The Professor stared, a wicked smile on his chubby face.
“What do you really want?” she asked
“My due,” he replied.
Ariel shook her head. Some men never learned. “I’ve told you everything I know.”
Rumsinger snorted. “I doubt that very much. In fact, you’ve told me nothing at all. It’s as if your tribe has disappeared off the face of the Earth.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stepped to within inches of her body. “And since we both know that’s not possible, they have to be here somewhere.”
Ariel felt his warm breath upon her cheek. The rancid smell that followed had her fighting the urge to gag. “I told you, I know nothing.” She swallowed hard.
He arched a furry caterpillar-like brow. “There are few, if any, tracks leading away from this compound. My men have scoured the land and the only thing we’ve found is a drinking cup.” The professor fisted his hands. “Now I’m going to ask you again, once more nicely, where are your people?”
Ariel sighed. “I cannot tell you what I do not know.”
“Why were you left behind?” he asked.
“You would have to ask them,” she replied.
“Have it your way.” Rumsinger turned to face Raoul. “Go to my hut and retrieve my knife.”
Raoul’s eyes widened. His gaze darted from the Professor to Ariel, then back.
“Move now before I decide to use it on you!”
Raoul jumped and darted to Ariel’s old hut. He returned in short order carrying a knife that looked more like a sword to her. He handed the blade to the Professor, who proceeded to run his finger along the edge. A drop of blood pearled on the tip of his thumb. He brought the digit to his mouth and sucked before turning his attention back to her.
“Where are they?” he asked, raising the knife to her outstretched arm.
Ariel bit her lower lip and shook her head. “I do not know.”
The Professor ran the edge of the blade over her bicep. Pain seared her, sapping some of her strength as she fought the urge to cry out. A streak of red followed the sharp metal’s trail, leaving blood to drip down her arm.
The Professor stared at her for a moment then turned his attention back to his blade. “Once more, my dear, where is your tribe?”
“I don’t know,” she spat.
“Okay, if you insist on doing it the hard way.” He shrugged and raised the knife again. This time the blade came down on her leg, its razor edge leaving a clean slice behind. “Get me the salt, Santo.”
The guard’s nostrils flared, but he did as ordered.
The Professor grabbed a handful of the white granules and rubbed them into Ariel’s wounds. She screamed, the raw flesh burning like fire under the abrasive crystals. Damn him. In that moment, she vowed to die before she led him to her people.
Coridan, I need you, she screamed in her head repeatedly as she fought the urge to heal herself.
* * * * *
Coridan froze as pain sliced through him, driving him to the ground. The garbled cry resonated in his head, echoing over his senses, demanding help without words. He pressed his hands to his limbs, trying to figure out if he’d suffered any injuries. None were visible.
The next wave of pain had him leaping to his feet and sprinting through the jungle. He was still a day and a half away from the encampment. Whoever communicated to him psychically was in dire need. The contact had vibrated through him, like a sound wave, echoing the pain the individual felt.
The being hadn’t used a traditional Atlantean route of communication. This led Coridan to believe he dealt with someone or something different. He pushed himself harder, his heart slamming in his chest. Muscles bunched as he leapt over fallen trees and ducked around lianas. Snakes scurried to escape his approach, along with a few bug-eyed iguanas.
He’d traveled a few more miles when he heard a faint whisper. The wind rushing past his head created enough interference that he’d been unable to make out what had been said. Coridan stopped, his breathing harsh as he listened again, waiting. Please, speak to me…he asked no one in particular.
Coridan…Coridan…
His name was repeated like a mantra, barely audible, but there nonetheless. Someone called him by name…but who? Coridan’s brows furrowed. Who could be calling him on his private frequency, the one reserved solely for true-mates? The blonde from his vision flashed through his mind. Excitement and fear lanced through him as he concentrated so he could answer back.
Who are you?
Please… the voice whispered.
