Heart of the Guardians: Adoring Destiny by Adrianna Adore (best big ereader .TXT) 📗

beyond the door, injured and unable to return since its chained shut.”

James only hesitated for a moment, it wouldn’t hurt to look. He ought to wait for backup but he could beat back the creatures if any tried to come through, he was a Guardian. It was his job. He wasn’t a frightened teenager just learning about his abilities like the last time he entered. He had years of training, he could shift into his bear form in a matter of seconds and he towered over the misshapen wretches from the other side.

Dimitri pulled the door closed behind them as they stepped through the membrane that was thicker and denser than normal air. The passage between worlds was thin and glowed faintly from the inside. It was a light in the gloom. There were more blood stains on the ground and piles of torn bodies. The bent and broken half human creatures already looked old and dried out, their blood long soaked up by the sandy soil. The wind moaned through the standing stones and heavy clouds dulled the feeble glow of the sickly yellow sun. The bear prints and claw marks were everywhere in the churned-up dirt, evidence of a vicious and prolonged battle. The tracks moved off across the twisted landscape, sets of oversized wolf prints beside them. Dimitri sniffed and shook his head.

“This doesn’t make sense; they are weeks old,” he said and looked towards the dark forest, “I can track them but the scent is faint and fading.”

“You said time is funny here.” James whispered, some of his animosity fading. In a dangerous land where death was lurking everywhere, petty squabbles were set aside. “You think they’re doing it? Trying to find the other open portal?”

“Looks like it,” Dimitri said and stood. “Only two of the wolves were fit enough to keep up, the injured they sent back.”

They followed the trail until they were in the shadows of the trees, the dim sun casting a light more like a pale moon in the haze.

James was starting to believe Dimitri’s version of the events. Maybe the wolves hadn’t slaughtered the guards and the king. Maybe things had gotten out of hand, the dark creatures had been drawn by the noises of the drill and had burst out of the door as soon as the locks were released. Maybe the King had seen the wolves open the portal, and in his rage, had attacked from behind. Maybe that had allowed the monsters to get through and into the world of light.

“We should go back, deal with the demons on our world.” James said. “If they’re searching for your open portal, we’ll never catch them, they have too much of a head start. Let’s go clean up the mess they left in Galador.”

When they returned to the faintly shimmering light of the door, scavengers gnawing on the bones of the dead hissed and ran off, hid among the rocks. The steel door only moved an inch when James pushed on it. They heard the rattle of chains on the other side and gave each other quizzical looks. They’d only been in the nether world for a few minutes, there hadn’t been time for someone to reseal it.

“Who is there?” came a muffled voice from the other side. “Identify yourself!”

“It is I.” James shouted into the crack “Stephen von Galador. Why have you locked us in?”

“A moment, sir,” the voice said and they heard the chains clanking as they were removed.

They stepped through and were surprised to see the guardsmen with their weapons at the ready. Silver tipped spears and emerald bladed arrows knocked in crossbows. Battle swords dipped in gold. Ancient weapons that were designed to kill ancient beings with the elements of this world.

“Welcome back, sir,” one of the guards said, “Frank left you a change of clothes if you’d like them now. We’ve been tracking the creatures that escaped and have ran most of them to ground. The Guardians have been having difficulty with a few, they could use your help.”

James was puzzled. “We’ve only been gone for a few minutes,” he said, as he looked around at the gathered men.

“No, sir,” the man said and indicated the guard house where he could get out of his suit and into his other clothes, “it’s been days and they urge you to hurry.”

5

Arriving in Europe

“I can’t believe we’re here!” Claire said as they stood on the balcony of the Shangri-La hotel, taking in the night time view of the Eiffel Tower. “It’s soooo beautiful!”

Dana had to agree. She had been to Europe before on an economy package tour that consisted of hostels, a bus tour and eating a lot of baguettes to stretch her meager funds, but this time was different. This time they were living it up thanks to the prince of Galador. Fine dining, five-star hotels and shopping with the intent to purchase, not just look. She almost felt bad about tricking Claire into coming. Almost, but not quite. James deserved it and could afford it. They toasted the glittering Paris skyline and browsed the guidebooks. They had a whole month to explore and wander, visit museums and ride bicycles along the river paths. Dana was determined to spend the rest of the James money on the trip, she didn’t want to return with a penny of it. When they got off the airplane back home, the whole situation would be settled, the money would be gone and all of it used to try to get them back together. If it didn’t work out, she wouldn’t feel bad in the least. She had tried. They had over two thousand dollars a day to spend and whatever was left they’d blow on a shopping spree before they boarded the flight home. She wanted Claire take back enough memories to crowd out the ones of her brief fling with James if things didn’t work out.

After nearly a week in the city of lights, they boarded