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

by Wendy Owens

  At Gabe’s apology, Sophie crossed her arms, giving him a disgusted look. Neru simply ignored her and walked away in the direction of the dining hall.

  “Sophie!” Gabe yelled. “What has gotten into you?”

  “Into me?” Sophie defended herself, giving Gabe a slight push. “I come here looking for you and find you practically making out with some little twig of a girl.”

  “Whoa? Making out? I was upset because of our fight earlier and she was trying to make me feel better.”

  “Yeah, I bet she was,” Sophie made no effort to hide her anger.

  “Look, this is ridiculous! I don’t see what this is accomplishing. There was nothing going on. I guess you can either believe me or not.” Gabe had never seen Sophie become jealous. He wanted to shake her back to reality, back into the girl he had come to care so much about.

  “Fine, Gabe! Whatever you say!” Sophie replied and then turned towards the dining hall; from her tone she was still clearly irritated. “Let’s just go eat.”

  “Fine!” Gabe rejoined. The two walked off together in silence.

  The group of six sat in silence in the bustling dining hall. Dina and Raimie giving each other glaring looks of frustration and disgust. Sophie avoided looking at Gabe altogether.

  “So …” Uri said, drawing out his word in an effort to make it clear he was trying to relieve the tension. “How was everyone’s first day of classes?”

  Nobody responded after a few moments. Uri decided to push the conversation further.

  “Gabe, what about you? Your very first day of classes, how was it?”

  Gabe looked at Sophie again. She still kept her gaze averted. “Fine, I guess.”

  “Well, that’s not much of an answer,” Uri prodded.

  “Hey, wait,” Haim interjected. “What about that hot little number in the hall today? What was her name?”

  Gabe looked down at Haim in complete disbelief of the words that were coming out of his mouth. Suddenly Sophie was completely absorbed in the conversation, looking back and forth between Gabe and Haim.

  “Oh yeah, Neru. That was it!” Haim exclaimed.

  “UUURRRGGGHH!” Sophie growled as she got up and stormed away from the table.

  “Thanks, Haim!” Gabe yelled, slapping Haim on the back of his head. “What the heck was that all about?”

  “What?” Haim squealed shielding himself. “I just wanted to know if she was single.”

  “You’re interested in Neru?” Gabe asked, surprised. He had never seen Haim show much interest in relationships or really the opposite sex at all. Haim nodded enthusiastically.

  “Well, I don’t know. I barely know her. Just ask her out if you’re interested,” Gabe replied.

  “Yeah, because I am just that smooth,” Haim dismissed.

  “She seems like a nice enough girl. Maybe it’s time for you to try something new.” Gabe added in an effort to comfort him.

  “Humph …” Dina huffed.

  “Oh what now?” Raimie snapped.

  “Nothing, just seems like a foreign concept that someone would be considerate of the feelings of someone they care for,” Dina growled, glaring at Raimie.

  “Get over yourself Dina! I am so sick of your crap.” As the words left Raimie’s lips the entire group stared in disbelief. In the time they had all known the couple, nobody had ever seen them fight.

  Without another word, Dina hopped to her feet. She stormed out of the dining hall.

  “Fine. Go!” Raimie yelled after her. “See if I care.”

  “Raimie!” Uri exclaimed sarcastically. “What have you gotten yourself into?” The group chuckled lightly at Uri’s jesting.

  “Oh please,” Raimie said. Standing up and leaning over the table, he rested his hands on the top of it. “You have no idea what I have been putting up with. She can be so exhausting!” Without further explanation, Raimie turned and left the hall.

  The three remaining boys looked at each other, puzzled by what had just unfolded in front of them.

  “So about Neru,” Haim said, dismissing the odd display.

  “Really, Haim? Come on!” Gabe exclaimed.

  “What? You’re with Sophie. What’s it matter?”

  “Thanks to you and your big mouth, Sophie doesn’t want to even speak to me. She thinks there’s something going on between me and Neru,” Gabe explained, giving Haim a look of disgust.

  Gabe stared down at the untouched mound of mashed potatoes in front of him. A small drop of congealed gravy hovered at the edge.

