by Sandy James
Ix Chel wasn’t as diplomatic. “You may hunt no longer.”
Artair was the only one who didn’t seem disturbed by the news. “Will you call the next generation?”
“Nay,” Rhiannon replied. “I fear the time of the Amazons has come to an end. For now.”
“At least ’til the memories of many Ancients fade,” Freya added, “and a potential threat necessitates another generation be given their powers.”
“Bonnie.” Rebecca whispered her daughter’s name.
No wonder. Sarita had always worried about Bonnie as well, knowing that she was a potential Earth Amazon.
Artair wasn’t quite as subtle. “Will my daughter serve?”
“I do not know the future, Arthur,” Rhiannon replied.
Sarita’s snorted laugh was echoed by her sisters.
Rhiannon shot them a nasty glare. “The Amazons must now become quiet. Stay in Avalon. Raise your families. And come to aid those who fight only when you are truly needed.”
“If we’re not going to fight, who is?” Rebecca asked.
“Some as worthy as you,” Freya replied. She stood at Rhiannon’s side as Ganga and Ix Chel took their seats. “’Tis clear we must continue to thwart the threats to this world since other Ancients are content to let humanity teeter on the brink of annihilation. We need a force as strong as the Amazons—perhaps stronger.”
Rhiannon turned her attention to Jory and Richard. “Sons of Gaia, rise. ’tis time to learn your fate.”
They stood, both with faces full of curiosity.
“I thought now that Beagan and Dolan were back, we’d have to go back to our island,” Richard said. “I mean, didn’t you bring us here to be Avalon’s caretakers?”
“Aye,” Rhiannon replied. “’Twas the plan. Yet now, I see more purpose in you being here. Unless... Did you wish to return to your island?”
“Fuck, no,” Jory answered.
A grin lit Rhiannon’s face. “Well then, I see a greater future for you—and any of your brothers who wish to serve—although ‘twill be a life full of danger.”
“And adventure,” Freya added with a grin.
Rhiannon came around to the head of the table. “You must pledge your fealty to me.”
“To us.” Freya wagged a finger at Rhiannon. “I shall not allow you to monopolize these intriguing men.”
Rhiannon heaved a weary sigh. “So be it.”
“The Sons of Gaia will serve us both,” Freya insisted. Then she turned to Richard and Jory. “You will pledge your allegiance to me as well.”
“Just you two?” Gina asked. “Not the rest of the patron goddesses?”
With a shake of her head, Ix Chel said, “The time has come to go our separate ways.”
Ganga nodded. “We can no longer risk the anger and wrath of our kind, not after what we had to do to defeat Helen.”
“But humanity is in need of champions.” Freya swept her hand to Jory and Richard. “These men have been wronged by their mother—and by the rest of the Ancients—for allowing their imprisonment because they are demigods. ’tis time the Sons of Gaia find their place in this world.”
Sarita looked to Ganga. “But you’ll still be there for us if we need you?”
“Of course, my child. We will always keep watch over you and yours. Rebecca’s brothers will have need of your wisdom—and perhaps your fighting skills—on occasion.”
“And we’ll give them both,” Rebecca said.
Rhiannon gave a cool smile to Jory and Richard. “Do you wish to leave your island paradise to pledge your lives to our service?”
“Paradise?” Richard scoffed. “I want off that place so badly, I’d do just about anything.”
“Be careful what you wish for, Richard,” Freya said. “For it will surely be granted and bring with you more than you anticipated.”
“And you, Jory?” Rhiannon asked. “Do you also choose a life of service?”
“Oh, hell yeah,” he replied.
A flash of light and a loud pop brought Freyjr into the mix. “A celebration? In my sister’s sanctuary?” His gaze settled on the Sons of Gaia. “With men who worship me?”
“Worship?” Jory shook his head. “Not even close.”
Freyjr’s eyes hardened. “’Ware, Jory.”
