Guardian Awakening (The Guardians Series) (5 page)

He brought the knife to rest against her stomach, she felt its sharp point digging into her, and she held her breath. She had thought she could be brave and fix her eyes on his as he did the deed, but her courage failed her, so she closed her eyes, not wishing to watch her own death.

A clatter of something falling onto the stones at her feet startled her. But she dared not open her eyes. She continued to wait for the inevitable. But instead of the knife digging in she felt something altogether different. A light kiss on her lips! She opened her eyes and saw Essen’s blue eyes not cold as ice but full of pain; automatically her arms went to hold him around the waist to give him comfort. He came closer and lowered his head to rest on her shoulder. His deep sigh spoke of the anguish in his heart. She tightened her arms around him to bring him closer. Time stopped as they stood there, clinging to each other.

A rustle behind Essen alerted them to the fact that they were not alone. It was too late.

Essen fell into her arms, a dead weight that she could not manage to hold up. She, too, fell with him on top of her; her head hit something behind her, pain ran through her body, and the world around her went black.

Chapter Five

Essen felt a cool breeze flutter across the contours of his face. The senses that had been asleep began to wake up, resulting in a throbbing head. He willed his heavy limbs to work. Slowly, normal feeling returned, and he began to gain control of his body. Sitting brought another searing pain to his head. When he raised his hands to his head, he felt wetness. Essen saw the sticky liquid on his hand; it was red, covered in blood. Reality dawned on him. Looking around, recognizing his surroundings as the place where he had tried to kill Romy, Essen rose unsteadily to his feet, and anger filled him.

“Romy?” he bellowed out into the distance. Scanning the immediate area, he realized she was not there and understood. He had been hit, and she had escaped or been taken. Essen bit back his frustration. He had made a novice mistake, not checking to see that the area was clear of the enemy. Instead he had assumed they had all gone, that they thought they had killed all the Guardians so the Gateway did not need to be watched.
How stupid,
he reprimanded himself. Of course they would be around, lying low, watching for the right moment to attack. The pain in his head was a reminder of his error. But being a demon meant he would heal quickly. It was one of their many abilities. Indeed, as he moved to pick up the dropped knife and slid it into his belt, he felt his body returning to normal. A soft rustling noise alerted him to someone else’s presence.
So they have come back to play
. There was movement behind him again. This time he would be ready. He gritted his teeth and steeled himself against the expected attack. Instantly, he palmed his knife; he would enjoy ripping them apart and spilling blood. Revenge would be his after all. Essen smiled to himself as he made ready to turn and be the one to spring a surprise.

“Be still, my son.” The familiar voice, smooth as butter, floated to where he stood.

“Father?” Essen dropped to one knee and bowed in the old ways.
How is it that my father is here?

“Rise, my son, are you harmed? I felt a pain,” his father questioned as he came closer and touched Essen’s shoulders.

“I am well, Father,” replied Essen, feeling like the foolish son that he was.

His father embraced him, and they held each other for a few moments, not saying anything but communicating through touch. It had been a long time since Essen had been in the presence of his father and leader. The healing power of his parent flowed through him, and his anger drifted away; he was left with a feeling of calm and peace. Being held by him made Essen realize how much he had missed him.

“Why are you here, my son?” his father questioned once he had let go. His gaze, deep with concern, held Essen’s to him.

“I found her, the daughter of our enemy. She was here with me to do that which I promised my mother.” Essen stopped and lowered his eyes to the ground as Deyan, his father, took a step back.

“Where is she, my son?” asked Deyan, glancing around him.

“Father, I have made an error. I did not survey the land for our enemy until it was too late. I was hit, and she has gone. I think the Asuriya have taken her. I am shamed, Father.” Essen felt his father’s hands on each side of his face, lifting it up, and he looked up into the calm face before him. Gray hair now surrounded an age-lined face, but he still had the steely, blue-eyed gaze that seemed to delve deep into Essen’s mind.

“But how is it you came, Father?” Essen asked.

“I felt your pain. You have been long out of my sight and have forgotten that we are connected. No matter how far you may be, our link will always be there, my son. Now let us hunt our enemy so you may continue what you started here.” Deyan moved away.

