The dragon watched him with an unblinking claret stare before turning his massive body, tail swooshing and flicking melted ice in Lore’s direction. Aware of how these Guardians rolled, he had already put up an invisible barrier, the water crashing in a tidal wave before cascading down again.
“You’ll find her in the abbey,” Lore informed him.
The dragon shimmered and vanished.
Despite their obdurate demeanor, the Guardians’ protection was ultimate once given. Nia would be safe with the warrior…
Lore shifted back to the abbey and entered the kitchen. The moment Race appeared, he’d leave. He stood there for a second, then glanced up in the direction of her room.
It is better this way. Then his duty could be carried out when the time came.
At a familiar shift in the air, he stilled.
A telepathic knock sounded in Lore’s mind. Recognizing the energy, he permitted it.
Allow me entry into the abbey, Loráed.Jehoel mind-linked with him. The seraph wasn’t one to be denied.
This is the Guardians’ abode. I cannot. I will meet you outside.
Lore shut the kitchen door behind him and headed for the front courtyard. The seraph stood under the leafless tree, a tall white silhouette in his robes. He’d drawn his multiple wings close to his back, and not a strand of his short blond hair dared flicker out of place despite the light breeze.
With the day overcast, his Heavenly glow remained as bright as the sun.
He’d known this seraph for eons. They sparred through the ages whenever Jehoel felt a need for a workout. That was the extent of their relationship.
Lore bowed in deference. “Jehoel.”
“I need a fight.”
Lore studied him. The seraph had never sought him out in the human world before.
He probably had something of importance to convey. But one didn’t rush a being like him.
“I am aware you will not return to the Celestial Realm until your mission is completed,” Jehoel murmured, glancing around. “I thought I would join you here since it is an isolated place.” A long, heavy sword appeared in his hand.
Lore unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off, tossing it aside. He summoned his weapon and frowned. Fighting here, the clanging metal would awaken Nia, and he didn’t want that. She’d already had quite an emotional day. She needed rest.
“This space is too small. Perhaps the mountain plateau,”Lore suggested.“Or at the foothills, near the river?”
“Very well. Down it is.”
Since the abbey was safely warded, Lore shifted to the river. Steel hissed through the air as Jehoel flew across, weapon swinging. Lore shot up and deflected the lethal strike. Lightning streaked from the clash, singeing the treetops.
He orbited Lore, shimmered, and struck hard.
“Let’s keep things muted.” Lore reared back, countering the blow equally fast. “We don’t want humans surging out to investigate the noise. Or we will have to contend with the ancient goddess Gaia and the Guardians that protect this realm when they run around claiming angels are fighting in their world.”
“Hmm…” was all Jehoel said, but the clanging was contained.
Since time wasn’t relative to them, the fight grew earnest as Lore attacked, flashed, parried, and deflected.
Hours passed. Twilight gave way to night, then the early hours of the morning when Jehoel finally spoke. “Chamuel wants your current task taken care of?—”
He aimed a deadly jab.
Lore countered with an upswing, his muscles straining, the burn welcome.“I have a protector located for her.”
“That’s not what he meant. He wants the human eliminated.”
