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

by Wendy Owens

  “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 heck?” 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. He grabbed what remained of the sides of the cavern, and 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.

  The further he travelled, he realized the tunnel was no longer made of ice, but was now a smooth stone surface. He also noticed the temperature was rising with every foot he moved further into the core of the mountain.

  “Rachel?!” he managed to shout. The only thing he could hear were the cries of Sophie and Uri who had followed behind him into the darkness.

  Suddenly a soft light revealed itself at the bottom of the tunnel. Gabe saw the shaft was about to come to an abrupt end. He did his best to slow his descent. Clawing at the walls, he grasped for anything that would slow his high speeds. Nothing seemed to work. Letting out a scream as he was ejected from the tube, he landed with a thud and rolled to an abrupt and painful stop.

  He found himself in some sort of vast cave, his eyes still adjusting to the dimness. Stuck to the walls were little round bits of blue light. Hundreds of them lit up the entire cavern.

  “Gabe!” Rachel cried, rushing over and helping her beloved to his feet.

  A second later Uri and Sophie came bursting forth from the shaft. Haim was able to soften Sophie’s landing by catching her mid air, Uri on the other hand was able to stop his rapid descent against a stone wall.

  “What is this place?” Gabe asked, his focus still captured by the odd lights.

  Sophie approached a wall, water trickling over it. She ran her fingers over one of the small lights. Gripping it tightly, she pulled it free, much to everyone’s amazement it still glowed.

  “Magic?” Uri asked.

  “Not exactly,” Sophie replied. “They’re bugs, they must have a high acidic content in them and after years of darkness and the exposure to the active volcano, they have this sort of reaction.”

  “They glow?” Haim asked.

  Rachel stepped forward, getting a better look at the creature. “It’s not that abnormal. Lots of creatures have been discovered throughout history with similar abilities. There are actually a number of aquatic life that do this, ranging from fish to squid.”

  “Not that this science lesson isn’t fascinating,” Uri chimed sarcastically, “but don’t we have a weapon to find?”

  Rachel pressed her hand against the wall, leaning her weight into it, taking in a deep breath. The fall had caused some pains in her stomach, and the baby weighed heavy on her mind. With her other hand she rubbed her stomach gently, contemplating what she should do next. Though she felt compelled to say something to Gabe, now didn’t seem the appropriate time, considering she had not yet revealed her condition.

  Suddenly, the rock Rachel was leaning against broke off into her hand, causing her to stumble.

  “All right Gabe, you’re going to have to keep an eye on your wife before she falls down another hole,” Uri grumbled, glaring at Rachel.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean …” Rachel stopped. What could she possibly say in her defense? She was merely a human and it was becoming quite obvious, even to her, coming along on this journey was probably not her best idea.

  “Honey, I know, just try and be careful, okay?” Gabe interjected, placing a hand on her back. She nodded in response.

  “Remember what Mirada said, this place has been eaten away for decades by acid. It’s going to be like one big death trap, so everyone, be careful,” Sophie instructed, shifting the focus from Rachel’s recent blunders.

  “So now which way?” Haim asked the group, glancing around.

  Sophie moved to the left, searching for a trail of some kind. The others observed her for a moment, and then proceeded to do the same.

  “Do you smell that?” Rachel asked, crinkling her nose as she looked around.

  Sophie paused, sniffing the air. “Sulfur. My guess there’s pockets of it all over inside this mountain.”

  “It’s disgusting,” Rachel complained, squeezing her nostrils, her stomach flipping wildly. “And is it me or does it seem to be getting hotter in here?”

  “Rachel, are you okay?” Sophie asked, turning and staring at her.

  “Huh?” Rachel’s moaned, her head starting to spin.

  “You don’t look so good,” Sophie added.

  “She’s right, you look really pale. Do you feel okay?” Gabe asked, taking his wife by the arm, and leading her to a nearby chair-height boulder. “Here, you should sit down.”

  “I’m fine,” Rachel argued, but then complied with his request. “I think it’s just the smell, it’s making me nauseous. I’ll be fine.”

  “Here, drink this,” Gabe commanded handing her the canteen. “Rest while we look for a way out of here.”

  Rachel nodded, taking a sip of the water. The problem was that the smell was so strong it overwhelmed her senses and her mind kept telling her the liquid tasted like rotten eggs. Rachel watched silently as the others continued to search.

  “I don’t get it,” Uri grumbled. “There’s no way out of here.”

  “There has to be,” Gabe insisted, “just keep looking.”

  From the corner of Rachel’s eye she caught a glimpse of an emerald colored sparkle, then a bright white twinkle, followed by a blue one. Turning and standing, she slowly approached the shadowy corner of the room. In front of her she spied a waterfall, the colors dancing throughout the cascading drops as they fell.

  The closer she looked, the more she realized this wasn’t a normal waterfall. The water was not flowing down the rock wall, instead it seemed to be a solid wall of flowing water with nothing behind it. Rachel stared at the liquid a bit longer, shifting from side to side, looking for any abnormalities in it.

