Read Online The Guardian Herd by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez - Free Book Online

Nightwing.”
    â€œOf course,” said Frostfire.
    The two stallions galloped across the field and then leaped into the air, flapping their wings in perfect rhythm. They flew straight up and through the clouds, and then past them, climbing higher. “Come closer,” neighed Star.
    Frostfire flew beside him, and Star projected his golden shield around them both. They ducked into thesouthwestern jet stream and hurtled away from the mountains. Frostfire controlled the sphere’s rotation with his wings, keeping them upright, and Star watched the land pass by in a blur under their hooves, scanning it for signs of pegasi. Hours later they crossed the Vein and entered Jungle Herd’s territory.
    They coasted over the volcano Firemouth, and the silence between Star and Frostfire sparkled with energy as they each remembered Frostfire’s treachery. After he’d kidnapped Morningleaf, he’d hidden her in the lava tubes beneath that steaming volcano.
    â€œI didn’t hurt her.” Frostfire said, addressing the tension.
    Star exploded. “Do you think that because you didn’t kick or bite Morningleaf, what you did wasn’t horrible ?” Star’s voice cracked. “You killed her protectors in front of her eyes. You forced her into a bat-infested cave. You chased her into a jet stream.” Star swallowed, marveling at the fact that Morningleaf had ridden in one of these screaming currents without the protection of a shield. Star turned his head to Frostfire. “Every single bone in her wings snapped on exit.” Tears poured from his eyes. “Do you know how badly that hurt her? She would have died if I hadn’t been there to heal her.”
    Frostfire shook his head, looking numb. “I was following orders from Rockwing.” The words dribbled from his mouth like the last drops of a rainstorm, weak and changing nothing.
    Star clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to retract his shield and watch Frostfire plummet to his death. “I don’t see any pegasi in this territory,” he said, ending the conversation.
    They glided, heading east for many more hours, not speaking. And then the Sea of Rain appeared, green and flat, ahead of them.
    â€œWe should check the Jungle Herd nests for pegasi,” suggested Frostfire, his voice soft.
    Star lowered his nose and directed the golden sphere down and out of the jet stream. They spread their wings, slowing the bubble, but again they were falling too fast.
    A crosscurrent knocked them sideways. Seconds later they crashed into the Sea of Rain and sank toward the bottom near the shore. Star paddled his legs, instinctively swimming, but the water didn’t pierce the shield. He and Frostfire floated back up and bobbed on the surface. The two gaped at each other.
    â€œThis is incredible.” Frostfire knocked on the shellwith his wing. Dolphins zipped past them, seeming curious but keeping their distance.
    Star directed them to shore and then retracted the shield when they reached land. Hot, moist air assaulted them, and Star felt like he was choking. Sweat erupted on both stallions.
    â€œI know where the nests are,” said Frostfire. He lifted off and flew into the rain forest. Star spread his wings and followed.
    Below, he saw tall trees and dense foliage. Monkeys leaped from the branches, brightly colored birds flew from tree to tree, and the animal chatter drowned out all other sounds. “How could a pegasus hear a predator coming?” Star wondered aloud.
    â€œThey don’t,” said Frostfire. “Jungle predators ambush their prey. That’s why everything here is camouflaged, so the predators and prey can’t see each other. It’s why the Jungle Herd pegasi have feathers that look like leaves, so they can hide.”
    Star narrowed his eyes.
    â€œI’m telling the truth,” said Frostfire, gliding low over the trees. “And that gives me an idea. Let’s land a