Captive guardian, p.1
Captive Guardian, page 1
part #2 of Witches Amulet Series
Copyright@ 2016 by Paulina Woods
Edited by Em Petrova
Cover Art by Keri Knutson, Alchemy Book Covers
Interior Formatting by Angela Shockley, That Formatting Lady
All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.
Dedication
The Source
Days after Capture
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
A Note from the Author
Sneak Peek
About Paulina
Wow! I did it. I finished my second book and I have a small following, thank you. I couldn’t have done it without the help of the indie community and the wonderful authors over at Fantasy Romance Author on Facebook.
Jena Baxter, thank you for the late night talks. Elle Clouse, you are a great distraction. Both of you ladies have helped me keep moving forward and off tangents.
To my beta readers, thanks for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I have.
Before man walked the earth, the primal gods created the world as a place to rest. The streams flowed with the purest healing waters and the grass was soft beneath their feet. For long years, the gods of the five elements—fire, water, air, earth and space—strolled and admire their work, stopping to smell the flowers and running their hands through the silky sands of the beaches. As they spent more time on earth, they talked about creating creatures to share the world with them.
The goddess of earth created animals on four legs to run in the forest, gallop over the plains and soak up the sun in the deserts. The god of water created animals to fill the oceans and lakes. From the smallest to the largest he crafted them to thrive. The goddess of air created birds and insects to fly through the air in all colors and sizes. The god of fire created balance, bringing storms to cleanse and heal. The god of spirit breathed life into each creation.
The gods watched as the animals adapted to every part of the world, from the highest mountain to the lowest parts of the ocean. Now as the gods sat and talked they could watch the deer frolic in the meadows and the dolphins swim in the oceans. Birds, bees and all manner of other flying animals helped the pollination of the plants and the gods were happy.
Centuries went by, flowing like days to the gods, and the gods grew bored once again. The animals were fun to watch, fun to interact with, but they were not intelligent beings. They could not hold a conversation and did not worship their creators. The gods once again put their heads together and talked. This time they agreed upon what they believed would be an improvement.
Each taking a small part of themselves, the gods created the Fae. As perfect in form as the gods, they were each given the ability to manipulate the elements and a never ending life. For a while the Fae lived peacefully in the world they were given. They planted food, took care of the animals and grew a civilization. The gods would come and visit as mortals and were pleased with their creation. Patting themselves on the back, the gods retired to the heavens, leaving the Fae to live their lives, but keeping a watchful eye over the world, their first creation.
As time went by and the Fae lost contact with the gods, they started to see themselves as powerful beings, perhaps even gods themselves. A great war broke out and the Fae split into two parts, the Dark Fae and the Light Fae. The Light Fae strove to live the old way and keep the earth pure. They used their magic to heal the animals and the earth from the damage of the Dark. The Dark strove to become all-powerful and tried creating, but instead of forming new life, their constructions became corrupt and twisted, causing the world to suffer. Oceans became black, trees dried up and died, and animals became mutated.
The Light Fae tried fighting back and during centuries of conflict destroyed what little was left of the world, until it was no longer recognizable as the paradise the gods had created. The sound of the world dying reached the gods’ ears and they rushed to render aid, but found they were almost too late. Sorrow filled their hearts. The world they had worked so hard to craft had become a wasteland. Creating a separate pocket in the universe, they placed the Fae behind a veil, and started to cleanse the land.
Taking dirt from the earth and magic from the air the gods mixed the compound with their saliva, creating humans. With no magical ability, these beings tended the earth, learning to grow their own food, hunt for substance and build their homes. They thrived. Reluctant to leave the world to fate once again, the gods stayed for a while, but saw no corruption and soon departed. Before leaving they took the source of their powers, ether, the building blocks of life, and buried them below the largest mountain. Not wanting the source to fall into the wrong hands, the gods hid the mountain from view of humans and spelled it against the Fae, in the event they somehow returned.
Many more centuries passed. As the humans grew, the Fae watched—and hated—from behind the veil until finally, they found a way back. The Fae took their anger toward the gods for imprisoning them out on the humans. Taking on the forms of gods, they forced the humans into slavery and killed anyone who resisted, until none remained. Even a few of the Light Fae fell to the temptation of power. With a heavy heart the gods once again intervened and placed the Fae back behind the veil.
Making the earth inhabitable once again gave the gods time to ponder their past mistakes. When balance was restored, the gods decided to try a different approach. Five species would be created, each taking on the ability of a different element, and when working together, the world would stay balanced. Four would draw their life source from the four elements—earth, water, fire and air. The fifth would be formed of a little of each element and given the power to bend space and time. Given a strong desire to protect all life forms, these complex beings became guardians of all.
