The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 45

fireArmando has to consider the source of the damaging flames, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 45. Here’s an excerpt:

Armando froze, he wanted to help but he knew that he’d be ineffective. Sunja was finally able to eliminate the flames but not before she’d suffered significant damage on her face and arms. After taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she focused and used her powers to begin to heal from the burns. The charred flesh on her arms and legs renewed itself and knitted together before Armando’s eyes.

Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 43

fire-eatersIzdahl learns just how unprepared he is the dangerous Elite Fire Sparring, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 43. Here’s an excerpt:

Despite Armando’s earlier words to be careful, Izdahl was failing to properly defend himself. Metienne’s knee fiercely connected with his ribs, sending shock waves through his body. Her follow-up punch to his throat sent him stumbling to the floor, as he fought to breathe. Increasing her power output, Metienne executed a vicious kick that sent him flying six feet into a nearby wall. Before he could get his bearings, a barrage of fireballs outlined his slumped body, the heat of them burning his hair and clothing, exposing skin.

 

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 42

zabriskie-268389_1280Armando and Izdahl deal with the immediate aftermath of the statue’s barrier falling, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 42. Here’s an excerpt:

Izdahl and Armando turned rapidly, when Dagmar and his assistant suddenly appeared behind them. Izdahl placed himself in front of Armando, understanding the gravity of the situation. Committing an infraction that was serious enough to make a Kelcho use a portal was going to be widely publicized.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 41

binocularsArmando and Izdahl actions will cause some serious concerns for Dagmar, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 41.  Here’s an excerpt:

Izdahl was beside Armando, doing his best not to voice his reservations again about being in a Havad territory. The two had arrived in the arid area thirty minutes earlier. It had taken Armando almost all of that time to leave the car and walk to the cliff. He’d turned to Izdahl for soothing encouragement and, knowing what he’d needed, Izdahl had held his face tenderly and offered loving comfort. When Armando had been convinced that things would be alright, he’d left the car with Izdahl behind him. Now, as Armando looked out at the vast, dry landscape, he wondered why he continued to be drawn to it. A breeze kicked up swirls of dust, slightly obscuring parts of the statue.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 39

lightning storm -aiacArmando demonstrates his new powers for Izdahl, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 39.  Here’s an excerpt:

Izdahl felt his energy suddenly dip severely and he struggled to stay in the air. Armando gave him a feral grin. Izdahl laughed softly, defiantly beginning to enjoy himself. He rarely saw Armando this agitated and the architect’s arrogance brought out the mischief in him.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 38

beautiful clockArmando runs out of time to reveal a powerful truth in the way he preferred, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 38. Here’s an excerpt:

A sharp spike of pain flew through Izdahl’s head and he felt his energy falter. He let go of Armando and tried to sit up, as another wave of pain sped through him. He shook his head clear and realized Armando was looking at him with alarm in his eyes.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 36

Izdahl is being especially obnoxious but Armando doesn’t let him get away with too much, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 36. Here’s a portion:

Izdahl cursed, when he realized his arrogant mistake. Armando was right and Izdahl could already feel that his libido was rising, which mainly accounted for how aggressive he’d been. The energy that coursed through him now could sometimes be incredibly difficult to handle. Sex was his preferred way to reduce the tension. But, he’d upset Armando and knew that his lover had a similar level of stubbornness as him. He sighed and resigned himself to suffering through the long night.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 35

Armando remembers more details surrounding the death of his parents in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 35. Here’s a portion:

“When I was in the hospital, someone came to see me,” Armando began. “I’d felt that he shouldn’t have been there. I’d just awoken and he was standing over me. I’d opened my eyes and saw him, he’d smiled. I’d recognized him as the Nitelge who’d grabbed my arm during the night my parents had died. He’d waved a hand over my face and said a few words that sounded like a spell. I’d tried to push him away but then blacked out. For years, every time I’ve tried to describe to others what happened my head would hurt so badly. Eventually, I gave up, thinking I’d just imagined it all.”

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 34

Armando reveals his most traumatic experience to Izdahl. Then, they decide what will be the next step for their relationship, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 34.  Here’s a portion:

Izdahl led Armando up the stairs and ran a bath for his lover, soothing him and then letting him rest. When Armando had fallen asleep, Izdahl stepped out onto the balcony, wondering if it wasn’t time to begin asking more questions about what had happened to Armando’s parents and who was ultimately accountable. The issue remained a festering wound in Nitelge and Human cultures, still used by some as a reason for why the two groups should not interact.