Page 18 of Awakened By Her Guardian

Then he extended his claws and fangs and lifted his head to the sky as the dream walkers wrapped their magic around themselves and disappeared. The air turned cold as purple and black plumes of magic swirled in the sky overhead.

“Come on, you fucker!” Gabriel yelled. “Tuck your tail between your legs and run, Nightmare. You won’t get my mate or her family today or any other day.”

Brandishing his claws, he tensed, his ears attuned for danger, his wolf ready for whatever might come.

Hell or high water, he was going to keep Ana safe.

Ana stood with a dozen dream walkers, including Sandman, on the street. At her side, Gabriel growled softly as the sky turned purple. She squeezed his hand and moved with her family and fellow dream walkers toward the gathering magical storm. She cast a glance over her shoulder at him one last time, then drew her magic around herself as the others did the same.

Their slumber magic unfurled around them like a warm, golden current, and the world shifted subtly as the concealment settled into place.

She could still see Gabriel, but even though he couldn’t see any of them, it didn’t stop him from his protective stance and sharp gaze.

Snow swirled suddenly around them, and a chill swept across the street.

Sandman took a forward position and Ana’s parents stepped up beside her.

“Stay together,” Sandman called.

Ana felt the shift in the air, the rot underneath the odd cold wind.

A portal opened ahead of them.

The air split with a violent crack of magic, deep purple and black mist pouring through the portal like smoke from a fire. The scent of rot hit her senses at once, like acid and rust and something sweet and spoiled at the same time.

Nightmare stepped through first, tall and elegant, his purple magic pulsing around him like a cloak and highlighted in his glowing eyes. He was beautiful and revolting all at once, a contradiction wrapped up in a power that she could feel pulling at the heart of her, urging her to cross the distance and take his hand.

His coat drifted around him as if it had a mind of its own, and his eyes lit with amusement as his followers stepped from the portal behind him. “Well, well, well,” he said, spreading his hands and giving a slight, mocking bow. “The whole family came out. I’m honored, but all this fanfare isn’t necessary. You can stop what’s coming, Ana. Just join me.”

Ana had expected power, just not as much as Nightmare was wielding.

His dread magic rolled out like a tide and pressed against the barrier of slumber magic. The two magics sparked and hissed like ancient beasts, good and evil grinding against each other.

Sandman took another step forward as Ana’s father positioned himself slightly in front of her and her mother. “You don’t belong here,” Sandman said, “and you’re not taking my dream walker. Ana said no to your offer. Whatever foolishness you and Frost are getting up to, none of us are interested in participating. Good magic must be protected. We won’t help you destroy the Well.”

“So sure I’m going to destroy things?” Nightmare asked, his brow arching. “And I’m not trying to take Ana. I’m recruiting her. She’s powerful, but I can make her more powerful.” His gaze landed on Ana. “Hello.”

Part of her wanted to drop her slumber magic and run into Gabriel’s arms. But this was a fight she had to face, and she could be strong for him and for her family. “Go to hell. I’m not joining you.”

His head tilted slightly. “No? Too bad. I’m here to bring you into the fold because your magic is what I need, but I’m not the only one who needs it. You’ve met my friend, perhaps?”

A blast of frigid air made Ana gasp as the cold tried to strip every bit of warmth from her body. She felt a presence move among them, and the portal shifted from purple to blue. A male stepped out, snow clinging to him.

“Why are the villains always so freaking good looking?” Ana asked under her breath.

Her mom snorted softly. “So we let our defenses down. But don’t, honey. Your Gabriel and his friends are depending on you. On all of us.”

Ana caught Jack Frost’s gaze, and her heart skipped a beat. Nightmare’s dread magic grew stronger, infused with Frost’s dark warlock magic.

“I’m not a weapon to be used,” Ana said. “Not for either of you. I said no. Not just no, but hell no.”

She focused her magic and felt her family answer to the increase. Together, they pushed their magic forward, sending a wave of slumber magic slamming into the combined warlock and dread magic.

But Nightmare was ready. Frost stepped aside, and Nightmare and his followers pushed back. The first wave hit like a physical blow, as if Ana had been struck by a semi and dragged a mile down the highway. She staggered, ears ringing and magic dimming, as screams echoed around them.

She realized that the dread magic had surged, infecting the dreams of those around them who were sleeping.

He was attacking those at rest.