PROMO TOUR~THE GUARDIAN SERIES by Wendy Owens
Sacred Bloodlines (Book 1
by Wendy Owens
Blurb
Tragedy has defined Gabe's short existence in this world. An ominous darkness lurked on the edge of his existence until one day in a subway, strange things start happening. A series of events lead Gabe into a new and fascinating life filled with angels and demons, but he isn't sure if he wants to be a part of it.
Gabe is thrust into the middle of this exciting world that is full of things he has longed for in his life but it comes with a price. This new life also promises constant terrifying dangers that Gabe fears he may not be able to survive.
Excerpt #2
Gabe closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the cool subway tiles. The pungent smell of urine and burnt electrical wires filled his nostrils as the loud roar of a passing train erupted in his ears. His social worker’s words replayed again and again in his head, “difficulties with home placement,” “a past filled with tragic incidents,” “more time needed to find the right parental candidates.” Gabe knew what that meant, after years of being shipped from one foster family to the next, it was clear what people thought of him. He was cursed. “And why wouldn’t they,” he thought. It was even obvious to himself.
The bustle of the station increased as the train squealed to a halt. Gabe grabbed his ragged black backpack and headed to the nearest set of open doors. He twisted and turned, trying to make his way through the thick crowd. A chill came over him, one that was all too familiar and Gabe found himself filled with dread. Coming to a sudden stop he looked around at the sea of people. Just steps from the train doors he was unable to move. He was staring and searching, his breath now shallow. The voices around him were instantly silenced as a pulsing white noise consumed his mind.
Gabe’s hands were clammy and he felt his legs weaken. “Are you getting on or what?” the man behind him shouted. The man was wearing a plain, tan trench coat and carried a briefcase. Gabe looked back at him, not able to hear what he was saying for a moment, still distracted by the deafening white noise in his head.
“Come on, some of us have places to be,” the man grumbled as he rudely pushed past Gabe and boarded the subway car. Stumbling to a nearby column, Gabe steadied himself, attempting to regain his composure.
As sounds came flooding back, he heard the buzzer warning that the doors would soon be closing. Gabe looked up and prepared to make a dash for the opening. Before he could make his move, he caught sight of a young woman standing in front of the subway doors. She was wearing a long, black leather coat that was cinched at her waist. There was an odd grey color that surrounded her, creating a halo effect around her entire body. He had seen this before, actually more times than he cared to recall. He even saw the same grey aura the night his parents died.
Gabe stared intensely at her back as she stepped into the subway car. She slowly turned around, her black hair was short, cut just above the chin, which she wore slicked back, tucked behind her petite ears. Gabe thought she looked as though she were trying to remove the femininity from her small frame in any way she could. Her skin was pale; the color reminded Gabe of milk.
He watched, frozen, as the girl lifted her head and looked directly into his eyes. She flashed him a small, wicked smile as the doors closed. He saw her eyes flicker a hint of red. A moment later, the train pulled away. Gabe slid to the cold floor as the crushing weight of impending doom filled him.
Gabe had been plagued by these feelings and visions his entire life. He could remember being sent to at least a dozen different therapists all over the city. Their diagnoses were all the same; however, ‘hallucinations brought on by depression caused by the tragic loss of his parents.’ Some had him writing his feelings in journals, but most of them found it easier to load him up on medication and send him on his way. He had learned a long time ago that the easiest thing to do was to lie about the visions.
Gabe wondered if the therapists were all right. Perhaps he was just crazy with grief. His parents had died when he was only five years old. He found it hard to believe such grief could plague a person for eleven years, but what did he know, he was no ...
A loud explosion suddenly interrupted Gabe’s thoughts. He reached out his hands to try and steady himself as the ground under him shook violently. He threw up his arms to cover his head, plaster crumbling and falling like rain from the high ceilings.
Free Everywhere
by Wendy Owens
Blurb:
Some people are born into love, some people are born into war, when Gabe discovered he was a Guardian Angel, his life was suddenly thrust into both. If this hidden war wasn't enough to deal with, Gabe learns he is fated to be the great protector who will one day deliver the last prophet to either safety or death. All of these revelations didn't matter for Gabe, he only cared that his new life included Sophie.
