The Reluctant Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons) (20 page)

“She should leave.”

“Do you wish me to beg? After all I’ve done for the Amazons,
after all I’ve given in your service, you’d force me to beg yer forgiveness when
I’ve done nothing wrong?”

A few agonizingly long moments passed before Rhiannon spoke. “I
said I
should
send her back, but I will not. I have
more important things to occupy my mind than whether my Earth throws herself at
your head.”

Artair arched an eyebrow, waiting for the other boot to drop.
Rhiannon always had something planned in that busy head of hers, and she always
enjoyed launching her surprises on him. “Jin has shown himself,” she said.

“He has?”

“Because he now has the power to move in a different realm. The
demon has learned to alter himself to live in this modern world, not the world
you have always known.”

She was talking in riddles simply for the pleasure of confusing
him. She might be angry, but he didn’t have time for her shenanigans. “M’lady,
lives are at stake.”

“You forget who you talk to, Sentinel.” She regarded him with
cool eyes. “I am an Ancient. I will not shed a tear over the loss of a few
humans.”

“I know better than that,” he replied. “If you didn’t care
about the humans, you wouldn’t be here. How does Jin travel?”

“He becomes patterns and energy.”

Artair waited patiently for her to explain. She didn’t.

“I don’t understand.”

The saucy smile that bloomed on Rhiannon’s face didn’t come as
a surprise. She always loved having the upper hand, and since she was still
angry, she was sure to make this as painful for him as possible. “Of course, you
do not understand. Ask the Sentinel—the
other
Sentinel. He will know. He will understand. He is of this world, not one long
dead and buried.”

So since she couldn’t punish him physically, she’d wound him
with words.

“What will you return to, Arthur? You straddle two worlds,
neither of which needs you any longer. Your clan is gone. Another Sentinel has
taken your place.”

Her words held the bite of a slap across the face. “Aye.”

“What will you choose? Her? Or a real future? I can make your
transition back to the human world easier,” she purred.

“What do you mean?”

“I can give you knowledge of all the new toys, the ones the new
Sentinel uses so well. Will you let me grant you all you have dreamed of lo
these many years? Will you let me grant you your mortality and your family, all
that your heart desires? Or will you stay in Avalon with
her
and watch another take your place as the world slips farther
away?”

The goddess disappeared in a blinding flash of light.

Artair simply sat there for a moment, considering Rhiannon’s
words. What world was he going back to? And what world was he leaving
behind?

He wasn’t going to be able to leave Avalon, not to return to
mortality. The thought struck him with the force of a Highlander’s blow. He
would have to leave too much behind. Avalon was his home. The Amazons and the
changelings were his family.

And Rebecca was all he’d ever wanted.

Artair wasn’t going back because he could never give her up. He
would fight by her side and keep her safe. He’d make sure he didn’t lose her as
he’d lost so many before her.

His time as Sentinel might be coming to an end. Yet he still
had much to give in service of the Amazons, even if it meant letting Johann take
the lead.

Somehow he would carve a new place for himself in the Amazon
world because it was the only place he belonged.

Chapter Nineteen

“Energy? Rhiannon said he was energy?” Johann
asked.

“Aye. She said Jin moved in another world—the modern world.
That he was patterns and energy.” Artair despised the confusion in his voice. A
Sentinel led, he didn’t follow.

“That’s all she said?”

“Aye. She loves her riddles, as do all the goddesses.”

Johann seemed lost in thought, so Artair left him to
contemplate the information Rhiannon had shared. This whole mess had something
to do with those damnable computers that kept people glued to them with useless
nonsense and games. He strode toward the sandpits, happy to see that Rebecca had
Sarita on the retreat before Earth disarmed Water.

Rebecca smiled and reached down to help Sarita to her feet.

“Well done, lass,” he said, slapping Rebecca between her
shoulder blades.

“Thanks.” She reached over her shoulder to rub where he’d
pounded her.

Megan and Gina stepped forward for their turn at sparring.

