The Guardians Crown (The Guardians Book 5) (11 page)

“Rachel’s right, let her go if that’s what she wants,” Sophie defended, surprising even herself as the words left her mouth.

Gabe looked around at all the sets of eyes staring at him. At last he relented, “Fine, but we’re taking the Alicorns there, and at the first sign of trouble I’m transporting you out of there.”

Rachel nearly squealed, “That’s perfectly agreeable. Thank you so much baby!” Looking over at Sophie, Rachel mouthed the words “thank you.” Sophie nodded in response with a half smile.

Sophie wasn’t sure why she defended Rachel, perhaps, she thought, there was a part of her trying to let go of the feelings she still had for Gabe.

Rachel leaned back, allowing the wind to sweep her hair away, dancing on the air behind her. Digging her fingers tight into Gabe’s shirt, she closed her eyes, for a moment she lost herself in the flight. The smooth glide of the amazing animal beneath her was something she thought she would never get used to; she could ride upon them all day long.

The Alicorns were one of the first beings that Rachel had bonded with. Most Guardians take years to develop the ability to speak telepathically with them, but since she found herself with child, this was suddenly an ability she possessed, as well.

When she first told Gabe she was able to hear their thoughts, he was in such shock he instantly ran to tell Michael about the development. It was at that time she had considered telling him of her pregnancy, but then decided not to. A human being had never been able to link with the Alicorns, which made Gabe certain she must have had some sort of magical ancestor. She wished now she would have told him that it was their Guardian child in her womb that gave her the ability.

“Almost there!” Gabe called over his shoulder. Rachel could feel the animal begin to descend.

She watched over Gabe’s shoulder as the mountain came into sight. Its snow-covered peak was so majestic she couldn’t imagine that a volatile volcano resided within. Prior to leaving Iron Gate, Rachel had read all of the research material she could get her hands on about Mount Rainier. The activity within the mountain had created the largest network of volcanic caves, allowing for unlimited hiding places for the weapon. The search would not be easy.

Mirada had given them the coordinates for the location for the north side cave entrance that would hopefully allow for a more direct route. The problem they now had was that the Alicorns could not land anywhere near the entrance of the cave. They would have to put down around two miles east of the cave and hike to the entrance. This, however, put them dangerously close to a small village. They decided it was a risk they would have to take.

The land came speeding at them as they ducked down beneath the clouds. This was the part that Rachel did not care for. Instead of flying, she always had the sensation she was falling. Burrowing her head into Gabe’s back, she closed her eyes and held her breath.

As quick as the descent had begun, the animals landed. The five of them dismounted, thanking the Alicorns for their assistance. They all watched as the majestic creatures ascended back into the clouds and out of sight.

“Ready?” Sophie inquired, looking through the backpack she had brought, ensuring she had all of the gear they would require.

“We’re ready,” Gabe replied, grabbing hold of Rachel’s hand.

“I know it’s not exactly difficult climbing, but with all the ice melting and refreezing it will be slick, so I think we should all tie ourselves together with this rope I brought,” Sophie suggested.

“No, I’m good.” Uri laughed.

“It’s not just for you idiot. We all tie ourselves together in case one of us needs help,” Sophie explained.

“I think she means me,” Rachel added, no anger in her voice. She was actually glad Sophie seemed to be looking out for her. She had never been sure since their wedding day where she stood with Sophie.

“No, I didn’t mean just you,” Sophie quickly rebutted. “Any one of us could slip.”

“It’s all right,” Rachel said raising a hand to indicate she really wasn’t upset. “I know I’m not a Guardian and there are going to be some things I can’t do as well as you all. I really do appreciate it.”

Sophie bowed her head for a moment, acknowledging Rachel’s appreciation.

“Over this way, I know I saw one of those winged rats land,” an unfamiliar and not human voice snarled nearby.

“Go check it out,” Gabe whispered, motioning to Uri.

Springing into action, he crossed the clearing and made his way over a small snow covered hillside. Gabe escorted Rachel behind a nearby cluster of dead brush along the trail “Hide behind here,” he instructed in a low tone.

Uri returned, his footsteps light as he sprinted across the ground. Haim, Sophie and Gabe moved in close so they could hear his report. “There are at least six Wintoks on the other side of the hill and they’re headed this way. Looks like they have a human guide. I heard one of them suggest sending for a tracker. They must have seen our landing.”

“We can’t let them do that,” Sophie remarked, her voice strained as she attempted to keep the volume low.

“No shit Sherlock,” Uri scoffed.

“Jesus, no need to be rude, I was just making a point,” Sophie said, defending herself.

“Really guys? Right now you have to do this?” Haim asked.

Gabe grinned, the entire interaction reminding him of his youth. Sophie and Uri had always behaved as siblings, and there was something quite comforting to see everyone falling back into their old roles.

“I say we hide, wait for them to come over the ridge, and once they reach the lowest point, we attack. Agreed?” Gabe inquired, looking around at his comrades.

The group nodded, dispersing and each member seeking out their own hiding spot. Gabe took refuge at Rachel’s side.

“What’s going on?” She asked in a hushed whisper.

“Mercenaries just over that ridge,” Gabe explained. “If I had to guess, Baal has heard the same rumors Mirada did and they’re here to try and find the weapon. Only difference is that I bet they don’t have any coordinates and will have to search the entire mountain for any trace of what they’re looking for.”

