by Salem Cross
“We try to keep a low profile,” Arthur said with a shrug. “Have I told you recently I am glad I kidnapped you? Without you, none of us would be the wiser about Ekon and Cain’s plot. We would be sitting ducks if the gods managed to break through the gates.”
“Comparing Guardians to ducks is like comparing an atomic bomb to a sparkler,” I snorted with amusement.
Arthur laughed and placed a hand on my shoulder. “An atomic bomb, huh?”
“Is that the girl?” a voice asked loudly from somewhere within the group of new Guardians.
The large group turned in my direction all at once, and suddenly, I found myself the center of attention. I became hyper-aware that I was only wearing Rylan’s white tee-shirt, pajama pants, and no shoes. I guess the goal to sneak into the kitchen, make a small breakfast, and then take it back upstairs to eat it in bed without being seen wasn’t going to happen. While the new Guardians I had saved hadn’t given me any flack about where I came from and what I could be, this fresh group could be an entirely different story. I braced myself for the wave of suspicion and hatred.
A massive Guardian who competed with Nikolas in sheer size was the first to break from the crowd and approach me. He had short dark blonde hair, a slightly bent nose, and fists the size of hams. He stopped a few feet in front of me.
“You are Mae White,” he stated. When I nodded, he mirrored the gesture. “My name is Nathaniel Barr. We heard what you did for our people trapped in Cain’s laboratory. On behalf of all of us here, I want to thank you for saving our brethren. Our numbers were dwindling, and we thought it was because of our curse and the loneliness that comes with it. It never occurred to any of us that someone could be collecting Guardians. We have become a race that believes that we are superior to all others, but this experience has humbled us greatly. We are grateful that you put your life on the line to help our comrades.
“We have gathered here this morning because we received calls from those we thought lost who told us everything. Mae, your goal to stop the end of the world has become ours as well. We are here to fight alongside you to stop the gods’ return. We are all at your service,” he said, gesturing to the others behind him.
I stared up at the Guardian in surprise. I had not expected this reaction. Relieved that our new guests weren’t here to kill me, I smiled at Nathaniel.
“Hi, Nathaniel, thank you so much for coming. While I wish we could have met under less dire circumstances, I’m pleased to see you and everyone else here. We need all the help we can get. Hopefully, when all this is over, we can get to know each other better. In the meantime, make yourselves at home. If you don’t mind, I’m going to get dressed before I meet everyone else.”
Both Arthur and Nathaniel chuckled.
“Go, young one,” he said and then grinned. “We are enjoying this unique gift you have bestowed upon us.”
For a moment, I was stumped as to what he was talking about. Then, it clicked. Duh, emotions! I simply smiled before scurrying back into the house and up to my bedroom. As I rushed around the bedroom getting ready, I popped my head into the bathroom.
“You could have told me we had guests!” I scolded Rylan.
“You could use that enhanced hearing you have now to check your surroundings,” Rylan chuckled from the shower.
“’You could use that enhanced hearing you have now,’” I mimicked under my breath in annoyance as I shook out my curls to give them more life and headed to the closest to grab a change of clothes.
Back downstairs, I found Katie the Supreme waiting for me with necklaces ready to harness my power. When we went outside to fill each necklace with a little piece of me, we were followed by a large crowd. They watched with great interest as I worked. When we handed them out, the Guardians each took one without any protests. If only it had been this easy to begin with.
The rest of the day was all about the battle prep. Our new arrivals brought the total number of Guardians up to two hundred. They had traveled far and wide to get here in time. They had not only brought explosives, extra weapons, and traps but also different types of protective gear as well. I was suited up with a leather pleated armor. While it was stiff and less protective than the suits of armor some of the Guardians planned to wear, it was more flexible and lightweight.
Now that we had a new number of warriors our battle plans changed. Twenty-five Guardians would go and plant explosives and ground traps at the base of the mountain to the west early this evening and remain there, hidden until the time was right. They would be our eyes and ears on the ground. Thirty Guardians would stalk the mountain, continuously moving and watching for any signs that Ekon might make his move before we were ready.