  With a deep breath she reached out her fingertips, slowly immersing them into the flow. The water shifted, enveloping her hand. Pulling it out, she examined it and all seemed normal. It appeared there was nothing on the other side of the wall of water. Her heart began to race; perhaps this was the way out. Perhaps on the other side was another cave they could pass through.

  “Guys!” she called over her shoulder. Nobody responded, they were too busy discussing possible options. “Seriously guys, come over here.”

  Though she was pleading, nobody listened, not even Gabe. Looking back to the wall of water, she made a snap decision. If they weren’t going to listen to her, she would have to find another way to make them pay attention. Inhaling and holding the air within her lungs, she closed her eyes, and took a step forward, pushing her body through the liquid. Just as she did so, Gabe happened to look over.

  “Rachel!” he shouted, but it was too late, she was gone. He ran to the liquid wall, repeatedly shouting her name, but there was no response.

  “What happened?” Sophie called out, rushing to his side, Uri and Haim quickly joining them.

  “Rachel, she walked right through, but she’s not answering me now,” Gabe exclaimed.

  “What’s do you think’s on the other side?” Uri asked apprehensively.

  “Only one way to find out,” Gabe replied, rushing through the liquid, not waiting for his friends to reply.

  “Gabe!” Rachel said rushing up, and falling into his embrace.

  “How come you didn’t answer me? You scared me to death!” Gabe snapped.
>
  “What? I didn’t hear anything,” Rachel defended herself.

  Gabe paused, looking back at the wall, and listening for a moment. “You’re right, I don’t hear the others.”

  As soon as the words left his lips, Uri emerged through the water, soon followed by Sophie and Haim. “What the heck was that?” Uri exclaimed, turning and staring at the plate of water, suddenly captivated by the lights that danced within it.

  Sophie examined the liquid silently. Reaching her hand back through one again, she gasped when she touched stone just on the other side. “It’s gone …”

  “What do you mean?” Gabe asked, “What’s gone?”

  “The room we were in, it’s gone, that was a one way portal,” Sophie explained.

  “So what’s that mean?” Haim questioned.

  Rachel turned away from the wall, “It means we keep moving forward.”

  “Not so fast,” Sophie cautioned.

  “Huh?” Gabe huffed.

  “Let me try something.” Sophie stated, holding up a hand and bellowing, “Illuminare.”

  Much to everyone’s surprise nothing happened.

  “What’s that mean?” Gabe asked.

  “It means that wasn’t just a portal. It was enchanted with a no magic spell. Once we passed through, it meant we could no longer use magic,” Sophie elaborated.

  “Why would anyone put that here, inside a mountain nobody knows about?” Rachel inquired.

  Sophie considered the question for a second, “If I had to guess, it’s a precaution. A keeper will have a lot easier time protecting a weapon when they don’t have to worry about magic.”

  “Are we going to be okay?” Rachel asked, looking to Sophie for the answer. She already knew how Gabe would respond, but she didn’t want anything held back.

  “I don’t know.” Sophie replied in a flat tone. Her honesty brought Rachel comfort for some strange reason.

  “Do you guys see that?” Uri asked, pointing to a light up ahead.

  “I do,” Gabe replied. In an instant they all took off in a full sprint towards the light. “Wait! Stop!” Gabe shouted, coming to a sudden stop. The crew skidded to a halt.

  “What’s wrong?” Uri cried, looking at his friend.

  “About five more steps and there’s no coming back from that,” Gabe replied, motioning in front of them.

  Uri edged himself forward, a dark cliff side coming into focus. Approaching the edge he looked down into a vast ocean of bright red lava.

  “Wow, that would’ve been bad.” Uri laughed nervously, backing away slowly.

  “Can we jump it?” Haim asked, unable to adequately judge the distance.

  “Are you crazy?” Sophie barked. “Maybe one of us makes it, but I doubt even that, and I know Rachel won’t make it.”

  Uri looked back and forth, examining the gap. “Well that’s where the light is, and that’s where we need to go, so what do you suggest?”

  “I don’t know!” Sophie snapped. “I’m just telling you, trying to jump it is a bad idea.”

  “I think I can make it,” Uri reaffirmed, staring at the distance.

  “Look man, I know out of all of us, you’re the most likely to succeed at this, but Sophie’s right. It’s too much of a risk. Without magic, if you fall there’s nothing we could do to save you. There has to be another way,” Gabe told his friend, as he gripped his shoulder.

  “Too bad we still don’t have that rope,” Rachel grimaced.

  “If we can’t go back and we can’t go forward, what are we supposed to do?” Haim was frustrated.

  The group was silent for a moment.

  “Wait! Look!” Rachel called out pointing up above the water portal. Immediately everyone’s eyes shifted in that direction. “There’s something written there.”

  “What’s it say?” Uri asked, squinting in the darkness.

  Sophie took a step closer and then read, “Things aren’t always as they seem.”

  “What the heck does that mean?” Uri barked, even more frustrated.

  “It’s a riddle. We just have to figure out what it means and then I think that’s our ticket across,” she offered. Picking up a pebble, she tossed it. The group watched, breathless as it went over the edge and tumbled to the river of lava below.

