Guardians: The Nycren (Book 8): Guardians, #8

By Lola StVil

The end is here...

Will Marcus and Emmy  save both the world and each other? Will the team survive the evil that has hunted them for so long? And when the darkness comes is will their love be enough to light their way back home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lola StVil
• Release date: Feb 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497707030

Lola StVil

Lola StVil was seven when she first came to the US from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She attended Columbia College in Chicago, where her main focus was creative writing. She is the author of the best-selling Guardians series and the Noru series.

Book preview

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Marcus, I don’t have all day, Damien says as he stands over me.

I don’t look at him, hoping that will make him go away. No such luck. He remains standing above me. His tone is official and firm. I don’t address him. I just look out onto the mountain range. I beg and plead with them to answer my question. The same question that I have been asking since this all began: what could I have done differently?

The mountains have no answer for me. The sky is soundless and the wind won’t so much as whisper. The earth and heavens are giving me the silent treatment. That doesn’t stop me from asking them over and over again in my head.

He’s getting impatient. He shifts his weight. His large wings hover above us. I turn towards him and look into his face. He’s over six feet tall and has pensive dark eyes that grow increasingly moody. He furrows his brow and tightens his lips.

Marcus, standing here won’t change anything, he assures me.

I can’t find the words to reply, so I just turn my attention back to the mountains. He sighs in frustration. I ask the mountains again. They again won’t answer me. Why won’t they answer me?

Marcus, let go, he pleads.

I can’t; I won’t, I reply.

I don’t have time to hold your hand, Guardian, he replies.

I don’t need you to hold my hand; just get the hell out of my face, I snap.

You will do what is required of you and you will do it now!

NO!!! I roar as I grab him by his throat and throw him to the ground.

He gets up and tackles me. He quickly gets the upper hand, grabs my head, and forces me to look down at the valley below us.

Look at it, Marcus, he dares.

I look down and see a slew of Paras, angels, and Guardians gathered.

The sorrow weighs so heavily I don’t struggle with him anymore. I stay down. He studies me, then softens his tone.

You have not finished your mission. If you don’t gather your courage, you will doom us all. Do you hear me, Guardian?

I look in his eyes. He is sincere in his warning. But along with sincerity, there is something alarming: fear. He is afraid we will fail to put the Shoma back together; like every angel we have encountered.

Marcus, you and your team are all that stand between us and oblivion. If you don’t find the strength to get up, we will all fall.

I don’t even know how I am able to stand given the massive weight of sadness and guilt that’s overtaken me. But I do; I do get up.

I stand tall on the edge of the mountain and look down at the gathering of angels below. I look at the new Taker and brace myself to do what he’s been pleading with me to do. The thing I’m sure I’m not strong enough to do: say good-bye to yet another member of my team…

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(WEEKS EARLIER)

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I’ve seen Rage in some intense battles. The First Akon’s blast is ferocious and often deadly. But when Tony marches into the villa and tells us that Ameana and Wolf are married, Rage reaches a level of fury we have never seen in a demon. He is so enraged that the flames spring up from his palm and consume him. He is no longer shooting fire; as of now, Rage is fire.

Rage, no! Emmy shouts as the Akon blows out every window and door in the villa.

We are forced to take cover from the shards of glass raining down on us. The team and I take to the air and try to tackle him; the flames are too intense. We can hardly make out the outline of Rage’s body anymore. He’s a wall of flames, and with the fury of the Goumy, he heads for the village below us.

I order Jay and Miku to start evacuating the villagers. I tell Tony to take Emmy and head to safety. Naturally Emmy fights my orders. She tells Tony to hide without her. She then takes off running after the inferno that Rage has become.

No, get back! I order from the sky.

Don’t hurt him, she shouts.

Damn it, Emmy, stay away, I order.

No, he’s just angry, she replies.

Argh! I swear to Omnis one day that girl is going to get herself killed.

Just the thought of her getting killed makes my chest tighten. I make myself shake that horrible thought from my mind and focus. Rage is now only a mile away from the village. I can hear the humans screaming from up here.

Rage, stop, please! Emmy yells up to him.

Rage does not respond. He continues heading for the humans.

Jay glides up to me with a grave expression on his face.

Yo, we won’t get everyone out in time, he warns me.

Then we have to take Rage down. He can’t be allowed to get to the village.

Whatever we do, we need to do it fast, Jay replies.

I can see what he means: Rage is getting closer. The humans cry out and scatter in fear for their lives. Miku tries to herd them away from danger, but some are actually drawn to the flames out of morbid curiosity.

