The Prophecies (The Sentinel Series Book 2)

by Holly Martin

  ‘So what happened after he was born? Did he know about me, about my destiny?’

  Eli nodded. ‘Yes he was told about you very early on, about how his half-sister was the saviour of the world, and that he wasn’t. That he would be expected to protect you, look after you. He didn’t like that. Especially as he became proficient in his powers quite quickly too, where you couldn’t do anything.’

  ‘Only because I was never told I had these powers, I didn’t know what to look for.’

  ‘But there was something else, it was also clear very early on to your Guardians that he was dark, the cocktail of DNA in him, made him sick, mentally. It happens sometimes, when we meddle in science, try to force something that shouldn’t be forced. The scientists made a koala, tortoise hybrid once, two of the most laid back creatures in the animal kingdom, but the reptile mammal mix was not supposed to be, and the animal was deranged,’ Eli said.

  Noah elaborated. ‘I was sitting in a park with you two one day, he was about eighteen months old, and a little rabbit hopped up to the two of you. You were really excited and tried to stroke it, Adam grabbed it and snapped it’s neck.’

  ‘But that could have been an accident, children are sometimes quite rough with animals, because they don’t understand the concept of being gentle, he was only one.’ Quite why I was defending Adam, I didn’t know. I had seen what he was capable of in the dream, that sick, twisted mentality. But I had to understand whether this was because of something that had happened to him or because he was born that way.

  ‘Then he ate the rabbit raw, whilst it was still kicking, ripped it open with his teeth and ate its heart while it beat in his mouth. And that wasn’t the first time either. There were many such incidents.’ Noah said.

  I swallowed.

  Noah pressed on. ‘I was your personal guard when you were younger and he hated me, hated that you had someone to protect you when he had no one. By the time he was three and you were four, he was already physically stronger than you, the Guardian mix was stronger in him, and the Guardians mature much faster than humans. He tried to kill you, three times, each time more painful than the next. He didn’t want to kill you quickly, he wanted to hear you scream. After that they locked him up. He was kept at the Oraculum’s castle in the cells for years. I tried to talk to him, tried to get him to see sense, but the only thing he spoke about was how he was going to kill you one day. He appeared in my dreams as well, years ago, showing me him killing you in the most painful torturous ways. Then I heard that he had appeared in the Oraculum’s dreams too, showing them the same thing. They didn’t like that and they managed to stop him from using his powers. He appeared in your dream tonight?’

  I nodded. ‘He stabbed me, said he wanted to watch me die, said that he hoped if I died in my dreams that I would die for real. As I lay there bleeding to death, I did everything I could to wake up, but I couldn’t.’ I swallowed, tears forming in my eyes as I thought about the next bit. ‘Then he killed Lucas, burned him to dust, like Nereus did to Samuel.’

  Quinn finally broke his silence. ‘Why was I never told?’

  ‘I’m sorry Quinn, that was never my decision,’ Eli said. ‘I was only told about Adam a few years ago, when I was chosen to lead Eve’s personal guard. I haven’t really given him much thought, he was in a cell, he was hardly a threat. I think the Oraculum thought it might cause complications if you knew. You were so protective over Eve, I think they thought that if you knew about Adam you wouldn’t like that he was to be locked in a cell for the rest of his life.’

  Quinn shook his head incredulously, not really sure what to do with this new information. He had a brother, a full brother, and one that hated me with an all-consuming wrath.

  Eli turned to Noah. ‘I don’t understand, how is he suddenly able to use his powers, they had them blocked.’

  Noah shrugged. ‘I understood that he was always closely monitored.’

  I needed to speak to Cain about this, but with the bond that Persia had placed on us, there was no way he could find us.

  ‘He won’t get to you Eve, he’ll never get anywhere near you,’ Eli mistook my silence for concern for my safety.

  But it was hard to find any fear in me. So I had one more person that wanted me dead, he would have to join a very long queue.

  ‘Thanks Eli,’ I yawned, suddenly feeling very tired.

  ‘We’ll leave you to go back to sleep,’ Lucas said and they resumed their positions on the floor though I suspected sleep would be a long way off for most of them.

  I let my light wink out and only then did I see Quinn’s silhouette as he stared out of the window into the darkness beyond. Realising that everyone was going back to sleep, Quinn made to go back to his bed too.

  I caught his hand as he walked past.

  ‘I didn’t know, Quinn. I met him once, but I didn’t know who he was then. It was just now, when I saw him and you straight after, that I realised how similar you two are. I’m sorry.’

  ‘We are nothing alike Eve, we might look alike, but I would never hurt you, never. If he wants to kill you, he’s no brother of mine.’

  I squeezed his hand and he bent to kiss me fiercely on the head and then he walked back to his bed.

  Seth pulled me down on top of him but despite his warm embrace I really didn’t want to go back to sleep if Adam was going to torture and kill my loved ones in my dreams.

  I watched the room turn through a murky grey, to bright dazzling daylight.