For their combined powers to be at their strongest, the gods waited for a full moon and a coinciding comet that only passed the earth every five hundred years. When the night came, they approached the hidden mountain. Each god of the four major elements held a part of themselves in their hands while the fifth held a swirling, colorful sphere made of them all. Standing in a semicircle, the gods faced the mountain.
The first god to approach the mountain had hair of fire and stormy gray eyes. He carried two flames, flickering and dancing in his grasp. Kneeling, he cupped his hands and blew, until two glass figures formed, one male and one female. Laying them down facing west he chanted:
“You are given dominion over Fire, guard it well.” Looking at the female, the god said, “With the power to burn and mend you will care for your young and help guard your mate’s back.” Looking at the male, he spoke again. “You will be strong and provide for those who are weaker. The earth will call to you and you will use that call to produce substance.” Touching their shoulders, he continued, “You will gain strength from the source.”
Stepping back, the god watched as new humans, with the power of fire burning in their eyes, rose from the figures on the ground and formed. With a wave of his hands he divided them into many and flung them to the four corners of the earth.
The second to approach was a beautiful goddess with long, raven hair, which flowed around her shoulders. Wherever she stepped, new life sprang up and even on this sacred ground, small animals followed her. Cupped in her hands was a small amount of fertile soil. Kneeling, she spit, turning the saliva into clay. She molded a female and male from this clay. Laying them facing the east, she chanted:
“You are given dominion over the Earth, guard it well.” Looking at the female, the goddess said, “The animal spirit is strong in you. Take on the form of the animals around you and protect the wild.” Looking at the male, “Protect your mate and watch over her and your young as they sleep. Run wild but always come home.” She touched them both on the shoulder. “You will gain strength from the source.”
Stepping back, the goddess watched as wereanimals, with the scent of earth clinging to their skin, rose from the figures on the ground and formed. With a wave of her hands she divided them into many different species and flung them into the forests of the earth.
The third to approach was a god with flashing blue eyes. Mist followed behind him and cupped in his hand was a sphere of water. Kneeling, he blew on the sphere until it took on two distinct forms, female and male with the lower half
“You are given dominion over the Water, guard it well.” Looking at the female, the god said, “The oceans will be your home, you will find strength in the storms.” Looking at the male, “Protect against those who wish to destroy that which is yours. Dwell deep below the waves.” He touched them both on the shoulder. “You will take strength from the source.”
Stepping back, he watched as mermaid and merman, with stormy seas in their eyes, rose from the figures on the ground and formed. With a wave of his hands they divided, wavered and disappeared to the four oceans of the earth.
The fourth to approach was a goddess whose form was not solid, but shimmered, as if she were constantly in motion. Small wind tornados followed in her wake. Cupped in her hand was one such tornado. Kneeling, she shaped and blew on the whirling wind until two forms became noticeable. Laying them facing north, she chanted:
“You are given dominion over the Air, guard it well.” Looking at the female, the goddess said, “You will hold your mates heart, give him his humanity. Take nourishment from those around you and cleave to your mate.” Looking at the male, “You will protect the night and bring peace to those around you. The sun will bring you pain yet the moon peace.” The goddess touched both on the shoulder. “You will take strength from the source.”
Stepping back, she watched as vampires, with the night sky reflected in their eyes, rose from the figures on the ground and formed. With a wave of her hands, they divided and disappeared into the darkest parts of the earth.
The last figure to approach was a being almost as tall and wide as the mountain itself. On his back, he had wings of the purest white and in his hands he held a swirling sphere of colors. Kneeling, he pushed and pressed until the sphere divided and formed a male and a female. Laying them in the middle of the other figures, he chanted:
“You are given dominion over Space and Time, guard it well. You are the Guardians charged with keeping the world safe from the Fae and any others who rise up to destroy. Walk unnoticed in the day, become invisible in the night, fly in the sky, find nourishment from the water, burn that which brings harm to others. You shall be part of this world, but set apart. You will take strength from the source.”
Stepping back, the god watched as gargoyles, with wings snapping from their backs, rose from the figures on the ground and formed. With a wave of his hand, the air split and the gargoyles disappeared into a different realm, leaving behind small portals by which they could cross from one plane to the next.
The gods joined hands and gathered their powers until there was a light so blinding not even the small animals could keep watch. They faced the mountain and chanted:
“From the source all life flows. From the source all power comes. The veil is strong and the elements controlled. Every five hundred years, when the comet passes, may the elements come together and dance the Dance of Peace to keep the veil strong. As we have spoken, it has been done.” The gods were pleased with their work and departed for their home far above the world they had created.
