The Prophecy (The Guardians) - By Wendy Owens Page 0,47
only thing that mattered in this.
Glancing back at the now empty chamber, he contemplated the meeting that had just taken place. It wasn’t just the fear of the unknown that had Gabe’s adrenaline pumping. Being here, back in the thick of it, was invigorating. No matter how far he ran from his destiny, it never changed who he was. He was a born fighter, without that battle in his life something was missing.
As a boy, Gabe hadn’t known things about himself that he had come to know as a man. He knew now that leaving Rampart was about so much more than a broken heart and frustration over all the secrets and lies. He fled all those years ago because he was scared of himself, of who he really was. He had denied it for years because he didn’t want to admit it, he left because he knew if he stayed he would be driven to fulfill his destiny.
All these years alone, he had been miserable. It was easier for him to blame it on everyone else, to accuse them of robbing him of his life. But, what actual life did he lose? He had no friends before Rampart, he had no family that Uri took him away from, he had only darkness. He knew had he stayed, he would have fulfilled the prophecy, he could feel the urge to fight in his bones.
He left because he wanted to live, no other reason explained it. Things had changed now though, unknowingly, when he let Rachel in his life, the walls started coming down. Once she had made her way into his thoughts, he couldn’t get her out, he was hers now, and nothing else mattered except being with her. The desire to be with her leading him back to this place wasn’t what scared him. He felt alive here, surrounded by his friends. What scared him was that Michael was right and he would not be able to protect her. He had a chance to have it back, his life with the Guardians if he wanted it. And now he has love, Gabe was petrified he wouldn’t be able to hold it all together, that he would lose it like he had before.
He turned back around to exit the room, excited to see Rachel and tell her all that had happened. To introduce her to everyone, and most of all he wanted to assure her that, with the help of Uri and Haim, she would be safe.
Much to Gabe’s surprise, blocking his path stood Sophie, she stared at him like a tiger staring at its prey. Uneasy about how close she stood to him, Gabe stumbled backwards. “Oh, excuse me, I didn’t see you there.”
“Losing your touch, huh?” Sophie growled entering the room, walking past him to stand next to the large round table.
“Umm, no— I— I simply wasn’t expecting you to be there.” Gabe argued, clearly rattled by her presence.
“There used to be a time when nobody could sneak up on you. The great Gabe Harwood, protector and savior of us all.” Sophie taunted. “I guess those days are over, huh?”
“I never claimed to be anyone’s savior, and besides, how would you know? Last time we spoke you didn’t even remember who I was. Perhaps you should keep your opinions to yourself when it comes to speaking about people you have no recollection of.” Gabe fired back.
“Oh, but I do know you, Gabe.” Sophie said flatly.
He stared into Sophie’s eyes, forgetting to breath, hunting for something recognizable. She simply stood there, hip cocked, a devilish grin on her face as she twirled her flaming locks around her slender finger. For an instant he thought he saw it, the light in her eyes that he hadn’t seen for so long. He shook his head, sure he had to be mistaken.
His chest felt like it was on fire, as if his heart was going to burst from his chest. Gasping, Gabe remembered suddenly he needed to take in oxygen. When he fled Rampart, Sophie had become a stranger. He risked everything to save her from the curse and when his efforts weren’t enough, he demanded Michael wipe her mind in an attempt to return her memories to the point where the curse had taken hold. Things had gone horribly wrong, instead Sophie lost all memory of him and everything that had happened since she first came to the school. She lost any piece of who she was because of Gabe and