Free The Guardians Crown (The Guardians Book 5) by Wendy Owens Page A

looking into his eyes. The worry that had consumed him over the past week was evident.
    “I found Mirada,” Michael said as he exhaled. That seemed to be the part that mattered at the time.
    “We can see that, old man,” Gabe laughed. “I think what we’re wanting to know is if the two of you are you all right?”
    “She’s just agreed to become my wife,” Michael replied.
    The group erupted into congratulations, embracing the couple, and sharing in the happy occasion. Even Gabe, who inherently distrusted all oracles was pleased the man who gave him a chance all those years ago found his way back to the love of his life.
    “When are you getting married?” Rachel asked.
    “As soon as we can,” Mirada added, the smile on her face larger than any one Michael had ever seen her display.
    “And the council finally approved this?” Uri inquired.
    With those words the energy shifted. The smiles faded from Michael and Mirada’s faces as they looked at one another.
    “What’s wrong?” Gabe quickly asked, sensing the change.
    “The council’s gone,” Michael answered plainly.
    “What do you mean gone?” Uri pushed.
    Michael looked at him, holding onto Mirada with one hand and reaching out to grab Uri’s shoulder with the other. “You were right, it was a trap. When I got there, they were already dead.”
    “No!” Uri exclaimed, pulling away.
    “That can’t be,” Haim argued.
    “Baal slaughtered them all. He demanded I hand Gabe over or he would kill me, too. When I refused, we fought. I barely escaped with my life. Luckily Mirada found me, and nursed me back to health. I’m still banged up, but I’m much better than I was,” Michael explained.
    “Baal? You actually fought him?” Gabe asked, moving in closer. “What was he like?”
    “As evil as they say,” Michael answered.
    He watched as Gabe’s shoulders slumped forward, his mouth falling open, and despair washed over him. In that moment, Michael was confident Mirada was right. He couldn’t tell Gabe about the Guardians crown, he needed to hold onto that hope, at least a little while longer.
    “What are we going to do?” Uri moaned.
    Michael squeezed Mirada’s hand. She peered up at him; he nodded as if giving her permission. She looked to the group, “I know where the Guardians crown is.”
    All eyes turned to her, she watched as hope returned to the small group. “What?” Dina was the first to ask the question.
    Mirada explained, “Over the years, the weapon has been relocated many times, but in 1952, it was moved to the center of Mt. Rainer, in Seattle. It’s watched over by a keeper.”
    For an instant, when she said the word keeper, Uri thought of Seraphine. He remembered her beauty. His heart ached, but he shook the memory away as Mirada continued. This was no time, he thought, to get lost in days gone by.
    “The mountain is basically an active volcano. It’s decaying from the inside out because of the acid being discharged inside. Nobody would dare go near it and therefore, it’s the last place anyone would look for it,” Mirada explained.
    Gabe shook his head, unable to shake his distrust of oracles. “And you’re telling us this why?”
    Michael glared at him, angry he would even question his beloved. She reached up a calming hand, placing it on Michael’s chest, and flashed him a half smile, ensuring him she was fine with the question. Looking back at Gabe she replied, “Because I love Michael. And he loves all of you.”
    “And how do you know about this?” Uri followed up, honing in on Gabe’s doubt.
    “Come on Uri,” she began. “You of all people should know I know an awful lot of things. I choose not to share everything I know because sometimes people can abuse such information.”
    “And suddenly you trust us?” Rachel asked, stepping in front of her husband.
    “Hey! You guys need to show a little respect. Mirada didn’t have to tell us anything!” Michael said in a raised voice.
    Mirada laced her arm