Chapter 20 “Combined Forces” Kyou let the water from the shower flow over his face and down his body. His forehead was pressed against the cool tile in front of him while his long silver hair had streams of the steamy water rolling down his silky mane. He sighed as he pressed his palms against the wall and stepped back. He refused to allow himself to sleep because he didn't know if he could handle a second dream of making love to Kyoko. The need to claim her again was too real even for someone whose restraint was as strong as his. He knew Toya was out there somewhere and for the second time Kyou was confused. Last night was pure torture for him, sleeping so close to Kyoko but still unable to go to her, especially after the heated dream that had left his body aching for her. Only he knew that they were already mates… but last night hadn’t been safe. Her mind and body had been through enough within such a short amount of time… tampering with it more would have been dangerou
Chapter 21 "Never Underestimate" Toya felt as if his heart was breaking as he came through the haze of evil. They all thought he controlled the demons within but it wasn't the truth. He was the one being controlled. He could remember Shinbe's smiling face, his deep love for Suki, and his friendship for him and Kyoko both. The truth was that Shinbe had often been the strength within the small group of guardians, holding them together and making them laugh at the same time. The only time he’d ever seen Shinbe angry was when someone within the group was in danger or hurt. Shinbe had even saved his life many times. Toya's chest hurt as he choked on the question. "Tell me… Tell me Shinbe isn't dead!" His fist clenched as he waited for the answer. Kyou stood at his full height, momentarily proud of Toya for gaining back control. "Death claimed him, brother, but I revived him with my life-force." Toya looked at the ground. "I killed him?" He glanced at his own hands in bewilderme
Chapter 22 "Approaching Darkness" Silence met her request. Kamui's expression turned to one of fear as he looked into Kyoko’s eyes. He opened his mouth to voice his thoughts on the subject but Shinbe's hand covered his lips… preventing him from voicing the truth… a truth that Kyoko was not prepared to hear. Shinbe knew that Kamui would begin to ramble because of his honest heart but also understood that Kyoko was not in any condition to hear what had transpired recently. Kamui craned his neck to look into Shinbe's pleading eyes only to grunt and jerk his face away from the restraining hand. His eyes were downcast as he moved away from them, turning his back so Kyoko wouldn’t see his misery. He wanted to give Kyoko the answer that she so desperately wanted to hear but he was outnumbered. It was wrong to lie to the priestess no matter the reason. To Shinbe's surprise Kamui didn't say anything more. He had seen the torment in the guardian’s expression as he released him and his
Chapter 23 "Reclaiming" Shinbe stood behind the bar lost in thought about Toya. They’d once been best friends. He couldn’t remember how many times they’d saved each other in the past. They would have died for each other, but now… He missed the Toya he remembered… his brother. His shoulders slumped as his thoughts turned deeper within his soul. Toya had killed him without a second glance and if it hadn't been for Kyou reviving him, no. It was not Toya’s hand that had taken his life but the hand of demons. Shinbe closed his eyes trying to steady his thoughts. The club was still empty seeing as how they hadn't even opened the doors. He was so distracted by everything that’d happened within the last couple days, he couldn't even think straight. Kotaro leaned his back against the bar looking up at the steps that led to Kyoko when the sound of a glass shattering behind him nearly made him jump out of his skin. Turning quickly, he watched as Shinbe cocked an eyebrow at his hand as i
Raging Hearts The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Book Three Amy Blankenship Copyright © 2009 Amy Blankenship English Edition Published by Amy Blankenship Second 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 behind it all.
Chapter 2 "Flame of Jealousy" Kyoko gritted her teeth, the tension between them was almost tangible and it was really starting to unnerve her. Toya sat on a branch in the tree near the fire and Kyoko sat at the fire by herself. They still hadn’t said a single word to each other and now he wouldn’t even look at her. She frowned feeling slightly insulted. Was kissing her really so bad? Toya sat in the tree sulking. He’d seen her frown. Had him kissing her been so bad? She hadn’t said a word to him about what he had done. He’d rather her yell at him or something but he didn’t know what to think about her not saying anything. Was she that mad at him? Should he apologize? His lips thinned in denial. He wouldn’t apologize for something he hadn’t meant to do. Should he just ignore it and act like it didn’t happen? At this point, he just wished everything would go back to the way it was, although he himself would not forget the kiss. Toya glanced back down at her wondering what she w
Chapter 3 ‘Wicked Kisses” The breeze was growing colder by the minute and Toya slowed down noticing an evil aura in the distance. Kyoko's blood ran cold as the unnatural feeling overwhelmed her. Toya leapt down from the high branches, coming to a skidding stop at the top of a hill. She slid to the ground as the others quickly appeared behind them looking into the distance. Kyoko watched as an ominous cloud loomed over the area. "I feel a talisman." She shook her head. "Not just one, there’s more," She said breathlessly. “The evil surrounding the fragments is stifling.” Suki walked up behind Kyoko, adjusting her weapon across her shoulder for easier access in case of battle. "I wonder if it’s Hyakuhei you’re sensing?" She glanced at Shinbe as he walked up beside them, his trench coat and long midnight-blue hair blowing in the wind that was now picking up. Toya’s eyes narrowed and change to molten silver. Sensing danger close to them, he glanced to the left and slung his
Chapter 4 "Dangerous Feelings" Kyoko glanced up hearing the voice in her mind telling her softly to do so. Her tears reflected the light like glittering diamonds as she watched Kyou floating above her and she sent him an adoring smile. Suki tensed up at Kyou’s deadly question and glared up at him. She shook her head, "It wasn’t any of the guardians that hurt her. It was your uncle Hyakuhei. He had a spell cast on her.” Suki squared her shoulders, angry with him for accusing them of hurting Kyoko. “We killed the demon who cast the spell so Kyoko will be alright within a couple of hours." She stepped in front of Kyoko, trying to block her friend from Kyou’s view. After Kyoko told her earlier about Kyou kissing her... Well, she didn’t want Kyoko getting any ideas right now. She would let her kiss Shinbe first if it came to that, so she blocked his view and folded her arms across her chest as if standing guard. Kyou smiled coldly at Suki but his eyes narrowed, which sent a warnin