Soul of a Guardian Read online

  Soul Of A Guardian

  This time there was a soft moan. He froze. No doubt about it, that moan came from—he glanced over to the door in the side of the room. A whisper of sound and then a sigh. Someone was hiding in the bathroom.

  His first thought was that it could very well be a tavern wench who’d been smacked around a bit by an overzealous patron, and one thing a Daamen hated was to see a wench hurt.

  “Hello?” He started across the room. “Is there someone in there?”

  Silence met this and he frowned. Mayhap ’twasn’t a wench. Someone else?

  A wet rattle of breath sounded, a sigh, and then silence.

  Alarm shot through Heddam. Someone was hurt. In several long strides he was at the bathroom door and placing his hand on the doorknob. “Whoever is in there, I’m not going to hurt you, all right? You sound hurt. I’m coming in.”

  “Go away.” The voice was definitely female. “This room is taken.”

  As though he was going to believe that. Swinging the door open, he walked in and then came to a complete stop, his shocked gaze taking in the scene before him.

  A wench was lying on the floor, her eyes open and staring sightlessly up at the wall. Blood was pooling under her and slipping down the drain in the floor beside her hip. Dressed in a plain gown that came down to her calves, her feet shod in flat slippers, she had several cuts and scrapes on her.

  And she was very dead.

  The wench crouched on the floor beside her had tears glittering in her eyes and a laser in her hands, the barrel pointed directly up at Heddam. A small pack was at her feet. Dressed similar to the dead wench, she had blood on the side of her gown but didn’t seem injured.

  But what struck Heddam the most was the tear-shaped topaz kyrat in each wench’s forehead. The topaz of the dead wench was dull, but the living wench’s was darkly bright.

  The second shock of the night was realizing that he was facing two Guardians, and outside the tavern were the Aora soldiers hunting them.

  What They Are Saying About

  Soul Of A Guardian

  “…touches on the magical aspects of one of the planets in her world…. With these new level in the Heart and Soul universe, Angela Verdenius opens up so many more avenues we can explore in future works. a very engrossing love story that will leave readers aching for more.”

  Kelley Hartsell,

  ck2s kwips and critiques

  “In Soul of a Guardian, the sparks between Heddam and Tasi are hot enough to ignite a planet. The action is nonstop. Verdenius fans will not be disappointed. This is one to add to your collection.

  Sandra Cox,

  The Cats of Catarau

  “I know I can never wait to get the next book in the series and Soul of a Guardian didn’t disappoint me. So if you have never read a story by Angela Verdenius, you need to go out and get one; you will not regret it.”

  Lydia Funneman,

  Writers Unlimited

  “…another E-Ticket ride, one filled with all the excitement, treachery, and love you could ask for in one of her books… The Soul of a Guardian is back to the darkness, yet still holds the reader captive with the magic between Heddam and Tasita that is not lost in the telling. So often the spark can be lost in the futuristic romances that take themselves too seriously. Angela constantly keep the reader on his/’her toes, however, with the twists and turns of plot, the quirks and idiosyncrasies of character, and the excitement of the current chase. “

  Rose,

  Romance at Heart

  "...an intense story of betrayal, action and passion...

  Soul of a Guardian is an excellent addition to Ms. Verdenius’ Heart and Soul series, she never fails to keep you turning page after page until you reach the end always leaving you craving for more. Another keeper to add to your Heart and Soul shelf."

  Brenda Edde,

  Reviewer/reader

  Other Works From The Pen Of

  Angela Verdenius

  Heart of an Outlaw February 2003

  An outlawed warrior saved by a Daamen trader. Love blossoms, a powerful enemy threatens. Passion, betrayal, bloody legends, and a shocking secret in a galaxy of enemies and friends.

  Soul of a Mercenary May 2003

  Reya walks the edge of insanity, her soul darkening beneath a bloody secret.

  For love, Maverk will follow the Reeka warrior into the nightmare reaching out for her.

  Heart of the Betrayed August 2003

  Betrayed once, Dana trusts no man. Garret will risk everything to prove his love – even if it means assisting her betrayer, and entering a country split by hate.

  Love’s Sweet Assassin November 2003

  Trying to discover the identity of his enemy, the ruthless Argon will pit his wits against the short, outrageous assassin. It should be straightforward…shouldn’t it?

  Soul of a Hunter February 2004

  The bounty hunter’s soul thirsted for vengeance, her life given to the hunt.

  He’d thought Sabra was dead. Now he’s found her again, Cam won’t give her up.

  Love’s Bewitching Thief June 2004

  Felys female: thief, feline-like, bewitching – and coming on heat. Argon: sensual, looking for revenge – and captivated. The Cyborg: he just wants to kill the Felys.

  Heart of the Forsaken December 2004

  First Sonja high jacks his ship, then his heart. But can Red battle the evil legacy from an old Empire that threatens to engulf her?

