Sentinel's Rise: Book 1 - The Watcher and the Sentinel Series

by Yvette Bostic

  His gazed moved from Sara’s hands to her face. Sara shifted uncomfortably and furrowed her brow as his eyes made another trip up and down her body.

  “Are you done?” she asked. “It’s extremely rude to stare at people like that.”

  He blushed and smiled. “Sorry,” he said. “You’ve got less than an hour, which might be even shorter once I tell Mikel what I’ve discovered.”

  “Which is?” Sara reached out and grabbed his sleeve. “You’re not leaving until you tell me what you got from all that ogling.”

  Eva snorted and Raphael’s blush deepen.

  “I believe your gift is similar to Mikel’s, but his is very difficult to describe. You have to see it to understand.” He shook his head. “Trying to explain it with words will diminish its… well, everything.”

  Sara’s hand dropped to her side, and Raphael disappeared. Seriously? Eternal youth and magic auras? Sara hoped she’d wake up from the nightmare sooner rather than later.

  “Holy shit,” Eva whispered. “Raphael’s right. I cannot explain Mikel’s sword. I will be so jealous if you can summon one as well.”

  “What did he mean when he said I was touched by God?” Sara asked, angry that they would drop yet another unbelievable bomb on her.

  “Mikel, Raphael, and Magdelin received God’s touch when they started the Council of Light. Each of them has a miraculous gift that the Council cannot live without.”

  “I think I would remember seeing God,” Sara said incredulously. “What makes Raphael think that I have?”

  “I’m not sure, but it’s also not something they would’ve told me,” Eva replied, shrugging. “I imagine Darian knows, and obviously Raphael, so Mikel probably does too.”

  Sara looked at the ground for several moments, kicking the dry dirt beneath her feet. Her mind refused to wrap around everything they told her. But how could she deny it after what she’d seen? If she didn’t start accepting it now, she was sure she’d break.

  “None of this makes any sense, Eva,” Sara said. “You’re supposed to be answering questions for me, but all you’ve done is create more.”

  “There’s so much to tell you, Sara, and not enough time. I can’t explain everything about the Council and you and Darian and the demon Overlords. It would take weeks.”

  “There’s no going back to my life, is there?” she asked.

  “No,” Eva replied. “Your destiny has been here with us all along.”

  “If that’s true, why didn’t Darian come get me years ago? Why did he wait until I was old and broken?”

  “You’re not old nor are you broken,” Eva answered, gently touching Sara’s shoulder. “Darian tried after your mom died, but you turned to Andrew with your grief. He saw how much you loved that man and couldn’t take you from him. He tried again several more times, but he didn’t want you to hate him when he pulled you from your family.”

  Sara kicked a stray rock with her boot, and it rolled over the edge of the plateau. “You befriended me to keep an eye on me, didn’t you? I remember our conversation outside the library when you told me Andrew wasn’t for me. The man you described as my perfect match, that’s Darian exactly.”

  “At first, I was just supposed to keep watch over you, but you’re easy to like.” Sara looked up to see her friend smiling. “You became my best friend. I wanted to tell you about all of this so many times, but how could I? You would’ve thought I was crazy.”

  Just like she did now. Sara tried to smile back but knew she failed. “I’m not sure I can accept all of this,” she said. “I just want my life back.”

  “I wish I could give it back to you,” Eva said softly. “We probably should’ve brought you here sooner, but we loved watching you live a life none of us could have.”

  Sara sighed and looked out over the untouched jungle. She could almost forget that thousands, maybe millions of people had just died. Almost, but not quite. The stubborn lump in her throat surfaced again as her anger subsided. Could she deny what she’d just seen and experienced? If so, could she just hide from the demons ravaging her home? No. And somehow these people thought she was the key to, what, defeating these things?

  “How many others can hide in plain sight?” she asked, turning to Eva.

  “There are fifteen scouts plus Darian, who is our boss.”

  “And that large woman with spikey hair?”