“So we’re safe, if we make it to the caves we can grab the weapon and get out of here,” Rachel replied.

Gabe shook his head; he wished it were that simple. “If they see our trail, which they’re about to, then they’ll definitely summon a tracker. A tracker is not something we want to deal with right now.

Rachel’s face flashed a look of terror and Gabe wondered if she regretted coming with them. “So what do we do?”

“We kill them,” Gabe replied flatly and turned to watch the ridge, holding his breath.

He looked around for any sign of his friends. They had all disappeared from sight. As the Wintoks climbed over the hillside one after the next, Rachel gasped. Each one was more ugly than the last. Then she saw the human.

“Gabe,” she said motioning in the direction of her discovery.

“I know, but he’s helping them,” Gabe replied.

“Maybe against his will,” he strained to hear her whisper.

As the first few gathered at the bottom of the hillside they began to discuss the footprints. The rest moved in to join them. They peered in the direction where Gabe and Rachel were hiding. Rachel was sure they could see them, but they did nothing.

She pressed her hands over her mouth in an effort not to make a peep. She had seen Wintoks before, in person, but it was still an unsettling image to take in. Their lizard- man appearance made her stomach turn and as they spoke they would hiss, the sound of which made her skin crawl.

“Now!” Uri shouted, bursting forth from his hiding spot, and lunging towards one of the Wintoks with his green glowing blade.

Just like Uri,
Gabe thought. “Stay here. No matter what don’t come out from your hiding spot,” he commanded.

She nodded, pushing herself further back into the ditch.

Gabe leapt up with a fierce cry, his word lifted above his head, taking aim at the beast closest to his vicinity. After the first few blows, his body slid into the dance of the swordplay. The Wintok he engaged was no match for his skills and quickly fell victim to his blade.

The next one Gabe engaged, however, was a far more skilled opponent, continually battering against him, for a moment he began to gain footing against Gabe. Quickly realizing he was losing the upper hand Gabe pushed back, his opponent falling to the ground.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Haim’s massive hammer come down with such great force it splattered another one of the creature’s skulls, as if it had simply been an over ripe watermelon.

He heard Sophie and Uri grunting nearby, and the occasional glimpse of a spell from Sophie. Gabe took in a deep breath of air, and as he pushed it from his lungs he used it to propel himself forward, slicing a chunk of flesh from the Wintok’s side.

Though injured, the creature fought back. Their weapons were catching each other high in the air, and in an instant the beast pushed himself up and they were standing, belly to belly, staring into one another’s eyes. Neither of them was willing to relent.

Gabe heard Uri shouting at Sophie and then the sound of feet running. Using his foot, Gabe pushed the Wintok back; it stumbled to the ground, falling onto its back. Gabe went in for the killing strike, but when he raised the blade above his body, Uri’s sword came in, relieving the creature of its head, before Gabe could react.

“What the hell?” Gabe gasped, looking around, realizing all of the lizard-men were dead. Soon after, he saw Sophie was not with them. “Where’s Sophie?”

While waiting for an answer Gabe attempted to catch his breath.

“The one she was fighting ran off, so she went after it,” Uri explained.

“And you let her?” Gabe asked, not waiting and charging up the hillside.

“I told her to. Do you want that thing running off and getting a tracker on our asses?” Uri protested.

Haim bounced his hammer against his heel, attempting to free some of the brain matter lodged in the crevices. “She’ll be fine, it’s Sophie.”

“You have no idea what’s out here with us. There could be an army just down that hillside,” Gabe argued. Not waiting for a response he ran down the hill, looking for any indications of which way Sophie travelled. While she left no trail, the Wintok she had wounded was leaving a hefty trail of blood. Gabe followed it. Twenty yards ahead he heard a blood curdling sound echo through the trees and a cluster of birds take flight.

Rushing forward, and taking off into a full sprint, he lifted his sword, prepared to avenge anything the creature may have done to his friend.

“Whoa! Watch it with that thing!” Sophie exclaimed.

“You’re all right,” Gabe blurted out, coming to a stop. He looked over Sophie’s shoulder where he saw bits of the escaped Wintok sprayed all around.

She raised her eyebrows, surprised by his statement. “Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be.”

Gabe shook his head, he suddenly felt rather foolish.

“You know, you’re going to have to get over these feelings you still have for me. It’s rather embarrassing for you,” Sophie commented in the most serious of tones, waiting until she was past him to reveal the most satisfying grin she had ever had.

“What?” Gabe gulped. He wasn’t sure what had just happened, but he knew he felt like an absolute idiot. “What about the human?”

“I let him go and warned him not to tell a soul what he saw here,” Sophie replied, not looking back.

Gabe hesitated, “Are you sure that was wise?”

“If you want to kill him, go ahead, I’m sure he won’t be hard to catch up to,” Sophie’s voice trailed off as the distance between them increased.

Gabe sighed as he contemplated what they should do. With a huff, he sprinted to catch up with Sophie. He hoped she was right about the human.

Rachel handed Gabe the canteen of water, then used the back of her sleeve to wipe away the sweat that had settled on her forehead. She looked behind them, trying to gauge the distance they had travelled. For the first mile, the group was heavy with talk.

Haim had started a conversation, asking what they should do if the keeper did not want to give up the weapon, which had caused Uri to quickly move into defensive mode. He instantly cited the fact that a keeper’s job was to keep a weapon safe until the good guys needed it, not to keep the weapon from the good guys.