Warrior of Fate Read online

  He walked with John and Maria toward the welcoming party.

  “I am Ezares,” Adrian’s father said, “of the High Council of Mneseus. These are my colleagues, Evenor and Jasan. We welcome you to our temple.”

  “I’m John Montana,” John said. “This is my wife, Maria, my sons Darius and Rafe, my daughter Tessa, and Faith Karaluros.”

  “The apaiz nagusi.” Ezares bowed his head to Maria. “You grace us with your presence, Prestulana. And the Stone Singer.” Ezares turned to Faith. “A great honor, to be sure.” Sweeping a cursory glance over the rest of them, he swept a hand toward the temple. “Please follow us inside. We’ve prepared a meal and some entertainment.”

  “You didn’t have to go to all that bother,” John said.

  “Nonsense.” Adrian’s father flashed his best politician’s smile. “This is our first meeting, and we want to make a good impression.”

  The Twelve fell in line alongside the guests as the Council members led the way toward the temple, Ezares chatting to Maria along the way.

  Are we going to lunch or being arrested? Rafe asked Adrian telepathically.

  The Council likes a lot of pomp and circumstance, Adrian replied, expanding his reply to all the Montanas and Faith. For a Warrior, a show of strength is everything.

  There’s more than that going on here, Darius said. This guy Ezares has some ulterior motive. And he doesn’t like Dad much.

  A lot of Warriors are dismissive of humans as weak, Adrian said. It’s an old prejudice. He doesn’t mean anything by it.

  Let’s hope not, Darius answered.

  * * *

  Tessa listened to her family’s chatter with half an ear. She was more interested in the fact that this was a Warrior temple—specifically Adrian’s temple—and she couldn’t help trying to take in everything. This was Adrian’s world, and perhaps the more she learned about it, the more she would understand the man himself.

  Once inside the temple, they walked down numerous hallways, all of which had men standing guard at measured intervals. She’d expected plain walls and floors, in fitting with her mental image of what a Warrior’s environment would be like. Instead, there were colorful murals and frescoes (albeit depicting battles), tapestries, and even carpeting in some places. Shields and swords and other weapons hung on the walls and were set under glass, all shining with careful and frequent polishing. Small windows lined the top of the cathedral ceilings, letting in sunlight that gleamed off all the metal.

  Whenever they approached, all the guards came to attention, then resumed their watchful stances as they passed. She’d almost expected the Warriors to wear some kind of ancient armor, like helmets and chest plates, but instead they all wore simple black pants and fitted black T-shirts with the same steel-toed boots Larina fancied, and sheathed knives. There were both male and female guards, all dark-haired and dark-eyed and with the same impassive expression on their faces. She’d seen that same expression on Adrian’s face dozens of times. They must teach a class on it or something—Badass 101.

  Finally they arrived at a set of heavy brown doors. Ezares turned to face them and, spreading his arms wide, declared, “Welcome to the Temple of Mneseus!” He then pushed open the double doors.

  An arena stretched before them. A dais stood near the doors to their right, and on the dais was a long table set for a meal. In front of the dais was a huge ring of packed dirt that stretched the length of the enormous chamber. The room was lit by sunlight streaming through high windows and flaming torches on the walls.

  What is this, one of those medieval reenactment places? Rafe asked telepathically.

  “Come, please be seated,” Ezares said. He and the other two elders chose three chairs right in the middle of the table and indicated that their guests should choose seats on either side of them. “Prestulana, please sit beside me,” Ezares said to Maria.

  Maria cast him an uncertain glance but sat where he indicated. Without a word, Tessa’s father sat on the other side of his wife. Rafe sat beside him. Darius, Faith, and Tessa sat on the other side of the three elders, Darius closest to the council members and Faith in between him and Tessa.

  There was no seat for Adrian.

  “Aren’t you eating with us?” Tessa asked him.

