The Guardians Chronicles

Marco opened his eyes, instantly awake.

For a second he couldn’t remember where he was. Then the low roof of the cave came into focus, the smell of damp stone and smoke grounding him. He’d had only a few hours of sleep after his turn at sentry duty, but his body was used to functioning on less.

He sat up and glanced toward Keira’s corner.

Her blankets were rumpled. Empty.

Adrenaline hit like a punch. He was on his feet before he’d finished the thought, scanning the shadows. Then he saw her, on the far side of the fire, crouched over a makeshift breakfast of last night’s leftovers.

He exhaled, long and controlled, and crossed to her, dropping down beside her.

“Did you manage any sleep?” he asked, helping himself to a piece of bread.

“Not really.” She set her empty bowl aside. “Marco, what are we going to do? I mean… what’s the plan?”

He stared into the banked embers for a moment before answering. “The plan is to follow Victoria’s instructions. She ordered the Draaken to protect you at all costs.” His jaw tightened. “That means you and I stay together.”

“No.” The word came out sharper than she intended. “I can’t allow anyone else to get hurt. I won’t.”

“You don’t have a choice.” His gaze snapped to hers, hard. “I lost friends in that battle. Brian. Frank. The Council members are all dead—or will be, very soon, now that Daemon has his hands on them. I’ll be damned if I let him capture you as well.”

The names landed like blows. Keira fought the urge to close her eyes and curl into herself. Instead, she studied his face.

Dark circles bruised the skin beneath his eyes. Black stubble shadowed his jaw. Grief sat there, banked but visible, no matter how hard he tried to lock it down.

He is also grieving, she thought.

Her last conversation with Victoria slammed into her. She must have been so disappointed, even though she showed no anger or recrimination. Just that quiet request to stay, to spend a few days together. If she could go back, would she have listened? Would she have said yes?

It wouldn’t have changed the battle or saved Victoria’s life. But at least then her aunt wouldn’t have died believing Keira was turning her back on everything she stood for.

You’re a traitor, something inside her whispered. She pressed her lips together against it.

“Our first priority is to get everyone out of these woods alive,” Marco said. “They need to reach their Families and reorganise.”

“Marco,” She hesitated, feeling stupid even as she asked. “Why don’t we just call someone to come and fetch us? A helicopter, a car, anything. Surely one of you has a mobile phone?”

He frowned, as if he’d forgotten for a moment that she hadn’t grown up in this world. “I keep forgetting you don’t know,” he said at last. “You didn’t grow up with this around you all the time.”

“No, I didn’t. And I don’t like not knowing the rules.” Her annoyance slipped out before she could stop it.

He ignored the tone. “Electronics don’t work in these woods. The magick currents are too strong. They say all the currents crossing the Earth converge here.”

“Oh.” She thought of the endless trees pressing close on all sides. “But there’s electricity at the castle.”

“Only because the Council raised a shield around it, and because we use generators inside the perimeter.”

“This shield,” Keira said slowly. “Was it up when Daemon attacked? Wasn’t it supposed to protect us?”

“Yes,” Marco said. “And yes. Before you ask, I don’t know how he got through.”

His clipped tone warned her away from that line of questioning, so she shifted tack.

“Marco,” she said quietly. “I understand your loyalty to Aunt Vic, I do. But surely she’d know everything has changed now. She wouldn’t expect us to follow her orders if it put everyone in more danger. You know she wouldn’t.”

He said nothing.

“I overheard you and Rafael last night,” Keira pressed. “You think someone let Daemon into the castle. One of the Guardians.” Her voice caught on the last word. Saying it aloud made it too real.

“Keep your voice down,” Marco said, glancing around. “It’s a possibility,” he admitted.

“Then it’s a possibility that the person who betrayed us is here. In this group.”

He frowned. “Keira, don’t—”

“Don’t patronise me,” she cut in. “I’m in the middle of a forest somewhere in Europe with people I don’t know. I lost the one person who believed in me and I feel like I could freak out any second. If you start lying to me, I will lose it.”

She folded her arms and stared him down, blinking fast against the sting in her eyes.

“We all lost someone in that battle,” he said.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Her voice dropped. “That’s exactly why we only have each other to rely on. If you want me to be part of this team, you have to trust me.”

He went quiet, eyes narrowing slightly as he thought it through.

“Yes,” he said finally. “It’s possible. If there was a traitor, they could be with us.”

