Warriors of Poseidon 01 - Atlantis Rising

the Rite of Oblivion and lived. There are no eunuchs in my temple, little boy."
     
    Christophe didn't back down. "Yeah, well, the rite of acceptance as a Warrior of Poseidon is no solstice picnic. Perhaps you ought to remember that, old man?"
     
    Conlan stepped between the two of them, even though Christophe had shown enough sense to step the hell back. "That's enough. We need to focus on the Trident, as you keep reminding me, Alaric. Not settle old scores—or start new ones—right here in front of the hockey table."
     
    He turned to Christophe. "And not all elements, Christophe. You know that fire is forbidden to the Warriors of Poseidon—to all Atlanteans."
     
    Bastien slammed the air hockey puck into its goal with a flourish. "Yeah, nobody would be stupid enough to play with fire, my pr—er, Conlan. We're golden. Why don't you and Alaric get some rest so we can get an early start in the morning? We have some Mycenaean ass to kick."
     
    Alaric nodded. "I admit to needing rest after performing two healings. That poison took more than a little effort to disperse."
     
    Conlan noticed for the first time that Alaric's face was almost gray and cursed under his breath. A ruler should be aware of the health and needs of all of his subjects. Even those who were strongest.
     
    Yeah, well, I suck at being a ruler. No argument there.
     
    "Rest," he ordered. "I'll be in with Riley. Ven, set up shifts to watch. You can—"
    Atlantis Rising – Warriors of Poseidon 01
    Page 105 of 351
     
    Ven rolled his eyes. "I know what to do, Conlan. This isn't my first day on the job."
     
    Conlan inclined his head, returning to formal speak to underscore his demand. "I cede the task to the King's Vengeance. All of you—remember your early training and shield your emotions."
     
    There was no other way to say it but baldly. "Riley is aknasha."
     
    He heard the indrawn breaths, saw Alaric's eyes narrow, and waited.
     
    Brennan spoke for the first time since Conlan had walked into the room. "That would explain her reaction after the battle. If she needs guarding, perhaps I would be the appropriate choice, since I have no emotions with which to overwhelm her senses," he said in his quiet voice. "It would make my curse bear some merit, for once."
     
    Conlan narrowed his eyes, searching the warrior's face for signs of bitterness, but there was only the patient calm with which Brennan always faced the world. A curl of anger stirred in his gut at the idea of Brennan—of any male—spending time with Riley.
     
    All righty, then. I need to get a fucking grip.
     
    "Thanks, Brennan. We will discuss our plans in the morning, but I appreciate your offer,"
    he said, inclining his head toward his emotionless warrior.
     
    Then he turned toward Ven. "I need some rest, to complete the healing. Give me until dawn, unless there's some new crisis."
     
    With a last narrow-eyed glance at Justice, Conlan left the room. Heading for Riley, who was sending out flutters of awakening consciousness.
     
    Atlantis Rising – Warriors of Poseidon 01
    Page 106 of 351
    As he walked down the hallway, he heard Bastien. "Ven, what's the deal with this Riley?
    An emotional empath after so many thousands of years? What the hell is going on?"
     
    Conlan shook his head, pulled by an almost magnetic compulsion toward her room. I wish I knew.

Chapter 12
    Alaric waited until he heard Conlan's footsteps reach Riley's room, then turned to face the Seven. "We need to discuss this human—this potential aknasha—and what we shall do about her."
     
    Ven leaned back against a well-stocked bookcase. "You planning to hold this discussion behind my brother's back?"
     
    His voice was calm. The look in his eyes was not. "Skirting perilously close to treason, my man."
     
    "He may not be receptive to reason right now," Alaric returned. "He's not exactly acting rationally about her. Did any of you notice that he never questioned the presence of those vampires?"
     
    Justice turned from the window to cast a sardonic look at Alaric. "Yet, somehow, when I mentioned that he might not be rational, you jumped down my throat."
     
    Alaric shook his head once, dismissive. "This is not a question of whether or not Anubisa compromised him. I told you that she had not, and I stand by my pronouncement. However, his actions in regard to this human female are not entirely logical."
     
    Alexios made a noise in his throat, just short of a growl.
    Atlantis Rising – Warriors of Poseidon