Sophie and Gabe grew closer over the summer. She is now a fixture in his life that keeps him moving forward. Evil doesn't stop stalking him just because he found happiness. This time darkness finds it's way into Rampart manor and Gabe will have to decide if he is willing to risk everything to try and stop it.
Excerpt
The two continued to stand in silence for a moment longer while Gabe debated if sharing anything with Neru would help. Something was strange about her, but Gabe thought perhaps it was exactly those things that drew him to her.
“I know almost everything that’s bothering me is probably myself reading into stuff and being irrational,” Gabe smiled trying to show humor. “I tend to do that.”
“I’m sure you’re not that bad,” Neru said, giving Gabe a slight nudge.
“Take the tests for example, I studied all summer. I skipped nearly all the social events going on so that I would be prepared when the time came for my tests.”
“And so you were. Are you annoyed you had to give that all up?” Neru asked, pulling a strand of hair back from her face to reveal a confused expression.
“No,” Gabe quickly interjected. “I didn’t mind any of that. I was actually happy to do it all if it meant catching up to the rest of my friends.”
“So what’s the problem? Seems like you nailed the tests.”
“You would think so, wouldn’t you?” Gabe asked, looking off into the distance again.
“Didn’t you?” Neru asked. “That’s what it looked like to the rest of us. I could have never came up with half the ideas you did.”
“Well, I thought I did really well, but then …” Gabe thought better of revealing his frustration with Michael to this girl he barely knew. Instead he revised his statement. “Then some friends pointed out that I could have done better.”
“Gabe, you can’t let a few friends make you doubt yourself,” Neru assured him as she reached over and took a comforting hold of Gabe’s hand, wrapping her tiny arm around his. “Your test was to defeat the three creatures and you did.”
“Yeah,” Gabe said slowly as he considered her words. “I suppose you’re right.” He thought, If you knew it was Michael that did not approve of my methods, I bet you would be saying something else right now. He remained silent about that detail, however.
“That’s all that has been bothering you? That’s not so bad,” Neru said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Sort of,” Gabe replied, glancing over at her with a smile again.
“Oh my. Gabe, how much do you have going on up in that head of yours?”
“More than you would probably care to know,” Gabe added, looking down into the water, unconsciously picking at his cuticles with his teeth.
“All right, spill it,” Neru demanded.
It was like a flood gate opening for Gabe. He couldn’t hold back any longer. “It’s not just one thing. There are a bunch of little things really. I start classes and my girlfriend doesn’t even care that she gets pulled out of all the ones we share. Two of my friends that I consider to be the model couple are bickering. Let’s not even get started with the fact that Baal and who knows what other demons, are trying to hunt me down and kill me. I don’t even get …” Looking over at Neru’s expression, Gabe knew he had completely unloaded on her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to …” Gabe began.
“No, it’s fine,” Neru said, pulling Gabe closer in a reassuring way. “I didn’t realize you had so much on your mind. If I were the protector I am not sure what I would be feeling. Nobody can blame you, not even your girlfriend.”
“Gabe!” Sophie’s voice shouted behind them. Quickly they pulled apart, Gabe turning around to look at Sophie.
“Sophie, where have you been? I was looking for you.”
“Yeah, it looks like you were looking real hard, Gabe.”
“What?” Gabe asked, confused by Sophie’s tone. He considered telling her that she was full of nonsense, and then thought better of it.
“Whatever, Gabe,” Sophie said, turning to walk away in a huff.
Gabe glanced at Sophie, then Neru, and then Sophie again. Lunging forward, Gabe took hold of Sophie’s arm and spun her to face him. “What’s your deal? This is Neru. I met her in one of my classes today. We were just talking.”
“Yeah, Gabe, I always talk arm in arm with guys I just meet,” Sophie argued, pulling, trying to break free of his grasp.
“Are you serious, Sophie? I’m sorry if I upset you. I didn’t mean anything by it,” Gabe pleaded.
Sophie stopped struggling and turned to face Neru. “Hi, Peru. I’m Gabe’s girlfriend, maybe he mentioned me.”
“It’s Neru,” the girl replied.
“Oh, so sorry, N-e-r-u,” Sophie added sarcastically.
