The Guardians Crown (The Guardians Book 5) (16 page)

Sophie and Rachel had actually become friends; oddly enough they were extremely close. At first, the friendship made Gabe uncomfortable, but once he saw the comfort Sophie brought to Rachel he was pleased they had found the bond with one another.

Uri squeezed Sera tighter. He knew for some time that Europe was no longer safe for them, and they would have to change their strategy. “I don’t think we can stay here.”

“Of course we can’t,” Gabe huffed, “that’s why you went looking in the first place.”

“No, we have to leave this area all together,” Uri added.

“What do you mean?” Gabe asked, glancing over at his wife to see if the sudden commotion had disturbed her. It had not; she still slept peacefully.

“There have been sightings of us in recent months all over Europe and Asia. Why do you think the patrols are increasing? No matter how careful we are, they’ll eventually find us. They’re looking for us here,” Uri explained.

“Yeah, so what do we do?” Sophie asked, walking over to join the conversation.

The small dim room, lit solely by the fireplace, caused everyone’s shadows to climb eerily up the walls, dancing along with the flames.

“We go where they’re not expecting us,” Uri replied, matter-of-factly.

“And where’s that?” Haim inquired, unaware what his comrade had been cooking up in his mind on their all day scouting trip.

“We go right under their noses,” Uri answered. “I say we hide in America.”

“What?” Gabe exclaimed, “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m dead serious. They won’t think to even look for us there, we can blend in,” Uri explained.

“I don’t know,” Sophie commented. “It seems awfully risky with Rachel getting so close to her due date.”

The fire snapped and popped, a flicker of gold sparks fluttering into the room and down to the dirt floor. “We can’t stay here much longer, it’s already to the point where we can’t leave the inn to even get food. Does anyone have a better solution?” Uri posed the question.

Everyone in the room peered around at one another, hoping someone had an answer to their problem. But alas, the room remained silent until one small and unexpected voice chimed in.

“I say we give Uri’s idea a try,” Rachel remarked from her quiet spot in the corner, shifting in the uncomfortable lounge chair.

“I thought you were asleep,” Gabe said, his breath momentarily catching in his throat.

“I trust Uri and if he thinks America is the best place for us to go, I say we at least try,” Rachel reiterated.

“Honey,” Gabe began, rushing to his wife’s side and bending to one knee. “It’s like ground zero there. If his idea doesn’t work, it could leave us seriously exposed.”

“Or it could be exactly like Uri says, the last place they’d think to look for us,” Rachel answered him softly. “What we’re doing is not working.”

Gabe stood, looking at Uri directly and asked, “Do you have a place in mind?”

“Yes, Haim and I would go ahead and scout it out of course, but there’s a small college town in Ohio. Since the war broke out the school has closed its doors leaving only the townies. I think it’s isolated enough it could buy us some time,” Uri laid out his plans to his friends.

“I’m in if Rachel thinks it’s a good idea,” Sophie added.

Rachel looked around the room, her stare lingering on her husband before she looked up at Uri, “Do it.”

Uri peered at Gabe, waiting for his okay. Silently, Gabe nodded in affirmation.

Rachel woke up just as dusk was upon them. The colorful sky outside their sheer curtains slowly faded into the darkness of the evening. For two glorious weeks they remained in that sleepy little town Uri had found. Rachel had even begun to wonder if the residents were truly aware of what was happening in the world around them.

Earlier that day, she and Gabe had taken a stroll down the town’s main street, little brick shops lining the cobblestone way, sweet smells coming from the local bakery, and children playing in the small park. It all seemed too good to be true.

Gabe had even begun to relax, which surprised her. Since he had discovered she was pregnant he tended to hover, constantly, certain they were always moments from an attack. But since they came to the little town that Rachel referred to as heaven on earth, he was a changed man.

He began sleeping more than ten-minute naps. He was eating again and actually seemed to be enjoying the company of those around him. It brought Rachel tremendous comfort to see the parts of her husband she loved return.

