Young Guardian Trilogy, Lady Adellandra Dratianos [epub e ink reader txt] 📗

saying nothing aloud in protest.
O’Dell acknowledged her with a smile as he reached for her hand. He took it for only a split second before she snatched it away in rejection. "Kitten's Claw, my darling Balinese, the twinkle in your eye could only mean one thing: Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder."
"The name is Kit." She snapped. "What are you doing here anyway, O'Dell?"
Katherine stared angrily at her sister. It was normally rude to address an Originator so informally. She turned to O'Dell, bowing for forgiveness. "My deepest apologies for my sister's behavior my Lord."
O’Dell nodded, putting it behind him with a smile. "All's well, Miss Hawk."
Orthos, on the other hand, returned to the subject. "Yes, Brother." He put the emphasis on 'brother.' "What are you doing here?"
O’Dell frowned, getting down to business. "I have come to warn you, as I often do, and you had better listen to me this time!"
Orthos shook his head and laughed. "Or?"
"Or else be Banished out of Dark Tower -- and even out of the Mystic Realms -- forever!" Guardian O'Dell yelled in Orthos' face.
Orthos laughed again, this time at the thought as he kept his fiendish smile on his lips. He stood and began to pace. "Putting me where, eh?" He gestured around the room. "I have been here for more than a century of centuries."
O’Dell didn't say anything, his arms crossed as he listened in silently. It was another one of his rants to gain power and attention. Knowing what his brother was about to say, O’Dell let him say it.
"Each time I have a scheme, you seem to 'sense' it.” Sure enough, Orthos continued. “Then, to make matters worse, you barge into Dark Tower -- my private domain, even -- and interrupt my life with pathetic garbage I have no need for! Can you not leave well enough alone?"
O’Dell was irritated, tired of his brother's constant stalling. "I know you all too well, Orthos." He paused. "Your whole perspective is backwards. You say things you do not mean, make promises you never keep, and have absolutely no feelings for anyone but yourself." He slammed his fist on the table, making his brother jump. "You are a selfish, uncaring being, Orthos, and I still call you 'brother' out of respect."
"Get on with it," Orthos cried in a huff. “Why do you darken my doorstep this time?”
"I saw you in a vision," Guardian lowered his voice, facing him. "And the vision did not look good."
Orthos laughed. "What did you see, pray tell?"
Katherine held her breath, waiting for Guardian to speak. Kit, who usually didn't care less what was going on around her, stood silent, listening in.
O'Dell debated telling him. For if he did, Orthos would wish to change the vision in his own way, which was never a good thing. Instead, acting as Lord Guardian of the Mystic Realms, he ordered. “Behave yourself in Dreamer’s Worlds, Orthos. I am always watching your actions, so be aware of that. Also," he continued, "look after your children and never let them out of your sight."
"Just who do you think you are, telling me what to do?" Orthos yelled, exasperated.
"Lord Guardian of the Mystic Realms, which includes your Dominion, so dare not cross me further!"
Katherine and Kitten's Claw held each other's hands, fearful, yet silent. It was apparent neither male remembered the twins were still there.
The Dominionite Master, who usually had a comment for everything, said nothing. He only huffed, "Well -- I never!"
"--And you never will, either, Master!" A boy's voice from behind them quipped. When O'Dell and Orthos turned around to face the boy, the feline’s voice grew serious. He bowed to Guardian with respect. "Pardon my insolence, my Lord Guardian, but I must have time with the lovely Hawk twins, if I may."
O'Dell smiled, and sensed the tiger Companion meant no harm. "Certainly, Warrior Tobias."
Warrior Tobias stood and faced the girls, nodding for them to follow him. He replied, "Thank you, my Lord."
The girls left and the brothers continued the conversation.
Orthos glared at O'Dell, with O'Dell growing more irritated each passing moment. Orthos had a sadistic, yet innocent grin on his face, and O'Dell couldn't stand it any longer.
"Enough is enough!"
"I have no idea what you are talking about!" Orthos yelled. "How dare you make accusations?"
Guardian O'Dell never let him finish. "Hear me out."
"Very well, if you must," Orthos sighed, rolling his eyes. "Go ahead."
"I want you to stop whatever you may be planning for the Young Guardian and her friends." O'Dell commanded.
Orthos looked confused. "Excuse me? What are you accusing me of this time?"
"Never mind. Just be aware of what happens around you, especially in the Province."
Orthos laughed, "Now, why would I even come close to your precious part of the Realm? I would not even think about it." He paused. "Besides, I do whatever needs to be done at that time."
Before giving Orthos a chance to say anything else, Lord Guardian O'Dell of the Realms disappeared. Orthos was left with an evil smirk on his face.