“Gabe may have mentioned you,” Neru added with equal spite. “Hey, Gabe, we’ll talk later. I should really take off.”
“Okay, thanks for the talk. Sorry about this,” Gabe told her.
At Gabe’s apology, Sophie crossed her arms, giving him a disgusted look. Neru simply ignored her and walked away in the direction of the dining hall.
“Sophie!” Gabe yelled. “What has gotten into you?”
“Into me?” Sophie defended herself, giving Gabe a slight push. “I come here looking for you and find you practically making out with some little twig of a girl.”
“Whoa? Making out? I was upset because of our fight earlier and she was trying to make me feel better.”
“Yeah, I bet she was,” Sophie made no effort to hide her anger.
“Look, this is ridiculous! I don’t see what this is accomplishing. There was nothing going on. I guess you can either believe me or not.” Gabe had never seen Sophie become jealous. He wanted to shake her back to reality, back into the girl he had come to care so much about.
“Fine, Gabe! Whatever you say!” Sophie replied and then turned towards the dining hall; from her tone she was still clearly irritated. “Let’s just go eat.”
“Fine!” Gabe rejoined. The two walked off together in silence.
The Prophecy (Book 3)
by Wendy Owens
Blurb
Five years have passed since Gabe abandoned Rampart, deserting his destiny and closest friends. The struggles Gabe has endured to stay alive have changed him, hardening him into a man unwilling to trust anyone or anything, dealing with difficulties connecting with the outside world.
Gabe has finally found a certain paradise--a peace in solitude--until a familiar stranger shows up on his doorstep, pleading for Gabe's help.
Now he has to decide if he is truly content in his new life, or if he is willing to risk his solitary happiness for a little piece of the world he left behind.
EXCERPT
Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.
Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.
Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.
Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.
Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.
“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.
With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.
Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.
Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.
Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.
Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.
“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.
Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.
Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.
Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.
Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.
Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.
Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.
“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.
With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.
Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.
Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.
Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.
Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.
“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.
Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.
Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.
Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.
Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.
Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.
Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.
“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.
With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.
Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.
Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.
Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.
Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.
“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.
Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.
Rachel looked back into Gabe’s eyes as she reached out and took hold of his shirt; she began to unbutton it, catching a glimpse of his bare chest. In an instant she saw a hint of a smile curl at the edge of his lips, the sight of which made her flutter. She slowly continued disrobing him, releasing each button from its hold. Once the job was done the white shirt fell open, exposing his chiseled physique.
Running her hands up his tight six pack, she lingered for a moment before continuing over his strong, broad chest. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, causing the shirt to slip off and fall to the floor. Gabe’s slight smile widened as he continued to allow Rachel to take the lead.
Her hands explored his warm chest for a few moments longer. With each new crevice she discovered, she would lean in and memorize the line with a small kiss. Her hands working their way down to the waist band of his pants that hung low on his fit body, revealing a glimpse of the rigid v-cut below his hips.
Gabe moaned in delight, a low throaty sound that vibrated through his chest, tickling her lips. Gabe reached out, pulling Rachel in, his intense gaze so full of passion it nearly made her melt. His lips met hers, the intensity causing her to tremble. Reaching up, she clasped her arms around his neck in an attempt to steady herself. He pulled away, pleased with himself as he heard her sigh, watching her eyes flutter in ecstasy.
Rachel tugged and pulled at the stubborn button of his slacks. The longer she took, the more increasingly embarrassed she became. Gabe growled a deep and almost silent laughter.
“A little help here,” Rachel replied, throwing her hands up in despair.
With great ease, Gabe slipped the button from its hold, dropping his hands back to his sides. Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish,” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.
Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.
Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.
Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.
Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.
The Lost Years
by Wendy Owens
Blurb:
Gabe's world was forever altered by the people he came to know and love at Rampart Manor. Although, it wasn't only his life that was changed when he made the choice to leave them all behind.
During his five year absence, they each had a battle with personal demons. Dina is faced with a moral dilemma, the path of good leading to certain heartbreak, or evil, and a possibility of happiness.
Uri meets a mysterious woman who seems to have a lot of the answers that he has been searching for, and she certainly has a place in his heart, if he can only hold onto her.
Sophie is faced with choices she never knew would be so difficult. The question now is: will the personal demons of the remaining Guardians of Rampart be too much for them to overcome?
