Back Home (Edited) Book 4 of the Guardians Saga

CH 13.2 All in the Dysfunctional Family

As the morning sun warmed their small campsite, Rile, Cale, and Alex woke up to find Gabe gone. They searched through every dining tent and training ring in the area, but he was nowhere to be found.

Alex's frantic energy intensified as they searched for hours with no sign of Gabe. Just when she reached her breaking point and began to spiral into a state of psychosis, a portal opened and Galen appeared before them. Alex threw herself at him in tears, expressing her fears that Cla had taken Gabe and was planning terrible things for him.

Galen said simply, "I think you're right, Tia."

Alex stopped sobbing. She had expected more blanket reassurances.

Galen placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's why I'm here. We are going to get him back and we'll make sure Mother pays in blood."

She dashed the last of her tears from her face. "You're a great kid."

A rippling blue portal materialized in front of them, sparking with energy. Rile and Cale quickly grabbed their weapons while Alex spoke to Galen. Alex had strapped on her Guardian sword and dagger in the morning. Galen intertwined his fingers with Alex's, and together they stepped into the portal. But before Rile and Cale could follow, the portal snapped shut behind them.

As soon as they arrived on the other side, Alex recognized the ornate hallway they were standing in. "I remember this place," she whispered.

Galen pointed to a worn-looking door next to a grand, intricately carved one. "That's the entrance to my old room."

Alex placed a reassuring hand on Galen's shoulder as they both took in the familiar surroundings. "It's been a long time," she whispered.

"Doesn't feel like it to me," Galen replied, his grip tightening on his sword.

Alex unsheathed her own weapon and joined him. "I'll go in first, using my slipstream to fly through. You cover our rear in case anyone tries to stop us. We should be out before they even know what's happening."

Galen held up three of his clawed fingers. "On three," he said firmly. He held up three clawed fingers and folded them one by one.

Alex slammed into the ornate door flying and it crashed against the wall, pieces of wood and lock showering her.

In the bedroom, a gruesome scene awaited her. Massah straddled a bloody Gabe, holding a knife in her hand. Without wasting another second, Alex's Guardian sword slashed through the air with incredible speed, despite being dulled from her slipstream. It impaled Massah through her chest and pinned her against the wall, blood spattering everywhere.

Ignoring the gruesome sight, Alex quickly freed Gabe from his bonds. He struggled to speak between coughs.

          "Alex," Gabe wheezed.

She wouldn't have recognized the mangled whisper if she hadn't seen Gabe say it.

Gabe's body convulsed with violent coughs as he struggled to speak. "I need your strength now, just like you told me earlier," he choked out.

          "Yes, Gabe." She bent forward and kissed the side of his muzzle. "I love you." She cradled his head in her hands. "This will only take a second." She blasted him with a full spectrum charge. Just as the energy dissipated, there was a loud noise from the doorway. Alex turned to see Galen.

"Galen!" Alex was aghast that he had entered the chamber.

Galen didn't seem upset at the sight of his sister hanging from the wall. He also didn't question what Alex had just done to his father. Galen had seen enough in his early life to not be rattled by such things.