Read Online The Guardian Herd: Stormbound by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez - Free Book Online Page A

a moon ago. The over-stallion was dozing in the sun.
    Frostfire settled the yearlings in the valley, and then he and Hedgewind landed next to Rockwing, waking him.
    â€œSpeak,” said the heavily spotted silver over-stallion.
    Frostfire swallowed, hesitating. He knew his words would shatter his grandsire. “I have bad news,” Frostfire said. “Shadepebble’s been captured by Snow Herd. It happened during flight school.”
    Rockwing turned his head, slow like a hunting cat, and gazed intensely at Hedgewind. The instructor stoodbehind Frostfire, quivering and shedding feathers in fear of Rockwing’s silence. Then, without a word, Rockwing trumpeted for his personal warriors, and the sound ripped through Frostfire’s brain, making his head hurt. Immediately, twelve warriors jetted from the clouds and landed on the rock.
    â€œSeize him,” Rockwing ordered, nodding toward Hedgewind.
    â€œNo!” Hedgewind neighed as the stallions clutched his wings in their powerful jaws and swiftly dragged him out of sight.
    Frostfire exhaled and refolded his ruffled violet-tipped feathers.
    Birchcloud, the lead mare of Mountain Herd, dropped from the sky and landed next to them, out of breath. “What has Hedgewind done?” she asked, her voice cracking. She must have heard Rockwing’s urgent call for his warriors. Her eyes scanned each of the flight school yearlings, who stood trembling in the grass. “Where’s Shadepebble?”
    Rockwing stared into the distance, his eyes unfocused, and said nothing. Frostfire answered, “She was kidnapped this morning in the Vein by Snow Herd stallions.”
    Birchcloud rocked back on her haunches, stunned. Snow Herd had both of her fillies now, one by choice andone by force. “It must be a mistake,” she said. “Surely Petalcloud will return Shadepebble to me?”
    Rockwing snorted, the only sign he was listening. Frostfire knew the over-stallion was already plotting how to get his filly back.
    Frostfire nodded to Birchcloud, feeling her fright and sadness. The lead mare had raised him like her own colt and had always been kind to him. “Hedgewind also believes it was a mistake,” he said, trying to reassure Birchcloud. “They weren’t targeting Shadepebble, just stealing yearlings. But Shadepebble was the easiest to catch.”
    Birchcloud gasped, her tears falling freely.
    Frostfire’s feathers twitched. He was anxious to seek revenge on Snow Herd for his stolen aunt. “But you know Petalcloud won’t send her back. She cut all her ties with Mountain Herd when she left. She’s our enemy.”
    Birchcloud sagged. “I know, and Twistwing isn’t stupid. Once he realizes who he’s kidnapped, he’ll understand the consequences.” She closed her eyes. “Returning Shadepebble would admit error, so he won’t do that. Killing her would be his own death sentence, and keeping her will begin a war—he’s backed himself against a tree, unless war is what he wants.” Birchcloud opened her eyes and moaned with despair. “Did Hedgewind fight for her?”
    â€œNo,” sneered Frostfire, lashing his tail. “He hid with the students and let them get away with her.”
    Birchcloud glared at Rockwing, her green feathers standing on end. “I told you one instructor is not enough to protect—”
    â€œHush!” Rockwing neighed, raising his wing. Frostfire knew the two leaders argued often about flight school. Birchcloud had never understood why one instructor took so many yearlings out flying by himself. In light of Shadepebble’s capture, her concerns now made terrifying sense.
    Rockwing’s eyes refocused on Frostfire. “What’s done is done. She’s gone, and Hedgewind will be punished.” He grimaced. “And you’re correct about Petalcloud. She’ll kill her sister before she’ll return her. We don’t have