Free Warden (Elemental Paladins Book 1) by Montana Ash Page A

his fellow humans. He was quite empathic and could pick up on the small bursts of energy produced by feelings, thoughts and emotions. Each one had a certain feel or taste to them and deceit was very distinct. It was bitter, always so bitter no matter how accomplished the liar was. Max had tasted like cinnamon.
    He fucking loved cinnamon.
    “She hasn’t been untruthful yet.” He admitted, responding to Beyden’s direct question.
    “Yet? Don’t qualify it Ryker. We’ve hardly given her a chance to share her story. I don’t know how or why but that woman is completely ignorant of her origins. She really does need our help.” The man’s amber eyes were earnest and Ryker always felt they were a direct reflection of his own domain; the beasts.
    “But that is just my point. How is that even possible? How is she still alive if she didn’t know about paladins? It doesn’t add up.”
    “I agree.” Axel was drinking milk straight from the carton again and Ryker waited for the inevitable explosion. Darius hated that particular nasty habit of the paladin of fire. He felt it was uncouth. Darius really was the gentleman of the group and had his work cut out for him in keeping them all honest. It appeared Darius wasn’t rising to the bait today however, for he didn’t even blink an eye. The little red head must have made quite the impression on his oldest friend as well.
    “You agree?” Ryker addressed Axel, relieved to finally have one ally at the table.
    Axel crushed the now empty carton with one hand, “Yep. I totally agree. But I don’t care.” He shrugged those heavy shoulders of his and threw a wicked look around the table, “I like her.”
    “You don’t care because you like her?” Ryker was incredulous.
    “Why are you surprised Ry?” Cali asked. “Did you see the breasts on the woman? I mean, jeez, talk about a handful.”
    “Cali!” Darius finally seemed fit to partake.
    “What?” The female paladin was completely unrepentant. She turned to Axel, “Am I right?”
    “Cali, my love. You are, as always, unequivocally correct.”
    Darius was still frowning, “When are you going to grow up?”
    Axel rocked backwards precariously on his chair like the true rebel he was, “Now why would I want to go and do something like that?”
    Ryker could feel a headache threatening and it wasn’t even nine in the morning yet. Sometimes he felt like he was playing child care teacher and other times he thought maybe he was a zoo keeper. Ryker usually appreciated Axel’s wry humour and dry wit. When he had moved in just three years ago he had brought a much needed levity to their little tribe of misfits. On this occasion however, Ryker was tempted to reach across the table and sucker punch the other paladin in the head. He shouldn’t have been looking, let alone commenting on the chest area of any warden and the fact that Ryker himself had barely been able to drag his own eyes from Max’s luscious breasts really was not the point.
    “Enough. We need to sort this mess out. I want her questioned – properly this time. Then I want to contact the Local Warden Council and inform them we have a stray. They can get in touch with the International Domain Council and deal with her as they see fit.”
    “But Ry, don’t you think we should see to her health first? She needs vitality.” Lark stated.
    “The Local Council will sort that out. It’s their job after all. It’s certainly not ours. Unless any of you have suddenly changed your mind about being in an Order overnight?” Silence met his question. “That’s what I thought.”
    “I still think we should learn more about her first before we throw her to the wolves. Maybe just a couple of days for her to rest up, gain our trust. She seems skittish to me.” Beyden sure was talkative today, Ryker thought. Not even twenty-four hours and the woman was already causing dissension in his ranks.
    She definitely had to go.
    Pushing his chair back, he stood to his