Page 7 of Guardian

“So, what does Kaleb want now?” he asked as he rested against the gazebo’s railing. “Your expression is telling enough.”

My chest rose as I released a deep sigh. “The time has come for a new private guardian. He wants the intel on whoever is being assigned to us.”

Tristan’s lips pressed into a straight line. “I’m not sure I could do that, Alek. Sonia hasn’t mentioned anything. I won’t say there might not be a guardian this time, but it seems unlikely to recruit someone after your past stunts.” He cleared his throat. “From what I’ve heard, the CEG is overflowing with rumors regarding your family. It’s becoming hard to find someone who would accept this job and do it properly— willingly.”

Tristan’s face fell toward me, my gaze quick to meet his buried behind reflective lenses. I was never fond of this topic, but it held much importance to our positions that I couldn’t ignore it for much longer. The rumors continued to spread like wildfire during the driest of seasons, causing any possible life I could have outside these gates to be no different from now.

The thought sparked a trail of fire within my veins, the ashes never fully extinguished, but rather waiting for moments like these.

“Dig for anything that could be retrieved for tomorrow morning and be useful to my brother,” I said, my hands tightening into fists at the thought of what would come if I didn’t fulfill his demand.

“Of course,” he said as he nodded his head, not as a guardian but as my only ally.

“My apologies, Tristan.” The words had a tendency to slip from my lips. It wasn’t used to move past burdensome outcomes but rather convey pure regret to a rigorous act.

Tristan fixed his suit and bowed, his punctual disappearance surpassing the evening guardians’ arrivals. My stiff posture remained, yet my fingers loosened their grip. For a moment, I enjoyed the evening’s tranquil ambiance without the intrusive thoughts of what tomorrow held.

ChapterThree

KATERINA ELI

Even though Lace was the boss, he was so messy.

We spent the rest of the day organizing the paperwork in his office. As his employee, I had no choice but to help since I needed to sign agreements hidden in the mess. As his friend, it was the right thing to do— or whatever he’d typically say to guilt trip me.

It was his excuse to not do all the work.

By the time I made it back to my dormitory, the night had intensified my nerves of excitement. While the familiar discomfort lingered as I packed my belongings into a single suitcase, it didn’t stop me from thinking about tomorrow.

Lace trusted me with one of the hardest jobs the CEG had ever received. I couldn’t disappoint him. I wouldn’t. I made my promise, and those thoughts forced me to stay up through the night. This time, it was my choice, oneshecouldn’t interfere with.

The doctors had said the medication caused sleep paralysis. But even on days I skipped the pills,shemade sure to trap me at night.

By the time light beamed into the room, I had picked up all my belongings and glanced at the stupid, pasty white room. No more hollow feelings. No more untraceable, faint memories. No more punching reminders of being stuck.

With a final flick of my middle fingers at the shitty room, I was off.

Lace waited beside a CEG-assigned taxi in front of the main building, a book bag weighing down his shoulder as his sleepy eyes fell on me.

“You’re late,” he said, whisking the book bag into my arms.

“I’m on time; you just got here earlier.” I eyed the material inside. “Is this all the papers we organized yesterday?”

“Yes, and more. They’re already a handful, and I’m not even their assigned guardian.” Lace shook his head as his fingers rubbed against his temples. “Are you sure you want to leave today? It didn’t have to be so soon.”

“Lace, it’s okay.” I rested a hand on his shoulder. “I’m ready to leave.”

I spoke carefully. While yes, I was bored —maybe a little impatient too— waiting for a job match, I needed to leave. Being stuck in the CEG with my thoughts always circled back to the medicine— toher. I couldn’t tell him, though. I’d be demoted to a guinea pig for testing and more nauseating medication in seconds.

He huffed a sigh, his expression calming with defeat. “Do you have any questions?”

I stared into the book bag, manila folders and white sheets overflowing. “I’ll give you a call if I do.”

He nodded and brought his arms forward, his hands whisking me into his chest. “Please don’t hesitate, especially if something happens.” His warmth heated my skin the deeper he brought me into his embrace. I pushed away before he could hold me tighter, my sight steady on my steps as I motioned into the back seat of the taxi. He shut the door when I settled, his hand rubbing against his nape.

Whenever it was time to send me off, Lace acted like it was his baby's first day at school —a baby who was almost twenty-one— or my first day as a guardian, which I’ve been one for five years now.

Still, I couldn’t help but giggle while I lowered the window. “It’s okay. I made my promise, didn’t I?”

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