Guardians: The Shoma (Book 7): Angels Of Omnis Saga, #7

GUARDIANS: BOOK 6, PART 1 - THE SHOMA

By Lola St.Vil

Copyright © 2013 Lola St.Vil

Formatting by Dallas Hodge, Everything But The Book

Cover Design by Renu Sharma

This book is dedicated to Elizabeth Newby. Best non agent agent, ever. Thank you for being my cheerleader, lawyer, publishing samurai and best of all, my friend.

Xoxo

Lola

CHAPTER ONE: ALEXI

CHAPTER TWO: NEW HEROES

CHAPTER THREE: CERTAINTY

CHAPTER FOUR: BRYNE

CHAPTER FIVE: MRS. CANE

CHAPTER SIX: THE REQUEST

CHAPTER SEVEN: Q.R.N.

CHAPTER EIGHT: THREE OF SEVEN

CHAPTER NINE: WHAT IF…

CHAPTER TEN: ROUND ONE

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE STORY IS OVER

CHAPTER TWELVE: SOUL SEARCHING

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: CRUEL

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: SLAVES WITH WINGS (MATURE CONTENT)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: AND NOW…

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: DEMONS & DEALS

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: OLD SINS…

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THAT’S ALL I HAVE

CHAPTER NINETEEN: WORRY

CHAPTER TWENTY: REMEMBER THIS

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: THE QUEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: LIKE HELL

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: FUN & GAMES

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: JUST ONCE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: LINE OF FIRE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: DIE ALREADY

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: GIRL STUFF

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: YOU KNOW ME

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: THIS TIME

CHAPTER THIRTY: LAST DAY ON EARTH

I loved you madly; in the distasteful work of the day, in the wakeful misery of the night, girded by sordid realities, or wandering through Paradises and Hells of visions into which I rushed, carrying your image in my arms, I loved you madly.

—Charles Dickens

They’re all staring at me with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Four Guardians, an Akon, and a human surround me. They all look at me as if I hold the key to their future in the wave of my hand.

The being that actually holds their future is currently roaming around the beach house, cooing without a care. The Alexi walks around as if she were just an ordinary bird taking a stroll on a nice summer day.

However, an Alexi is no ordinary anything. In fact, even among beings with power, she stands out because she is immortal; she can go through walls, fire, Holders, you name it. The Alexi is an unstoppable force.

That is why a few minutes ago, when Marcus and the team called me and told me the situation, I was taken aback. I told him that I couldn’t stop an Alexi. My power to freeze things probably wouldn’t work on her.

Marcus, however, insisted I come over and try. I got on a Port, and now I’m here at the beach house. Normally, the Alexi would have stood by one of the girls by now, but it’s like she’s enjoying the anticipation. If so, she’s the only one.

Miku and Jay are both following the Alexi’s every move, even though she’s all the way on the other side of the room, looking out at the sea. Rage and Ameana are too lost in their own thoughts to look at each other. Marcus and Emmy aren’t looking at the Alexi; they are looking at each other. In fact, even if I paid them, I don’t think they would be able to take their eyes off of each other right now.

I can try and pause her, but it may not work, and if it does, it won’t work for long, I remind them.

We know the Alexi can’t be stopped, we just need a few moments to…figure things out, Marcus says, turning his attention to Emmy.

He’s even hot when he worries. Actually, he’s especially hot when he worries…

Okay, Eta, you need to focus because the next few moments are going to be epic. For one couple in this room, everything will change. In fact, depending on whom the Alexi is here for, it could affect everyone.

I lift my hands up in the air and prepare to try and freeze the most powerful animal in the Angel world. Everyone in the room is looking so hard at me I can feel their eyes like laser beams going through my flesh.

Okay, can we dial back the pressure a little? I ask them.

They all nod yes, but they don’t move or look away from me at all.

Okay, I guess not, I reply to myself.

The Alexi jumps off the windowsill and takes to the air in the room. Marcus calls out for me to stop it before it lands near one of them. I hold my breath and aim my powers at the Alexi. Nothing happens. She lands on the floor near Ameana, Miku, and Emmy.

Try again, Jay says.

I do. The Alexi is still heading for the girls, slowly. There is no way to tell which girl, because they are so close together. They could move and see whom the Alexi follows, but all three of them seem frozen where they are.

Eta, we just need a few minutes, try again, Marcus implores me.

I don’t just try again because they asked; I try again because he asked. I kind of have this thing, where I want Marcus to be proud of me. I don’t know why, I just do. So, I wave my hand again, and much to our surprise, the Alexi is suddenly frozen.