  Uri laughed. “What, did you think, it was a mirage or something? Can’t you feel the heat in here, this feels pretty real sweetheart.”

  Gabe moved in between Uri and Rachel, “Back off man, at least she’s trying.”

  “And what, I’m not? Is that what you’re saying?” Uri snapped back.

  “Uri, can you shut up for just a second? I need to think,” Sophie commanded. She looked up at the riddle, to the rift that kept them from their destination, at Rachel, and then back to the rift.

  “I think Rachel’s onto something,” Sophie added.

  “What do you mean?” Haim asked, moving in close to his companion.

  Sophie bent down, scooping up a fist full of dirt she rushed to the edge, tossing it over. It fell down to the lava just as Rachel’s pebble had. Quickly she scooped up another handful and tossed it over in another area, the entire time Rachel watching her intensely.

  “Okay, it’s official, Sophie has lost her mind,” Uri said sarcastically.

  Without a word, Rachel scooped up her own pile of dirt and scurried to the edge, tossing it over.

  “Yup, and now she’s driven you’re wife mad, too,” Uri joked.

  “There!” Sophie shouted. “You see it?”

  Rachel rushed over, and tossed some dirt in the direction Sophie pointed. Afterwards, both women began crying out joyously and laughing together.

  “All right, I give, what’s going on?” Gabe questioned.

  “Don’t you see? It’s an illusion,” Rachel explained.

  “What’s an illusion?” Haim asked.

  “Look over there,” Sophie directed. “Where Rachel tossed that last bit of dirt. It landed on something. There’s a pathway here, but it’s been cloaked somehow.”

  “I thought you couldn’t use magic here,” Uri argued.

  “My guess is whoever created that portal, created this as well, somehow making it immune,” Sophie suggested.

  Rachel grabbed more dirt and tossed it in the general area they had exposed. Quickly the others joined in and before long they had exposed a six-foot area.

  Sophie tugged on her shirt, pulling it away from her body and turning it into a makeshift sack. She filled it with dirt before instructing the others, “You need to gather up as much as you can.”

  The group complied, and then they all gathered together and prepared to cross the invisible path.

  “I’ll go first,” Uri directed, pressing one foot on the dirt-covered area in front of him. His heart began to race. He could see the lava flowing beneath him in the area uncovered by the dirt. Breathing a sigh of relief when he managed to plant his second foot, without plummeting to his death, he started to toss dirt he had gathered, in front of him. His friends moved out onto the platform, huddled close together, following Uri’s moves.

  They made it a couple more feet before Uri turned and said, “I’m out,” holding up his empty hands.

  “Here, I’ll go next,” Sophie offered, scurrying forward.

  Uri moved to one side to make his way around Sophie, but suddenly lost his footing when he stepped into an unexposed area. Scrambling to propel his body forward, he slipped even more, but just as he was about to fall completely from the path Gabe reached out and grabbed his forearm, pulling him securely into place at his side.

  Uri sighed in relief, wiped the sweat from his brow, then looked to Gabe and said, “Thanks man, I owe you one.”

  One by one the crew worked to expose the path before them, it zigzagged, making unexpected turns, clearly meant to confuse and disorient anyone trying to pass. Rachel was the last one who had any dirt left. She tossed the last bit in her hands and then looked back to her friends with a great concern in her eyes.

 
; “What’s wrong?” Gabe asked.

  “I’m out,” she replied plainly.

  “Should one of us go back and get more?” Haim questioned.

  “It’s too dangerous,” Sophie remarked. With all of us moving across the path a lot of the dirt has been displaced. It’s too much of a risk.”

  “So what do we do?” Gabe questioned, grabbing Rachel’s arm and pulling her in close to him.

  While the others were speaking, and debating the best course of action, Uri was staring at the other side. It was so close, he was certain if he reached out with one hand he would be able to reach the other side. Without warning he pushed himself off with his toes, leaping the six feet of the divide with ease.

  “Well, that’s one way to do it,” Sophie laughed.

  Uri scooped up a few handfuls of dirt and began tossing them out in front of him, revealing the last of the path for his friends.

  One by one, the group made their way across the last remaining narrowness. Looking back at the mess they had just travelled across Gabe remarked, “Let’s hope there’s another way out of here.”

  “Ready to find out what’s at the end of that tunnel?” Uri asked, looking at Gabe.

  “I am if you are,” he replied.

  And with that, they were off, blindly moving into the next piece of the puzzle.

  “Pst,” Gabe pushed Rachel behind him as he attempted to get the other’s attention. Motioning to his hip, he pulled out his sword, indicating for them to ready their weapons.

  Dividing, the group took their positions on the outer edges of the cave, attempting to go unnoticed by whatever might be awaiting them. As they came closer to the end of the path, they all could see the blue light shifting across the ceiling of the cave, as if it were shimmering.

  “What is it?” Rachel whispered, looking over her husband’s shoulder.

  Gabe raised a finger to his lips, directing her silence. He then signaled for Uri to enter. Rachel held her breath as Uri bravely moved through the small opening. A couple minutes went by, and they heard nothing. Rachel thought her heart might burst from the anticipation.