Guardians: The Triplex (The Guardians Series, Book 4)

  I enter and find Wolf on the floor with half of his left wing torn off. There’s a chunk of his torso missing. The only thing preventing him from bleeding out is the bandage at his side. The light in his perfect face has dimmed significantly. At this rate if he doesn’t get help, he’ll die.

  For once, Ameana and I are on the same page. She looks up at me with profound sadness. Wolf looks stubborn and unwilling to listen to whatever it is she has been saying to him. He greets me with a small voice.

  “You’re really a centered human to survive the Cray. I would love to feel your Aura sometimes.”

  “Um…sure,” I say, not really understand what his request would entail.

  “Wolf, you have to go back. Isabelle or one of the Twins will go with you,” Ameana says.

  “I gave the team my word. Do you know what happens when you go back on your word? Ever hear of Karma?”

  “You ever hear of an Angel surviving injuries like yours without going to Daraquin to get treated?”

  “I’m not going.”

  “Why are you so damn stubborn?” Ameana shouts, about to lose it completely.

  “She’s right. You need to get help,” I insist.

  “I’ll send the guys for some herbs and healing crystals. There’s got to be some around here.”

  “What about Woe, won’t that help?” I ask.

  “His wounds are too severe for Woe to have any effect,” Ameana replies.

  In the short time that I’ve been in the cave with them, even more light has dimmed from Wolf’s face. As Ameana tried to convince him to go back, I glimpse a familiar expression on the Para’s face. It’s a look that I saw just a moment ago on Marcus.

  Wolf isn’t worried about the mission. He’s worried about who he’s leaving behind…

  “Hey, can I see you for a second?” I asked Ameana. She reluctantly leaves Wolf and follows me outside.

  “What is it?” she demands.

  “Wolf is never gonna agree to go home and leave you here.”

  “Why? I can take care of myself.”

  “Yeah, I get that. But he’s…Wolf. He’s always trying to do the right thing. And leaving the girl he…he’s not going if you’re staying.”

  “You think I should offer to go back with him?”

  “It’s worth a shot.”

  “The team needs my help. They can’t handle Kairo when they’re two Angels down.”

  “We’ll be fine. Once you get to Daraquin, you can always come back. We can’t let anything happen to Wolf, or any of you.”

  She says she needs to run it by Marcus. We head back into the Cob that holds the rest of the team. They discuss it and agree that Ameana should take Wolf back and stay with him. When Ameana tells Wolf she’s going to accompany him home, he tries to hide his smile but everyone sees it. He has it bad for Ameana. Once Ameana saw how pleased Wolf was by the news, she supressed a smile by focusing on fixing his bandage. Although there was nothing wrong with it.

  I swear somewhere behind that wall of perfection and coldness, a girl is falling in love…

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: TIME WITH YOU

  After Ameana and Wolf head back home, I tell Marcus that while I’m not a hundred percent yet, I’m well enough for us to keep going. He takes me to the top of the cliff across from the castle. I hate to admit it but it looks intriguing.

  Castle Relinque looks as though it was carved out of the mountain it sits on. It’s built from some sort of smooth, glossy black stone. It reminds me of something out of a gothic romance novel. It would be a wonderful place to spend the night; well, that is, if a deranged lunatic didn’t live there.

  Although Kairo is the ultimate problem, the immediate issue is the vast lake that separates the castle from the cliff we’re on.

  “I’m a pretty good swimmer, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I tell Marcus.

  “Look at the water carefully.”

  There’s a light reddish hue to the lake I observe.

  “That’s because he’s making a stew,” Marcus says bitterly.

  “What does that mean?”

  “It’s just a morbid joke. Angels call this type of lake a Stew Lake. It’s what we call a body of water with a Vsk at the bottom. And before you ask, a Vsk is a device that takes anything solid and mangles it into chucks. The Council has used it in the past to keep anyone from getting to them.”

  “That’s why the water’s a weird reddish color?”

  “Yes. It’s a mix of the red from human blood and silver from ours.”

  “How do we get around it?”

  “We don’t.”

  “We could fly overhead.”

  “I thought about that. When we were being chased by the Fire Swans, many would fly ahead of us in an attempt to surround us. But as soon as they get here, they’d turn back.”

  “There’s some kind of force field or something?”

  “That’s my guess.”

  “Well, there has to be another way around it.”

  “We’ve watched the Swans, none of them have ever flown past this point. We’ll have to turn around and find a side entrance.”

  “But Isabelle said there wasn’t one,” I protest.

  “There may be one she doesn’t know about.”

  “That’s gonna take some time.”

  “A day or two at least,” he says, filled with despair.

  “Hey, I was thinking about it and maybe if I die, it wouldn’t be that bad. I mean I would get to go to the bridge and choose the Light,” I offer.

  “It doesn’t work like that. If you die as a direct result of the mission, you won’t go into the Light. You won’t go to the bridge, you’ll go straight to limbo. Do you get that? Anything having to do with the mission goes into limbo if it’s killed during that time.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know that.”

  I look down onto the raging liquid death trap below. Marcus and I stay silent for a few minutes. Then I break it because I know it’s time.

