[Atlantean's Quest 03] Redemption (10 page)

Comprehension struck Ariel like a blow, her gaze beaded to the floor. Coridan’s footprints led to the window before disappearing. She had to do something and fast. She reached for Raoul’s mind, but before she could act, Santo pulled at the vines binding her hands. His expression had grown cold, jealous. He flipped back the hide covering the door and shouted to the professor below.

As if in a dream, Ariel listened to the basket creak as it rose in the electrified air, nearing the branch that would lead the red-devil to Eros’ hut. Her heart sank and she realized there would be no more lying. She’d be lucky if the professor didn’t kill her immediately. At least she’d gotten to experience a taste of what joining with a true-mate could be like before she left this primitive world to bond with the Goddess.

Rumsinger burst into the room, anticipation and excitement oozing from his oily pores. “So there’s no one left, eh? I suppose you want me to believe those footprints appeared like magic.”

“Believe whatever you want.” Ariel didn’t bother hiding her contempt. The game had ended.

The professor smiled and rubbed his hands together like a praying mantis as he moved closer to examine the prints. “Definitely male and from the looks of these prints he’s large, very large.” He leered at Ariel. His thoughts had already taken a turn for the worse. He imagined himself dominating Coridan, breaking his spirit before leading him back to civilization. His thoughts were vile, oozing venom, like the man.

Ariel laughed. “You will not capture him.”

Rumsinger turned back and glared at Ariel. “We’ll see, my dear. After all, we have the perfect bait.” He allowed his gaze to wander over her body, pausing at her pussy before continuing to her ample breasts. “I think whoever he is, he will come to your rescue once he realizes my men are taking advantage of your…” He quirked a bushy brow. “Charms.”

“You bastard!” Ariel pulled against Santo’s grip to no avail.

Rumsinger glanced out the window. “Nightfall nears, it’s too late to go back to the transport.” He pointed at the fur bed. “Tie the slut to the bed, Santo. Tomorrow we go hunting.”

Rumsinger stepped away from the prints, his eyes gleaming wickedly in the fading light. Ariel watched as hatred replaced anticipation. He smiled once more at her. “You do realize you are no longer of use to me, don’t you?” He laughed then, an evil cackle that sent shivers darting along her spine.

She was going to die and so was Coridan if she didn’t warn him.

* * * * *

Ariel could hear snoring coming from just outside the hut door. One of the guards was now fast asleep. She didn’t think Coridan would risk returning tonight. He’d been too angry with her when he’d left. Ariel ignored the sudden pain in her chest. Never in her life had she felt guilt and she wouldn’t start now.

Coridan, can you hear me?

Nothing.

Coridan, this is Ariel.

Nothing.

Coridan, answer me now and stop this foolish game.

She thought she heard a slight chuckle, but couldn’t be sure. Coridan, you must listen, the professor has seen your tracks. He knows you are here somewhere. It’s only a matter of time before he finds you.

So that’s why there has been so many guides scouring the jungle. Pure male amusement colored his voice.

Goddess bless. Stop acting the fool. Take the stone, get to the transport, and leave this place at once. You are in danger. Ariel took a deep breath, hoping to get a grip on her frustration and at the same time mask her fear.

No! I am not afraid of these mortals. I am a warrior, remember?

She groaned. I know what you are but you must listen. Tomorrow the professor plans to trap you.

And just how does he plan to do that? He sounded smug, unconcerned.

By using me as bait.
Ariel knew the implications had struck home. Coridan stopped speaking and may very well have stopped breathing. It was a moment before he responded.

What does he plan to do
? he asked, all smugness gone.

Ariel debated whether to tell him the truth. He couldn’t read her if she did not allow it, at least she didn’t think he could.

Do not think to lie to me, mate, you forget it is not possible after the semi-joining.

Ariel growled and slammed her fist down on the bed. There was no such thing as a semi-joining. Damn his tanned hide.

Tell me!
The voice was an outright command, leaving little room for disagreement.

His tone girded Ariel, but she complied.
He plans to turn me over to his men.

Why?

He knows my cries as they rape me will draw you out from hiding.

Again, there was silence.

