[Atlantean's Quest 03] Redemption (15 page)

“I want to get out of here.” Rumsinger bellowed, stepping back toward the transport. “Let me leave and she’ll return unharmed.”

“You can’t leave.” Eros’ muscles bunched as if ready to pounce.

The professor’s grip on Rachel’s throat tightened once more and she gagged. Coridan took a step forward and stopped, drawing Rumsinger’s attention momentarily away from the Queen. Once again, his mind screamed out for vengeance. It was in that moment he felt Ariel’s hand cling to his wrist. The touch brought him back, allowed him to focus.

The professor and his madness must be stopped.

The transport began to whirl and shudder. Eros’ eyes widened. His voice slammed into Coridan’s mind.
The transport only works one way.

Then what is happening?

I know not
. The King stared, waiting.

The crystal doors behind them slammed open and Jac came striding forward with Ares hot on her heels. “What the f—”

The transport’s swirling and sputtering was followed by a loud scream. All eyes locked on the device as a red-haired woman fell through the transport. Off balance and out of control, she shrieked again as her body collided with Rumsinger and Rachel, sending him sailing forward and the Queen falling to the side. Coridan barely tracked Eros’ movements as he swept forward, catching Queen Rachel before she landed belly first onto the floor.

The woman’s actions sent the professor barreling head first into the guards. The men didn’t have time to avert their weapons. Rumsinger cried out as his skull impaled on a crystal sword. His body flopped for a few seconds before going limp. The guard holding the weapon tilted the sword until the professor slipped from its blade and onto the floor. Blood pooled on the opaque tiles. No one could have survived a blow like Rumsinger received.

Silence reigned in the room for a few moments as everyone took in the remarkable scene. Relief flooded every fiber of Coridan’s being as he swept Ariel into his arms.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” the red-haired woman sputtered, as a frown took up residence on her face. She squinted. “Who is that?” She pointed to the body on the floor lying twenty feet from her.

“Brigit!” Jac’s and Rachel’s voices cried out in unison, struggling to escape their mates’ grips.

Coridan and Ariel watched the red-haired woman stand. She picked up a pair of wire-rimmed glasses from the floor, and then wiped the lenses on her clothing before putting them on. The transport once again whirled and the guards braced for an attack.

A striking warrior appeared in the gloom and stepped through the transport. He resembled Ares a little, but appeared far wilder with his facial tattoo. He had one aqua eye and one jade colored eye. His gaze locked onto the red-haired woman Jac and Rachel had called Brigit.

“Orion?” Ares and Eros called out, their voices filled with a myriad of questions.

“Honey, what have you done?” Orion asked, as his gaze went to the man on the floor. “I told you to lean back, transports always throw you forward.”

The woman glanced at the body once more then over her shoulder at Orion. “Oh, shut up. I don’t want to hear ‘I told you so’ from you. This is bad, very bad.” She began to wring her hands.

Rachel and Jac pulled free from their mates’ grasps and rushed forward. “Brigit, it is you.”

The woman’s eyes widened as her gaze absorbed Jac and Rachel. “Who were you expecting?”

“Only you.” Rachel and Jac embraced Brigit for a moment, before releasing her. Curious glances shot to the warrior beyond.

Brigit followed their gazes. “Don’t ask.” She shook her head and then spoke as if reading Jac and Rachel’s minds. “It’s a long story.”

Brigit stepped forward, ignoring Jac and Rachel, as the group converged to surround Professor Rumsinger’s lifeless body. “Is that Professor Rumsinger?”

Rachel nodded.

“Is he dead?” Brigit asked, her body trembling.

Coridan crouched down, touching his fingers to the repulsive man’s neck. The body twitched one final time and the professor’s head cracked open, splitting down the middle like a melon.

Coridan turned to look at the group, their faces an equal part hope mixed with fear. The woman known as Brigit swayed on her feet, her face pale as she waited for the answer to her question. The tattooed warrior stepped behind her, resting his hands lightly upon her small shoulders.

Coridan stood and nodded his head, confirming the obvious.

Brigit swayed again, her gaze beading on the professor’s twisted face. She leaned forward tentatively as if to see for herself, then stepped back against Orion’s body. Her eyes closed momentarily as she took a couple of deep breaths and swallowed hard. Brigit nodded to herself, opening her eyes to glance back at the group. “It’s about goddamned time.”

The statement exploded the tension in the air as readily as if she’d detonated a bomb. Nervous giggles tittered from the women and the men barked with laughter.

“Come. ‘Tis over,” Eros said, herding everyone away from the grizzly scene. “I believe this is cause for celebration.”

The King led the group away from the man who’d caused them all so much pain and suffering. Coridan gathered Ariel to him, his body vibrating with emotion.

So what do you think?

Her gaze fluttered to his face. I care not what has happened to the professor.

His lips quirked as he fought the urge to smile.
That’s not what I’m speaking of.

Ariel’s brows furrowed in confusion.

Coridan slid his hands to her stomach and gently caressed her bare skin.
Would you like to carry my babe?

Ariel’s eyes flashed, love turning the blue into the color of a fathomless sea.
You know I would.

Coridan’s smile flashed wide and his heart swelled. He waggled his eyebrows.
Then I suggest we get started.
They laughed, an intimate sound, filled with smoky promises and desires to come.

They were home, where they should be.

The End