For the Love of The Guardian

With Grace

An uneasy silence settled across the yard. The wind had slowed down once more and the warmth of the sun began to ward off the chill that had come with the morning. The eerie silence in the trees gave warning of the calm before the storm. The many shifters, that were welcomed guests on the property, stood about in shock. Their host more of an enigma than before, now stood dressing herself with clothes that were brought to her. The fury in her eyes unabated, as the dust from the battle died down.

"We will need to train them." Her voice carried an authority with it, that many had missed until now.

"We don't have that kind of time." The male that stood beside her appeared to have some similarities to the woman, though for the most part they were completely different.

His hair was dark, nearly black and cut short. His well tanned skin showed his eastern heritage, but no accent laid on his lips. Her hair was a dark red, that seemed to ignite like the morning sun when light hit it just right. Her hazel eyes carried hints of gold about their edges. Her shoulders were broad, like her brothers and both appeared to carry the weight of the world on their backs. Their conversation carried on, as though a small pack of the future leaders was not watching them intently.

"We have to do what we can with the time we have." Her voice continued as she pulled a shirt over her head and shoved her arms in the sleeve. "I will petition the Goddess. I won't stay here and be hunted like prey."

It was only then that her eyes drifted over to the gathering of shifters that were watching them. They looked confused and baffled. The females looked honored, their heads high as they were regarded.

"You will need to start training them." She spoke to her brother, her eyes not leaving the group. "I will take the young female and her mate with me. It is time that she met them."

Arif's eyes moved to the couple. They stood still with Liam's arm protectively about his mate. He knew his sister was right to call her young. It was obvious she did not feel the call to her mate like he did for her. His head nodded slowly, as he looked to his own daughter. The only child of his beloved mate. "When will you leave?"

"Now." Her voice was firm as she moved to walk away from the gathering and into the forest. "I don't have time to wait." Her feet carried her a good distance before she once again called out behind her. "Come along, love birds! I don't have time to wait for you either!" Her head didn't turn about, but she heard the shuffling of their feet as they hurried.

Arif's warning to not keep his sister waiting was heard easily by the red haired woman. Her eyes saddened as she crossed the threshold into the forest and moved farther from the compound.

"Where are we going?" Sarah's voice carried up to the woman as the pair rushed to catch up.

"To petition my mother, that I may leave this compound and hunt those that hunt us." Ada's voice carried a soft tone to it that neither the male or female had heard before.

"Are you a prisoner here?" Sarah continued to pry, her curiosity outweighing her common sense.

"Child, I have been the protector of this compound for many generations." Her statement hinted that she did not wish to talk further. Her feet hurrying to move across the uneven terrain that took them down a ravine. The covered floor made for difficult travel in some areas, though the pair seemed to keep her pace well.

It wasn't long before they reached the base of the ravine and the tall hills above them gave way to the empty space. The rocky edge took them deeper into a cavernous area, filled with rocks, dirt and the distant sound of dripping water.

"Well, this is ominous." Liam spoke up for the first time since they entered the forest.

Sarah shot him a look. Her skin was crawling and the hair on her arms refused to relax. She was on edge and the air seemed to be filled with electricity.