You know I cannot allow his men to touch you. His tone was soft, deadly. I will kill every last one of them if need be. You are mine.

The stark possession in his voice shattered the wall surrounding Ariel’s heart. She did not want him to die for her. She did not want him to die, period.
You cannot come here no matter what you sense is occurring. I am strong. I will survive.
The lie slipped from her lips before she could stop it. She had to protect him.
Please, Coridan, return the stone to the transport and leave this place. Go to our people, warn them. Do this for me—for us.

His gravelly voice cracked as he spoke.
You know I cannot do that.

* * * * *

Dawn came swiftly after another sleepless night. Ariel was wide-awake when Raoul and Santo entered the hut to retrieve her. Their brown gazes wandered lustfully over her body like hungry caiman that had just spotted their morning meal. She was no longer off limits and they knew it.

They left Eros’ hut after Ariel dressed and consumed fruit and water. Light dappled through the leaves, casting shadows upon the ground below. The day, already stifling, would only get hotter. Sweat dripped down Ariel’s back, the droplets clinging to her butt-cheeks. Despite the fact she’d healed herself, her anus still prickled with sensation from Coridan’s intrusion. Raoul and Santo glared at her, their gazes no longer holding any compassion. They would take their turn with her body just like the others. Ariel had no doubt the two men would be first in line.

By the time the basket reached the jungle floor, a small crowd of native men had gathered around the professor. Their gazes locked on Ariel at the same time that their voices rose with anticipation.

The professor stepped away from the crowd and approached her. His gaze strayed to the jungle repeatedly before finally settling upon her. “The men are looking forward to this, my dear. You should be flattered.”

Ariel laughed. “I should be flattered that your men look forward to raping me. Hmm…you are a strange people.”

He grinned lasciviously. “Of course, if your friend shows up we’ll have to delay the day’s entertainments.”

“I’d hate to ruin your fun.” Ariel straightened to her full height, dwarfing the professor. “My
friend
is well aware this is a trap. He will not appear.”

“All the more pity for you.” Rumsinger shrugged, then turned away from her to address his men. “Gentlemen, quiet please.” The professor held up his hands and the crowd hushed. “We’re going to do this in an organized manner. Who would like to be first?”

The men’s voices rose as they argued amongst themselves. Pushing and shoving ensued. A couple of the natives stepped forward at the same time a deep, masculine voice boomed from the tree line. “I will be first—and last.”

Ariel’s heart dropped and sang at the same time. She didn’t know it was possible to be elated and furious at once, but that was exactly how she felt. She knew that voice without looking. She glanced in the direction the voice had come and sure enough, Coridan stood with his arms crossed over his wide chest, a mischievous grin planted on his face. The smile in no way reached his aqua eyes, which were at this moment glacial in appearance.

He looked magnificent, an angry god-like warrior in his prime who was about to smite these men. Ariel glared at Coridan, but he’d yet to spare her a glance. She swore under her breath. If the professor didn’t kill him, she would.

* * * * *

Coridan surveyed the clearing. He considered the group and the easiest way to extract Ariel from their clutches. There were approximately fifteen men standing in what once had been the tribal gathering place. Instead of a communal meal, they were contemplating a crime against an Atlantean woman. Coridan’s muscles flexed, that he could not allow.

Since he was the only warrior left, he would serve as judge and jury for the Atlantean people. His gaze locked onto the red-haired devil, the monster behind these actions. It would be so easy to kill him. One strong blast of energy and his heart would no longer beat in his chest…if he had a heart. Coridan had his doubts.

One of the guides raised a rifle and pointed it in Coridan’s direction. Before the man could blink, a blast hit him in the throat, knocking him off his feet, stunning him for at least a few days. The fight had begun. Coridan fired with both hands into the crowd, downing two more men. Angry shouts rang out as the men scattered. The professor stood for a few seconds, gaping like a fool.

Guns fired, missing Coridan by inches. He shot back with energy bursts.

“Get to the transport,” the professor shouted over the chaos. The guides leapt like dogs answering their master’s call.

