Chapter 18 “Shattered Hearts” Kyoko could feel the spirit dart rip through her chest with scalding heat. All sound stopped within the room as sporadic lightning flashed all around her… then the scream started. She wasn’t sure if it was her or the demon making such agonizing sounds as she watched the light echo off the walls. Hyakuhei rose up on his knees and crawled to her… reaching out, wanting it to stop. As soon as he touched her, lightning shot up his arm and surrounded him… trying to purify the demons within his body. Refusing to let go, a hoarse, guttural cry was ripped from him before he summoned the willpower to silence it once more. The sound of Kyoko’s voice broke through the pain and he looked at her, his usual calm expression in place despite the agony. “Let go!” Kyoko rasped now that she could see him. The disturbing images had stopped but she could still feel the demon within her along with all the pain. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered how
Chapter 19 “Kyou’s Possession” Kyou looked down at Kyoko as he held her safely within his arms while they traveled. He could see she was already healing. Little by little the wound was closing and he knew within a day’s time, his power… the love he had given her would erase the wound from existence. He gently caressed her cheek. He’d placed his mark upon her to heal her but whether she stayed or not would be up to her. He would know as soon as it happened. 'She will accept me in time,' he assured himself. Until then, he would simply not let her go. Either way, she would be a prisoner of his love… his brothers had been right about that. She looked so dangerously fragile but he knew the truth. Her soul was strong and she had taught him well. His mind drifted back to the question Kotaro had so angrily asked him. 'Do you even know what love is?' Kyou inhaled deeply. He knew what love was. It came in the form of a tiny priestess with a heart of steel and he knew how to win
A Guardian’s Possession The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Book 5 Amy Blankenship, RK Melton Copyright © 2009 Amy Blankenship English Edition Published by Amy BlankenshipSecond Edition Published by TekTime All rights reserved. The Legend of the Heart of Time The worlds may change… but true legends never fade. Darkness and light have constantly battled since the beginning of time. Worlds are formed and crushed beneath the feet of their creators, yet the ongoing need for good and evil have never been in question. However, sometimes a new element is thrown into the mix… the one thing that both sides want but only one can have. Paradoxical in nature, the Guardian Heart Crystal is the one constant that both sides have always striven to attain. The crystalline stone has the power to create and destroy the known universe, yet can end all suffering and strife in the same breath. Some say the crystal has a mind of its own… others say the gods are behin
Chapter 2 “Fearless” Unaware that the storm was now growing closer, Kyoko felt the breeze cool her heated skin and welcomed it with a soft smile. Closing her emerald eyes, she enjoyed the solitude of the night before heading to Sennin’s and joining the guardians that slumbered there. Sennin’s daughter, Suki, had become her closest female friend on this side of the time portal and her hut was where the group stayed when they weren’t traveling across the dangerous lands looking for the shattered fragments of the guardian heart crystal. Suki had been with them from the very start, even though she wasn’t a guardian. Kyoko smiled thinking of Suki and the one guardian that never left her friend’s side… Shinbe. He was one of the five guardian brothers. He was also a letch and very much had a thing for Suki. With midnight blue hair and eyes of amethyst, it was all Suki could do to continue to fight his advances. Her smile widened wondering how much longer Suki could hold out.
Chapter 3 “Descending Darkness” Shinbe landed behind Toya having arrived just as Kyou and Kyoko vanished. The others descended behind him as they watched Toya’s powerful aura expand around him in florescent blue waves. Kamui’s face showed the shock from what he had just witnessed as the purple highlights within his untamed hair rustled from the winds of Toya’s outburst. His eyes seemed to change color with every confused heartbeat that followed. “Kyoko?” his voice sounded breathless as his bottom lip quivered in rebellion. Glittering multihued dust fell from his translucent wings as he lifted them in one mighty stroke intending to give chase to the one who had taken Kyoko from them. A flash of lightning silhouetted the dark wings of the enemy as he shimmered to life right in Kamui’s path. Hyakuhei’s long midnight hair lifted in the current caused by his sudden descent. His ebony eyes locked with Kamui’s causing the guardian to jerk back in his headlong rush to rescue Kyok
Chapter 4 “Double Trouble” Kyoko sat up on the pillows staring at the door that had slammed only a few seconds before. Her thoughts were frozen on the reason he said she was there. Kyou wanted her to teach him human emotions? Why would the prince of ice want to know human emotions? And why would he want to learn them from her? She raised her hand to her lips still feeling the tingling sensation his kiss had caused. Kyoko's eyes narrowed as she lowered her hand thinking. 'One thing is for sure! Kyou knows two emotions already… anger and conceit.' ***** Hiroki and Hiraru opened the door peeking in, looking for the pretty girl. There had never been a girl in the castle or at least one that they had ever seen. It had been a long time since they had even seen another human among them. They were so used to only seeing Kyou that it had never dawned on them that they were missing out on anything till now. Now they couldn’t keep their curiosity at bay. Looking at each other whe
