.

  Rebecca pushed herself up on an elbow. “Did anyone get the license plate of that truck?”

  Rhiannon tilted her head. “Truck? There was no truck. Are you addled?”

  “It’s just a saying, m’lady,” Rebecca replied.

  Gina rubbed her fingertips against her forehead. “I feel like my brain’s too big for my skull.”

  Megan rolled over onto her back. “My body aches more than it did when we were training with Artair. Remember, Rebs?”

  “Yeah,” she replied. “I remember.”

  Then they grew quiet and shifted their gazes to Sarita.

  “I’m fine,” she replied to the curiosity flowing her way. Nice to know the connection was there, perhaps strengthened after what they’d just shared. “We should go back to the guys. They’ll be worried.”

  * * *

  “She’s fine, Ian,” Artair said.

  “I know... I just...” Ian sighed. “How can you stand this? How can you let your women go off like that and nae worry?”

  Johan chuckled. “You think we don’t worry?”

  “Then you’ve got another think coming,” Zach added.

  “Of course we worry,” Artair said. “But they’re Amazons. We have to trust them to do their job.”

  “How can you all be so calm? Sarita was stabbed for Jesu’s sake!”

  “And did ye happen to notice she healed herself?” Artair asked. “You’re married to an Amazon now. Ye’ll have to accept that danger is part of her life.”

  “But—but—” Running his hand down his face, Ian sighed. “’Twill be...difficult.”

  Zach slapped him on the back. “Welcome to the ‘Amazon Wives Club.’ Difficult doesn’t come close to describing our lives.”

  Sarita popped up right in front of Ian, and after a surprised grunt, he gave her a quick head-to-toe inspection.

  She was back in her usual clothing, and her hair was black once again. That disconcerting white had left her eyes to return to the ice blue he’d grown to love.

  He pressed his palm between her breasts. “Ye scared me to death.”

  Her smile told him all was well. “Can’t have that. You’re not a cat, and I can’t depend on you to have six more lives left.” She brushed a kiss on his lips.

  The goddesses and Amazons appeared, and the women ran to their men as the goddesses strode over to Richard and Jory.

  Ian hadn’t decided what
he thought of the Sons of Gaia. They’d been quiet since their arrival, keeping close to the children and performing some of the tasks that Beagan and Dolan used to do.

  Rhiannon and Freya spoke to them in low tones, and the men nodded every so often. The expressions on the brothers’ faces were serious, in contrast to the goddesses’ bright smiles. Then they all marched to the lodge as the Rhiannon and Freya came over to stand close to their Amazons.

  Ganga was the first to speak. “We are planning a celebration. Not only has Helen been brought to justice, but the marriage feast for Sarita and Ian was interrupted. We shall continue that this evening, with all of the patron goddesses in attendance.”

  “We have one more thing to do before we can celebrate,” Rebecca said. She glanced over her shoulder at the pine boxes resting on the grass. “We need to say goodbye to Beagan and Dolan.” Her voice caught on the names.

  “We owe them a proper burial,” Artair added.

  Rhiannon’s eyes flashed red. “To Hades with that! All of the women must follow me. Now.” She hiked up the skirts of her gown and marched up the hill, each step causing the ground to tremble.

  A heartbeat later, the Amazons and goddesses obeyed.

  Ian wanted to go but wasn’t sure if he’d be welcome since the goddess had only asked for the women. He waited for the other men to take the lead.

  “Like I’m getting left outta this,” Zach said. He trotted after his wife.

  The rest of the men, including the Sons of Gaia, followed.

  The Lady of the Lake flipped the lids of the coffins away with a flick of her wrist. Her lips dropped to a frown. “My beloved changelings. Look at what that horrible creature did to my changelings.” She straightened her shoulders and held her hands out. “We must make a circle and join hands. Ancients and Amazons come to me.”

  “Rhiannon, my friend,” Freya said in a hesitant voice, “you cannot think to—”

  Rhiannon narrowed her now blue eyes. “Freya of Folkvang, will you take my hand and assist me or nae?”

  “The Ancients will be—”

  With a huff, Rhiannon said, “I care not for their misgivings. These are my pets—my servants. My changelings. Every other one of the Ancients is a hypocrite, using skills and powers when its suits their purpose. In this place, for these creatures, I will use my powers and that of the Amazons. I need you, my friend, as well for the spell to work. Will you help?”

  “Aye, Rhiannon. I will help.” Freya grabbed Megan’s hand as the women encircled the small caskets.

  “What are they doing?” Ian whispered to his brother.

  “I’m nae sure, but I hope they intend to produce a miracle.”

  Rhiannon started a chant. Latin, perhaps? The other goddesses lent their voices to the repetition of the words Ian didn’t understand. About to ask Artair another question, he had barely opened his mouth when Rhiannon’s shout filled the air.

  “Redeo nobis!”

  Bright orange flames burst from the changelings’ coffins.

  Ian almost reached out to grab Sarita’s arm and jerk her away. But after what he’d seen her do earlier—knowing she was capable of bringing him back from the brink of death and of saving herself—he held himself back. This was her life, and it was fraught with both danger and excitement. He needed to learn restraint and acceptance. That didn’t make his heart stop pounding, though.

  Rhiannon pulled her hands away and crouched between the changelings. They glowed with bright lights. She lifted Beagan by the shoulders. Then she pursed her lips and blew across his face. After she lay him back down, she did the same to Dolan.

  The glow faded, leaving the two changelings looking lifeless.

