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

Guardian to watch over him.” Wolf replied.
“Heart-Brother Mark spent a lot of time alone in orphanages until he was adopted.” Max concluded.
“When will you tell him the truth Lord Max?” Katherine asked. She turned to the others. “As soon as I met Young Guardian, I told her of myself.”
“That is how we are different, Young One.” Max tweaked her nose. “I will tell him in my own time. Now is certainly not it.”
“Where is Sabrina now?” Kit wanted to know.
“In the Outer Realm, asleep at the Parkers.” Max told her. “Which reminds me: when you become Earthbound, keep my identity a secret.”
“Even from Young Guardian, My Lord Max?” Katherine asked. She told her friend all, and never had to keep a secret from her.
“Aye.”
The Companions nodded, and he was gone. 
Chapter Forty-Six:
A Sensual Surprise

Grand Psycho knew being Earthbound was cool, but never in his mind did he ever think it would truly be this fun. The couch-bed at the Parkers was uncomfortable to him, but he kept silent for Sabrina’s sake.
He seemed to do everything for Sabrina, never getting anything but anger and hatred back from her. She was the offspring of the Dominionite Master, one of the most malicious beings in the Dream Realm’s Dominion. Why would he think otherwise? Wasn’t it he who put the spell over Caroline, turning her against Mark and Young Guardian? He’d hated to betray a good friend such as Mark, but he had to, all in the name of so-called love.
Orthos sure knew how to treat a soul such as him – he practically handed over the Dominionite Crystal segments to them. He’d even given extra pieces of it for them to give to Caroline and Helen Gertrude, when they met them.
Just wait. I will get you back, brother. Maximaniac thought madly. You stole Jezebel from me, and now you must pay the piper.
He was awake, but Sabrina was silently sleeping beside him. Caroline was sleeping in her own bedroom at the Parker Mansion. Mark, who had recently returned home from a trip, was sleeping off the jet lag.
He thought of the other day, when they arrived, and how he felt about the whole thing. In the Outer Realm, Sabrina and Grand Psycho searched for Young Guardian’s enemies. First, they’d found the elusive, equally evil-spirited Caroline Parker.
They arrived at the Parker Mansion from Sabrina’s memories, and rung the bell. Caroline herself answered.
“Sabrina! Gregory!” She exclaimed, ushering them in. “What a surprise! What do I owe the pleasure of your corruptive presence?”
“My plan,” Sabrina started, and Max nudged her. He scowled at her, with her rubbing where it hurt. Sabrina turned back to Caroline. “Our plan. We need your help, along with all of her enemies.”
“Great, Sabrina.” Caroline rubbed her hands anxiously. “When do we start?”
With a twinkle in her eyes, Sabrina looked at her companions. “Right now.”
That was two days ago, and Max knew what he had to do now. He watched Sabrina sleeping beside him, and smiled.
It was the perfect time to do it, too.
He placed a hand over Sabrina’s body, silently chanting a secret spell.

“Turn toward the hands of time and see,
“You shall give yourself away – eventually.
“The mask I wear is not my own,
“The truth of it all in time will be shown.”

He chanted the spell over Sabrina, and was glad she didn’t stir.
Max pet her hair, feeling how fine it was, and how lusciously dark – just like her mother, Jezebel. “You shall soon see, my dear Sabrina, what it means to be free. Someday, my pet, you will learn.”
Sabrina stirred; waking to Maximaniac’s smiling face. “G.P. What are you doing awake?”
To her, he was still Grand Psycho. “I could not sleep, my dear. Too many thoughts racing through my head.” He told her.
Sabrina smiled and giggled softly. “Nasty thoughts, I hope.”
Max kissed her. Venomous, but sweet. “Hmm, but of course.” He was in the mood for a late-night seduction. He kissed her forehead, nose, lips, and teased her cleavage.
“Oh, Grand Psycho!” Sabrina screeched. “You bad boy!”
Soon, Maximaniac had fulfilled his secret wish, planting his seed into her, forcing Sabrina to be pregnant.
In two Outer Realm weeks, his child would be born. Maximaniac smiled, glad Sabrina was a Dream Realm creature. They gave birth much quicker than Earthbound Mortals.
Sabrina looked him in the eye before snuggling next to him and falling asleep.

II

Shane Morehouse stormed to Shannon's office, where he found her and Nick looking over paperwork.
"Shannon." He announced.
She looked up, as did Nick. "What's up, Shadow?"
He rolled his eyes. Now was definitely not the time to be calling him by his codename. "We've gotta talk."
"So talk." Nick replied.
Shane mulled it over. He knew Nick used to be a part of the original Crusader team, and was trustworthy.
"I thought I was supposed to train Grey Wolf?"
"You are." Shannon said. "So?"
"He's gone." He announced. "I went to Big Guy's quarters and found out he'd left with the twins last week."
"Actually with them?" Nick asked.
"Not really, but you know what I mean." Shane said. "Besides that, I'm starting to dream something that might be of interest to you, Shannon Ryan."
Shannon's eyes widened. "Go ahead."
"Sabrina's pregnant." Shane announced. "I dreamed of an offspring, giving her more power than ever."
"Perfect." Nick muttered sarcastically. "Well, oh great leader, what do we do now?" He asked Shannon.
"What can we do but wait?" Shannon supplied.
In no time, the entire Crusaders team would be in deep trouble.

