Embrace (The Gryphon Series) (27 page)

             
The Counselwoman scoffed. “I would not make the trip between realms just for a verbal warning. Kindly use your head, Alaina.”

             
Gabe bristled.  His back rounded and a low rumble tore through his clenched jaw.  Alaina laid a delicate hand on his chest.  “No.  Don’t.”  She whispered.  With as much dignity as she could muster, Alaina rose to her feet.  “I have failed in my duties.  I will take the punishment I have been sentenced with.”

             
With great flourish the Grand Counselwoman extracted a scroll from within the sleeve of her feathered gown.  Adopting an obnoxiously authoritive voice she read, “Alaina, Guide to Those Who are Called, you have failed in the duties you were entrusted with.  It is the verdict of the Counsel Master that you be suspended from your role as a Guide for the duration of one human year.  All your powers will be revoked…”  Alaina sucked in a shocked, horrified breath.  “..and you shall live out your sentence as a mortal here on earth.  During that time you will act only as an observer to the methods of the Guide assigned to your former position.” 

             
As soon as she finished reading the Counselwoman tossed the scroll into the air.  It vanished in a series of twinkling sparks.  My heart broke for Alaina.  The one thing she’d been desperately clinging to was about to be torn away from her…again.  Yet as gut wrenching as that had to be, she nodded and bowed her head in preparation for what was to come.  The rebellious tear that broke free and streaked down her cheek was the only visible indicator of her anguish. 

             
“By the power vested in me, I hereby sentence you to
mortality
.” The Counselwoman declared.  And so it was done.  Our Guide’s feathers and wings faded into oblivion.  Her tie to the supernatural severed. 

             
Before us was the girl Alaina had been back in Ireland.  Her hair was a waist length curtain of curly auburn locks.  Her eyes the bright green of fresh cut grass.  The Counselwoman had granted her subdued clothing; a knee-length black shirt, and a white satin blouse buttoned all the way up to her neck.  Alaina peeked down at her normalcy and gave a choked sob.  She covered her face as the tears began to flow. Gabe, Caleb, Kendall and I rushed to her side to surround her in a group hug.  Our only means of comfort to offer. 

             
“You’re beautiful, baby.  You are.”  My brother soothed as he peppered her face and hair with kisses.

             
The Counselwoman nodded in my direction.  “I assume you will keep her safe in her vulnerable form?”

             
This bossy chick just waltzed across my last nerve.  “Without a doubt.  Unlike your hypocritical counsel, I don’t turn my back on my own.”

             
Her feathers ruffled and smoothed.  “You speak of things of which you have no knowledge, or foresight. Perhaps your new Spirit Guide will be able to improve upon your obvious lack of respect for authority.”

             
I snorted a laugh.  “Yeah, don’t count on it.”

             
“We shall see.  He is a strict and well respected Guide.  No time like the present for an introduction.  Bernard?”  The Counselwoman dipped down into a formal bow and held her arm out to present him to us.              From behind her, be it the hallway or teleporting in from another dimension, came—
Bernard.
His cane sunk into our thick plush carpet as he stepped into view.             

             
My breath caught.  I clawed at Caleb’s T-shirt and grabbed handfuls of the fabric in a white knuckled grasp.  Unable to hold back my terror I let out a blood curdling scream. 

####

About the
Author

The Gryphon Series is written by Michigan native Stacey Rourke.  She and her husband have two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs.  They love traveling and can’t go more than twelve months without visiting Disney World. Stacey is currently hard at work on the continuations of her hilarious, action-packed, adventure series, as well as other literary projects.

Visit her at www.staceyrourke.com

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Rourke/

or on Twitter @
Rourkewrites.