Whatever you guys want to discuss, do it quickly. She’s fighting me and she will unfreeze herself in no time, I warn them.

Could we have some privacy, Eta? Miku asks.

Sorry, but to freeze anything I have to be near it. So, you lose privacy or the Alexi goes back in action, I reply.

Okay, we’ll just have to go ahead, Miku answers.

Is there anyone here who used a Tam and is sure Alexi isn’t here for them? Marcus asks.

No one speaks.

Wow, you guys had a fun weekend, I say under my breath.

They all turn to look at me.

Oh, sorry. I meant to say that in my head, I tell them.

Okay, so the Alexi could be here for any of us? Ameana asks.

Yeah, I guess so, Miku says with a small smile.

You guys only have a few more seconds, I warn them.

C’mon, son. We need more time to handle this, Jay shouts.

Stop yelling at Eta, this isn’t her fault; and handle what? If the Alexi is here for you and me…it would be amazing, Miku says, taking Jay’s hand.

Judging from the panicked look on Jay’s face, amazing isn’t the word he was looking for. The next to speak is Rage.

If she’s here for us, then we’re ready! he says, as if he’s gearing up to take on a new foe.

What? Ameana asks.

I know it’s crazy, but we lost Mouse, and now we get a chance to have our baby. This time, we won’t let anything happen to our kid. We’ll protect it with our lives, he urges Ameana.

She turns to look at her team, uncertain. He walks over to her and takes her hand. When he speaks, he’s genuine in his desire to convince her. He lovingly places a hand on the side of her face and looks into her eyes.

Ameana, I want us to have what we had a few days ago: a family. Better than the one you and I had on Earth. This could be our second chance.

Okay, I’m ready too, she replies impulsively.

The two of them embrace. We all turn to Marcus and Emmy; they are the only ones who have yet to speak.

I um…Emmy… Marcus tries to gather his thoughts but fails.

Eta, just unfreeze the damn bird and let her land wherever she’s gonna land, Emmy says.

We turn to her. The outburst was unexpected. It catches us all by surprise, but Marcus nods and I wave my hand in the air; the Alexi is free. As if making up for lost time, she walks around the room quickly, weaving between the feet of the girls.

Finally, the Alexi stops and stands right next to the foot of one of the Guardians. She turns to look over at her boyfriend.

It’s us, she says.

He smiles brightly and goes over to her.

I’m ready.

He takes her hand, lays her on the ground, and makes sure she is comfortable. A few moments later, the Alexi lands on top of her chest. It is official; the second Guardian and the first Akon are having a Sib...

The Handover is finally done. Ameana was basically tortured and had her chest torn open. Rage was seriously panic-stricken. Many times he threatened to kill the Alexi because she was hurting Ameana. The team had to constantly remind him that one, the Alexi could not be killed, and two, she was there to help.

When it was all over, the Alexi took the Sib into its mouth and flew out the window. The Alexi is heading to Noni, the place in the light where Sibs are taken until they are strong enough to enter the world.

When the Alexi gets to Noni and places the Sib in its crystal cocoon, a pattern will start appearing on Ameana’s fingers. The pattern is called the Kaidan. It means the Sib has been placed in Noni and is feeding off of Ameana’s soul.

Are you sure you’re good? Rage asks for the millionth time.

Yeah, I’m fine, she assures him as he helps her to the sofa. While the Handover is painful, it takes almost no time at all for the wound to heal. We tell Rage that, but it does little to stop him from fussing over her.

Thomas, I’m fine, she insists.

I can’t believe you’re gonna be a mom! Miku says excitedly as she braces her best friend.

If you asked me last week, I would say it’s crazy, but we saw how you guys were with Mouse and…I don’t know, it may work, Marcus replies.

Yo, not to be like that, but I’m glad as hell that thing didn’t come near you, Jay says to Miku.

What does that mean? she asks.

We all exchange a quick glance.

I’m just say’n, if the Alexi came for you, we’d probably send her back. Better yet, tie her ass to a chair or bury her inside a wall or something. He laughs.

If she came for us, you’d wish her away that badly? Miku asks, clearly hurt.

No…I mean…C’mon, we just hooked up, he reasons.

Jay, you call our relationship a hookup again and I will sing you a pretty little melody, she warns.

We have to keep this quiet until the mission is over—we can tell everyone then, Marcus announces.

Why? Emmy asks.