  “Marcus—” I begin.

  “Please don’t, Emmy.”

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t tell me some crap about how I have to consider letting you go. For the last time, that’s not gonna happen,” he snaps.

  I don’t say anything. If I open my mouth, we’ll just get into some stupid argument and that’s the last thing I want to do right now.

  However, I think my boyfriend was expecting me to reply. The fact that I choose to remain silent throws him off.

  “Sorry,” he says, once he realizes the effect his tone had on me.

  “It’s alright but we need to talk,” I plead with him.

  “Fine, but not about your death.”

  “It’s okay because I don’t want to talk to my boyfriend about my death either. I want to talk to the First Guardian.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I need you to think like the courageous leader you are and not the guy I’ve come to love. Can you do that?”

  I take his silence as a sign that I should forge ahead with the conversation.

  “Marcus, after Sara died and I retreated from the world, you brought me back. You told me that I couldn’t try and save the world. It was too big a notion to wrap my head around. You said I should focus on the people I know and love. Do you remember?”

  “Yeah, I do,” he says quietly.

  “That’s what I need you to do. I need you to focus on this,” I pull out a Spiderman action figure the size of my finger.

  “What is that?” he asks.

  “I was having nightmares once I went back to my apartment. Ben’s Mom said she could feel how sad and alone I felt. She said Ben could feel it, too. One night when I was babysitting him, he gave this to me. He has a ton of Spiderman stuff but this is his favorite. I asked why he would give it away and he said because I needed a hero.

  “He was right. I do need one. I need a hero to make sure a kid like Ben gets to have a future. I need someone to focus on his perfect little face a
nd protect him from evil. I know you love me. That’s been my saving grace. But Ben is my heart. Be my hero; save him…”

  He sighs heavily and nods, but he can’t bring himself to look at me.

  “I need to hear you say it. I need to hear you say that if we run out of time, you’ll take my life and save the world.”

  “Okay.”

  “Promise me.”

  “Okay.”

  “MARCUS, SAY THE WORDS!”

  “I promise. I will take your life…”

  At first I think he’s just saying what I want to hear. I think about getting Rio so I can tell if he’s really telling the truth, but then he turns to me and I see it right there in his eyes: Marcus Cane is now making decisions as a leader.

  He is no longer my guy protecting the girl he loves. He is now the First Guardian. I believe if the time comes, Marcus Cane will kill me.

  *************************

  Marcus pulls Isabelle towards the back of the cave so the two can try and figure out another way to get into the castle. I swear that girl has read every book ever written in the history of Angel-kind. She references books written by other Angels and tries to figure a possible entrance they may have missed. I watch as the two of them collaborate. It turns out I’m not the only one watching them.

  “Hi, Jay.”

  “Hey, baby girl.”

  “I like her. She is perfect for you.”

  “We just met and you’re trying to make me give my Rah away.”

  “You should.”

  “She is kind of cool.”

  “She lights up when you walk in the room.”

  “That’s because she found someone she could argue with.”

  “She’s seems really special. What would be so bad about the two of you getting together?”

  “Girls and missions don’t go well together.”

  “She can handle herself. You won’t have to save her every few seconds like Marcus has to do with me.”

  “C’mon baby girl, you’ve saved him a few times.”

  “I just buy him a few seconds here and there.”

  “Well whatever you did, you got him hooked.”

  “Jay, how does the team feel about Marcus? Are you guys mad because we fell in love?”

  “Mad or not, it’s done.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “I kind of get Marcus a little more now.”

  “How’s that?”

  “When we were battling and I saw the Swan go after Isabelle…”

  “Awwwwww... My favorite Guardian is falling in love!” I playfully tease him.

  “Hey, slow down okay. I haven’t even introduced her to Siren.”

  “Your car?”

  “Hey, that car and I go way back. If she doesn’t like Isabelle…I’m not sure what kind of future we have.”

  I laugh at him and whisper softly in his ear.

  “Take it from me, Jay, don’t fight it.”

  Just then Rio enters the room and tells us Ameana has texted him. She and Wolf arrived safely in Daraquin. Wolf is on the mend although the injuries were extensive and will take time to heal.

  “Can I ask you something?” Jay says to me.

  “Sure.”

  “How long do you think one being can be committed to another?”

  I turn toward Marcus who is in the corner diligently plotting a strategy to enter the castle.

  “Hopefully forever.”

  *********************

  It takes nearly five hours but finally Marcus and Isabelle come up with a possible way to enter the castle. Jay and I convince them to let the team recharge before we head out. Miku stands guard just outside cave.

  I am about to drift off to sleep when I hear someone call my name. Looking around, everyone in the cave is laying still on the ground. I lay my head back down and assume it was all in my imagination. Then I hear it again. I think it may be Miku. I get up and walk towards her.

  “Emmy, over here,” the voice whispers.

  I look off to the side, a few yards away from Miku and there’s a being standing in the midst of the forest. It calls out my name yet again. I try hard to make out who it is but it’s too dark. The being is tall and wearing light clothing, but for the life of me, I can’t see its face.