Emmy races towards us shouting for Rage to stop before it’s too late. Jay and I exchange a look of sad acceptance. There’s nothing we can do now but stop Rage.

Jay, glide around him fast enough to cause a wind tunnel. That should diminish the flames, I instruct.

Jay glides around Rage at top speed. The wind tunnel does drain some of Rage’s powers but it in no way stops him. I tell Jay to glide again and keep gliding. I wait a few seconds until the flames are somewhat diminished, then I yank a streetlight up from the ground and swing it at Rage, hoping it will push him away from the humans. It works, but only for a few moments.

We have to put out the fire, there’s a fire hydrant near the— Miku starts.

At this point Rage and the flames are the same; there’s a chance taking out the fire could also take out Rage—for good, I reply.

It’s him, or the humans, Miku says.

Damn it! I roar as the Akon lands in the center of the village.

While a majority of the humans have wisely fled, there are dozens that remain. I reluctantly order Miku to head over to the fire hydrant and await my signal. This is the last thing I want to do, but Rage is leaving us with no choice.

Marcus! Jay calls out.

I follow his gaze and I see Emmy standing directly in Rage’s path.

Damn that girl.

Emmy, move! I demand as I fly down towards her at top speed.

She stands where she is, pleading with a sea of flames. I land beside her and try to remove her, but she won’t budge.

Don’t make me carry you, I warn her as Rage approaches us.

We have to help him, she pleads.

We are out of time, I reply as I look up to give Miku the signal.

Rage, it’s not over; you can get your family back, she begs.

And for the first time since Rage went into supernova mode, he pauses. The flames don’t die down and things continue to burn around us. But the ocean of fiery waves is still. I signal to Miku to hold off on the water. I encourage Emmy to keep talking to him. But I keep a protective arm around her in case I have to pull her out of Rage’s path.

I know you’re angry, but this isn’t the way to get them back, Emmy tells him.

She’s right. You have to stop or we will stop you, I caution him.

Suddenly, without warning, the flames rage on once again. I have only a fraction of a second to pull Emmy away. The spot where we stood just moments ago is now scorched. Rage now heads directly for the humans.

I’m about to give Miku the sign to release the water when a thought pops into my mind. I shout out to Rage in a last-ditch effort to save him.

THOMAS, THIS ISN’T LIKE BACK WHEN YOU WERE HUMAN. THIS TIME YOU ARE NOT ALONE; YOU HAVE US.

Finally, the First Akon’s flames begin to die down…

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Emmy takes Rage back up to what’s left of our villa to keep an eye on him. We call Ameana on her cell several times and it goes straight to voicemail. The only good thing is that she is with Wolf and he would not harm her. Not after going through this much trouble to be with her. We also check on Tony. He has sworn off hanging out with us after almost being set on fire. I am sure he will stay away from us for about five minutes or so, and then he will be back.

It takes a few hours to get the situation in the village under control. While no humans were hurt directly, many have lost their homes and property. Jay has to convince them that they didn’t see what they saw. We don’t finish with the humans until nightfall.

Once done, we head up to what’s left of the villa. It looks like a disaster area. Rage paces back and forth in the middle of what was once the patio. Emmy tells us that he hasn’t set fire to anything since the two of them have been there. Still, Rage is nothing short of livid.

Why the hell would she do that? Why would she marry him? Rage asks us.

She must be doing it because she thinks it’s the only way to save her son, Miku says carefully.

Aaden is my son too. I have a say in what happens to him. She had no right to do this! Rage snaps.

You’re right, man, she did you dirty; she should have talked to you first, Jay adds.

We did talk. We talked all night. I told her I would take care of us but then she just went and… Rage can’t bring himself to finish.

We exchange a look of sympathy amongst ourselves for the demon.

We should give her a chance to explain, Emmy says.

Explain what? I love her. We were supposed to get married and now she’s married some other guy. And she’s taking my kid from me, Rage says, growing angry again.

Let’s calm down. Rage, have you tried her cell again? Miku asks.

It’s still off. How could she do this? She knows how I feel. She knows that I love her, how could she leave? Rage pleads.

They don’t care. They say they love you and then they walk away, I reply before I can catch myself.

Excuse me? Emmy says, looking at me.

Never mind, I reply.

Everyone turns towards Emmy and me.

Yo, son, what’s going on with you and Em? Jay asks.

Not now, I reply quickly.

Are you guys fighting? Miku asks.

Emmy and I exchange a look of discomfort. Neither of us wants to discuss it.

Okay…so that’s a yes, Miku says to Jay.