  Before Adrian could answer, Ezares said, “My son is not joining us for the meal. He will be participating in the entertainment we have arranged.”

  “Your son?” John asked.

  “Yes, my son, At—er, Adrian.” Ezares gave a little chuckle. “Didn’t he tell you?”

  “No, he hadn’t mentioned it,” John said and sent Adrian a quick, questioning glance.

  “Really?” Ezares clucked his tongue and leaned closer to Maria. “Children can be so headstrong, don’t you agree? Always looking for new ways to be independent.”

  “I know what you mean,” Maria said without missing a beat. She spread her napkin on her lap. “I’m very interested in what you’ve arranged for us today, Ezares.”

  Me, too, Tessa sent to Adrian. Your father?

  It’s common knowledge that Ezares is my father, he replied, but I don’t like to remind anyone of our relationship. Rumors of nepotism can ruin careers.

  Well, this wasn’t exactly the way I thought I’d be meeting your family, she replied. I wish you’d told me before we got here.

  You wanted to know more about me, remember?

  A side door opened on either side of the room, and the servers came in bearing the first course.

  “Excuse me,” Adrian said and left the room.

  As an attendant set a crisp salad in front of her, Tessa watched him go. He hadn’t answered her remark about meeting his family. It seemed the more she got to know Adrian Gray, the more elusive he became.

  * * *

  Adrian let himself into the dressing chamber off the main arena. Several Warriors were there, already in costume. He answered greetings with a nod and a wave and made his way to his locker, where his own garment hung. He hadn’t intended to participate in the dancing, but his father had insisted. Ezares wanted to impress the Montanas with a good show, and also to demonstrate his power over Adrian at the same time—just in case John Montana proved to be a threat to Adrian’s allegiance to the temple.

  While he disliked encouraging his father’s agenda, he saw this as a chance to give Tessa a glimpse into Warrior life. She’d wanted to know more about his culture.

  He stripped off his clothes and donned the traditional costume. His father was right to be threatened. Until recently, Adrian’s life had mostly followed the regimented existence of a Warrior, consisting of much discipline and little affection. And until a few months ago, that had been enough. Then he’d met the Montanas and seen how a real family operated, with love and respect for one another.

  Unlike his family, which had more drama than the soapiest soap opera.

  He shook off the self-pity and added the final touches to his appearance. He would give Ezares no chance to find fault with him. He would do the temple, and his father, proud by participating in this ritual, but still maintain his relationship with the Seers. This dance was a precious thing, and a vital part of his culture. He wanted to share it with the Montanas. With Tessa. He wanted to show her this glimpse of who he really was.

  He lined up with the rest of the Warriors, waiting to be summoned to the other room.

  * * *

  The server cleared away the remains of Tessa’s tasty lunch of chicken and rice and set a small dish of ice cream in front of her. Another server came around with a silver coffeepot, silently asking her if she wanted coffee. She nodded, and he began to pour.

  That’s when the lights went down.

  Startled, she looked around and saw Warriors pulling on long cords to close the shutters on the high windows, sealing out the sunlight and leaving the room lit only by the torches. The primitive lighting and dirt floor lent an air of ancient times, made even more so by the drummers who settled on either side of the arena. Five dancers, all ma
le, ran out into the ring. They crouched down, arms bent back and palms turned upward. Waited with an unearthly stillness that sent a shiver through her. No one should be able to stay that motionless that long, in that precarious a position.

  Drums thundered through the room, and the dancers sprang into motion.

  At first glance, she thought they were naked. All five of them were breathtaking examples of male beauty, torchlight glistening off oiled muscles that flexed and rippled. Then she saw they wore close-fitting briefs the same shade as their olive-toned skin. Some also wore gold bands around their biceps, and others had them around their ankles. All five of them had the Leyala tattoo on their chests and some kind of dark makeup around their eyes, like a mask.

  Though they strived to look identical, she knew Adrian immediately, through the bond. In her mind’s eye, he lit up like a column of fire.