  The being signals for me to come over. Normally, I wouldn’t, it could be a Demon. But there is something very familiar about the figure. I slowly walk towards it. When I get close enough to make out who it is, I’m too shocked to do anything other than stare.

  “Reese?”

  The Angel beams at me. I look him over from head to toe and it’s actually him. He’s wearing light casual clothing that makes him look like a perfect J Crew model. His easy smile and warm eyes look back at me. I rush to him and he holds me tightly. Tears fill my eyes. He pulls me away and says he’s missed me.

  “Wait…what are you doing here?”

  “I think what you mean to say is ‘Wow, Reese you’re more handsome than I remember,’”

  “Wait, you’re dead…”

  “Rio was dead. He got another chance. Why shouldn’t I?”

  “They told me there was no way you could come back.”

  “Well, they lied to you. I’m here and I’ve missed you so much,” he says, embracing me again.

  “I’m not dreaming?” I ask.

  “I could pinch you? You know I would enjoy that,” he jokes.

  “How is it you’re alive?”

  “I had something to live for—you.”

  “So, Lucy just let you go?”

  “Let’s not talk about it. Let’s just focus on us.”

  “Wait, don’t you want to talk to the team?” I ask.

  “I can do that later. Right now, I just want to be with you.”

  “Wait, Reese, there’s a lot I have to tell you. A lot has happened while you were …gone.”

  “You mean like you and Marcus becoming a hot item? I heard.”

  “I’m sorry, I really am. I didn’t even know you liked me until—”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “I never meant to hurt you. I love you. I mean, like a friend.”

  “A friend? Wow, you really know how to hurt an Angel, don’t you?”

  “That’s not what I’m trying to do. The whole time you were gone, I’ve thought about what I would say to you if I ever saw you again. And now you’re here and I’m screwing this up.”

  “Relax Em, you’re doing just fine. I know you love Marcus. I get that. I still can’t seem to get over you though.”

  “How can I help? What can I do?”

  “Well, in the morning we’ll all be back to team stuff but I was hoping you would give me one night.”

  “One night to what?”

  “Convince you that you belong with me.”

  “If Marcus and I weren’t…I’m sure I would fall for you. Hard.”

  “But you’re in love with Marcus and there is no changing that,” Reese concludes.

  “I’m sorry. I keep looking back to find the moment when I led you on.”

  “You didn’t lead me on. You’re the sweetest girl I’ve ever met. You have a soul most Angels can only dream of.”

  “It’s just like you to compliment me when I’m standing here telling you I love someone else.”

  “Well, Marcus has had you for almost a year now. I think it’s only fair that I get one night with you; as friends.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Hang out with me for a few hours. I’ve come a long way to be with you,” he pleads.

  “What about the team?”

  “We’ll surprise them in the morning. But for now, I really would love to just spend some time with you.”

  He takes my hand and Blinks me to the edge of a small fishing pond. There are trees and bushes all around us. Unlike Pyron, these trees are serene and tranquil.

  “This is the place you and your family used to go fishing in, back when you were human.”

  “I’m flattered you rem
ember.”

  “Of course I do. You used to drink river water and disappear into this memory.”

  “As often as I could. Now I get to share it with you.”

  He takes his sneakers off and starts walking into the lake.

  “It feels so good; Emmy, you gotta get in here.”

  I shake my head and start to head back towards the shore.

  “Reese, we have to go back. We’re on a mission. We have to—”

  “Don’t do this to me, please. This is the only moment I get with you. Then it’ll be morning and you’ll be his again…”

  The desperation in his voice breaks my heart. I remember him in my room telling me he’s been wanting to kiss me for a long time. I recall him telling me, how when he was human, he stood in his room earnestly learning lines from a poem for girl who was never going to return his love.

  My Reese is back…

  “Just five minutes. That’s all I want. Will you give me that?” he asks.

  I’m so relived that Reese is back in our lives, how can I deny him a few minutes? He looks so happy standing in the water.

  I can put the mission aside for a few minutes, right?

  I run full speed ahead towards Reese. As soon as I reach him he tells me to let go.

  “What?”

  “Emmy, let go,” he repeats.

  Confused, I look up. Reese is gone. The pond is gone. And so is the ground beneath me.

  I am now dangling several feet in the air, alongside the cliff. The red lake roars at me from below as if to say, “The Vsk eagerly awaits you.”

  The only thing that stands between me and a mangled death is a tree branch that’s getting weaker by the moment. I open my mouth to scream but the sound gets caught in my throat fearing it will somehow cause the branch to break.

  Marcus begins his climb down the cliff to rescue me. From above, I see the team looking down at me, horrified. They order me to hold on and not look down. I want to do as they say but my fingers are sweaty making it hard to maintain a good grip on the branch.

  The wind laughs in my ear and whistles a tune dedicated to my demise. I silently beg the branch to ignore the wind and hold steady.

  “I’m almost there. Don’t let go,” he begs me.

  I look up and he’s climbing down to me as fast as he can, but it’s not fast enough. The branch snaps and I plummet to my death…