The last one hundred and forty-five Guardians would be my army, which would move with me as I approached the mountain. The Guardians expected trouble. Ekon would search for me in the chaos, knowing that I was the one he needed to stop. Knowing he would throw everything at me, it was the smartest move to have me surrounded by warriors to make sure I was able to finish the task. The Guardians would leave here in waves so it wouldn’t be obvious that an army was coming.
The first group of Guardians, the ones who would plant the explosives, left around two o’clock that afternoon. The drive would take three hours and it would be a slow, grueling process to discreetly plant the bombs. The group included Nikolas and Devon. Before they left, I made it a point to wish everyone good luck and reminded them to stay safe.
After their departure, I went back inside and found Jasmine waiting for me in the kitchen. She pushed a plate towards me that had a sandwich, chips, and a pickle on it.
“You need to eat. You’ll need your strength for what’s to come tonight,” she said as she sat down with me at the island.
“Thanks, Jazz,” I told her graciously as I bit into a chip.
“You need your sleep, too. If you can nap, I would recommend doing so,” she suggested.
I rolled my eyes as I picked up my turkey sandwich. Yeah, like I could sleep knowing that I was about to stop the end of the world.
“It was just a suggestion. I know you did not get much last night,” Jasmine said with a chuckle.
My cheeks warmed. She was right. I had drifted off to sleep for a short while but awoke to a passionate hunger for my mate, which Rylan happily satisfied. Repeatedly. In between our throes of passion, he had jokingly mentioned that I was going into heat. Maybe that’s what it was because I was starved for Rylan. Was it because my body knew that this mission could be our one and only together? The reality was that people were going to get hurt, and it could be one of us.
“Are you nervous?” I asked.
Jasmine was heading out to scout the area, which meant she was going with the second group of Guardians that would be leaving shortly. Jasmine tilted her head to the side with a frown.
“I would be lying if I said no, but I know it is just jitters. I have fought many battles and the outcomes always varied in severity. This is just another one. We will all make it back here in one piece, and then we can relax for a while. Perhaps we can talk Rylan and Arthur into traveling to my territory in Spain. You will love the food, and there are plenty of beaches we can lie on.”
“I have a curse to break after this,” I reminded her.
“Trust me,” Jasmine said, placing her hand on my shoulder. “After tonight, you will need to recover. You may have gained control and some stamina with your power, but you have not tested what your limits are. We will be there to support and help you, but most of this mission rests on your shoulders. That is a lot of pressure for someone who is new to her power and who has never been in a large-scale battle. You will want to relax on a beach for a few days after this.”
Trying not to let Jasmine’s assessment of how not ready I was for this battle affect me, I forced a smile.
“Alright, after this we’ll go to the beach and drink mimosas every day for a week. Then, we get down to business and break the curse over the Guardians, deal?”
“Deal. We will purchase a bathing suit that will attract the eye of every man for miles just to get Rylan all bent out of shape,” Jasmine teased. I laughed.
“Better yet, go to a nude beach and watch Rylan go insane as everyone’s head turns in your direction,” Zara suggested as she joined us in the kitchen. We all laughed.
Shortly after lunch, Jasmine left with the second round of Guardians. Amongst the group were Camille and Ashe. As I had done with the first group, I made sure to talk with each member before they left. I took a mental picture of each of their faces and committed it to memory. Not caring who saw, I threw my arms around Jasmine and kissed her cheek.
“Stay safe,” I commanded firmly.
After Jasmine’s group left, my anxiety began to climb. I was not afraid for myself. With all the Guardians that were going to be with me, I knew I would probably be the safest person in the woods tonight. But what about Jasmine, who had quickly become family to me? What about everyone else? If they died tonight, mateless… they’d cease to exist. There would be no Golden Gates for their soul to cross. I shuddered before forcing myself to push those thoughts aside. We’d all be fine. Maybe there would be a few injuries, but Guardians healed quickly.
