The Guardians Crown (The Guardians Book 5)
Copyright © 2013 by Wendy Owens
Cover design by Claudia of Phatpuppy Creations
Interior book design by Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats
Editing services provided by Chelsea Kuhel of MadisonSeidler.com
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted, in any form without the prior written permission of the author of this book.
This book is a pure work of fiction. The names, characters, or any other content within is a product of the author’s imagination. The author acknowledges the use of actual bands and restaurants within this work of fiction. The owners of these various products in this novel have been used without permission and should not be viewed as any sort of sponsorship on their part.
This book is dedicated to my fans. The only reason I was able to finish this series is because of an amazing group of readers who have continued to support my work. Your reviews have helped me grow as an author. I am humbled daily by you all.
The closer the creature came to them, the more the overwhelming smell made Rachel feel like she was going to vomit. She couldn’t imagine how the boys were possibly tolerating the odor. She slipped her hand up over her mouth, her gag reflex overwhelming her.
Gabe lifted a finger to his lips, quieting her.
The earth beneath them shook as the creature passed by. Rachel peeked out from their hiding spot, watching as it moved out of the vicinity. She wasn’t sure if it was the demon that reeked or the beast it rode upon. She had seen similar demons with the dark leathery skin and fangs, but its mount was something quite different.
It was the size of an elephant with long matted hair covering it’s entire body except where its face was. The face was wide and smashed, almost flat except for its oversized eyelids that stuck out along with its puffy lips. As it moved with sloth-like rhythm, it licked its lips, a long trail of saliva dripping from its mouth. Yes, she was certain now, the smell was definitely coming from the steed.
Rachel leaned forward, trying to get a better look, and as she did a twig snapped beneath her foot, echoing through the trees. Gabe’s heart stopped for a moment; he pulled his wife close, wrapping his arms around her.
The great beast paused and turned, the demon peering around, searching their surroundings for the source of the noise. Uri wrapped his fingers around the grip of his sword, prepared to unsheathe its fury. Reaching out with one hand, Gabe grabbed his arm, shaking his head no.
“Wait,” he mouthed silently.
The beast took a couple cumbersome steps towards them and then paused. From their hiding spot Uri could see the demon sniffing the air, attempting to catch a trace of their scent. Closing his eyes, Uri stood silently, concentrating fully on casting a wind spell. A moment later a breeze blew all around them and their smell was carried away with it.
Satisfied he hadn’t missed anything, the demon turned, and made its way to the east. Once there was sufficient distance between the monsters and them, Gabe released his wife from his grasp.
“Smooth Rachel, are you trying to get us killed?” Uri barked.
“Back off man, she didn’t mean anything by it,” Gabe defended, looking over at his wife to ensure the comment hadn’t caused her too much distress.
Rachel didn’t hear the discussion happening around her, all she could hear was the deafening pulsing of blood that filled her head. The forest began to spin as she fell to her knees, heaving air wildly.
“She’s gonna pop,” Uri declared.
“Babe, are you all right?” Gabe asked, running his fingertips across her back.
Rachel began to sweat, a feeling of disorientation consuming her, until at last her body forcibly relieved itself of all of her stomach’s contents.
“Oh my God. She did, disgusting,” Uri groaned, covering his nose to avoid the smell.
“Will you shut up already!” Gabe snapped, glaring up at his friend.
“Rachel, please, say something. Are you all right?” Gabe asked again.
The world around her came back, flooding her senses in an instant. She wiped the corner of her mouth and with Gabe’s assistance stood to her feet.
“Yeah, sorry, I haven’t been feeling well,” Rachel explained.
“Sure, that’s what happened,” Uri remarked sarcastically.
“Damn it! Will you give it a rest?” Gabe said, his anger starting to bubble over.
“I’m sorry, I know it’s not your fault Rachel. I guess I’m just frustrated the Alicorns dropped us off days from Iron Gate,” Uri offered in an attempt to excuse his behavior.
Haim leaned forward, adding his thoughts, “They said things were too hot around Iron Gate. I’m sure they were just trying to be cautious.”
“Yeah, I’m not an idiot, I get that,” Uri snarled. “Doesn’t mean I like it.”
“Seriously? Cool it already. We’re almost there. A half a days walk at most,” Gabe instructed. “A night in a real bed will do all of us a lot of good.”
Pushing past the group Uri began leading the way. Haim followed, but paused when Gabe grabbed his arm. “Do you know what’s going on with him?” Gabe whispered.
Haim looked up at Uri and then back to Gabe before replying, “It’s different all the time with him.” Haim knew his friend had been testy ever since a lead on Seraphine’s location had not panned out as he had hoped. He wasn’t about to share that information with Gabe though, Uri made it quite clear he didn’t want anyone knowing about her.
Gabe sighed, “If you had to guess?”
Thinking quickly of an answer that would satisfy him, Haim said, “I think he’s worried about what Michael’s going to say.”
“About what?” Gabe inquired, pushing for more.
“Who knows, you know how Uri is, he gets something in his head and that’s it. Maybe because he took you to see Mirada,” Haim replied.
It quickly became evident that Rachel had been listening in when she chimed, “He only did that because we made him.”
Haim shrugged. “You told me to guess.”
“Maybe you should talk to him,” Rachel suggested looking at her husband.
Gabe watched Uri move further away from the group, cautiously searching around each tree as he swiped at random harmless plants with his blade. It was obvious something was eating him. “Maybe later,” Gabe said with a sigh. Even though Uri wasn’t the most pleasant to be around at the moment, he was a killing machine when he was in this kind of mood and that was the perfect thing to ensure they arrived home safely.
Coming back to Iron Gate had been a complete shock for everyone. They hadn’t been gone terribly long, but the once bustling and vibrant estate had been transformed into a place none of them recognized. Most of the faces they passed were strangers, the look in their eyes one of desperation. The streets and common areas had been turned into makeshift housing units with narrow rows of dilapidated shanties lining them. The entire place now felt heavy with desperation and decay.
When they greeted Michael, he did his best to try and mask the worry, but it was evident to them all how much of a toll the growing threat was taking on him.
“Come, sit, tell me everything that happened,” Michael requested, gesturing to the group of four. Gabe and Rachel sat at one end of the couch, Gabe wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulders. Uri and Haim slid into the opposite high back chairs. They all watched Michael as he crossed over in front of them, perching one arm on the fireplace mantel.