The Sacred Guardians Series Box Set: Books 1-4 Omnibus

by Wendy Owens

  “Yes, I’d love to, I mean today,” Gabe replied raising a hand to his pounding head, determined to push through the pain.

  “Well, rest first. The healers should be back around soon,” Sophie explained. “When you feel better, we can get you cleaned up and some food in your belly. There is plenty of time for Raimie.”

  He closed his eyes, excited about the promising afternoon. “Wait!” Gabe gasped, popping up and eyes opening wide. He looked panicked at Sophie, “What about Mammon!”

  “Gabe, calm down,” Sophie said trying to comfort Gabe and return him to a reclining position. “The clerics are focusing all their efforts on our boundaries and Michael is working on a plan.”

  “No, that’s not enough, he’s only miles away, and his soldiers--there’s so many of them.” His eyes filled with terror as he spoke.

  “Gabe, please, Sophie continued, again trying to get him to lie down. “You have to trust Michael knows what he’s doing.”

  He nodded; she was right. Michael had come to his rescue once already. Sophie walked over to a nearby table and poured different powders into a glass of water. She looked at the coloring after she stirred the concoction. The clanging of the spoon on the sides of the glass grabbed Gabe’s attention. She glanced back with a slight smile.

  “An elixir that will help you rest,” she explained. Without question, Gabe drank down the chalky liquid and laid back, closed his eyes and before Sophie had even left the room he was fast asleep.

  Gabe sat in silent astonishment for a moment; shocked that only hours ago he had been in utter misery. When he first awoke, he still felt a slight ache in his head, but by the end of his shower all pain was gone. Sophie’s potion had worked wonders.

  Though the pain in his head had fled, his stomach was now roaring wildly. He was absolutely famished and hoped he would be able to find something to eat at the dining hall after sleeping through lunch. Gabe walked across the courtyard and into the grand kitchen. He was pleased to find everything he needed to make a robust sandwich. He poured a tall glass of milk to accompany his Herculean sandwich and casually walked out of the kitchen, a slight kick in his step.

  Cheerfully, Gabe took a seat at the end of one of the tables, preparing to devour his meal. It felt weird sitting in the huge room when it was empty. Taking a heaping bite from the sandwich he moaned with delight as the flavors exploded in his mouth. It didn’t take long to finish off, and soon Gabe was left wishing he had made a second.

  Gabe cleared away his dishes and set out on his mission to locate Raimie. Stepping outside into the crisp afternoon air he took in a deep breath. His mind had never been clearer, he felt stronger, wiser, and ready to take on anything. Quickly he amended that thought, anything except Mammon. He was glad Michael was developing a plan to take care of that situation. A shiver went down his spine as an image of the wolf like man filled his head.

  He walked to the center of the courtyard and looked around, but didn’t see anyone he recognized. Pushing the image of Mammon from his mind, he continued searching for a moment more, deciding to look for Raimie in the cleric gardens. Gabe thought perhaps he was there with Dina.

  Entering the sacred grounds, Gabe saw the clerics were all busy casting one thing or another. Fascinated by the magical energy flying all around him he decided to take a seat on a nearby stone bench, enjoying the show for the moment. Flowers were being coaxed from hiding by their words. Grass grew, where moments before an earlier passerby had trampled it. The magical harmony amazed him and he was pleased with the idea that he got to be part of this world.

  “Gabe?” He looked up to see Sophie standing there, a smile across her face.

  He gasped staring at her radiance, the sun glowing all around her. “Hi, wo … won’t you join me?” he stuttered making room and motioning to the empty space next to him. “Thanks so much for the tea, it really did the trick.”

  “No problem,” Sophie replied.

  “What are you doing out here?” she asked taking her place next to Gabe. “I thought you were supposed to be with Raimie.”

  “I did too,” Gabe said weaving his elbow around Sophie’s and grasping her hand into his. Suddenly taking a great comfort in her presence, he continued, “But alas, Raimie is nowhere to be found.”

  “Did you check his chambers?” she asked, concerned.