Rage is an Akon. I don’t know how the news will go over with, well…everyone. For now, no one say a word, he instructs.

What about the mission? Emmy asks.

I’m ready, let’s go, Ameana says.

Go where? Rage asks.

We’re going on a mission to find the first of three missing pieces of the Shoma, to put them together. Then, when it’s done, a new council will form. The light will return and—

I understand all that, but why are you saying ‘we’? Rage asks.

Because I’m going too, Ameana replies, baffled by his question.

What? No. Your mission days are over.

This is so going to get ugly.

I can tell I’m not the only one who thinks this way. The team looks at each other. Rage and Ameana are about to get into a huge fight, one that none of us want to be around for.

Eta, have you been out to the beach? Miku asks.

No, not yet, I reply.

Good, let’s go.

We rush out of the house and leave the couple alone. We don’t get more than ten feet away before they start.

You can’t seriously think of putting yourself in danger right now! Rage shouts.

I am not going to sit this mission out. That is the reason we came to Earth, Thomas! Ameana replies.

You came for the map. You found the stupid map inside the stupid human. You’re done with missions.

We don’t head out to the beach like we were supposed to. We peek in on them from the window outside. Part of it is because I don’t think Marcus likes leaving his second-in-command alone with a demon no matter what the situation.

The other reason is because we are all curious as hell to see what will happen next; never in the history of the world has an Akon taken up with a Guardian.

I have an obligation to my team, Ameana snaps at him.

You have obligation to our Sib!

I will be careful; I am always careful, she reminds him.

That’s not good enough. How could you even think of putting our child in danger? Did you forget what happened to Mouse?

Don’t do that, Thomas, don’t bring that little girl into this. You know how much her death hurt me.

Well, it didn’t hurt you enough, because you’re willing to lose yet another.

Screw you. You can’t manipulate me into being a ‘stay at home’ Guardian.

What’s wrong with that? he asks.

Nothing, but that’s not me. I can take care of my kid and do my job too!

It’s not just your kid, it’s mine too, and there’s no way I’m letting you go on this mission.

Let me? Are you new here? No one ‘lets’ me do anything. You do not control me, Rage.

Oh, so it’s Rage now. Why, because you think I’m acting like a demon? he protests.

No, because you’re acting like an ass!

You are not going! he says, storming over to the door and blocking it with his body.

Move out of my way! she demands as she walks up to him.

What are going to do, attack me? he dares Ameana.

Without the slightest warning, she hurls a heavy wooden cabinet straight at him. Her speed and precision cause Rage to almost lose his head, literally.

Hey! he cries out as he ducks the close call.

Move! Ameana replies.

You can’t go on any more missions! he roars back.

Should we go in there? I ask.

No, this is a couple issue, not a Guardian one, Marcus replies.

You don’t want me to go because you think I’m weak now that I have a Sib! Ameana accuses.

That’s not true.

THEN WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM!? she screams.

I LOST MOUSE, I WILL NOT LOSE ANOTHER KID, AND I WILL NOT LOSE YOU!

Rage is so angry, fireballs spring into his hands; he heaves them furiously across the room at what’s left of the furniture. Exasperated, he sits on the ground. Ameana goes over and sits beside him.

When Powerballs are headed for you, everything in my world stops. In that moment, I realize I could lose you and…I die. And when you’re safe again, I promise myself that I’ll somehow get you to sit out any and all battles, but it’s who you are, and if you were to stop, I’d lose you in a different way.

You’re saying you have to do this?

I’m saying you have to keep your fears at bay and let me do my job.

You could die; how do I live with that?

The same way I live with the possibility of your death; I worry, but I don’t let the worry take over.

Ameana, losing Mouse was…please don’t…be careful.

I promise.

He pulls her into a loving embrace; they kiss deeply. When they finally pull away, Ameana is beaming. Rage looks down and takes her hand in his. He then raises it out in front of them. The patterns have started to form on her fingertips. That means the Alexi has landed in Noni and the Sib is now in its cocoon. We all pull back from the window and finally give them some privacy.

We need to start heading out to find the first Alpha. Our goal is to only take a month to find each piece. As of midnight, it will be day one for the first mission, Marcus says.

Can you tell me what the Shoma thing is about? I don’t know anything about it. I mean I know I’m not part of the team, but—

It’s fine; you should be told. You were very helpful today, Eta, thank you, Marcus says.

Marcus Cane just thanked me. Oh. My. Omnis.

I try desperately to stop myself from blushing. I can’t look at him because then my whole face would get warm. I try and play it casual. I shrug my shoulders, as if to say, It’s cool, no big deal, or at least that’s the way I hope it comes across.