Excerpt
Running forward into the smoke, a hundred yards in, their weapons were met with a
clash of steel and tearing flesh. The demons burst into fluttering piles of ash and flame
as their swords sliced through them. Confidently, the men bounded further into the
battlefield.
The earth began to shake and tremble beneath their feet. Uri thought perhaps it was an
earth quake until he heard his friend’s voice.
“You have got to be kidding me!” Haim groaned
.
“What is it?” Uri called back, squinting as the smoke stung his eyes
.
“They have a hydra!”
“Huh?” Uri gasped in disbelief. Taking a step closer in Haim’s direction, he peered into
the distance, trying to make out the dark figure that loomed above them. As the air
began to glow orange, Uri soon realized that what he saw were the flames coming from
one of the beast’s five heads.
“Oh, shit!” Uri cried.
“What do we do?” Haim asked, his brutish tactics no match for a hydra
.
“This is the stuff Sophie’s good at, damn it!” Uri grumbled. “Just kill as many of
them as you can. Love you, brother!”
With those final words, Uri pushed deeper into the mob of demons. It was hard to
determine where one monster ended and the next began. Their eyes glowed, their teeth
gnashed, hungry for flesh. It only took a moment for Uri to be lost in the sea of
unholiness, losing any sight of his friend.
Uri took stock of his situation. Circling above his head was an alp, a trail of smoke
streaming behind it. Alp’s were known for haunting one with nightmares. Uri knew he
had to keep his guard up and not allow the creature into his thoughts. A bajang was
creeping closer to his left. Its feline features did nothing to soften the glare of its
exposed fangs. He knew, given the chance, the bajang would suck every last drop of
blood from his body. Behind the bajang was a cluster of cambion, their skin blue in
color, their skeletal-like frames shaking as they screeched a high-pitched battle cry. A
cambion was the offspring of a human and succubus; they had always turned Uri’s stomach.
To Uri’s right were three goblins; their skin was a putrid green, which appeared to
always be secreting a slimy fluid of some kind. The goblins clutched their daggers tight
, cackling as they prepared to attack. Directly in front of him stood a rokurokubi, which
caused Uri to do a double take, at first thinking perhaps Baal had recruited a human.
The male foe was the first to attack, running towards Uri and swinging wildly. As Uri
brought his green, glowing blade towards the man’s throat, he was surprised to see its neck
flex backwards and to the side, growing at least six feet in length. The being laughed at Uri’s
failed attempt to slice its jugular. Uri quickly realized he was not dealing with a human.
Instead, he had come face to face with a being he had only ever read about in books. A
rokurokubi by all appearances was merely a human, a character trait that allows them to
blend into society on Earth. They have an amazing ability to extend their necks to unnatural
lengths, a handy trick they use to spy on the humans and report back to their demon masters.
Uri stumbled, careful to avoid the swiping blades of the goblins. After assessing the
dangers, Uri was prepared to destroy the ravenous cluster of demons, and they were all
prepared to do the same to him. Lunging forward at the rokurokubi, this time Uri was
prepared for his evasive maneuvers. He watched as its neck stretched, the shades of its flesh
turning an eerie white as it did. Uri was not trying to slash again at the man’s throat; instead
he had his aim focused on the creature’s chest. Pushing his blade forward, the heel of his
hand thrusting at the butt of it mightily, Uri knew exactly where to penetrate to slide
between the ribs. Slicing into his chest with great precision, Uri pulled the blade back out
and brought it to rest at his side. His movements had been too quick for the rokurokubi to see.
Thinking the Guardian had foolishly missed again, he started to laugh, but instead of
laughter exiting his mouth, there was simply a gurgle. The monster’s blood had already
begun to seep into the lung Uri had sliced. Rather than wait for the being to die the slow and
agonizing death it deserved, Uri stood and swiped at it’s now exposed, lengthened throat.
Cutting clean through, a spurt erupted from the beheaded neck before the body fell to the
ground with a thud. At the sight of the fallen demon, the cambion increased the intensity of
their shrieking. Uri fought the urge to cover his ears.
