[Atlantean's Quest 03] Redemption by Jordan Summers

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