Gina had the clear height advantage, but Megan immediately went
on the offensive, taking short swings and pounding against Gina’s sword. It
wasn’t long before Gina took a few faltering steps back. Two more swings found
her sword in the sand as Gina fell to her knees. Megan let out a triumphant
cry.

Johann came to stand at Artair’s side. The new Sentinel set his
hands on his hips and scowled at his Amazon. “You’re gonna let her get the best
of you? You should’ve taken her. I taught you better than that, Gina. Get up and
show her what you’re made of.”

Old Sentinel pulled new Sentinel aside. “You shouldn’t inspire
the lasses to feel that kind of rivalry. They
need
each other. They have to work together as a group.” The lad had much yet to
learn.

Johann considered the words, rubbing his hand over his chin,
before he nodded. “You’re right, MacKay. I’ll leave them to you for now. After
what you said about Jin, I need to check something out.”

With his own nod, Artair turned to the Amazons.

Gina brushed away Megan’s offered hand. Standing, she picked up
her sword and took a ready stance. “C’mon. Let’s rumble.”

Megan attacked Gina again. She knocked the sword from Gina’s
hands on the fourth swing, then Megan kicked Gina’s legs out from under her.
Just as Rebecca had done when she brought down Artair, Megan rested her foot in
the middle of Gina’s belly. “Do you give?”

Gina stared, then pushed Megan’s foot away. She sprang up and
soared over Megan’s head. Air landed behind Fire and kicked the back of her
knees. Megan fell forward, and Gina quickly covered her like a wrestler going
for a pin.

Megan and Gina rolled around in the sandpit, fighting in
earnest. Artair moved to bring it to a stop, but he was beaten to the punch when
the ground rumbled. Vines sprung from a split in the sand, wrapped themselves
around the fighting women and subdued them in neat cocoons. Rebecca stood in
Sparks’s typical drill sergeant stance—legs wide, hands fisted against her hips.
He smiled.

“We have too much shit to deal with right now,” Rebecca said.
“Jin’s after us. We’ve lost two sisters. We sure as hell don’t need you two
acting like a couple of first graders.” She glared down at the vine-tied
Amazons.

Sarita came to stand at her side, throwing a less intimidating
scowl.

“Ow!” Megan shouted as small puffs of smoke rose from between
the leaves.

“Don’t even try to blast your way out,” Rebecca scolded. “I’ll
just throw another layer over you. I’ve had it with the kids’ stuff, Megan.
Understand?”

Megan narrowed her eyes, probably thinking of some Fire-worthy
response, but this time Earth trumped Fire. Megan held her tongue and gave
Rebecca a curt nod.

“Gina? Think you can get with the program?” Rebecca asked.

“Will you get this shit off me if I say ‘yes?’”

Rebecca nodded, and Gina echoed her response.

Would Rebecca ever realize that Earth could be the strongest of
the warriors? He’d never expected it of the reluctant Amazon he’d brought to
Avalon, but she was blossoming into one of the most controlled and powerful
warriors he’d ever trained.

He’d show her just how pleased he was that evening. He’d show
her until she screamed his name as she came for him. He ached to see the passion
reflected in her eyes again as he entered her sweet warmth.

“We’re sisters. We’ve pledged our lives to the same cause and
to each other.” Rebecca still scolded Megan and Gina. Sarita stood next to her,
trying to make her tiny stature look threatening. “You two have no business
fighting, and you sure as hell shouldn’t use your powers against a sister. We
need to stand together. If we don’t, we’ll die. Do you understand me?” When
neither of the women moved to answer, a short tremor punctuated Rebecca’s raised
voice.
“Do you?”

Surprisingly, Gina nodded first. He’d feared there would be too
much rivalry between the two pairs and that their loyalty would always align
with their training sister. But it was clear Gina recognized Rebecca’s sudden
authority. Sarita had given her loyalty to Earth as well. He wasn’t sure if it
was Rebecca’s age or the debilitating kudzu.

