Read Online Stone Guardian by Maeve Greyson - Free Book Online Page B

irritation burned in his chest when all that met his question was silence. “Aye, so ye’ve left me to fend for myself? Well, so be it. I am not afraid.” Sucking in a deep breath, he closed his hand around his amulet. The old sense of power surged through his veins. He was still the one. Stone guardian chieftain. As wielder of the sacred magics, he’d kept the beasts from this world for centuries. A flicker of doubt whispered in his ear. He tossed his head and clenched the necklace tighter. He didn’t fear what lay ahead. He just liked knowing what he faced.
    The growling mystery rolled to a stop within a few yards of his precious stone gateways. A cloud of dust swirled around the body of the thing, shielding its innards from view. Still clutching the edge of the center stone, Torin peered closer at the strange sight. The wind picked up, whistling through the obelisks dotting the barren hillside. The call of the stones answering the wind drowned the roaring apprehension pounding in his head.
    One side of the contraption opened as though spreading a great crimson wing and a woman emerged from the belly of the beast.
    “Almighty Brid,” Torin breathed. His hand dropped from the amulet around his neck and clenched the familiar haft of the dirk strapped to his thigh. What the hell had the Cailleach sent him?
    Her long tanned legs stretched from a revealing pair of short dark trews. The tempting expanse of skin disappearing up into the tiny bit of cloth awakened his groin, reminding him he lived and breathed. Flaming red hair framed her upturned face. Stubborn curls fought against some sort of tie. Her tresses shone more brilliant than any sunset and cascaded down her back to curl just above her narrow waist. A full bosom strained against thin white material stretched across her chest. Torin sent up a chant for a heavy rain. Surely when wet, her tunic would disappear and bless him with a clearer view. Then he noticed it and a shudder of realization shook through him as dread chased all thoughts of anything else from him. A stone guardian’s amulet, identical to his, dangled from her graceful neck.
    “Ye’ve awakened me from my penance just to meet another guardian? This is the one ye wish for me to join? The last time I stirred from this accursed sleep, ye had allowed Arach to send the guardians on their way to the next time. Ye made me believe all of my clan had passed beyond the veils.” Had she truly brought some of his clan back across? Hadn’t she said she’d shelter a select few? “What is it ye ask of me now, Cailleach ? I’ve slept too long to remain chieftain and lead a clan. I do not belong in this world.”
    Nothing but unbearable silence met his question. Torin snorted, pounding his fist against the cold jagged edge of the nearest stone. “And what good is an old chieftain who can no longer guide his clan? How could I possibly protect my people in a time I know nothing about?” Torin cast a bitter glance to the sky, knowing full well the conniving Cailleach heard every word he said.
    Cailleach’s cackling laughter finally danced across the breeze yanking through his hair. “Ye remain my chieftain because I deem it so. Ye will serve me well in this time—even better than ye did in the past. ’Tis true I sent our gifted clan to the next place but I couldna bear to strip my blessed land of them all. I’ve kept a few within this world, kept them unaware of the powers they possess in order to protect them. They’ve remained scattered about the earth, hidden for just such a time as now. I need ye, Torin. Ye must awaken the lass to her gifts and the two of ye work as one. This world is rife with escaped chaos.” The wind whistled a sorrowful moan between the stone spires. “I erred, Torin. I ne’er shouldha chosen Arach for the cleansing. The demon has tormented this humanity long enough. ’Twill take the full strength and magic of two powerful stone guardians to purge the beast from this land and