  “That’s Adalina,” Eva said. “She’s the leader of our warriors. She’s skilled in every weapon I’ve ever seen and every fighting technique known to man.”

  “Okay, and what about the Asian girl, Aneera?”

  “She is our Seer and is bonded to Mikel,” Eva explained. “She saw your birth. It’s how we knew you were the Sentinel.”

  “What do you mean by bonded?” Sara asked, repeating the phrase they kept using. “Raphael mentioned it too, but no one’s explained it.”

  “I don’t know much about the process, but I do know that the bonded pair get their strength from one another. In Aneera’s case, it makes her visions extremely powerful. Mikel was already gifted by God, and his bond to Aneera gives him speed and strength that belies his narrow frame.”

  “I see, and they are the only ones bonded?” Sara asked.

  “Yes, but it wasn’t always so.” Eva hesitated and a deep frown graced her small face. “Our last Watcher and Sentinel gave their lives to destroy four of the demon Overlords.”

  Sara bit her lower lip. How much had this group sacrificed?

  “That’s the same fight where you lost so many?” Sara asked.

  “Yes,” Eva replied softly.

  “Is that my destiny as well? To sacrifice my life to kill these things?”

  “I hope not,” Eva replied.

  “Then why would I agree to this?”

  “Because there’ll be nothing left of humanity if you don’t.”

  Chapter 13

  Seraphina

  Sara and Eva met Raphael in the small portal room. Sara struggled to hold onto the last of the meager meal she’d eaten earlier, but nausea won the fight once again. A bucket appeared in front of her, and she managed to keep most of it off the floor. Sara heaved several times and looked over at the one who witnessed her humiliation.

  “I didn’t want to clean it again,” Raphael said sheepishly.

  “I don’t blame you. I’m really sorry,” Sara replied as he handed her a wet cloth. “Does this ever go away?”

  “Yes, your body should get used to it after a couple more times.”

  “I sure hope so,” she mumbled.

  “Everyone retreated to the Warriors’ Arena when I told Mikel about your potential,” Raphael continued. “It will be good for you to see their strengths before he tests your… ability. It also might cure some of your doubt.”

  “I’ll meet you there,” Eva called over her shoulder as she raced towards the large wooden doors.

  “What’s that about?” Sara asked, watching her friend push the door open and disappear into the courtyard.

  “She never misses a chance to humiliate the warriors.” Raphael chuckled and opened the door for her. “But I doubt she’ll be practicing today. Darian and Adalina are collecting points. It helps them settle the copious amounts of tension they both possess.”

  Sara had no idea what he was talking about but didn’t have the energy to argue either. He led her down one of the streets away from the tower, and she marveled at the paving stones beneath her boots, each laid out in a perfect herringbone. It must have taken forever.

  “What kind of test should I expect?” she asked.

  “We might not be able to see anything, but it would nice to compare your aura to Mikel’s,” Raphael replied. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and you can see it.”

  His words made no sense. They looked like normal people to her, at least until they did something bizarre.

  The sound of metal against metal brought her attention to the arena. Several weapon racks lined one side, and wooden benches circled the other. The
open space spanned about twenty-five yards across, and two people circled one another in the center. Adalina carried two short, wide swords, and Darian wielded two long, slender daggers. Sara shook her head. Of course, they were battling with swords and daggers even though this was the twenty-first century. Why did she expect something else?

  “First blood?” Adalina asked, shooting Darian a grin and a wink.

  “Of course,” he replied.

  “They won’t really cut each other, will they?” Sara asked, leaning over to Raphael.

  “Probably, if Adalina is quick enough,” he chuckled.

  Sara blinked. Surely, they wouldn’t hurt each other. Adalina was only a few inches shorter than Darian but nowhere near as wide. Her shoulders almost looked narrow compared to his broad frame.

  Adalina lunged with her sword, and Darian disappeared. She skipped forward as he reappeared behind her, nearly missing a cut to her thigh. Sara gasped as he disappeared again. Adalina slowly turned, her swords hanging low at her sides. She brought both up together and blocked Darian’s blades, the metal screeching as they slid together.

