The Angel's Guardian

Survival

The Werewolf Realm

The dark ones invading the small village all started to trail back to the one who was calling them. The master of the Dark Ones watched over his creations and smiled. If everything went according to his plan, he would have full control over the realm and be able to start over if need be. The Dark Ones were just a means to an end.

“That’s right, come back to me now, you have all done your jobs so well tonight. Maybe I will let you out again soon. I so enjoy watching all the suffering you take with you everywhere.” The master said to his dark creations.

The master opened a portal. It swirled with a dark shadowy edge, anyone who looked into the portal would see a black void. There was nothing on the other side. He was sending the dark ones into an abyss of nothingness to keep them until he needed them again. The dark abyss only fueled their hunger further when he would release them again. As soon as the last dark one marched through the portal, he quickly swung his hand in a circle, closing it behind them. He looked out over the village that was burning before him. It was a testament of his power. He could create and destroy anything whenever he wanted to. These werewolves were an abomination anyway. In fact, many of the creations around him were abominations. They shouldn’t be allowed to continue living. He would have to purge this realm and all the other realms. They needed purification. He scowled in disgust before turning away to go back to his home. He opened his own portal that would take him back to his own realm and stepped through.

The Lake

Shayla couldn’t feel her toes and feet anymore. She was worried about the baby that was in her arms. Still floating out in the water and with no help in sight. Shayla decided she would turn back. She hoped the Dark Ones would be gone by now. She knew the attacks were usually short. Violent and unexpected when they happened, the only good thing was that the Dark Ones disappeared almost as quickly as they appeared. They were able to do a lot of damage in a very short time though.

It was her only hope. Shayla had to get Lumina warm before she died from the cold. Shayla turned, swishing her hands through the water. Not feeling her hands anymore, she just hoped she could get back and make sure Lumina would survive. She hoped she could find Lissa and Wren alive and reunite them with their daughter.

“Please, is anyone out there?” Shayla tried to call into the darkness again. Hoping maybe a boat was coming for them.

Shayla didn’t hear any answer to her cries and continued to swim in the direction she thought was the shore. With all the fog, she couldn’t see anything anymore. She could only hope it was the right direction.

“Help us!” Shayla squeaked out again into the thick fog.

“Hello? We can hear you. Where are you?” Shayla heard a woman's voice. It must be one of the escape boats returning. Shayla’s heart leapt with joy; she was going to make it. Hopefully, the cold didn't harm Lumina and she would be alright. She could give her back to her parents.

“Yes, we are here.” She called out again.

Shayla could hear the oars slicing through the water. They had to be close.

“We see you; we are coming. Hang on” The woman’s voice travelled to Shayla, who felt her spirits lifting.

The boat was beside Shayla now, seeming to come out of nowhere. Hands reached down to grab her. She lifted Lumina up first so they could get her out of the cold water.

“Oh, this poor wee little one. She is so cold.” Shayla heard one of the people on the boat say.

Hands reached out for Shayla again and she lifted her arms up to them.

“Come on. We got you.” A man's voice could be heard.

Two men were pulling her up out of the water. Each had one of her arms. She sloshed into the boat feeling completely exhausted.

“Thank you, I didn’t think we were going to make it.” Shayla said to everyone on the boat.

“Why were you in the water?” One of the men asked her.

“I left the boat I was in, to get Lumina” Shayla said, gesturing to the small infant she had been carrying in the water. “The boat didn’t wait for me because there was a Dark One on the shore. Is she going to be alright?” Shayla asked the woman inspecting Lumina.

“She is barely breathing but if we get her warm, she may survive.” The woman said and looked up at Shayla. The woman's eyes were all white with no iris. It was the Oracle.

“Why wasn’t she at the boat sooner? She is an important child. Her death would be disastrous.” The Oracle reiterated.

“I’m not sure why it took so long. I can only assume her parents had a difficult time getting to the shore,” Shayla answered.

“Hmm,” The Oracle raised one brow.

The Oracle went back to removing the wet clothes from Lumina and found her a warm dry blanket. Shayla continued to shiver in her wet clothes. One of the men draped a blanket over Shayla's shoulders and she instantly felt warmer.

“Thank you” Shayla said to the man.

“You're welcome.” Said the man back in a deep, soothing voice.

He looked into Shayla’s eyes and she looked away, intimidated by his strikingly handsome face. She felt like a mess completely drenched with the water, making her blue dress stick to her. The man continued to look at Shayla admiringly. He was stunned by the beautiful curves of her face and the curves of her body as he continued to trail his gaze downward.

“I’m glad we found you, you are safe now.” He said to Shayla.

“What made you come back?” Shayla asked, her worries about Lumina completely forgotten as she looked at the handsome man in front of her.

“It was the Oracle actually. She told us we needed to turn back. At first, we thought she was out of her mind, but it’s the Oracle and most of what she says doesn’t make sense.” He said quietly, whispering to Shayla across the boat, hoping the Oracle didn’t hear him. He moved closer to Shayla.

“Will you have to take care of the young one now?” He asked her.

“Well, I am hoping my sister and her husband survive. Otherwise, she has no one else.” Shayla said sorrowfully, a tear running down her cheek. She had a feeling her sister had been killed that night. “I don't want to have to look after a baby. I want my sister to be alive."