  “I would have,” Gabe paused to deliver a mischievous grin. “But I wouldn’t know where his chambers are.” Sophie giggled at his sarcasm. “Look at the result, I go out looking for Raimie and find something incredibly beautiful.” Gabe surprised even himself with the ease in which he openly flirted with her.

  He loved seeing the rose color flush her cheeks. He didn’t think she could look more intoxicating than that night they had met, but somehow she continued to amaze him. “Oh, Gabe, shut up,” she muttered with a slight wave of her hand, giggled and rested her head on his shoulder.

  He felt her breath rise from his chest and tickle his throat. It was warm and made him ache with joy. He never knew love was such a splendid emotion and it thrilled him to know Sophie felt the same way. Even though they hadn’t spoken about the kiss, Gabe was sure now that Sophie felt the way he did.

  She sat up and cast an odd look at him. “Is something wrong?” he asked, not shielding his concern.

  Sophie bit her lip and then trying her best not to sound needy, asked Gabe a question that had been on her mind since he had arrived at the manor. “I was wondering, have you given any more thought to if you’re going to stay? I mean after this week,” she clarified and then looked away to hide her fear he might say he wished to leave them.

  He realized just how deep her affections were for him when he saw the pain on her hidden face. He stumbled through his words, trying to calm her spirits. “When I came here I never imagined staying, and I admit I have even thought of returning to New York recently.”

  “I understand.” She hastily pulled away and stood to leave, not wanting Gabe to see her disappointment. “It’s fine.”

  As she turned to flee she felt his strong hand around her wrist. “Sophie, stop,” he pleaded, rising to his feet. “Don’t go, let me finish.” She turned slightly, careful to keep her face shielded. Gabe reached out a hand and gently lifted her chin so their eyes would meet. “I think ever since our dance that night, I truly knew I could never go back. This is my home.”

  “Oh, Gabe,” she said, followed by a deep breath.

  “I know I was angry when I left earlier. But when I thought I was going to die, I didn’t think of how alone I was. I thought of all of you. I can’t explain it, but in this short time you guys have become my home, my family,” Gabe added.

  Sophie stared at him for a moment and then leapt forward. Lifting one foot behind her she kissed him. The world melted away and it was as if the two of them stood alone in the beautiful garden. The kiss eventually turned to an embrace and they lingered there, holding each other, happy and no longer alone in the world.

  Over Sophie’s shoulder Gabe heard someone clear their throat. He glanced up to see Raimie and Dina standing off to the side. “Are we interrupting something?” Raimie asked flatly, knowing all too well what they had interrupted.

  Sophie spun around on her heel, her face lit up from ear to ear, unable to hide her joy. “Since when aren’t you interrupting something?” she asked and all four laughed.

  Sophie wrapped her arm tight around Gabe’s as if she were never going to release him from her grasp; a willing prisoner of her love.

  “I’ve been looking for you,” Raimie said, glancing at Gabe. “You’re a hard man to track down.”

  “Apparently all you have to do is find Sophie,” Dina added in a small but devilish voice.

  “Ha, ha,” Sophie said making a putrid face at the couple. “Like you two aren’t always attached at the hip.” Dina and Raimie glanced at each other and then nodded in agreement.

  “Anyways,” Raimie said, obviously trying to change the subject. “I believe you and I have som
e business to attend to Mr. Harwood.” Raimie shifted his gaze to Gabe.

  “Yes, of course,” Gabe replied thinking of the exciting training in store for him. This was what he had been waiting for.

  “Would you ladies care to come and watch?” Raimie offered extending his arm as a gesture.

  “What?” Gabe asked, the excitement quickly fleeting and giving way to a panic that filled his body. He had made quite a fool of himself during this week and the last thing he wanted was for Sophie to witness him firing a lightning bolt into his own foot. “I’m sure they have something else they want to do,” Gabe hoped out loud.

  “Nope, I’m free,” Dina said with a giggle, seeing Gabe squirm, “How about you Sophie?”

  “Oh, I’ve got nothing going on,” she smiled at her dear friend wickedly.

  “Then I guess we’d love to,” Dina replied and took hold of Raimie’s hand.