“So doesn’t it make more sense to split up?” she asked. “Then the spy is isolated, not able to report on what the whole group is doing.”

He studied her, weighing options. The Draaken would move faster and quieter in pairs, slipping through the forest instead of tramping through it as one big, obvious target. A single large group left tracks very easy to follow.

“I agree,” he said at last.

Keira’s shoulders slumped in relief. Good. Smaller groups, more of them might get out. And if I’m with one of the smaller groups…

“I’ll have to convince the others,” Marco added.

She nodded. That was his arena, not hers.

“I’ll call everyone together.” He rose and headed for the inner chamber.

A few minutes later, the survivors had gathered around the fire. They’d traded ruined clothes for standard camouflage from the crates stacked by the wall. Mud still crusted boots and hair, but their eyes were clear and focused.

“Rafael and Chloe are outside at the entrance,” Zina told Marco. “She’s trying to See where the Watchers are.”

He nodded. “Right.”

His voice carried easily in the stone chamber.

“We all know what’s tracking us,” he began. “We need to get out and warn the Families still loyal to the Council. They have to prepare for what’s coming.”

Faces tightened. No one interrupted.

“Victoria trained us for war, even while she hoped we’d stop Daemon before it came to that. She also trained us to think, to be flexible, to retreat and regroup when we have to.” He drew a breath. “That’s what we’re going to do now.

“I know the original plan was for all of us to stay together, to protect Keira at all costs. That was Victoria’s wish.” He stopped, bowing his head. The sound of someone stifling a sob echoed faintly off the stone.

After a moment he looked up again, eyes as cold and clear as ice. “I’d like nothing better than to go back and avenge her death and those of our friends. But that would destroy us. The time will come for us to face Daemon. That time is not today.”

Nods and murmurs of grim agreement rippled through the group.

“We’re too conspicuous travelling together,” Marco continued. “We’ll split into small teams of two and get out of the forest as fast as possible. Get to your Families. Warn them. Most Guardians can fight if they must. If you have Healers, keep them close. Then regroup at the Santana ranch in Argentina. That will be headquarters. From there, we decide our next move. Agreed?”

“Marco.” Simone stepped forward before anyone could answer. “With respect, Victoria gave us clear orders. Stay with Keira, protect her at all costs. How do we do that scattered through the forest?”

Keira stared at her in surprise. Hadn’t Marco made it clear they’d be safer spread out? Victoria herself had preached flexibility, adaptation. Simone’s hand settled lightly on Marco’s arm, her khaki fatigues somehow still managing to look chic.

“We’re stronger as a group,” she said, glancing around. “Our powers work better when they feed off each other’s energy.”

No one had a chance to reply.

Zina gasped as Rafael stumbled into the chamber, Chloe in his arms. Her head lolled back, her face chalk-white.

“What happened?” Marco surged forward, helping his brother ease Chloe onto a blanket.

Voices rose all at once, a wave of fear and questions. Everyone here understood the risk Chloe took every time she Searched. She was the most powerful Seer the Guardians had seen in centuries. She didn’t need crystal balls or reflective water; she slipped directly into the Akasha and rode its currents to people and places.

It also meant that when she looked at an enemy, there was no barrier between them.

“I don’t know.” Rafael’s voice was ragged. “She was scrying, then she started convulsing. I’ve never seen her like that. My shield wasn’t enough—”

“Rafael, did she say anything?” Marco cut in. “We need to know if she Saw anything.”

“I don’t know, I don’t—” Panic spiked in Rafael’s tone.

Zina shouldered past them and knelt at Chloe’s side. Her presence alone seemed to settle the room. Rafael’s breathing slowed as she lifted her hands a few inches over Chloe’s body and began to scan.

Tiny sparks of light jumped from Zina’s fingers to Chloe’s skin. The air filled with the bright, clean scent of peppermint.

Magick was as natural to these people as electricity was to the rest of the world, and Keira still couldn’t drink it in fast enough. She edged closer, drawn to the sight.

After a few long minutes, Chloe’s eyelids fluttered. She groaned softly as Rafael helped her sit up and wrapped his arms around her.

“Chloe.” Marco dropped to a crouch in front of her. “I’m sorry, but we need to know what happened. Did you see anything?”

She blinked, pupils dilated, gaze unfocused. Then the Seer slipped back into her voice, steady and clear.

“I saw them coming,” she said. “They’re close. The first group was stopped by the wolves, but the second…” She swallowed. “The second is on its way.”