  “Well, is there?” Uri asked.

  “Is there what?” Gabe replied with his own question.

  “Is there something going on between you and this Neru?” Uri clarified.

  “What? You can’t be serious,” Gabe defended himself. “I just met the girl today.”

  “Well, if nothing is going on, then I would say you have nothing to worry about,” Uri said disdainfully, not entertained by the couple drama going on all around him. “I have known Sophie for a long time. She blows hot, but eventually cooler heads will prevail.”

  “I hope so. I don’t really get what her problem is. I’m friends with Dina and she doesn’t care about that. I don’t really understand the jealousy. She has never acted like this before,” Gabe griped, to no one in particular. He shook his head in disbelief of the situation. “If anything, I should be mad at her. She’s the one that completely ruined my first year of classes.”

  “What? What are you talking about?” Uri asked, confused and frustrated by the turn of the conversation.

  “Sophie took on an independent study this year, so now we won’t have any classes together.” Gabe even thought his words sounded petty as they left his lips.

  “What independent study?” Uri asked, glancing over at Haim who was piling in the food as quick as the spoon could facilitate it.

  “I don’t know. Something Professor Beatrice asked her to do with cataloguing the artifacts,” Gabe replied.

  “The ones Raimie and Dina went to retrieve?” Uri furrowed his brow as he asked the question, trying to better understand the situation.

  “I don’t know, I guess,” Gabe sounded annoyed as he replied. He was confused by Uri's interest in the unimportant details.

  “So you’re mad at her for not following you around like a puppy all year?” Uri accused, staring directly into Gabe’s eyes.

  “No, that’s not it, I ….” Gabe struggled.

  “This is what Sophie does. She loves that stuff and if you can’t get that, maybe she’s not the problem,” Uri reproached.

  “Well, wait. It’s not so much the fact that she’s doing the study. I just know the real reason behind it,” Gabe contended, straightening his posture a little.

  “Now you lost me, Gabe,” Uri replied.

  “Me … too ...” Haim mumbled between bites.

  “I know Michael’s behind this. He wants to keep us apart,” Gabe stated proudly, as if uncovering some huge conspiracy.

  “What are you talking about, Gabe? Why on earth would Michael be involved in some conspiracy to keep you guys apart?” When Uri asked the question, Gabe began to doubt his own logic.

  “He told me I needed to spend less time with Sophie and then suddenly she’s given an independent study. Just seems odd, doesn’t it?” Gabe inquired while squinting his eyes in disbelief.

  “So he wants you to concentrate more. That doesn’t mean he’s trying to split you guys up. It’s not like it would do any good anyways.” Uri’s words didn’t seem to bring Gabe any comfort.

  After a moment passed, Gabe asked defensively, “What do you mean it wouldn’t do any good?”

  “Come on, Gabe,” Uri began, giving Gabe a wink and a nudge. “It’s like you and Sophie are written in the stars practically.”

  “Huh?” Gabe was genuinely confused by Uri’s statement.

  “After the Oracle spoke to Sophie, it was like none of the rest of us even had a chance,” Uri added.

  “Wait a minute.”
Gabe said, lifting a finger as he tried to process Uri’s statement. “I don’t even know where to start with that. How about the part of the rest of us having a chance. Do you have the hots for my girlfriend?”

  “Oh please, Gabe, don’t be so naive. Before you came here, who do you think Sophie spent all her time with? It was clear where our friendship was headed,” Uri’s words sounded spiteful.

  “Come on, Uri. Don’t do this,” Haim pleaded.

  “No. He’s the one complaining about Sophie. I am fine with them being together as long as he appreciates her,” Uri replied to Haim as if Gabe were not even present.

  “So you are in love with my girlfriend?”

  “No, idiot! I am just saying I was interested at one time. You came along and after Sophie spoke to the Oracle, things changed!” Uri snapped.

  “What do you mean after she talked to the Oracle?” Gabe's head started to feel as if it were spinning.

