The Prophecy (The Guardians) - By Wendy Owens Page 0,39

thought you were dead,” Gabe gasped.

“Oh my God, what happened to you?” Rachel asked.

Sitting up, Uri moaned slightly. “We have to get you guys out of here,” he huffed.

“What are you talking about? We’re fine. You on the other hand, you’re not looking so great.” Gabe informed his delusional friend.

“It’s happened.” Uri said flatly, licking his fattened lip.

“Come on man, you’re being cryptic. What’s happened?” Gabe snapped, consumed by frustration and worry all at the same time.

“Baal attacked High Point.” Uri explained.

“What? North Carolina?” Rachel asked, her voice cracking. Rachel turned and slumped her body in a nearby chair. Her defeated posture enraging Gabe. He wanted to protect her from everything. She had shared stories of High Point with him. Stories of home.

“My family?” Rachel asked, almost in a whisper, clearly afraid of the answer.

“We don’t know.” Uri answered.

“You said if I left, they would be safe.” Rachel added, refusing to look at Uri. Her eyes flooded with unshed tears.

“We’ll go back, Rachel, I promise, we’ll find them.” Uri pleaded.

The picture of why Rachel truly went with Uri became clear to Gabe. She was willing to sacrifice everything if it meant it would keep her brother safe. “No more promises, Uri. I think you’ve done enough.”

Gabe walked to Rachel, reaching out and pulling her close. She clung to him as if she were clinging to life itself. “I’m sorry, Rachel.”

“It wasn’t my fault. The trackers have been trying everything to find Rachel. The last place they had her scent was High Point. When they couldn’t find any trace of her they burned the city to the ground.” Uri explained, trying to defend himself.

“No, that can’t be. There were over a hundred thousand people that lived there. They wouldn’t reveal themselves to humans like that. You told me, they’re not supposed to reveal themselves.” Rachel argued, staring into nothingness as she processed the gruesome news.

“An attack on the humans is considered an act of war. The demons have never wanted to bring the wrath down on them of the entire holy army, so they push the rules, but nothing like this. Baal is bringing the fight to the humans. This will mark the beginning of the end.” Uri explained.

“Are you telling me this was the start of the apocalypse?” Gabe asked in disbelief.

“Yes, the council has called all Guardians up for battle.” Uri said, hanging his head low.

“Do they know where we are?” Gabe asked, realizing the danger could be coming.

Uri simply sat silent, his head low, consumed with guilt for not saving Rachel’s family.

“Damn it, Uri! Do they know where we are?” Gabe shouted as he released Rachel and turned to shake his friend from his state of shock.

“Not yet, but it won’t take long. I hid my tracks as well as I could, but I know I had a couple of demons on me. The elder’s council has been moved to a new secret location. Michael has instructed I get Rachel and bring her back to Iron Gate to await further instructions.” Uri explained.

“What? No!” Rachel exclaimed, snapping out of her distant state of mind.

“She stays with me.” Gabe demanded.

“Look, Gabe, you do whatever you want, but Rachel is coming with me. We leave in ten minutes, so be ready.” Uri pushed himself up off the bed and limped out the front door.

“What are we going to do?” Rachel inquired, the tears now freely falling down her cheeks.

“If he’s right and the trackers are able to trace him here, there is no way I can protect us alone. I think the best thing you can do is go with him.” Gabe suggested.

“What? No, I won’t leave you.” Rachel cried.

“Rachel, calm down. I’m coming too.” Gabe reassured his distraught love. Her entire home ripped away, destroyed in an instant and all she could think about was not being torn away from him. He knew she loved him in that moment. Gabe never wanted to be part of this holy fight, but now that he was, he was not about to lose.

“Rachel, I need you to listen to me.” Gabe began taking to one knee. Rachel looked into his eyes, awaiting his instruction. “Are you listening?”

“Yes.” Rachel said nodding and taking a tight hold of Gabe’s hand.

“There was something I was going to do today. You know how we were going to go on this picnic?” Gabe asked nervously.

“Yeah, but what does this have to do with —” Rachel began.

“Just let me finish,” Gabe interrupted gently. “We’re about to head into