Tag: gabe

Blog Tour: “The Guardians Series” By Wendy Owens

Leave a comment

Today is the day. Book #5 of “The Guardian Series” is being released. So get your copy now!!!!!!!! Here is a little teaser from the book……….

 

theguardianscrownThe Guardians Crown (Book 5)

by Wendy Owens

Goodreads

Release Date: September 27th

Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Goodreads

Blurb:

Gabe is finally forced to answer the ultimate question, will he give his life to save the world? What about just to save the one he loves the most? The Guardians struggle to find another way–ideas that don’t involve Gabe’s death–to defeat Baal. Time is running out. What will Gabe choose? What price will he pay for that choice?

 

Excerpt #1

As Michael watched her speak, he swallowed hard, remembering in that moment it was more than her beauty he had fallen in love with. “I don’t know what to do,” he replied, his words barely audible.

“People need hope Michael, as much as they need a leader. You and Gabe are the answer to both of those things. You’ll lead the people of earth to victory and Gabe will give them the hope they need to keep going,” Mirada said, her voice sensitive, yet unwavering.

“I don’t know if I can,” For the first time in Michael’s life he was completely unsure of what he should do. He had lost all sense of purpose.

“You can, and I’ll be at your side every step of the way,” she said with a smile.

“Are you serious?” Michael asked, his heart now racing.

Falling to her knees she embraced him, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. She pulled away, looking into his eyes. “I’m never going to leave your side again.”

Michael felt as if his heart might burst. With the death of the council he had felt as though he had lost everything that mattered to him, but here in his arms, he found the last piece of hope he had left in the world. “We have to go back and help Gabe.”

“Why, what’s wrong with Gabe?” Mirada asked.

“They found a book that says the guardians crown is real,” Michael explained.

“Well it is real, or it was,” Mirada stated, staring back at Michael.

Michael watched as she rose, taking a seat next to him on the bed and wrapping her fingers around his. “What do you mean it was?” he asked.

 

What does Mirada know that nobody else seems to? Read The Guardians Crown to find out if The Guardians have a chance to change their fate or simply must face their destiny.

Excerpt #2

“Do you think there’s any chance Mirada got the coordinates wrong?” Rachel asked. It was clear to the group that they had followed the directions precisely, and after thoroughly searching the area there was no sign of a cave.

At first nobody answered her question. Sophie and Haim collapsed on the ground, both relieving themselves of the rope around their waist. The rest of the group soon followed suite.

“I don’t know, maybe she had bad information,” Sophie suggested.

Gabe took a big gulp of the water then made his own suggestion, “Perhaps she’s not all that different from her sisters after all.”

Uri nodded in response, but Rachel quickly chimed in to defend the woman whom she barely knew. “That’s not fair. Mirada told us from the beginning that she was working off secondhand knowledge and that this could be a wild goose chase. I think you’re being too hard on her.”

“She has a point,” Haim added, moving to stand next to Rachel, causing her stature to look even smaller. “I don’t think Michael would marry someone who’s that dishonest.”

“You’re sure giving him a lot of credit when it comes to judging a pretty face,” Gabe remarked.

“Really?” Rachel snarled, leaning back against the surface of the rocks behind her.

Suddenly her face shifted from one of contempt towards her husband’s comment to one of pure terror. Before Gabe could react, he watched helplessly as Rachel slipped backwards and out of sight into the mountainside, a crumbling wall now the only thing he could see.

“Rachel!” Gabe shouted, rushing forward. Before Gabe could reach her Haim, being closer to where she had fallen through, leapt into the gaping hole after her.

The group now only heard Haim’s cries echoing in the darkness as they drifted further away.

“What the hell?” Uri shouted as he and Sophie hopped to their feet, peering down the hole with Gabe, only darkness staring back at them.

“Where did they go?” Gabe cried.

Peering into the darkness, Uri commented, “it looks like some sort of old shaft.

“Get out of my way, I’m going after them!” Gabe exclaimed.

He didn’t hesitate. Grabbing what remained of the sides of the cavern, he propelled himself through the hole, and down the ice-covered tube. As he rocketed through the shaft, he could see where pieces above his head had melted away, exposing solid rock, or in some place even an empty darkness.

 

Excerpt #3

Releasing one last big breath, pushing all the air from his lungs, Michael emerged into the room. He opened his eyes, wide, and prepared to greet his brethren. The room shrank inward, all around him, as his eyes took in a sight he had not expected. He had accepted the idea this was a trick, that perhaps he had offended the council one too many times with his unorthodox methods. He had accepted they might, in fact, be luring him there to imprison him for his insubordination. What he saw now though, was not what he had expected.

A half circle of handmade bamboo tables was sprawled out before him. At each table, a small stool perched behind it with an elder seated in it. None of them looked up at him, their heads lying on the table tops, the blood from their slit throats draining, and spilling onto the dirt floor. All of them, they were all dead.

Michael’s head began to spin. He fell to his knees, purging himself of all of his stomach contents. A tear ran down his cheek, as he wiped away a string of vomit with the back of his hand, from the corner of his mouth. “No,” he gasped, shaking his head, as if trying to make the reality before him disappear.

“I knew you’d come!” a voice called out behind him.

Michael staggered to his feet and turned to face his worst nightmare. Baal stood before him, a smirk on his face. He wore his signature grey, pinstripe, three-piece suit, and casually twisted his pinky ring on his long and slender well-manicured finger. As it rotated Michael caught a glimpse of the rubies in the skull’s eye sockets. His black hair was slicked back, the sight of his false appearance made Michael sick to his stomach.

A slight panic rushed over him as he thought, you need to get the hell out of here. But he knew transporting would be pointless. If he fled back to Iron Gate, Baal would most certainly pick up the tracer and follow him. He would bring the same fate of the council down on everyone he cared about. There was only one option. He would stand and fight, even if it meant perishing like the council.

 

Author Bio: wendy.owens

Wendy Owens was raised in the small college town of Oxford, Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went on to a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork, she gave her first love, writing, a try.

Since 2011, she has published a young adult paranormal series, The Guardians, which will contain five books total, as well as a novella.

Wendy now happily spends her days writing—her loving dachshund, Piper, curled up at her feet. When she’s not writing, she can be found spending time with her tech geek husband and their three amazing kids, exploring the city she loves to call home: Cincinnati, OH.