  The dancers leaped and twisted, graceful and sensual. One moment they mimicked a battle, the next passion. She couldn’t take her eyes off Adrian, struck by the pain and joy twisting his features. His movements were aggressive yet exact, his control over his body exquisite. Her heart pounded, her mouth watering at the extension of limbs and muscles. She knew what it was like to be in his arms, to make love with him, to have all that precision and restraint directed at her, at her pleasure.

  The gold gleaming around his biceps struck a primal chord, heat exploding between her legs as she fantasized about the two of them in firelight, naked, alone. Lost in each other.

  The drumbeat sped up. The dancers leaped and spun, a physical celebration of life and death, joy and heartbreak. The drums pounded faster and faster, the dancers keeping pace with dizzying speed and precision. Tessa’s breathing quickened, her heartbeat keeping time with the wild passion of the drums. She reached for Adrian through the link. Spun with him, leaped with him. Their bond throbbed with heat and hunger, the longing for two to become one.

  The vision slammed into her, of the past, of being pressed up against that tree while Adrian held her still with strong hands and pounded into her, both of them so crazed with need that they couldn’t see anything but each other. The temple faded around her, and she was there again, mating with him, being claimed by him, bonding with him. She relived every stroke, the rough bark of the tree against her back, the quick pain of his bite. The need gripping her, dragging her into a whirlpool of desire that could only be sated by him. Her body responded, dampness soaking her panties in the present as it had slicked her into readiness for him in the past.

  She closed her eyes, clamped her lips shut, and allowed the climax to shudder through her.

  The drums stopped, the sudden silence deafening in the room, the dancers frozen in the same poses in which they’d started, crouched down, elbows bent, palms toward the sky.

  Her family burst into applause, jolting her back to the present. She followed suit, sliding a glance over at Darius. He clapped with the rest of the family, but his jaw was clenched, his eyes focused straight ahead. Of course he’d felt her reaction. She wanted to sink into the floor.

  Shake it off, Faith said into her mind.

  A quick glance told Tessa that Faith, too, had felt her response, probably through her link to Darius. Tessa looked away, heat flooding her cheeks. I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.

  I do. Been there. Your bond with Adrian is incredibly strong.

  You can say that again. Darius is going to give me a hard time later.

  Leave Darius to me.

  The dancers approached the table as one unit and bowed. Adrian kept his gaze on the Council and her parents. Probably a good thing he didn’t look at her. With his oiled body glistening with sweat, his always-perfect hair mussed, and the black mask paint and gleaming gold around his biceps lending him a pagan look, she just wanted to lie down and offer to be his personal sacrifice.

  So much for trying to slow things down. She had the feeling he would willingly devour her, should she make that offer.

  Bet on it, princess.

  He didn’t look at her, but knowing that she had projected her thoughts along their link stiffened her spine. How was she going to keep him in check if she couldn’t control her own impulses? She forced herself to ignore the quivering desire that still thrummed through her system and concentrate on the conversation taking place further down the table.

  “The dance is one of our most cherished rituals,” Ezares was saying. “Not only does it promote physical well-being, but it requires a mental discipline that is unparalleled in any other culture.”

  “Incredible precision,” Maria said. “I’m very impressed.”

  “I second that,” John said. “Thank you for sharing that with us.”

  The Council members all gave a nod, acknowledging the thanks, and Ezares especially seemed to puff up a little. Now that she knew this was Adrian’s father, Tessa could see a family resemblance between them, but it was purely physical. The calculating gleam in Ezares’s eyes made it clear that this man had an agenda. Adrian, while he kept secrets, never gave off the vibe that he was a manipulator.

  Though Luke hadn’t either. A sobering reminder.

  “Perhaps you can show me your security arrangements for the stone now,” her father said. “That is, of course, the reason for our visit.”

  “Certainly. Come with me.” Still wearing that politician’s smile, Ezares stood. “My son will finish the tour of our temple with the rest of your family.” He gave a jerk of his chin, and the drummers and all the dancers except Adrian left the room.