I am coming. Fear not. He sent the thoughts out using the same frequency, and then tried to hold onto his patience, which was rapidly evaporating. For several minutes, he heard nothing. He debated whether to continue his journey and try again in another mile or so. Coridan released a strangled breath. Whoever had contacted him was gone. Fear returned. Stronger this time. It clutched at his throat as he considered the possibility that the woman had been killed.
He would have felt it, wouldn’t he?
No! He shouted the thought as if his will alone could keep her on this plane. I demand that you speak to me. He had meant the command to sound firm, unforgiving. Instead, it had come out like a plea from a desperate man, which he supposed he was. Coridan took a step and heard a whispered response. It sounded faintly like the tickling trill of a woman’s laughter, albeit one who fought pain.
You know who I am. You have known me all your life. Yet you think me a stranger. It wasn’t exactly a question, yet the words floated weightlessly, suspended in the ether.
Stop speaking in riddles, woman, and tell me who you are.
I am your Seer and I demand your respect and allegiance. Her voice broke off on an angry gasp.
Feeling as if he’d been kicked, Coridan’s stomach clenched. The Seer…it was not possible, was it? How is it that you come to communicate with me in this manner?
‘Tis not important.
Was this some kind of cruel joke? Seers didn’t have true-mates, everyone knew that. Is there anyone else there with you? he asked, hoping the woman from his vision was with Ariel.
Not of our people, if that is what you ask. There was an edge to Ariel’s voice. One he’d never heard before. The tenor not nearly as teasing as it had been moments ago.
Coridan’s brows rose. He snorted and shook his head at his own foolishness. For a moment, he’d actually thought she’d been jealous. The Seer, jealous? Now that was insane.
The time for reunions is over. I am here with our old friend and enemy the Professor.
Coridan tensed, every muscle on alert. What does he want?
He is seeking our people. I will allow him to kill me before that will happen, but I need your help.
No! The thought of Ariel dying stabbed at his chest like the edge of a blunt sword. He would not allow her to die--could not. Forsaken by his people, Coridan cared not what happened to the Atlanteans, but she was a different matter.
Ariel groaned in pain. You will have to be careful once you near the compound. The Professor has his men seeking the tribal members.
The Atlantean people are not my problem. He growled.
Ariel hesitated. I’m not sure how long I can keep them from the transport. Fear rang out in her voice. They must not reach the transport…aahh!
Ariel! Coridan’s heart skidded to a halt, a second before slamming into his ribs. His hands flew to his chest protectively. What is he doing to you?
He likes to play with knives. I will heal myself once he returns me to Eros’ hut, until then I must take the pain. He is unaware of our true powers. Remember he’s only witnessed Eros’ rescue of Queen Rachel.
I will kill him. Coridan’s voice came out ferocious, like a caged animal, inside his head. Rage filled him, tainting his soiled blood.
No! Ariel laughed, but the sound held no humor. I will take care of this slug when the time comes.
Amongst your people, women do not kill. Or have you forgotten, Seer?
You claim to have no people, so my actions should not concern you. As for my memory, I have forgotten nothing, including your past deeds, so do not lecture me, warrior. I’m in no mood. Just come.
Coridan gritted his teeth. He didn’t like being commanded. But he could not stay away, even if he’d wished to do so. Reluctantly he responded. As you wish…
Before she could refuse or break contact with him, Coridan sent her an energy surge along the same path she’d communicated with him on. He knew she’d be surprised he could do so, for the Atlantean people were unaware of his true power. He wished he could see the look on Ariel’s face when she received it. The thought made him smile.
In her weakened state, the energy would temporarily give her enough strength to continue her fight. She could use it to struggle in the name of the people. She could use it to struggle to save herself. He didn’t care how she chose to justify her actions, for he knew the truth. She was doing it…
For them.
He surged into the jungle, racing through the brush, mentally replaying what had been said. Ariel had become defensive when he’d questioned her about her ability to reach him, defiantly hiding behind her title. ‘Twas a pity she didn’t know her title no longer held sway over him.
