The Lost Years (The Guardians Book 4) by Wendy Owens Read Free Book Online Page B

about to meet the end,” Uri replied, his arm finally beginning to sting from the scratch.
    “The Guardian is going to die, he’s going to die— yesss— he’s going to die,” the cambions taunted from behind the bajang.
    “Will you shut up already!” Uri shouted back as he dodged another attempt from the bajang. “If anyone wanted your opinion, they would ask.”
    The cambions cry reached a feverish pitch in response to Uri’s words. The bajang didn’t hesitate to move in, piercing Uri’s side with its claws. The shallow wound was not life threatening but painful enough.
    “Damn it!” Uri growled, climbing back to his feet.
    “What’s wrong? Not up for the challenge? What a disappointment you are. I’ve heard all these stories about what great warriors Guardians are. I must have run into the underachiever,” the bajang laughed.
    Ignoring his words, Uri looked at the cluster of cambions. Without hesitation, he stood tall, paying no attention to the pain from his arm and side. He placed his hands into a circular shape, thrusting forward. With a mighty jolt, Uri shouted, “In ignem.” His voice echoed as a fireball shot from his hands, engulfing the cluster of cambions.
    Their flesh consumed with the flames of his mighty spell, the cambions cried out in horror before they disappeared in a cloud of dust. Weakened by the powerful spell, Uri fell to the ground heaving in pain. Seeing its opportunity, the alp attempted to penetrate Uri’s thoughts, and with great success. As hard as he fought, he could not avoid the images that invaded his mind. The alp showed him glimpses of Hell, of all the souls Uri had failed to save. He could feel them clawing at him, trying to pull him under into the unearthly abyss. The terror and overwhelming heartbreak he felt made him want to give into the mobs desire to consume him. In his state, he did not see that the bajang was coming in for the final blow.
    The bajang leapt on to Uri’s chest, violently striking him. It wasted no time sinking it’s fangs into Uri’s throat; it drank a deep and satisfying gulp of the hero’s blood.
    The bajang released his bite for only a moment, throwing back his head and preparing himself for the final draining blow. Uri, still lost in his hallucinations, did nothing to defend himself. The bajang swooped down, and just as his fangs were about to pierce a fresh piece of flesh, its head was removed from its shoulders, courtesy of a mighty swing of Haim’s hammer. Haim then thrust the same, blood-drenched weapon into the air, rocketing towards the alp. Though it missed, the near contact sent the alp fleeing towards the next helpless victim.
    “Uri!” Haim shouted, shaking his friend who was still consumed by the lingering horrific visions. “Can you hear me?”
    “Haim?” Uri coughed. “Is that you?”
    “Man, we got to get out of here! The hydra is burning everything in sight and nothing we throw at it is working. We’re too outnumbered,” Haim explained.
    Uri realized his friend was right; there was no way this was a fight they were going to win. “Help me up.”
    Haim did as his friend requested. Dodging attacks, the pair made their way back to the temporary safety of one of the nearby stone structures.
    “Now what?” Haim asked, ready to follow whatever his trusted comrade suggested.
    “Now, you get out of here,” Uri commanded.
    “What?” he asked confused.
    “We’ve lost this battle. Go help Dina get as many out as she can,” Uri answered.
    “What are you going to do?” Haim asked, not pleased with his orders.
    “I promise, I’m not far behind. That hydra is moving in towards Michael’s office, I just need to make sure Bishop and Raimie get out of there, and then I will follow. Be sure everyone is using different escape paths. The trackers will be looking for our trails and trying to follow us. No one goes directly to any of the manors. Follow protocol and after the danger passes, we’ll meet up at Iron