The Guardian Chronicles 2: Dark Horizon by Matthew Burkey Page B

really starting to think that he made a mistake in deciding to join. There was no way that he would ever be able to even handle a sword let alone move as fast and with such grace as either Cody or Tony had just displayed. He was getting more and more anxious that he would be nothing but a disappointment to his new-found friends.
    “You learn to be that fast,” Ryan added. “We’ve been training since we were old enough to walk, its second nature to us.”
    “I doubt that I will ever be that fast,” Gabriel grunted. “I can barely handle walking, let alone twirling around swords and whatnot.”
    “I wasn’t twirling,” Tony frowned. “It was called striking, parrying maybe, but not twirling.”
    “There was some twirling going on,” Ryan admitted. “For most of your training you’ll be with either me or Tony, we’re both Phoenix, so it’s up to us to bring you up to speed.”
    “I think you are being punished for something.”
    They all turned to see Ethan standing there. Again, Gabriel had to stop himself from staring like an idiot. Ethan looked like he had just finished his own workout, his face was flushed and he looked to be a sweaty mess…but even in that condition Gabriel still felt attracted to him.
    Maybe it was his arms, which were tanned and muscular. Or maybe it was his unwavering confidence in himself or perhaps it was his eyes, which seemed to display a combination of both mischievousness and danger.
    And it was then that he noticed the same glowing lines, although this time blue in color that seemed to flow out and around his shoulders. Gabriel couldn’t see much, he suspected that most of his tattoo was on Ethan’s back, unlike the one that he was now sporting. The addition of the tattoo added another layer of attraction to Ethan.
    Stop it , he admonished himself. He’s not into you that way! Just concentrate on learning and not standing around staring at him!
    “Gee, way to make him feel welcome,” Ryan grunted.
    “Sorry,” Ethan said. “It’s good to have you man, really.”
    Gabriel took the extended hand and shook it.
    “Not a bad grip,” Ethan nodded. “I’m sure you’ll do fine, Ryan and Tony are almost as good as teachers are I am. I need to get going, I think that Jonathan wants to yell at me some more.”
    “For what?” Gabriel asked.
    Ethan shrugged. “I honestly don’t know I tune him out a lot.”
    And then Ethan turned and walked away. Gabriel quickly turned back around to the other side of the gym, lest be caught leering at Ethan as he made his way out of the gym.
    “Is he always like that?” Gabriel asked.
    “Yup,” Tony said. “Sad thing is he can be like that because he is that good.”
    “And he’s always been arrogant, he seems to think that he’s God’s gift to well…everyone I suppose. But yeah, he is that good, which is maddening sometimes.”
    Gabriel refrained from saying anything else as they continued down toward the end of the gym. They happened on another ring, this one held two stunningly attractive females. Like Cody and Tony, they were both covered in sweat and looked like they had been sparing for hours. One had dark skin, dark hair, and deep brown eyes. The other was taller and blonde with gray eyes and short hair. Like the other girl, she appeared to very lean and athletic.
    Had Gabriel been into girls he was pretty sure that his jaw would have ended up on the floor. Like everyone else in the Guardians that he had so far met they exuded an aura of confidence and power…and something else, something dangerous. But these two women did it and still managed to hold onto their beauty as well.
    “Gabriel, this is Elise,” Ryan said, gesturing toward the girl with the dark hair. Gabriel took note of the look that Ryan gave Elise, although it appeared that she didn’t notice. If he had known Ryan better he would have asked what was up with that.
    “Pleased to meet you,” Elise smiled.
    “And this is Marissa,” Ryan said, indicating