A Dark Guardian by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page B

would ask your forgiveness.” Was this another ploy to hurt her? She had to take a chance that he was sincere.
    “I forgive you.”

    He smiled brightly and threw his arms around her for a hug. She froze, for neither of her siblings had ever touched her thus. Slowly, her arms rose until she returned his embrace.

    “I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you,” he said.

    “’Tis time,” said a voice she was becoming to know quite well.

    She turned from Bernard to find Hugh standing next to them. She reached for a wicked looking dagger with a curved blade when a large hand descended on hers.

    “Bernard is right. You really should stay in the castle. You have no fighting skills and you might be more of a hindrance than a help.” His words wounded her, though he was correct. “I understand. If ‘tis better for me to stay inside, then I will.”

    He didn’t move. She smiled and looked down at his brown hand atop hers. “Can a lady not be armed even if she is to stay inside?” His dark gaze probed hers. “Arm yourself then, but do not lie to me.”

    “Can I help it if I refuse to sit idly by and watch my people, brother or friends fall whilst I am safe inside?” she asked as her anger began to grow. “I want to feel like I’m needed, like I can help somehow. I’m being blamed for this creature’s release. Can’t you understand why I need to be out there?” He nodded and released her hand. “Stay close,” he warned.

    She swallowed the lump of fear that had formed in her throat. What had she just committed herself to? She wasn’t a warrior, just as Hugh had pointed out. She didn’t even know the first thing about fighting, and the practice she had done alone in her chamber with her dagger didn’t count.

    But she refused to be a hindrance. She had her duty to perform this night, and she would carry it out, even if it meant her life.

    She walked outside to the bailey to find the villagers barricading themselves inside their homes. A look to the heavens and the clouds painted various shades of pink confirmed that dusk had arrived.

    No sooner had she noticed the sky than the scream that put terror in even the bravest of souls reverberated around them. Shrieks from villagers became so loud that the small group of hunters could no longer hear the creature.

    Mina watched as Bernard and his knights ran to their places on the battlements.
    When she turned back, Hugh was gone. He had told her to stay close, but she hadn’t been paying attention.

    Her eyes scanned the skies for any signs of the creature. She gripped her dagger and started to run toward safety when Cole stepped in front of her. His war axe rose above his head, but it was his gaze that caught her attention. He looked above her.

    She slowly leaned her head back and saw the creature hovering over her.

Chapter Five
    Hugh couldn’t believe his eyes. The creature hovered above Mina and watched her fervently. Hugh took stock of the creature as he got his first good look at it. It was like nothing The Shields had encountered before.

    Its body was that of a man with skin as thick and course as a dragon’s, but its hands and feet were that of some animal with elongated talons. The wings were wide and thin as they held it stable over Mina.

    Though he had seen many demons, this creature’s skull had an odd look. The head and face was small, but the jaw extended forward enormously. A huge, wide mouth that showed rows of sharp teeth, beady red eyes, a flat nose, pointed ears and two horns rounded out the head.

    It took Hugh only a moment to realize Mina wasn’t going to run. He rushed from his hiding place and grabbed her. As he threw her to the ground, he reached for his crossbow. He fired his first shot. The creature deftly moved aside and the arrow flew harmlessly by.

    “Take your places,” Hugh bellowed to his men.

    But the creature turned his horned head away from him. It had spotted a villager running toward safety and quickly