  I saw Eli get up and Seth sat up too. At some unspoken communication Seth joined him and the rest of my personal guard and they left the room, though I could see Noah and Ethan standing sentry at the open doorway.

  I looked over at Persia and Quinn, they evidently hadn’t slept either. I stood up and went to sit next to Persia who was sitting against the wall. She leaned her head against my shoulder.

  ‘Are you ok?’ I asked.

  ‘When Adam killed Lucas, in your dream, do you think it was a prophecy?’

  I shook my head. ‘No definitely not. Adam entered my dream; it was very different to a prophecy.’

  Persia sighed with relief. ‘I couldn’t lose him too.’

  I stroked her hair. ‘I love him too. I won’t let anything hurt him.’

  ‘I know you won’t.’

  ‘I know things are getting a bit dangerous around me, if you wanted to leave, I would understand.’

  ‘Don’t talk rubbish. I’m never leaving you so you can forget any ideas like that.’

  I smiled as I hugged her tighter against me.

  I looked over at Quinn who was staring at me intently.

  ‘Are you ok about last night, about Adam?’ I asked in his head.

  He seemed surprised to hear my voice but after a moment he answered.

  ‘I wish I had been told, but it doesn’t change anything, if he wants you dead, he’ll have to come through me first.’

  ‘But he’s your full brother Quinn, I’m just your half-sister, you would seriously choose me over him.’

  Quinn shook his head. ‘If he was like you, if he had compassion and love in his heart instead of hate and revenge then maybe it would be different. As far as I am concerned there’s no choice Eve, you are the single most important person in my life and you always will be.’

  I smiled, gratefully.

  Seth poked his head round the door. ‘Hey you guys ready to go?’

  I frowned in confusion and then stood up and took his outstretched hand.

  He led me downstairs and outside where all my Guardians were waiting. Quinn and Persia followed.

  ‘I have good news. Zach has taken control of Fort Naga, he and the Guardlings are in charge down there now. He forced all the Guardians that weren’t pledged to you to leave. I mean, there wasn’t that many that weren’t pledged to you anyway, they were outnumbered, so it wasn’t that hard for him, but we can go back if you want.’

  ‘Is it safe? With the Oraculum, some of them can slide too.’

  E
li nodded. ‘Yes it could be a problem, but I don’t think they will risk coming themselves, not with the amount of Guardians there to protect you. Besides we don’t have to stay there for long, just long enough to pack and gather up your remaining Guardians and take them with you.’

  ‘It’d be nice to get back to somewhere with a shower though and my bed.’ The thought of climbing back into my nice comfy bed now, was a very tempting one. ‘Ok.’ I nodded.

  I closed my eyes and slid us back to the fort, to the roof, where only a few hours before my Guardians had fought for my life. It was quiet when we landed, the hot sun high in the sky.

  I made my way back down towards my bedroom, wondering if it had been trashed by the Oraculum’s Guardians, the Oraclings as Zach called them, but it was exactly as we had left it.

  Seth lay down on the bed.

  ‘You can’t be tired, you’ve just woke up,’ I protested.

  ‘I’m not, but you are, you’re exhausted aren’t you? I take it you never went back to sleep last night?’

  I sighed. He was right, I was exhausted. ‘No, I couldn’t sleep.’

  ‘Then come to bed, I’ll stay with you while you sleep, and if anyone breaks into your dreams, I’ll go in there and beat them up for you.’

  I grinned as I sat down on the bed. If only he could be my Guardian of my dreams as well. Seth pulled me into his arms. It was very tempting to curl up in his arms now and fall asleep; I couldn’t stay awake forever, besides if I was asleep I might be able to talk to Cain. Seth kissed the back of my neck as he held me, his warmth making me sleepy.

  ‘Mmmm wait, I need to talk to Zach. I need to thank him,’ I struggled feebly against his arms.

  ‘Oh he’ll love that,’ Seth tutted, as he kissed me again.

  ‘I won’t be long, just a few minutes.’

  Seth sighed as he released me. ‘I’ll walk you down there.’

  I sat up. ‘It’s ok, I’ll slide to him.’

  Seth frowned.

  ‘He is a Guardian, after all, strong and skilled some say,’ I grinned, using Seth’s own words against him.

  Seth scowled at me. I leaned forward and kissed him and then was gone. I wobbled a bit, when I landed on the side of the pool. I really was tired. Zach was swimming the length of the pool, pulling himself easily through the water. He grinned at me when he saw me and swam over and climbed out. He shook his head like a dog, spraying me with water.

  ‘Hey,’ I slapped him playfully.

  ‘Hey,’ he slapped me, gently back. ‘That’s no way to thank your hero.’

  ‘My hero?’

  ‘Yes I fought bravely to secure the fort for you and then you slap me,’ Zach protested.

  ‘Fought bravely?’ I laughed. ‘And I see you managed to keep your legs this time?’

  ‘Yes well, it was a lot easier when there was no Sentinel here to protect,’ Zach laughed.

  ‘Are you saying that I just get in the way?’