Author Links:

Website: http://wendy-owens.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyLOwens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-L-Owens/191731754221996?fref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5038955.Wendy_Owens

Related articles

Blog Tour: “The Guardians Series” By Wendy Owens

Leave a comment

Here is Book #4. I hope you enjoy it!!! Tomorrow Book #5 of the series is released, and of course it will be featured on my Blog.

 

thelostyearsThe Lost Years (book 4)

by Wendy Owens

Purchase Links:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Goodreads

 

Blurb:

Gabe’s world was forever altered by the people he came to know and love at Rampart Manor. Although, it wasn’t only his life that was changed when he made the choice to leave them all behind.

During his five year absence, they each had a battle with personal demons. Dina is faced with a moral dilemma, the path of good leading to certain heartbreak, or evil, and a possibility of happiness.

Uri meets a mysterious woman who seems to have a lot of the answers that he has been searching for, and she certainly has a place in his heart, if he can only hold onto her.

Sophie is faced with choices she never knew would be so difficult. The question now is: will the personal demons of the remaining Guardians of Rampart be too much for them to overcome?

 

Excerpt #1

“Are you telling me that Michael wanted to lie to the council? He’s like— Mr. Perfect.”

“I know, but it’s true. Mirada resisted, she didn’t think he should allow the council to dictate their lives. I think it’s why he is such a hard-ass about choices and the Guardians not removing the ability of choice from a person. They fought about it for a while, but she saw she was not going to change his mind and at last relented to his suggestion.”

“Did they believe him?”

“At first. Over the years though, there have been sightings and rumors that Mirada lives. Michael does the best he can to feed Mirada information so she can stay two steps ahead of the council, often sending me as the messenger. I think they might know where she is now; he wouldn’t say, but I think they’re using her to threaten him into obedience.”

“But— the council wouldn’t do that.”

“Dina, are you that ignorant?”

“Excuse me?” Dina growled, her posture shifting into one of a wild animal, ready to pounce at any moment.

Raising his hands defensively, Uri quickly attempted to correct his careless statement. “All I meant is that the council isn’t all knowing. They make mistakes. They mean well, but sometimes in their zealous attempt to protect the way of the guardians, they seem to violate everything we stand for.”

“There has to be some sort of mistake. Michael has to be coming back,” Dina moaned, slumping into a defeated position.

“I don’t think he is, at least not if the council has their way.”

“This is going to destroy Gabe,” Dina said.

“Damn it, I forgot about Gabe. I have to figure out a way to get him to let me explain. If he would just listen, I could tell him it wasn’t what it looked like.”

“You need to give him some space, Uri. Let me think on it, alright? I’m sure I can come up with something.”

Uri leapt forward in excitement, a grin beaming from ear to ear. After planting a kiss firmly on Dina’s forehead, Uri exclaimed, “Thanks, I knew you would figure this out. You’re the best!”

And in the next moment, in a split second, as soon as the words left his lips, he was gone, leaving Dina standing there and wondering how she got herself into the middle of this mess.

 

Excerpt #2

The smoke stung at the corners of Uri’s eyes as he struggled to open them. He could hear the battle sounds all around him and smell the iron from the blood drenched warfare in the air. Much to his surprise, death had not yet claimed him. He could feel Raimie’s body under his own, no warmth came from him, however, and Uri feared the worse. Over his shoulder, he heard a large blast and the earth shook under him.

The trackers had obviously followed someone through. There were hundreds of designated transportation locations as part of the evacuation drill. Absolutely nobody was allowed to transport directly to a primary facility for this exact reason. If a tracker were to follow your transportation signature to the next facility, the Guardians could be nearly wiped out in one night. The secrecy of the facilities and cloaking spells were key in their safety.

Uri knew if he or Raimie had any chance of surviving, he needed to get clear of the fighting and find a healer. Attempting to sit up, he braced his weight on the earth just beside Raimie’s head. He quickly reconsidered as the unbearable pain shot through his side. Running his hand down to the source, he could feel the shaft of an arrow jutting out from his side; a warm wetness covered his fingertips.

In the distance, Uri could hear someone crying out in agony, not a voice he recognized, yet the pain in it seemed all too familiar. Another blast rang out from behind him as Uri slumped to the ground, groaning in pain.

Closing his eyes, Uri thought of any place other than where he was. Focusing the last bit of strength he had, and holding firmly onto Raimie, Uri attempted to transport them again. Nothing happened. Frantically, he tried again, receiving the same results. With his injuries, he did not have enough strength to transport them both.

The thought of abandoning his friend to save himself was never an option. He collapsed, pushing even closer to Raimie. Pressing his lips against his friend’s ear, he whispered, “As good a day to die as any.” He would defend them until his end.

The sound of a blade cutting through the air and piercing flesh shot out, followed by a groan and gurgling sound. Uri reached to his side, gripping the blade mounted there. With his injury, he wouldn’t likely be able to deliver a killing blow, but he was certain he would still be able to do a significant amount of injury.

Uri waited patiently for the assailant to come closer; the smoke was still thick and his vision obscured. He could still hear the slashing, the crunching of bones as they shattered under the pressure of the warrior’s attack. His chest ached as he wondered how many of his brothers were falling victim to the legions of demons that day. He could feel in his bones that the loss was great.

Slightly arching his back, squinting his watering eyes, Uri attempted to get a good look at the beast that approached. A gasp caught in his throat, he had been wrong; it was not a demon soldier at all that had been approaching them. It was a woman he had never seen before, but something still felt familiar as she approached. She was slashing through the demons as though they were overgrown jungle brush, a mere irritant in her way.

 

Excerpt #3

Running forward into the smoke, a hundred yards in, their weapons were met with a clash of steel and tearing flesh. The demons burst into fluttering piles of ash and flame as their swords sliced through them. Confidently, the men bounded further into the battlefield.

The earth began to shake and tremble beneath their feet. Uri thought perhaps it was an earth quake until he heard his friend’s voice.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Haim groaned.

“What is it?” Uri called back, squinting as the smoke stung his eyes.

“They have a hydra!”