  “While we would enjoy seeing the rest of your facility,” her father said, also standing, “I’d prefer we all stay together.”

  Ezares’s smile didn’t dim, but Tessa could sense he wasn’t pleased. “You do understand our concerns about security,” he said. “Allowing so many people to view our setup doesn’t sit well with us.”

  “I do understand such concerns,” her father said, presenting his boardroom smile. “After all, I do run one of the biggest security companies in the world.”

  “Yes, we are aware of that—”

  “Which makes me an expert in security. While I do comprehend the need for secrecy, my family is considering placing an irreplaceable item in your care. I would rather my entire team is aware of your security measures and feels confident that they are enough to safeguard the item. I’m sure you understand.”

  Ezares stiffened. “My security measures can withstand any scrutiny.”

  “Oh, let them all go, Ezares,” council member Evenor said. “They have every right to review our procedures, considering who they are and what they’re entrusting to our care.”

  “We’re all on the same side,” the third councillor, Jasan, chimed in.

  “Excellent. Then it’s agreed. We will all go to the—” Her father looked at Ezares.

  “To the treasury,” Ezares said stiffly.

  “To the treasury,” John confirmed.

  “You show them the way, Ezares,” Evenor said. “Jasan and I will start reviewing those reports that came in from the field.”

  “You can join us after our guests have left,” Jasan added.

  “Of course.” Ezares managed a smile he clearly didn’t feel. “If you would all please come with me? Atlas, once you are changed, please meet us at the treasury.”

  “Yes, sir.” With a nod to the assembled company, Adrian left the room.

  Tessa frowned after him. Atlas?

  “This way,” Ezares said, and led the way toward the doors.

  Still puzzling over what had just happened, Tessa fell into line behind her family as they all exited the arena.

  * * *

  In the dressing room, Adrian shoved his head under the shower spray and mentally cursed. He had sensed Tessa’s confusion when his father had called him Atlas, and he knew that having another name would probably throw more doubts on the fires of her suspicion. This getting-to-know-you thing was getting more complicated by the moment, and with every doubt raised, he knew that s
he would pull farther away from him. Lump him in with this Luke guy, who had apparently done a number on her.

  That she could think such a thing of him, question his honor, burned in his gut.

  He washed off the oil and sweat, shampooed his hair. He’d already sponged off most of the black paint around his eyes, but he scrubbed his face anyway. He needed to manage the situation, reassure Tessa before she decided to walk away from him.

  She wanted to know more about him, about who he was. At first he’d been unnerved by the idea. With an ambitious father and a mother who aligned herself sexually with the most powerful male around, he’d learned early to hide his true self, lest it be used against him. He’d hoped the mate link would be enough to reassure Tessa, but that was not proving the case. He’d have to make himself vulnerable in order to win her, and frankly, that idea scared the hell out of him. Give him ten Mendukati Warriors hopped up on amphetamines any day—that was a battle he knew how to fight. This whole thing with opening up about his feelings—confiding secrets—went against every rule by which he’d lived his life, by which he’d survived.

  Stepping from the shower, he grabbed a towel and dried off, then reached for his clothes. The dance had revealed more to Tessa than he’d intended, and part of him had reveled in her very physical reaction to what was, to him, a very personal experience. But the other part of him, the part that had managed to shield his true self all these years, was screaming at him to take control of the situation. To become Adrian Gray again.

  He reached for his brush and hair gel and proceeded to rebuild his armor.

  * * *

  Ezares escorted them down several corridors that seemed to lead into the center of the round complex. He came to a door, which had two Warriors standing guard outside it. They nodded at Ezares and stepped aside to reveal a card swipe and keypad emblazoned with the familiar logo of Montana Security—her father’s company. Tessa slid a glance at her dad, but he didn’t give away anything by his expression. She looked at Darius.