Read The Lost Years (The Guardians Book 4) for Free Online Page B

what’s going on, I’ll catch up.”
    Uri and Haim were out the door in an instant.

 
     
    Entering the area outside Dina’s door, it was as if a tidal wave of sounds had knocked into them; panicked cries could be heard all around. Fighting their way down the crowded halls, Haim and Uri could not imagine what awaited them in the courtyard. Uri called out in a booming voice, demanding someone in the crowd tell them what was happening, but nobody answered. Whatever was happening, people were more worried about their own welfare in that moment. Looking towards the opening at the end of the corridor, instead of the usual daylight greeting them, all they saw was a heavy gray smoke with random dark figures milling about within the cloud.
    Emerging from the building, the larger picture came into focus. Across the courtyard there was a fire burning, Uri realized it was the great hall. Dozens of people were running past them, fleeing from an unknown force. Uri recognized a face in the crowd. Reaching out with his large and powerful arm, he stopped the small girl dead in her tracks, the force at which she struck his arm sent her flying backwards.
    Haim reached down, picking up the girl with one hand, careful not to release his grasp on her.
    “I know you,” Uri said, staring at her for a moment longer, still unable to place the face. “Where do I know you from?”
    “I’m in some of your friend’s classes,” the scared girl answered, her raven hair sticking to her soot stained face.
    “That’s right; you’re the girl who has a crush on Gabe.” Uri added, remembering suddenly.
    “What? No—” the girl shrieked at the idea of her secret being revealed. That terror quickly faded away as she glanced over her shoulder and remembered what was chasing them. “We have to get out of here.”
    “What’s your name?” Uri pushed.
    “Did you not hear me? We have to get out of here or we’re all going to die.” The panic made her voice strain and sound as if at any moment she might burst out weeping.
    “You’re going to die a lot sooner if you don’t tell me your name!” Uri barked, loosing what little patience he had.
    “Uri,” Haim moaned before shifting his attention to the girl that was struggling to release herself from his grasp. “Look, he’s in a mood, I would just tell him what he wants to know.”
    “Neru. My name is Neru. Now, will you please let me go?” she begged.
    “Not before you tell us what’s going on,” Uri demanded.
    “Didn’t you hear the sirens?” the girl questioned, puzzled at how they did not know what was happening.
    “Yes, of course, the perimeters. I am not an idiot. I’m asking who is attacking us!” Uri shouted.
    “Demons— hundreds, no— there have to be thousands of them; they’re everywhere.” Neru cried.
    “That can’t be, our scouts would have seen a force of that magnitude and reported it ...” Uri’s argument was interrupted by a fireball rocketing past them, smashing into a fleeing herd of students. The cries of pain caused Uri’s spine to stiffen.
    “Listen carefully,” Uri began, reaching out and grabbing hold of the small girl, seeing she was distracted. “Are you listening? You need to go and find Dina. Do you know who Dina is?”
    Neru nodded, her eyes filling with tears.
    “Tell her Rampart has been compromised and we need to evacuate. Do you understand what I’m telling you to do?” Uri watched the girl for some sort of response, but she offered him nothing. “I said, do you understand?”
    Forcing the paralyzing fear down into a hidden place, she at last acknowledged him. With the gravity of her mission sinking in, she stood up tall. Haim released his hold as she did. “I’ll do it.”
    “Then go, she should be near her chambers,” Uri added. Neru turned and ran from where they were standing.
    “We need to make sure Bishop knows,” Uri said, looking at Haim.
    “How can he not know? All hell is breaking loose,” Haim countered.
    “You