“Huh?” Uri gasped in disbelief. Taking a step closer in Haim’s direction, he peered into the distance, trying to make out the dark figure that loomed above them. As the air began to glow orange, Uri soon realized that what he saw were the flames coming from one of the beast’s five heads.

“Oh, shit!” Uri cried.

“What do we do?” Haim asked, his brutish tactics no match for a hydra.

“This is the stuff Sophie’s good at, damn it!” Uri grumbled. “Just kill as many of them as you can. Love you, brother!”

With those final words, Uri pushed deeper into the mob of demons. It was hard to determine where one monster ended and the next began. Their eyes glowed, their teeth gnashed, hungry for flesh. It only took a moment for Uri to be lost in the sea of unholiness, losing any sight of his friend.

Uri took stock of his situation. Circling above his head was an alp, a trail of smoke streaming behind it. Alp’s were known for haunting one with nightmares. Uri knew he had to keep his guard up and not allow the creature into his thoughts. A bajang was creeping closer to his left. Its feline features did nothing to soften the glare of its exposed fangs. He knew, given the chance, the bajang would suck every last drop of blood from his body. Behind the bajang was a cluster of cambion, their skin blue in color, their skeletal-like frames shaking as they screeched a high-pitched battle cry. A cambion was the offspring of a human and succubus; they had always turned Uri’s stomach.

To Uri’s right were three goblins; their skin was a putrid green, which appeared to always be secreting a slimy fluid of some kind. The goblins clutched their daggers tight, cackling as they prepared to attack. Directly in front of him stood a rokurokubi, which caused Uri to do a double take, at first thinking perhaps Baal had recruited a human.

The male foe was the first to attack, running towards Uri and swinging wildly. As Uri brought his green, glowing blade towards the man’s throat, he was surprised to see its neck flex backwards and to the side, growing at least six feet in length. The being laughed at Uri’s failed attempt to slice its jugular. Uri quickly realized he was not dealing with a human. Instead, he had come face to face with a being he had only ever read about in books. A rokurokubi by all appearances was merely a human, a character trait that allows them to blend into society on Earth. They have an amazing ability to extend their necks to unnatural lengths, a handy trick they use to spy on the humans and report back to their demon masters.

Uri stumbled, careful to avoid the swiping blades of the goblins. After assessing the dangers, Uri was prepared to destroy the ravenous cluster of demons, and they were all prepared to do the same to him. Lunging forward at the rokurokubi, this time Uri was prepared for his evasive maneuvers. He watched as its neck stretched, the shades of its flesh turning an eerie white as it did. Uri was not trying to slash again at the man’s throat; instead he had his aim focused on the creature’s chest. Pushing his blade forward, the heel of his hand thrusting at the butt of it mightily, Uri knew exactly where to penetrate to slide between the ribs. Slicing into his chest with great precision, Uri pulled the blade back out and brought it to rest at his side. His movements had been too quick for the rokurokubi to see.

Thinking the Guardian had foolishly missed again, he started to laugh, but instead of laughter exiting his mouth, there was simply a gurgle. The monster’s blood had already begun to seep into the lung Uri had sliced. Rather than wait for the being to die the slow and agonizing death it deserved, Uri stood and swiped at it’s now exposed, lengthened throat. Cutting clean through, a spurt erupted from the beheaded neck before the body fell to the ground with a thud. At the sight of the fallen demon, the cambion increased the intensity of their shrieking. Uri fought the urge to cover his ears.

Looking in their direction, a glare in Uri’s eyes caused them to hiss as they coward briefly. He was prepared to put an end to them, but the bajang had other plans. The creature moved as though he were floating. He swiped at Uri’s chest, and though he missed his target, his claws managed to grab a piece of Uri’s arm as he pulled away. Uri winced, the wound only angering him.

The goblins were too hungry for Uri’s flesh to resist the fight any longer. Seeing their opportunity after Uri was injured, the three moved in for their attack. Sensing the blade as it sliced through the air, Uri fell to the ground under its reach. In only a moment, he was back on his feet; it was as though his injury did not faze him. The goblins growled with fury at the failed attempt.

“He’s mine!” the bajang shouted furiously at the goblins. They hissed and howled in contempt at the command, but it was clear who ranked higher as the threesome backed away. Their attention was quickly refocused on a group of freshman guardians that were fleeing.

“Run!” Uri bellowed as he saw the beings give chase, unable to shift his attention away from the bajang.

“Are you ready to die, Guardian?” the creature proposed.

“Not today. But you’re about to meet the end,” Uri replied, his arm finally beginning to sting from the scratch.

“The Guardian is going to die, he’s going to die— yesss— he’s going to die,” the cambions taunted from behind the bajang.

“Will you shut up already!” Uri shouted back as he dodged another attempt from the bajang. “If anyone wanted your opinion, they would ask.”

The cambions cry reached a feverish pitch in response to Uri’s words. The bajang didn’t hesitate to move in, piercing Uri’s side with its claws. The shallow wound was not life threatening but painful enough.

“Damn it!” Uri growled, climbing back to his feet.

Blog Tour: “The Guardians Series” By Wendy Owens

Leave a comment

Here is Book #3…….read over the excerpt and see if it still has your attention and you want to read more.

 

theprophecyThe Prophecy (Book 3)

by Wendy Owens

Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Goodreads

Blurb

Five years have passed since Gabe abandoned Rampart, deserting his destiny and closest friends. The struggles Gabe has endured to stay alive have changed him, hardening him into a man unwilling to trust anyone or anything, dealing with difficulties connecting with the outside world.

Gabe has finally found a certain paradise–a peace in solitude–until a familiar stranger shows up on his doorstep, pleading for Gabe’s help.

 

Now he has to decide if he is truly content in his new life, or if he is willing to risk his solitary happiness for a little piece of the world he left behind.

 

Should he choose to accept the most important duty of his life, one failure could mark the beginning of the end for all mankind.

 

Excerpt #1

Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.

Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.

Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.

Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.

Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.

“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.

With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.

Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.

Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.

Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.

Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.

“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.

Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.
Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.

Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.

Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.

Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.

Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.

“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.

With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.

Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.

Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.

Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.

Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.

“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.

Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.

 

Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.

Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.

Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.

Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.

Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.

“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.

With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.

Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.

Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.

Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.

Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.

“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.

Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.
Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.

Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.

Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.

Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.

Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.

“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.

With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.

Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.

Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.

Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.

Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.

“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.

“This is so much bigger than you or me. Do you know how many have died for the cause?”

“Uri!” Gabe yelled. “Don’t you get it? You don’t know you’re going to die. You risk your life knowing it’s a possibility, but you don’t know you will be killed as a certainty. The prophecy tells me I will die. I help, and I’m giving my life.”

“That’s just it; I’m not asking you to do that,” Uri added.

Gabe shook his head, looking at Uri with a puzzled stare. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m not asking you to protect the prophet. I’m not asking you to even stay involved. I just need to leave Rachel with you until I figure all this out and find a place to hide her. The prophet hasn’t been born. Hell, she isn’t even pregnant; there is no risk to you based on the prophecy,” Uri explained his reasoning.

“Except for the army of demons hunting her!” Gabe exclaimed.

“Alright, I admit, what I’m asking is not without risk. I wouldn’t ask you if I weren’t out of options,” Uri explained.

“You found me, how safe can it really be for her here?” Gabe asked, doubting Uri’s reasoning.

“The only way I found you was the trinket Dina put on your bag when you left Rampart years ago. Had I not used that to track you, I don’t think I would have ever found you. What are the chances Baal or any of his followers will discover you? Think about it, it truly is the perfect hiding place,” Uri urged.

Gabe sighed, “I know, it took me years of running before I found it; I’m not exactly looking to give it up.”

“I wouldn’t come to you if I had any other option.”

“I don’t know …” Gabe said. A moment later, the front door creaked open. Rachel stood there, clothes damp, simply staring.

“Rachel!” Uri gasped. “Are you all right?”

“I slipped,” Rachel replied flatly. The men looked to each other, each one unsure what to do.

Suddenly, Rachel burst out in a full and jovial laughter. The men soon followed in a similar fashion, all amused by the humor of the situation.

“Come over here and get warm,” Uri said, while motioning to the nearby stove that was still warming a pot of water.

As she did, Uri looked over his shoulder to Gabe who simply nodded. With that unspoken agreement, Gabe would participate in the fight just a little longer. He would watch over Rachel at his home until Uri could return and retrieve her. Uri didn’t utter a response; instead, he walked up and patted his friend firmly on the back in gratitude.

 

“This is so much bigger than you or me. Do you know how many have died for the cause?”

“Uri!” Gabe yelled. “Don’t you get it? You don’t know you’re going to die. You risk your life knowing it’s a possibility, but you don’t know you will be killed as a certainty. The prophecy tells me I will die. I help, and I’m giving my life.”

“That’s just it; I’m not asking you to do that,” Uri added.

Gabe shook his head, looking at Uri with a puzzled stare. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m not asking you to protect the prophet. I’m not asking you to even stay involved. I just need to leave Rachel with you until I figure all this out and find a place to hide her. The prophet hasn’t been born. Hell, she isn’t even pregnant; there is no risk to you based on the prophecy,” Uri explained his reasoning.

“Except for the army of demons hunting her!” Gabe exclaimed.

“Alright, I admit, what I’m asking is not without risk. I wouldn’t ask you if I weren’t out of options,” Uri explained.

“You found me, how safe can it really be for her here?” Gabe asked, doubting Uri’s reasoning.

“The only way I found you was the trinket Dina put on your bag when you left Rampart years ago. Had I not used that to track you, I don’t think I would have ever found you. What are the chances Baal or any of his followers will discover you? Think about it, it truly is the perfect hiding place,” Uri urged.

Gabe sighed, “I know, it took me years of running before I found it; I’m not exactly looking to give it up.”

“I wouldn’t come to you if I had any other option.”

“I don’t know …” Gabe said. A moment later, the front door creaked open. Rachel stood there, clothes damp, simply staring.

“Rachel!” Uri gasped. “Are you all right?”

“I slipped,” Rachel replied flatly. The men looked to each other, each one unsure what to do.

Suddenly, Rachel burst out in a full and jovial laughter. The men soon followed in a similar fashion, all amused by the humor of the situation.

“Come over here and get warm,” Uri said, while motioning to the nearby stove that was still warming a pot of water.

As she did, Uri looked over his shoulder to Gabe who simply nodded. With that unspoken agreement, Gabe would participate in the fight just a little longer. He would watch over Rachel at his home until Uri could return and retrieve her. Uri didn’t utter a response; instead, he walked up and patted his friend firmly on the back in gratitude.

Gabe could feel the joy in Uri’s presence. He hoped his friend didn’t misunderstand his level of commitment. He would make sure it was clear before Uri left. He was willing to watch over Rachel for a short time, just long enough for Uri to find a place safe enough for her. After that, he was out. For good.

 

Excerpt #2

Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.

Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.

Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.

Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.

Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.

“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.

With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.

Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.

Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.

Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.

Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.

“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.

Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.

 

Excerpt #3

Crossing the small wooden bridge, just past the rubble, Gabe ducked off to the left and swooped underneath into hiding. Once sure he was secure, and could not be seen by those that passed overhead, Gabe collapsed on to the dirt and grass. Turning on his side, his body convulsed, and relieved itself of any food that had been in his belly. Rachel was right. He was a liability. Anyone who tried to protect him ended up paying a high price. He didn’t know if his old friends were dead, but he was certain whatever fate had found them must have been bad.

Gabe thought of Uri. Maybe that was why he had not yet returned. Maybe Uri was already dead. What was the point? Why stay alive only to be alone? Rachel’s recent company had reminded Gabe of what life had been like when he had friends. He used to laugh. He used to have more of a reason to get up in the morning than to just tend to the garden. Everything in his life now was simple, too simple. It was the basic things he worried about, like having food in the winter. All he thought about was what he would need to survive alone. Winter would come and go. Then next year, still alone, nobody to talk to, nobody to share with, he would do it all again. Why was he running? Why was he hiding? What was the point in surviving when you’re alone? Gabe didn’t have an answer.

“Gabe?” the small voice behind him caused him to jump, his heart skipping a beat.

Gabe spun around to see who had called his name, wiping a bit of vomit from the corner of his mouth as he did so.

“It is you,” the woman said, not moving.

“Clarite?” Gabe asked, unconvinced the frail woman that stood before him used to be the sweet girl that had given him aid not long ago.