  “Almost had you,” Darian said with a grin before he disappeared again.

  Adalina stumbled forward, falling to her knees and using her momentum to roll over her shoulder. She remained kneeling and laid her swords in the dirt, her hands hovering over the hilts. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as she sat perfectly still. Five seconds rolled by and she lunged—without her weapons—tackling Darian as he materialized in front her. His back hit the dirt, and Sara heard the air rush from his lungs. Adalina sat on his chest with her knees pinning his arms.

  “Do you concede, or do we draw blood?” she asked, the corners of her mouth rising.

  “I concede,” Darian choked. “Now get your big ass off me so I can breathe!”

  She laughed and stood, holding a hand out to him. He transferred both weapons to his left hand and grabbed Adalina’s.

  “How did you know I was there?” he asked as he stood.

  “I could smell your cologne,” she replied. “I like it, by the way.”

  “Damn.” Darian shook his head and laughed, following Adalina off the field. “I’ll have to remember that.”

  “Mikel.” Darian nodded in Sara’s direction, and she realized Mikel was standing just behind her. She hadn’t heard him approach.

  “What’s the score now?” Mikel asked.

  “We’re almost even,” Darian replied, a grin spreading across his face as he glanced at Sara. “She wouldn’t have won today had my mind been in the right place.”

  “I noticed,” Mikel replied, also turning towards Sara.

  “Okay,” she said backing away. “Now this is uncomfortable.”

  Darian smirked and Mikel’s brow furrowed. At least Darian remembered her witty comment about the term.

  “Raphael explained what he saw with your hands, Seraphina,” Mikel said, seeming to ignore her sarcasm. “Do you mind if I try something?”

  Sara shrugged. “I guess, but I have a question first.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Why do you keep calling me Seraphina? There is only one person who knows my real name, and she passed away years ago.”

  Mikel and Darian exchanged a look that Sara couldn’t decipher, and she added it to her growing list of situations that fell under the term ‘uncomfortable.’

  “That’s a long story, my dear,” Mikel replied, “and this is probably not the best time to retell it.”

  “Really, that’s the only answer I get?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

  “I’m afraid so,” Mikel replied.

  She stared at his gray eyes, wondering how many people really had gray eyes. She couldn’t think of anyone else she knew. Her mind wandered as he stared back at her. Besides his eyes, he looked no different than anyone else. She shook her head slightly, trying to gather her thoughts. Wasn’t she supposed to be thinking about the hell she’d just been dropped into?

  “Okay. Fine.” She sighed heavily. The story of her name would have to wait until later, just like so many of her questions. “What is it you want to do?”

  “I’m going to summon the sword that was gifted to me, and I want you to tell me what you see,” he replied. “Watch my hands, and tell me as soon as you see something happening.”

  She looked at his long fingers and wide palms, following his arm to his white shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbow. Eva was right. His chest was half the size of Darian’s, but his was rather large, so maybe it wasn’t a fair comparison.

  “My hands, Seraphina.”

  “Sorry.” Her face flushed, and she returned her focus to his hands. Why was she so distracted? Her mind must be approaching a total meltdown between her grief and this new, magic world. It was the only explanation.

  His long fingers flexed, and the tendons in his wrist twisted to the right, then a white hilt formed in his palm. His fingers curled around its base, and a slender blade seemed to grow from the hilt. Sara’s eyes followed the swirling colors along the blade, and she found herself memorized. It almost seemed alive. Did he really just create a sword from nothing? What an amazing gift! She glanced up at Mikel’s face and was surprised by his disappointment.

  “You didn’t see anything before the hilt emerged?” he asked as the sword disappeared.

  She shook her head, and he turned to Raphael. Sara glanced at Eva, then back to Mikel’s hand. How did he do that?

  “Are you certain of what you saw?” Mikel asked.

  “Most definitely,” Raphael replied, reaching for Sara’s hands, but stopped short of touching her. “Hold your hands out, please,” he requested, giving her a reassuring smile.

