The Defender

By Adyasha Acharya

"You know where you stand now. You have to make a choice.

Erin, now the Guardian of Vesvera is worried about Luke who is on

the road to become the Defender of Vesvera with several obstacles

in his way. They both juggle their responsibilities, relation and their

newly formed relationship, meanwhile, trying to come up with

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Nov 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361729881

Book preview

The Defender

Dr. Adyasha Acharya

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2023

Content Copyright © Dr. Adyasha Acharya

ISBN

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

Dedicated to my family, friends and readers.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my parents, family and friends for their unconditional support

To Ukiyoto Publishing, for giving me this wonderful oppurtunity.

And to everyone who has been following Erin and Luke's magical journey.

Contents

Luke

Erin

Erin

Luke

Erin

Erin

Luke

Erin

Erin

Luke

Erin

Erin

Luke

Erin

Erin

Luke

Erin

Erin

Luke

Erin

Erin

About the Author

Luke

I

stare at her for what feels like an eternity. I never meant for my secret to be out like this. Hell, I never intended to keep that as a secret even. The circumstances forced me to. Now we are here, the Guardian of Vesvera standing in front of me with a hurt look on her face telling me that I am supposed to be the Defender. I knew about the fate of an andesine handler but things can always change, right?

I wanted to tell you, sweetheart. It just wasn’t the right time. I take Erin’s hand in mine and tilt her chin up so that our eyes can meet. I feel like a miserable guy for hurting the woman I love and for letting her being hurt by the man she is in love with. But there wasn't a right time to talk about this. We were busy chasing a traitor, fighting demons and attending meetings.

Erin shakes her head in dismay. Luke, this is the tradition of Vesvera. It has been from the beginning.

You know this is complicated. I am not going to stay here for long. And there might be another andesine handler in future.

She laughs. The andesine chose you, Luke. She takes a step back and crosses her arms. If you knew you aren't here for long, then why did you accept the stone? I hear the sadness in her voice when she says it.

To be honest, I don't have an answer to this question of hers. I don't know, I reply quietly. What I do know is that you understand why I hid it from you. You understand what a compromising situation I am in. I am just here on a vacation. Catching a traitor, battling demons may have been side quests but becoming the Defender was never a part of the plan.

You know where you stand now. You have to make a choice.

That is really as I said it is complicated. Jason told me to talk to you after your speech. But I couldn't bring myself to tell you that I have been lying to you for some time now.

She frowns. How did Jason find out?

We are roommates. He eventually found out.

What now? This is really messy. Erin would never ask such a question like that.

Now you tell me how much you love me to make me feel better.

She chuckles. Shouldn't you be the one telling me that?

We both can make a compromise on this one. Thanks for understanding me, sweetheart. I love you.

I love you too. The sound of footsteps tells me that we are going to have company. Let me explain this to Ari. And so she does. By the expressions Ari gives throughout the time Erin fills her in, I can sense that she's gonna murder me after their conversation is over.

You did what? She corners me. You, I hate you. At least you could have told Erin.

Believe me, I regret not doing that.

Ari gives me a pointed look. You should.

Wow, that was straightforward. I feel like I should receive a death sentence for this, I grumble.

Jason offers me a sympathetic glance. Under normal circumstances, he would have been the last person supporting me. However nothing about this is normal. Ladies, I would have done the same thing. It is not like Luke betrayed us. He just kept a secret. And now it isn't a secret anymore. There's nothing to worry about.

Thanks, Jason. I pull Erin closer, my lips brushing her golden brown hair. What do you want me to do? I know what you will say as Erin Jackson, the woman who loves me that whatever I choose, you will support me. I want to know what the Guardian of Vesvera wants.

She draws a deep breath and then faintly smiles at me. Her glassy grey eyes sparkle with hope. Fight by my side, Luke. You were born to be a magician and that's what you should be. You are fated to be the Defender so accept your fate. I want you here with me. The Guardian wants her Defender by her side.

I kiss her forehead. She said the exact words I needed to here. Then that's where I will be.

We still have a problem. Your stone hasn't been sanctioned. And where did you even get it from?