She nodded and smiled, so overcome with emotion she was unable to speak further. Gabe rushed up to her, and as he did he recognized little bits of her face. She had changed greatly, but it was still her. With a sigh of relief, Gabe pulled her close to him for a deep embrace. “I thought you were all—” Gabe paused, not willing to give the words life.

“I’m fine. What are you doing here though? If they find you, well, it wouldn’t be good for anyone,” Clarite said softly. Gabe noticed even her demeanor had changed. She had always been boisterous, even the loud and commanding type when needed. Clarite now reminded him of a weak and feeble mouse. She barely moved and when she did it was obvious it took much effort on her part. She seemed to have aged forty years instead of the four he had been gone.

“Please come, sit,” Gabe directed, taking the woman’s arm. Guiding her away from his puke towards the water’s edge, they both took a seat. Gabe just stared at her as they sat. Unable to reconcile that this woman had been the same one he left all those years ago. She was only a few years older than him and Gabe had fancied her when they first met, though she had never returned the interest in the time they spent together.

“What happened here?” Gabe finally asked, referring to the changes he had seen around Baynar.

“My God, you haven’t aged a bit,” Clarite said, ignoring Gabe’s question.

“I don’t think I would exactly agree with you. I’m feeling so tired all the time. It’s exhausting always looking over your shoulder, waiting for someone to find you,” Gabe replied softly with a smile. The woman reached out and touched Gabe’s cheek as if she had to convince herself he was real.

Gabe grasped her hand firmly. “Clarite, you have to tell me what happened.”

Clarite looked away, staring at the water. They sat in silence for a few moments until at last she spoke. “When Baal’s men came, we all thought you would return. The chosen one would come back and slay the demon’s army. Baylor tried to tell them, the town’s people. He told them there was no way for you to know what was happening here. When the questioning started, it didn’t take long for someone to give up Baylor. They tried torture with him, but you know Baylor—he wouldn’t talk.”

Gabe squeezed Clarite’s hand even tighter. He wanted to scream out in anger, but remained silent, listening. He needed to know more and upsetting Clarite wouldn’t help him.

“We could hear Baylor’s screams from the prison. Kryn couldn’t take it anymore; he decided he would break Baylor out. It didn’t go like he planned. He made it inside but then he — well, it was like he lost all his will to fight when he discovered Baylor was already dead. Kryn just sat there, holding him, he didn’t even try to resist when they found him. After he was captured they decided they would make an example out of him.” Clarite’s voice caught in her throat and she began to tremble.

Gabe pulled her closer, not letting go of her hand, and wrapping his other arm around her body in an effort to comfort her.

“They burned it all to the ground, everything he had in the world. He didn’t even react, just watched silently. I don’t even know if Kryn was in there anymore, his stare was glassy and when he walked it was like he was a machine instead of … I don’t know. It just didn’t seem like him. When they realized torturing him was not going to be any fun they killed him and put his head on a stake outside of town. They wanted everyone to know that if you help the protector you will not be shown mercy.” With those words Clarite heaved as if she were going to cry, but had no tears left.

“I’m so sorry, Clarite,” Gabe said, wishing he could lessen her pain.

Clarite closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to continue. “Many of the town’s people, including myself, were put to work serving Baal’s men. We fed them, cleaned for them, anything that needed done we took care of it. I don’t think I slept at all during those months. Then one day they were gone. I don’t know where, just gone. Do you know what it’s like to wake up every day expecting it to be your last? When they left I didn’t know how to feel. The Wintoks have been around ever since, mercenaries of Baal.”

“Clarite, if I had known— ” Gabe began.

“What? What would you have done if you knew?” Clarite growled.

Gabe sat silent.

 

Excerpt #4

 

“I always loved the smell of rain. Even as a kid, I was never sad when it would rain. My friends always complained because it meant they couldn’t play outside. You would find me curled up on the box seat, the window cracked, a blanket across my lap, and a book in my hands. My aunt always said I had an old soul, just like her.”

“You were close to your aunt?” Gabe asked.

“Oh very. She took my brother and I in after my mom died,” Rachel explained.

Gabe shuddered at the familiar story. Almost all of the students he met at Rampart shared the theme of a parentless upbringing. Many of those parents had been torn away in violent scenarios, including his own. “I’m so sorry about your mom.”

“Don’t be. The cancer took years. In the end we were glad it was finally over. My dad didn’t stick around long after my brother was born. Once mom got sick my aunt moved right in. I guess it just became our normal. We went to live at her house once my mom did pass away. It just seemed natural, living with her. She made us feel like we had a home and like we were wanted,” Rachel continued with her story.

“Your aunt sounds pretty amazing,” Gabe added.

“Oh she is. I want you to meet her one day,” Rachel said. The idea of meeting her family made Gabe blush, though he didn’t know why.

“Does your brother still live with her?” Gabe asked.

Rachel hesitated, looking back out the front door to the rainy night. “I’m not sure. He was getting ready to head off to college when I left with Uri. I haven’t spoken to them since that night, so I don’t really know what happened.

Gabe could hear the sadness in her voice. When Uri had found him he was leaving nothing behind. Gabe had no friends or family of any kind. He never imagined how hard it would be for someone to leave when they had something to stay for. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”

“What? Don’t be silly. You all are protecting me, I’m grateful,” Rachel replied. Without hesitation she dashed out the front door, squealing as the cool rain fell on her face.

Surprised by Rachel’s sudden sprint into action, Gabe leaned forward and pulled himself to the open doorway. Midway into the clearing in front of the cabin Rachel danced. Spinning in a circle, her face and palms turned upwards, she was basking in the moonlight and embracing the rain drops. Rachel’s tongue slipped out, mouth open, lapping up the water as it fell.

“Hey, crazy woman, what are you doing?” Gabe called out.

“It’s refreshing, you should join me.”

“Yeah, no thanks, I think I will stay in here where it’s dry and warm,” Gabe replied.

“Oh come on, you big wuss, live a little,” Rachel goaded, not shifting her gaze from the heavens. “It’s beautiful! The moon, the stars. All of it.”

Using the door handle, Gabe pulled himself to a standing position with a groan. “How is it you always do that?”

“Do what?” Rachel asked, glancing at him for a brief moment.

