Page 37 of Guardian

“Why the sudden change of heart?” I pointed at Mr. Amelle. “You were a part of Kaleb’s scheme not too long ago.” Then I pointed at Alek as I stood up. “And you allowed everything to happen!”

“It’s not as if either of us had a choice,” Alek said through gritted teeth, “Kaleb’s authority is beyond Tristan’s and I’s. To go against him is as though asking for an excruciating punishment.”

“So why do it now?”

Alek widened his mouth, but Mr. Amelle spoke instead, “Ms. Eli—”

“Katerina is fine.” Alek and I continued to keep our glares on each other, the tension in the air sharpening until it poked at my skin.

“Katerina,” Mr. Amelle repeated. “Surely, you’ve heard of the turmoil regarding the Two-Species Treaty and the disappearances of a Regal Family. Two incidents allow a perfect opening for Kaleb to slither through. If he was to uncover any information that could harm the Ministry, Bureau, and even the CEG—”

“It’ll be chaos,” I interrupted, the sudden realization sinking.

I froze in place as I took it all in. If there was any dirt against the CEG, then everything that Lace had worked for would crumble.

He was always one to protect me, no matter the circumstances. I had to do the same.

“Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll be your ally as long as I don’t do anything that goes against the CEG’s guardian code.”

Alek pulled his gaze away. “We can’t make any promises.”

* * *

By the time I exited the graveyard, Alek and Mr. Amelle were long gone. Only one thing stayed in my mind during my time alone.

What did I get myself into?

The hairs on the back of my neck suddenly rose, and I paused before the second gate. An outline blurred past me as my body whirled toward it. Musk drowned the air, harsh footsteps vibrating against the ground as broad shoulders overshadowed me. Skin deeper than ochre covered my sight, and I met familiar, soft amber eyes that compelled me to jump on him.

“Lorenzo!”

“I’ve missed you, Nina,” said Lorenzo Devon, his voice low and gruff. He let go of my weight, and my feet landed on the ground. I tilted my head to catch a full view of him. Everything about him was the same. From the shaved head to the cut in his right eyebrow to his sharp grin. He’d been stationed at posts like crazy for the past few months. Now he was here, which meant. . .

Lorenzo drew a metal suitcase in front of me. “Don’t think Lace didn’t warn me about your non-feeding habits.”

“It’s not a habit,” I said as I gripped it. “It was a mistake.”

He wrapped an arm around my neck and brought me to his chest, his free hand rubbing against the top of my head. “‘Cause of that, you owe me two laps.”

I tried to pull away from his force, but his muscles pushed me deeper into his suit. “But! You just got here!”

“There are no buts, Nina,” Lorenzo said as he dragged me away. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Act Two

ChapterTwelve

ALEK SEPHTIS

Vampires were once believed to be a myth, beings that encompassed the doctrines of temptation and mystery. Folklores depicted us as walking corpses with fangs that desired human blood and obtained it by preying upon innocent victims. While many characteristics became outdated due to our assimilation into society, a few bared true, such as our sensitivity to the sun, heightened abilities, and cold temperatures.

However, one element overlooked by humans was our perception of time. It mentally differed due to our sharper senses. For us, human seconds spanned like minutes, and minutes stretched into daunting hours. Time slipped through humans’ fingers akin to water, quick and easy. The same could not be said for vampires.

Under this household, guardians were punctual— except for one. It irked my skin as my patience thinned.

Ms. Eli was a whisper in the fixed air when she stepped inside, her presence and scent untraceable. It was unnerving sharing the household with a guardian we couldn’t track. Yet, it proved to be in our favor as she could easily sneak into any crevices.

She settled onto her pew, piercing forest green eyes steady on mine. She bore no surrender to our continuous stare. No mask to bind her as a guardian. Ms. Eli’s true self hardened her narrowing gaze.

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