Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (read aloud .txt) 📕

Dominionite Warriors." She warned them.
They looked at her with interest, afraid of what she was going to say next.
"We've only just begun...."

Book Three:
The Ancient Mystic Sisters
Part 1:
A Time to Learn

Chapter Thirty:
A New Beginning

Ariana Sister woke up from a long night’s rest, making her way to the kitchen downstairs for breakfast. She had long since sent the house cleaners and butlers on a much-needed vacation, so she had to fix breakfast herself. She was sure to be silent, not to wake the others. Her thoughts strayed, and she began to think back.
It was two weeks after the excitement and horror ended. In the Dream Realm’s Dominion, Ariana Moon Sister was trapped in a cage, unable to use her Ancient Mystic powers. Her friends had all helped her escape and now Ariana was happily home, safe and sound. Emotional scars were all that were really left of the pain her nemesis, Sabrina, and her pal, Grand Psycho, had inflicted upon her. They were healing slowly, but surely. Ariana’s newfound powers were also slowly returning to normal and getting stronger.
Derrick Reading, Ariana’s boyfriend, was also her Earthly Protector, sworn to take care of Ariana whenever he was with her, or whenever she needed him. Before meeting her, Derrick literally dreamed of meeting such a beauty! The first time he laid eyes on her solemn smile, big silver-blue eyes, and long, luscious reddish-blond hair, he knew that she was his “dream girl.” Derrick had been the one to lead his friends to the aide of his love. He was smart, persuasive, cunning, and always knew exactly what to do at times, keeping a cool head about things. Thanks to his knowledge of the Dream Realm, Derrick, along with Aaron Schmidt, Mark Grey, Ariana’s twin sister Luna, and their Dream Realm Companion friends, Katherine Hawk and Wolf Stargazer, were able to find out exactly where to find his Ariana.
Aaron Schmidt, who had been Ariana’s best friend in Shore Point, California so many years ago, was still a big part of Ariana Sister’s life. He was the one, at only thirteen, who made Ariana a mother so soon. When he and his twin sister made a Blood Pact to keep them together in thoughts, the blood had also given him some kind of magic all his own. Despite Ariana’s running away to have his daughter, he still loved her in his own way. Each had grown up in the orphanage there, taking constant abuse from beatings day in and day out. Aaron had been there from the beginning, keeping her safe, when others would not.
Aluna Sister, Ariana’s twin, knew a lot more about the Ancient Mystic Sister Circle than Ariana. She never complained when it came to her sister’s destiny of being the Dream Realm’s Young Guardian. At the tender age of five, their own mother tore the twins apart. Luna went to live with their Boss’s aunt Dixilynne Ryan, who now lived in the Dream Realm. Luna the Grand Magus, as the Sisterhood knows her, was proud of Ariana, really. Luna just couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of her twin sometimes, even though she loved her sister very much.
Just as Katherine Hawk, a Balinese-Persian friend from the Dream Realm had loved her own twin, Kitten's Claw. Her Uncle Orthos, who calls himself the “Dominionite Master,” sent Kitten's Claw to be Earthbound. Kat had yet to find her twin. Katherine was a Companion to Ariana as she was tossed from many foster homes over the years. Kat had also stayed a very good friend to her Young Guardian, teaching Ariana the ways of her Dream Realm in hopes that someday soon, she’d be able to return.
Mark Grey, Ariana’s adopted brother, had developed a crush on his new sister from the first day she arrived at the fabulous Parker Mansion. It was Mark that had befriended her when she was lonely, comforting her when she cried. He'd fallen in love the first time he met her, but it wasn't Ariana's face in his mind when he slept at night. It was the real Parker daughter's, Bonnie Marie. Once finding out about Ariana Sister's past, Mark eased up and started to open up to her. He was shy in telling her of his two personas: Wolf Stargazer and Psycho. Wolf was originally a Dream Realm Companion that was Banished to Mark’s mind by Orthos for having a mind of his own. Psycho, before Sabrina came along, was the more outgoing side of Mark that he rarely ventured. Or so he thought.
That’s when it all began.
Sabrina, Orthos’ seductive daughter, seized the chance to take over Ariana’s body one night as she laid herself to sleep. Ariana told Mark about Sabrina, who told his juvenile persona of Psycho. Psycho had an interest in her and wanted free reign. It didn’t take long for Sabrina to come up with a sneaky plan of her own. She made Psycho a man, whose voice was deeper, his mind was much more mature, and more evil than Sabrina was. The Maiden was delighted, at first. Grand Psycho began taking her over! The mean-hearts continued to plot against the Dream Realm Crusaders. Sabrina wanted her powers back from Ariana, and would do anything to get them. Even get her brother to take her to his dungeon to lock her up forever.
Sabrina didn’t figure on Mark finding out. He told Luna and Derrick, who soon had a plan of their own to get rid of the menaces. Not long after that, Aaron joined the Crusade, and they went to the Dream Realm. The Earthbound Crusaders were teamed up with Katherine Hawk and Wolf Stargazer to form a duo world Crusade. They were going to rescue Ariana’s mind and soul from the clutches of Damian, Sabrina’s equally seductive brother.