Deyan’s words sank into his mind. Essen knew he was no longer certain that he wanted to finish what he started. Finding Romy gone had torn at his heart in a completely new way.
Could I love her?
In his heart he knew the answer but was not ready to admit it to himself. The only important thing was finding her, unharmed, and making her captors pay with their lives. Essen turned and watched his father lift his face to the wind and inhale the air around him. He had seen his father do this many times as a child in training. It was something he had learned to do, but in recent times he found himself losing sight of his training. He had been so intent on revenge. Finding her, the daughter of the demon who had led the raid and slaughtered his mother, had been perfect. Slowly his mind had become black with hate. The longer he was near his father, the more he felt the fog that had clouded his mind being lifted. It was as though Deyan had blown away the dense clouds, and he was beginning to see and think with clarity. Then his father spun around and interrupted his thoughts.

“They are still within the boundary of the land. Let us go,” he commanded, holding out a hand to Essen.

Essen stepped forward, trying to focus his mind on finding Romy. He felt a boney, aged hand grip his, but he knew age had not diminished his father’s power; he could feel it in those slender fingers. Misty tendrils emerged from the land under their feet and wrapped themselves around his father. Then they slowly trailed toward him, enveloping him totally. Essen stood, unafraid. He knew what was coming and did not move. The land faded, the colors merged and became a swirl of rainbow colors. Next he felt movement, but this time it was swift and intense because within seconds the colors went back to their usual hues and tones, and the land emerged clear and present around them again.

Deyan moved to him and motioned in front of them silently. His father’s face was emotionless, eyes bright and senses honed, ready to hunt. Essen realized the enemy was on foot. The Asuriya had not used their power to transport themselves out of here,
but why?
Distant voices echoed through the undergrowth, and two warrior demons could be seen emerging through the vegetation. To the ordinary person, they would seem human, as all demons did, but their foul smell distinguished them from Guardians. The evil stench was the decay of their hearts and souls that had died to any goodness a long time ago. One deformed demon carried Romy on his shoulder. She was kicking frantically and screaming at the top of her lungs. The closer she got to him, the louder her voice became, shouting obscenities at them. Essen growled and clenched his hands into fists;
they would pay if any harm came to her.
He and his father were in the open, not even trying to hide. They were united, as Guardians had been for many centuries, waiting for their enemy to realize they were present. Today the hunt would be good, and the need for revenge inside Essen would be satisfied but not as he had imagined. Something moved around him. Essen felt a surge of latent power emerge and then knew it was the land coming alive. He understood that with two Guardians present, the land was awaking from its long slumber and releasing its power into them. He could feel its energy filling him, beginning in his feet and climbing up his tense body. This land was theirs, and it would remain forever so, Essen promised himself.

Both warriors stopped dead in their tracks and stared at them.

“I thought we killed you all.” One grimaced at them. “No matter, we can deal with you now.” He laughed aloud; his screeching voice filled the air, and the land shuddered at the sound.

The other stopped and threw Romy to the side, and she lay still. Essen’s anger rose within him; they would pay if she were hurt. He clenched his fists harder, ready for action, his arms shaking with tension and his whole body as hard as iron.

One warrior demon launched at them. Essen gripped his knife and made a move to tackle the raging demon coming toward them. The demon screamed out a torrent of abuse at him, but his enemy hit an invisible wall and was knocked off his feet. He fell heavily on the ground, not moving at all, knocked out cold. Confused at first, Essen looked at his father. Deyan held his hands up, and concentration was etched on his face. Essen tried to move but realized he was being forced back by his father’s power. Essen had forgotten how powerful his father really was, and now with the land releasing its energy to them, he was more in control than ever. The other demon was shocked; confusion ran across his face. He looked around as though he did not know what to do now. Then he crouched lower like he was about to try to launch himself at them too.

“You will leave this place, alive. But you will take a message to your leader, the Dark Master. Tell him the Guardians have awoken. We take this land back. Now go before I decide not to let you live.” Deyan’s voice boomed like a gusty wind, almost knocking the demon off his feet.

“Now I will lift the veil, and you may transport out of here.” His father stopped. “You will leave her here. Now go!” Deyan commanded.