Not looking at all worried, Jory inclined his head to Freya. “Your sister offers me her protection.”
“Is that true?” Freyjr asked his twin.
“Aye, my brother. The Sons of Gaia are now in my service.”
“And mine,” Rhiannon reminded. “The Amazons are no more. Their swords shall be taken up by these men, and they will answer to me.” A beat passed before she added, “Oh, and your sister as well.”
Stroking his chin with his thumb and index finger, Freyjr considered the men for a long moment. “’Twill be an amusement.”
“An amusement?” Sarita asked. “What are you talking about?”
“Ah, little one. Can you not see how much enjoyment we shall get by watching these powerful demigods jump to the commands of my twin and the Lady of the Lake? I, for one, will relish the conflicts to come.”
Sarita rolled her eyes. Jory and Richard had no idea what they’d just opened themselves up to. But Freyjr was right—seeing the Sons of Gaia try to take over the Amazons’ jobs while dealing with the constant feud between Freya and Rhiannon could be downright hilarious.
She kept that thought to herself—at least she believed she had until Gina’s gaze caught hers and Sarita saw the grin on her sister’s face. Her own smile bloomed as she silently thanked her goddess for restoring their telepathic link.
Rhiannon stared at the men. “Then pledge your fealty to us as the Sentinels do.”
“You’re Rhiannon, right?” Jory asked.
Gathering herself to her full height, Rhiannon glowered down at him. “You do not know who I am?” Her booming voice made the windows shake.
“I—I—”
“I am Rhiannon. The Lady of the Lake. The Guardian of—”
The crowd joined in. “Excalibur. The Goddess of the Isle. The Divine Queen.” Everyone broke into laughter.
Sarita couldn’t help but chuckle, hoping Rhiannon took the good-natured teasing as it was clearly intended—with affection.
“Aye.” Rhiannon gave them a brilliant smile. “’Tis good of you all to remember.”
Richard and Jory both fisted their hands and thumped them against their hearts.
“Kneel before us.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, both men dropped to their knees.
Rhiannon tilted her head back and lifted her right hand high above her head. Thunder roiled in the distance as the lights inside the lodge dimmed.
“What’s going on?” Ian whispered in Sarita’s ear.
“Not sure, but I suspect we might see the famous—”
A hole suddenly opened in the ceiling, a perfect circle of flames that didn’t spread beyond the portal.
“Come to me, I bid you.” Rhiannon’s words echoed through the lodge, followed by another clap of thunder.
A glowing sword—a silver blade with a gold, jewel-encrusted hilt—descended through the opening in the ceiling. The hilt settled in Rhiannon’s palm.
“Excalibur,” Sarita said in a breathless murmur.
The goddess took Freya’s hand in hers and set the flat of the blade first against Richard’s shoulder and then Jory’s. “I anoint these Sons of Gaia as the new protectors of the realm. You will be the ones to hunt the demons that stalk this world. We grant you life beyond your island so you no longer need to feed on magical blood to survive.”
Freya took over. “We grant you whatever funds you shall need to pursue the enemies of humanity. We grant you homes where you ma
y rest with no fear of attack.”
“We allow you to keep the powers granted by your mother, Gaia,” Rhiannon said. “And we gift you with that which I have always given the Amazons—you may not die by bullet. Your powers may grow, as the Amazons always have—”
“But,” Freya interrupted, “we leave that growth to the purity of your souls.”
Rhiannon raised Excalibur high. “So we have said, so may it be done.”
Lightning flashed through the opening, striking the tip of Excalibur and then forking to hit Richard and Jory square in the chests. Both men gasped, throwing their heads back.
Sarita looked to Gina, knowing how close her sister was to Richard.
Gina’s lips were pulled into a tight line, but she didn’t react. She wasn’t afraid for her friend—nor did Sarita feel any fear from her other sisters.