She looked down at him, his face still mashed into the pillow, his hand tucked between his legs, his body curled up against her. After everything they had been through, she had come to accept that she would most likely give birth to their child while running somewhere. They had reached the point where they were never staying more than two days at any one location. Strangely enough, two weeks made this place feel like home.

Their baby would be here within the week, most likely. Gracefully tracing the dark line that ran up her stomach, Rachel felt a chill run down her back and she shivered, causing the bed to rock. Gabe stirred and opened his eyes with a grunt.

“Umph ...” he huffed groggily, propping himself up to look out the window. “How long were we asleep?”

“A couple of hours I think,” Rachel replied.

Gabe reached out and ran his hand over Rachel’s bare stomach, “With all these naps I’ve been taking, you’d think I was the pregnant one.”

Rachel smiled, “They’re sympathy naps.”

“I suppose,” Gabe stated before inquiring, “How are you feeling?”

“Really good actually,” she replied. “I was thinking about baby names.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, I don’t think we’ve had enough time to slow down and even talk about something as simple as a name,” Rachel remarked.

Gabe thought for a moment, then with a smile pointed out, “We don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl, how can we pick a name?”

“A lot of people pick one out for each,” she suggested.

“Oh, I see, and what do you think a good name would be?” Gabe inquired.

Before Rachel could reply there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Gabe called out as Rachel slipped her shirt into place to cover her stomach.

“Uri. Can I come in?” They heard from the other side of the door.

“It’s open,” Rachel replied.

The door swung open, Uri stepping inside. “I did a perimeter check and it looks clear. I just wanted to make sure everything was good in here with the two of you.”

“All good, captain,” Rachel said with a smile and awkward salute.

“Oh yeah, Dina wanted me to tell you she’ll be up later to check on how the baby’s doing,” Uri added before backing out of the room.

“Hey,” Gabe called out. “See if the others are interested in a game of cards. We’ll be down in about ten minutes.”

“Sounds good,” Uri added before closing the door.

“He’s pretty sweet,” Rachel chimed, looking over at her husband.

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Gabe warned, then noticed Rachel’s beaming smile. “What’s that grin all about?”

“Huh?” Rachel sighed.

“You’re smiling from ear to ear, what’s going on?” Gabe pushed.

Rachel thought about it for a moment, “I didn’t realize I was, but I guess it’s just being here, with you.”

“In a four bedroom inn that hasn’t been redecorated in thirty years?”

“Well … not the inn, but ... I don’t know, it’s hard to explain,” Rachel started.

“Try.”

“It’s like this cloud of hopelessness was on top of us, but since we came here it’s seemed to evaporate. Do you feel it?” Rachel inquired, wondering if she was alone in her feelings.

“No, I do, but Rachel, you can’t get too comfortable. We have no idea how long things will last here.”

“I know,” she quickly defended herself. “I’m just enjoying it while it lasts.”

Gabe leaned forward, kissing her on her forehead and then stood to leave. “I’ll send Dina in to take a look at you. Meet me downstairs when you’re done, all right?”

Rachel nodded and Gabe slipped from the room without another word.

“Hey man. I was just headed downstairs,” Uri said, catching sight of Gabe in the hall.

“Me too,” Gabe replied, walking next to Uri around the banister and side by side down the wide, rickety staircase. Had the home been updated at all in the last century, the inn might have actually been a pretty cool place, but the age was showing on the ancient beauty.

Either way, it was cheap, and by renting out all four rooms for their group, there would only be the innkeepers for them to have any contact with. Based on their ages, Uri assumed they probably had trouble even making out what each person’s gender was. It was even difficult to make out their faces. Then there was the fact that the husband never got up from his recliner that was planted in front of the old television in the living area.

“I gotta say, this place is perfect Uri,” Gabe offered.

“Yeah, too perfect,” Uri replied apprehensively.