Chapter 5 “Black Wings” Toya looked to the north as he flew. His translucent silver wings danced in the light of the moon, the seemingly delicate feathers fluttering slightly. He needed to find Kyoko as quick as he could. He scanned the area wondering where to search first when the rising smoke in the distance caught his attention. “A village?” Toya turned in that direction wondering why Kyou had allowed human’s to even live on his lands. ‘Kyou hates all humans’… Toya’s thoughts skidded to a stop… ‘Kyoko is human.’ His lips thinned with the debatable point. As he neared the village, he noticed there was too much smoke to just be coming from cooking stoves. The village was in trouble. He quickly scanned the area sensing demons in the midst of the flames he was now seeing. ‘What were demons doing in Kyou’s territory?’ Spreading his senses out beyond just the village, Toya realized demons where crossing the boarders of the northern lands in several places… not just her
Chapter 6 “Deadly Escape” Kyoko awoke with a start just as the memories of what had happened came rushing back to her like a confused tidal wave. She could almost swear that she could hear the echo of Hyakuhei’s angry roar as she slipped away from the dream and it gave her cold chills. It was his scream still ringing in her ears leaving her eyes wide with shock. The dream had found her again and somehow she knew it was waiting for her to close her eyes once more. Her fingers trailed up to softly touch her lips and something within her wondered if she fell asleep again… if the dream would start out with that same kiss. She wrapped her arms around herself, strangely missing the heat. Wondering how long she had been sleeping, she glanced toward the window. From the height of the moon and all the stars she could see it was still the middle of the night but getting closer to dawn with every heartbeat. It was no wonder her mind was trying to make Hyakuhei her savior when her re
Chapter 19 “Kyou’s Possession” Kyou looked down at Kyoko as he held her safely within his arms while they traveled. He could see she was already healing. Little by little the wound was closing and he knew within a day’s time, his power… the love he had given her would erase the wound from existence. He gently caressed her cheek. He’d placed his mark upon her to heal her but whether she stayed or not would be up to her. He would know as soon as it happened. 'She will accept me in time,' he assured himself. Until then, he would simply not let her go. Either way, she would be a prisoner of his love… his brothers had been right about that. She looked so dangerously fragile but he knew the truth. Her soul was strong and she had taught him well. His mind drifted back to the question Kotaro had so angrily asked him. 'Do you even know what love is?' Kyou inhaled deeply. He knew what love was. It came in the form of a tiny priestess with a heart of steel and he knew how to win
Chapter 18 “Shattered Hearts” Kyoko could feel the spirit dart rip through her chest with scalding heat. All sound stopped within the room as sporadic lightning flashed all around her… then the scream started. She wasn’t sure if it was her or the demon making such agonizing sounds as she watched the light echo off the walls. Hyakuhei rose up on his knees and crawled to her… reaching out, wanting it to stop. As soon as he touched her, lightning shot up his arm and surrounded him… trying to purify the demons within his body. Refusing to let go, a hoarse, guttural cry was ripped from him before he summoned the willpower to silence it once more. The sound of Kyoko’s voice broke through the pain and he looked at her, his usual calm expression in place despite the agony. “Let go!” Kyoko rasped now that she could see him. The disturbing images had stopped but she could still feel the demon within her along with all the pain. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered how
Chapter 17 “Heaven and Hell” Hyakuhei slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Kyoko, whose emerald eyes were opening as well, staring at him in confusion. They lay together on the bed with his arms wrapped tightly around her. The heat that had raged through their bodies, within the dream… only an instant before still sizzled dangerously between them like an all-consuming fire. The knowledge that it had only been a flash of what was to come was disturbing enough to freeze the flames in time. Quickly, he rolled until she was pinned beneath him. He gazed down into her face as memories of what he’d just witnessed washed over him in a wave of exhilaration. He took in her flushed features and wide eyes, seeing the confusion amplify as she began to remember as well. Hyakuhei found himself wanting to smile in victory… but that victory would come at a high price. They would be together… but only in a different dimension and he would have to die in this world to be