But Sarita was afraid—for both Sons of Gaia and any of their brothers who chose to serve the goddesses. Being hit by whatever energy Rhiannon was pumping into them had to hurt like bloody hell, but neither man cried out. She held her breath, waiting to see if she’d have to hurry to them to heal whatever injuries would be inflicted in this miraculous transformation.
The lightning faded as the men collapsed back against the floor boards, panting for air.
Rhiannon released her grip on the sword, and it floated back out through the ceiling. The hole repaired itself after Excalibur disappeared.
Beagan and Dolan hurried over to Richard and Jory as they sat up, groaning. Only then did Sarita relax enough to accept that they were fine. The changelings helped them back to their chairs and handed them glasses of water.
“No time to tarry, my new warriors,” Rhiannon said with a wave of her hand. “You two must be about business.”
“What business?” Richard asked, a bit breathless.
“Marbas has escaped again. You must find him and return him to the jailer, Kampe.”
“Who’s Marbas?” Jory asked.
“A fire-breathing lion,” Sarita replied. “Nasty one at that.”
“And he has been spotted near a school, so you must hurry.” With a snap of Freya’s divine fingers, Jory and Richard disappeared.
“Just like that?” Gina asked. “We at least had Johann to train us before you sent us on a mission.”
Rhiannon chuckled. “They shall have to learn as they perform their jobs.”
Freyjr was the only one to laugh in response. “I believe I shall follow along to witness their first mission. Should be...amusing.” He snapped his fingers and disappeared.
Rebecca stood up and raised her champagne glass. “What a night!”
“You can say that again,” Megan added.
Artair stood at Rebecca’s side. “We should all raise our glasses in a toast. First, to the patron goddesses. Their benevolence will allow us to remain in this beautiful place.”
“And,” Rebecca added, “to their kindness in letting us keep our powers so that we can protect ourselves and our children as well as help my brothers.”
Glasses clinked before everyone sipped their champagne.
Sarita almost choked when she drank because her champagne had been replaced with apple juice. Her gaze quickly found the changelings. They laughed, their cheeks blushing.
She couldn’t stop herself. She put her glass down, crooked her finger and waited for them to come to her. Then she crouched, gathered them both in her arms and hugged them.
“I’m so glad you’re back. I love you guys.”
After she turned them loose, Beagan smiled at her. “We will do all we can to protect and care for your child, mistress.”
Dolan nodded. “No harm will come to her so long as we are near.”
She burst into tears.
The changelings each pulled a handkerchief from the pockets in their velvet vests and held them out to her.
Sarita’s tears changed to laughter.
Ian came to her and grabbed her elbow to help her back to her feet. “Are you well?”
“I’m fine, jaanu. Just...happy. Happier than I thought possible.”
* * *
Sarita stood on a hill overlooking Avalon.
Things had changed—probably for the better—but nothing would ever be the same again.
She felt her sisters before she saw them. Of course, she knew they’d come. The bond they’d always shared had only been strengthened by their joining. Their hearts were now linked in a way no one but the Amazons could understand.
Gina was the first to reach her, and Sarita hugged her sister.
Megan and Rebecca laughed as they wrapped their arms around the two women so that all four were included in the embrace. Then they faced Avalon. Together.
“How’s it feel to be retired?” the Guardian asked her charges.
“I’m too young to be retired,” Megan replied. “Besides, it’s not like they took our powers away or anything.”
“Richard and Jory will surely need us,” Gina added.
“They can always call on their other brothers,” Sarita pointed out. “I’m sure several of them would trade the safety of their island for the chance of living in the world—even if it’s a dangerous place to be.”
“But we’ll always be close just in case,” Rebecca said. “After all, they’re my brothers. And we might be retired, but we’ll always be able to help if needed.”
“I don’t know how to feel,” Sarita admitted. “I mean, no more revenant attacks.”
“No more demons to chase,” Gina said.
“No more puzzles to solve,” Megan added.