  Soul of a Witch June 2005

  In a bid to save a boy’s soul from powerful dark forces, a famous witch and a notorious pirate must unite. Will their growing love survive what is to come?

  Heart of a Traitor Dec 2005

  The Daamen trader shows mercy to the disgraced soldier who was flogged, branded traitor, and left for the outlaws. But now she’s committing treason – and the law is closing in.

  Soul of the Forgotten June 2006

  A forgotten Reeka, freed after long years of imprisonment. Now she has to learn to live again…and to love. But someone wants her dead.

  Love’s Beguiling Healer Dec 2006

  An Argon healer and a Felys officer…fur will fly and passion will flare. But Death is closing in, and now it’s a race against time.

  Heart of a Peacekeeper June 2007

  Escalating outlaw activity, savage attacks, and clashes between a handsome Daamen trader and a hot-tempered Head Peacekeeper, can only culminate in two things ……one hotly intimate, the other so very deadly…

  Soul of a Predator Dec 2007

  When predator meets predator, they wipe each other out.

  But when they’re forced to work together, the consequences of discovering dangerous secrets will be devastating.

  Love’s Winsome Warrior June 2008

  Twice the Heat, Obsession & Danger…where love and hatred exist… where the past claws into the present…and where murder is just one of the goals….

  Heart of a Smuggler Jan 2009

  When small-time smugglers, a ruthless slave lord and the law mix, Hell will fly. Can one Daamen trader keep the heart of his smuggler safe?

  Wings

  SOUL OF A GUARDIAN

  by

  Angela Verdenius

  A Wings ePress, Inc.

  Futuristic Romance Novel

  Wings ePress, Inc.

  Edited by: Leslie Hodges

  Copy Edited by: Elizabeth Struble

  Senior Editor: Elizabeth Struble

  Managing Editor: Leslie Hodges

  Executive Editor: Marilyn Kapp

  Cover Artist: Richard Stroud

  All rights reserved

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination
or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Wings ePress Books

  http://www.wings-press.com

  Copyright © 2009 by Angela Verdenius

  ISBN 978-1-59705-389-1

  Published In the United States Of America

  June 2009

  Wings ePress Inc.

  403 Wallace Court

  Richmond, KY 40475

  Dedication

  As always, to Doreen Verdenius. Love you, Mum

  Leslie Hodges, my editor, for her support, and Richard Stroud for the great book covers.

  To Bee (Brenda Edde), who has saved more than one errant character from being terminated in a fit of writer’s exasperation LOL.

  To all my readers everywhere – I couldn’t do it without you all.

  To all those who stand for truth, justice, loyalty and friendship. To those who protect us in times of war and terror, the police and armed services - you are all in my thoughts.

  At the time I am writing this dedication, fires are tearing through my home state of Victoria, as well as burning in NSW and SA. My thoughts and prayers are with those caught in this terrible time. My thanks to the SES, police, ambulances, animal rescue and welfare groups, and all those helping.

  Revolution

  Planet Aora

  Explosions seemed to shake the very air outside and cracks appeared in the marble walls. The once pristine gardens outside were, she knew, a shambles. No day flyers flitted about, no butterflies perched delicately on the edge of flowers. No man or woman walked the gardens, no children played amongst the once bubbling fountains. The finely tended gardens were a mass of burnt plants and wreckage.

  Overhead she heard the hum of battle cruises and orders being yelled out. In the distance came the roar of heavy war machines breaking through the walls surrounding the palace. Screams, yells, curses. Explosions.

  “Empress.”

  The High Empress looked up from where she sat on her throne to see her Guardians enter the room. Four men and four women, all dressed in the Guardian uniforms of plain pale brown jackets and pants, white shirts and low-heeled black boots. Uniforms that were now dirty, some torn. One woman, Acantha, had a bloody bandage around her upper arm. The teardrop shaped topaz in their foreheads glinted in the light.

  Four of her Guardians carried lasers, all of them had their sensor swords out. None showed fear, not even the youngest of them.

  “Empress.” Balfour, the highest ranking of the Guardians, hurried forward. “The outer walls have been breached, the inner walls fall now.”

  “There is a traitor in our midst.” She rose stiffly.

  “There are war-mongerers in our midst,” he replied.

  “Finally they have won.”

  “It was something we didn’t expect.”

  “My power is waning.” She sighed as the sounds of war drew closer. “If I was only at my peak, I would have sensed this coming. I could have dealt with this.”

  “Empress, we don’t have time.” Tasita ran across the room to catch her arm. “We must move you to safety.”

  The High Empress looked from the grimy hand holding her arm to the doe-brown eyes that watched her unwaveringly. The golden streaks in Tasita’s white hair were dull with ash and dirt. The youngest of her Guardians had been fighting.