Chapter 16 “A Dream Called Fate” The dream demon struggled against the invisible chains that held him within his captor. He felt a rush knowing he was dying. He was a creature that fed off the torture of others within dreamscapes and now he was starving. With his main source of energy completely gone it wouldn’t be long. The weaker he grew, the bolder the demons within Hyakuhei became. They’d started feeding off him and the vast amount of evil housed within his soul. With what little power he had left, he could feel his master deep within the dream state where he was the most vulnerable. The priestess had also fallen and this was his last and most perfect opportunity. He knew his sensual nightmares had done their damage, however he had one final trick. He would introduce them to their real future… their fate. ***** Hyakuhei appeared within the futuristic dream, bringing with him all the memories of years that hadn’t happened yet. He stood gazing into the night, high above
Chapter 15 “Flame of Friendship” Toya stood, not moving a muscle, though he knew he could. The spell had worn off several minutes ago but he’d tried to stay still long enough for the demon within him to recede back wherever the hell it’d come from. He growled silently wondering if he would ever be able to touch her without the passion of the demon interfering? Either way… he wasn’t sure he’d been wrong in what he was doing in the first place. Whether it was him or his demon side that took her… she would still be his and out of Kyou’s reach… right? He could still feel the fire burning in him for her but he knew she was right to have stopped him before he did something she would never forgive him for. If he could just make her understand… whether she stayed in this world or went back to her own, he could still find her. But if she chose Kyou… she would probably vanish. Toya growled as he clenched his fist. In his opinion, Kyou was just as much of a threat as Hyakuhei. Hi
Chapter 14 “Stolen Dreams” Hyakuhei lay floating on his back on the surface of the hot springs, letting the water rock him in its gentle embrace. His black wings were spread out looking like a dark angel cast out from the heavens. His ebony hair was swimming around him like a sinister halo, turning the water to darkness. He could feel the pull of the dream master and closed his eyes. He did not fight it… he wanted… needed to see her. “Show her to me,” he whispered as he fell into the land of dreams. The dream master felt the new restraints weigh heavy on his powers, twisting them to his masters will. It struggled against Hyakuhei’s strength wanting to defy his master. An angry scream ricocheted within the dream world as he was forced into submission, connecting with the priestess. The demon snarled finally allowing Hyakuhei access to Kyoko’s dream. However, this time was different. The dream master chuckled almost silently at this new development. Letting go of his str
Chapter 13 “Brotherly Love” Toya carried Kyoko back toward camp, setting her down before coming within the others eyesight. Kyoko seemed alright now but he still didn’t leave her side for very obvious reasons. They were far enough away from the group for privacy and Toya thought Kyoko needed that at the moment. Using his guardian senses; he nearly cocked an eyebrow at the conversation he could hear going on in camp. “What’s taking him so long?” Suki asked quietly. “I’m starting to get worried.” Shinbe smiled, “Toya has most likely found her and they’re taking their time returning.” “Why would they be taking their time?” Kamui asked. Shinbe took a deep breath, “Well Kamui, there is a special thing that happens when a man has found the one he wants to do…” he stopped and glanced over at Suki’s disturbing expression. “They’re probably just taking their time.” Kamui mentally smirked. This was too good to pass up. “When a man wants to do what?” Shinbe glared playfu
Chapter 12 “Breaking Point” Kyoko’s eyes snapped open with Kyou’s name still on her lips. Looking around, she saw Suki and Shinbe kneeling close to her feet while Kamui was on her left side holding her. She felt something push her from the right and looked over at Kaen, who was studying her intently. Remembering what she’d seen in the dream, she looked from Kamui to Kaen and back again wondering if it just hadn’t all been part of the dream to begin with. “It was just a dream… I’m sorry.” She quickly tried to get all the attention off her so they wouldn’t ask questions. She shrugged, “I already forgot what it was about.” That seemed to work as they started backing off one by one, but Kamui was the last to move away. She thought it was strange when he ran his hand across her back and up into her hairline making her flinch. She didn’t want him to find the mark that was there. Her gaze flew to his but only found understanding as he nodded and stood up. “Dreams are best for
Chapter 11 “Bone yard” Kyoko glared at the back of Toya’s head. Kaen had transformed into his dragon form, deciding to be in battle mode and was slowly flying them over the bone yard just a few feet above the ground while Toya nonchalantly stomped his way through it. “You have absolutely no respect for the dead,” She complained. “That’s the point,” Toya retorted. “They’re dead, what the hell do they care?” Kyoko glanced over her shoulder at Shinbe, who was shaking his head. “We’re doomed,” Kamui whispered. “I heard that you little twerp,” Toya exclaimed. Kamui huffed, “I can’t help it if you’re retarded. Too many knocks on the head courtesy of Kyou probably didn’t help much either.” Toya abruptly turned and grabbed Kamui’s ankle, yanking him off Kaen’s back. Kamui let out a high-pitched cry that sounded almost like a shriek as he landed on top of a skeleton. Opening his eyes, he looked into the face of the skeleton and made the sound again. He scrambled