Free Crimson Lips [Amazon Warriors] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Ellie Wilson Page B

hadn’t, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he followed the little intruder out.
    “What’s up, Annie?”
    “Don’t call me that.”
    “Why? Don’t you like it? Well, I don’t like being interrupted…three times. Deal with it.”
    “You’re a dick. I won’t tell you then.” And then she turned to walk away.
    Why that manipulative little…
    “Annika, I’m sorry,” he said in a rush as she walked away. “What did you want to tell me?”
    She turned to look at him with a hard stare before walking back over to where he stood.
    “Did she tell you about what you have to do to become an Amazon’s partner?”
    “An Amazon’s partner?”
    “I didn’t think she would. I’m guessing you know about the Amazon’s history with men?” Sloan just nodded his response. “When thoughts and attitudes started to change within the community, the Queen and elders started to accept that relationships were going to occur between Amazon women and men. Amazons had always used men for sex, but they had never been emotionally attached…”
    “Is there a reason I’m getting a history lesson right now?”
    “Do you want to know or not?” she snapped.
    “Fine,” he snapped back.
    “So, Amazons had never been emotionally attached. The Queen and elders watched interactions between Amazons and men for decades before they came up with a code. A code an Amazon’s true life partner must adhere to, to be recognized as worthy for an Amazon…you with me so far, soldier boy?”
    “Yes, will you just get to the point already?”
    “Asshole. Since the code came into place, Amazons across the world have found their true-life partner. The code states an Amazon’s true-life partner will fight for them, fight with them, and fight against them. So far, soldier boy, you’ve checked two out of three.”
    “What are you talking about?” He was completely lost.
    She let out a frustrated breath. “Stay with me now. By fighting for Crimson the night you met, and not because you thought you had to but because you wanted to, you proved you were an honorable and respectful man, that’s one. When you fought by her side earlier tonight, you demonstrated your courage and loyalty, that’s two. All you’ve got left to do is fight against her to show your strength of character and trust, and…”
    “Whoa, whoa, wait you think I’m C’s life partner? I’ve known her less than a week!”
    “It doesn’t matter. If you two are fated to be, you will fight against her eventually. I just thought you should know. You can try to fight it or accept it.”
    That’s when the door to the great room opened and Crimson, along with a few other Amazons, approached them.
    “What are you two talking about?” Crimson looked between them suspiciously.
    “The Cyclops.” Annika lied easily to her sister.
    “We’re on our way to question him now. Sloan, you’re coming with us.” She walked away, still looking questioningly at him.
    He was still in shock but followed after Crimson.
    Before he left, he managed to throw over his shoulder, “Thanks for the advice…Annie.”
    He shut the door just as she lunged to hit him. Then he heard the sound of a punch on the other side of the door. He just smiled and followed after Crimson and the others.
    “Good chat with my sister?”
    “Definitely informative,” was his only response.
     
    * * * *
     
    Her sister was up to something, she just knew it. There was no way she was advising him about the Cyclops.
    Crimson couldn’t think of that right now. She had to focus on what she was doing.
    She was stood next to the bed of an angry Cyclops. Sloan stood next to her while two warriors stood on the opposite side with two guarding the door.
    The Cyclops had been chained to the bed and sedated while being kept here. His wounds had been attended to and kept reasonably comfortable.
    They wanted him to be compliant and explain why they had attacked the estate twice within a week.
    The stench of the beast