We’re not fighting. We… I start but can’t finish.

To be perfectly honest, I knew Emmy and I were over the moment I saw her kiss Alex. That’s not to say I wanted to let her go; in fact, I wanted to hold on to her more than ever. But I know Emmy. She has a good heart. She won’t just kiss another guy for the hell of it. This guy had something she wanted; something she needed.

I knew I had to ask her about wanting to be with humans but I kept putting it off because I knew the answer. I wasn’t just upset because they were kissing. I was angry because I realized Alex could give her what I can’t: a human life. And judging by the kiss, she longed for it. How could I deny her that?

The last time we were in her room making love, I knew it would be the last time. So, I memorized her curves with my fingertips and drank as much of her in as I could. When she is no longer mine, there is no end to the list of things she does that I will miss:

The way she sighs helplessly and tilts her head when I graze the nape of her neck, or the sparks that ignite and cause her to bite her lower lip when I kiss between her shoulder blades down to her lower back. Or the way she blushes when I watch her walk across the room with nothing but a towel on.

Over time she had come to learn my body as I had come to learn hers. She knows where to kiss and explore to get a reaction out of me. Still she is wrong about one thing: she thinks I need her to wear a revealing dress like the one she had on at the ball in order to be excited. The truth is, seeing Emmy in a plain T-shirt and jeans excites me more than a room full of naked girls ever could.

Emmy has become nothing short of an addiction. If it was just physical, I could get over it. But it’s so much more than that. It’s the way she makes it her mission to find hope in every possible situation. It’s the way she stands up for everyone; even a demon. She also has a talent for finding pleasure in the smallest of things. All of these things make it impossible to live without her.

The next morning, I was certain I wasn’t going to ask her. I couldn’t take the chance that she would say, Yes, Marcus, I need to be with a human.

So, I decided I was going to keep my mouth shut. Then I looked over at her. She was sleeping with her head on my chest. Given everything she had been through, it would be understandable if she were mistrusting or cold. But she wasn’t. She lay in bed with me, confident that I would protect her.

Yes, if evil came for us, I would have given my life to ensure she got away. But that’s not the only kind of protection she deserves. She shared things with me, did things with me that a girl only does with a guy she loves and trusts. She trusts me to look out for her. Not just as First Guardian but as her future husband.

That’s when I knew I had to ask her. I had to make sure she thought about what it would mean to marry an angel. I had to know if she was certain about giving up on every human guy and being with me; only me. Was she really ready at only seventeen?

So, I made myself ask her. When she actually said the words Marcus, let me go I died. Again. I didn’t even realize that tears had been shed until she touched my face. Blue tears.

Damn.

I felt so many different things. I was pissed at myself for asking. I hated that I loved her. I wanted to fly away, yet stay with her as long as I could. She was my strength, and that would prove to be my weakness.

Holding her the last few hours in her apartment, I could feel happiness being drained from me like I was inside a Soul Chaser. The situation was stripping away any reason for living I had. We held on to each other for days, and then it was time to let go.

Time to let go of Emmy; let go of my wings…

Hello, earth to Marcus, Miku says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

What? I ask.

Don’t avoid the question, Marcus. What’s going on with you and Emmy? Miku pushes.

It’s been a few days since Emmy and I called it quits. I have been processing it for days now, so it should be easy to say out loud but it isn’t.

Yo, for real, what’s up? Jay asks, growing more and more concerned.

Marcus and I…we broke up, she says, sounding more okay with it than she should in my opinion.

Well, it’s nothing new. You guys will be back together in a day or two, Miku says, smiling brightly.

No, Pretty, we won’t. This time it’s different, she replies.

Why? she wonders.

This time, we both agreed to walk away, I reply, looking at Emmy.

Wait, why? You two are finally on the same page, Miku reminds us.

Look, we can talk about this later, I offer.

But the way Miku is looking at the both of us, we know that she will not settle for later. She wants the details, and she wants them now.

I’m gonna just see what happens—if anything—with humans, Emmy replies, not really sure what to do with her hands.

What human—Alex? Miku says.

Yo, Em, you date’n Alex? Jay asks.

Well, I…it’s…I’m not sure…I mean… Emmy mumbles.

She looks to me to help her avoid the questions but the truth is I want to know too. I have been going over these questions in my head for days, and it would end the torture to have some answers.

Will she go out with Alex now? Will she start seeing other humans or just Alex? Argh, I hate that guy. Has she contacted him to let him know that we broke up? Have they been texting back and forth? Are they sharing witty jokes with each other? Worse, have they been sexting? If not, do they plan to start? Is she going to sleep with him? Will she sigh and call out his name like she did mine?

