The Guardian Chronicles 1: Rise of the Phoenix by Matthew Burkey Read Free Book Online

wish I could,” Janus stated. “But I need to keep you in the dark a little while longer my friend. In order for my plan to work I need complete secrecy. I look forward to seeing your progress next week.”
    Janus turned and strode out of the room, leaving Marcus and Arthur alone. They waited until he passed through set of sealed doors before speaking again.
    “Do you really think that he can do what he says?” Arthur asked.
    “End the Guardians? Ever since their inception, the Guardians have been a thorn in our side. They forced us to make peace with those vermin; they robbed us of our chance to rule this world once...I won’t let them do it again. If he can’t make that happen then I will.”
    “They won’t go down without a fight.”
    “I know that,” Marcus sighed, gesturing toward the tanks at the back of the room. “But as soon as we perfect our new breed of soldiers they won’t stand a chance.”
    “Well, that is our hope,” Arthur admitted, fidgeting with the cuffs of his shirt.
    “You better make it a reality,” Marcus sneered. “I’ve promised the other covens and Janus that these new hybrids will be the answer to ending not only the lycan plague but the Guardians as well, that’s a promise that I intend to keep.”
    “Why do you suppose that he hates them?”
    “Janus?” Marcus inquired, arching an eyebrow. “I’m not sure and I honestly don’t really care. We both have the same goals, to me that’s all that matters.”
    Arthur nodded in understanding. “They are going to get what they deserve.”
    Marcus smiled. He knew full well that Arthur still held a grudge for what they had done to him. Although Marcus didn’t view humans as much different than the lycans, some of them, like Arthur did have talents and abilities that he found useful. Until he could find a vampire with those same talents and abilities Arthur would be safe, it was a fact that he suspected the former Guardian knew all too well, even if he never spoke of it.
    “You and your colleagues shouldn’t have been punished for your research, with an army like we are about to create, the Guardians would have been unstoppable.”
    “It is their own fault for being so shortsighted,” Arthur replied. “They failed to see the genius of my work, it’s something that they will soon learn to regret.”
    Marcus had a feeling that was what motivated him and had helped him with the results that they managed to produce so far. Despite the setbacks, they were making great strides forward and Marcus didn’t have a doubt that before long, Arthur and his research team would be able to create a viable hybrid that would encompass the best of vampire, lycan, and demon abilities. And when they did, Marcus and the other covens would have an unstoppable weapon to unleash on their enemies.
    “Your revenge will soon be at hand,” Marcus said, smiling and starting toward the door. “Very soon both the Guardians and the lycans will be nothing more than a footnote in our history books.”

 
     
    CHAPTER 3
     
    “We should be doing something,” Gabriel complained.
    They were sitting in Ryan’s kitchen, everyone except Ethan. More and more he seemed to disappear and go off on his own, despite the efforts of everyone in the group attempting to include him in everything that they did.
    “Look, there isn’t anything that we can do...”
    “I don’t mean with the whole Sainte-Pierre thing,” Gabriel said, starting to pace around the kitchen. “I mean something fun, summer just started and we have another two days off before they throw us back into the meat grinder”
    Silence hung in the air.
    “What about going down to the lake?” Marissa suggested.
    Ryan’s eyebrows went up slightly at that mention and he set the chair he was leaning back in down on the ground. “Well, we do have the Waverunners, dad just finished getting them tuned up last week. Maybe we could even go camping.”
    “Yes!” Gabriel exclaimed, clapping his hands