The warrior demon reached down to touch the other, and both dissolved before Essen’s eyes. Essen felt released from the force that held him still and ran across to Romy, who was gradually waking up. Relief flooded into him. He touched her cheek. Her eyes opened and slowly focused on him. Essen grabbed her and held her in his arms. She was his, now and forever.

***

Essen’s scent and warmth surrounded her. She opened her eyes and looked into his face. Essen lifted her to her feet slowly, and she realized they were back at the Gateway. Glancing ahead she saw there was a new arrival emerging from a mist. She gulped, and her throat tightened in fear. She was about to open her mouth to warn Essen, but he placed a calming hand across her heart, and immediately she felt a peace enter her. The new arrival stood tall, the same height as Essen. The face was familiar to her, eyes older but the same; could he be Essen’s father?

Essen rotated slowly; Romy could not see from behind his large frame. His left arm was curved behind, touching her waist. Romy sensed he was protecting her.

“So this is she? The one we have waited for.” The man moved closer. “So we have saved her only for you to end her life,” he said.

Romy’s heart lurched, and she swallowed hard. Both men stared at her; Romy lowered her gaze, dazed by all that had happened and unsure of what would come next. Was it to be that she was saved by the Guardians only to be killed by them? All fight left her body; she did not have the strength to carry on. All she could do was surrender.

“I am Deyan, father to Essen and elder to all Guardians.” Deyan bowed to her. “So you are Romy, the last of your clan, a fitting sacrifice.” Deyan looked at Essen. “Proceed, my son.”

Romy could not read either of their faces. Her brain hurt with the confusion of the last twenty-four hours. First it was the connection with Essen, something she had never experienced with anyone, then the knowledge that he was a Guardian, a demon of Caeles, the Creator, and as such someone she had been taught was the enemy of her people. She had realized he wanted revenge for the slaughter and murder of his family that her tribe had committed in an effort to gain control of the Gateway for the Dark Master. The kidnapping had added to this turmoil, the two Asuriya demons had spotted her and were taking her back to her tribe and ultimately to answer to the Dark Master for her rejection of the path chosen for her. Romy felt lost. She did not belong anywhere, and it seemed those around her wanted her life to end. Maybe that was the best way, maybe then she would be truly free. Tears began to prick the back of her eyes and threatened to cloud her vision.

Essen nodded in return. As he came toward Romy, her heart jumped to her throat. He had melted in front of her only moments ago. She had felt his tenderness as he had held her.
How could he suddenly change again?

“I can’t, Father, I can’t. I love her.” Essen stopped in front of her and brought one hand to touch her cheek. Romy felt her heart would burst with relief, hearing those words. Her mind whirled. Their connection was not just physical, she now understood; she felt it, too, that emotional pull between them, like they were right for each other.

“I have failed, Father, and I am not worthy to be called a Guardian.” Essen spoke slowly.

“No, my son, you have not failed. You swore to guard all humans long ago. To kill her would be failing that oath and would lead you to the Dark Master’s realm. You would become one of his servants, as all demons become when they turn away from the right path.” Deyan moved closer. “Look at me, my son.”

Essen faced his father.

“The death of your mother and your unborn sister tore me apart, but evil cannot be paid back by evil. You would be lost to us forever if you were to kill her and so would your future.”

“My future? I do not understand, my father,” Essen replied. Romy listened, understanding that it was not her place to speak.

“Your future lies with Romy; your revenge is that one of your enemies loves you deeply. She will make you a father, and your daughter will guard long after you are no more.” Romy’s head snapped up at those words. Deyan’s eyes twinkled at her. He smiled graciously and inclined his head to her.

“Essen, even now she carries your seed inside her. Your daughter will be powerful, for not only will she be a Guardian demon, but she will also have the gifts of Romy’s people, the Asuriya. If you were lost to us, if you were to kill her and have the Dark Master claim you, then your daughter’s future would be doomed,” Deyan explained.

Essen looked at Romy, trying to absorb what had been said. Romy saw his hand come out and touch her stomach; warmth filled her, she brought her hand to rest over his, and together they stood.

“Essen and Romy, you face an uncertain future. Your child and those that follow will be sought after by the Dark Master. You are both charged to protect them as will all Guardians. You, Romy, are the key, not for revenge, but for life. Through you richness and abundance will return to this place.” Deyan smiled at both. “But for now, go live your life together.”