  “I don’t know many people who are actually told by the Oracle the person they’re going to fall in love with.” Uri looked down at his hands as he spoke the words. As soon as he said them, he realized Gabe may not know about the Oracle and Sophie’s encounter. He regretted saying anything.

  “But the Oracle never told me … oh …” the reality of Uri’s words dawned on Gabe. “When … when did this happen, Uri?” Gabe questioned.

  “Just after you came here. Why does it matter?”

  “Why does it matter? Don’t you get it, Uri? Sophie doesn’t love me. She thinks she does because of what the Oracle told her she should feel.”

  “Gabe, that’s not true!” Haim exclaimed.

  Uri reached over and grabbed Gabe’s arm. “Look, I’m sorry. I should have never said anything. You know how much Sophie cares for you.”

  “Do I?” Gabe mumbled. He began to replay all the instances in his mind of their relationship. He thought back to their first kiss that night in the crystal rooms. Their dance under the stars. The entire time Sophie had been thinking she was destined to fall in love with him. Not because of whom he was, but because of what someone told her. The thoughts were making Gabe’s stomach ache. All he wanted to do was slam his fist into something. Hard.

  “You’re being ridiculous, Gabe. Nobody here doubts how much Sophie loves you.” Haim said, wiping the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand.

  “Yeah, I guess. Look, I better go. I have a full day of classes tomorrow,” Gabe said as he stood.

  “Hey man, stop. You know better than anyone that even if the Oracle predicts something we all still have a choice. Sophie is not that naive, she gets free will just like the rest of us,” Uri insisted.

  “I guess,” Gabe replied turning to exit.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Uri inquired, quickly jumping to his feet as well.

  “Yeah, don’t be silly,” Gabe lied. “I’m fine.”

  Gabe smiled tightly at his friends in an effort to dispense any concerns they might have for his state of mind. He turned and exited the hall. Stepping out under the moonlight though, suddenly Gabe felt that loneliness that used to haunt him before he had come to Rampart Manor. The reality of his and Sophie’s relationship was coming into question for the first time since they got together.

  It was a new day and Gabe was determined to make things better with Sophie. He had thought about their argument all night and planned out the different directions their conversation could go today. He knew Uri and Haim were right, Sophie’s love was unquestionable. After being inseparable all summer and with how close they had become, he wondered how he could have doubted their love even for only a moment.

  Gabe was positive he had thought of every scenario. No matter what Sophie said, he had an answer for her. Stepping out into the hallway, he took a deep breath and then pulled the door shut behind him. Just before he turned to search for Sophie, Gabe heard a throat clearing noise. Startled, he spun around to see Sophie leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and lips pursed.

  “Sophie!” Gabe exclaimed, surprised by her presence.

  “Expecting someone else?” she asked sharply.

  “What?” Gabe thought he had prepared for all possible options. It was clear he had not prepared for this one.

  “Do you think I’m stupid, Gabe?”

  “Umm, well I wouldn’t have said stupid, but I am starting to wonder if you might be crazy. What on Earth are you talking about? Who else would I be expecting?” Gabe felt an overwhelming sensation of drowning as the questions flew out of his mouth.

  “I went back to the library and worked most of the night away trying not to think about it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get the image of the two of you, arm in arm, out of my head. Urgh! If that little slut were here right now, I would tell her exactly what I think of her.”

  “Oh my God! Sophie, what has gotten into you? I don’t even know who you’re talking about,” Gabe looked intensely at Sophie as he spoke to her. Just as she was about to say something, Gabe thought he saw a flash of red flicker in her eyes. As he saw the unsettling color change, Gabe felt his knees go weak.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Sophie demanded at the sight of Gabe’s stumble. Her voice was lacking all compassion.

  “I don’t know. I thought I saw …” Gabe paused as he tried to collect his thoughts. He told himself he had to be imagining things. Sophie was not a demon. There was no way her eyes could have flickered red.

  “What? What did you see?” Sophie barked, her voice even more commanding.

  “I don’t know, Sophie. I think I need to go to the infirmary,” Gabe quickly suggested, trying to change the focus of their conversation.

