Warriors of Poseidon 02 - Atlantis Awakening

know even a fraction of its power? The one who first wielded that ruby had enough power to destroy even me."
     
    She stepped back and her hand lashed out to slap Erin in the face, rocking her head to the side. "You have nothing. You are nothing. Your sister will soon be dead, and I will now take your lover from you."
     
    She turned her back on Erin and started to laugh. "I may kill you, but for now it's so deliciously fun to watch you realize that you have lost everything, little witch."
     
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    Ven had pulled himself upright, and he headed back toward them, limping slightly. Erin could no longer see Justice and hoped he was somehow getting in position to slice Anubisa's head off her shoulders, so she could spit on the vampire's decomposing remains. Rage burned through her, trying in vain to break through the bonds Anubisa had trapped her with. She mentally called out to the Presence that had shared her body with her and then vanished.
     
    All right, Nereid. You took my body over easily enough when you wanted something.
    Where are you now? I could use a little divine intervention.
     
    "How much does the witch mean to you, Lord Vengeance? Will you willingly serve me in any capacity I demand, if I let her live?"
     
    "Yes," he said, his voice ringing strongly throughout the cavern. "You let her go free and swear an oath that this monster will never again go near her."
     
    Noooooo, Erin screamed in her mind.
     
    "Done," Anubisa said.
     
    "No," Caligula cried out. "My lady, you took my pet from me. The least you can do, in your benevolence, is leave me with her sister."
     
    Anubisa tilted her head, as if in thought, then leaned down to retrieve the Nereid's Heart. "Mustn't forget my new jewel," she said to Erin. Then she turned back toward Caligula. "Oh, you have a point, I suppose. Very well, you may have her."
     
    Ven roared out his defiance, hurling himself forward toward Caligula, murderously slashing and stabbing the shifters and vamps who dared to try to block him. "You will not have her!"
     
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    Anubisa held her dagger to Erin's throat. "Yen!" she thundered in her ancient voice.
    "Stop now, or she dies this moment."
     
    Ven stumbled to a stop, his face twisted with despair. He stared directly into Erin's eyes, and she faintly heard the ringing of the ruby through Anubisa's thrall. Then she somehow heard Ven's voice in her mind.
     
    I love you, Erin. I will love you for all eternity. No matter what you must endure, remember that and wait for me.
     
    Anubisa's mocking voice sliced through the room. "You have no leverage, Atlantean. I have your beloved's life in my hands."
     
    Ven raised his sword and everyone near him fell back, but he turned the point until it pressed into his own heart. "As I have my own life in mine. If you truly wish for my voluntary service, release her now and swear the oath for her safety. Or I will run this sword through my heart and you will be cheated of your goal."
     
    Anubisa laughed, but the sound was tentative. "You would not do this, knowing that your gem singer would die a thousand deaths at my hand if you did."
     
    He shrugged, and only Erin knew what the movement cost him. She felt his pain sear her own heart. "If I do not, you will give her to Caligula. It will make no difference, ultimately."
     
    The Goddess hissed, but she dropped the hand holding the dagger from Erin's neck.
    Several long moments passed, and then she nodded. "Very well. What is she to me, anyway? Caligula, you are bound never again to approach this woman."
     
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    Caligula began to howl, and she kicked him in the face, rocking the vampire's head back. "Never, ever defy me, or you will wish you walked the face of the sun for a respite from my punishment," she snarled.
     
    Ven dropped his sword, and it clattered to the ground. His daggers and two guns followed. "Never use the damn guns," he said, forcing a smile as he watched Erin the whole time. "Don't know why I bother, even with the silver bullets."
     
    She knew he was sending her a message about getting the guns after he'd gone with Anubisa, but she was too heartsick to care. When he left the cavern with the vampire, everyone she'd ever loved would be gone.
     
    Joining them in death no longer held any fear for her.
     
    Anubisa flashed over to Ven's side