Mr. Flint. This had been under his protection for a long time. Ellesmera's fiancé Will had handed it over to him. Mr. Flint thought I am the perfect choice for it after his son who was supposed to handle it rejected it. The only reason I accepted it was because I thought it might help me help you. I don't know why I ignored the theory that it is linked with the Defender.

Yes, Erin mutters, except for the fact that we are standing in front of the Defender of Vesvera and he isn't ready to take up that position yet. Ouch! But that's true. I have been there where you are now. If there is anyone who can understand what I'm going through, it is Erin.

I groan. The fact that the Defender is someone whose family has given up their belief in magic and who also doesn't belong to the city anymore will really sit well with the people.

That is something a Defender would worry about. What his people will think I mean. You are already taking your duty seriously. What's stopping you from accepting? A hundred things apparently. I am saved from answering when Erin's phone vibrates. Demons outside the city borders. Edmund called.

We can talk about this later, I say in assurance. I hope we never talk about this later or even hundred years after. I get in the passenger's seat of Erin's Volvo. Jason and Ari settle in the back. Erin rarely drives this car. Mostly it is me behind those precious wheels. A group of demons are circling outside the border. If they are thinking of entering, that's unlikely to happen. Highly unlikely. Give me five minutes. I will burn them down to ashes.

I'll give you all the time you want, Luke. She isn't really talking about me dealing with those crappy demons.

I crack my knuckles and jump outside landing in a half crouch. The demons turn in my direction. All six of them. I roll my sleeves up. If they want a show, I'll give them one. A good one.

The moment we cross the boundary, the demons jump upon us. I burn my first attacker. Erin takes out her sword and slashes a demon’s head. Jason freezes one and Ari stays guard at Terminus. Two demons lunge at me. I conjure two large flames in my hands then burn them down. The last one is washed away by a huge water wave.

Erin puts her sword back. Bro dear, you and Ari get Mr. Sinister here to strengthen the wards in case more demons attack. Jason nods and leaves with Ari. 

I roll my sleeves back. Erin gazes at me smiling. What?

I like you more with rolled up sleeves.

I chuckle. I thought you loved me.

Semantics. I join her for scouting the boundaries. There are no more demons anywhere near us. Either we killed all of them or some of them snuck away. A thought occurs to me. What if these demons are just a distraction? I mean obviously they are wasting time. But what if they are actually keeping us from something?

Erin looks my way. Gold for your thoughts? Only she would pay in gold for my thoughts.

Just thinking about what Zenobia is planning. I run my hand through my hair. It has grown longer in the past few weeks. They have stolen the crown of Ellesmera and Solmer’s journal. You are more into this stuff. What do you think?

To be honest, I am just as clueless as you are. I mean the crown can be used for the magic inside of it and the journal, I have no idea what is in it. She glances up at the sky where Raeken, the legendary owl is flying. The real question is why demons would help a witch.

Yeah. There has to be a bigger picture. I turn around to see Mr. Sinister, Uncle Anderson, Jason and Ariana.

Mr. Sinister starts working on the wards. Erin nudges me in the shoulder. I should talk to him. Riiight. Sir, I had to tell you about-

The andesine. I know about it, Lucas. Flint has told me.

Guess that saves me from one explanation. Then you know my situation.

Lucas, this is a difficult path but it is worth it. However, we have to wait for a month or two. Andesine is a very strong stone. For you to have it under control, you have to train more. What you are using is just a streak of its power. I am sure you can understand.

I get it. Thank you.

And why don’t you invite your parents over? I can talk to them.

That would be a big help, sir.

I tell Erin that Mr. Sinister already knew about the stone. And he also didn’t seem pissed off. That is good. She motions at Raeken that it is time to go back. We’ll figure this out, Luke. I nod. I hope we do.

……………..

I enter the empty reading room. Since the vacation is going on, the whole school is empty. Good thing. I needed some silence. Erin has gone for patrolling with Edmund and Cam. Jason and Ari are busy watching some movie. Jason had asked me to join them but I had more important things to do.

I open the fire magic book and flip through it to the andesine page. The fire and you are one.

I continue reading about several legendary fire handlers and their conquests. Fire stones are always a catch. They are volatile and powerful. A dangerous combination. I yawn. Reading for so long is not Lucas Violette’s kind of thing. I shut the book and lean back on the couch and fall asleep eventually.

