Read Online Warden (Elemental Paladins Book 1) by Montana Ash - Free Book Online Page B

energy we paladins produce. To us, it’s a by-product of everyday life – like carbon dioxide is the by-product of breathing. To wardens, it’s the energy needed to upkeep your domain. It’s taxing and you need to replenish it regularly.” Beyden explained helpfully, munching on a pancake.
    “And paladins do that by sharing this excess vitality that they produce naturally?” Max recited the information from the previous evening.
    “Correct.” Darius said, “You need to use us to recharge yourself.” He held out a tanned arm, “I offer myself freely.”
    Max cringed back and held up a hand, “Please, no. You’re going to make me lose my appetite.”
    “It’s a natural thing Max.” Lark assured her softly.
    She snorted. “Maybe in your world. In my world people don’t go around sucking out other people’s life force.”
    “That’s not …” Darius began but Max cut him off.
    “Please Darius, can you just drop it? I really appreciate all that you’ve done. But I need baby steps here. An overwhelmed Max does not a happy Max make. Besides,” she continued, “I thought you said yesterday that I was pumping out this vitality in waves? How can I be doing that and yet not have enough at the same time?”
    “You were – and still are – leaking vitality. It’s practically seeping from your pores. Your element is probably excessively healthy everywhere you go but it is incredibly draining on you.” Lark answered helpfully.
    “I’m leaking?” She couldn’t help scrutinising her body and patting down her arms. “How am I leaking?”
    “It’s because you have no control. You’re fucking clueless!”
    Ryker’s harsh words were like a bucket of cold water. She pushed her half-eaten plate away, her appetite now completely gone. “Well this fucking clueless woman is no longer your fucking problem.” She stood. “Thank you all again. I truly appreciate it but I think I’ll take my leave now.”
    Lark rushed to stand. “You can’t leave Max.”
    “No. You definitely can’t leave.” Darius intoned, frowning at Ryker in disapproval.
    Max raised her chin, “Actually I can. You’re not the boss of me and you said I wasn’t a prisoner, so …”
    Lark touched her arm in comfort even as assured her, “You’re not a prisoner, Max.”
    “Absolutely not.” Darius agreed. “You are, however, a warden and you need help, education, and training. You need to be introduced into our society. You need to be taught control, to learn your true potential. You need to form your own Order and bond yourself to your own paladins. It is your birthright.”
    “Well, I assume none of that is achievable in the next few minutes?” Max queried. “No? Well then, if you don’t mind I think I’ll go stretch my legs. Maybe leak some more nature-juice out of my eyeballs or something.” And so saying, she marched from the room and out the back door where she took a deep breath and raised her face to the sky.
    ****
    “ You look like shit? Really Ryker? You look like shit? What were you thinking? Have you learned nothing living with me and Diana?” Cali asked furiously.
    Ryker had to force himself not to fidget under Cali’s frigid, feminine stare. Hell yes, living with the two female paladins had taught him a lot about how to deal with women. He knew never to ask if it was that time of the month, even if it was. He knew never to say their outfit looked ‘fine’, even if it did. And he definitely knew to never, ever tell them they looked like shit. Glancing around the room he noted the disapproving looks on every face and sighed tiredly. He was fairly ashamed of himself. He hated the look of hurt that had flashed over the warden’s face and he certainly hadn’t wanted to upset her to the point where she stopped eating. He had the feeling she could use all the decent meals she could get.
    He had tossed and turned all night, plagued with thoughts and unwanted images of their strange guest. When she had asked to be