A rumbling growl slowly simmered in Michael’s throat. His head hurt, his wings hurt, and he couldn’t remember the last time he had something to eat. He was a gargoyle in his prime and hardly ever went a few hours without eating, and his body was letting him know it was not happy. A slight buzzing in his ears made it hard to concentrate. He opened his blurry eyes and glanced around, cursing when he realized he was caged, and witches, the enemy of the guardians for so long, surrounded him.
The witch closest to him used her magic to start a fire under a large pot and like before —before he’d been frozen in stone—he couldn’t feel the magic. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth slightly, trying to use the sensitive tissue on this tongue to “taste” the air, but it was no use. Somehow, the witches’ powers remained hidden.
The ache in his wings grabbed his attention and he reached behind him to ease the pressure, but his hand hit something hard and cold. Jerking his hand back, he peered down at his chest and over his shoulder and saw some type of contraption crisscrossing his body. Immediately he tried to flare his wings, but they stayed in a fixed position, flat against his back. This time the growl made it past his lips. A cough to his left had him turning his head sharply.
He frowned in confusion as he counted four cages, each occupied by males of various origins. As a guardian, he could usually tell which species a being hailed from even when they wore human form, and he saw a merman, two shifters, and a young gargoyle. The gargoyle was not one he recognized, but if he was as young as he looked, his parents had just lost a hatchling. Each of the males sat with their backs to the bars, hopelessness written across their faces. The only one making any type of sound was the hatchling who stared out toward the forest, most likely toward his home. It spoke of the witches’ power for them to be operating in this realm right under the nose of the guardians. They must also be crafty to get their hands on a hatchling.
Suspicious of all movement, he turned back to face the camp and watched as a young witch approached his cage, a bowl in her hand.
“I know this is not enough, but it will keep the hunger pain at bay.” She held out the bowl and the smell of steamed vegetables and meats assaulted Michael’s nose. Scowling, he said nothing. “You have to eat.” She pushed the bowl through a slot Michael hadn’t noticed before and then backed away.
“Why should I believe you want to help me?” Michael demanded. He barely glanced at the offering. Likely all the food was drugged.
“I know you don’t want to trust me, but I am trying my best to help you.” She looked around before leaning in close. “I am working on a plan to get you out of here.”
He studied her. Her golden hair hung heavily down her back, her skin had a shimmery glow, and there were no signs of corruption. Outwardly, aside from the glow, she didn’t look like a witch, but no powerless human would be accepted into their ranks. Steady movements of her hand as she toyed with something at her throat made him focus on the identifying amulet she wore around her neck.
“You are a lesser witch. Why do you risk so much?”
“The time of the prophecy is at hand and the resistance is doing everything in their power to help.” She stopped talking as another witch walked by. Nodding respectfully, she waited until the older woman had passed and became busy with another task. “In the last few centuries the resistance had embedded themselves into every coven around the world. I am the maidservant to Amanda, the captain of the queen’s personal guard. She grimaced. “I was lucky, if you can call it that, to be in camp when they brought you in.”
“Can you get me out of here? I need to warn my king about this camp and others like it that I am sure are hiding in this realm.” He pulled the bowl toward him and started eating. He would need his strength if he hoped to escape.
“No.” She shook her head. “I do not have the magic to open these doors. As far as I know, there are no more camps. This one wasn’t set up to be a stud camp, at first. Amanda is hoping to keep the queen unaware of her planned betrayal by bringing her a few prize studs,” she rolled her eyes. “As for helping you get out of here, I can leave breadcrumbs for those who seek to rescue you. What do you think will get their attention?”
Michael considered the question for a moment. “There is one who will follow me. As hatchlings we used to play a game of hide-and-seek. Leave him carvings in the trees, like this.” He drew a pattern in the dirt on the bottom of his cage. “He will understand and be able to follow.”
“I can do that. I will tell the other two in camp the same. If one of us is caught, the others can carry on.”
“You risk your life to help me, but I do not know your name. I am called Michael, second in command to our general.”
“I am Jackie and I know who you are—we all do. When you were captured, the captain was extremely happy and sent a message back to Queen Lilith.” She glanced around the camp. “I must go. Amanda will return soon and she will want her comforts met. Blessed be.”
Michael watched Jackie walk away before turning back to his meager food offering.
“You are lucky,” the male in the cage next to his spoke without turning. “We have been captives two days and they have not fed us yet.”