Eta, stop crushing on a guy a few feet away from his girlfriend; that’s so low.

Although, I have to say, the two of them don’t seem close at all right now. In fact, there is a weird tension in the air. I wonder if they had an argument on the island or something.

I’ll run down the Shoma mission for you, Jay offers.

Sorry to make you have to explain, I reply.

It’s okay. They usually have to stop and explain things to me. They’re used to it, Emmy assures me.

The Shoma is a carving embedded in a structure here on Earth. The council created it in case things went wrong and they were somehow destroyed. Since that happened, the Shoma did what they programmed it to do: it split itself off into three pieces, called the Alphas. If all three Alphas are found and put back together, the Shoma will be whole again and a new council will then emerge.

Sounds easy. Is there a catch? I ask.

Isn’t there always? Emmy spits bitterly.

Marcus glances at her, but lets Jay continue.

We have only three months to find it. We had the chance before and we failed to get to it in time because of the war, but we have another shot at it.

It’s the only one we will get, Miku adds sadly.

So, you guys find these pieces and the council comes back, as does the light? I ask.

Sounds easy, right? But then something always goes wrong, Emmy says with a hint of irritation.

Are you okay? Miku asks her.

Me, I’m fantastic, she says sarcastically.

Miku is about to question Emmy further, when a figure emerges from the beach. As he gets closer, we realize who it is. Ameana and Rage come out to meet us, just as Wolf approaches.

What’s going on? Rage asks, not happy to see his girlfriend’s ex.

Noni is the last piece of the light we have. We have Paras guarding it as a safety precaution. They told me an Alexi came to Noni with a Sib that is emanating a grey light. Not beaming white, like Sibs normally do. I soon found who the Sib belonged to, Wolf says, staring hard at Rage.

There’s something different about Wolf. He’s just as hot as he ever was, with his gold locks, broad shoulders, and bulging muscles, but he seems harder now, no longer his usual Zen self.

Marcus looks back and forth between Rage and Wolf. He senses their hatred for each other; we all do. Marcus speaks and tries to break up the fog of anger building around the Akon and the Para.

Wolf, we were planning to tell you—

"Marcus, I don’t care what you planned to do. I’m only concerned with what you actually did. You allowed an Alexi to carry a half Akon into the light."

Our Sib is also half angel, Ameana protests.

Not for long; I ordered the Paras to destroy it.

Rage tackles Wolf to the ground. The speed of his movement takes us all by surprise. The two of them hurl deadly orbs at each other. Marcus and the rest of the Guardians try to intercept. Marcus shouts at Rage to stop attacking, but Rage’s eyes have turned completely black. He’s in full demon mode and has no intention of backing down.

Wolf is just as determined as Rage; he cuts through the air with the expertise of a Para and hurls massive Powerballs worthy of a Kon. Should any of them land on Rage, he will die instantly. Rage doesn’t care how powerful Wolf is; he hurls blue fire at the Kon and nearly burns him alive.

Just as a Powerball is about to hit Rage, Jay Glides over and pushes him out of the way. Jay barely makes it out of the target zone. Miku takes to the air and tries to reason with Rage, but Rage pushes her aside and goes after Wolf again.

Rage, calm down! Marcus says as he grabs hold of him.

HE KILLED MY KID! Rage roars as he powers up yet another Powerball.

No, he didn’t. Ameana still has the pattern on her fingers. If the Sib were dead, they would have disappeared, Miku shouts.

They are waiting for my official go-ahead; and they will get it, Wolf says in a deadly tone.

Rage, you can’t hurt Wolf, he’s a Para, Marcus replies.

I don’t give a shit, Rage spits.

I’m ready any time, Akon, Wolf challenges, summoning up a Powerball.

Rage is about to tackle Wolf again, but Marcus grabs him and sends the Akon flying into the side of the house.

Get off me! Rage demands as the house crumbles around them.

Wolf is a Kon; if you hurt him, the Omari will come after you. We will be at war with the Paras, Marcus says.

I’m not you, Marcus, I’m not gonna obey the fucking rules so I can get a gold star. The Paras wanna go to war, then bring it on!

Rage, we can’t go to war with Paras.

Why, because you’re afraid? Rage accuses.

No, because we’d lose.

For the first time since the fight began, Rage is actually listening to Marcus.

Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but like Miku just told you, Ameana still has the pattern on her. So the Sib is safe for now—I will find out what the deal is, but you have to stay calm, Marcus warns.

