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“Also out in The Guardian Heart Crystal seriesTitle of series … The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Title of book… The Heart of Time: Extended VersionISBN# 9781425999681Chapter One "Shattered Memories""Kyoko!!!!!!"Toya's cry of rage could be heard throughout the surrounding forest. As the sound of his desperate scream faded, everything became deathly silent as all eyes watched for Hyakuhei’s next move.No one could have stopped it. Everything had happened too fast for anybody to react. What happened had paralyzed all five of the guardians with fear. They couldn’t believe they had come together as enemies and friends to fight Hyakuhei… only to have him win. Only to lose the one person they all loved and protected.There, hovering in the center of the battlefield… their worse nightmare was unfolding.Hyakuhei held Kyoko tightly against him as he gazed down into her terrified face. The lower half of her body had begun to fuse with his, just as he had planned. He was slowly trying to devour her and The Guardian Heart Crystal into his body and the void within his soul. All who watched could see the corruption of the Crystal as it glowed with darkness born only of evil.Kyoko's hands were against Hyakuhei's chest as she franticly pushed back from him, trying with all her might to free herself from this guardian… turned demon, only for him to laugh. Hyakuhei was now high on the power that was coursing through his flesh and blood and her feeble attempts at escaping him… amused him greatly.Kyoko felt defenseless as she felt her body becoming one with his. The more she was drawn into his body, the colder that part of her body became. Her legs stung as if ice was forming along her skin like a million prickles all at once.She knew if she didn’t do something fast, they would all be lost. She could see the five brothers who had guarded her over the last couple years…as they stood there watching. All of them wanted to help her but were too afraid to make a move as long as she was being held as a shield.She did not want to lose to this traitor of the guardian’s. He was their own uncle… why had he turned against his nephews so long ago? Kyoko’s emerald green eyes turned back to lock on the enemies in fearful anger. This couldn’t be happening… Not after all she had been through. This was all her fault.Her eyes narrowed on Hyakuhei’s dark gaze. She had brought the Crystal to this world again… and she would take it back out of this world, if she had to take it to hell with her.Kyou stood not twenty feet away and quickly drew his destruction sword ‘Hakaisha’, in a blind fury. He did not like the thought of his uncle… his enemy, touching the only human girl he had ever grown to respect. She looked so dangerously fragile, the fight now becoming purity against evil.The lord of the youkai realm… Kyou, oldest of the five brothers, could do nothing without hurting Kyoko in the process. Secretly he knew the power of the Crystal could not hurt him because he had used a spell to block all spells before the battle. He had been prepared in case Hyakuhei had tried to use The Guardian Heart Crystal against him. But this… he had not anticipated. He didn’t want Kyoko to be hurt… ever, not as long as he had the power to stop it.He did not struggle when the dark demonic phantoms sent by Hyakuhei slithered from the ground as if coming from some hidden nightmare and wrapped around his lethal body to hold him still. Kyou glanced at Toya seeing that fury burned in his younger brother's silver eyes.Hyakuhei had wrapped Toya within an onslaught of phantoms trying to keep him at bay but Toya was still struggling with a vengeance against them. Kyou could feel Toya's power intensify with every heartbeat, along with his own power and the power of their brothers.Not ten feet away, Kotaro’s ice blue eyes widened in disbelief. He didn’t want anything to hurt Kyoko but he couldn’t do anything to prevent it. Both his arms were bloodied from the battle and his legs were in no better shape. He was powerless to even attack right now as he fought to stand, fighting against the pain. His mind still frozen in fear for the girl he loved more than anything."Don’t you dare hurt her or I will hunt you even in hell, Hyakuhei." Kotaro hissed in a raspy voice, baring his sharp fangs as his ice blue eyes burned with his need for retaliation. The very air around him seemed to come to life with a vengeance, as debris blew out in a circle around him from his powerful youkai winds.Kamui was frightened, but seeing Kyoko struggling in the arms of Hyakuhei had snapped his mind. Rainbow dust glittered within his angry eyes. Without thinking of the consequences, Kamui ran strait toward Hyakuhei with his claws bared, unthinkable courage born of his love for the priestess and seen by all.Hyakuhei's shadow demons repelled him back, slamming his body into the hard dirt and sending debris flying.Kaen snatched Kamui up in a tight hold, fire flying from his feet as he leapt to safety, always watching after the youngest youkai guardian during battle. Laying a limp Kamui on the ground out of danger, Kaen turned fiery eyes on Hyakuhei and stood between the youngest fighter and danger.Suki was on her knees still holding her younger sibling in her arms. His body now lifeless and her hatred for Hyakuhei seethed inside her for killing Daisuke. Her eyes now fastened on Kyoko, wishing she could save her best friend from the same cold fate that had befallen her little brother.Shinbe stood protectively in front of Suki, blocking her body from Hyakuhei's view. The wind from Kotaro’s anger blew Shinbe’s midnight blue hair about his face… lending a haunted expression to his knowing amethyst eyes. His worry for Kyoko intensified as he felt the power of the Crystal building.“No….” the word left him as if he had the wind suddenly knocked out of him. Shinbe knew if Hyakuhei obtains the full power from the guardian heart crystal then both worlds would be in grave danger. A scalding tear raced down his cheek as he felt his heart shatter with the fact he could do nothing. “…Kyoko.”Hyakuhei looked around at all the enemies who had stood in his way for so long… his own brothers offspring’s. He knew they were afraid to attack him because he now held Kyoko as a shield and he could feel rage building all around him.His ebony wings expanded, creating a dark backdrop behind him as his equally dark eyes locked on the girl. "They are trying to protect you." He stated in a calm soothing voice, as if they were not in the midst of a battle but only watching it from the sidelines.He could feel the sacred guardian heart crystal that was still visible in the center of his naked chest. Her love for the guardians fighting to protect her was the only thing still keeping the crystal from sinking the rest of the way into his body and giving him the power he desired.The purity of that love was her power, and she was using it to try to draw the crystal from him… he could feel it. But he could also feel the power that was already coursing through his veins, and it made him only want more. His eyes softened for a moment as he whispered to her as if talking to a lover. “It’s not enough.”Hyakuhei decided he would use the power he had already gained from the crystal against Kyoko in a way that would destroy the bond of love that surrounded the small group. He knew he had to stop her… for her power alone was just as strong as the crystal she had once held within her. The same crystal that had once allowed him to love… only too then take that love cruelly from his grasp.He pulled Kyoko’s face flush with his as if to place a gentle kiss upon her innocent lips. Staring into her stormy green eyes, he entered her mind using the power of the guardian heart crystal. Hyakuhei sought out her memories of the guardians whom she loved… trying to take them from her. He knew taking her memories of the people she fought for would weaken her power and strengthen his.Kyoko couldn’t blink. She felt his evil claws trying to destroy her memories, trying to rip the reason for this fight from her… trying to take her love from her. She wouldn’t allow it.Her friends, all of them, she knew Hyakuhei wanted to take them away from her. Kyoko felt her control snap, leaving her with only one thing to use against him, and that was the very thing he was trying to take and destroy. Her eyes flashed with anger no longer suppressed. She latched her hands in his silky midnight locks and thrust their foreheads together, shaking with a tidal wave of power.Her voice piercing the silence of the battlefield she screamed. "You want it that bad? HERE!!"'What was she doing?' Kyou's golden eyes glowed intensely and he felt fear shoot through him like the blade of a hot knife. He knew something was terribly wrong as he felt his physic powers call to him… telling him to listen and to see before it was to late!He narrowed that power and entered Kyoko's mind, trying to see what was happening, and his body began to pulse with what he witnessed. He would have fallen to his knees had the shadow demons not been wrapped so tightly around him… holding him immobile.The images and sounds would be forever implanted within his minds eye and Kyou somehow knew he would never be able to shake the feeling that washed over him. For he realized by looking into her mind’s eye, Kyoko had also harbored feelings of love for him as well as his brothers.Kyou was also shaken to the core with the rush as he realized Kyoko had more power than anyone had ever thought her to have… power even she was not aware of. He could see and feel every memory as it passed from her mind to Hyakuhei's as if it where shooting