He was a tribe of one now.
However, the fact remained, she had communicated to him on his private channel like a true-mate. There was only one way that was possible. He was sure of it. Coridan’s mind latched onto the possibilities, as his vivid imagination took over. For a moment, he pictured their limbs entwined, writhing as one as they experienced an energy bind. His body tightened in anticipation, his heart pounding in his chest. He pictured Ariel’s long legs and heart-shaped bottom, quivering under his firm hand.
Coridan ran harder than he’d ever run before. She may deserve his respect due to her position, but if it turned out she truly was his mate and the female behind the enchanting fragrance that still haunted him, then their conversation was far from over.
In fact, it had just begun.
* * * * *
Chapter Four
Professor Rumsinger leaned over Ariel’s bleeding body. He’d been torturing her for hours. The light in the sky had begun to fade, casting the jungle in deep shadow. “You’d make it so much easier on yourself if you’d just tell me what I want to know.”
“Go to Hades, slug.” She growled out, as she strained against her bonds.
Rumsinger glared, then backhanded Ariel across the cheek. Pain exploded in her head, as she fought to keep it from reaching Coridan. He was still too far away to be of assistance. The world tilted as she tried to focus on the red-devil’s face. She could feel her lip starting to swell, taste fresh blood in her mouth. She glared, hoping the bastard would return her to the hut soon. She needed to heal her wounds before she bled to death.
As if reading her thoughts, the Professor spoke. “Raoul and Santo, get her bandaged up. I don’t want the bitch bleeding to death before I get the answers I seek.”
The two guards jumped, scurrying off to retrieve what she could only imagine to be medical supplies. They returned moments later carrying clean bandages and some kind of bottled elixir. Ariel swallowed hard as they approached her with the unknown liquid, which they’d dabbed onto a piece of cotton.
The second the medicine hit her skin it burned, not quite as bad as the salt, but close. Ariel gasped and fought the urge to struggle, the cure worse than the cause. To their credit, the two men tried to be gentle, attempting not to harm her further.
The Professor stood in the background overseeing the men’s progress. “That’s good enough.” He pulled Santo away, then shot Raoul a warning glare.
Raoul moved away from Ariel reluctantly, the hand holding the cotton trembling with controlled rage. From the expression on his face, he didn’t like the Professor any more than she did.
Perhaps these two men weren’t quite as bad as she’d first suspected. Ariel couldn’t think about it now. She fought the urge to slip into unconsciousness. She needed to remain alert so she could continue confusing the Professor’s men who came dangerously near the transport. Just as she thought she’d not make it a moment longer, an energy surge burst through her, revitalizing her senses, fueling her aching muscles.
Coridan…but how?
He didn’t have the power to reach her from this distance, did he? She considered her case of Atlantean heat. Perhaps there was more to the young warrior than first met the eye. The thought both frightened and intrigued Ariel. Could a warrior with such power have existed under her nose the whole time without her sensing any shift in energy? If he did, what did that mean? Could they experience an energy bind without either of them losing any power? Was he stronger than she was? The thought gave her pause.
Ariel didn’t like the possibility that Coridan could somehow be more powerful than herself. She was the Seer, after all. She’d never encountered a male, much less a warrior with the ability to send energy or communicate from great distances. Nor one who could heal without effort. She had no doubt the action hadn’t strained him in the least.
Despite her knowledge to the contrary, there was no denying where the energy her drained body had just received had come from. Coridan had sent it to her as he continued to shorten the distance between them. Her gaze flicked to the red-devil before her. He looked weary. With any luck, he’d drop dead.
She sent a thought to his mind, dragging his muscles down, weakening his ability to concentrate. She’d convince him he was too tired to continue. Her gaze darted to Santo and Raoul, their expressions guarded. The Professor yawned loudly, drawing her attention back to him.
“I’ve had enough,” he said, scratching his ass. “We’ll pick this up tomorrow. For now, take her back to the hut.” The Professor took a step toward her old hut, then stopped. His gaze locked on her would-be guards. “This time make sure I find you at your posts or there won’t be a next time.” The silence that followed the statement spoke volumes.
