Warriors of Poseidon 02 - Atlantis Awakening

tiger's huge neck and pull it back a couple of inches so its fangs weren't quite so close to Justice's throat. Then Justice, his vision blocked by a tiger's head, slammed out blindly with a fist that smashed directly into the side of Ven's already throbbing head.
     
    "Damnit, I'm trying to help you here," he yelled, hoping to be heard over the feral snarls of the cat and the gonging of the ruby. "Quit punching me!"
     
    "Perhaps we could help?" A lilting voice that sounded less and less like Erin smoothly asked the question that was clearly rhetorical. Somehow her soft voice pierced the resounding noise of the ruby that continued to gong out its call.
     
    Before he could answer, she'd already twined her magic into separate bubble like shields that individually captured the three of them. After gently floating Ven and Justice to the floor a short distance away from the tiger, she released them.
     
    Then she crossed to the final bubble that encircled the enraged jungle cat.
     
    She placed her palms on the bubble and leaned her cheek against it, and then she started to sing. It was a quiet and gentle song, holding nothing of the immense power Ven had heard her sing before. It was a delicate song of healing and peace; a tapestry woven by a master weaver with silken thread. The pulsing noise of the ruby faded away as if in response to her song.
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
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    As she softly sang, a silver mist filled the bubble until Ven could only see flashes of orange, white, and black inside. Her song lasted less than a minute, and then she stood back from the bubble and the mist cleared. Sitting inside the bubble, entirely nude, Jack had returned to his human shape. As Ven watched, Jack raised his head and stared into Erin's eyes, then slowly nodded. She made a slight circular motion with one hand and the bubble vanished.
     
    Jack stood up and bowed to her. "I'm in your debt, Erin Connors. The drugs had trapped me in the basest urges of my animal nature. I wouldn't have wanted to do something I might later regret."
     
    Justice rubbed his head. "Sure. Apologize to her. I'm the one you damn near killed."
     
    The edges of Jack's lips quirked up in a grin. "You probably had it coming."
     
    "Enough," Ven commanded. "In case you two have forgotten, we're in the middle of enemy territory. Justice, check out that entrance and see if anybody else is coming. I can't believe they didn't hear the commotion in here, but that damn ruby probably drowned us out. So that's one good thing."
     
    He frowned as Jack stood up, way too casual about having his bare ass hanging out.
    "Put on some clothes, Jack," he ordered, pointing at the fallen shifter. "Maybe this guy's pants will fit you."
     
    Jack grinned again. "Right. You're as bad as the humans with your prudishness over a little nudity."
     
    "No need," Erin said. She chanted something under her breath and a silver shimmer spiraled around Jack. Seconds later, he stood there, fully dressed in dark pants and shirt, frowning at her.
     
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    "Thank you. But it occurs to me that your powers are magnifying exponentially, witch,"
    Jack said. "Is someone or something giving you more power than you can handle?"
     
    "Do not concern yourself with my power, shape-shifter," she snapped, and again Ven heard the Goddess.
     
    Jack tilted his head looking wary. "Oh, I concern myself with all sorts of things."
     
    Ven stepped between him and Erin, tightening his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Not her. Not now, not ever," he said flatly.
     
    For a moment he almost thought the tiger would challenge him, but instead Jack leaned forward and spoke so quietly Ven nearly didn't catch the words. "She's not alone in there, Ven. I am dual-natured by heredity and by experience, and I can recognize this.
    Be cautious and aware."
     
    Seeing nothing but sincerity in Jack's eyes, Ven nodded once and stepped back, then crossed to Erin and put an arm around her waist. "Are you ready?"
     
    She looked up at him, and for an instant it was only Erin staring at him through her eyes. "Kiss me, Ven. Please kiss me, in case—"
     
    He cut off her words with his mouth, and kissed her with all the desperation in his soul, breaking it off far sooner than he would have liked. Her kiss tasted of light and goodness and home, and he almost forgot where they were. Almost. Enemy territory, he reminded the primitive