Armed with only their knowledge of the Dream Realm, and a deep love for the Young Guardian Ariana Sister, the Crusaders were able to rescue her from the deepest, darkest depths of the Dream Realm’s Dominion two weeks ago.
Ariana was safe and sound, with her brother Mark, sister Luna, best friend Aaron, and boyfriend Derrick by her side – at last. They stayed at the Parker Mansion, with a rich woman, Mrs. Parker and her spoiled daughter Caroline. The Parkers were gone on a business trip, leaving the Mansion to Mark and the others. Life was slowly returning to normal.
Her thoughts returned to her cooking. She felt arms wrap themselves around her waist, and a soft kiss on the nape of her neck. Ariana knew it could only be one person. “Good morning, Derrick.” She smiled, turning to give him a kiss on the lips.
“Morning, darling.” Derrick replied. “What are you making me for breakfast?”
“For you, a knuckle sandwich.” She teased him. “For myself I’m making a ham, cheese and mushroom omelet, sprinkled with bits of bacon shaped like a smiling face.”
“Sounds delicious.” He grinned.
“It is, believe me.” Ariana smiled back, fixing herself a plate. “Care to join me?”
Derrick rubbed his stomach. “Definitely, yes.”
“Is that an ‘Ariana Breakfast Special’ I smell?” Aaron’s voice came from the stairway.
Ariana smiled. “Yes, Aaron, it is. I bet you missed these omelets after I left, didn’t you?”
“You better believe it.” Aaron laughed. He turned to Derrick. “When we were growing up, and Mrs. Gertrude had her on kitchen duty, she would try to make our day special by making these omelets. My twin sister Aimee and I dubbed them ‘Ariana’s Breakfast Special.’ After she left the orphanage, Aim and I were adopted back to our own family. Mother has been trying her best to recreate the magic, but so far hasn’t been able to.”
“I’m not sure anybody would be able to.” Derrick replied, giving her a wink.
“Come on, you two. Anybody can make these. It’s not that hard.” Ariana said seriously. She saw her own sister coming from the hallway and waved her arm at her. “I bet even Luna could make them, if she learned.”
Luna swallowed her last morning yawn before asking, “Learned what?” She stretched her muscles and sniffed the air. “Yum! What smells so good?”
Aaron laughed. “First thing in the morning, and already has questions!” He teased.
Ariana giggled. “Be nice.” She turned to Luna when he shrugged. “Specialty of the house, known as the ‘Ariana Breakfast Special.’”
Luna grabbed a fork and stole a bite from her sister’s plate. “These are good! Think you could teach me how to cook?”
“Anytime.” Ariana replied.
“By the way, where’s Mark?” Derrick asked, with Aaron and Luna nodding. “Usually, he’s the first one to wake up in the morning.”
“At the crack of dawn.” Luna nodded, stuffing her face.
Ariana sat down at the table and looked at her plate. “He’s not feeling well this morning. I’ll see to him after breakfast.”
Derrick placed a caring hand on hers. What’s wrong, Ariana? He asked telepathically when he met her eyes. The only way he could read her mind, or send her silent messages, was if they caught each other’s glance or touched. Ariana had said it had to do with her Ancient Mystic Magic power. That, and being her Earthly Protector, wearing a Protector’s Pendant with a touch of her magic in it.
Nothing. She sent back, looking away from him. He had a bad night, that’s all.
Derrick returned his hand to his meal, worried about her.
For the rest of the meal, Ariana silently picked at her food, troubled for Mark while the others talked about their previous night’s dreams.
When it came time for them to clean up, Ariana asked her sister. “You don’t mind cleaning up while I see what’s bothering Mark, do you?”
Luna shook her head. “No, not at all. Go ahead.”
“Thanks,” Ariana sounded depressed as she headed for the staircase.
She climbed the stairs and knocked on the door. “Mark? Are you awake?”
She heard a low moan, “Come in.”
Ariana walked in and sat on the bed next to him. She touched his cheek, hoping her soft touch would lighten his spirits. “Sleep well?”
Mark sat up and shook his head. “Not really. I was too upset about you. I dreamed you left here and went on with your life.” He said, looking at his lap. “Without me.”
“Oh, Mark.” Ariana responded. “As far as I know, I’m not going anywhere.” She hugged him. “If I do, I promise to visit as often as I can, okay?”
“Sure, but I’ll still miss you like crazy.” He told her sadly. He sighed, thinking back, and a smile crept on his lips. “Do you remember when we first met? It was love at first slam for me. A few months later, I thought you were beginning to feel the same. I know now you don’t, and probably never will.” His voice was somber.
“I love Derrick as a boyfriend, Aaron’s my best friend, and Luna’s my sister.” Ariana began, holding his hand. Her eyes met his. “Most of all, I love you as a brother, so there’s no need to feel sad whether I go anywhere.” She hugged him tight. “Did you want to be left alone now?”
Mark nodded, so she left, softly closing the door behind her.
How sad, she thought. He still feels an intense love for me.
Sighing, she made her way down the stairs where she found Luna and the boys talking.

Luna turned when she heard a creak in the floor. She ran to her sister. “So, what’s wrong with him?”
“He had a bad nightmare, that’s all.” Ariana told her automatically, almost absently. “He told me he was sad I was going to leave and never come back.” She thought for a minute. “Where am I going?”
Luna smiled and wrapped