Gabe laughed, “You’re starting to sound like me. Oh, Dina, Rachel’s ready for you.”

Dina smiled and stood from the table where she sat across from Sophie at. “Great, I’ll head right up.”

“I thought you were going to sleep the day away old man,” Sophie joked, looking to Gabe.

“Hey,” Rachel said, “their sympathy naps.”

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” Sophie laughed.

“Where’s Haim?” Uri asked looking around.

“He said he was going to give one last look around outside,” Sophie replied.

“I already did that.” Uri grumbled.

“He’s been gone a while, I’ll go see what’s taking him so long,” Sophie offered, standing up and walking past them.

Uri watched as Sophie exited, then asked Gabe in a soft tone, “Are you nervous?”

“About what? Becoming a dad?” Gabe asked.

“Not exactly,” Uri hesitated.

“Then what?”

Uri glanced at the front door, wishing now he had never started the conversation. They all had been thinking about it, and even discussing the elephant in the room, when Gabe was not around. But the way Gabe strutted around, it was like he didn’t have a care in the world. It was like it didn’t bother him that he had created the path to his own end.

“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” Gabe pushed.

With a hard swallow Uri inquired, “Aren’t you scared at all about the prophecy.”

Suddenly, Gabe’s expression shifted, as if a light had gone off, “Oh, now I see what this is all about. I was wondering why none of you have said anything to me.”

“What in the hell are we supposed to say?”

“Look man, Rachel and I have discussed it a lot. We don’t have any idea exactly how the prophecy is supposed to be fulfilled. What if it’s not exactly what we think? What if all it means is the kid’s destiny won’t become activated until I die, like all other Guardians. I could be looking at a long life with my family, and when I pass away he becomes the prophet,” Gabe explained.

Uri shook his head as he began fidgeting with his fingers. Gabe’s lack of obvious concern didn’t make him feel any better about the impending birth.

Gabe reached across the table, touching his friend’s arm, “I’ll admit it, I’m scared, but I can’t let Rachel see that. I just keep hope in the fact there has to be a bigger plan for us,” Gabe leaned back in his seat and shifting the conversation asked, “So do you think we might actually be able to stay in this town until the baby’s born?”

Uri remained quiet, hesitating for a moment. “I’d rather not make guesses about something like that.”

Gabe laughed, “Geez, you really do need to lighten up. We’ve been here a week with no sign of …” Suddenly Gabe clutched his stomach and doubled over in pain. “Do you feel that?”

Uri winced, grabbing his side, and sucking in a breath through his teeth. “You get upstairs to Rachel and Dina, I’ll go check on Sophie and Haim.”

Gabe nodded and in a flash he raced down the hall and up the wooden steps. His augeries were going off like a five alarm fire. Something was close … something bad. Realizing Dina no longer had her augerie sensory, Gabe thrust his body forward, propelling himself down the hall and into his bedroom.

Rachel sprawled out on the bed and Dina leaned in close to examine if there had been any dilation, both freeze and look up at Gabe who is now panting. They instantly knew by his expression that something was wrong.

“What is it?” Rachel asked, sitting up after Dina pulled away.

“I don’t know, Uri and I both felt it, though. Something’s wrong. He went to find Sophie and Haim. Dina, can you head over to Sera’s room and tell her we need to be ready to go, like now?”

“Of course.” Dina replied and was out the door in seconds, heading towards the room at the end of the hall.

“Come on Rachel,” Gabe instructed extending a hand to help his extremely round wife out of bed. “We’ve got to get you out of here.”

“I knew this was too good to be true,” Rachel grumbled, scooting to the end of the bed, placing her swollen feet and ankles on the floor.

Gabe helped Rachel into a standing position, and rushed to the bedroom door, peaking out to ensure the coast was still clear. Catching a glimpse of Sophie rushing up the stairs, she stopped on the landing, in order to keep an eye on the front door.