Free Woman Beware by Tianna Xander Page A

defender.”
    “Female defender?” Lena stopped and turned back to Artu. “What’s he talking about?” she asked as she jerked her thumb in the man’s direction.
    “You have lived through two sonic blasts, Lena.” Artu did his best not to gape at her. “Most people have holes in their chests when hit with one. And,” he paused to gesture to her hands. “You have broken the restraints.”
    He refrained from touching her between her breasts where she sported the dark-ringed hole in her blouse. He didn’t want to draw attention to her perfect body, lest she found him lacking and chose another. He wasn’t stupid.
    “So?” She shrugged. “Maybe my body chemistry is different. Maybe I have more strength on this world.”
    “Or, perhaps you are a defender, as well.”
    “She’s a trespassing bitch! She will steal our defender away. She will make him weak and useless. Kill her!”
    Artu growled at Benton. “I thought you were my friend.” He strode over to the man he once confided in and picked him up by the neck. “Instead, you were my worst enemy. Did you know that living alone for so long causes a defender to succumb to madness? Did you care?”
    Benton’s only reply was an inarticulate gurgle. Reaching up, he grasped Artu’s hands, trying to pull them free of his neck.
    Lena rested her hand on his arm, just above his wrist. Her touch soothed him, caused him to relax though he wanted nothing more than to rip Benton’s head off. It was only one more sign that told him he had been living too close to the edge for too long.
    “It doesn’t matter, Artu. He doesn’t matter. I’m here for you now.”
    “Thanks to the Fates.”
    Artu pulled Benton closer. “Defenders eventually grow weary of life, Benton. Imagine living alone, one lifetime after another. The isolation takes its toll on a man.”
    Opening his hand, Artu dropped Benton. The other man bent over, gasping for breath.
    “Now, imagine if that man could fall in love, breed even. How many more defenders might the world have then?”
    Artu smiled grimly at Benton’s wide-eyed stare. “Yes, you incredible waste of space, I can breed, but only with the one who is my soul mate, and you would have killed her more than once today.”
    “I was trying to protect you from the machinations of greedy women, women who would use your position, your power, for their own gain.”
    “No, Benton,” Artu said with a slow shake of his head. His heart broke as he realized the only person using him for their own gain had been Benton all along. “You were trying to protect yourself. In your mind, you thought you would no longer have a protector.” Artu snorted. “Who did you think would stand in defense of this world when I went mad with loneliness?” Wrapping his arm around Lena, Artu drew her close. “She is my destiny. The Fates have decreed it such. Who are you to decide otherwise?”

Chapter Seventeen
     
     
    Lena watched the exchange between the two men who had once been friends. She wanted to cry for Artu who had once believed Benton wanted nothing but his friendship. She was sure it was a bitter pill to take, but he did so with dignity.
    She had to admire the way he stood so tall and proud, though she knew his heart must be breaking. He looked so regal, so in control of his emotions, but she could tell his mind was in turmoil. She didn’t know how she knew, she just did.
    Then, there was what he and the other man said. “You still haven’t explained this two-defender business.” She glanced up at Artu, hoping he would shed some light on the situation. She had a suspicion, but she knew what she thought couldn’t possibly be what they meant.
    “It would appear, my love, that you have the power of a defender.” Artu glanced at the crowd of men surrounding them. “If you don’t mind, I would like to talk with Lena alone.”
    “No!” Benton cried. “He will leave with her. The longer they are together, the weaker he will get.”
    “You are