Of Swords and Dragons - Ebook

Life as a guardian isn’t for the weak.

For the last few decades, I’ve been working alongside my two best friends Ryland and Oliver. We’re the top guardians in Arvayta, so it should have come as no surprise when we’re summoned to complete the deadliest of tasks.

Darkness has taken over the dragon territory and it’s up to the three of us to stop it. Only the fates haven’t given us much information to go off and we have no idea what we’re walking into when we enter the Otherworld.

There is no shortage of obstacles as we make our way through the treacherous landscapes, only to fall directly into the dragon’s lair. Except not everything is as I’ve always believed and there’s no room for second-guessing.

It’s time to slay some dragons.

I gazed at the morning horizon from the front porch, unsure of what I was going to do with my rare day off. The lavender sky and warm yellow sun called to me, making me want to go out to explore, but that would require too much effort when all I wanted to do was relax.
I’d been on assignment after assignment for the council as of late, and even if it was almost too nice outside, I sighed and decided to stay home. I was determined to have today be a lazy day in which I did absolutely nothing.
Closing my eyes, I leaned back in the cushioned chair, listening to the birds chirp and the rustle of leaves as a soft air blew through. Maybe I could still have my languid day and enjoy the nature that was Arvayta.
A loud thud sounded from behind me, and gone was the peace I’d been experiencing. In its place was a guardian ready to attack.
Instead of a threat, all I found was my best friend.
“What the hell, Ryland?” My morning was officially ruined, and he was going to pay the price for it.
“We have an assignment.” He leaned against the porch railing, crossing his arms.
I shook my head. “Nope. Today is my day off. The only one in weeks. I have plans. One of which you’ve just interrupted. Come back tomorrow.”
He stormed across the porch. “It’s a dragon issue in the Otherworld.”
Crap.
I sighed. There would be no avoiding this. Dragons didn’t come out of their caves in the fire sector often and were too dangerous for their own good, at least from what I’d been taught. I’d never personally met one.
“Meet me at Oliver’s as soon as you’re ready and we’ll fill you in on what the council said.” Ryland turned, and I shoved my foot into the back of his leg, making him buckle at the knees.
“That’s for wrecking my day,” I called out, but he ignored me as he disappeared without another word, and I knew I needed to hurry.
Ryland was one of my two best friends. The other was Oliver. I’d known them since I’d begun guardian training more than four decades ago. Ryland had refined my skills and helped me channel my anger when my parents chose to leave Arvayta and me behind.
I’d had no idea where they went, and I no longer cared. Brooks and Daliah Atwater had taken me in, allowing me to stay in their spare bedroom since Ryland had already claimed the guest house most nights. I’d considered getting my own home by now, but the Atwaters had been forced to Earth when their daughter was born, and I now watched over their house with Ryland.
Once I was dressed in jeans and a tank top, I went to the mirror, my emerald eyes staring back at me as I put my blonde hair in a high ponytail. Lastly, I slipped on my favorite strappy sandals before heading outside. I inhaled the fresh air and let the sun warm my skin, drawing the calm I’d been focusing on before I’d been rudely interrupted. I knew Ryland wanted me to hurry, but sometimes a girl just needed an extra minute.
I double-checked the door was locked, then ported to Oliver’s―a useful perk all Arvaytans were capable of.
Even though Oliver wasn’t the one who barged in on my quiet time unannounced, I did the same to him and Ryland.
“You idiots still around?” I called out as I threw open the door. “The brains of the operation is here and ready to slay some dragons. Maybe we’ll even find a princess for one of your ugly mugs.”
I chuckled at my own joke. They loved me whether they liked me or not.