sacrificed them to unholy forces in exchange for greater powers. A torch and pitch fork wielding horde chased her into exile, where Barnabus found her. He told her of the Gryphon and she agreed to help him. She ordered him to gather all his men and bring them to her. Their Dark Army assembled—then vanished.”
“Vanished?” I gasped. I hadn’t even noticed I’d been holding my breath.
With her hands behind her back, Alaina paced in front of us. “We believe the Countess took them all to the Underworld, but cannot confirm this. Only demons, devils and other malevolent beings can venture there. Since then we have relied on the occasional informant to get whispers of what they are doing. This is how we learned of the impending attack.”
“We?” Kendall asked her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
“Yes, we. My family was massacred that terrible day. I begged the Gryphon to take me with him to the Spirit Plane. My heroism in my village qualified me for a position as a Spirit Guide, and here I am.”
“Kudos on the promotions and all, but I don’t understand why all this is happening now.” Keni’s voice was rapidly transitioning into a full out whine. “Centuries have passed! Why couldn’t they attack sooner, like before we were born? Or better yet, why can’t they just let it go?”
“In alternate dimensions such as the Underworld or the Spirit Plane, time passes differently. A rapid succession there takes centuries here. As sorry as I am to say, a battle is eminent.”
A fire raged in my brother’s eyes. “If it’s the Gryphon that Barnabus wants then I say let him have him! Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just walk away?”
Alaina crossed to Gabe. She didn’t shy away, but met his gaze with passionate resolution. “You have been chosen and that cannot be undone. You can accept that and prepare yourself, or you can sit idly by and wait for them to find and kill you. Your powers will emerge and once they do they will draw the Dark Army to you like a lighthouse beacon. The choice is yours.”
“Uh, that’s not much of a choice,” Kendall squeaked.
“And you really believe we can take down an entire army?” A hard lump of disbelief seemed to be lodged in my throat.
She didn’t hesitate for a second. “If you let me train you, you will be.”
Gabe, Kendall and I looked from one to the other and back again. Kendall nodded. I nodded. Gabe groaned. “All right. Arm us with knowledge.”
“As I explained three are chosen; the Protector, the Guardian and the Conduit. The Protector is the essence of the eagle.” Another bird-like twitch as Alaina looked to Kendall. “She will take the same form the women of my village did—a winged heroine. The Protector is a creature of love that uses their flight, impenetrable wings and healing feathers to protect those they love.”
“I’m going to grow wings and fly?”
“It appears that is your calling, yes.”
Keni twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “Hmm…I’m going to have to seriously reconsider my wardrobe options.”
Alaina seemed uncertain of how to respond to that. She opted to ignore it and move on to Gabe. “The Guardian, the sentry to the Conduit, takes the form of the lion. Their brute strength and raw, feline instincts make them a formidable adversary to any that means to harm their charges.”
“I’m going to turn into a big, hairy lion?” Gabe jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. One corner of his mouth pulled back in a smirk. “That’s actually kinda cool.”
“So that means Celeste is the…what did you call it?” Kendall asked.
Alaina’s avian eyes zeroed in on me. “She is the Conduit.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “What does that mean? What’s gonna happen to me?”
Her shoulders and wings shrugged simultaneously. “That I do not know.”
“What?” Everyone else knew exactly what was in store for them. It seemed cruel and unfair that she couldn’t offer me that same courtesy.
“Don’t you live with the Gryphon? Didn’t he clue you in on his plans for me before he booted your butt to earth?”
She held up one finger to correct me. “I live on the Spirit Plane where the Gryphon resides, but we are not roommates. And I do not know what it means for you because you will only be given talents and abilities as the need arises. Your circumstances will decide your path, and that I cannot predict.”
“Crappy excuse for a guide you are.” I grumbled.
“Have you not