With Fire’s nod, Rebecca called back her greenery. The splits
in the sandpit healed.

This generation was not going to be ruled by Fire like the last
one. Sparks had always managed to outshine Helen, Trishna and Maria. Megan’s
acquiescence announced Rebecca’s leadership.

“Go get supper.” Rebecca inclined her head toward the mess
hall.

Sarita tugged Gina to her feet before she helped Megan, but she
didn’t let go of Megan’s hand. Instead, she studied the spray of burns on the
palm. “Let me help.”

Placing her hand over Megan’s welts, Sarita closed her eyes for
a moment and said a few words in Hindi. When she pulled her hand away, Megan
stared at healed skin.

“Neat trick. Thanks,” Megan said, slapping Sarita so hard on
the back she took a stumbling step forward.

“Ouch. And you’re welcome,” Sarita replied. “I’m starving.
Let’s go eat. I hope the changelings learned how to make makhani arbi masala.
I’ve been thinking about that dish all day.”

Rebecca shook her head as they left. “They’re like kids on a
playground,” she said as Artair came to stand at her side. “I know you said
Water could heal things, but I didn’t realize it was that quick.”

“Only small hurts, and only in her sisters. But ’tis often
enough to help keep an Amazon in a fight.” He smiled at Rebecca. “Do you realize
what you’ve done?”

She regarded him with confused eyes.

“You’ve taken the role of Guardian.”

Rebecca opened her mouth as if to deny the statement. Then she
closed it and nodded. “I didn’t want to, but…” She glanced to Sparks’s cabin
before her gaze returned to Artair. “I had no choice. Someone needs to keep
these girls focused or we’ll get our asses kicked. They can’t be squabbling
amongst themselves when we’re trying to stay alive.”

“Spoken like any good leader. Have I told you how proud I am of
you, Becca mine?”

A hesitant smile crossed her lips. “You’ve told me more times
than I can count how ridiculous it was for me to call myself an Amazon. I recall
you constantly growling at me. And there was a snarl or two over my fear of
heights.
Those,
I remember. But telling me you’re
proud of me?” She chuckled. “No, I would definitely remember that.”

Artair kissed her forehead. “Aye, I did all those things. But
they were done to make you stronger.”

“No one needs to be
that
strong.”
Her smile grew saucy.

He had to chuckle at her. Then he gave her what she needed to
hear. “I’m verra proud of you, lass. You’ve mastered yer powers and have become
a mentor to these girls.”

“Like Sparks was a mentor to me.” Her expression changed,
growing serious. “I’m worried about her, Artair. If we’re gonna beat Jin and his
master, we need to stay together. I can’t lose her.”

“I fear the path she takes may lead her away from us for
good.”

* * *

In the equipment room at the base of the tower, Rebecca
finished wrapping her ropes and tied them into neat bundles, glad to know her
climbing had ended for the evening.

The new Amazons handled the tower with ease, both scaling up
and rappelling down as if they’d been climbing their whole lives. Gina had
scrambled up like some spider deftly climbing a wall. Gravity was her friend
rather than her enemy, as it was for Rebecca. After her sisters joined her at
the summit, Gina had dropped her rope and harness, gave a laugh, then jumped.
Like a cat, she landed on the ground in a crouch.

Artair worked quietly beside Rebecca, gathering the rest of the
rappelling equipment and draping it neatly on wall hooks. As she hung up the
last of the ropes, he came to stand behind her, wrapping strong arms around her
waist. He brushed her braid aside and buried his lips against her neck, kissing
the ringed scar left by the revenant’s teeth.

She tilted her head. “Mmm. That feels good.”

“Are you ready to go back to our cabin, Becca mine? You could
probably use some sleep. ’Tis a hard day’s work being Guardian to three feisty
Amazons.”

Rebecca turned and slipped her hands around his neck. “Oh, I’m
ready to go to our cabin, but I’ll be happy to show you that I’m not too awfully
tired.” Rising on tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his.