strait into his heart where he would never release it. Years of love, heartache, and sacrifice… given all in an instant.Angry tears streamed down Kyoko’s cheeks as she thrust every memory of love and friendship, pain and secret feelings she had for everyone that fought with her into Hyakuhei's mind.Instantly, Hyakuhei was destabilized. Everyone felt the shift in power as the crystal started to blink from dark light to a blinding white light, and the shadow apparitions holding Toya and Kyou disintegrated into thin air.Kyoko watched as the angel of darkness became confused. His pale perfect face became distorted with pain. Just as she felt herself slipping she reached both of her small hands out and grasped the crystal, pulling it from his flesh. She knew what had to be done, because she could already feel her mind losing it’s struggle with memories she didn’t want to forget, and crystalline tears ran paths down her already streaked cheeks. She had given her memories away in order to save them all. Quickly, before she lost the thought, she held the guardian heart crystal against her own chest… parallel with her heart.Turning to see Toya and Kyou both leaping straight for her she whispered. "I wish to meet you all… again."The last thing Kyoko caught a glimpse of as her sight began to tunnel was both of them screaming her name and reaching for her. One with liquid gold eyes and the other with molten silver eyes… then her world turned black.Kyou could feel Kyoko fading and he thought she was dying. He leapt in unison with Toya, trying desperately to reach Kyoko when everything changed, as if a drop of water had hit the surface of his sight. Waves rippled outward from Kyoko and she vanished in mid air. Then Hyakuhei also vanished.Kyou's mind raced as his brother’s scream that had joined his came to an abrupt stop, as if the sound had been cut with the blink of an eye, and he knew Toya had also vanished. Kyou landed gracefully in the empty spot that had only a second before held his intended target. His eyes flashed around him in denial. Everyone had vanished.Kyou felt the adrenaline rushing through his veins and mixing with his highborn youkai blood. He had seen it all. He had felt it all. He knew all her memories. Kyoko had given all of herself to save them, and at the last second he had heard her wish. She probably didn’t even know what she had done… but she had taken them all with her, leaving him behind.The spell he had cast around himself to keep the sacred crystal from being used against him, had kept him from following where ever the others had gone. With one simple wish, she had taken everything from him. At almost the same second… Kyou had realized he didn’t want to lose them. He didn’t want to lose her.His body stood tall and proud, he was the most powerful youkai in the land. His knee length silver hair fluttering around him and the white silk of his shirt billowing in the breeze, as if he were standing in the eye of some unseen storm that matched the storm raging in his tormented heart.His appearance was that of an angel… regal, powerful, and perfect as he looked upon the deserted battlefield. Until he raised one hand to his cheek, catching the lone crimson tear that even he had not the power to stop. Kyou's vision swam, as golden feathers swirled past him from wings that had sprouted, surrounding him in a vast golden glow, revealing his true identity for the first time in his ageless life. The only wound left from the battle was the slash that appeared across his heart… a heart that no one had thought he possessed and he vowed. "I will find you again." Look for books already published!!!!!Title of series … The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Title of book… Defy Not The Heart ISBN-13: 9780977768820Chapter 1 "Secret Love" Hyakuhei stood gazing at the heart of time statue, knowing the priestess was still on the other side, in her world. His midnight hair flowed down his body like a dark shroud, as his wings opened wide, creating a breeze across the soft grass. His perfect lips curved slightly, in a knowing smile. A tainted glow formed across the ground surrounding the shrine, giving it an eerie appearance.As if pulled by some unknown force, he glided closer to the maiden statue that stood with hands outstretched, as if asking him for something. His eyes became soft for only a moment, in memory of the young priestess the statue mimicked. With one angry wave of his hand, the glowing grass seemed to hiss as it shimmered with an ominous aura, and then hid the deception deep within it’s blades. *****"Damn it! Where the fuck is Kyoko? She was supposed to have been back two hours ago." Toya growled annoyingly for the tenth time in the last thirty minutes. He ran an agitated hand through the silver highlights that mingled with his midnight hair, as he again looked out the open window in the direction of the shrine. Facing where no one could see, he let worry slip into his golden eyes.Suki looked up from polishing her bayonet, one eyebrow twitching, "Toya, Kyoko is obviously not coming back tonight, so just give it up and give us a break." She turned back to Kamui who was sitting beside her, "Geez, does he ever shut up?"Kamui smiled, knowing better then to say anything out loud. His gray eyes knew the truth behind Toya’s complaining. Being the youngest youkai guardian didn’t make him naive. In human years, he was several hundred years old, as was his brothers.He knew Toya only acted mad to cover up the fact that he was worried. Even he was getting worried. When Kyoko said she was coming back, it was usually when she came back. It wasn’t like her to keep them waiting. Kamui’s purple hair shimmered as he raised his face to the window seeing the darkened sky."Kyoko had better be back in the morning, or I swear I'll fucking drag her back." Toya continued pacing. He couldn't stand it when Kyoko was away for this long. It had been days now, and he was getting angrier by the min”
“Look for books already published!!!!!Title of series … The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Title of book… Defy Not The Heart ISBN-13: 9780977768820Chapter 1 "Secret Love" Hyakuhei stood gazing at the heart of time statue, knowing the priestess was still on the other side, in her world. His midnight hair flowed down his body like a dark shroud, as his wings opened wide, creating a breeze across the soft grass. His perfect lips curved slightly, in a knowing smile. A tainted glow formed across the ground surrounding the shrine, giving it an eerie appearance.As if pulled by some unknown force, he glided closer to the maiden statue that stood with hands outstretched, as if asking him for something. His eyes became soft for only a moment, in memory of the young priestess the statue mimicked. With one angry wave of his hand, the glowing grass seemed to hiss as it shimmered with an ominous aura, and then hid the deception deep within it’s blades. *****"Damn it! Where the fuck is Kyoko? She was supposed to have been back two hours ago." Toya growled annoyingly for the tenth time in the last thirty minutes. He ran an agitated hand through the silver highlights that mingled with his midnight hair, as he again looked out the open window in the direction of the shrine. Facing where no one could see, he let worry slip into his golden eyes.Suki looked up from polishing her bayonet, one eyebrow twitching, "Toya, Kyoko is obviously not coming back tonight, so just give it up and give us a break." She turned back to Kamui who was sitting beside her, "Geez, does he ever shut up?"Kamui smiled, knowing better then to say anything out loud. His gray eyes knew the truth behind Toya’s complaining. Being the youngest youkai guardian didn’t make him naive. In human years, he was several hundred years old, as was his brothers.He knew Toya only acted mad to cover up the fact that he was worried. Even he was getting worried. When Kyoko said she was coming back, it was usually when she came back. It wasn’t like her to keep them waiting. Kamui’s purple hair shimmered as he raised his face to the window seeing the darkened sky."Kyoko had better be back in the morning, or I swear I'll fucking drag her back." Toya continued pacing. He couldn't stand it when Kyoko was away for this long. It had been days now, and he was getting angrier by the minute… and worried. "Stupid," he clamped his mouth shut again when Suki cocked an eyebrow at him. "Feh."Shinbe's tall silent form stood against the wall where he had been for the last hour. His bluish-gray trench coat gave a slight twitch, with an agitated movement that he tried to hide. He had had enough of Toya's tantrum about Kyoko being late. His amethyst eyes closed in an attempt to keep himself from telling Toya to simply shut up. Knowing his half-brother probably wouldn't shut up until Kyoko returned, Shinbe bit his tongue to keep from making it worse.The guardian tried to stay tranquil, as always by meditating, following his monk-like teachings. The truth was, his nerves were so raw that, for now, even meditating wasn’t working. Right now, Shinbe felt like he could strangle Toya and still smile about it while doing so. The plains of his calm face tightened and he lowered his head so his midnight blue hair would hide the evidence.When Toya started to settle down, and the others were getting ready to sleep, Shinbe took a thick blanket from the pile in the corner of their little shelter and headed for solitude.He just really needed to get away from everyone, especially Toya. Shinbe hid well his jealousy for Toya, and the love Kyoko held for the sibling. Day after day, he stayed with the group, only to be near her, to protect her. Even though her eyes were