The men’s expressions dropped, their coloring deepened as the Professor’s meaning sank in. They gave Rumsinger a curt nod and then moved to Ariel. Brown hands worked quickly to untie her. Ariel slumped the second they released her limbs. The men caught her, grasping her beneath the arms, dragging her to the lift basket.
Raoul and Santo placed her into the basket, following close behind. They glanced back now and again to ensure the Professor had gone into his hut. The basket lifted from the ground, rising into the air, putting distance between her and the red-devil for the first time today. The men who had been searching the jungle were now returning and began to settle around a fire that had been built in the center of the compound.
Ariel turned her gaze away. It seemed like a lifetime since her people had eaten and danced around the center flame, yet it had only been days. The basket stopped with a jerk and her guards walked her to Eros’ hut. Santo immediately gave her water and allowed her to wash up.
Raoul handed her some fresh fruit, then encouraged her without words to eat. Ariel did so, rapidly, wolfing down the mangoes and bananas as if they were her last meal. Perhaps the fruit would be, if the Professor had his way. Afterwards she cleaned herself once more, removing the blood soaked bandages as she did so, then walked to the bed of furs. Ariel removed her skirt and laid down before the men asked her to do so, and then spread her limbs wide, giving them enough space to tie her to the bed.
The men grabbed vines and had her bound within moments. She was tired and in no mood to entertain the two natives tonight, no matter how much kindness they’d shown her today. Not that she need worry. The Professor had put the fear of the goddess into them only moments ago. As soon as the men finished their task, they gave her one last look of longing before slipping out of the hut and allowing the flap to drop behind them.
Alone at last…Ariel sent an energy burst through her body. Every place the Professor had sliced started to tingle and then burn as the healing began. She relaxed into the growing warmth, her mind finall
y at ease. She was no longer alone. Coridan was alive and with him, a growing hope. It didn’t change her apprehension about the young warrior, but there was no doubt he’d help get her out of this predicament and then they could be on their way.
Ariel settled into the furs, her thoughts turning to Coridan. His muscled form rippled beneath her eyelids, teasing her, taunting, his golden skin slick with sweat as he raced toward his destiny. Ariel opened her eyes, squelching the feelings threatening to rise.
She could not afford to feel anything toward Coridan other than respect and gratitude. She could not lie with the warrior and perform the energy bind. There was no sense leading him—or herself--to believe otherwise.
He’d been foolish in his actions against Ares. The jealousy Coridan had felt wounded not only himself, but her, too. His pride kept him from seeing the way of his folly. Coridan was arrogant, and his arrogance had gotten him banished from the tribe. He needed her guidance and nothing more, whether he realized it or not.
Her body clenched, demanding release. The woman in her railed against her decision. Now that she’d healed herself, the Atlantean heat was back with a vengeance. How would she ever survive this ordeal? Between the Professor and Coridan, she wasn’t sure which one would kill her first.
* * * * *
Night fell upon the jungle. Muscles quaking, Coridan stumbled further, falling only to rise again. His vision blurred and the trail before him all but disappeared. He knew he’d have to rest. He staked out a soft spot on the ground and then lay down. A new vision was upon him the second he closed his eyes.
His body flexed as his cock slid in and out of the tight channel gripping him. The woman beneath him moaned as her orgasm rocked her body, pulsing and throbbing, milking his him of his life-giving fluids. Coridan had taken her from behind as before, her face shielded from his seeking gaze.
Her soft moans reached his ears, her body undulating as she coaxed him back to life. This time he wanted to see her face, taste her nipples, suck her tongue into his mouth as he impaled her. He had to know for sure. Coridan rose until his weight no longer pinned her in place. He reached down and carefully turned her body, allowing her enough time to lift her leg over him, until she was laying flat on her back.
Atlantean's Quest Volume 2 Page 4