The chamber erupted—voices, plans, fear. Marco lifted his hand and silence fell like a dropped curtain.

Chloe shivered. “I got past his defences,” she said. “But then he trapped me. I couldn’t get back. I fought and fought, but he was toying with me. Then he let me go. He wanted me to return and tell you what I saw.”

Her composure cracked. She covered her face with her hands, sobbing. Rafael pulled her close, murmuring into her hair.

Marco straightened. “Chloe’s information decides it,” he said. “We split up. No more than two in a group. Pack only essentials and food, there are backpacks in the crates. Move fast. Zina’s Healing has left a strong signature in the Akasha. Daemon will know exactly where we are.” His mouth thinned. “We leave in ten minutes.”

Heads dipped, no argument this time. They moved, efficient and practised, gathering gear, checking weapons. It was what they’d been trained for.

“Excuse me.” Keira stepped forward as the chaos of preparation settled into order.

“Yes?” Marco asked.

“Well, everyone seems to have sorted themselves out already,” she said, feeling a ridiculous wave of self-consciousness. “I’m not sure which group I’m meant to join.”

“That’s because it’s obvious.” He didn’t even look up from the pack he was loading. “You’re coming with me.”

He walked to the crates, grabbed two backpacks, and began packing with brisk, ruthless efficiency.

Keira looked around. Justin sat with Chloe, clutching her hand. Rafael rummaged for spare ammo. Adam tightened the straps on Zina’s pack. Simone, Yoshi, and Chetan waited, ready to move.

Their entire world had been ripped apart. They were going back to Families that might already be under attack. There was no way to know until they got out of the forest whether there’d be anything left to defend.

Her stomach clenched at the thought of her own people, her parents, Alison, Sammy. Surely they were safe? They weren’t magickal. They didn’t even know any of this existed.

But a thin, pale face flashed in her mind. A man laughing over Victoria’s body.

“One more thing,” she said to Marco’s back.

He sighed. “Yes, what is it?”

“Daemon,” Keira asked quietly. “Was he the one who killed Victoria? The one who was laughing, at the end?”

The irritation drained from his expression. “Yes,” he said. “That was him.”

“Thank you.” Her voice was even, but steel ran under it. “That’s all I needed.”

In that moment, Keira made a silent vow—to herself, to Victoria, to the Guardians;

No one will ever hurt someone I love again. Not while I’m breathing.

*****

Marco caught a flash of green eyes blazing with fury as Keira swung the pack over her shoulder. Victoria’s words came back to him; There is more to Keira than anyone suspects.

For the first time, that didn’t sound like wishful thinking.

The Draaken and survivors gathered as he spread a map on the cave floor. “We are here,” he said, pointing to a spot just east of the Czech–German border. “You head west, cross into Germany, and move as fast as you safely can. Avoid confrontation. The goal is to get news to your Families and stay alive.”

“But Marco,” Rafael interjected, “the Elders were at the castle. The Families are leaderless. Who makes decisions now?”

Marco hesitated only a heartbeat. “In the history of the Guardians,” he said, “it’s never been necessary to put this into practice. But the law states that if the entire Council is unable to govern, the Draaken steps in.”

Silence fell, heavy and stunned.

“Holy shit,” Adam breathed. “That means… us?”

“Marco, are you sure?” Zina asked. “The Council members might still be alive. Daemon might not have killed them.”

“I don’t believe Daemon would leave any of them alive,” Marco said quietly. “Even if he has, they’re in no position to help us or lead. As members of the Draaken, you all knew you were being trained to take over from your Family leaders one day.”

“Yes,” Adam said. “But that was supposed to be years from now. When they retired. Or… you know. Something.”

“Well, the ‘something’ has happened,” Marco replied. “We have to step up. Your duty is to get to your Families, get those who can fight organised, move the others to your safe houses. Then come to Argentina. We’ll coordinate from there.”

“What if Daemon’s already hit our Families?” Chetan asked. “What if he knows where the safe houses are?”

“We can only hope he’s been too busy plotting to overthrow the Council to go after them all,” Marco said. “But you’ll have to judge. If your Family doesn’t have enough fighters, or if there’s any sign the Watchers have been sniffing around your safe houses, you bring your people to Argentina.”

He met each Draaken’s gaze in turn. “Now go. Do what you have to.”

Two by two, they clasped forearms, exchanged brief words, and vanished out of the cave and down into the trees.

In the end, only Rafael and Chloe, Marco, Keira, and Justin remained. The brothers looked at each other.

