Guardians: Victory or Defeat

By CJ Bolyne

As Payton continues to battle her evil half, Lilith, the planets have begun to align – another sign that the final ceremony in the prophecies is taking place soon. There are only three keywords left to unlock her memory, but Terran – and Aurel – only knows two. Somehow, Payton will have to figure out the final one herself. In the meantime, Payton urgently needs to get to Stonehenge for the final ceremony. However, one thing is still missing; she still has to steal back the medallion from Lilith. If she doesn't get it back, Lilith may have the upper hand and, if the worst happens and she wins at Stonehenge, she will rule both gods and mortals for eternity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CJ Bolyne
• Release date: Mar 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9780987962546

CJ Bolyne

CJ Bolyne is a first time author and Trinity is her first book. Born and raised in Southeastern Manitoba, Canada, CJ was an avid reader dreaming of the day she would write her own fantasy / sci-fi book. When she’s not writing, CJ spends her time on her farm with her husband and multiple pets. She runs a full-time pet grooming business. Her first book, Trinity, is the first in the series.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Terran walked around the garden of the Guardians fortress. He smiled as he gazed at the beautiful flowers in bloom, the large roses of every color. Roses were Payton’s favorite. The yellow ones were her absolute favorite. She always said that yellow roses brought life to a room and a garden for that matter.

He stopped in front of a large blooming bush of bright yellow roses. He wanted to pick a few dozen to bring back to their room, but what was the point? She wasn’t there to enjoy them. He wouldn’t see her eyes light up as he presented her with them.

Hell! Things were a mess! His one true love was gone; taken again and by Lilith of all people. He felt solely responsible. It was his job to protect Payton and he had failed, miserably. He continued his walk in the garden, beating himself up for his failures. He came upon a large statue of Elrani, his mother. The garden had statues of every Guardian spread throughout. He sat on the stone bench under the statue, ‘Maybe Liesson can get some help from Erean,’ he thought. It would be difficult to get that help, for Erean and Toros always remained neutral. Let Guardians and Anords figure things out for themselves. They would give guidance, perhaps, but never physically help.

Terran looked up at the statue of his mother and sighed, What do we do now, mother? he asked the statue. He didn’t notice Aurel approach.

Does the statue answer questions? Aurel asked Terran.

Leave me alone, Aurel, Terran said, I’m not in the mood for you right now.

Aurel took a moment to walk around the statue and admire the beauty of it, then sighed and said, I am sorry for what happened, Terran. Please believe me. I too have failed. I failed to protect her…..I…

You, nothing! Terran barked, Where the hell were you, huh? I was gone for an instant, and in that instant, all went to hell. You should have been more careful! You should have been watching everything around you, including the forest. If you had been just a little more observant, you would have seen Lilith sneaking up on her … on you! This should never have happened! Terran was inches away from Aurel’s face by this time.

Aurel didn’t respond for a few seconds. He stared at Terran, his anger rising, My concern was for her, he replied, I pulled her away from the fighting to protect her, but…

But you were more concerned about keeping her closer to you and farther away from me, Terran interrupted.

That is not the truth, Terran, Aurel retorted, I do not need to physically pull her from you; she will come to me, in the end. When all this is over, she will be mine.

And I’m positive I heard one of the code words, Terran said, trying to ignore the last statement Aurel made, Just before she disappeared, I heard your voice call out a code word. What the hell were you thinking at that moment? Why would you do that?

To be honest, I had hoped it would, perhaps, give Payton more power, Aurel answered, I know she gains more power for every code word revealed to her.

Yes, but it takes a few minutes for the results to kick in, Terran said.

Oh, I was not aware of that, Aurel said.

No, of course you weren’t, Terran replied, sarcastically.

Terran threw his arms up in frustration, I am not going to do this with you right now, he said, calming his voice. He knew that the louder, the angrier he got with Aurel, the more Aurel would try to antagonize him into a fight. It seemed to be in Aurel’s nature to piss people off.

I do not wish to fight with you, Terran, Aurel calmed down also, I am here to inform you that your parents are looking for you. There is to be another meeting and you are required.

Yeah, ok, fine. I’ll be there in a minute, Terran said.

Aurel nodded, turned and walked back to the fortress. He smiled to himself, ‘Terran was worried and good, he should be, for I will have my Payton soon,’ he thought.

Terran punched the air. Arg! That jerk always seemed to get the best of him. He just couldn’t keep his temper in check. He was afraid. Afraid of losing Payton for good. His heart sank when she confessed she had feelings for Aurel  strong feelings. Really, whom was he kidding. Terran was angry with Aurel, yes, but he was angrier with himself and he took it out on Aurel. He had to concentrate on finding Payton right now and not on Aurel’s interference.

‘Man up’, Terran, he told himself. You have to be the mature one here. After all, you are a half god and you will live forever. Aurel may be immortal in a small way, but there will be a time when he will die, for Aurel is not a god.

Chapter 2

Payton rose with a start. She sat up quickly and scanned the room. Pain arose from her wrists. Damn vine was wrapped around them tightly. She struggled for a few seconds, and then stopped when she remembered the vines tighten the more you fought them. She tried to relax, but it was difficult to ignore the pain.

Good morning sunshine!

Payton jumped, turned to see Lilith in the doorway, smiling that evil smile, Why are you doing this, Lilith? Payton asked.

I would think it should be quite obvious by now, she replied, You know as well as I do, we are the same person, actually the same god. However, I intend to be the only one who comes out of all this intact. You see, dear sister … May I call you that? Oh well, no matter. You see, I must find a way to destroy you, without destroying myself and I have not figured out how I’m going to do that yet. But I will, believe me I will. Lilith’s green eyes shone with delight at the thought of killing Payton.

It doesn’t have to be this way, Lilith, Payton said softly, We can find a way to exist in harmony. It’s what’s supposed to happen. To have equality, you know, for every action an equal and opposite reaction. You were part of me before. Why can’t we be one again?

No! Lilith screamed, I will never be trapped with you again! She started to pace the room, irritated that Payton even suggest such a horrible thing. To live with her in harmony? Hell no! She’d been trapped inside for so long and now that she had her freedom, be damned if she’d give that up.

Helgen! she yelled.

After a few minutes, the old witch entered the room, Yes?

Lilith could see the complete distain in Helgen’s face, but it didn’t matter because, if the old hag stepped one foot out of line, she would make sure of a slow and painful death for the witch.

In my bag, there’s a pair of gloves, get them, Lilith ordered.

Helgen nodded and left the room. She returned in minutes with a pair of leather gloves she pulled out of Lilith’s bag. Lilith took them from the old woman and put them on. Payton watched quietly until she noticed the gloves looked familiar, Those aren’t your gloves, Lilith, she said, they’re Terran’s.

Yes they are, Lilith answered, very observant, ‘sis’. I took them from him. I figured I needed them more, for you see; we are going to do a little experiment. Since you and I both know that we can handle the vine, such as the one wrapped around your wrists, with gloves on, how about we see if I can actually touch you with gloves on. Hmmm? What do you think? I think it’s worth a shot.

Payton was shocked that Lilith even suggest it. It was too dangerous, Lilith, it’s too risky, you may kill us both.

You’re right, Lilith said, but there is only one way to find out. Ready?

Lilith walked slowly toward Payton…. Moment of truth, she whispered.

Chapter 3

Erean sat on his throne, impatiently waiting for all Guardians to assemble. Although he suspected they would ask for his help, he did not intend to give it. He and his brother Toros had always remained neutral and he wanted to keep it that way. One by one, the Guardians arrived in the meeting room, each one showing a bit of shock on their face as they realized who was waiting for them. None of them