III

A week later, Luna awoke from a dead sleep. She’d had another vision. This time, it wasn’t good news, and it refused to go away.
Should I tell Ariana? Luna asked herself, listening to her sister’s silent body beside her.
“If you have something on your mind, Lu, please tell me.” Ariana’s soft whisper surprised.
Luna blurted out, “There will be an offspring.”
Ariana was awake now. Flicking on the lamp beside her bed, and slipping her glasses on, she asked. “Excuse me? What do you mean offspring?”
Luna took a deep breath before telling her sister, “Sabrina’s pregnant.”
Ariana fingered her ring. “Oh no.” She muttered, and cleared her throat before asking. “Who’s the father, and when will the baby be born?”
“Something named Maximaniac is the father.” Luna told her. “Only, we know him as –”
“Grand Psycho!” The twins chorused.
“What are we going to do?” Luna moaned. “Sabrina’s being pregnant is going to make things harder. We won’t be able to get to her in time.”
“It all depends.” Ariana sighed. “How much time do we have until the offspring is born?”
“She’ll be born in less than a week of our time.” Luna supplied.
“How do you know the sex?”
She shrugged. “My powers of premonition are getting stronger, I guess.”
Ariana nodded. “Probably. Should we tell the boys?”
Luna shook her head. “Not yet.” She told her. “Not until the time’s right.”
“I agree.” Ariana told her. “Let’s get some sleep and discuss this more in the morning.”
“Right.” Luna yawned.
Each Woods’ twin hoped they wouldn’t be too late.

IV

Mark Grey awoke in the middle of the night with thoughts of dread.
He never knew how he knew what was going on, but he did. Mark knew Grand Psycho and Sabrina had put a spell over Caroline, making her meaner than usual for the past week. This time, she didn’t want anything to do with him. She claimed her friends gave her rides everywhere, but Mark had his doubts.
There was something suspicious going on, and the System in California had taught him how to look for clues and grill suspects. He was going to find out just what was going on in the Parker Mansion.
Thinking of Ariana, he quietly sauntered across the hall into his late-sister Bonnie Parker’s bedroom. He missed her, and couldn’t help thinking about it as well.
That terrible night when she ran away, never to be seen alive again.
Mark found the cracked picture of Father Parker, little Caroline, and Bonnie before she ran away. He picked it up and the memories rushed back to him.
He thought he heard her voice now in his mind. I miss you the most.
Mark shook his head out of his daydream when he heard the door creak open. He froze in the darkness.
“Do not say anything, Mark.” It was the gentle voice of an old friend.
Mark wasn’t impressed by him. “What do you want, Grand Psycho? You’ve already betrayed my friendship.”
Grand Psycho, known as Maximaniac, stepped closer, closing the door behind him. “I never meant to hurt you, my friend. I apologize.”
“Save your lies for someone who cares.” Mark muttered angrily, looking out the bay window, not facing Grand Psycho.
“I thought you did, Heart-Brother.” Max said softly, hoping Mark hadn’t forgotten.
The word ‘Heart-Brother’ registered in Mark’s mind, giving him a second thought. He turned. “Did you just call me ‘Heart-Brother’?”
“Aye,” Max replied. “I have to confess, Mark.”
Mark stared at him. Maximaniac’s straggly black hair mirrored Mark’s own. Even in the dark, they looked like real brothers.
Max cleared his throat. “I am merely taking advantage of Sabrina to get back at my own brother Orthos.”
The statement shocked him. “I knew it.” Mark whispered under his breath. “What about Psycho?”
“That was just the name I came up with when I Banished myself to you.” Max’s voice was sincere. “You may call me Maximaniac, or Max.”
Mark looked him in the eye. “What did Orthos do to you?”
“He stole my bride before the Wars of the Dream Realm.” Max replied. “Her name was Jezebel, and we loved each other.”
“Wait a minute. Wars? What are you talking about?” Mark’s head was spinning.
“The Wars is what O’Dell and the Ancient Mystic Sisters called it when they and Orthos fought.” Max explained. “That was when the Dream Realm was split in two: the Dominion and the Province.”
Maximaniac sighed. He wanted Mark’s friendship back, but it seemed hard to regain Mark’s trust in him. “Sabrina is Orthos and Jezebel’s daughter. Through her, I hope to get back at Orthos for what he has done. Not only to me, but to all the Crusaders, Dreamers, Companions and Creatures.”
Mark was silent, not knowing how to react.
Maximaniac begged, “Please, say you forgive me, Heart-Brother Mark. I need your help in defeating Sabrina.”
“Why reveal yourself to me now?” Mark asked. “Why would you need my help? Can’t you use your own powers?”
“I was hoping, with Young Guardian Ariana, you would be able to fight them.” Max replied. “I also want you to keep my identity from Sabrina and the Crusaders.”
Mark shook his head. “I will.” Mark’s mind came up with one word for Max. “Heart-Brother.”
Max smiled. “I knew I could count on you.”

V

Back in the Dream Realm, the four Companions were tired of searching for answers.
“Perhaps if we knew how to ask them, we would be able to Crusade to the Outer Realm?” Kit asked them.
“Aye, but I still am not sure whether the Sisters would grant us such a power.” Wolf said.
“They are the ones who allowed us to return home, correct?” Katherine replied.
“Aye,” Kit and Wolf chorused.
“We could at least try.” Toby replied. “I do not know about you, but I want to stop Sabrina from doing anymore harm than she already has.”
“What makes you think the Sisters would help us?” Kit asked. “We are just mere Companions. We have no special purpose in the Dream Realm.”
Katherine stood face to face with her sister, who was