Wait, does she love him?

Oh my Omnis, she loves him.

She loves him?

What if she loves him?

Emmy glares at me, and that’s what forces me to put aside my questions. I remind Miku and Jay that we have more important things to talk about. Luckily they do not get to argue because at that moment, Rage makes an announcement.

I know Ameana. She would never do this without a good reason. That Wolf bastard is holding her hostage, he says as he starts to flap his wings and starts to hover in the air.

Where are you going? I ask.

I’m gonna find the Kon bastard and deep-fry his ass, Rage replies.

Rage, you can’t go after him on your own, Jay says.

Fine, then come with me.

You can’t get to Wolf. The Omari won’t let you. They will take you out before you get anywhere near him, Miku replies.

I don’t care. This hippie fucker has my family. I don’t give a damn who or what gets in my way, I’m going to get them back. And then I’m going to sear Wolf’s wings off and shove them down his damn throat, Rage vows as he starts to ascend higher and higher.

I told you, you can’t kill Wolf, I shout.

Why the hell not? Rage asks.

Because I signed a contract, someone says as they walk up the path that leads to the remains of the villa.

Ameana walks up to us wearing a flowing white dress and with concern etched on her face. Rage flies down and lands in front of her. The team quickly surrounds Mimi, not sure if Rage will be violent or not. We wait with bated breath to see if Rage will need to be restrained. He doesn’t do anything but stare at her for the first few moments. Then he desperately reaches out to her, but she quickly steps back.

Thomas, no! If you touch me, Aaden and I will die.

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YOU DID ALL OF THIS AND NOW YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER AND AADEN COULD STILL DIE? ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS? Rage shouts at Ameana.

Hey, calm down, I warn him.

NO, I’M NOT GONNA CALM DOWN. SHE DID ALL OF THIS FOR NOTHING; NOTHING HAS CHANGED! he bellows.

Thomas, that’s not true. Now Aaden’s life is in our hands and not in the hands of the Originals, Ameana pleads.

The two of them start to argue back and forth until I order everyone to shut up. Everyone does. I let the silence soak in for a few moments before speaking.

Ameana, take us through this; from the top, I instruct.

Thomas, I’m so sorry. But I couldn’t take the chance that the review would result in Aaden’s death. So I contacted Wolf last night and I told him I would marry him if he called off his kill order.

I told you I would take care of it! he replies, only slightly less pissed.

He’s my son. I couldn’t chance it, she begs.

He’s our son. And you should have had faith in us; in me, he accuses.

I did what I had to do to protect him, Ameana shouts.

You went and did this behind my back. Why didn’t you tell me? Rage demands.

I knew you would never allow Aaden and I to go off with Wolf. That’s why I had to sneak off, Ameana replies, instinctively reaching out for Rage. She then remembers the contract and pulls back.

Okay, let’s put a hold on why you married Wolf. What’s this about not being able to touch Rage? I ask.

At first, Wolf said I couldn’t even come back to the team. But then I told him that I had to help you guys find the last two Alphas. I think he said yes because he understands duty. He used to be a part of a team himself so…he said I could finish the mission. But he’s worried that Thomas and I would get together, so he made me sign a contract, she admits in complete despair.

What kind of contract? Miku asks, taking her friend’s hand.

A Garren.

Yo, you signed a Garren contract with Wolf? Jay says in complete astonishment.

Rage’s mouth hangs open. Miku places her hand over her mouth, shocked. I lower my head downheartedly.

Um…I’m pretty sure I’m going to regret this, but what is a ‘Garren contract?’ Emmy asks, studying our faces.

Well— I begin.

No. Let Ameana explain to Emmy what she has just done. Go ahead, Ameana; tell Emmy how you have destroyed our family, Rage challenges.

"He implanted a micro meter inside me. It’s the size of a pin but it’s deadly accurate. And it’s programmed to identify Thomas. So should he

Reviews for Guardians

[Catherine Qu · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Possibly the worst book series I've ever read.

The plot is a continuous repeat; this issue arises, there are these bad guys, the good guys kill them- then there are more issues, more bad guys, more good guys kill them. And so on and so forth.

The editing is poor, particularly in the first books. You'll find grammar mistakes are common.

Items are constantly invented at random for plot. I understand that you have to have imagination and creativity in a fantasy world, but the author does this in an incredibly poor function. Places, creatures, items- they're all just suddenly dropped into the story. All in all, there is little foreshadow.

All in all, a huge letdown. I would not recommend this series.