The Lost Years (The Guardians Book 4) by Wendy Owens Page A

not go that way.”
    “What way? Into the woods? Are you afraid of the woods?” she asked laughing.
    “No—” Uri had no desire to explain certain areas of his past, especially the failed attempt to save a friend. Sophie was forever changed because he had not been able to help her quickly enough, and now Gabe was gone too because of him. The continuing loss of friends was more than he could bear to talk about it. “I’m just starting to feel a little fatigued, could we find a place to sit?”
    “Oh, yes, of course. I’m so sorry,” Sera exclaimed, leaping forward to grab hold of Uri’s arm due to his false claims. She led him to an oversized tree, assisting him into a seated position. Sera took a seat across from him, looking at him with concerned eyes.
    “Better?” she inquired.
    “Oh, I’m fine. I only need a moment to rest.”
    “It’s quiet here,” Sera said, looking around them as she noticed it was the first time they had been completely alone since arriving at Iron Gate.
    Uri didn’t reply to the observation, instead he focused his attention onto the divine being before him. Uri wasn’t new to relationships with the opposite sex. In fact, he had been involved with more love interests than he cared to recollect, and they often ended badly due to his loss of interest. Seraphine was different; she held his attention in a way none of the others had. It was an immediate attraction, an infatuation that seemed to only intensify the more time he spent with her.
    “So, tell me more about this keeper gig.”
    Sera laughed. “Gig? Really? Is being a Guardian something you call a gig?”
    “You know what I mean.”
    “Yeah, I guess. I already told you how the keeper stuff works. Why the question?”
    “No, you didn’t. The only thing you told me is that a keeper is a sort of protector. That doesn’t tell me anything. What do you protect?”
    Sera looked away, the question obviously unnerving her. “I don’t get it, what’s bringing these questions up?”
    “Wow, usually girls complain when I don’t ask enough about them. Is it so terrible that I’ve taken an interest in what you do?”
    “Well, no— I don’t know. I’m just not sure I’m comfortable talking about it, we’re really not supposed to.”
    “You do realize I’m a Guardian. There aren’t many secrets that are kept from us.”
    “Oh,” Sera’s tone took on a devilishly snarky bite. “I didn’t realize I was talking to royalty.”
    “That’s not what I meant. You told me before that the keepers are overseen by the elders. I was just trying to point out that they wouldn’t mind if I knew what your assignment was.”
    “Is that right? Because now you speak on behalf of the elders?”
    “Well, no, but—”
    “If they wanted you to know about me, they would have already told you about me.”
    “Jesus, fine!” Uri snapped, annoyed by her resistance.
    “Don’t get angry at me.”
    “I’m not angry. I just don’t see what the big deal is.”
    “It’s not a big deal, I simply didn’t like the way you asked.” Sera grinned, pleased with the torment she was putting Uri through.
    “So, what if I say please?” Uri asked with a sigh.
    “Oh, how do you already know me so well?” Sera laughed. “Please is the magic word for me.”
    “So, you’ll tell me?”
    Sera considered her words carefully. “Let’s just say, I protect a very valuable weapon.”
    “Seriously? What is it? Do you have it on you?”
    “Not exactly. And please, don’t ask. I know I’m not allowed to say anything about it.”
    “Fine—” Uri replied, but as hard as he tried, he couldn’t just leave it alone. “Can you tell me what kind of weapon at least?”
    “Uri,” Sera said firmly.
    “All right, all right, I’m sorry.”
    Sera could see his disappointment. “Grr … you’re going to end up getting me in trouble, I can already tell. All I can say is that I’m protecting something very important, something that could possibly be