Looking in their direction, a glare in Uri’s eyes caused them to hiss as they coward
briefly. He was prepared to put an end to them, but the bajang had other plans. The creature
moved as though he were floating. He swiped at Uri’s chest, and though he missed his target,
his claws managed to grab a piece of Uri’s arm as he pulled away. Uri winced, the wound
only angering him.
The goblins were too hungry for Uri’s flesh to resist the fight any longer. Seeing their
opportunity after Uri was injured, the three moved in for their attack. Sensing the blade as it
sliced through the air, Uri fell to the ground under its reach. In only a moment, he was back
on his feet; it was as though his injury did not faze him. The goblins growled with fury at the
failed attempt.
“He’s mine!” the bajang shouted furiously at the goblins. They hissed and howled in
contempt at the command, but it was clear who ranked higher as the threesome backed
away. Their attention was quickly refocused on a group of freshman guardians that were
fleeing.
“Run!” Uri bellowed as he saw the beings give chase, unable to shift his attention away
from the bajang.
“Are you ready to die, Guardian?” the creature proposed.
“Not today. But you’re about to meet the end,” Uri replied, his arm finally beginning to
sting from the scratch.
“The Guardian is going to die, he’s going to die— yesss— he’s going to die,” the
cambions taunted from behind the bajang.
“Will you shut up already!” Uri shouted back as he dodged another attempt from the
bajang. “If anyone wanted your opinion, they would ask.”
The cambions cry reached a feverish pitch in response to Uri’s words. The bajang didn’t
hesitate to move in, piercing Uri’s side with its claws. The shallow wound was not life
threatening but painful enough.
“Damn it!” Uri growled, climbing back to his feet.
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The Guardians Crown
by Wendy Owens
Goodreads
Release Date: September 27th
Blurb:
Gabe is finally forced to answer the ultimate question, will he give his life to save the world? What about just to save the one he loves the most? The Guardians struggle to find another way--ideas that don't involve Gabe's death--to defeat Baal. Time is running out. What will Gabe choose? What price will he pay for that choice?
Excerpt
Releasing one last big breath, pushing all the air from his lungs, Michael emerged into the room. He opened his eyes, wide, and prepared to greet his brethren. The room shrank inward, all around him, as his eyes took in a sight he had not expected. He had accepted the idea this was a trick, that perhaps he had offended the council one too many times with his unorthodox methods. He had accepted they might, in fact, be luring him there to imprison him for his insubordination. What he saw now though, was not what he had expected.
A half circle of handmade bamboo tables was sprawled out before him. At each table, a small stool perched behind it with an elder seated in it. None of them looked up at him, their heads lying on the table tops, the blood from their slit throats draining, and spilling onto the dirt floor. All of them, they were all dead.
Michael’s head began to spin. He fell to his knees, purging himself of all of his stomach contents. A tear ran down his cheek, as he wiped away a string of vomit with the back of his hand, from the corner of his mouth. “No,” he gasped, shaking his head, as if trying to make the reality before him disappear.
“I knew you’d come!” a voice called out behind him.
Michael staggered to his feet and turned to face his worst nightmare. Baal stood before him, a smirk on his face. He wore his signature grey, pinstripe, three-piece suit, and casually twisted his pinky ring on his long and slender well-manicured finger. As it rotated Michael caught a glimpse of the rubies in the skull’s eye sockets. His black hair was slicked back, the sight of his false appearance made Michael sick to his stomach.
A slight panic rushed over him as he thought, you need to get the hell out of here. But he knew transporting would be pointless. If he fled back to Iron Gate, Baal would most certainly pick up the tracer and follow him. He would bring the same fate of the council down on everyone he cared about. There was only one option. He would stand and fight, even if it meant perishing like the council.
Author Bio:
Wendy Owens was raised in the small college town of Oxford, Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went on to a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork, she gave her first love, writing, a try.
Since 2011, she has published a young adult paranormal series, The Guardians, which will contain five books total, as well as a novella.
Wendy now happily spends her days writing—her loving dachshund, Piper, curled up at her feet. When she's not writing, she can be found spending time with her tech geek husband and their three amazing kids, exploring the city she loves to call home: Cincinnati, OH.
Author Links:
Website: http://wendy-owens.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyLOwens
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