As the day faded away, small fractions of Guardians who were assigned to protect me left to get a head start to make sure the path I would be taking to get to the base of the mountain would be clear. Upstairs in my bedroom, I dressed in a dark long sleeve shirt, dark-colored jeans, and then the leather armor. I slipped on my engagement ring last. It probably wasn’t wise to wear jewelry into battle, but this was something I needed to feel safe. In the closet, I stood in front of the full-length mirror and wondered who the woman staring back at me was. She looked confident and ready for anything. The scars around her neck and wrists were testaments of the struggles that had brought her to where she was today.
During the few years I had participated in vigilante activity, I had gone into every mission cocky, pumped full of adrenaline, dressed in all black, and ready for a fight. I had always known people had my back, and the possibility of death had never crossed my mind. Fast forward two years later, and here I was dressed like a warrior, feeling relatively calm, aware of my shortcomings, and scared for the strangers who would be standing alongside me to fight with me.
It wasn’t long before it was time for the rest of us to leave for the night. While we would be walking to the mountain under the cover of night once we got close, the sun was only now just beginning to set as I slid into the backseat of the truck. Rylan climbed behind the wheel. Once he was settled, I leaned forward and placed my hands on his shoulders, needing the contact.
There was a hum of excitement in our bond, like he wanted to fight. But there was a solemn undercurrent to his mood, too. Our gazes met in the rearview mirror but neither of us said a word while the others climbed into the car. Arthur slid into the passenger seat while Diane and Samson slid into the back with me. We waited to take off until everyone else was ready. Soon, a long line of cars was southbound.
The ride wasn’t necessarily quiet although there wasn’t much talking. Diane and Arthur were continuously answering calls and texts as warriors updated them on what was happening as we approached our destination. I stared out the window, my stomach twisting with anxiety. While I was anxious, I wasn’t overly scared. This was as prepared as we could be for such a situation. The Guardians’ strategic plan to distract the enemy while another group infiltrated their territory was solid enough that I didn’t feel the need to worry. I would do everything possible to make sure the gates never opened; that was all I could do. Hopefully, it would be enough.
Three hours later, Rylan turned off the headlights and pulled off on the side of the road, following the lead of the cars in front of us. One by one, headlights behind us began turning off, and the cars disappeared into the darkness. Without a word, we all climbed out of the car. Rylan took my hand and pulled me to the side as Guardians from the other cars began to disappear into the woods all around us.
Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn’t help but admire the way the leather armor Rylan wore clung to him. When he turned to face me, I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment, knowing I had been caught ogling. Although Rylan rolled his eyes and gave me a half-smile, I could see this was not the time for flirting. He reached out and gently took my chin in his hand. His mouth pressed into a grim line while his eyes pierced me with a look of utter determination.
Remember, do not use your power unless absolutely necessary. We cannot draw attention to your location, he reminded me. I nodded. You will always be surrounded by allies. Trust that we will keep you safe even when it feels like the world is closing in on you. Your job is to destroy that mountain; our job is to make sure you get there and back safely. Again, I nodded. We’d discussed this at length the day before. Do not try to be heroic, Mae. If someone is in trouble, one of the others will help. Do not get involved. He knew me too well. Remember to use your heightened abilities. Listen to the sounds around you, and keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious.
Rylan, I know. I’m ready. I sighed loudly.
I wanted to get this over with. His little pep talk was causing my nerves to get worked up. He leaned down and swiftly planted a kiss on my lips. When he pulled away, I saw a flash of pain in his eyes before it disappeared.
I have been in many battles, Mae. This is the first one that I actually care about who lives and dies. His voice was soft in my head. Stay close to me. Never leave my side.