The man reached over and brushed the tear softly from her cheek. Shayla felt a stirring in her belly at the man’s gentle touch.

“What’s your name?” The man asked Shayla.

“I’m Shayla, what's your name?” Shayla asked the man in return.

“My name is Darian. It’s nice to meet you.” He answered her and slipped under the blanket with her. He ran his hand slowly along her thigh. Shayla felt herself heating up from the close contact in more ways than one.

“Is it safe to go back to shore now?” Shayla asked, wanting to get out of her wet clothing. She had more than one reason for wanting to get out of her wet things.

“I no longer feel the presence of the Dark ones” The Oracle said. “We should be able to return.”

“Let’s get back then and we can start to assess the damage from the dark ones.” Darian said.

The men rowing the boat turned the boat so they were headed for shore. Everyone wondered who had survived the attack and what was left of their homes. The boat moved through the dark water surrounded by a thick fog. It wasn’t long before they reached the shore. The fires were still burning but not much was left of the village. Charred beams of wood lay where houses used to be. Bloodied bodies were scattered over the shoreline.

“Oh, it’s terrible,” Shayla whispered. She covered her mouth with her hand at the shock of the devastation. When the Dark Ones attacked, there were never very many survivors.

“It will be worse if we don’t get this child warmed up. Her breathing is very weak.” The Oracle held Lumina close to her chest, trying to keep her warm with her body heat. The boats were stocked with supplies for creating makeshift shelters. They would have to set up a spot to treat the wounded. The Oracle was very concerned about Lumina. Her little body was still as cold as ice.

Shayla stepped out of the boat with the help of Darian. The others on the boat slowly got out as well. The Oracle handed Lumina to Shayla and stepped out on her own. The Oracle adjusted her blue shawl and looked back up at Shayla. Shayla quickly deposited Lumina back in the arms of the Oracle. The Oracle was slightly flustered, not expecting Shayla to be so nonchalant about the care of her infant niece.

“We will start collecting wood for a fire to use in our emergency shelters.” Darian said, pulling Shayla’s arm gently, having her come into his embrace.

The Oracle watched them walk off and huffed.

“They won’t be back in time. Your life will be difficult, child.” The Oracle said to Lumina. “I cannot change what is to be. You must continue on this path for your full potential to be realized. I cannot interfere with your plight.” She continued holding Lumina’s tiny hand in hers, trying to warm it.

The Oracle made her way to some driftwood that was already burning on the beach. She made herself a seat close to the fire. Some other helpers gathered around her to start erecting the shelter. It didn’t take long before they were all warm and out of the drizzling rain. A search was organized to find any survivors in the town.

“Thank you all, your help is appreciated” The Oracle said to the group helping. She looked down at the infant cradled in her arms. She noticed Lumina starting to get colour back in her hands, feet and face. The Oracle sighed with relief; Lumina would live.

Shayla and Darian walked together down the beach. He wanted to take her away from all the devastation and death. Shayla found herself feeling drawn to Darian. His handsome face and strong build made her feel safe. Many of the other women had been with a man before and Shayla was tired of being left behind in that department. The last time the Dark ones attacked in their region, Shayla and Lissa lost their parents. Afterward, Lissa took care of her, but she watched her like a hawk and never let her have fun with the men like all the other girls did. There was always so much death, everyone was desensitized to it, but it also brought the urgency to live in the moment. Shayla didn't want to die a virgin, even though Lissa seemed determined to keep Shayla under wraps.

They continued to walk down the beach until the smell of smoke was just a slight scent in the air and they could no longer smell the burning flesh of the ones that had been killed. The rain had finally stopped too. Darian took Shayla’s hand in his and raised it to his lips. Shayla felt his warm breath spread across her knuckles and felt her stomach flip again at his soft touch.

“Do you think the infant’s parents survived?” Darian asked in a whisper.

"I know Lissa was stabbed through the shoulder, but she heals remarkably fast. I don't know why, but she is really strong and the Dark Ones don't seem to affect her and Wren as strongly as everyone else. I think they survived. I will be so happy to be able to reunite her with her daughter. She will be fine and I am not ready to take care of a child just yet,” Shayla answered.

“That’s understandable, considering you appear to be quite young. How old are you if you don’t mind my asking?” Darian asked Shayla.

“I just turned nineteen. Lissa is my older sister,” Shayla answered.

“Let’s hope they survived the attack. I’d like to start a life with you, just the two of us.” Darian turned to Shayla and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “In case you were wondering, I just turned twenty-one.”

Shayla felt her eyes close and she savored his touch. All she ever wanted was the touch of a man for so long. This man was gorgeous. Darian slipped his other arm around Shayla, pulling her into him, their bodies now touching. He could feel her ample breasts rise and fall against his chest with each breath she took. Darian backed up a bit to admire her curvaceous body again. Her wet dress still stuck tightly to her body, not hiding anything. A cold breeze chilled Shayla when he parted from her, causing her n*****s to become hard. Darian noticed them protruding through the fabric. He wanted to touch her everywhere without anything in the way. He looked down and saw that her beautiful curves were straining against the wet fabric. Suddenly he could no longer contain his urges.