Warriors of Poseidon 02 - Atlantis Awakening

warning me, even though Justice is close enough to touch."
     
    Something dark vibrated through Ven at the words, and he spoke before he could stop himself, moving to place himself between Justice and Erin. "It would be better if you did not touch him," he said. "Please accommodate me on this one issue."
     
    She sighed and shrugged. "Fine. But we're going to need to talk about that, too."
     
    Marie spoke up again. "There is something of vital importance I must share with you all.
    I believe it holds the key to healing Riley and the baby. Although Erin's song helped temporarily, the basic problem remains. Riley's body appears to be rejecting the pregnancy."
     
    Everyone looked at Riley, who did seem paler than she had that morning and certainly less well than she had been after Erin had sung healing to her the day before. Riley only had eyes for Marie. "You can help my baby?"
     
    Marie shook her head. "No, unfortunately, it is as I have said. I am unable to do anything more for you. It's Erin. Erin can heal the baby."
     
    Erin lifted her head, blinking. "You know I'll do anything I can. But I don't really know how to do this gem singer thing yet. What I did yesterday may be all I had in me."
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
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    "No, you don't understand," Marie said. "You have the ability to find the Nereid's Heart, which is hidden in a diamond and emerald coffer also rumored to contain one of the lost gems from Poseidon's Trident."
     
    Marie pulled something that looked like a scroll out of a pocket in her dress and handed it to Erin. "Study this well. With that ruby, you could cure Riley and the baby completely."
     
    Erin watched, bemused, as preparations for the journey back to Seattle took place all around her. A floor-to-ceiling tapestry on one wall of the war chamber, depicting scenes from what she assumed to be the Cataclysm they'd spoken of, was pulled aside to reveal an arsenal. Weapons ranging from swords and crossbows to modern pistols and what looked like assault rifles were pulled from shelves and made ready.
     
    She'd wanted a war, and it looked like she was going to get one. Ven's arguments against her placing herself in danger had faded when he realized she was the only one who could locate the Nereid's Heart. Now every inch of his hard, muscled body seemed to bristle with weapons. He'd only spoken to her once since the decision had been made, pulling her aside and ordering her to never get more than two feet away from him at any time on the mission.
     
    She'd just turned away, not bothering to argue with him. She would do what she had to do to save her sister, whether Ven was there to help her or not.
     
    Riley had taken a turn for the worse shortly after Marie's pronouncement, and Conlan and Marie had taken her off to rest. Conlan stepped back into the room now, face pale and drawn. "She's worse again," he said. "Much worse this time."
     
    Erin jumped up from her chair. "I can—"
     
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    Page 142 of 296
    "No. You can't drain your strength before you leave," he said, his voice rough with strain. "Thank you for offering, but apparently the relief you can offer without the ruby is only temporary. Marie believes that the ruby will help you to cure her. Cure our child."
     
    Ven put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Know this, Conlan. I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to find this jewel, even at the cost of my own life."
     
    Conlan nodded. "I know you will. I can't… I can't leave here. There's a chance that she won't… that—"
     
    Erin felt the tears burning her eyelids at the utter despair in his voice. "We'll find it, Conlan. Tell her for us."
     
    He nodded, then hugged her briefly. "Do your best, gem singer," he said, and then he was gone.
     
    Erin turned to Ven, desperately needing the comfort of his arms, but he stood, arms folded, staring at her, his eyes gone glacial with pain. "I will risk my own life, but I will not risk yours, Erin. We must find a way to recover this jewel without harm coming to you. If I am forced to choose between your life and the lives of Riley and her baby, I will not survive it."
     
    She had no response that made any sense, so she merely nodded and curled up on a corner of the couch as preparations continued, wondering what kind of callous bitch Fate really was to put so much at stake—all riding on the shoulders of one young, scared witch.
     
    She