Hey, I promised forever with you. I won’t leave you at any time during this battle, or for the rest of our lives, I promised him. I reached out and squeezed his hand tightly. Let’s stop this asshole.
Arthur came up beside me followed by Diane, Samson, Gabriel, and Zara. They had donned their armor, their personal weapons ready in hand. With their wings out and relaxed behind them and their red eyes sunken into their hollowed faces, they looked like true warriors. They were magnificent and terrifying.
“We will be right here with you,” Arthur assured me as he placed a hand on my shoulder, “and the others are near. In an hour, you will hear explosions; that will be group one. Once we hear them, we move fast and stay low. We will not have time to doddle. Keep low, and stay quiet.”
I nodded to show I understood. The six Guardians created a loose circle around me with Arthur at the lead and Rylan right beside me. My heart began to pound rapidly as we began our trek through the night. This was it; this was what all the drama in my life these past two years had boiled down to, stopping Ekon.
As we began walking, I did as Rylan requested. I played with my new heightened ability while mentally kicking myself for not practicing before tonight. It was slightly overcast, which gave us an advantage as we moved through the night almost soundlessly. If I strained my eyes hard enough, I could see Guardians traveling in the trees above us. They moved like leopards with stealth and grace, leaping from branch to branch. If they weren’t in the trees, they were prowling through the night on foot close by. I could hear the soft footfalls of other members of our team while occasionally catching glimpses of them as we moved.
Just as Arthur promised, after an hour of trekking through the woods, I heard sounds of explosions. It was so far off that if I hadn’t been using my heightened hearing, I probably would have missed it. Arthur signaled in front of us to halt, and immediately, I stopped. I glanced over to Rylan, whose gaze was sweeping the woods. I looked away from him and waited for Arthur to give the signal that it was time to move. My muscles flexed as I waited for the signal. It was like I was waiting for the gun to go off at a racetrack. A few minutes went by before Arthur made the call to move.
This time we took off quickly. I knew the others were moving slower than they would like in order to accommodate my human speed, but no one complained. In fact, no one made a sound. A few times I would get the familiar buzzing sensation that told me the Guardians were using t
elepathy to communicate, but these were few and far between. Above the trees, Elliot’s Peak grew larger as we drew closer. It would be a while before we got close enough for my power to be effective, but seeing the mountain made me want to try to destroy it now.
Another hour passed before the hair on the back of my neck began to rise.
“I have been expecting you, young one,” a raspy voice drifted through the woods, loud and clear. I forced myself not to gasp at the sound of Ekon’s voice. My head whipped around looking for the bastard. “Did you think I would make it easy for you to stop me? Your little tantrum may have destroyed one of my labs, but it did not disrupt progress. I want you to see for yourself what you failed to accomplish.”
He is using a location spell. He is searching for us but does not know our exact location yet. If you talk back, he will know where we are, Rylan warned. I clenched my jaw.
How do you know that? I asked him as I continued to search the woods around me for any signs of Ekon.
I am a Guardian. I must understand spells, curses, and more if I am to protect those around me, he replied.
“I hope you enjoy chaos as much as I do,” Ekon continued. A sinister laugh wound its way through the night sending chills down my spine. “Let the games begin.”
The feeling of sand moving across my skin warned me of the impending danger. I shuddered as my power surged forward.
Mae, Rylan said and reached for me.
I don’t know how Ekon is controlling it, but the toxin is being released into the air, I warned him and braced myself as my power bucked against my willpower, trying to escape.
Of course, Ekon could manipulate the toxins in the air. Why hadn’t we thought of that? Was it something only those who used dark magic could control?
I stumbled as my body lit up, but Rylan kept me upright and moving forward. I felt Rylan pass on the warning to everyone. Around me, the Guardians tensed, expecting to feel the effects. They wouldn’t though, I was sure of it. Zara’s, Gabriel’s, Diane’s, and Samson’s necklaces were shining through their shirts, and the others had gotten a direct dose of my power, protecting them from the danger.