“You look at everything with such a positive attitude. It’s pouring rain out there and you’re talking about how beautiful it is. I wish I had been born with that ability. I can move mountains, but I can’t find the silver lining in things,” Gabe grimaced stepping onto the porch, careful to stay under the shelter of the roof.

Rachel stopped spinning and looked at Gabe intensely.

“What? Is it something I said?” Gabe asked, glancing over his shoulder and acting confused.

Rachel didn’t say a word; she calmly walked up to face him. Silently they stared at each other for a moment. She leaned in and planted a wet and gentle kiss on his cheek. “Gabe, it’s not something you’re born with. If you want to be happy, then be happy. You only need to make the choice to let go of your sadness.”

With that, Rachel walked past Gabe and back into the cabin, the rain water dripping from her drenched clothes that now clung to her curves, leaving very little to Gabe’s imagination.

Gabe realized he was standing there alone, with a goofy smile on his face. Limping inside, he closed the door behind him, her words still lingering in his mind. Gabe wanted more than anything to be able to choose happiness. He wanted a rain storm to make him smile. He desired that the simple task of cooking would make him dance. To Gabe, however, it didn’t seem as simple as just making a choice. He hoped her joy was contagious, because he was in uncharted territories.

 

 

Blog Tour: “The Guardians Series” By Wendy Owens

6 Comments

Let’s get this tour started!!!!!! So before book #5 is released this week, let’s look at the other books in the series. So today I’m starting with book 1. Enjoy the excerpts and hopefully you will read the series as I’m beginning to do now.

UntitledSacred Bloodlines (Book 1)

by Wendy Owens

Purchase Links: Free Everywhere – Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Goodreads

 

Blurb

Tragedy has defined Gabe’s short existence in this world. An ominous darkness lurked on the edge of his existence until one day in a subway, strange things start happening. A series of events lead Gabe into a new and fascinating life filled with angels and demons, but he isn’t sure if he wants to be a part of it.

 

Gabe is thrust into the middle of this exciting world that is full of things he has longed for in his life but it comes with a price. This new life also promises constant terrifying dangers that Gabe fears he may not be able to survive.

 

Excerpt #1

Feeling confident the danger had passed, Gabe climbed up onto the seat. He pulled the handle, pushing the heavy door open with his feet. On the ground in front of him, he saw Uri on his knees clutching an unconscious Sophie. Nearby, there was a small mountain of ash.

“Is she …” Gabe paused, unsure what to even ask. None of what had just happened made any sense.

“Help me get her in the back,” Uri said with a strained voice, motioning to him.

Gabe quickly ran to Uri’s side and swung around to hold her feet. Uri climbed in first, pulling Sophie in behind him as Gabe guided the rest of her. Gabe thought about how he had admired her boot clad feet when he first saw her. He wished with everything in him that she would be all right.

“You come around this side and hold her head,” Uri beckoned.

Gabe made sure Sophie’s lower half was securely in the car, then closed the door as gently as he could. He rushed to the other side of the car to take Uri’s place. As he came around the back, he saw two more piles of ash where the creatures that were looking at him had been.

He hesitated for a moment as Uri stepped out of the way, allowing Gabe to slide into place, cradling Sophie’s head in his lap. Even lifeless, she was beautiful, Gabe thought. Her skin was so pale; it had a gorgeous alabaster quality to it. He wasn’t sure how she did it, but he knew she had saved him.

Uri jumped quickly behind the wheel and searched frantically for the keys. Gabe saw they were still dangling from the ignition. Leaning forward, he placed a hand on Uri’s shoulder. Uri looked back at him; Gabe could see the worry in his eyes. Gabe motioned toward the keys, slightly clearing his throat. Uri looked down and with a sigh started the car, pulling back out onto the deserted road. Minutes passed with Uri frantically checking over his shoulder.

“How is she?” he finally asked Gabe.

Gabe looked at Sophie’s body, lying there, unsure how to even answer that question.

“Seems to be the same,” he responded honestly. “I don’t understand. What happened to her?”

Uri stared at the road.

“There’s a lot you don’t understand right now, Gabe,” Uri answered, clearly not wanting to deal with a bunch of questions. “All you need to know is Soph used every ounce of power she had to save us.”

All of the questions Gabe had wanted answers to suddenly didn’t seem important. He leaned forward and noticed Uri had increased their speed to just over one hundred miles per hour, Gabe thought it prudent to say something.

“What if we get pulled over? Might be hard to explain what’s wrong with her.” Gabe had dealt with the cops enough in his life. He knew what it would be like trying to explain a half dead girl in the back seat.

“Right, right,” Uri responded without changing speed.

“Caecus,” Uri stated in a powerful voice.

“What?” Gabe asked.

“Oh,” Uri responded realizing Gabe had no idea what was happening. As they sped down the street, Uri searched for the words.

“Look, I know this is all must seem pretty messed up and I want to explain everything, really I do, but I think it’s better if you wait and talk to Michael.”

“Can you at least tell me what you just said? I heard Sophie say something back at the roadside I didn’t understand either,” Gabe pleaded.

“At the manor we learn a lot of things, one of the things they teach us … some might call … spells.”

“Like magic?” Gabe asked, trying not to laugh. The more he thought about it the less funny it seemed. After everything he had seen, did it really seem so impossible that magic existed?

“I suppose, but it’s the source behind our magic that makes it work. It’s a divine power,” Uri explained, increasing his speed even more. “I promise, if you have any questions after talking to Michael, I will answer them for you. He’s the best one to explain all of this. I put an incantation on the car so it’s invisible.”

“Yeah, right, we’re invisible,” Gabe said in disbelief, but then suddenly remembered back to the subway and how the officers seemed to not even notice them. “Wait, like you did in the city, with all those police officers?”

Uri glanced back at Gabe, his worry giving way for a moment to an impressed stare. “Exactly, I used a distraction spell on them allowing us to sneak by cloaked.”

“So that scream wasn’t real?” Gabe asked. Uri nodded his head affirmatively.

Gabe’s head felt like it was spinning. Monsters. Magic. He had always worried about the evils he had known in the world. Now it appeared there were unknowns that he always thought were make believe to worry about, too.