“Are you going through with it?” Rafael asked.

“Yes,” Marco said. “There’s no other way.”

Keira, who had been lingering near the wall unnoticed, straightened. “Going through with what?”

Chloe frowned at her partner. “Rafael?”

Marco glanced down at Justin. “You’re going with Rafael and Chloe,” he told the boy, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Keira and I have somewhere else we need to go.”

“What—?” Keira and Justin blurted at the same time.

“I want to stay with you!” Justin protested. “I can help, I won’t be in the way, I promise!”

“You said we all had to get across the border,” Keira added, hot anger flaring. “That the Draaken had to reach their Families.”

“I never said you and I would be joining them,” Marco said evenly. “I was wondering how to convince them we needed to split. Your suggestion made it possible.”

She stared at him. “No—that’s—what are you saying?”

“Keira,” he said. “Victoria made me promise that if, for any reason, she couldn’t finish your training, I’d take you to someone who could.”

She could only look at him, shock buzzing in her ears.

“No,” she said at last. “I have to go home. I have plans. I can’t just… disappear with you because you say so.”

Marco stepped closer. His hand lifted as if to touch her cheek, then dropped when she flinched back. Anger burned off her like heat; the determined set of her mouth made her look suddenly older.

“I know what your plans are,” he said. “You want revenge. So do I. But for now, we don’t get to choose.”

He folded the map, slid it into his pocket, and swung his pack onto his shoulders as if it weighed nothing.

The brothers gripped each other’s forearms. “Good luck,” they said together. Rafael’s gaze flicked to Keira, then he turned and disappeared toward the cave mouth. Justin and Chloe followed, both giving Keira one last, worried look.

As their footsteps faded, Keira rounded on Marco, hands on her hips. “Take me home.”

“That’s not possible,” he replied calmly.

“Then I’ll find my own way.” She jerked her pack off the ground. “I don’t need you. I’ve been in woods before.”

She’d almost reached the entrance when his voice stopped her.

“Woods full of magick shields and traps?” he asked. “Running as fast as you can with an army led by the most powerful enemy you can imagine right behind you? Even if you get out, how will you get home? And more importantly, are you willing to put your parents and friends at risk?”

She froze.

“What do you mean, ‘put them at risk’?”

“By now Daemon knows everything about you,” Marco said. “Where you live, who your parents are, the names and addresses of your friends. They’ll be under surveillance. The second you show your face, they’re in danger.”

The last shreds of denial crumbled. Until now everything had been too fast, too unreal. Some stubborn, hopeful part of her had clung to the idea that once Daemon was dealt with, she’d go back to London, have the talk with her parents, travel with her camera, use the apartment as a base. Drop in on Alison and Sammy when she needed grounding.

Now, that fantasy looked childish. If Victoria hadn’t been able to stop Daemon, what made her think she could? And the idea of Alison or Sammy—or her parents—getting hurt because of her was unbearable.

Marco watched her silently. “Keira,” he said.

“Yes?” The word came out small.

“The only way to keep them safe is for you to disappear for a while. Let Daemon think he’s scared you into hiding, that he’s won.”

“Which would be true,” she said dully.

“Yes. But then you can return on your terms, not his. And you will.” His voice was firm. “When you’re ready and able to face him. When we’ve regrouped. He may have won the battle, but he hasn’t won the war.”

She looked up. Determination and compassion burned in his eyes, layered over a deep, unhealed sadness. He was carrying his own grief, his own losses, and she’d been pouring all of hers onto his shoulders.

“You miss her too,” she whispered.

“Yes.” He didn’t look away. “And the best way to honour her is for me to keep my promise. Do my duty. Keep you safe.”

“Victoria… how will you…?” She couldn’t finish.

He understood anyway. “We’ll wait a while, then announce there was an accident,” he said quietly. “It’s… unfortunate. But we’ve had to do this before for other Guardians.”

“My friends. My parents. They’re expecting me back. They’ll be worried.”

“They’re not expecting you for a few days yet, right? They know you’re in the Czech Republic, but not exactly where. In about a week, they’ll be contacted. We’ll convince them you need more time alone. Especially after Victoria’s death.”

It was a fragile, imperfect plan, but it was the only one they had.

Keira swallowed hard and nodded.

Marco held out his hand. “Then let’s go.”

She hesitated for a heartbeat, then slid her palm into his.

Together, they stepped out of the cave and into the waiting forest.