O'Dell reappeared in front of the Mystic Palace, where Enchantra and Challandra lived. Glad for the pleasant distraction, he pulled the hanging chime, which played the romantic melody of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
"Coming!" A female voice sang from the other side. A moment later, the door opened and a gorgeous belle greeted him with a bright, sunny smile. "My Lord! What a nice surprise!"
Was this the face of his love, Enchantra?
No, he thought sadly, looking into the belle’s eyes.
"May I come in, Challandra?" He pleaded, desperate.
Challandra could sense the urgency in his voice. "Aye, certainly. Come in.” She watched as his hands shook, with nerves bulging. Challandra took his hand, leading him inside. “Would you like something to calm your nerves?"
O'Dell shook his head, holding it. "Nay. Thank you anyway." He followed her to the living quarters. "Is Enchantra around by any chance?"
"Right behind you O'Dell," Enchantra's voice came from behind him.
O'Dell never took offense to the greeting from her. Both Mystic twins Enchantra and Challandra were Originators as well. Companions, like Katherine, Kit, and Tobias, were raised to respect the Originators.
Enchantra saw the worried look on his face and placed an arm on O'Dell's shoulder. "Is there something bothering you, my love?"
Sadly, O'Dell nodded. "I have reason to believe Orthos is up to his tricks again."
“Did you have a Vision?” Enchantra asked.
“I Saw it in my Sphere.” O'Dell nodded again.
The sisters exchanged a glance and Challandra gasped.
Enchantra was worried for him now. "What can we do for you?"
"The Mirror.” He commanded, searching the Palace. “I must see the Mystic Mirror."
His mind was whirling with thoughts of his brother, and what had to be done about him.
Challandra replied. "Right this way."
With her sister behind her, Challandra led him to the Mystic Mirror Room. She opened the door with a short melody and the trio stepped inside.
The sisters watched and waited patiently as their Lord Guardian stared into the Mirror.
"I see. . . I see. . .” O'Dell muttered under his breath, waving a hand in front of it. "I see it’s time for Outer Realm assistance against my brother."
"You do not mean--?" Enchantra asked, unsure.
"Aye," Lord Guardian looked from one twin to the other.
Challandra sighed. "Have you not fought with him before, without our help?"
O'Dell glared at her. "It's not a joke, dear Challandra. It's a matter of life and death."
"My apologies, my Lord," Challandra bowed her head.
"O'Dell, certainly you do not mean your own death?" Enchantra asked gently, worried for him. She put a caring hand on his. "Do you?"
O'Dell closed his eyes and nodded sadly.
"Not to worry." Enchantra assured with a nod. "We know what to do."
"We will help." Her sister said, reluctant to go along. She knew the importance of O’Dell’s visions.
"Thank you, Sisters." O'Dell replied, giving each of them a kiss, on the cheek for Challandra and the lips for Enchantra. "I knew I could count on the two of you!" He turned to leave. "For now, I must ready my successor. I will return." O'Dell gave Enchantra another kiss as he exited the Palace. He changed from an Immortal to a Unicorn-Pegasus and flew away.
Enchantra looked at her sister as they watched him leave. "Do you remember what must be done?"
Challandra nodded, reluctant. "Yes, Sister, I remember. A certain destiny shall begin."
Enchantra could tell her sister wasn't happy about or interested in O’Dell’s suggestion. "I will go while you stay here and guard the Palace."
"Thank you, Enchantra."
She sighed as she left for the Outer Realm.

II

The young girl lay weeping alone in a darkened room. Her orphanage master had just beaten her for being a kid and playing around.
She was a special child with unique abilities.
There were many times she curled up in a ball and fell asleep by the sound of her own tears. That night was no exception.
Lord Guardian O'Dell came to her when all was silent. "Hello, Young Guardian."
The girl looked up, but said nothing aloud. Since she knew how to send telepathic messages, she timidly asked in her mind. Who's there?
She didn’t see anyone for a moment, but she Felt someone there with her Empathy. When she stared at the spot, she Felt him and a vision of a tall male with silver eyes and long black hair smiled at her. There was a glowing white light around him, almost magical. Somehow, it comforted her.
"I am called the Lord Guardian of the Realms, and you are to be my successor." O’Dell told her.
Why did you call me, "Young Guardian”? The girl asked. My name is Ariana Moon.
O’Dell smiled, and explained. "You are a very special girl, Ariana Moon, doing things most cannot. You know this already, or I would not be here."
Using what little empathy she knew, she opened her mind to sense his intentions. She smiled when he was sincere, and O’Dell’s very words soothed her.
I don't know why. I just can. Ariana reflected, relaxing. She wrapped her arms around her knees, smiling in the darkness. I can read minds and tell futures. I don't know if I can do anything else.
"Ah, but you can; all you have to do is bring up the courage and try. You can do anything your heart desires." O’Dell closed his hands, opening them again to reveal a necklace. "I come from a place called the Dream Realm, and you can go there anytime you want to escape."
Ariana looked away for a moment. She thought of her Mistress, Helen Gertrude. Each day, the children of the orphanage would be beaten. It seemed Ariana and her twin friends were Mrs. Gertrude’s favorites.
Escape from this hell would be the perfect thing to do. Until now, she had no means of escape. She took a deep breath and stared at the necklace for a while. It was a locket shaped like a globe, and had a crescent moon with a jewel hanging from the tip. The opalescent jewel was made of a kind of crystal she'd never seen before, and it was all incased in a Dream-Catcher's webbing. It was beautiful in a Mystical way, hanging from its silver chain.
Can anyone else see or hear you? Ariana thought to him, looking up from it.
O'Dell shook his head. "Only you for now. Others will when the time comes."
Ariana smiled. I can go to the Dream Realm any time I want?