* * *
Dagan tookform on the rec room terrace. Too close to the edge, an unexplained restlessness riding him, he headed for the basement, hoping a workout would settlehim.
In the training arena, Týr was going through a furious, solo workout with abroadsword.
Dagan changed into black Gi pants and retrieved a katana from the stand. It didn’t matter that they never spoke, he needed a fight, and this one would be…cathartic to adegree.
He strode to the center. Týr slowed, eyes narrowing. No nod of acknowledgement. He stepped back, exchanged his broadsword for the other katana, and strolled to the middle of themat.
Dagan lunged. Týr didn’t avoid him but met him head-on, their swords clanging, the sound bouncing off the walls. Memories of another time tookover...
Arid lands stretched out for miles, and impossible heat surrounded them in the Sumerian temple, now home to the Goddess of Life. Inara was barely eighteen and too young for this immense responsibility, but she was the chosenone.
The fierce sun beating down on him, Dagan swiped the sweat from his brow as he worked his way along the perimeter of the temple and the surrounding buildings. The lush new life that had sprung up in the temple yard didn’t escape his notice. It was because of Inara. She’d touched the dead plants on her arrival, and life had flowed back to theplace.
Her caress gavelife.
But she was too playful, didn’t want to be sequestered at so young an age—or accept hercalling.
Needing to check on her, he headed back for the temple. In the foyer’s cooler interior, he scanned for her. “Inara?”
“Inhere.”
Dagan stepped into the living area. His jaw hardened at the sight of the soldier slouched on the couch sipping wine. The male jumped up, the pewter goblet flying to the floor in a dull clunk. “My pardon,sire—”
“You’re released from duty. Getout.”
As the soldier scuttled away, he cut his sister a narrow-eyed stare. “They are here to protect this temple and you. You are not to indulge in this frivolousness, Inara. You have your handmaidens forthat.”
“You’re too serious,ahu.” She pouted. “Brother, I will die if I don’t have something else to do with my time other than focus on my duties. There’s no harm, they knowthis.”
He didn’t care. Her life was far too important. His sister needed to understand this. When he got back from patrolling the borders this evening, he would sit her down and explain the danger she put herself in with her playfulways.
“We will talktonight.”
Laughing, she waved him off, her hazel eyes gleaming with mischief. “I cannotwait.”
With his gift of telepathy, it was easy for him to communicate with the other protectors. Dagan headed out and mind-connected with Týr, his second-in-command and the only male he trusted to be at the temple when he wasn’t around.I’m leaving to theborders.
I’ll be there.Seconds later, Týr took form on the temple portico, the sun gleaming off his light hair. He sprinted up the stairs and slowed when he saw Dagan, the twinkle in his pale brown eyes fading. “What’swrong?”
“I had to dismiss anothersoldier.”
Týr shook his head, grunted, “Maybe I’ll just kill the next one who forgets hisduty.”
“Keep her safe,Týr.”
“Always.”
Much later, the noon sun scorching him, Dagan swiped the sweat from his brow as he patrolled the boundaries. Eyes narrowed, he perused the area again, unease riding him. “Seth, Nikkos,” he called out. “Let’s go to the outlying lands. Something doesn’t feelright.”
They flashed to the remote terrain surrounding the temple. As they reformed, a cloud of dust in the distance had him stilling. Dagan shielded his eyes with his hand as a lone rider approached on a hugedestrier.
“Who the hell is that?” Seth muttered, shading his eyes,too.
Dagan’s warning radar roared inside him like an alarm. “Halt,” he yelled, but the rider continued in blatantdisregard.
Sword summoned, Dagan leaped into the air and straight at the rider, taking him down. Debris flew all over as their bodies landed with a hard thud on the dustyground.