He leaned back and looked at Sophie’s face, as he did, his thoughts seemed to calm. He began to stroke her auburn hair, admiring how soft it was. Captivated by Sophie, he didn’t realize his hands had begun to burn. He heard Uri’s muffled voice and as he looked up at him, he felt an overwhelming feeling of nausea and realized everything had become blurry.

Uri was turned, looking at him, shouting something, but at that point, Gabe couldn’t hear him. A moment later, Gabe felt like the car was spinning uncontrollably. The nausea overcame him and he seriously thought he might be sick. He looked down at Sophie to make sure she was still all right. His hands were holding her head gently, but they no longer seemed like his hands. There was a glowing, blue light coming from his palms. He began to hyperventilate. Everything went black.

 

Feeling confident the danger had passed, Gabe climbed up onto the seat. He pulled the handle, pushing the heavy door open with his feet. On the ground in front of him, he saw Uri on his knees clutching an unconscious Sophie. Nearby, there was a small mountain of ash.

“Is she …” Gabe paused, unsure what to even ask. None of what had just happened made any sense.

“Help me get her in the back,” Uri said with a strained voice, motioning to him.

Gabe quickly ran to Uri’s side and swung around to hold her feet. Uri climbed in first, pulling Sophie in behind him as Gabe guided the rest of her. Gabe thought about how he had admired her boot clad feet when he first saw her. He wished with everything in him that she would be all right.

“You come around this side and hold her head,” Uri beckoned.

Gabe made sure Sophie’s lower half was securely in the car, then closed the door as gently as he could. He rushed to the other side of the car to take Uri’s place. As he came around the back, he saw two more piles of ash where the creatures that were looking at him had been.

He hesitated for a moment as Uri stepped out of the way, allowing Gabe to slide into place, cradling Sophie’s head in his lap. Even lifeless, she was beautiful, Gabe thought. Her skin was so pale; it had a gorgeous alabaster quality to it. He wasn’t sure how she did it, but he knew she had saved him.

Uri jumped quickly behind the wheel and searched frantically for the keys. Gabe saw they were still dangling from the ignition. Leaning forward, he placed a hand on Uri’s shoulder. Uri looked back at him; Gabe could see the worry in his eyes. Gabe motioned toward the keys, slightly clearing his throat. Uri looked down and with a sigh started the car, pulling back out onto the deserted road. Minutes passed with Uri frantically checking over his shoulder.

“How is she?” he finally asked Gabe.

Gabe looked at Sophie’s body, lying there, unsure how to even answer that question.

“Seems to be the same,” he responded honestly. “I don’t understand. What happened to her?”

Uri stared at the road.

“There’s a lot you don’t understand right now, Gabe,” Uri answered, clearly not wanting to deal with a bunch of questions. “All you need to know is Soph used every ounce of power she had to save us.”

All of the questions Gabe had wanted answers to suddenly didn’t seem important. He leaned forward and noticed Uri had increased their speed to just over one hundred miles per hour, Gabe thought it prudent to say something.

“What if we get pulled over? Might be hard to explain what’s wrong with her.” Gabe had dealt with the cops enough in his life. He knew what it would be like trying to explain a half dead girl in the back seat.

“Right, right,” Uri responded without changing speed.

“Caecus,” Uri stated in a powerful voice.

“What?” Gabe asked.

“Oh,” Uri responded realizing Gabe had no idea what was happening. As they sped down the street, Uri searched for the words.

“Look, I know this is all must seem pretty messed up and I want to explain everything, really I do, but I think it’s better if you wait and talk to Michael.”

“Can you at least tell me what you just said? I heard Sophie say something back at the roadside I didn’t understand either,” Gabe pleaded.

“At the manor we learn a lot of things, one of the things they teach us … some might call … spells.”

“Like magic?” Gabe asked, trying not to laugh. The more he thought about it the less funny it seemed. After everything he had seen, did it really seem so impossible that magic existed?

“I suppose, but it’s the source behind our magic that makes it work. It’s a divine power,” Uri explained, increasing his speed even more. “I promise, if you have any questions after talking to Michael, I will answer them for you. He’s the best one to explain all of this. I put an incantation on the car so it’s invisible.”

“Yeah, right, we’re invisible,” Gabe said in disbelief, but then suddenly remembered back to the subway and how the officers seemed to not even notice them. “Wait, like you did in the city, with all those police officers?”

Uri glanced back at Gabe, his worry giving way for a moment to an impressed stare. “Exactly, I used a distraction spell on them allowing us to sneak by cloaked.”

“So that scream wasn’t real?” Gabe asked. Uri nodded his head affirmatively.

Gabe’s head felt like it was spinning. Monsters. Magic. He had always worried about the evils he had known in the world. Now it appeared there were unknowns that he always thought were make believe to worry about, too.

He leaned back and looked at Sophie’s face, as he did, his thoughts seemed to calm. He began to stroke her auburn hair, admiring how soft it was. Captivated by Sophie, he didn’t realize his hands had begun to burn. He heard Uri’s muffled voice and as he looked up at him, he felt an overwhelming feeling of nausea and realized everything had become blurry.

Uri was turned, looking at him, shouting something, but at that point, Gabe couldn’t hear him. A moment later, Gabe felt like the car was spinning uncontrollably. The nausea overcame him and he seriously thought he might be sick. He looked down at Sophie to make sure she was still all right. His hands were holding her head gently, but they no longer seemed like his hands. There was a glowing, blue light coming from his palms. He began to hyperventilate. Everything went black.

 

Excerpt #2

Gabe closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the cool subway tiles. The pungent smell of urine and burnt electrical wires filled his nostrils as the loud roar of a passing train erupted in his ears. His social worker’s words replayed again and again in his head, “difficulties with home placement,” “a past filled with tragic incidents,” “more time needed to find the right parental candidates.” Gabe knew what that meant, after years of being shipped from one foster family to the next, it was clear what people thought of him. He was cursed. “And why wouldn’t they,” he thought. It was even obvious to himself.

The bustle of the station increased as the train squealed to a halt. Gabe grabbed his ragged black backpack and headed to the nearest set of open doors. He twisted and turned, trying to make his way through the thick crowd. A chill came over him, one that was all too familiar and Gabe found himself filled with dread. Coming to a sudden stop he looked around at the sea of people. Just steps from the train doors he was unable to move. He was staring and searching, his breath now shallow. The voices around him were instantly silenced as a pulsing white noise consumed his mind.