I don’t have to do what you say. You are not my leader.

No, but I am Ameana’s leader, and I can tell you, she has a temper. She’s down there on the ground, ready to attack Wolf. Do you remember what happened when Angela got enraged and stayed that way? Her Sib died. You have to keep Ameana calm. Or it won’t matter what Wolf does, because the Sib will die anyway, Marcus counters.

Rage looks down on the ground and sees the team barely able to hold Ameana back. Her wings are flapping a million miles a second. She is ready for war and willing to kill anything in her sight. Wolf is in the sky looking down at her with a hard expression.

Marcus lets go of Rage and tells him he can go after Wolf or help Ameana stay calm.

You handle the hippie or I will, Rage swears as he flies down to attend to Ameana.

Everyone is trying to keep her calm—including Emmy, who keeps promising her that nothing is going to happen to the Sib. Marcus tells Wolf he wants to talk in private. The two of them fly off to the other side of the island. I hop on a Port and follow them.

I have a power that could be of help, a power in addition to pausing time for a few moments. A power my grandmother warned me not to let anyone know about. She said it was too great and if someone knew what I could do, my life would be in danger.

Wolf, what the hell is going on? Marcus asks as soon as they land.

You sent an Akon to the light and you are questioning me? Wolf shouts.

It’s half Akon. And even if it weren’t, since when are you into killing babies?

I am doing what I have to. Ameana and the Akon did this on purpose. They planned to have a Sib so they could have an evil takeover.

"They didn’t even know they could have a Sib. Hell, until a few moments ago, I didn’t think it was possible, either."

Well, meaning to or not, we can’t allow the Sib to live.

Wolf, what is going on with you?

I am doing what’s right; the Sib will be destroyed.

A few months ago, you couldn’t bring yourself to step on a flower without having a funeral for it and now you want to kill a baby?

Ameana had no right to do what she did! She is the reason this is happening, so don’t blame me!

You can’t do this.

In the council’s absence I am the closest thing to balance, and I will not allow an Akon to get into the light. It could contaminate all the others Sibs.

The Sibs have no contact with each other in Noni. They are held in crystal cocoons, each one separately.

I don’t enjoy doing this, Marcus, but it’s an Akon Sib, and it will not be allowed to live. I have to think about others. Unlike Ameana, who is selfish and reckless in who she sleeps with.

You’re not angry because she had a Sib with an Akon; you’re angry because she didn’t have it with you, Marcus concludes.

There’s a quick flash of pain on Wolf’s face, but it soon gives way to stone-cold resolve.

In about an hour, the markings on Ameana will disappear altogether. I just thought I would warn you, he says as he shakes his head angrily and takes off.

Marcus goes after him and calls out his name. When Marcus speaks, his tone is also cold and certain.

Wolf, I’m sorry she chose him over you, believe me, but she is my second-in-command and I will not allow you to kill a part of her.

Wolf gets up in Marcus’s face. Only a few inches of air stand between them. Wolf speaks softly into Marcus’s ear.

Marcus, if you stand in our way, the Sib won’t be the only thing that is destroyed.

We can’t just stand here while he kills our kid. We need to go to Noni and stop him, Rage says, ready to take to the air.

It’s not that simple. Only Paras can enter, or a mother who is there to pick up a Sib; and in that case, the markings on her hand would be luminous, Miku replies.

I don’t care. I’m going up there, Ameana says as she takes to the sky.

It will ID you as not being a Para, and you won’t be able to get inside, Jay replies.

I don’t care. I’ll go to Noni and blow it up into a thousand pieces to get my baby out, don’t you get that? she screams.

We do, Mimi, we do, but if you destroy Noni, all the Sibs there will die, including yours, Miku says, taking her hand and bringing her back down to the ground.

Pretty, I can’t lose this baby, I can’t, she begs.

Rage embraces her tightly and assures her that he will figure things out. She moans that Wolf will never change his mind and these are the last few minutes they will have with their Sib.

No, they’re not. Wolf is just upset because he loves you and he pictured a life with you, and now that life is…he just needs time to adjust to the reality, Emmy offers.

We don’t have time. In less than an hour, the patterns will go away and… Ameana can’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

The team exchanges a look of grave concern. It’s not just Wolf’s plan for the Sib that shocks them; it’s Ameana. I don’t think the Guardians have ever seen her this vulnerable before. She has always appeared powerful, together, and strong; but right now, her entire world is crumbling.

"No, don’t think like that.