on Toya. Shinbe ground his teeth together painfully.He should be like his other two brothers, Kyou and Kotaro, and separate from the group to fight Hyakuhei on his own. He knew he had to stay with the group to keep her safe. He was one of her guardians, and they all had their own reasons for having the same enemy and protecting Kyoko. Even Kyou and Kotaro protected her from afar.Yes, Shinbe knew he played the game well by hiding his attraction to Kyoko. He had practiced it for a long time, even groping other girls… especially if Kyoko was within earshot or watching, so she would never find out his secret. They thought he loved all women, little did they know his heart belonged to only one, his priestess. Usually he would pick Suki to grope, knowing she would hit him, and the pain would help steady his thoughts. He was such a coward when it came to telling Kyoko his true feelings.Lately, it had been getting worse for him, harder for him to hide. Kyoko trusted him, smiled at him. She talked to him, often confiding her feelings to him when he caught her upset over Toya’s immature ways. It all shattered him, little by little.Without realizing where he had walked to, Shinbe looked up and sighed. He was in the gardens of the maiden shrine. Without even realizing it, he had wanted to be closer to her. Kyoko would not come back to their world and time, this late at night. Staring at the maiden shrine, his amethyst eyes almost glowing in the reflection of the moon, Shinbe decided this was as safe a place as any.Spreading the blanket out in the soft grass, Shinbe laid down. He closed his eyes, waiting for the dreams he knew would soon come, just like they always did. Haunting him, making him want her to see him, not as a guardian or ally, but as a man.*****Kyoko groaned, resisting the urge to smack her forehead, 'into a brick wall.' Kyoko's conscience started flipping out in her head, and she argued with it. She hadn't meant to get drunk with her college classmates and friend. It had all been a big mistake, and all her fault. She had gone to the Halloween party like she had promised, knowing she would never drink anything. NEVER! She never did.She growled at herself, rolling her eyes. How was she to know that the huge bowl of fruit cocktail sitting beside the punch bowl had been soaking in alcohol for days? She had thought it was supposed to taste like grapefruit and had ate a lot of it before she felt the affects of the Sake hit her.Kyoko stumbled over her own feet, righting herself quickly, before she had a chance to fall. "Damn it," now she was late, and she knew she was going to be in a lot of trouble with Toya. Just thinking of him yelling at her was already giving her a headache. “Welcome to hell…population one,” Kyoko mumbled to herself as she kicked a pebble.Desperately, she hoped Toya would just wait until morning before coming to get her, or see if she would show up with the daylight. As drunk as she was, she could hardly see straight, and she didn't want to fight with him… she didn't want to go home, either. She silently groaned to herself. Her mother would lecture her for a week if she found out she was drunk, even if it had been an accident.Kyoko tried hard to stay in a straight line as she walked. Finally, she spotted the maiden shrine in the clearing beside her house. Closing one eye, so it would come into better focus. She giggled then thought to herself, 'Oh God, now I know I'm drunk.' With a swaying shrug, she did the only thing she knew to do. She walked into the shrine house, straight up to the maiden statue, and leaned against it, hoping to make it safely on the other side in time to pass out.*****Shinbe was once again having a very erotic dream of Kyoko writhing under him, crying his name over and over, screaming it as he pounded into her, staring into her face and driving all thoughts of Toya from her. Shinbe jerked awake, his body broke out in a sweat. Breathing hard, he could still feel her under him, letting him love her and she had loved him back. Her cries were still ringing in his ears.His heart was still beating so fast, slamming against his ribs the same way he had been slamming into her. He sat up, clinching his hands he raised them to cover his face. Unable to stop it from escaping him, he cried out into the silence, full of pain and hidden rage, at the unfairness of it all. All he ever wanted was to love her, and it was slowly eating him alive.Hearing a twig snap, Shinbe jerked his hands down. His deep violet eyes scanned the area, and came to rest on Kyoko's shocked features. His mind seemed to go into slow motion, 'No it couldn't be… not now, not here.' Her eyes were wide at hearing his cry, and her hand was over her mouth. 'No… go away, please,’ he begged in his mind. 'You can't be here, not right now, it’s too dangerous.'Shinbe watched as she lowered her hand from her lips, a look of worry crossing her face. Then, he saw her sway as she made her way to him. He wondered if she was even real, or if he was still dreaming.Kyoko was still trying to make sure she was going in the right direction to get to the hut. When she heard an almost inhuman cry coming from somewhere close to her. Her eyes had focused as she tried to find the source of the sound. Her heart still racing from the fright it had given her. Then she had seen Shinbe, lying there on a blanket in the grass, all alone. The haunted cry had to have come from him.Kyoko wanted to know what was wrong. Had someone been killed? That had to be it, for such a sound to come from the always calm, cool, and friendly guardian. She tried to steady her legs as she made her way over to him.Shinbe groaned as he watched Kyoko do the stupidest thing he had ever seen her do. She walked straight over to him and knelt down, reaching a hand out to touch his, "Shinbe, what is it? Is someone hurt?" He could hear the fear in her voice. She thought something was wrong. He almost laughed at the truth in that question, but thought better of it. She didn't know his secret. He was still safe, could still hide his heart from her.Another wave of dizziness caught Kyoko unaware, and she couldn't keep her balance, kneeling beside him. She accidentally leaned too far forward and fell right into his lap. Stifling a giggle, she remembered something was wrong with him, and opened her eyes again trying to concentrate. All this felt so much like a dream.Kyoko suddenly noticed Shinbe’s chest was bare. Corded muscles were tensing, rippling, and stretching under her palms. She had never seen him with his shirt off and was amazed. She blushed, knowing she shouldn't be thinking of him that way. He was her guardian and friend.Trying to concentrate, Kyoko shook her head, which didn't really help matters, then slowly lifted her eyes to his. He hadn't moved an inch and still hadn't told her what was wrong. Now she wished he would, because the look on his face was starting to alarm her.Shinbe's body was shaking as he restrained himself from touching her. Something with more power than him, seemed to be pushing him, demanding he reach out. He would have been fine, but now she was here in his lap, staring into his eyes. Eyes he knew had to be full of pain, and she wanted to know what was wrong. Something was wrong with him, but he couldn’t stop what seemed to be spinning quickly out of his control."I can't take it any more!" his voice was ragged with the force of his emotion riding so high. With those words he was trying to warn her, trying to tell her to get away, to go back to the other side of the time portal, where she would be safe. Not to come back until he could keep his secret in control, hiding it once again. All his senses screamed that something was wrong, but his mind couldn’t fight this intense hunger.Kyoko gasped, hearing his words laced with so much pain, and it saddened her. Everybody counted on him to be level headed, the glue that held the group together. Even she looked up to him and loved it when he was close, and she could feel his calmness, his humor, and concern. But now it was the other way around. He was the one who needed comfort.It must be all the fighting against youkai, Hyakuhei, his curse. Oh God, his curse. The dimensional void, which would be an early death for him. The ultimate power Hyakuhei had given him, knowing it would one day destroy him. She hadn't forgotten. She just tried really hard not to think about it, but she knew what would happen if they didn't defeat Hyakuhei. Was that what he was talking about?Kyoko reached out to him, trying to make it better and to ease his mind. "It's alright, Shinbe. I'm here," the second her hand touched his face, he came to life. All logic had ceased, and Shinbe's ironclad control, snapped. He grabbed her shoulders, and rolled until she was pinned underneath him. Leaning over her body, he had everything he had ever wanted - Kyoko. Without another coherent thought, his lips crashed down swiftly, claiming hers possessively, blocking everything else out of his mind. He had held this feeling in check for far too long.Shinbe acknowledged that he might have lost control of the situation a few exits back. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the thought crept in that she tasted like some kind of Sake, and she smelled like it, too. Controlling himself enough to raise up an inch, he looked down at her, trying to tell if it was true. Searching her face, her eyes, and her flushed cheeks. Kyoko knew that this wasn't really happening. No way was she staring up into the amethyst eyes of the very handsome Shinbe. No way was he staring down at her like he wanted her. Kyoko reasoned with herself that she was probably laying in the grass with her head still propped up by the maiden statue. Somewhere in this dream, she could even hear Hyakuhei laughing at her.She could have sworn she remembered sliding down it and falling asleep. She was probably, right now, passed out having a dream, and her drunken mind had picked Shinbe to join her, instead of Toya. Kyoko barely shook her head, feeling giddy, and sighed the words, "Crazy dreams," as she stared into the passion-glazed eyes of Shinbe. Her lips still tingling from the force of the dream kiss. Shinbe lowered his lips to hers again. He had heard enough. Kyoko thought she was dreaming. Shinbe only hoped it was a dream. But either way, he was unable to stop. He couldn't stop, even if he tried, as he licked her lips. She parted them with a tiny whimper. A sound that only hardened him even more, if that was possible.He broke out in a sweat trying to restrain himself, as his youkai blood surfaced. He wanted to go slowly as his tongue dipped into her mouth, taking and giving within the heat of the kiss. He had always wanted to kiss her, forever it seemed.The muscles in his arms flexed as he held himself above her, making love to her lips and beyond. His hands were impatient as they worked on ridding her of her clothes. Within only a few short minutes, she lay under him, completely naked. She hadn't fought it as he took her clothes from her. Why would she? It was a dream right?Shinbe's breath stilled as he looked down at her. His Kyoko, his secret, his love. He slid his body against hers, loving the feel of her silky skin, sharpening his pain and his need to love her, to make love to her. ‘It has to be a dream,’ he tried to convince himself.He dipped his head to nuzzle her neck, licking and kissing her skin, tasting her gently. He showed her how much he loved her as he made his way down her body. This would be the only time he would see and taste all of her. Sharp heat shot through him, as she arched against him moaning when he drew her breast into his mouth, licking at it with his tongue, bringing her to life.More of his wishes were fulfilled as Shinbe trailed kisses down her taut belly and she writhed beneath him. His muscles jumped as she clutched him to her, trying to get even closer. Shinbe was as close to he”
“Already published!!!!Title of series … The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Title of book… Raging HeartsISBN # 9781425988890 Free PreviewThe hooded figure appeared on the edge of a long road leading up the side of a small mountain. He raised his face to the light of the moon shining down around him as he inhaled the air for what he sought. She was alone and very close.He reached up and pulled the hood closer around his features… concealing himself from sight. His silver strands of long hair mingled with midnight locks and lay hidden beneath the cloak.*****Kyoko looked at the curving road ahead then looked at the slope right beside her that connected back to the same road further down. Seeing the shortcut, she decided to take the straight shot after having followed the winding road not to make enough distance to suit her.She turned to the grass and raced through the shadows of the trees, knowing if she stayed straight, she would get there a lot faster.Once within the small patch of trees, she stumbled to a stop; feeling something nearby. She furrowed her brow in concentration as she reached for the crossbow on her back and notched a spirit dart against its taunt string. All she could hear was her own breath in the night air around her.Kyoko stood her ground as she turned in a circle trying to find her target. The shallow moonlight played silently through the leaves of the trees, making everything within look eerie. Still, she would not back down. She tried to hide the shudder that ran through her body at the amount of evil she felt surrounding her.Toya stood motionless deep within the shadows as he watched her raise her bow. She slowly turned, facing him but he didn't even flinch, as she kept rotating not seeing him. The memory of another spirit dart being pointed at him once before seemed to ricochet through his mind.The difference in the memory was that now he was not looking through the eyes of a watch-ling. His eyes trailed her body, her skin so pale against the short dark skirt and her face glowing against the backdrop of her dark auburn hair.His eyes began to glow golden with the sight of her as he whispered. "You would shoot me, Kyoko?"Kyoko heard the whisper from the darkness and spun around trying to find it, still not liking the vibes she was getting from the unseen evil with the soft voice. This feeling she had was like a nightmare from not so long ago, seemingly to equal the same vibes as Hyakuhei… but altered in some way.Her back straightened and her chin lifted, as she seemed to hone in on the source and point the spirit dart directly into the darkness. "Show yourself coward!"Toya smirked under the cloak seeing her defiance. She would not shoot until she knew what she was shooting at. He knew this much even as he watched indecision flicker across her emerald orbs.His eyes narrowed as he watched the bow string grow tight against the back of the spirit dart. Had she really changed that much? Had she changed enough to shoot into the darkness not knowing the target? The wind came from behind her, blowing her scent to him and his eyes darkened. He could smell his brother on her.Kyoko felt a shift in the wind then a movement of the evil. She twisted around feeling it circling her. She felt the hair on the back of her neck start to stand on end as she heard her name whispered from the right. "Kyoko." As she twisted to the right, ready to shoot, the voice came from the left."Kyoko." The sound kept switching sides leaving her confused."Who are you?" Kyoko cried out, becoming a little frightened. The voice sounded like the whispers of a hundred demons all at once but within it, something seemed familiar. She felt arms go around her waist, pulling her back tightly against a firm chest and she froze.The hands felt sensual splayed across her ribs, as if… she knew this touch.Toya kept her from turning around as he held her tight only to whisper in her ear. "You smell like him, you know." Then he disappeared again.Kyoko swung around trying to see whom the arms had belonged too, but could only see the forest around her. Her eyes widened at the words she had heard. The voice that had been in her ear, she knew that voice."Toy…ya?" She mouthed the word with almost no sound. Her heart thumping so hard she could barely hear the name as it left her lips. She felt a pain slice through her heart at the memory of him still so fresh in her mind."Tell me, Kyoko!" The voice screamed in rage from one side, only to whisper from the other. "Why are you with him?" The last voice had sounded so sad. Kyoko's crossbow started shaking and she slowly lowered it. Why did it have his voice? Her body jerked as the voice shouted at her again."Why did you take the guardian heart crystal from us?" She could hear the deep breaths in the darkness. "Why did you leave me to die!?" The voice sounded warped from so many voices… but the echo was Toya's soft voice.Kyoko couldn't move… she could barely even breath as guilt began to wash through her as the voice continued."Now I'm like him." Toya whispered from the darkness, never taking his eyes off her then shouted. "Now I'm like Hyakuhei was!"Kyoko dropped her bow to the ground, a sob escaping her in the silence and her eyes filling with tears. "It's a lie!" Her voice broke with another sob. "It's a lie!" She screamed back out at the darkness. "If you were Toya, you would show yourself!" She yelled in anguish.She gasped and took a quick step back as a cloaked figure materialized in front of her. The face shadowed from the moonlight, hidden deep inside the hood. So much evil standing in front of her made her legs feel weak. Kyoko took another step back as it came closer, her eyes searching the darkness within the hood.Her breath becoming quicker when she caught a glimpse of blood red eyes staring back at her and she stumbled backward, almost falling but somehow keeping from doing so."Toya?" Her voice quivered with fear. `No, this doesn't feel like Toya.' She thought as a chill crawled up her spine. This was the same as the dream. Was she dreaming again? She felt something solid stop her retreat.Reaching behind her without taking her eyes from what stood in front of her, she felt the tree behind her as her bottom lip began to tremble. She could only stare as he came closer.Toya could feel the fear radiating off her and the demons began to come to life within him. He tried to control them but they were feeding off her fear and the power of the guardian heart crystal that they hungered for."Don't be afraid." He hissed, knowing the demons were trying to control his actions. He would not let them harm her… but they would not keep him from her either. He closed the distance between them on silent feet.Kyoko pressed herself against the bark of the tree, too paralyzed to move as he walked within reaching distance of her. She was looking up at him as he reached and pulled the hood from his head, his dark hair spilling out, glittering with silver highlights, and his features perfection.His eyes were what held her attention. She saw an ocean of blood in his eyes and then all became a blur as her eyes began to swim with tears.This was Toya. She knew it without a doubt now but her eyes widened, realizing what he had meant when he said he was like Hyakuhei. The evil inside him was parallel if not stronger than the evil that had been in Hyakuhei. She knew all those demons she had abandoned him with were now inside him. It was her fault… even he blamed her.'But he is