  “I don’t think so, Gabe. You’re not getting off that easy. You and I need to talk about this.”

  “Talk about what, Sophie? I still have no idea why you’re even angry,” Gabe pleaded.

  “You and I are meant to be, Gabe. Some little slut is not going to come in and destroy our destiny,” Sophie replied with an aggressive anger Gabe had never seen before.

  “Slow down. Who are you talking about?” Gabe tried to calm Sophie by holding her wrist, but it just seemed to make her angrier.

  “That girl from your class, err. Don’t act like there’s nothing going on.”

  “Are you talking about Neru?” Gabe asked, shocked by Sophie’s harsh depiction of this innocent girl she didn’t even know.

  “Whatever her name is!” Sophie snapped, rolling her eyes in disgust.

  Gabe grabbed both of Sophie’s shoulders tightly, forcing her to look into his eyes.

  “Sophie, I promise there’s nothing going on with Neru. I just met her and she’s simply a nice girl who happens to be in my class. I actually spent most of my time with her talking about you and how much I love you. You’re what I think about, Sophie, do you understand?”

  “Oh Gabe,” Sophie threw her arms around Gabe’s neck and began to hug him wildly. “I’m so sorry,” Sophie whispered between the dozens of tiny kisses she planted all over his face.

  Gabe pulled himself free of Sophie’s grasp and gave her a confused glare. Her attitude had changed to the complete opposite in a moment’s time. Gabe was stumped by her odd behavior.

  “Sophie, are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Of course, silly. Why wouldn’t I be?” Sophie cuddled up close to Gabe’s cheek. Gabe couldn’t explain the feeling he had inside, but he knew something wasn’t right. This was not the way Sophie behaved and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.

  “You seem to be all over the place. One minute you want to kill me and the next you’re kissing me all over,” Gabe explained.

  “Would you rather I be mad at you again?” Sophie asked, attempting to be flirtatious.

  “No, of course not. Oh never mind,” Gabe added, deciding he would simply keep a close eye on Sophie for the time being.

  “Well, if we’re all right, I guess I better get to class. I wouldn’t want Raimie and Dina to worry,” Gabe said, trying to once again
pull himself free from Sophie’s grasp.

  “I wouldn’t worry about them too much. I doubt if they’re even there,” Sophie muttered as she took a step back.

  “Huh? Why wouldn’t they be there?” Gabe asked.

  “Wait, you didn’t hear about what happened last night?” Sophie said with a smirk curling at the end of her lips.

  “Last night? What are you talking about?” Gabe felt completely lost.

  “You really don’t know? I thought everyone heard that drama. It pissed Michael off something fierce,” Sophie continued.

  “What did?” Gabe asked, starting to get frustrated about being kept in the dark.

  “Apparently a lover’s quarrel,” Sophie explained with a grin plastered from ear to ear. Gabe felt unnerved by her reaction to their friend’s dilemma.

  “Raimie and Dina?” Gabe asked in disbelief.

  “Oh yeah. They went at it pretty good in the cleric’s garden last night. Apparently it wasn’t long until tempers were heated and accusations were not the only thing being thrown around.”

  “Wait, no!” Gabe gasped. “They cast against one another?”

  “Oh yeah!” Sophie exclaimed. “And there were no safety spells on. They meant business.”

  “That makes no sense,” Gabe said, shaking his head.

  “Maybe Dina thought Raimie was being unfaithful,” Sophie’s words almost sounded like a warning to Gabe.

  “So what happened?” Gabe asked, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.

  “I guess they had banged each other up pretty good by the time Michael got there. I don’t think I have ever seen Michael that angry. He took them both back to his chambers and last I heard, nobody has gone in or out of his office since.” Sophie took a step forward and punched Gabe lightly in his arm. “Crazy, huh?

  “Yeah, I guess,” Gabe replied, still puzzled by Sophie and now his friends’ behavior.

  Just before they parted ways, Sophie leaned in for a kiss, but all Gabe could think about were Dina and Raimie in trouble and the red flicker he had seen earlier in Sophie’s eyes.

  “I better get going,” Gabe said as he turned to walk away.