He deepened the kiss, putting those wonderful hands on her
backside and pulling her hard against his arousal.

“I’m nae sure I can make it back to the cabin, lass. Yer too
tempting for me to wait to claim you.” His words reached inside, squeezing her
heart, firing her blood.

He backed her up to the closest wall and untied her workout
pants. Pushing them over her hips, he gave her a smile that showered her in
heat. “I want you now. I need to be inside you
now.
”
His voice was husky.

Rebecca replied by settling her mouth over his and kissing him
with all the passion he inspired. She’d never enjoyed such a powerful sexual
craving. It was him who stirred the uninhibited lover who had long hibernated
inside her. Only Artair.

Pushing her tongue into his mouth, she demanded he respond in
kind. His tongue glided over hers, and she took her hands back to slip off her
panties. Reaching under that sexy kilt, she helped divest him of his
undergarment.

Wrapping her fingers around his erection, she stroked him. His
low growls sent another delighted shiver racing through her. He was hard and
hot.

Artair worked his hands under her shirt. His grunt told her he
was displeased she was wearing a sports bra. He stopped kissing her, moving his
fingers around the garment. “How do you remove this silly thing? There aren’t
any fasteners.”

Rebecca chuckled as she gave his cock another gentle caress,
loving how he pushed his hips into her stroke. “I’ll have to move my hands to
take it off.”

“I may wish to touch all of you, but I’m nae ready for you to
stop touching me.” To her great pleasure, he returned to kissing her.

After what didn’t seem nearly long enough for her to enjoy
fondling him, he brushed her hand away and pressed her back to the wall. “You
make me want you past waiting.” Grabbing her roughly by the hips, he lifted her
as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He slid his erection against her
aching core. “Now, Becca mine?”

“Yes. Now. Please, now.” She gasped as he entered her with a
powerful surge, filling her completely.

Time ceased to exist. All Rebecca knew was the incredible feel
of him sliding in and out, the heat of his breath against her neck, the frantic
beat of her heart as the fever he created inside her rose. Her muscles tensed
and her senses reeled. Artair quickened the pace, triggering her release,
sending wave after wave of bliss washing over her. He groaned, thrust into her
one last time and leaned heavily against her.

Coming back to earth slowly, she put her feet on the ground as
Artair eased out of her.

“Ah, lass. You took me to paradise. Each time gets better.”

The heat of a blush scorched her cheeks, which seemed an absurd
reaction considering what had just passed between them.

“So shy?” he asked, putting his finger under her chin and
lifting her to face him.

She gave him a weak smile. “It just dawned on me.”

“What, sweeting?” He brushed a quick kiss on her lips then bent
to grab his discarded undergarment.

She followed suit, picking up her panties and workout pants off
the floor.

“What just dawned on you?” he asked.

“We aren’t having safe sex.”

He smiled as he donned his clothing. “But you know Amazons
always have what you call ‘safe sex.’ Sparks surely told you Amazons cannot
catch human diseases or become mothers.”

“I can’t be a— You mean I can’t have a child?” His
matter-of-fact words hit her with the force of a sharp blow to the chest. She
tried to catch her breath as she scrambled into her clothes, not wanting to show
him her pain.

It couldn’t be true. It couldn’t!

The sincerity of his words said otherwise.

She would never be a mother—the one thing Rebecca had truly
wanted in this world. Because she was an Amazon, the joy of a child of her own
would be denied. The realization turned her stomach.

“Becca?” His eyebrows knit into a concerned frown. “Are you
ill?”

“I can’t—just don’t—” She put her trembling hand against her
forehead, shielding her eyes from him.

“Sparks didn’t tell you, did she?”

* * *

Artair uttered a Gaelic curse. He’d just blurted out
something that would hurt Rebecca like he’d been talking of something as mundane
as a change in the weather.

He damned himself for his inconsideration. He damned Sparks for
neglecting to tell the Amazons about one of their most important sacrifices. And
he damned the patron goddesses for never giving the lasses a choice in the
matter.