alive.' Her heart cried as she reached a hand out to touch his flawless cheek. "What have they done to you?" She cried then propelled herself forward into his arms. She didn't care if he ripped her apart. He was alive!As soon as his arms wrapped around her, Toya pushed the evil back forcefully so he could hold her. He slid his fingers into her silky hair, cupping the back of her head, his other hand pressing into the small of her back, molding her to him. He felt the blood leave his eyes for a moment as he whispered. "I have waited so long for you… over a thousand years."He could feel his heart bleeding painfully in his chest. "I love you." His soft voice was ragged with emotion.Kyoko slowly lifted her face to look at his when she heard the words, ‘I love you’ in Toya's own voice and her eyes widened with astonishment as she locked eyes with eyes of pure gold. It was Toya… Her Toya.Just as she was going to say the words back to him, his lips crashed down on hers in desperation and she closed her eyes wanting the kiss more than he would ever know.Toya leaned her head back for better access, still cupping her head in his clawed hand, deepening the kiss, tasting her for the first time in over a thousand years. It was like yesterday to him as the sensations rushed through his body. He made love to her lips, his need for her building with the delicious want to be inside her, deep inside her.His nostrils flared as he breathed in Kyou's scent where it still clung to her. He felt his anger spike as his kiss became more demanding, trying to sear his brother's scent from her. But it was too late as he felt his mind losing control with the jealousy.Kyoko felt the change in the kiss but was not willing to push him away. His lips almost savage on hers as tears sprang to her eyes but still she pushed back against his lips, uncaring even when she tasted her own blood. This was Toya and he was kissing her. His being alive was all she could think of.Toya groaned as he felt fire began to flow through his veins, into every nerve ending on his body. He tasted the blood from her lips. The power of the guardian heart crystal hummed in the taste and he had no power to stop himself from what he did next.Kyoko could feel his hand caressing her back then slide around to her side, slipping underneath her shirt to caress his way up her ribs. Her heart clenched in fear as his lips jerked away from hers and pain erupted from her chest as his claw broke through her skin.Jerking her eyes to his, she opened her mouth in a silent cry as his clawed fingers dug into her flesh for the guardian heart crystal. His eyes were now crimson but shedding real tears as if he was doing it against his will."Forgive me!" He screamed as light exploded around them and he withdrew his hand, grasping the sacred crystal in his now bloodied claw.Kyoko couldn't keep the scream from escaping as the wound closed painfully behind his hand but didn't completely seal… leaving it burning as if lit by fire. Her body broke out in a sweat, her breathing ragged.He let go of her as she stumbled backward and fell grasping her chest in agony, still in shock at what he had just done to her. He was supposed to love her. She was now sitting on the ground at his feet, trying to understand what had just happen.Her eyes jerked up to his and fixed… now full of confusion and betrayal.Toya felt the guardian heart crystal in his hand. He could feel the power flowing from it. His body shuttered, as he raised the sphere up in front of them so they could both see. His demonic eyes caressed it like a lover would as it swirled its blue storm inside the sphere.As he watched in fascination, his eyes caught a glimpse of his clawed fingers holding the sphere and the blood that dripped from them. ‘Kyoko's blood.’ His eyes snapped back to the sphere as the colors began to crackle within it. Gray and black began melding with the pure blue, overpowering purity with evil.The sobbing finally reaching his ears, ‘Kyoko's sobs.’Toya’s heart slammed against his chest. "What have I done?" He looked beyond the thunderstorm inside the crystal, to the girl who now sat in the grass crying. He felt his tortured heart shatter into a million pieces.Kyoko watched as the guardian heart crystal fell from his hand and hit the ground, still crackling with evil. Her tears fell freely, splashing in the grass. She could see his feet still next to the crystal but she refused to raise her eyes to his. The pain was overwhelming and all she could do was cry.She didn't know what hurt worse, the fact that he had his hand inside her for a moment or the fact that he had done it at all.Toya watched the tears roll down her pale cheeks as the demons inside urged him to pick the powerful crystal back up. His muscles tensed as he fought for control and strained to keep from doing as the voices urged him to do."No… I won't… I won't do it… " He whimpered brokenly as he stumbled back a step. He still held his bloody claws in front of him as if trying to acknowledge what he had done to Kyoko. The only one he had ever loved and he had hurt her, ‘for what?’His anger rose to an insane level as a deafening roar left his lips, full of fury and pain. With the sound, all hell broke lose as the ground began to vibrate and the air around them began to move in a circular motion, giving birth to a whirlwind that surrounded them.Kyoko clamped her hands over her ears as a sound began to come from him as if all the demons were screaming at once and she felt the earth quake beneath her violently. Drawing her knees up to shield herself from the unknown, she added her own ear splitting wail to the sound as the guardian heart crystal raised from the grass as if having a life of its own.Hovering there, it began to spin as the sound grew even louder. Toya and Kyoko's anguished cries amplified.Lightening bolts swarmed around the outer edges of the guardian heart crystal then it ominously froze in mid rotation… instantly shattering. Beams of light shot straight up into the sky, sending shimmers of light and darkness everywhere like fireworks, only to turn… coming straight back at them.Kyoko's eyes closed right before impact as her body was jarred forward then slammed backwards. All sound had stopped with the first impact. She had expected pain but could feel none, only heat when the crystal talismans entered her leaving no evidence behind that they had done so.As they rained down on her, her eyes fluttered open trying to link with Toya's form in the streaks of light that surrounded them.Toya stood motionless, his face rose to the sky. His body glowing as the talismans entered him… just as fast as they were entering her. She tried to rise up to a kneeling position but the gravity was too much for her and her eyes fluttered closed just as the ground rose up and met her.Toya opened his eyes just as the last of the tiny crystals entered them, the power humming throughout him… now deep within his blood. His eyes were caught between pink and silver, both sides of him unwilling to give up its part of control. His gaze lowered to Kyoko's body lying still and silent in the grass.His pink eyes seemed to soften as he walked to her, bending down he reached out, laying his hand against her cheek. He could still feel her heart beating strong. He knew she would be all right then his eyes caught the sight of blood on her cheek where he had caressed her with his thumb and he pulled his hand away.Toya could still see the blood on his hand where he had thrust it inside of her so cruelly. He clenched his fist in denial. The last thing he had wanted to do was hurt her.He now had half of the guardian heart crystal but Kyoko still had the other half inside her. Toya knew that until he won control over his darker side, he would only hurt her again. The demons inside him were stronger now… but so was he.His thoughts turned to the city where he could feel the battle still raging. He didn't understand why the guardian heart crystal had shattered or why half had sought him and half had sought Kyoko. One thing he did know was he had get far away from her for now”
“Title of book: A Light in The Heart of DarknessTitle of series: The Guardian Heart Crystal seriesISBN: 9781434369246 The Legend of the Guardian Heart CrystalThe world 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 has never been in question. One cannot exist without the other.