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

giving up? All these years, were you fighting for the cause or the council?” she demanded.
    “I don’t understand why you’re reacting this way? You hated that I let them drive you into hiding. You hated the fact that we couldn’t be together. I figured you of all people would be glad I decided to stop this madness.” Michael argued.
    Mirada shook her head, frustrated by what she was hearing. Without space to pace, she began to walk circles around the tree in the center of the room. “Have you really changed this much over the years? It’s like I don’t even recognize you.”
    “Why would you care? The oracles are neutral!” Michael shouted feeling wounded by her words.
    “And you think I’m just like all of them. I thought you knew me,” Mirada whispered, the words too difficult for her to say any louder. She came to a halt in front of him, staring, as if hoping to recognize something inside him.
    “I’m sorry,” were the only words he could think to say.
    She sighed and took a step closer, allowing him to wrap his hands around her waist. He buried his face into the folds of her skirt. Not allowing him to escape their conversation she lifted his chin until their gaze met. “The resistance was never defined by a council, their existence did not give cause. The cause was what gave them purpose.”
    As Michael watched her speak, he swallowed hard, remembering in that moment it was more than her beauty he had fallen in love with. “I don’t know what to do,” he replied, his words barely audible.
    “People need hope Michael, as much as they need a leader. You and Gabe are the answer to both of those things. You’ll lead the people of earth to victory and Gabe will give them the hope they need to keep going,” Mirada said, her voice sensitive, yet unwavering.
    “I don’t know if I can,” For the first time in Michael’s life he was completely unsure of what he should do. He had lost all sense of purpose.
    “You can, and I’ll be at your side every step of the way,” she said with a smile.
    “Are you serious?” Michael asked, his heart now racing.
    Falling to her knees she embraced him, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. She pulled away, looking into his eyes. “I’m never going to leave your side again.”
    Michael felt as if his heart might burst. With the death of the council he had felt as though he had lost everything that mattered to him, but here in his arms, he found the last piece of hope he had left in the world. “We have to go back and help Gabe.”
    “Why, what’s wrong with Gabe?” Mirada asked.
    “They found a book that says the guardians crown is real,” Michael explained.
    “Well it is real, or it was,” Mirada stated, staring back at Michael.
    Michael watched as she rose, taking a seat next to him on the bed and wrapping her fingers around his. “What do you mean it was?” he asked.
    “The crown has been damaged, what’s left of it will never work against Baal,” Mirada explained.
    “Are you certain?” Michael inquired.
    She nodded solemnly. “I’m afraid so.”
    He fell silent, his heart sinking. Shifting on the cot, he laid back, Mirada crawling up next to him, allowing him to wrap one arm around her back. “That’s unfortunate. I’ve never seen Gabe this engaged in the fight before. The crown gave him something to search for, something to hold on to. I’ll admit, he even had me believing it at the end.”
    “He doesn’t have to lose that. Rachel needs him more than ever right now. He just has to figure out she’s enough for him to hold onto and that she is what he is ultimately fighting for,” Mirada explained.
    Michael soaked in her words. Perhaps she was right and he was going about this the wrong way. Mirada had given him a reason to fight. When he thought she might be hurt, it awoke a beast within him that would have stopped at nothing to rescue her.
    “I suppose we should get back and tell Gabe the hunt for the Guardians crown is