Read The Guardians Crown (The Guardians Book 5) for Free Online Page A

directly in his path. He froze, uncertain if the beast could see him or noticed the disturbance to the earth from his presence.
    Due to its responsiveness, it wasn’t long before Gabe was certain the monster could sense his presence. He needed to get around it and flee before the tracker honed in on his exact location. Carefully stepping to the left, Gabe attempted to maneuver around the beast. It matched his steps, fluttering its leathery wings.
    Moving backwards, he attempted to step to the right, careful not to reveal his steps in the earth. Once again, the beast matched his movements, sniffing the air as it did so. Leaning low, it was as if the monster was staring him directly in the eyes with its hollow black gaze. Gabe widened his stance, preparing for the moment the creature would attack.
    “Hey, this way creep!” a voice called out from behind Gabe. By the exit of the main building stood Sophie, uncloaked and wildly waving her arms.
    Before Gabe could react, the demon took off in her direction.
    “Go!” she shouted before disappearing beneath a cloaking spell. Gabe knew that would not throw the creature off for long. He wanted to help her, but she had already disappeared. With a deep breath he hoped she knew what she was doing and took off at full speed in the direction of the cliff side, avoiding low-level demons who were out on patrol due to the alarms as he did so.
    Gabe moved swiftly, weaving around the boulders, making his way down the trail and to the beach. The sooner he got back, the sooner he could meet up with the others. He knew Sophie had the book that would help put an end to all of this. He had doubted her once on this quest, he wasn’t about to again. She knew what she was doing, and he was certain she’d be waiting there for him.
    Clenching his eyes closed tightly, he pictured the clerics’ temple about fifty miles south of Iron Gate. When he reopened them he was surrounded by a number of priests, mumbling confused statements.
    “Please, someone,” Gabe began. “I’m a Guardian, I need help.”
    He searched their faces frantically, seeking a connection, an understanding of what he was saying. “I need to find transportation to Iron Gate,” he added.
    “Of course, this way.” A young boy, barely sixteen said from the sea of unfamiliar faces. Gabe made his way through the cluster of men and to the boy’s side. “Forgive them, we don’t see many Guardians these days. They all seem to be on the front lines.”
    Gabe thanked him, and though his head was still fuzzy from the transportation spell, he was on his way within minutes. The dirt bike he had been given had a heavy smell of gasoline. He pulled his shirt up to cover his mouth as he rode off, dust kicking out all around him.

 
     
    Gabe could see the long and narrow drive ahead of him that led to Iron Gate. Slowing, he signaled to one of the guards. Locking up his wheels, he skidded to a stop. He recognized the guard as he approached; it was Peter, the man who once had his heart broken by Sophie. He had not seen him in some time and he noticed how much he had changed. His body was a visible map of battles he had seen over the years, the dark and hollow eyes that stared back at Gabe told the story of a hardened man.
    Nobody could blame Peter for what he had become , Gabe thought. In a way, they had all been broken in some way.
    “Can you phone ahead to Michael and the others and tell them I’ve returned?” Gabe asked.
    “Yes of course,” Peter answered flatly, turning away and heading towards the nearby guard tower.
    Gabe shouted across the drive, “How long have Sophie and Uri been waiting for me?”
    Peter turned and flashed a puzzled look. “Uri has been back for a few hours, but Sophie hasn’t returned yet.”
    “What?” Gabe muttered, too low for Peter to hear. Peter made his way in to the small building, upon Gabe’s request.
    Without hesitation, Gabe kicked his bike back into gear and flew up the remainder of the