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 strived 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. The crystal only appears in a world for a short time, then disappear without a trace.Some say the crystal has a mind of its own, others say the gods are behind it all.Each time the crystal has appeared, regardless of the world or time, its guardians have always been ready to defend it from all who would use it selfishly. These guardians, though different in background, have always worn the same faces and loved with the same ferocity.One girl stands in the center of these guardians, the object of their affections, and she holds within her the power of the crystal itself. This is the bearer of the crystal and the source of its power. The lines, however, blur and guarding the crystal slowly changes into guarding the girl from the other guardians.This is the wine from which the darkness drinks. It is the opportunity to make the guardians of the crystal weak and susceptible to attack. The darkness craves the power of the crystal and also the girl as a man would crave a woman. Hence the entrance into another world where darkness is dominate within the world of light.Mythical creatures rise from this darkness though not all wish to obtain the crystal for its power. Some born in instinct wish to still guard the sacred crystal; though they do not know what it is they’re guarding… or why they are so drawn to protect it.For some, the spilling of blood and death is the only way to defend this treasure. For others, they remain silent, watching and waiting for the day that the balance of good and evil is restored to their former glory. And yet, some were born into a world of light only to be claimed by the darkness; forced to live off the life giving force that binds every living creature.There is one immortal that knows all outcomes. His powers can see into each universe yet he can do nothing but watch and pray as this one unfolds. Darkness has fallen upon the world again and the guardians are unknowingly called forth. Creatures of myth they are thought to be but in this reality, they are far more real than people think. Only when the moon is high will these creatures, these guardians, battle the evil that seeks to overtake the world and the girl who holds ultimate power… the light in the heart of darkness. Chapter 1 “First Blood”Over a thousand years ago…For centuries the red moon had always been a sign of the bringer of death. Those who saw the deadly sight hid for fear of losing their lives to the powerful lull of endless sleep it promised. In the distance a spine-chilling cry was heard from miles around as the dangerous symbol sat high in the midnight sky.In a forest clearing two lone figures stood, one wounded, breathing heavily with one of his twin daggers clinched in his hand, the other towering menacingly over him, a malicious smirk gracing his inhumanly beautiful face. Predatory ruby eyes gleamed in the full moon light awaiting his victim’s next move. Hyakuhei’s unnaturally pale skin seemed to glow in the night, giving him the appearance of an angel of death.“You have killed us without death!” The silver streaked dark haired man snarled, baring his elongated fangs. His gold dust eyes burned in loathing for the man standing before him. Once his friend… his own father’s brother… now his mortal enemy. “You bastard!”“You say that now with conviction but I gave you eternal life, trained you and cared for you. I loved you and your brother as my own.” Scarlet eyes flashed in anger at the insolent, would be, child before him.“You call making us into monsters… love? You stole our lives away! You turned me to try and force my brother into becoming yours! You lied to us, saying you could reverse the curse if we would join with you.” His breath left him in an angry hiss as he continued.“If it wasn’t for your twisted fascination with my brother, we would be normal human beings, living normal lives as a family, not the blood thirsty creatures of the night that you made us into!” Bitter tears poured from Toya’s eyes in anger and betrayal… turning them eerie silver.“You are a fool to ever think you were normal!” Hyakuhei’s voice held the malicious hint of bitterness. “You and your brother mistakenly weep for something that was never yours to have.” his voice softened for a moment as he swallowed the memories of his twin brother… their father. “No matter.” His eyes burned as he focused back on Toya. “You are just like your father… selfish.”“Your father’s death left you under my care! You and your brother are mine and I have always taken what belongs to me. I will have his obedience once I have finished with you.” Hyakuhei’s clawed hand flexed in anticipation, eager to feel the younger man’s blood drip from their deadly tips. “It is you that has betrayed your own flesh and blood!”Toya swung around in a circle listening to the hated voice as Hyakuhei shimmered and disappeared only to reappear on the other side of him. He knew the deadly vampire was only playing with him but Toya wasn’t afraid anymore. That fear had died with her…"Why did you kill her?" Toya demanded, his voice a soft hiss filled with anger and despair. "Did you think that by killing her you would gain the crystal? Never! She refused to give you that power and it pissed you off. Didn’t it Hyakuhei?” he screamed as he pivoted, trying to follow his enemy as Hyakuhei circled him with deadly intent.“It wasn't a secret that you wanted her for your own.” Toya’s hand tightened on his dagger in fury as he remembered the haunted looks… the stalking… the sight of her lifeless body.“Anyone with eyes could see the way you looked at her when you thought me or Kotaro wasn't paying attention.” His breath left him with a sob as he swayed for a moment knowing he and Kotaro had both loved her… they had fought Hyakuhei and each other for her. No one had won. “We could see you.”“Kyoko was mine and will always be mine!" Toya shouted, his anger at losing the one he had loved more then air… she was gone. She had been the light in the darkness that his world had become.She was the reason he had defied Hyakuhei. Now his reason for defiance was gone and Toya felt the fire in his soul rise to a deadly temperature. He had found her lying lifeless with a small dagger piercing her heart. Deep inside he knew… he and Kotaro had both known Hyakuhei had somehow… killed her.Hyakuhei’s black eyes became a shade darker as he gazed upon his brother’s youngest son in contempt. “Ah yes, the elusive guardian heart crystal… such a power does not belong to a foolish child like you. The most powerful beings have searched for the guardian heart crystal… did you think you were the only one dear boy? Not only vampires but also immortals and wizards and even werewolves share in that desire to gather such a power.”“Do you not realize what would happen if the Lycan had claimed her first?” Hyakuhei’s eyes bled crimson at the thought of Kotaro, leader of the Lycan tribes gaining such a power. His anger spiked as he remembered the lycan’s scent on her flesh this same night. He would not stand by and let such a treacherous thing happen.“No, careless boy, I have already taken care of the priestess who carried the crystal within her.” Hyakuhei’s eyes hardened at the thought of the small lie.In truth… he had not murdered the girl. She had committed suicide to keep him from obtaining the crystal. He’d had her in his grasp, ready to claim the power she held within her. The power the legend spoke of, if it could be trusted…would’ve allowed his darkness to walk within the light… and feed upon it.His fingers still tingled from the briefest touch of her skin. He had stood behind her… feeling the heat of her body with his cold hand. Her emerald eyes had turned and clashed with his for a mere second in defiance. He had only wanted a taste. Too late, he’d seen the dagger in her hand as it swiftly disappeared into her chest. He could have turned her and shared it all with her but… she refused his generous offer.The brave yet foolish woman had believed that by killing herself, she would lock away the power of the crystal from him forever. Forever was such a long time to try and hide from him.“She will be reborn!” Toya screamed in anguish, knowing he had failed at protecting her from Hyakuhei’s wrath. His guilt at not being there to save her was eating him alive inside. She had known he was a vampire… a creature of the night and still… she had not turned her back on him. She had befriended him instead. Kyoko had trusted him with her very life.Toya’s mind flashed back over the time he had known her… his body falling to his knees as he griped the ground watching his tears fall. ‘It had not been long enough!’ he silently screamed in denial.He had only known her for such a short time; six cycles of the moon. When he had first met her… he had only wanted the crystal… the crystal she hadn’t even known she was carrying at first. But he could see it shining inside her… calling to him. Then something had changed. Toya found himself trying to protect her instead of taking the crystal from her.Since she had slammed into his dark world, Toya had found the truth behind the legend of the guardian heart crystal, things even Hyakuhei did not realize. He had wanted to tell his brother the secrets but Hyakuhei had made it impossible for him to find Kyou in time… now it was too late.“You will never have its light in the darkness… I will find Kyoko again and keep the crystal from you!” Toya’s voice was harsh with his need for vengeance. “She will live again and I will be there waiting for her.” A lone silver tear slipped down his cheek unnoticed as he yelled, “Together! She and I will find another way to free Kyou from you!”Hyakuhei stepped closer to Toya, a dark chuckle coming from deep within his chest. “Oh yes, my dear Toya, she will live again. The crystal will come back into this world and I will be the one to claim not only its power, but the girl as well. As for my precious Kyou… I am sure I can find something to occupy your brother’s time until that day comes.”Toya growled low in his throat knowing that was a double-edged sword, “You keep your sick notions to yourself. I’ll find a way to make us normal again. And you…I’ll make you dead!” He ended in a shout as the wind began to pick up, howling wickedly across the clearing.The dagger in his hand flashed in an arc of silver light, barely catching the dark robe that graced Hyakuhei’s body. Toya couldn’t believe how fast his opponent was but his brow was furrowed with determination. A second dagger appeared in his other hand and he swung with it, followed immediately by the first.Hyakuhei dodged the deadly blades with the centuries of training he’d endured. Humans were such easy creatures to defeat and Toya, though changed, was still very much human in his way of thinking… still a child within a vampire's eyes.He would admit that somehow, his protection of the priestess had aged Toya’s power to almost the same level of an ancient. Taking the priestess away from him had served two purposes. Without his reason to fight… Toya’s power had diminished greatly.Hyakuhei’s left hand lashed out, somehow trapping both of Toya’s wrists in a crushing grip. Toya had no way to defend himself when the vampire’s right claws cruelly slashed across his cheek.Silver eyes clashed with crimson ones for a suspended moment in time as Hyakuhei retracted his claws. His lips hinted at a tainted smile as he reached out to gently stroke the wound he had just given so viscously. “Tis’ a pity to mar such perfection… so much like your brother.” He licked the drops of freshly spilt blood from his finger before adding, “But I can not have your rebellious love distracting Kyou from me.”Feeling his wrists being released, Toya took a step back and tried to block the next attack coming for his torso. He grunted in pain when blood spilled from the gashes left on his chest. Pressing an arm to the wounds, his golden eyes widened as he staggered back and this time… Hyakuhei let him. Toya could feel the broken bones in his wrists grinding against one another and had to concentrate just to keep his daggers from falling to the ground. Looking up at the man he hated more than death, Toya tried to shake off the pain knowing this wasn’t a game… even the undead could die.