Guardian Awakening (The Guardians Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

moved a few steps and then placed her gently on the ground under the tree. His emotions were in turmoil as he watched her lying there. He fought to focus on his original goal. Because of his protective instincts, honed over years, he wanted to make sure she was safe and not far from him. But there was a rage inside him and the need for revenge because of what her people had done. Essen gritted his teeth, swallowing back emotions that had been storming through him and had thrown him off balance since she had danced for him. Damn her!
    Her eyes fluttered open gradually. Gray eyes awash with uncertainty stared back at him, helpless. His heart faltered, and inside he knew he was wrong to have made love to her. His body had responded to her like no other. They had been on fire, fitting together in a way that was perfect. But it would be harder to do what he must do now.
    She began to sit up; Essen helped her. “Easy now, easy.”
    “What happened? It was...” Romy glanced around. “Where are we, Essen?”
    Essen watched her get up gradually and brush away remnants of grass and soil from her jeans. Part of him wanted to go to her, help her up, and make sure she was okay, but the darker half of him knew he must distance himself from her.
    “We are where it all began and where it will end.” He gritted his teeth.
    “Yes, you said that, but what does that mean? And what the hell was that place we passed through?” Romy glared at him. He could see she was feeling better and ready for answers. Her eyes were blazing at him, seething underneath her apparently calm exterior.
    “You know nothing of your people, Romy?” Essen deflected awhile.
    “What do my people have to do with this place or with me?” He watched her fling her arms into the air wildly.
    “The actions of your people—the Asuriya have everything to do with the fate of mine. But tell me, what do you know of yourself and who you are?” Essen watched her face, trying to read her. Was she as innocent as she made herself out to be? Could this be a mistake?
    “Well,” she began. “My family origins can be traced back to Asia. My ancestors settled in Eastern Europe for a while, which is where my father met my mother and I came into being.” Romy stopped.
    “And nothing else?” Staring at her directly, he tried to push to see how much she really knew.
    Romy seemed to hesitate before him.
    “What more do you wish to know?” she asked blankly, folding her arms across her chest.
    “I know your family are from the Asuriya...err, tribe who are servants of the Dark Master.” He stepped back but continued to look at her intently, wishing he had the ability to read her mind.
    Romy swallowed hard .
    “They have followed the old ways, but that doesn’t mean that I do. We are no longer in contact.” Romy lowered her eyes to the floor. But Essen had not missed the tears that had started to build.
    “Tell me why you are no longer with them, Romy.” He lifted her chin as a teardrop fell from her eye. He gently wiped the tear away. He wanted to hold her close, but it was too late. It had all gone too far now for him to turn around and back out. In his mind the only way was to finish what he had started.
    Romy seemed to take a deep breath and then met his eyes, almost pleading for him to stop. Her eyes were filled with what seemed like painful memories. Essen would not be making this any easier for her; after all, he had painful memories of his own that needed to be laid to rest.
    “They are also demons, humans who have over time assumed demon powers as warriors for the Dark Master, but I get the feeling you know that. My family kept their true nature well hidden even from me, but there were signs that there was darkness in them. They were power hungry, and greed was at the core.” Romy stopped, taking a deep breath.
    Essen continued to watch her. So she was aware of her family. But how involved had she been? He needed to know.
    “They, not you, you say?” he