Luke, a soft voice wakes me up from my nap. Erin brushes my hair away from my face. You need a haircut.

I chuckle. Yeah, I do.

Now get up. Why don’t you go back to your room and complete your nap?

I follow her to my room and then head to the bathroom to wash my face. She hands me a towel when I come out. When did you take up the task as my local guardian?

She smiles. From the day you arrived here.

Jason knocks on the door. Has he forgotten this is his room too? Or is he just that civil? Sorry to disturb you guys but Stuart Phelps is here.

Stuart! Erin exclaims in amusement. What is there to be so amused about? Stuart isn’t that interesting. Is he? No need to get jealous, she says as if reading my thoughts. I raise my brows.

Jason falls into step beside me as we follow his sister downstairs. How are you doing? Our friendship has grown stronger in the past few weeks especially after I revealed to him about the andesine.

Except for the fact that the andesine handler has to step up as the Defender, I am fine. You know what when it comes to lecturing your sister to accept a responsibility one as big as being the Guardian, I am the man for the job. But when it comes to lecturing me, I am the last person to do that.

He laughs. Don’t worry. Erin has got that in bag.

I hope it is enough. She already has a lot to worry about. I don’t want to add one more thing to that list.

He claps me on the shoulder. You have got this, man.

I nod. Let us go see what the werewolf is here for.

Erin

I

wasn’t expecting Stuart with a whole lot of luggage. I thought he had come to discuss about our strategy for the investigation of which he is a part. The Clan has assigned him for our aid. I don’t mind him since he is friendly and strong.

He notices me eyeing his bags. We have bought a house in downtown. My Mom has been appointed as a teacher in Spencer’s to teach art.

That is good news. I smile at him. Welcome to Vesvera.

Luke and Jason join us. Stuart waves at them. This must be Jason, your brother. He and bro dear shake hands. Well I should get going. We have to unpack a lot of things. Give me a call when you need me.

That was brief, Luke mutters. I guess we’ll be seeing more of him.

We sure will.

Ari catches up with us when we are discussing about the possibility of going to Edgar, the fae realm. She regrets having missed Stuart. I assure her she’ll be seeing him soon.

If the relic belongs to the fae, only they can tell us about it. Luke runs his hand through his hair. I smile at him. He grins back knowing the reason behind my smile. He definitely needs a haircut. Though I like this version of him too.

I tap the table with my fingers. We have to wait till Boris confirms us.

We definitely have to wait then. Jason shrugs.

Just then my phone buzzes. Aro, what can we do for you? I put my phone on speaker. I didn’t expect Aro’s call. I mean why even is he calling?

We want Lucas and you to be present in a shifters’ meeting to be held in Brekar. Stuart will meet you there. It is at 10am tomorrow. And he hangs up.

We are playing security now, Luke scoffs.

I pat his cheek in consolation then turn to my brother and his girlfriend. I want you both to go to Azbec and collect as much as information you can regarding Zenobia from Mr. Adwen.

Will do, they answer in unison.

……..

I put on my beige colour jacket and shove my phone in the back pocket of my jeans. If I am going to play security, I should as well look like it. A glance at my watch tells me it is 8:30 am. We shall reach Brekar within an hour. I take my keys and head downstairs.

Luke is waiting for me near my Volvo. He slides down his aviators so his blue eyes can meet mine. The collar of his black jacket has been tipped up. His dark brown hair ruffles in the wind. How am I supposed to concentrate on anyone else with him looking like this?

You look beautiful, he says winking at me. He opens the passenger door for me as I throw him the keys.

You do make it a note to compliment me. Even if I am dressed casually.

Everyone could use a compliment now and then. I shake my head smiling then get inside the car.

Stuart meets us at the gates of the Shifter Academy in Brekar. I don’t know why he put you up for this. Besides this is Clan business. I don’t know why Aro is overseeing the functioning of this meeting.

Luke sighs. Doesn’t matter. We didn’t have an option of saying no.

I roll my eyes. I don’t mind meeting shifters and I also don’t mind a trip. Mr. Vlam, a lion shifter and the headmaster of the Shifter