“You foolish child, you thought to save your sibling by killing me? You can barely hold your blades now, much less attempt to take my life.” Hyakuhei sneered then his face turned placid, his anger suddenly gone. The night breeze lifted the ends of his long ebony hair making it look like it was alive.“You never had a chance little one. I will help you to rest so that you will feel pain no more.” Hyakuhei murmured, his eyes softening toward the wounded man like a father scolding a wayward child.Silver eyes flashed red in anger at his words. “You will never have my brother, you son of a bitch! As long as he has breath in his body, Kyou will not let you let win, nor will I!” Toya screamed as he charged at the figure clad in black in a last attempt to save his immortal soul.Hyakuhei disappeared within the blink of an eye before Toya’s dagger could penetrate the cold heart hidden deep inside his ageless body. Piercing red orbs gleamed, hungry to spill the blood of the young man who thought to defy him. His dark form levitating high above… paused for just a moment before descending to attack his prey.The silver-eyed man’s senses were screaming danger as he felt the approaching threat to his existence but he was not skilled enough yet to pin point where his attacker was coming from. Toya searched around frantically but with his senses now dull from the loss of blood from his wounds… along with the wound hidden inside his heart, Toya felt his fear rising.His heart ached from the words thrown at him by his so called ‘father’. “I cannot let you win, you monster. My brother’s life depends on it.” Toya whispered through his labored breathing, making the words thunder within his own ears.A sliver of fear shot up his spine as he looked up towards the night sky. His eyes grew wide in terror at a sight that he only knew from the giving end… never from the receiving. ‘So… this is what it’s like.’ The thought filtered through his tormented mind.He tried to move but was held immobile by an unknown force. Their sights locked in a deadly gaze…Red eyes pierced his very soul and Toya knew death was coming.The scream lodged in his throat was replaced by a gurgling sound. His silver eyes faded back to gold and met the crimson red eyes of his murderer, as time seemed to stop. His body began to feel numb as he slowly looked down between their bodies.Tears fell from Toya’s eyes as their bright gold color began to fade, ‘I have failed you, please forgive me… Kyoko… Kyou,' were his last thoughts as he drew his final breath.He could feel his heart beat getting further and further away as the pain faded. Mysteries unfolded ”
“ Coming Soon!!! Title of book… A Guardian’s Possession Free Preview:Grabbing hold of a vine, Kyoko climbed up to sit on one of the white rocks that surrounded the heart of time, not wanting to disturb the others in the middle of the night. Just because she couldn’t sleep didn’t mean she needed to wake them up. It was way to late and still way to early. Looking up into the night sky, she just sat there, enjoying the view of the lightening strikes that didn’t seem to be getting any closer.She was glad she had come back early. The stars seemed to shine brighter on this side of the time portal without the lights of the city to diminish their brightness.Kyoko’s fingers rose to the small pouch she wore around her neck where some of the talisman they had gathered safely rested. She was unaware that as she touched the binding, a soft florescent blue light radiated from it and the direction of the soft breeze ominously began to change.*****Nearby, Kyou's head tilted as a tainted scent caught in the wind of the approaching storm drifted toward him. Hyakuhei was near. He narrowed his golden eyes as the breeze shifted in warning, now coming from the direction of the heart of time. That scent… the priestess and the power of the guardian heart crystal.His hands fisted at his side as anger flashed across his expression causing a small growl to be heard in the stillness of the surrounding forest. She was alone and unguarded.How dare she be at the shrine at this dangerous hour unprotected! Why were his brothers not with her? Kyou closed his golden eyes and inhaled deeply of the women-child that traveled with his siblings.Within his minds eye, he could see the image of the priestess he and his brothers had become guardians of. Auburn hair… startling emerald eyes, it was as if the beauty of the maiden statue… had come to life and color. She should have never come to this world with the guardian heart crystal. Neither she, nor it, belonged here.The dangerous power his uncle continued to gain was her fault. Did she not know what would happen? If she were the true priestess, then she should have known to stay away form this world. His father had died because he had closed the time portal and this small human girl had undone everything he had sacrificed his life for.His father had told him to protect the human’s… all of them. But why? Why would he now protect the very human who had been stupid enough to open the portal between their worlds. Why did his father care so much… that he gave his life for them?Kyou had tried to frighten her and send her screaming back into her world. But much to his disbelief… she had to be the only female who seemed to not fear him for more than a few fleeting seconds at a time. When he had first come upon her not so long ago, she had stood there, chin held high, pointing a spirit dart straight at him as if she, a mere human, could fight him… and win.He had vowed to protect the guardian heart crystal and the time portal, but never a small human girl. His brothers may have agreed to it but he had never… Humans were weak, foolish creatures that feared him. Why did she have to be different? Why did she not fear him?Kyou leapt from the tree he had been sitting in and stood to his full height. He could feel his heart beat loud and thumping under his skin… his guardian blood was telling him to go to her. It happened every time she was near and that only angered him more.Her lack of fear only attracted him to her and of late, she had somehow consumed his thoughts… along with his dreams. He had stayed away from the group for that reason alone. How dare that girl plant herself so deep within his thoughts?Kyou’s body tensed as he felt a shift in the balance of good and evil approaching the unaware priestess. His face was calm… the calm before the storm. His silver hair swayed in the constant breeze, as his senses picked up what danger was about to come upon her.Lowborn demons were already being drawn to her and the scent of power she held. They were only drones sent to keep her from fleeing because Kyou could feel the presence of his uncle not far behind them. He would not let Hyakuhei have her.Kyou glanced up as a shadow passed across the light of the moon… announcing their arrival. All night sounds stopped as wings appeared behind Kyou, sending a furious spray of golden feathers across the clearing his silent form stood in.“So be it.” The words left his lips in an answer to his own tormented thoughts.She had put herself in danger once again and it left him with no choice. He had decided if his brothers were going to be lax in their duties then he would take the priestess from them. But first… he would destroy the evil stalking her.