Read Online The Guardians Crown (The Guardians Book 5) by Wendy Owens - Free Book Online Page A

where they could live out their days together, perhaps even raise a child together.
    This was the tree they had shared their first kiss beneath. He built her this home among the trees. It was simple, a wooden floor, a thatch roof that now appeared to be riddled with holes, and one open room, consisting of a bed and a makeshift cooking area.
    Looking at the walls that he made from a mixture of mud and canvas, it made him smile. Though most of the mud mixture had crumbled, and fallen away, the fact that the canvas beneath still stood gave him a sense of hope.
    “What happened to you?” Mirada asked, checking on the bandages she had applied.
    “Did you do all of this?” Michael inquired, looking down at his battered and bruised body, no lovingly wrapped in clean dressings.
    Mirada nodded.
    Michael thought about her question. What had happened to him, it seemed unimaginable. Could things have really happened the way he remembered? Was the council really dead? Did he actually fight Baal and survive?
    “It was Baal. He must have had a spy. He killed all of the elders and then lured me there. He wanted Gabe,” Michael explained, unable to look at Mirada as he recalled the blood-soaked scene. He had always been truthful with her. Always answered every question she had, even when he knew he was forbidden to. He was incapable of anything but full disclosure with her.
    “Did you tell him anything?” Mirada asked, concerned.
    “Of course not,” Michael answered, allowing his gaze to meet hers. His hand ran up her arm, cascading over her shoulder, and cradling her jawline. “I was so scared. I thought something might have happened to you.”
    Mirada pulled away, this time she was the one who was unable to look at her beloved. Leaning forward Michael pushed, “Did something happen?”
    She nodded, but said nothing.
    “You have to tell me, what happened? Are you all right?” Michael asked, now panicked by her reaction.
    “They found us,” she muttered before falling silent again.
    “I don’t understand, who found you?” Michael inquired.
    “I don’t know exactly, they were demons though. Stimely did everything he could to protect me. He held them off long enough for me to escape, but …” Her words trailed off as she looked down at the ground.
    Michael reached out, pulling her into his battered body, holding her tightly within his arms. “I’m so sorry.” She collapsed into him, the sobs flooding out of her. As she trembled in his arms, the despair filled him and all he wanted to do was to take her pain. Stimely, though an undead, had been her only companion since she went into hiding. He knew, for her, it must have felt like she was losing her last friend in the world.
    “I know baby,” he whispered, stroking her hair.
    Breaking through the tears, she asked, “What are we going to do?”
    Michael didn’t have an answer. In the past, when he didn’t know what to do, he went to the council and asked them. He felt like he had no direction. They had no idea where the Guardians crown was, they had no one to turn to now, perhaps Baal was right. Maybe the fight was already lost. Maybe this was the end and he should enjoy what little time he had left with Mirada.
    “I suppose we could stay here. I think we could fix it up, don’t you? I doubt anyone will even come looking for us,” Michael suggested.
    “Wait, what?” Mirada asked, pulling away.
    “Yeah, I mean, with the council gone, there isn’t much left of the guardians. I guess our hope died with them. It doesn’t matter now, nothing does, as long as I can be with you. We could be so happy together. The life we always wanted,” Michael pleaded.
    Mirada rose to her feet, crossing the room, “I don’t believe what I’m hearing.”
    “I don’t understand, I thought you’d be happy,” Michael stammered, attempting to follow her and then falling back to the cot, unable to put weight on his leg.
    “What? You thought I’d be happy that you’re just