The Guardian Chronicles Book One: Finding Grace

Michael Grace opened a large envelope that Nathan handed her next. He said, "It's a card from Uncle Malachi. He's still traveling, meeting with the other covens. He couldn't come home yet, so he sent this to you. Can you read it out loud?"

Michael Grace opened the pretty foiled card and recited: "Happy birthday to a beautiful princess. There is none like you in the world. I would give anything to be with you today. Love, Malachi"

Clipped to the inside of the card was a one hundred dollar bill. Michael Grace handed the bill to Nathan, unimpressed with the green paper.

"That is a lot of money, Mikey. You'll need to send Uncle Mal a thank you card," Nathan said. At the second mention of Malachi's name, Hannah had stood and walked away from the group, brushing her face as if she was crying. Everyone watched as Aiden got up and followed Hannah to the other side of the roof, in the gazebo. Malachi had not contacted Hannah since he had disappeared so abruptly a year ago. She had tried not to let it bother her, but she missed the friendship they had shared, and she had been sure he had felt more for her.

"Well, there's one more," Nathan said, retrieving the small box he had pushed aside earlier. He tried to get the attention off Hannah and with a flourish announced, "This one is from me."

Michael Grace smiled a huge smile, embellished with a dimple in her left cheek, and with a knowing look took the small, elegantly wrapped box from Nathan's hands. He watched intently as she carefully pulled the ribbon apart and slipped the stiff paper from the little box.

"Do you know what he got her?" Evan whispered to Emil over her shoulder, snuggling closer to him as he stood behind her with his arms around her shoulders.

Emil shook his head slightly, saying, "I haven't any idea."

They watched as Michael Grace revealed a scarlet jewelry box. When she opened it, they saw the glint of gold as she pulled a small bracelet from it. The tiny girl held the sparkling bracelet in her little hands and turned it over, looking at it from all sides. It was engraved on one side. Either end of the gold plate was made of gold links that would adjust as Michael Grace grew.

Nathan looked at her expectantly as Michael Grace continued to examine his gift. "Do you want to read what it says?"

With a strange look in her emerald eyes she opened her little mouth and read: "I pledge my eternal protection, Love Nathan."

All those around the two children sat a little straighter or leaned in closer, as if wanting to make sure they had heard correctly.

Evan and Emil exchanged a concerned look as they watched their children. Nathan clasped the bracelet on Michael Grace's extended arm, and was rewarded with a tight hug and a big kiss on the cheek. They did not miss his satisfied smirk as he hugged her back.

Breaking the awkward silence, Arazel spoke up, "What about my gift? Do you want to see what I got for you, Grace?"

Nathan bristled at the name. He knew how much Michael hated being called just Grace. Only Arazel insisted in trying to call her something different. But, she was being polite today so she answered, "Yes, please."

Arazel came to stand before Nathan and Michael Grace and set an elegantly carved wooden box in front of her. Without waiting for her to open it, Arazel eagerly pulled the top off, revealing an ornate gown, with a circlet resting in its folds.

"This is just like Queen Nefertiti's robe. And I made sure you had a crown, since you are indeed a princess," Arazel proclaimed proudly. When Michael Grace just stared up at him blankly, he continued. "There is more, look here in this little hidden compartment."

He pressed a wooden button hidden in the scrollwork on the box and a little drawer sprang forward. He lifted what looked like a brooch from it and held it reverently in his palm.

"My mother gave me this scarab before she was killed. She told me it would protect me. It came from Cleopatra's burial site and it is supposed to be cursed so that it will harm any that would do harm to the owner. So I am giving it to you and you are now its owner," Arazel said with a sideways glance at Nathan.

Emil and Evan wanted to stop Arazel from giving his gift, but Emil stopped Evan from talking. He whispered, "Even if it is just a story, he's already given it to her. I won't risk there being truth to his words."