*****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 wanted to enjoy the solitude of the night for a while longer before heading to the village and the three guardians that slumbered there… Toya, Shinbe and Kamui.The forth guardian Kotaro, was still within his own lands, protecting it from the demon’s who were trying to invade but he had promised to catch back up with them soon. Kyoko got a cold chill as she thought of the fifth brother.Out of the five brothers, Kyou was definitely the strange one and the one to avoid at all costs. He was even more hostile then the demon plagued land he lived in. She wondered what she had done to wrong him. It wasn’t as if any of this was her fault… really… or was it?Giving up on her scattered thoughts, Kyoko opened her emerald eyes and slid off the stone, only to stop dead in her tracks. There, not twenty feet from her stood Kyou. He looked almost angelic, except for the dangerous expression in his golden eyes.The darkness that surrounded them seemed to illuminate his body… giving him a haunted appearance. Kyou's silence was thunderous. He looked as if he were considering something that Kyoko had a feeling she wouldn’t like… whatever choice he was at this moment making.Kyou watched her face become pale because of her alarm and savored her intoxicating scent. For once… she should fear him. She should also fear the demons he had just destroyed to protect her. His eyes bore into her as he remembered the monsters he had just sent to there death. If they had gotten to her…The muscles in Kyou’s jaw flexed angrily at the very thought of their deadly claws touching her. Still she was oblivious… she did not run nor did she scream. Would she scream if she realized Hyakuhei was on his way? Such fearlessness was not in her best interest as his thoughts darkened. It only served to inflame him further, stoking the fires of the odd rage and passion he had for the priestess.Kyoko stood completely still. She didn't know how to take this hauntingly beautiful image. She was too scared to move and she dared not utter a sound knowing anything she did could put her life in danger. She wasn’t so sure he had ever forgiven her for bringing the guardian heart crystal back into his realm.She could feel a chill slowly crawling its way up her spine, not stopping until it reached the back of her neck too spread out from there like icy fingers of warning. Kyoko took a step backwards before she realized it and stopped herself from taking another retreating step.She knew that would be considered showing fear and she had been taught by her grandfather at a young age to hide such fear. Her grandfathers words came back to haunt her, “Showing fear only makes you an instant victim.”Trying to fight the creeping sensation, Kyoko closed her eyes for a second. But when she opened them again, Kyou was nowhere to be seen causing her to be even more terrified. Again the teachings of her grandfather haunted her, “Never let the enemy out of your sight or you will not see the coming attack.”"Kyou?" She whispered his name as fear laced her voice. Then she felt his hot breath on her neck and heard him inhale long and slow as if testing her scent.Slowly, with her eyes wide open, expecting death any second, she tilted her head sideways, stopping only when her cheek touched his silky one. She gasp and tried to throw herself forward only to feel his arm go around her like a steal band, slamming her back against him and knocking the breath from her.Kyoko's sudden fear was making it harder for her to regain that breath. She decided that she now knew what a panic attack really was and wondered if she was going to hyperventilate. This was the one person she feared more then Hyakuhei, though she had kept that little fact to herself. She had never been within touching distance of him and she had liked it better that way.Her scent now surrounded him, intoxicating him. Kyou could smell her untainted scent mixed with fear and getting stronger and heavier, the longer he held her imprisoned against him. Finally, she was showing the fear he demanded but still she did not scream.‘Why did he secretly not want to hear the familiar scream that would sound so damning if it came from her lips?’ Maybe he needed to hear that sound to rid himself of the spell she had put him under.Something told him that it wouldn’t matter one way or the other. Deep inside his guardian’s heart, Kyou knew he wanted her and he was not one to be denied. A slow dangerous smile graced his perfect face as she started to struggle against him.Kyou nuzzled her neck then took in a sharp breath when she rubbed up against him trying to free herself. "You are encouraging me." He growled low in his throat and brushed his lips against the delicate flesh of her neck. His guardian blood challenged him to claim her as his own.Kyoko couldn't help the chills the sensation of his lips gave her. Was he trying to seduce her or was he going to kill her after all? She stopped struggling and went perfectly still not sure if she liked the sound of what he had said and knowing she didn't want to piss him off. Something told her that he was only trying to scare her.'Smart girl.' Kyou contemplated to himself, but still she was not screaming and he was touching her. His arms loosened into a softer hold as she looked up over her shoulder at him curiously, her fear starting to subside.Kyou got his first up close glance at her emerald eyes and the reaction startled him. She was looking at him as if he were a man… not a guardian lord. Her inability to show proper fear of him was confusing and that alone angered him. Her lack of fear had been what put her in danger tonight in the first place. It was also why Hyakuhei was on his way to her right now thinking he could steal her away in the middle of the night.Fear… he could teach her that.Kyou reached around her body, sliding the palm of his hand downward in a caressing motion until it rested against her upper thigh at the bottom of her shirt. He then slid it up and under the cloth. He could feel the heat coming from her soft skin. Her whole body shivered at the light touch as she tried to twist out of his hold.The motion caused him to form a tighter grip on her. He slid his other hand across her rib cage meaning to only teach her the lesson of being caught alone and without protection so she would be wise not to do so again.Something within her called to him… making him want… Kyou could feel the heat radiating from her and his highborn guardian blood stirred dangerously out of his control. Becoming confused, he suddenly did not want to let her go.Dipping his lips closer to her ear, Kyou breathed one word."Run."In Kyoko's mind, fear gave way to panic when his arms loosened. She could be very obedient when the time was right and now was that time. She shot forward with no thought except to escape. Her mind screamed Toya's name repeatedly but not a sound came from her lips. Every sound she would have made seemed to be lodged in her throat… leaving it echoing only in her own ears.If she could just get closer to the village and Toya, she would have a chance of him hearing her and saving her from his deranged brother. She mentally pleaded with herself to wake up, even though she knew this was too real to be a dream.She nearly groaned out loud when a raindrop hit her proving she had been right… this was no dream she could wake up from and the storm had finally reached her. Glancing quickly over her shoulder, she slammed into what felt like a wall and stumbled backwards with the impact.Seeing the white billowing silk shirt only a step from her, she sprinted in another direction… now running away from the village where the guardian’s slept and the only hope she had of someone saving her.She knew Hyakuhei used to be a guardian but had somehow lost himself to the demons he had once fought… becoming the enemy and Kyoko wondered if the same thing hadn’t happened to Kyou without his brothers realizing it.Kyoko caught a glimpse of white to her right and shifted back toward the village, hoping to now have a chance to get to Toya. Her heartbeat was so loud in her ears, it was deafening. Somewhere, she knew the gods were laughing at her as the sky opened up and let lose its rain with a ground shaking crash of thunder.Why? Why was he doing this? Why didn't he just kill her instead of torturing her first? She knew she didn't have a chance of out running him. She was also aware of the fact that he was going to stop her before she got to safety but that didn't stop her headlong rush for it.Kyou watched her get closer to the village and decided to let her think she had half a chance of escaping for a minute, knowing it would only make it better when he caught her. Then another scent hit him. His brothers. No! He would not allow it! His brother had failed in protecting her and because of that, she would now stay within his protection… no matter what. His guardian blood demanded it.Kyoko could feel the sudden change in him. She felt Kyou’s aura closing in on her and she screamed, this time unable to hold it back. The sound rang like a death bell throughout the forest, right as a hand clamped over her mouth and an arm went around her waist tightening, cutting off her air supply as she was once again slammed back against his chest.Her feet were now dangling only a couple of inches from the ground.*****Toya glanced up at the darkening night sky just as the first raindrops came. Tonight was a bad night… he could feel it clear down into his soul. His vigilant eyes matched the color of the lightening that danced across the darkness.Unable to sleep while Kyoko wasn't with him, Toya had climbed onto a high branch of an old tree on the outskirts of the village to keep watch. All he could do was wait until dawn, and then go meet her in the gardens of the heart of time.The ground shook with a rumble of thunder but Toya’s eyes widened… his hearing picking up a terrified scream within the angry storm. That scream had taken his breath away. “Kyoko?” What was she doing back here this time of night without telling him first?His eyes instantly turned to molten silver as his protective instincts went into overdrive. He had never heard her that scared, even during battle. His heartbeat flew as his silver wings sprung from his back. Toya took off almost too fast for the human eye to detect."Kyoko!" The worried cry ripped from his throat.*****Shinbe stood outside Suki’s hut no longer able to sleep. His nightmares would not allow it. Amethyst eyes locked on the forest that held the heart of time portal deep within it. Something was wrong, he could feel it… and it had nothing to do with the oncoming storm that now raged over the forest.“Kyou?” What was Kyou doing so close? For a very long moment, Shinbe’s throat refused to work and his”
