'For some reason, we cannot hurt them.' Yet. 'You must remain calm.'
'I want those demons on a pike,' the warrior snarled.
'And I want the dragons' heads to roll.'
Silence enveloped them as they stared at each other in understanding. Their enemies might be different, but their pain was not. Layel only wished he knew what had been done to the warrior.
Finally Zane nodded. But a muscle ticked below his left eye, contradicting the easy acceptance. 'What should we do?'
'We shall learn the layout of this land.' Maybe they would find the perfect place to ambush the others. If the invisible wall did not stop them again. 'Maybe as we do so, we will learn the reason we were brought here.'
'Where are my weapons?' Brand suddenly shouted, drawing Layel's attention. The dragon soldier was searching the sand for his blades, grains flying in every direction. 'Tell me or I will burn this—'
'Mine are missing, as well,' Tagart growled. His side no longer bled. Unfortunately, he'd already healed.
'Look!' someone said, their shock cutting through the commotion.
'Is that…Can it be…?'
Intrigued, Layel twisted. He found himself peering at a large crystal dome several miles away, which stretched above the rolling waves and momentarily blighted the luminous rainbow that glittered at the water's edges.
Atlantis, he realized, dread curling his stomach. How was that possible? It lay far beneath the surface world. But he was looking right at it, standing on land he'd only ever heard stories about. Wasn't he?
Could their hidden world be tiered, with layers he had not known about? Could he still be inside Atlantis, just in another part? If so, there would be a way home. He had only to find it. Perhaps the same way he'd gotten here— the tunnel that had tugged him down, down, down.
How had he stumbled upon the tunnel, though? A god? They were certainly powerful enough to create such a transport, moving more than a dozen creatures from one location to another in seconds, stealing their weapons and erecting a shield to prevent them from killing one another.
Could it be?
The gods were not something he usually considered. They had neglected the Atlanteans for thousands of years, only returning a few months ago. Or so he had heard. He himself had yet to encounter one. What possible reason could they have for whisking two of every race to this island?
Unable to stop himself, he stood helpless as his gaze once more sought the Amazon. She was still watching him, those inviting lips pursed as if she was lost in thought, trying to decide on the best course of action. A tendril of hair caressed her cheek, and he found himself wondering if her skin was as soft as he remembered. Found himself jealous that his fingers were not what caressed her.
Oh, no. No, no, no. There would be none of that, he reminded himself, determined to repeat the mantra as many times as necessary. His eyelids narrowed to tiny slits, and the spark of hatred he'd felt earlier grew. Intensified. Perhaps it was best that his weapons had been taken from him. He might have killed the Amazon right then for daring to claim desires that belonged only to Susan.
'Should we swim out?' one of the gorgons asked the crowd.
A debate arose.
'Come,' Layel told Zane. He ignored the sense of loss that assaulted him as he once again pivoted. Swimming, he was confident, would prove pointless. Someone powerful wanted them here, so here they would remain. 'We have weapons to make.'
Sweat glistened on the other vampire's face as he nodded. 'I cannot relax until I have blades in my hands.'
They moved deeper into the thicket, the dewy foliage about to wrap around them completely. 'We will—' Layel hit another invisible wall and cursed.
Snarling, Zane kicked out his leg. 'No one should be able to hold us like this.'
'Trapped,' someone said behind them. 'The forest is blocked.'
'What should we do?' another demanded. A female.
Layel twisted, saw the two nymphs had followed him, and scrubbed a hand down his face. Valerian, the nymph king, was his only true friend, the man's followers his allies. These two were more beautiful than most, both boasting pale hair and vivid blue eyes. Features so pure and perfect they far surpassed the radiance of the sun.
'Broderick,' he acknowledged with a nod. 'Why aren't you trying to swim back to Atlantis?'
'Several reasons. The first is that I'm not convinced it will do us any good—and I'd just as soon stay warm and dry if that's the case. The second is that I trust you more than I trust any of the other creatures here. Where you go, my sister and I will go. Have you any idea what's going on?'
'All I know is that our way is being blocked, which must mean we are not to leave the beach. Perhaps if we return, whoever has done this to us will finally reveal himself.' Bastard.
'We can hope.' Walking back, side by side, Broderick said, 'Word is you were battling dragons again.'
'Yes.'
'Win?'
'Not yet.' But he would.
'They are not bad men.' Valerian had recently allied himself with the dragons to save his mate. Layel had understood the need for such a union, even if he despised it with all of his being. He would have done no less for Susan. 'They are respectful of our women, aid us in our defense of our palace, never strike at us in spite. They —'
'Are not up for discussion.' Having reached the edge of the trees, Layel was careful to remain in the shade. He studied the creatures anew. They were divided, whispering in their groups of two.
Or maybe not so divided after all. 'There's only one other avenue of escape. Who's with me?' The proclamation came from Brand as he stalked toward the water. The others were quick to follow him.
A moment later, there was a splash, then another and another. Every creature save Layel, Zane and the two nymphs entered, swimming for the dome. Even Delilah. Her head bobbed up and down with the waves.
He gritted his teeth. You must stop seeking her out.
'Should we follow them?' Zane asked.
'They'll return,' he replied confidently. 'There are powers at work. Strange powers, strong powers. As I said, we are clearly wanted here. There will be no escaping.'
He watched as arms and legs peeked above the water, some scaled, some lined with horns, some humanlike. Five minutes passed. Ten. Fifteen. Twenty, thirty. No one gained any distance. No matter how hard they fought the ocean, they remained a few feet from the beach.
One by one, they gave up and crawled to shore, exhausted and panting. Delilah was the last to exit, which spoke volumes about her character. Strong, determined, unwilling to admit defeat.
He should not admire her for that.
She was scowling as her gaze latched on to his. She lumbered into a march, her expression darkening the closer she came. All of her war paint had washed away, revealing golden skin tattooed with intricate designs the same luscious shade as her cerulean locks, swirling around her face, upper arms, waist and thighs.
What little clothing she wore clung to her curves.
Soaked tendrils of hair were plastered to her, dripping liquid down her stomach and thighs. His gaze followed several droplets, and his blood heated as if he were baking in the sunlight again. Oh, to lick them up…
Zane tensed and stepped in front of him. 'Enemy approaching.'
'Let her come.' If she could. Would the air shield stop her this time?
Curious, Layel kept his hands clenched at his sides. Part of him hoped she would be allowed to reach him. He had tried to ignore the sensual power she wielded, the awareness that sizzled every time he looked at her. He had tried, and he had failed. It was past time the madness ended. Susan deserved better from him. And there was only one way he could think of that would halt his new desires permanently. Death.
As he was not yet ready to die, that left one option. Killing the Amazon. He would not be upset about it, would not miss her. He didn't even know her.
'Do not touch her. Do not even approach her, no matter what she does or says.'
The command surprised them both, but he did not rescind it. She belonged to him, her last breath his to
