Page 49 of The Hidden Guardian

“Yeah.” I take a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

He nods, grabbing my hand again and slowly descending the stairs. The darkness is thick and impossible to see through, but I can tell they curve and wind. There’s a dripping sound echoing up the chasm. The air grows humid and intolerably thicker as we descend, making it hard to breathe. The farther we go, the more I’m reminded how out of shape I am.

Finally, we reach the bottom, and as we step through a stone-carved doorway, the room is lit up with green moonstones illuminating our way. The steps widen until they disappear into sand. There’s sand and rock under my feet. Before me is a huge cavern, twice the size of the cave upstairs. Only inside this cavern is an entire lake, an actual lake is before me, hidden deep within a cave. Steam rises from its blue-green surface. This underground lake is sandwiched between two grassy ledges that grow taller the farther away from shore they get. Along these sides are all kinds of plant life. Trees grow along and burst out of the cave wall. I recognize tomato plants, and bushes of berries and fruit. Not to mention flowers of all colors and sizes sprouting between them. This must be Onai’s garden she is always bragging about. Its size alone is impressive, but to grow plants underground without direct sunlight—well, that is an accomplishment.

The far wall of the cave at the deepest part of the lake is lined with copper piping, and at the top, barely visible from where I stand, appear to be two windows … no, they might be balconies overlooking the gardens and the lake. Despite being underground, it’s not dark at all because a gold glow emanates from the far corner. He points, reaching for my hand. “This is what I wanted to show you.”

The glow is coming from a singular tree. A tree that looks like it was dipped into a vat of pure gold. Tall enough that its leaves touch the enormous cavern ceiling, and its roots climb deep into the water. It’s breathtaking. Not only that, ancient power trickles from it like waves.

“You see, we are not just protectors of nature or wolves. Our true purpose of the Protector Clan is to protect and keep the secret of the Tree of Life.”

“The Tree of Life, you’ve got to be joking?”

“Of this, I would not joke.”

“The Tree of Life is here, the tree that can give or take life at will in this cave?”

“The tree doesn’t just give life; it is responsible for it. To harm or even remove the Tree of Life from this spot is to destroy all of nature.”

“All nature?”

“That is why this Clan is the most important, this is why I’ve stayed here so long. That is why I’ve brought you here and risked this.”

What he’s saying is that the demons can never find this, we must protect it. It’s our duty blessed to us by the Gods.

“The Protector Clan is dwindling; they need all the help they can get to keep this protected–”

His eyes are alive … he’s so passionate about this.“Exactly, Awe-tum. Do you understand our true purpose?”

“I do. Why wouldn’t Lupe, or even Onai, just tell me?”

“She’s ordered everyone not to.”

“She hates me.” I shake my head, “I can’t understand why; what did I do?”

“I believe she sees herself in you. You are another version of what her life could have been.”

“I don’t understand.” My brows furrow.

“It’s not my story to tell.”

“This place has so many secrets.”

“I’m sure you will learn them all—if you want to stay.”

I sigh, tearing my eyes away from the mesmerizing Tree of Life.

That’s the big question isn’t it. Do I want to stay here … with him?

The greenish glow from the moon rocks and the golden glow from the tree shimmer and swirl across the surface of the lake. It makes my skin warm and flush. Even though I’m below the Earth’s surface, I feel as though I’m outside. The air is crisp. The scent of flowers tickles my nose. The flush of the glow against my skin, the warm air emanating from the lake soothing me. It reminds me of how my garden at the cabin did. Comfortable, at ease, warm. This place feels more like home than the cave upstairs does.

I’m so busy admiring the cave lake, I hadn’t noticed Renall has slipped from my grasp and is wading into the water before me. The glimmering golden tree basking his bare back in a glistening tan. I glance over my shoulder, toward the steps behind me. The clock is ticking with every second I stay here … and yet—my feet won’t move. Renall said I could leave after he showed me this, now I understand why. These wolves are primal, territorial, and scary, but they aren’t just humping and hiding … they have a purpose. A big purpose—to protect the Tree of Life.

The tree that’s said to give life as well as take it. A tree older than the world. Mother used to tell us stories of a world built around a magical tree that breathes life itself. The Protector Clan is protecting the actual fricken Tree of Life. Its energy radiates off it. The power it holds is immense. Maybe these wolves are honorable … deep down.

Renall is deeper in the water, now waist deep, waiting. Giving me my own space to make this decision. How can I leave a purpose like this? How can I leave him?

Renall.

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