Destroyed by Onyx (A Dance with Destiny Book 4) by JK Ensley, Jennifer Ensley Page A

who stumbles upon her, they will deliver her safely to the palace. She could be in no more capable hands than Master Yui’s.”
    “Aye then, we’ll save layer two an’ nine for last,” Vittorio said. “So who’s headed where?”
    “I’ll go back to Spadroon,” Vareilious said. “I’ve been over every inch of that layer. I know each and every hole… and who’s hiding inside them.”
    “Aye, Brother, then I will go tae Lyra,” Vittorio added. “It wulnae take me long tae scour the first layer, an’ then I’ll join ye on the third.”
    “So then, Lyra, Byzantha, Spadroon, and Ashgard. That covers us through the first four layers,” Daichi said, turning to face his brother. “I will go to Val Hal; you take Dimthe Leard.” He glanced at the Guardian Angel of Jinn. “Munenori can search out the seventh layer realm of Praetoria.”
    “Aye, be extremely careful, wee Tenshi,” Vittorio warned. “Great evil still roams the sixth layer.”
    “He’s right,” Daichi growled. “Tenshi, you should go to Val Hal. I will see to Dimthe Leard.”
    “Perhaps I should be the one to traverse the sixth layer realm of Dimthe Leard. Tenshi should go to the seventh.” Munenori turned to him as he spoke. “Be especially careful on Praetoria, little one. Search it thoroughly. There are many dark places in which to hide a tiny little thing like our Naga.”
    “I’ll take my legion and comb the eighth layer.” All eyes turned to Vinika at her approach. “Leave Earth to us, Angels. There will be no stone left unturned. I swear it.”
    “Gratitude, Sister.” Tenshi bowed to her.
    “Tenshi?”
    He turned toward Vareen as she timidly addressed him.
    “May I accompany you to the seventh layer?”
    “And why is that, revered mother?” he asked. “Do you not think me as strong and capable as are my brothers? Do you hold to their opinion of me?” He ignored the shuffling steps and uncomfortable grunts of his present brethren. “Do you count me only as a scared child?”
    “Nothing of the sort.” Vareen placed a loving hand upon his arm. “I’m the one who lacks strength here.” Tears filled her lovely eyes. “I will not live through losing another son,” she whispered.
    “But what if you receive a vision?” he asked. “Who’ll be left in Vanahirdem to send out the summons?”
    “I made a vow to you,” she said, lifting her chin defiantly. “I swore you would be the first to know. How much better could it be than to be standing by your side?”
    “Well, that settles it then.” Vareilious clapped his enormous hands together. “Let us now agree. When we’ve thoroughly seen to our appointed layer, we’ll each make our way on to the next and help out there as well.”

Chapter 6
    Gráda
    (GRAH-dah)
     
     
     
    When the first rays of dawn crept through the window, Brodder Scot yawned and stretched his tired back. A warm smile crossed his thin lips as he recalled the past few days with his new ward. He lazily reached for the ghostly white lady he’d protectively held through another night. She was gone.
    When his frantic searching and yelling yielded no results, Brodder drew his sword and began hacking away on the wooden practice dummy dangling from a post a few feet from the house.
    Jenevier heard the dull, echoing sounds of metal jarring off dried wood long before she made it back from her predawn excursion.
    Sounds like Brod’s up now.
    She was practically skipping when she rounded the front of the house, stopping short when she found herself face to face with the tip of a massive two-handed sword. She heard his loud exhale and watched as the blade slowly fell, clattering to the ground.
    Relief swept over him in a wave. His strong arms were about her, cutting off her breath, before she even registered what was happening.
    “Oh, my wee lamb. Thank the gods you’re safe. I was so worried about you.” He kissed the top of her head. “I called out for you over and over. I feared someone had stolen