  The walls shook with another boom and a shower of broken marble from the ceiling spattered down.

  “We can wait no longer.” Balfour came up on the High Empress’ other side and took her other arm. “We go now.”

  Go and leave her people to fight and die. It grated so badly on her. Even as she allowed herself to be ushered across the great room to where Gifford, Melantha and Lajos waited by the opening to the hidden tunnel, she said, “This should never have happened.”

  No one answered her and she was hurried through the opening after three of the Guardians. The remaining five Guardians filed in after her so that she was surrounded, and the opening slid shut.

  Gifford had torches ready and silently they moved down the tunnel.

  “We need to get you to safety,” Balfour said, his gaze darting around, never resting. “There’s a craft waiting for us in the forest. Once we have you on it we can get you to safety.”

  She knew there was no argument that would sway the man in charge of her safety, nor could she sway those who followed his orders in time of danger. The job of the Guardians was to see to her safety at all times, regardless. They would never stop protecting her.

  But age was upon her and their progress was slowed because of it. The journey through the tunnel took longer than she’d have liked and she knew, even though nothing was said, that the Guardians didn’t like the slower pace they were forced to walk.

  “Not long now,” Gifford grunted.

  The explosion tore through the tunnel, the roof tumbling down and smoke and dust billowing out in every available space. When the rumble faded, all that could be heard was the distant shouting of people.

  She couldn’t lift her head properly. Something was weighing her down, rubble covering her chest, pain filling her. Someone was breathing wetly, and she realized it was herself. Blood spilled from her mouth and she coughed.

  With sudden clarity she realized that she was dying.

  Fear filled her, but it wasn’t for herself. It was for her people who would be without her, her people who were even now fighting for the freedom of the power and themselves.

  “Empress? Empress!” Tasita was beside her, that glorious hair covered in dirt and the blood that ran down the side of her face. Her normally merry expression was now sober, her movements determined.

  Lajos was beside her.

  Tasita started to reach for her but stopped as she realized how badly the High Empress was hurt.

  “Empress.” Balfour knelt down on her other side, ignoring the rubble beneath him. His lips tightened and for the first time since he’d started working for her all those years ago, she saw a flicker of fear in his eyes.

  Acantha moved up beside Balfour. “I can hear voices in the tunnel. We need to get moving, we—” She stopped, her eyes widening as she looked down at the High Empress.

  “Help us dig her out—” Balfour began.

  “No!” A surge of determination went through the High Empress. She was the Head of the Aora people. She would not be the downfall of its future.

  “Empress—” Balfour began again.

  “Listen to me.” She coughed and felt the trickle of blood run down her chin, but she didn’t flinch. Keeping her gaze trained on Balfour, she said wetly, “The House of Aora has fallen to greed. I am soon to die, there’s no arguing that. But the House of Aora must rise again, and it is left to you surviving Guardians to see this through.”

  They knew what she meant, she could see it in their eyes.

  “How many of you survive?” Black dots flickered briefly before her eyes but she blinked them away determinedly.

  There was a moment of hesitation before Acantha finally answered, “We are six.”

  There had been eight. The explosion had killed two of her loyal Guardians.

  Acantha continued, “But we must keep moving. You need to conserve your strength and—”

  “Six Guardians left. The others in the palace?”

  “They died doing their duty,” Balfour replied quietly, his eyes darkening.

  “Died protecting me.”

  “It is our duty.”

  “And my duty is to ensure that the role of High Empress and all it entails is passed on.” She reached out to him and he clasped her frail hand in his dusty fingers. “They will hunt you all down. When they pick through the r
ubble and find that six Guardians are unaccounted for, they will hunt you to the ends of the universe. They will hunt you because you will have in your possession the one means to bring peace back to Aora.” She finished on a gurgle and had to fight for breath.

  The Guardians drew close around her, weariness in their blood and dirt streaked features, sadness in their eyes, and determination in the set of their shoulders.

  Shoulders that would bear the weight of an entire world on them.

  “The time is not yet for this,” she said, her voice breaking weakly as she felt her strength fast fading. “You must keep it safe until it’s time.”

  “When will we know?” Melantha asked quietly. “Empress, what is the sign?”

  “The one holding it at the time will know,” she whispered, blood bubbling up. “Protect this preciousness with your very lives until the time is upon you. Promise me.”

  “Your wish is our command, Empress,” Balfour said quietly.

  The High Empress heard the wet rasping of her own voice as she struggled to stay conscious. “You will spend your time hiding, fighting if necessary, always on the run. They will not rest until they have what they will not find when the fighting is over. Balfour, come closer.”

  Grim faced, Balfour did as bidden.

  When it was done and the High Empress slipped away on one last breath, he looked up at the five remaining Guardians. Sorrow filled their eyes, shock not far below the surface, but they had a job to do, a duty to fulfil.