“Sounds...boring.” Then Sarita remembered her condition. “We’ll have to stay sharp to protect this little one.” She caressed her stomach. “Wonder what Lalita will be capable of doing?”
“Lalita?” Megan asked. “Ah...after your nanny.”
“Such a pretty name,” Rebecca said.
Gina elbowed Sarita lightly in the ribs. “After what Ganga and Rhiannon said, I imagine Lalita will make us look like lightweights.”
Rebecca put her hand over Sarita’s that rested against her abdomen. “We’ll be there for her, Sarita.”
Another hand—Megan’s—was added. “Just like you’ve always been there for our kids.”
Gina completed the set, putting her palm over the joined hands. “Since we were called, we’ve always helped each other. Now, we’ll help your daughter.”
Sarita’s heart was full of love—for her husband, her child and her sisters. She wiped away a stray tear. “Goddess, seems like all I can do today is cry.”
“It’s the hormones,” Rebecca said. “I cried at the drop of a hat when I was pregnant with Darian.”
Megan knit her brows. “Speak for yourself. I wasn’t emotional at all when I had Mina.”
“Are you kidding me?” Gina chuckled. “You threw fireballs at Johann at least ten times a day.”
“Doesn’t count. He had it coming.” Then Megan laughed. “Okay...maybe I was a little emotional.”
Sarita let her gaze settle on her new home. Ian would be waiting there, and they would celebrate their child, this daughter who had the ability to change the world. Lalita MacKay—a child who was not only gifted with incredible power, but one who had ties to so many different cultures. She was truly blessed. “I need to go. Ian’s waiting.”
Her sisters’ knowing laughter followed her as she popped from the hill to the fountain in her courtyard. The sight that greeted her came as a welcome surprise.
“Sile! Old Ewan! You’re here!”
The servants both bowed to her.
Ian strode over to take her hand. “Yer goddess dropped them off a few minutes ago. She said we’d need more help now that our family is growing. She also said loyalty like theirs needed to be rewar
ded. Ye do realize they’re ghosts, right?”
“Duh. Of course I do. How else could they have been serving you after so long? And Ganga’s right. They deserved a reward,” Sarita said to her husband before looking to the ghosts. “It’s so good to have you both here.”
“’Tis wonderful to be here, m’lady,” Sile replied. “Me and Old Ewan got a wee bit lonely at dorcha àite. ‘Twill be a pleasure to tend ye and m’laird in this home.”
“And a bairn,” Old Ewan said, grinning. “We can help ye with the new bairn.”
“I’d like that.” Sarita returned his smile.
“We’ll leave ye now.” Old Ewan took Sile’s hand, and the two of them floated away from the courtyard.
Ian led Sarita to the fountain. “Did you see yer sisters?”
“I did. They’ve all pledged to protect our daughter.”
“Our daughter.”
“I’d like to name her Lalita...after the woman who raised me.”
“’Tis fitting, loving. A beautiful name.”
Quick as a cat, he grabbed her around the waist and set her against the stone edge of the fountain. He dropped to kneel before her, putting his hands on her thighs. Then he leaned in to kiss her stomach.
“I love you,” she said, stroking his hair, letting her fingers slide through the silky strands.
“As I love ye. And I’ll be a good father.”
“I know that.”
“You saved me.”
She nodded, thinking of how afraid she’d been when he’d taken that sword in her place. “I couldn’t let you die, not when you were wounded to protect me from being cut down.”
“Nay, ’tis not the sword wound I meant, although I thank ye kindly for that deed as well.”
She cocked her head. “Then what—”
“I was a drowning man, loving. I needed revenge, and I let all that anger eat at my soul like a cancer. Until you came into my life.”
Cupping his cheeks in her hands, she smiled down at him. “You saved me too, Ian.”
He tried to shake his head.
She held him fast. “You did. I always thought I was the weakest Amazon, but you showed me I’m strong. Your love for me makes me strong—just like my love makes you strong.”