  ‘Something like that, yes.’ He grinned as he walked away from me, back towards the fort.

  ‘Zach?’

  He turned back.

  ‘Thank you,’ I said, seriously.

  Zach beamed. ‘No problem Eve. Now, am I walking you back to your bedroom or is my brother lurking round here somewhere?’

  ‘I think you better walk me back.’ I rolled my eyes. I wanted to talk to him a bit more about what the Guardians left in the fort thought about the whole rift, whether they were still loyal to me.

  I followed him round the edge of the pool, slipped on some water and fell heavily, banging my head. I sat up woozily, a wave of tiredness spreading over me.

  Zach laughed as he came to examine my wound. ‘Eve, you are so clumsy, let’s have a look at it. Ha, you’ve had worse from me.’ He pulled me up so quick, so hard that the world span around me. Zach loped off across the grass as I staggered, tried to right myself, lost my footing and toppled into the pool. As I reached out for the side to stop myself from falling, I smacked my head, painfully on the edge.

  The water closed in over my head. There was a lot of blood in the water, swirling around me like a red cloud as I sank to the bottom of the pool. I tried to swim back to the surface but my arms and legs refused to work. My head swam, dizziness and exhaustion swallowing me, like the cool water around me. My throat contracted painfully, desperate for the air that I wasn’t getting. The irony wasn’t lost on me, hundreds of people wanted me dead, Guardians fighting for my life and now it looked likely I was going to die from my own stupid clumsiness.

  The noise of something crashing into the water above me echoed in my ears.

  I looked up in a daze at the something coming quickly towards me: a dark hooded figure. I felt my heart lurch that the Reapers had found me again.

  Then it all went black.

  THE END

  Read on for an extract from Adam, Book 3 of The Sentinel Series

  An extract from Adam, Book 3 of The Sentinel Series

  Suddenly a strong hand was round my arm, I looked up in alarm into the green, fierce eyes of Isaac.

  ‘Eve, what are you doing, this isn’t safe,’ he growled, holding my arm, painfully.

  Instinctively I found myself punching him hard in the throat, knocking all the breath out of him, his grip lessened slightly, enough so I could wriggle free. I ran, but only got a few metres away before I slammed into another, hard body. Lucas.

  ‘Eve, please just stay calm…’ his hands were on my shoulders.

  I flinched away from him and darted across the road, cars honking loudly as they slammed on their brakes to avoid me. I cast over my shoulder and the men followed.

  I saw two policemen up ahead talking on a corner and I ran for them. But Isaac was getting closer to me, even though he was only walking and I was running he was still catching me up. He would reach me before I reached the police.

  I ran faster, but my legs were shaky, unwilling to perform as I wanted them to and as I got closer to the police Isaac’s hand was round my arm once more, pulling me firmly back to him.

  ‘Help me,’ I screamed and people stopped to stare. The police looked over in my direction, saw the young girl struggling in the clutches of a man twice her size and ran towards me.

  ‘Ma’am?’ said one, young, keen, alert, blue eyes filled with concern.

  ‘Help me, please,’ I cried, fighting against Isaac’s hold, which was like fighting against an iron vice.

  ‘Sir step back please,’ said the other policeman.

  Isaac didn’t even seem to hear them, but his hold didn’t lessen any.

  Lucas was at my side then, ‘Eve please, we’re not going to hurt you, let’s just go and talk somewhere quiet, we’ll explain everything,’

  I fought against Isaac, kicking and struggling, but I might as well be kicking a statue with the difference I was making to him.

  ‘Isaac, let her go,’ Lucas hissed, angrily.

  ‘Lucas, this is stupid. She needs to come back to the fort, she can’t be running round New York in the middle of the night, it’s dangerous.’

  ‘Sirs, both of you step back now,’ said the young policeman, his hand hovering over his holster.

  Lucas stepped forward calmly, ‘Officers, this is a complete misunderstanding, Eve is our friend…’

  ‘She’s petrified,’ said the older policeman, his hand now hovering over his gun as well, ‘Let her go.’

  Isaac span me round to face him, holding both my arms now, ‘Eve stop this,’ he said, angrily.

  ‘Sir let her go now,’ shouted the young officer, his gun aiming at Isaac.

  People started scurrying away, alarmed.

  Isaac looked at the gun, and with a sigh released me. But instead of stepping away from me, he advanced towards the policeman, maddeningly stepping between me and the gun.

  ‘Do not point a gun at her,’ he said threateningly.

  ‘I was pointing it at you actually,’ said the young cop, almost cockily.

  ‘And it could go off and hit
her,’ seethed Isaac, suddenly lunging forward in a blur and knocking the gun out of the officer’s hands.

  The other one went for his gun, but in a blur, Lucas grabbed hold of it before the officer could even raise it in Isaac’s direction.

  A shot rang out behind me. I was thrown through the air with the weight of a wrecking ball hitting me but as I crashed into the floor I saw the bullet slice through Lucas’s flesh.