  C’mon, little guys. Every muscle in Ian’s body tensed. Come back to us.

  The changelings both gasped a deep breath at the same time and sat up.

  With a brilliant smile, Rhiannon touched each of them on the head. “’Tis good to have you back.”

  She rose, patted her hair and smoothed her gown. Staring at two creatures she’d just resurrected, she said, “We have a feast to plan. I need your assistance.”

  Arrogant as ever, Rhiannon strolled back down the hill, only pausing long enough to call over her shoulder. “Beagan! Dolan! Come along! You have had more than your share of rest and may no longer dawdle.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Sarita dabbed her eyes with her napkin again. No matter how hard she tried to hold back tears, every time one of the changelings bustled past her as they served the meal, she choked up.

  Thinking she’d finally pulled herself together, she glanced to Rebecca. Earth wasn’t trying to hide the fact she’d been crying, which made Sarita’s eyes sting with tears again—that, and she could feel Rebecca’s happiness. And Megan’s. And especially Gina’s.

  The Amazons were linked again. All was right in the world.

  When either Beagan or Dolan got close to Rebecca, she’d grab him and kiss the top of his head.

  Enough holding back!

  Next time they drew near, Sarita was going to hug them.

  Ian laid his hand over hers. “’Tis a miracle to have them back, loving.”

  “I’m just so—so—” A sob bubbled out.

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

  Rhiannon stood and raised her flute of champagne, making the buzz of conversation end. “We have much to discuss this fair evening. First, Ganga shall address her Amazon.” She bowed to Ganga and took her seat.

  Ganga stood and bowed in return. Then she faced Sarita. “I am so proud of all you have accomplished.”

  Sarita’s face flushed hot. “Thank you, Ganga.”

  “There is one more task I ask of you—one that will be the most challenging of your life.”

  “That sounds ominous.”

  Ganga smiled. “I have yet to answer your question.”

  The turn in topic left Sarita confused. “Which question?”

  “You asked how your wound was healed.”

  Since that seemed to be something Ganga hadn’t wanted to discuss, Sarita had already dismissed it as a byproduct of the Amazons’ combined spirits increasing Water’s power to heal. “It wasn’t because of my sisters being inside me?”

  “It was someone else.”

  That made no sense. “The only people there were you goddesses and the men.”

  “There was someone else, my child—someone who is destined to be one of the most powerful magical creatures ever created. She shall be the daughter of two special people—the strongest of all benandantas and a soul who has cheated death more than once. Her spirit has also been infused with the blood and powers of three other women who shared her mother’s body.”

  Sarita’s eyes widened. “Are—are you saying—”

  “Your daughter healed you. You can come to no harm so long as she rests in your womb.”

  Heart pounding, Sarita dropped her hands to her abdomen. When she’d been injured, the healing heat had grown from there, and now she knew why. Stupefied, she couldn’t get a single word out of her mouth.

  Ian’s hand covered hers, and his tender smile brought more tears to her eyes. “A daughter, loving. We’re going to have a daughter.”

  “Conceived the night Sarita chose to gift you with her innocence,” Ganga added.

  Sarita nodded and sniffed, not wanting to keep crying in front of everyone. The notion that she wouldn’t have conceived her daughter if she hadn’t found the courage to go to Ian was sobering. Thank the goddess he’d accepted her and taken her as a lover.

  As soon as she and her husband were alone, she was sure to let a river of tears flow as they shared the happy news.

  Ganga wasn’t done. “You must guard this child well, Sarita MacKay. She will wield magicks the l
ike of which this world has never seen. Many will hunt her, fearing her powers or wishing to control them. I am counting on you, your husband, and your sisters to protect this child.”

  Sarita’s stomach plummeted to the floor. “She’ll be in danger?”

  “Aye,” Rhiannon replied, standing to address her as Ganga took a seat. “But she will have protection.”

  “Damn right she will,” Megan said, punctuating her words with a nod. “A great benandanta for a mother, three kick-ass Amazons for aunts, two Sentinels and a man who can bind Ancients for uncles. No one will get near her.”

  “Therein lies the problem,” Rhiannon said. “Her mother and aunts will no longer be Amazons. This generation must retire.”

  “Retire?” Almost everyone in the group shouted the word along with Sarita.

  “Aye. Retire. After using your combined powers to destroy an Ancient—”

  Rebecca interrupted. “Helen wasn’t a true Ancient. You said yourself that the rest of the gods and goddesses resented her and wanted her gone. Surely they’re grateful we killed her.”

  “Aye, they are.” Freya jumped into the discussion. “However, they also now fear your combined threat. Few creatures have the strength to kill an Ancient. Should you remain active Amazons, you would represent a perpetual danger.”

  Megan folded her arms over her breasts. “Then just tell them we won’t combine again, Mother.”

  “Works for me,” Gina added. “Not really happy about the idea of going through that kind of pain again anyway.”

  “It hurt you, too?” Sarita asked. She’d been so busy trying to cope with the agony of having her sisters’ spirits shoved inside her, she hadn’t thought about how difficult the process must have been to have those spirits jerked out of them.

  “Hell, yeah,” Rebecca said.

  “Like a son of a bitch,” Megan added.

  “Well, there you have it,” Gina said. “The rest of the Ancients don’t have anything to worry about. Besides, we need to stay strong. There are children—especially Sarita’s daughter—to protect. We have to keep our powers.”

  “You shall do that,” Freya said. “No one shall take away your powers so long as these goddesses and I have any say. ’tis just... Well...you must take a lower profile.”