  “I know I can’t think of anything I’d rather do right now,” Sophie said dragging Gabe forward and clasping her free arm into Dina’s. Gabe let out a huge gust of air as they headed toward the stone steps.

  Gabe and Raimie stood in the middle of the circle where only yesterday he and Dina had trained. Perhaps, Gabe thought, there was a chance he would be as triumphant today as he was the previous and there was no need to fear embarrassment. He glanced over to the stairs where Dina and Sophie sat huddled together, giggling. He was thrilled to see Sophie laughing; her laughter was almost musical.

  “Come on, lover boy; get your head in the game,” Raimie goaded as he circled around Gabe.

  “Hey, watch it,” Gabe shot back.

  “Yeah, what are you going to do about it?” Raimie jested.

  “Probably get my butt kicked,” Gabe smirked.

  Raimie laughed, his face then shifted into a serious stare as he halted his movement. “Seriously though, this is not the type of stuff you want to mess with if you don’t have complete focus.”

  Gabe nodded, now even more nervous. Raimie continued, asking, “So what do you know about elementals?”

  “Hmmm,” Gabe said trying to think if anyone had actually explained anything to him about how it worked. He could honestly reply, “Absolutely nothing.” The two were silent for a moment and then Gabe added, “Got your work cut out for you, huh?”

  Raimie didn’t laugh, but instead started pacing around Gabe once again. “What are the four raw elements?” he asked finally.

  Gabe thought about it for a moment and then responded “Fire, air, water, and ... umm ... Earth?” He was pretty confident in his answer, but became a little nervous when Raimie said nothing in response.

  A few moments passed with Raimie still pacing and no words being exchanged. At last Gabe asked, “Well?”

  “What?” Raimie barked, coming to a stop.

  “Was I right?” Gabe asked.

  “Oh … yeah,” Raimie answered. He turned and looked at Gabe, “Honestly, I’m not even sure where to begin. I’m not really what I would consider a teacher and I have definitely never tried to teach anyone who hadn’t first learned the basics in the classroom. I just don’t want to screw this up. Michael’s depending on me to help you.”

  Realizing Raimie was just as nervous as he was, Gabe tried to calm his friend’s worries. “I don’t expect to learn everything in one day and I’m sure Michael isn’t expecting you to teach me everything in one day either.” Raimie looked over at Gabe and let out a big huff of air in response.

  “How about you just tell me a little about how it works before we dive in,” Gabe suggested.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Raimie responded walking over to the edge of the ring. He sat on the ground and leaned his back against a large stone, motioning for Gabe to join him. As Gabe took a seat, Raimie explained, “Basically elemental spells are just what it sounds like. I probably use my heat spells the most because they’re good for tracking. I can detect heat and use that ability to track someone or something.”

  “So you can track any demon with that?” Gabe inquired.

  “No, not if they’re cold blooded, but most aren’t,” Raimie explained. “I can also absorb heat from the things around me and focus that heat at a target in the form of a fireball.”

  “What good is a fireball against a demon? I mean aren’t they immune to fire with them being from Hell and all?” Gabe asked.

  Raimie started laughing, amused by how naive Gabe was. “The only place flames do not consume you is Hell, demons are just as vulnerable as we are when it comes to fire.”

  “Oh,” Gabe replied, a little embarrassed by his assumption.

  “Fire can be more difficult to master since it requires absorption. The first thing you should probably learn to control is air. Air is by far the easiest because it’s all around you and really you’re just manipulating it, not conjuring it,” Raimie explained.

  “Manipulating it? How?” Gabe was completely intrigued by this point.

  “Well, like you can change the direction of the breeze for instance,” Raimie said.

  “Really?” Gabe asked with a dissatisfied tone. “What good is that when fighting demons?”

  Raimie intensified his stare at Gabe. “Hey ... don’t knock it. Breezes carry smell, pretty handy when trying not to be tracked yourself and throw someone off your scent. What if there are toxic fumes, which by the way some demons can create. If you change the direction of the air it can save the life of everyone that’s with you. You can use a breeze to bring relief from heat to everyone in your group or increase the intensity of a fire spell. Manipulating air has countless benefits!”

