Warriors of Poseidon 01 - Atlantis Rising

led the way out of the room, Bastien put out a hand to lightly touch Riley's arm.
    "We've got your back, okay? Don't stress about any of this stuff. We'll take care of you."
     
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    She opened her shields and sent a wave of warmth and gratitude to him. Watched his eyes widen as he received it.
     
    "Wow. You really—hey, this aknasha stuff is pretty cool," he said, grinning. "And you're welcome, but no thanks were necessary."
     
    "Good manners are the last bastion of a civilized society," she murmured.
     
    "What?"
     
    "Oh, something my mother used to say a long time ago. Your name reminded me of it.
    Thank you for the wonderful breakfast, too."
     
    Conlan called out to her from the hallway, and she sighed. Squared her shoulders. "On my way."

Chapter 32
    Conlan watched Alaric pace the large room—some kind of a den, all leather and wood—and the repetitive motion pissed him off. "Cut it out. Just let us have the bad news, already. Trying to be diplomatic is wasting our time, and it's not your style, anyway."
     
    Alaric's eyes flashed bright green briefly, but at least he stopped the damn pacing. "I have facts, and I have speculation. I'm going to give you both, and identify which is which. Then we must decide how to proceed."
     
    Riley spoke up, her voice small and quiet. "This is about me, I'm guessing?"
     
    Alaric said nothing. He didn't have to. The look on his face said it all.
     
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    She tried to smile, tightened her grip on Conlan's hand. "Okay, fire away. And I meant that figuratively, in case you were wondering."
     
    "First, the facts. You offered yourself to Poseidon for Denal and Brennan. He chose to let you live. However, he branded you with the mark of the Trident that only priests bear." Alaric ticked off items on his fingers as he spoke.
     
    "Second—"
     
    "What do you mean, that only priests bear?" Riley interrupted. "I don't even really believe in him. I mean, clearly I believe he exists, after what happened, and I know he has some pretty amazing powers, but I'm strictly a 'Jesus loves me' kind of girl. I can't be his priest! Or priestess, or whatever."
     
    Conlan felt her rising panic, sent calm and reassurance to her. "Let Alaric explain. I don't think he really meant priest in the literal sense. Poseidon doesn't have priestesses."
     
    "You mean, he doesn't have priestesses now. Thousands of years ago, the high priest was just as likely to be a high priestess," Alaric said.
     
    "What? But I've never heard that."
     
    "There are certain things the temple has kept to ourselves over the past few millennia.
    Like the existence of aknasha 'an among the ones chosen to leave Atlantis at the time of the Cataclysm." Alaric started pacing again, as if his body couldn't remain still.
     
    "Hello? Still not a priest or a priestess or whatever, here," Riley said, curling her legs under her on the couch. "Plus, aren't priests supposed to be celibate?"
     
    She laughed, her cheeks turning pink. "I mean, oh. Um, well, never mind."
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    Alaric stared at her, eyes icy green. "Yes, there is a vow of celibacy. Another fact we may wish to discuss."
     
    "Are you kidding? No sex for hundreds of years? That sucks!" She blinked. "No offense, but no wonder you're in such a crappy mood all the time, Alaric. I may have to rethink my entire viewpoint on you."
     
    In spite of the deadly nature of the conversation, Conlan had to stifle a grin. She was the most spontaneous person he'd ever known. Whatever she thought…
     
    "Comes right out of my mouth, I know," she said, rolling her eyes at Conlan. "Quit thinking so loudly. I'm sorry, Alaric. That was thoughtless and tactless of me. I think the idea of an unplanned priesthood caught me off guard."
     
    The temperature in the room warmed a couple of degrees as Alaric's normally impervious expression thawed a fraction. "Believe me, I understand. But Poseidon has marked you with the sign of the ordained priest or, in your case, priestess. I must consult with the ancient temple scrolls to determine what this might mean."
     
    Conlan shoved a hand through his hair. "Can't you ask Poseidon? I mean, you are his high priest."
     
    "The high priest who let the Trident slip through his grasp yet again," Alaric said flatly. "I don't get a response when I try to speak to the sea god these days.