Gabe’s hands were clammy and he felt his legs weaken. “Are you getting on or what?” the man behind him shouted. The man was wearing a plain, tan trench coat and carried a briefcase. Gabe looked back at him, not able to hear what he was saying for a moment, still distracted by the deafening white noise in his head.

“Come on, some of us have places to be,” the man grumbled as he rudely pushed past Gabe and boarded the subway car. Stumbling to a nearby column, Gabe steadied himself, attempting to regain his composure.

As sounds came flooding back, he heard the buzzer warning that the doors would soon be closing. Gabe looked up and prepared to make a dash for the opening. Before he could make his move, he caught sight of a young woman standing in front of the subway doors. She was wearing a long, black leather coat that was cinched at her waist. There was an odd grey color that surrounded her, creating a halo effect around her entire body. He had seen this before, actually more times than he cared to recall. He even saw the same grey aura the night his parents died.

Gabe stared intensely at her back as she stepped into the subway car. She slowly turned around, her black hair was short, cut just above the chin, which she wore slicked back, tucked behind her petite ears. Gabe thought she looked as though she were trying to remove the femininity from her small frame in any way she could. Her skin was pale; the color reminded Gabe of milk.

He watched, frozen, as the girl lifted her head and looked directly into his eyes. She flashed him a small, wicked smile as the doors closed. He saw her eyes flicker a hint of red. A moment later, the train pulled away. Gabe slid to the cold floor as the crushing weight of impending doom filled him.

Gabe had been plagued by these feelings and visions his entire life. He could remember being sent to at least a dozen different therapists all over the city. Their diagnoses were all the same; however, ‘hallucinations brought on by depression caused by the tragic loss of his parents.’ Some had him writing his feelings in journals, but most of them found it easier to load him up on medication and send him on his way. He had learned a long time ago that the easiest thing to do was to lie about the visions.

Gabe wondered if the therapists were all right. Perhaps he was just crazy with grief. His parents had died when he was only five years old. He found it hard to believe such grief could plague a person for eleven years, but what did he know, he was no …

A loud explosion suddenly interrupted Gabe’s thoughts. He reached out his hands to try and steady himself as the ground under him shook violently. He threw up his arms to cover his head, plaster crumbling and falling like rain from the high ceilings.

 

Gabe closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the cool subway tiles. The pungent smell of urine and burnt electrical wires filled his nostrils as the loud roar of a passing train erupted in his ears. His social worker’s words replayed again and again in his head, “difficulties with home placement,” “a past filled with tragic incidents,” “more time needed to find the right parental candidates.” Gabe knew what that meant, after years of being shipped from one foster family to the next, it was clear what people thought of him. He was cursed. “And why wouldn’t they,” he thought. It was even obvious to himself.

The bustle of the station increased as the train squealed to a halt. Gabe grabbed his ragged black backpack and headed to the nearest set of open doors. He twisted and turned, trying to make his way through the thick crowd. A chill came over him, one that was all too familiar and Gabe found himself filled with dread. Coming to a sudden stop he looked around at the sea of people. Just steps from the train doors he was unable to move. He was staring and searching, his breath now shallow. The voices around him were instantly silenced as a pulsing white noise consumed his mind.

Gabe’s hands were clammy and he felt his legs weaken. “Are you getting on or what?” the man behind him shouted. The man was wearing a plain, tan trench coat and carried a briefcase. Gabe looked back at him, not able to hear what he was saying for a moment, still distracted by the deafening white noise in his head.

“Come on, some of us have places to be,” the man grumbled as he rudely pushed past Gabe and boarded the subway car. Stumbling to a nearby column, Gabe steadied himself, attempting to regain his composure.

As sounds came flooding back, he heard the buzzer warning that the doors would soon be closing. Gabe looked up and prepared to make a dash for the opening. Before he could make his move, he caught sight of a young woman standing in front of the subway doors. She was wearing a long, black leather coat that was cinched at her waist. There was an odd grey color that surrounded her, creating a halo effect around her entire body. He had seen this before, actually more times than he cared to recall. He even saw the same grey aura the night his parents died.

Gabe stared intensely at her back as she stepped into the subway car. She slowly turned around, her black hair was short, cut just above the chin, which she wore slicked back, tucked behind her petite ears. Gabe thought she looked as though she were trying to remove the femininity from her small frame in any way she could. Her skin was pale; the color reminded Gabe of milk.

He watched, frozen, as the girl lifted her head and looked directly into his eyes. She flashed him a small, wicked smile as the doors closed. He saw her eyes flicker a hint of red. A moment later, the train pulled away. Gabe slid to the cold floor as the crushing weight of impending doom filled him.

Gabe had been plagued by these feelings and visions his entire life. He could remember being sent to at least a dozen different therapists all over the city. Their diagnoses were all the same; however, ‘hallucinations brought on by depression caused by the tragic loss of his parents.’ Some had him writing his feelings in journals, but most of them found it easier to load him up on medication and send him on his way. He had learned a long time ago that the easiest thing to do was to lie about the visions.

Gabe wondered if the therapists were all right. Perhaps he was just crazy with grief. His parents had died when he was only five years old. He found it hard to believe such grief could plague a person for eleven years, but what did he know, he was no …

A loud explosion suddenly interrupted Gabe’s thoughts. He reached out his hands to try and steady himself as the ground under him shook violently. He threw up his arms to cover his head, plaster crumbling and falling like rain from the high ceilings.

 

Author Bio: wendy.owens

Wendy Owens was raised in the small college town of Oxford, Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went on to a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork, she gave her first love, writing, a try.

Since 2011, she has published a young adult paranormal series, The Guardians, which will contain five books total, as well as a novella.

Wendy now happily spends her days writing—her loving dachshund, Piper, curled up at her feet. When she’s not writing, she can be found spending time with her tech geek husband and their three amazing kids, exploring the city she loves to call home: Cincinnati, OH.

Author Links:

Website: http://wendy-owens.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyLOwens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-L-Owens/191731754221996?fref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5038955.Wendy_Owens