  “Okay, okay, I get it,” Gabe relented, lifting a hand in surrender. “I had no idea. If air is the easiest, which is the most difficult?”

  “Earth,” Raimie quickly responded, “Without a doubt.”

  “Why?” Gabe questioned.

  “It’s a solid, there’s nothing but resistance,” Raimie picked up a handful of dirt and let it run through his hand as he explained. “Air is always in movement around you already, so you’re not fighting against the natural state of it. Earth, however, resists all forms of change since it’s solid.”

  Gabe nodded, a little shocked that this was all making sense to him. Raimie continued, thrilled with Gabe’s thirst, “It’s for this reason an earth spell can exhaust the caster. It takes so much energy that many elemental casters avoid earth spells if they can. If, however, you can master this element, some have even been able to create earthquakes. I once even saw Michael create an earth bridge. I’m sure you can just imagine how that could come in handy.”

  “Michael knows elemental magic?” Gabe asked, excited to learn something new about this man that had become a sort of mystery to him.

  “He’s a master guardian, there’s not much he can’t do,” Raimie answered.

  “Have you ever done anything powerful like that?”

  “No, I mean, not an earthquake or anything,” Raimie started. “Sometimes a couple powers join together like spells for frost, snow, hail, fog, those all come pretty easily to me now, but I bet they took me over a year to master.”

  “Wow, really?” Gabe asked, a little disappointed with the timeline.

  “That doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of other things you can’t do right away,” Raimie added, trying to rekindle that passion in Gabe.

  “What about water?” Gabe furrowed his brow.

  “Water’s a unique one. It’s all around us,” Raimie began.

  “It is? I don’t see any water,” Gabe asked glancing at their immediate surroundings.

  “Well yeah,” Raimie replied, the excitement he felt about elemental magic filling his voice. “I don’t mean like a lake, but water’s in the air and the ground. It’s even in the human body. It’s much easier to manipulate the water in things than to manipulate large bodies of water. It goes back to density of an object and the amount of power it takes to affect it.”

  “So water is one I won’t be learning anytime soon either, I take it.”


  “Oh no, you can manipulate water probably today, you’re just not going to be parting the Red Sea anytime soon,” Raimie laughed.

  “So you think we should start with air then?” Gabe suggested, eager to try his hand at some of the spells Raimie said were simple.

  “Hey! What’s going on over there? Laying down on the job?” Uri’s voice shouted from behind Gabe and Raimie.

  Gabe spun around on his hip to see Haim and Uri walking down the stairs and taking a seat right behind the girls.

  “Come on. We want a show!” Haim shouted and they all began to laugh.

  Gabe looked at Raimie and suddenly he no longer felt eager to begin. The last thing he wanted was an audience for him to embarrass himself in front of. He wanted to learn everything Raimie had to offer, but preferably not with people watching, especially Sophie.

  Raimie jumped to his feet and extended a hand to Gabe. “Ready?” he asked.

  “I guess,” Gabe replied, avoiding eye contact with the small crowd.

  “Don’t worry,” Raimie whispered. “I’ll start you off on an easy one.”

  “Thanks,” Gabe muttered under his breath, feeling a slight sense of relief.

  Raimie stood at attention as he turned to face Gabe. “We’ll start with a wind blast. Basically it’s just what it sounds like; you send a gust of intense wind at your enemy.”

  “How intense?”

  “As intense as you cast it to be,” Raimie said matter-of-factly. “It’s all about how much power you put behind it. That’s why you need to work on learning how much power is building in you and when to dispense it.”

  “So what are the focus words?” Gabe asked.

  “Elemental spells don’t work exactly the same as the other spells you’ve learned. It’s more like a chant. Think of it like we’re asking nature to fulfill our request,” Raimie explained.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me ...” Gabe protested.

  “It’s different because when you cast something you’re basically evoking the power of that element,” Raimie enlightened. “It requires a little more finesse. I want you to focus on me, as if I were the enemy. Don’t worry about hurting me, Dina cast a protection spell on me before we began.”