Sacred Guardian: Of the Blood, #4

By J.R. Pearse Nelson

Darkness threatens. Otherworld needs a hero. Otherworld needs all descendants of the blood.

When Rosa thinks of her ex, they aren't kind thoughts. Mikhail left her, pregnant and alone, four years ago. She's perfectly capable of taking care of herself; she's the Guardian of Dubhros and quite skilled at doing so. But Mikhail's sudden reappearance comes with ill tidings of an Otherworld war. 

After all this time, can Rosa trust Mikhail with her precious daughter's safety…and her heart? 

Mikhail has carried his regrets like another sort of armor, every single day since he left Rosa beyond the veil to raise their child alone. But since that day, everything has changed for his people.

Now Mikhail must convince Rosa to bring their daughter to Otherworld. Only there, together, will they be able to keep her safe.

In the midst of all that, can Rosa ignore how Mikhail still makes her feel? Can Mikhail convince her that she doesn't need to?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.R. Pearse Nelson
• Release date: Sep 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393919551

J.R. Pearse Nelson

J.R. Pearse Nelson is a fantasy and romance writer who has authored more than 20 novels. She hails from Oregon, USA, where she lives with her husband, two teens, and two dogs among the plentiful trees and clouds of the Pacific Northwest. J.R. weaves tales rooted in mythology, bringing legend to life in modern-day settings and fantasy realms. When not writing, you can find her making magic in the kitchen and enjoying long walks or "rambles" outdoors. J.R.'s books include the Moon Garden Mysteries paranormal cozy series, the Aeon Society fantasy romance series, and the Water Rites fantasy trilogy. You can connect with J.R. and learn more about her fiction at her website. Visit jrpearsenelson.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

Trees crowded the well-worn Middleworld path, their crowns rising to block all view of the sky. The shadows under the canopy threatened, as if they would pull her in. It was difficult to breathe in this gloom. It shouldn’t be. Brigit, goddess of home and hearth, should feel right at home in the wildwood. She continued on her way, walking quickly. She couldn’t suffer any distractions now, as much as the menacing darkness called for investigation.

She already had a pressing matter to investigate. She wasn’t sure what her niece needed. Hazel’s message had only said it was urgent. Brigit had a thought or two to share about Hazel’s communication skills. More detail would have been helpful. Maybe then she could draw a breath in peace.

Brigit never used to be this scared. It was a travesty, really. There wasn’t a lot to fear in Tir Nan Og; she was the Dagda’s own daughter, older than the humans’ measure of time. But peril had wound itself tight around her homeland in recent months, and even she felt the changes, the hostility in the wood she’d walked peacefully for ages.

These thoughts wouldn’t do. It was possible that Hazel’s current emergency had more to do with decorating her new home in Underworld than the violent scenes Brigit couldn’t help picturing at the moment.

No matter now; she’d soon know why Hazel had called on her. She just had to reach the world tree, where she’d pass into Underworld. And then she’d have those words with Hazel over offering so little substance in her message.

Up ahead, the crown of the world tree came into view. Its vast branches swayed in the slight wind, and then Brigit spotted the crows. A few dozen of them sat watching her, midway up the world tree.

Spies.

Brigit frowned, recalling an event in the not too distant past that was forever seared into her memory. This army of crows had wasted no time making their mark on the Sidhe. Their violent display hadn’t earned their master any good will among their people.

And their presence here could only mean one thing.

Sister. Brigit’s voice echoed strangely in the silent wood as the crows peered down at her approach. Would you cross my path without a word? You know there is much we must say to one another.

The Morrigan stepped from beneath the world tree.

So it was true. She had actually risen.

Here she stood, in the flesh, in this place of power. The Morrigan touched the conduit between worlds, stroked the knotted trunk of the world tree reverently. Her eyes were on Brigit, wide and bright and daring her elder sister to question her reappearance. To question her rights.

Brigit’s heart thudded madly in her ancient chest as she thought of the Morrigan in an Underworld that had long known peace. A savage embraced by the darkness…what would she wreak there today, after her long rest?

Hello, old friend. I see you have heard of my return.

Brigit frowned at the daft statement. We all know of your return. She gestured to the crows in the world tree’s branches. You murdered Bertran in front of everyone. That was some way to tell us you’d risen, by the way.

I had only awakened at that time. If I’d carried out the execution myself, I would have feasted on the traitor’s bones. The Morrigan’s fierce grin woke memories of a different time, a time Brigit had hoped the Tuatha De Danann had seen the end of millennia ago.

"In the meantime, you used a girl who happens to be very dear to me."

And sister, I must thank you. The Morrigan’s voice rang in her ears. This was all too real. It was a nightmare come to life. You primed the witch for my return. You can’t have known how instrumental her understanding of our people would be. The cycle of truth and revelation is a constant mystery, is it not?

Brigit couldn’t find words to reply.

Was the Morrigan’s return just another fact of nature? A certainty that only took time to unfold?

Her heart ached. She had more to lose now than ever before.

Yes, you know it is true. The Morrigan turned toward the portal. Your time of peace has come to an end. This world, and the one beyond the veil, need my virtues once again.

She called it virtue, but seeing the Morrigan alive and walking, all Brigit could anticipate was violence.

Rosa Elizar halted uncertainly on a trail she’d known all her life. What her eyes told her just couldn’t be. She was only half a mile from the Tree of Dubhros, her ward as Guardian of Dubhros, and she knew every inch of the surrounding forest. This world’s bland gray shades couldn’t hide the richness of the forest life from her eyes. That was her duty.

