Page 22 of Guardian

“That’s good news,” Kaleb declared. “If they raise the matter, then the Ministry has no choice but to admit to it and to dispose of That Man from his position as Premier. Your father will then be able to take his chair, and we’ll all receive what we’ve been striving for.”

“It can’t work like that,” Bethany swiftly mentioned. “Humans want to withdraw from the Two-Species Treaty. For the past decade, they’ve been itching for a way to overthrow our species. This would be the perfect motive to not only dismember the Ministry but be rid of us all through war.”

“So, what are we to do?” Noah said, his body slouching into his chair while the back of his hand met his forehead. “Oh, Bethany, if you accept me right here and now, I’ll walk you to the altar myself.”

“What a shit-show,” I whispered to myself.

A fragrant scent brushed against my nostrils, pulling me away from all the other ones. While the varying smells were sharp copper, this one was sweet. Flowery. I’d smelled it the day of the incident. But right now, it was strong enough to pull me toward it.

Anabella’s voice stopped me from moving. “No need to make rash decisions. You have about two months to decide on what will work in our favor.”

“Of course,” Christopher said, his tone unchanging. “I will advise that we take up all the time we are gifted. You all must endure your mothers for the time being.”

“They will grow silent once you’ve made your choice,” Davina said while a sharp grin hinted at her expression.

The hairs on my nape rose, my body turning to where they pointed as a faint scent met my side. A boy halted before me, my gaze quick to analyze the features that I’d seen in pictures. My stomach twisted as a sneer hinted across Jacque’s face.

Or was it Jacob?

A swift motion brushed against my clothes and hovered behind me. I was only able to steal a glimpse at the boy who looked like Jacob —or Jacque— with a blank face.

Guardian mode overcame my body, but I remained still. Where had they come from? I hadn’t sensed them, not even their scents. Had they been hiding this whole time?

Both met me in height, the tips of their heads slightly lower than my forehead. Their builds, on the other hand, were half of mine, as they were swallowed by their clothes. But the twin behind me proved his strength as he pulled at my wrists.

The twin in front of me tilted his head. “Brother’s going to be very pleased with our discovery.”

I couldn’t risk reacting. The thought of attacking another brother chilled my bones. Even if I itched to twist out of the twin's hold as he pushed me toward the living room.

A burst of pressure exploded on my back, forcing my knees to the ground. The other twin wrung his fingers through my hair and angled my head up. The sharp pain throbbed against my skull. “Brothers, may I be granted permission to speak?”

I studied the room, bright purple walls and deep green chairs conquering my sight. The center chandelier was similar to the one in the foyer, but instead of forming an ‘S,’ it dangled into a diamond, and shined against the dark wood and gold Gothic accents all round.

Unlike other guardians who had light sensitivity, I didn’t. But somehow, this room burned my eyes.

But what caught my attention was how swiftly Kaleb yanked Catalina from his lap and jumped onto his feet. “What do we have here, little brothers?”

“Jacque, speak at once!” Noah said as he bounced in his chair like a little boy with free candy. “I must know what’s occurring before us immediately!”

“What the bloody hell is that?” Davina spat, her eyebrows creasing as they met.

“Our new private guardian,” Jacque began, “was eavesdropping on us.”

A sharp ache echoed through my bones, my mask dissolving before I could stop it. “No, I wasn’t! You’re wrong.”

“Is that a protest from your guardian?” Bethany questioned with distaste lingering in her tone.

“Yes, well, they’re all pests regardless of how effectively they follow instructions, don’t you think?” Kaleb asked as his body neared, his movements sly as a snake. “But you must admit, when one breaks the rules, it becomes rather intriguing.”

“I wasn’t breaking any rules,” I said, quick to defend myself in this state. “Mr. Amelle ordered me to stand guard during your meeting. I was doing my job.”

Screeching laughter bounced against the walls, Noah rising from his chair with a broad, upturned smile. “Oh, dragging another guardian into this mess, I see! Such dirty play, I must admit.”

“Yes, truly.” Kaleb paused before me and crouched, Jacque letting go of my hair. “And such a transparent lie at that.”

“I’m not lying,” the words slipped through gritted teeth, the tingling sensation along my hairline growing uncomfortable.

“Tristan would never tell a guardian to hover around confidential meetings,” a new, serious voice stated. The shadow beside Davina moved forward, revealing deep brown hair and a dark gaze that met mine. They were an abyss that only the fourth brother, Alek, possessed.

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