  She extended her hands, palms down. Mikel did the same, their fingertips almost touching.

  “Does anyone see anything on our hands other than Raphael?” Mikel asked.

  “No.”

  “Nope.”

  “Nothing.”

  “But you see it, don’t you, Mikel?” Raphael asked.

  “Yes, I do.” Mikel pulled his hands back and stuffed them in his pockets. “Maybe after the bonding.”

  “What did you see?” Sara asked, her gaze dancing between Mikel and Raphael. “You can’t do all that then leave me hanging.”

  “Did you see the colors in Mikel’s sword?” Raphael asked.

  She nodded. “Yes. It was amazing.”

  “Those colors surround his hands.” Raphael turned one of her hands so the palm faced the sky. “And yours.”

  “I am so jealous!” Eva exclaimed, making Sara jump.

  Mikel rolled his eyes. “Come on. We have a bonding ceremony to tend to.”

  ~~~~~~~~

  “Why do we have to do this today?” Darian asked as they walked across the courtyard. Sara sensed the apprehension in his voice.

  “I want to send groups of ten into as many countries as possible to determine the extent of the demon population,” Mikel said. “The warriors have their assignments, and your scouts have all volunteered for the groups they will most benefit. You should be able to complete the bonding while they’re out on the first mission.” He stopped at the tower door with his hand on the handle. “Orin and Victoria will show themselves eventually. We don’t have the luxury of time.”

  Sara watched Darian’s head hang in resignation. She felt the same, having no idea what the bonding really meant. Was it a physical tie to him? She was willing to try if it meant avenging her family, but what if she found out she hated him or the Council were responsible for the demons? Would she ever be able to undo it? She could no longer deny their use of magic, but should she automatically trust them? There was no denying their power, either, and she wasn’t sure she could blindly trust such powerful people even in the face of humanity’s destruction.

  “It’ll be okay, Sara,” Eva whispered at her side. “The bonded pairs have something I’ve always wanted. You’ll not regret doing this.”

  Sara appreciated her encouragem
ent but was smart enough to know it was just that. She looked at the woman she considered her friend. She thought she knew Eva, but apparently not. Had their entire friendship been a lie? Sara hoped not. They followed the circling staircase to the top of the tower ending at two doors. Aneera stood outside the one on the left.

  “Mikel, we don’t need your help,” she said gently, placing a hand against his chest when he tried to walk past her.

  He started to argue, and Aneera reached up and placed her fingers on his lips. He kissed them and bowed, then turned to the door on the right. Sara was touched by the tender gesture and didn’t realize she was smiling until Aneera winked at her.

  “You too, Eva,” the Seer said.

  Eva gave Sara a quick hug, then stomped back down the stairs, leaving Darian by Sara’s side. She looked up at him and frowned. He stared down at her with intense emotion, almost like he found something lost to him but was afraid of taking it back. No, he was afraid of rejection. She could feel it, like pulsing in the air around him. The pain in her chest flared, and she forced herself to look away. As soon as they broke eye contact, the room came back to life. She’d been lost in his gaze. How stupid was that?

  “Let’s go,” Aneera said. “Magdelin is getting impatient.”

  Sara shook her head and stepped into the room. The door behind her closed with a thud. Windows lined the stone walls, allowing the sun to cast shadows along the floor, and Sara thought of Eva’s ability.

  “Are we alone in here?” she asked.

  Darian raised an eyebrow at her; the intensity from a few moments ago had vanished. “There is no one other than the four of us. Why?”

  “Would you know if someone else were here?” she asked, circling the small room. He laughed, and she turned to him. “What’s so funny?”

  “Yes, I would know if someone else were in the room, even if they were concealed,” he replied, smiling at her.

  “At least you answered that question,” Sara mumbled.

  “If you two are done,” Magdelin said, “we should get started.”

  She carried several items to the center of the room and placed them on the floor inside a circle drawn on the stone. Darian stepped inside the circle and folded his long legs beneath him, sitting crossed-legged with his hands on his knees.