Rosa flicked a blade from its scabbard, just in case. The knife she’d chosen was only four inches long, suitable for close-up contact. It was one of a dozen blades she had on her person today. A Guardian had to be prepared. You never knew what you’d come across in Echtge – this shadowy forest dimension that Rosa tried to protect along with her ward.

Case in point… Rosa examined her alarming find for the day.

The creature before her hadn’t been seen since times of legend. She moved cautiously, unsure what to expect from the being that used to be a pixie. Now it was llaiadain, the dark pixie. She’d never seen one – not even a picture, as she hadn’t learned the lore from books – but she knew what it was.

It stared at her, dark eyes unblinking, skin rippling with shadow. Creepy. Losing patience, she flung her short blade without warning. The creature skittered off, and Rosa lost sight of it. She retrieved her knife and slipped it into its accustomed place.

Rosa watched for signs of more of them as she hiked closer to her ward, but she didn’t see any. Echtge’s deep shadows gave up no more of their secrets, but she felt a strange foreboding as unfamiliar as the dark pixie had been. As she neared the spot where the Tree of Dubhros stood, her heart thumped in her chest, faster and faster as anxiety gripped her⁠—

The Tree of Dubhros stood unmolested at the edge of the clearing. His canopy arched over the shadows, silvery leaves whispering in the breeze. Dark purple berries glistened among the leaves, eternally in season.

Rosa allowed herself a single breath of relief, of wonder that this being should depend so wholly on her, faulty and half-human as she was.

Are you alright, child? The Tree of Dubhros spoke, a creaking sound like a loud whisper that seemed to fill the clearing.

Rosa smiled. As always, I am happy to see you, my friend.

And I, you, Rosa. Du’s limbs shuddered, as though he were stretching after waking from a doze.

She nodded. All is well here?

A deep rumble she knew for his chuckle sounded around her. Little changes here. Yes. All is well.

Some things do change.

What do you mean? Now his tone was curious. She worried she’d hear fear there next.

I saw a llaiadain.

A hush fell all around. Rosa hadn’t realized how much chatter was going on in the underbrush among the small creatures of Echtge. An entire community of creatures made their homes in the tree, from the heights of his soaring branches, to the bowls and knots in his trunk, to the oddly shaped holes between his roots. These wilds thrived, for all that they lacked the color she was accustomed to in the human world.

Rosa looked up at the branches spreading above her, eyes glancing over their familiar shapes. The Tree of Dubhros only had one home. A tree can’t travel portals. It has deep roots.

That was something Rosa knew about. Her mother had fostered deep roots. She’d been human, with a half-Fomorii daughter, descended from the Guardian of Dubhros at that. She prayed for Rosa every day, clutching her rosary beads in the local cathedral. She lavished her only daughter with love, games and laughter.

Rosa had it good as a kid, despite her differences from others. She’d never had a real human friend as a child. As a kid she was strong. Very strong. And quicker than she should have been. Enough that it alarmed other kids, not to mention their parents. Her friends had been trees. It was probably for the best.

What is it? she finally asked, breaking the eerie silence.

Where did you see this creature? And are you sure it is llaiadain?

It is exactly as you have described to me. Small body, wingless, mottled and bluish-gray. It looked as though a storm cloud crept under its skin – like a pixie, yet not at all like a pixie. It is llaiadain. And it was close. About a half-mile from here.

The hush deepened, if that was possible, and then the creepy silence was broken as chatter erupted in the forest.

Yes. The creatures of Echtge confirm it. The llaiadain has stepped from legend into reality. A sadness deep as his ancient roots filled the tree’s voice.

What does it mean? Rosa knew if Du was this upset, it was not good.

A time of darkness is coming. The dark pixies are a sign...that all is not right between the worlds.

Chapter Two

Mikhail Anndrais stood silently, his mind teeming with the unspoken, ignoring the questioning stares on every other face in the room. He only wanted to tell this story once, so he was waiting for Ian and Drake to arrive.

Mikhail hadn’t felt this lost for a long time. Not since he found his purpose with the Sidhe Authority Guard. Now that purpose was in jeopardy, and his career hung in the balance as he prepared to tell his superiors everything. No matter what he said today, his life would never be the same. And he couldn’t go back.

It wasn’t only the job. Everything had changed.

He was about to go beyond the veil and fetch the family he never should have left. It would take a confrontation he’d avoided for four years, all the while dreaming of the woman who was bound to reject him now. He should have listened to his own desires back then. He’d made mistakes that he was determined not to repeat.

The door opened, and Ian ducked to get through the doorway without knocking the antlers that crowned him the chosen of Cernunnos, Lord of the Forest, and their leader by birthright. He gave Mikhail a tight smile, and stalked to the far corner, crossing his arms and obviously wondering what had caused Mikhail to pull them all together at such short notice.

Drake followed, with Alise right behind him. Drake shot Mikhail a warning glance, and Mikhail choked back a laugh. He had his hands full with that woman. No doubt she’d invited herself when Drake got the call.

Gareth, leaning against the wall on the other side of the room, was done waiting impatiently. He watched Mikhail with a dark look in his eyes. So we’re here. What’s this about?

Mikhail glowered back. I have information to share with you, and then I’m going beyond the veil for reasons that will be obvious in a moment. He gathered his resolve and set his shoulders, then spoke the words that would change his life forever. I have a daughter. She’s three years old. Her mother is half-human, and half-Fomorii.

He’d expected gasps and other signs of shock. What he hadn’t expected was the silence, and the wide eyes as if none of them were completely sure he was serious.

It wasn’t a joke.