Warriors of Poseidon 02 - Atlantis Awakening

path is either dead or captured, probably to be turned. The P-Ops unit was caught completely off-guard, and one entire squad is dead. Brutally murdered and left as a warning."
     
    Christophe came through the doorway from the hall. "All clear outside," he said.
    "Whatever wards you've got on this place are apparently vamp-proof; we found more than a dozen smoking piles of decaying vamp slime around the perimeter. Two of your witches, one of our men, and Jack and a few of Quinn's shifters are patrolling outside."
     
    "The wards of countless witches for more than a century protect this building," Gennae replied, a hint of pride in her tone. "They will not get inside."
     
    "Wards are all well and good, but this ancient Roman emperor has entered the demolition age, don't forget," Ven said. "If he drops another bomb and Erin—or somebody who is awake and alert and can shield—isn't around, kaboom! So much for your wards."
     
    Gennae shuddered but didn't disagree. Erin stood up. "Well, Erin isn't going to be around. He wants me, and he's going to get me. If that will stop this carnage, I will gladly go and slit his throat in person." The fact that her hands were shaking at her sides made the determination behind her words even more impressive, in spite of the fact that Ven wasn't going to let her get anywhere near Caligula.
     
    "No. There is no way you are going to come within a mile of that bastard," he gritted out.
    "We will try to find the Nereid's Heart, but then we get out, and I take you and it back to Atlantis to help Riley. When Brennan, Alexios, and Alaric are back up to full strength, we will go after Caligula with everything we've got and take him out. But you are not going to be part of it. Do you understand me?"
     
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    She glared at him. "Don't talk to me as if I were a child, Ven. That monster has my sister, and I will do anything in my power to rescue her. Quinn's intel said that the resonance from the tolling sound emanated from the caverns under Mount Rainier.
    That's where we believe Caligula is based, too. So, hey, we've got a twofer."
     
    "A what?" Denal asked, looking puzzled.
     
    "A two for one," Quinn explained. "And neither of you need think you're going anywhere without me and my people. We owe Caligula a blood debt, and I plan to repay it in full.
    Not to mention that if you're going to seek something that will help my sister and my unborn niece or nephew, there's no way I won't be part of that mission."
     
    A voice like thunder on waves came from the corner where Alaric sat. "You will not risk your life in this manner," he commanded, his eyes glowing such a fierce green that Ven was mildly surprised that it didn't burn holes in Quinn's face.
     
    But Quinn only looked back at Alaric with such sadness that it was almost a tangible presence in the room. "Don't you understand by now? That's what I do. I risk my life, in order to perhaps one day redeem it."
     
    Alaric started to rise out of his seat, but then closed his eyes and sank back down into his chair, silent. Quinn quietly stood up and started to leave the room, shoulders bowed under some immeasurable weight. At the doorway she paused, then glanced back at Ven. "Your guy Reisen serves with us in the same way, Ven. He calls himself a dishonored warrior, and takes every suicidal mission he can come up with to help the rebellion. He's hoping his death will redeem some wrong he says he's done you—some weird Atlantean stuff about 'restoring honor to the House of Mycenae.' If you ask me, he's one of the bravest men I've ever known."
     
    Ven said nothing. There was nothing to say. He'd be damned if he'd ever forgive the warrior who'd stolen Poseidon's Trident for his own personal glory.
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    Quinn shook her head. "Right. Whatever. Just thought you should know. I've got to get some rest. Somebody call me when it's time to go." She cast one last, brief look at Alaric, then left the room.
     
    Ven filled Christophe and Denal in on what Daniel had told them about Caligula's goals, and Christophe whistled. "If his goal is to convince the humans to turn the clock back to the days before the undead and shape-shifters had any rights under law, I'd say he is well on his way. We saw a mob gathering at the federal courthouse downtown, and they weren't talking about peace, love, and forgiveness, if you get my