She stepped back to take in her work—
And her jaw nearly hit the floor.
Behind the likeness of Bob, Echo’s pet, loved by all and resident king of the castle, a pair of familiar, striking eyes took form. The teasing laughter reflected in those deep, flame-hued topaz depths had her heart pumping like mad.
Gah!She tossed her paintbrush on the table near her easel, stacked with her tubes of paints and brushes, and rubbed her bleary eyes. Not only would Aethan freak out at his mate receiving a painting of some strange male as a Christmas gift, but what the hell was she doing, transferringhisimage to canvas?
Usually, she liked painting and found it soothing. It made her forget her loneliness for a while. Now he’d infiltrated her one place of escape.
“I don’t think I’m doing you any justice, Bob,” she grumbled to the cat dozing on a bench, “sharing your image with another. Blame it on the lack of sleep.”
Man, everything seemed to be closing in on her. Ely dug her fingers into her temples, massaging the dull throb as she paced the length of the sparse living room, past the single armchair to the small galley kitchen and back again to her makeshift painting corner.
Hoping to dislodge thoughts of him, she stopped near the side window and thumped her head against the pane, and went straight through the glass!
“Eeek!”Her hands flew like broken wings as she fell through the solid pane to the snow-covered gravel in front of the boathouse, twisting at the last second and landing on her ass, pain jarring up her spine.
Vae!So much for her usual quick reflexes. She glared up at the window. Bob peered down at her, then went back to his snoozing.
What in the ever-loving stars just happened?
Then she recalled what happened during the demon fight several nights ago, her face going through the warehouse wall. Holy crap! Were her bequeathed Gaian powers finally awakening?
Her thoughts skipped back to her time in a subterranean realm of the ancient goddess, Gaia, where Michael had taken her when she decided to become a Guardian…
Sweaty and groaning from her tired muscles and many bruises, Ely lay on the ground, panting hard. Her opponent, one of Gaia’s shield-maidens who trained her, rolled to her feet, her dusky face flushed, the vine-like tattoo along her neck and jaw glowing neon green.
She bowed. “More practice with the weapons, and you’ll be unbeatable, mostly, mistress.”
A backhanded compliment? Heck, she’d take it. She picked up both her swords from the ground—
“Elytani of Ademéras.”
Power rolled around her. Ely shot to her feet, hastily curtsying to the ancient goddess.
Golden hair framed Gaia’s face, her skin the rich brown of the earth. Inked vines swirled from her brow to her cheeks, reflecting the deep green of her eyes.
She reminded Ely of spring, of growth and hope…of love.
“This is the life you’ve chosen since you’ve stayed the course and battled my fiercest of shield-maidens.”
Ely held her breath. Yes, she’d been here for months, fighting and surviving in the forest. “Aye, my goddess, I understand that once I pledge my allegiance to you, Earth will be my home.” Being bound to her oath washerdecision, and it felt right.
Gaia inclined her head regally. “Usually, my female warriors train for the required length of time on my realm like the males do, but you are a quick learner and would do better back on Earth. It is your time now.”
Ely frowned. Her time?
“Elytani of Ademéras,” the goddess intoned, “as my Guardian, you will encounter evil unlike any ever seen. Accept and become a Guardian, and I will give you purpose and powers unrivaled. As you strengthen, those powers shall be set free. And in time, you will find what it is you seek.”
Ely’s heart pounded at the sacred words finally spoken. “I accept, my goddess, Gaia. I pledge my life to your cause.”
Gaia lifted her hand and touched Ely’s brow. A light layer of power tasered her, causing every nerve to tingle. Ely clenched and unclenched her fingers, feeling different…tougher. Stronger.
Gaia held out her hands. Several obsidian daggers appeared on both her palms. “Select.”
One shimmered with a silvery-red hue. Ely picked it up, and it lit up as if connecting to her.
Cool fingers touched her left biceps. At the slight burn, she grimaced, frowning at her upper arm and the tattoo of crossed staffs taking form.