Several men darted into the jungle before Coridan could fire off a shot to stop them. Some of the men dared to attack him directly. They ran toward Coridan with fists flaying. If the situation had not been so serious, he would have laughed. He easily knocked them to the ground as he met them halfway. His body rolled forward, immediately coming to his feet a couple yards from Ariel. She strained against her bonds, her face a mask of horror.

The professor shouted one final order before disappearing into the thick underbrush. “Kill her!”

One man drew out a knife, its blade jagged and angry, and approached Ariel. Coridan dove for the man, tackling him around the knees. The blade came down, slicing into his shoulder, taking a deep bite from his flesh. Ariel screamed. Coridan didn’t stop to think about the wound. He twisted around easily and with a flick of his wrist, rendered the man unconscious. Two men remained in the compound, until they caught a glimpse of their compadre’s limp body.

Coridan’s gaze raked over them, letting them know without words exactly what he’d do to them if they challenged him. He held up the unconscious man beneath him for emphasis and then sent an energy burst through his own body, healing himself instantly. The guides’ eyes widened a second before they dropped their weapons and raced into the jungle. Coridan threw his head back and roared to the heavens before rising to his feet. He grabbed the knife the man had threatened Ariel with and slipped it in the waistband of his loincloth.

Ariel’s limbs trembled and her normally golden face had paled.
You are insane, warrior. You could have been killed.
Thick emotion choked her words.

Coridan smiled as he covered the short distance separating them.
You were worried about me.

Don’t let it go to your head. Ariel’s gaze narrowed. I would have worried about anyone who’d been in your position. She snorted. But then again, most Atlanteans wouldn’t have been stupid enough to pull a stunt like that.

Coridan arched a brow. He kept his expression purposely blank. He would not let her see just how worried he’d been when those two men first approached her. He unsheathed the knife and quickly sliced through the vines binding her limbs.

Come, we must get away from this place. The professor will not stay away for long, once he realizes we have not followed.
He reached out and slipped his hand around her wrist before Ariel had a chance to answer and began dragging her to the opposite side of the compound.

Aren’t we going to try to get to the transport?

No. The professor’s orders were clear. His men will be guarding it like angry vipers.
Coridan strode into the jungle. His long legs covering distance easily. Ariel had to jog to keep up.

What are we going to do?
She tried to tug her hand free, but he refused to release her.

Coridan glanced back over his shoulder before looking ahead once more. We are going to regroup for a day or so. Come up with a plan of attack, so that when we make our way to the transport we’ll be able to exit this planet and never come back. His jaw clenched at the thought of leaving.

This planet had been all he’d ever known. He hadn’t been born when his parents left Zaron to settle here. Would he like his home planet? Would the Atlantean people accept him or would he be shunned again?

The thought of returning to Earth to die alone was almost beyond his comprehension. It was possible the unwanted citizens of Atlantis were now transported off Zaron, and placed upon another distant planet. Both were very real possibilities. Fear and uncertainty beat at his brow, grabbing the muscles of his abdomen and knotting them into a tight fist.

Coridan weaved his way through the jungle, working them deeper into the thick vegetation. Here they would be able to rest, gather food, and remain relatively safe until the time came to battle once more. He spotted what he’d been searching for amongst the foliage, striding toward a dense crop of trees.

At first glance, they’d seemed impenetrable, but once he made it through the thick limbs, he found himself standing in a tiny twenty foot by twenty foot clearing. The ground lay covered in lush grass, soft enough to form a comfortable bed.

Stay here.
Coridan released Ariel’s wrist. She rubbed it as if his touch had left an impression on her skin. He took in her actions, his eyes roaming over her body, checking for any injuries.
I will return in a few moments with food and water. We can even build a pit fire, because it will be impossible to locate in the dense growth.
He didn’t give Ariel a chance to respond before he once more slipped through an invisible opening.

* * * * *

Ariel watched his wide back disappear. Her heart thudded rapidly in her chest and she slowly turned, examining their temporary home. Tall trees surrounded the area, forming a natural canopy should the weather decide to turn inclement. The lower vegetation circled the area, creating a natural wall that neither side could see through. She slipped off her skirt then sat before she collapsed. Her legs had been trembling ever since Coridan had battled the professor’s men.