Warriors of Poseidon 02 - Atlantis Awakening

have to go."
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
    Page 293 of 296
    Ven returned to Erin and lifted her and her ruby into his arms, then shot one last look at Daniel. Alaric called his magic and the portal appeared, and they stepped into the glowing oval that would take them home.
     
    "Home, Erin," he murmured to her as her eyes drifted shut. "Let's go home."

Chapter 35
    Atlantis, the Temple of the Nereids
     
    Erin and Ven stood, hands linked, and watched Riley sleep. Healthy color had returned to her cheeks as soon as Erin had added her song to the ruby song from the Nereid's Heart and sung healing to Riley and the baby. For the past several days, Riley had spent most of her time resting, eating nutritious food, and resting some more, only grumbling a little at the constant coddling from the maidens of the Temple.
     
    Marie smiled at Erin. "As you see, she and the baby continue to thrive. I can find no hint of any problem remaining with either of them, and the human doctor who Conlan and Alaric brought to us agreed. You truly performed a miracle."
     
    Erin shook her head. "The ruby song was the miracle. Your Goddess performed the miracle. Knowing her sister was safe finished the job. I simply used my Gift to aid the process."
     
    She and Ven had chosen, at Quinn's urgent request, not to tell Riley about the blood bond Daniel had forced on Quinn.
     
    The last thing Riley needed was more stress during her pregnancy.
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
    Page 294 of 296
    Ven squeezed her hand. "Putting your life in jeopardy, facing down a master vampire, and sharing your skull with a Goddess along the way. I'd say you have nothing to be humble about."
     
    "I would agree," Marie said. "And now I will leave you so that I may continue my preparations to visit my brother on the surface in this place called Florida."
     
    "I'm glad they let you go, Marie," Erin said. "I hope to meet your brother some day."
     
    "So you shall, gem singer. As I am sure you shall lead the Temple wisely in my absence. Thank you for choosing to stay and study your Gift with us." Marie smiled again and left them alone with Riley.
     
    "This is the first time your brother has been away from her side since the healing," Erin observed.
     
    Ven flinched at the word "brother" but simply nodded. "She and the baby are his life."
     
    She put a hand on his arm. "Let's leave her to sleep, Ven."
     
    They left the room and the Temple and wandered through the gardens with no particular destination in mind. Finally he spoke. "I am sorry that Daniel and your sister have disappeared. He left that cryptic message with Jack about 'going deep,' and I'm sure it means he took her somewhere safe until she can recover. He did retrieve the jeweled coffer that held the Nereid's Heart and send it to us. Alaric was well pleased to recover the ruby that had been taken from the Trident."
     
    The sadness that hovered constantly at the edges of Erin's mind washed through her.
    "That's great about your jewel. And I'm trying to continue to trust Daniel, Ven. But in the end, he is a vampire, and they all seem to have hidden agendas."
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
    Page 295 of 296
    "The new drive among the vampires and the rogue shifters to form coalitions is of great concern to us, Erin. Together, they will be a more powerful foe than any we have ever faced. Yet at the same time, the ancient legends of Atlantis are awakening. Aknasha'an and gem singers walk the waters at our side. How can we rail?"
     
    The question didn't need a response, so Erin tightened her fingers in his and they walked for a while longer. She was content to enjoy the peace and stillness in the midst of the mingling scents of masses of flowers. Then they turned a corner on the path and a tiny gazebo, much like the one she'd accidentally lifted Ven onto during her last visit to Atlantis, came into view. She grinned up at him. "I promise not to put you on the roof if you tell me what you're thinking about."
     
    A trace of a smile crossed his expression, but quickly faded. "I'm thinking about Justice and his sacrifice for me."
     
    "For us," she said. "He did it for us, so that we could have each other. Don't doubt him for a second. He put on that show to convince her to let us go."
     
    "I know. But that makes it harder to bear. I won't rest until I find him and rescue him, Erin, even if it takes the rest of my life."
     
    She gazed up at the