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

  “You want me to break up with her?”

  “No, it wouldn’t work. She’d never believe all of a sudden you just don’t love her.”

  “You’re right. She’d never buy it. Damn it!” I shout, smashing my foot through the headlights of the nearest parked car.

  Julian is in deep thought. Suddenly, he looks up at me as if a light bulb has gone off in his head.

  “Marcus, you have to make her worst fear come to life.”

  “Which is?”

  “You and Ameana.”

  “What?”

  “You have to get back with your ex. It’s the only thing you can do to secure Emmy’s future.”

  I can actually feel the happiness being drained from me. My getting back with Ameana would crush Emmy, but it’s also the best way to convince evil that Emmy no longer means anything to me.

  “Julian, I can’t…”

  He tells me how sorry he is that things have to be that way. I can barely make out what he’s saying. My only focus now is the beautiful girl in the window waiting for me.

  Julian walks off and leaves me standing in the same spot: Across the street from the only girl I love. I should have been at her door half an hour ago. It’s only a matter of time before she calls me and asks why I’m late.

  I think maybe I should chance it. Maybe Lucy won’t come after her. In that moment, I am blissful. In that moment, I run across the street and hold her. We spend a night sharing our passions, secrets and dreams. She runs her fingers through my wings and her touch brings with it a state of pleasure so pure, it moves the heavens.

  Then I think: what if Lucy does go after her? Lucy has lost the map in other Cycles but this is the first one where the clue is a human. Julian’s right; it’s not in the nature of evil to forgive. There’s no telling what she would do to Emmy. To make matters worse, I keep hearing Julian’s voice in my head:

  “What happens when you’re gone?”

  That question is the reason why I don’t run over to see her. That question is the reason why I don’t pick up my cell when it rings, and the reason I’m about to cruelly push away everything I’ve ever wanted.

  ***********************

  “Are you busy?” I ask awkwardly, standing in the doorway of her room. She turns and faces me.

  “What is it?”

  “I was wondering if we could talk.”

  “I guess.”

  I enter Ameana’s room and close the door behind me.

  “What ever he’s about to ask, it’s really important to him so make him suffer,” Rio shouts from his room.

  “Stop reading my Wave and mind your business,” I shout back. Ameana smiles despite herself.

  “Could I get rich off this favor you’re about to ask? If so, we may have to stop off in Paris before we go back to the Light.”

  “You can’t take these clothes with you. You’d only wear them for a few days.”

  “A few minutes in couture will satisfy a girl for a lifetime,” she informs me.

  I laugh at her. She smiles back at me. She hasn’t done that in months. For a few moments I replay what we were like in the beginning. Ameana and I were opposites that complemented each other. Then over time we just became…opposites.

  Still, there is nothing on earth or in the Light more radiant than Ameana Jones. Her smile illuminates every room she enters. I always wished she’d smile more. But even stone cold serious, there’s an effortless grace in the way she does just about everything.

  “I need to ask you for a favor,” I hear the words coming out of my mouth yet I still can’t believe what I’m about to ask.

  “What’s the favor?”

  “I realized even without the Triplex, evil will always be on the hunt for Emmy.”

  “Well, evil has never been good at losing so…yeah.”

  “The only way I can guarantee that evil doesn’t come after her is to make everyone believe she no longer matters to me. That way they won’t hurt her in retaliation.”

  “Okay…” she says, not sure where the conversation is headed.

  “In order to do that, we have to break up.” The words are so heavy they drop to the center of the room.

  “What does this have to do with me?” she asks.

  “Knowing Emmy, she’d see past whatever it is I say. She’d know that I was breaking up with her to protect her. At this point my words wouldn’t be enough. She would need to see proof that I no longer love her.”

  “Marcus, what are you asking?”

  “I need you to pretend to get back together with me.”

  “Unbelievable,” she says, clearly pissed.

  “I know it’s crazy, but it’s the only way Emmy will buy that I suddenly don’t want her anymore. We’re only here for a few more days. It’s not like I could fall in love with another girl in that time. The only thing she’d buy is that I went back to you.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  “Ameana, this is the only way to save her from danger in the future.”

  “I’m going to say this slowly so that you understand each and every word that comes out of my mouth. I. Don’t. Give. A. Damn. About. Emmy.”

  “What about me? Do you still care about me?”

  “How dare you try and use my feelings for you. You’re such an ass!”

  “I know I have no right to ask this. If there was any other way…”

  “No, Marcus. I’m not getting back with you to save your girlfriend. I think I’ve given up more than enough to Emmy and you.”

  “You’re right. You shouldn’t have to do this. But I’m hoping you will anyway.”

  “Why? Are you going to order me to pretend to get back with you?”

  “No.”

  “Good, then we’re done here,” she says, turning her back to me. As I reach for the doorknob, I turn around and address her one last time:

  “When we’re gone, Lucy could take her easily. She could be on her way to school, in her bed sleeping. Suddenly, she’s being set on fire or ripped apart limb by limb or drowning in a pool of her own blood in some alley. Why? Because she loved the wrong guy.”

  “Marcus, what you’re asking me to do crosses the line.”

  “I love her, Ameana. There are no lines.”

  “I’m sorry, Marcus.”

  I nod slightly and close the door behind me.

  Now in the living room, I think back to when I first met her. She had her hair in a messy ponytail and wore an ill-fitted “Piglet” T-shirt. I was cold and rude to her, all the while wanting to spend the rest of my days looking into her eyes.

  The thought of her dying on earth alone causes a sharp pain to run across my chest. I can’t stop the images from coming to me. I see her in my head, broken, bloody, and still.

  “Okay, I’ll do it,” Ameana says behind me. I turn and find her standing in the living room looking unhappy but settled.

  “Really?” I ask.

  “I’ll pretend to get back with you.”

  I run up to her and embrace her tightly. Had she been human I would definitely have injured her. She pulls away.

  “Don’t do that,” she says softly. She reads the confusion on my face.

  “This is just pretend. I need you to remember that.”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Good,” she clears her throat.

  “Thank you so much.”

  “Whatever,” she says, unable to look me in the eye.

  “I don’t want to mess this arrangement up, but I think you should talk to Wolf.”

  “We’re not going out.”

  I roll my eyes.

  “Well your ‘not’ boyfriend will want to know anyway.”

  *****************

  I discussed the plan with the rest of the team. While they thought it was cruel to betray Emmy, they understood that it was in her best interest.

  “Rio, she’s gonna come to you and ask if I am hiding something.”

  “You want me to lie?”

  “It’s fo
r her own good.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “I need you guys to find I.M. Trouble and have him write about Ameana and I being back together. It needs to be front page of the Splash. That way everyone will know.”

  “Yeah, I’m on it,” Jay assures me.

  The team must have felt my apprehension because they begin to reassure me.

  “It’s what has to be done,” Jay says.

  “Emmy deserves a normal life after everything that’s happened. You’re giving that to her. That’s a good thing,” Miku adds.

  “The worst part is what I have to do next…” I tell them my plan.

  “You’re really going to do that?” Rio says.

  “Yeah, she’ll hate me but that way we can sell the story better.”

  “How will you feel about her hating you?” Miku asks.

  “It’s fine,” I lie. No one buys it.

  “Did Ameana tell Wolf her plans yet?” Jay asks.

  “She’s on the roof talking to him right now.”

  As soon as I say the words, we hear a very irate rocker Angel shouting from the rooftop.

  “WHAT??? THAT’S SO NOT RIGHTEOUS!!!”

  We head up to the roof. I’m not sure if we went up to make sure Ameana was okay or if we just wanted to spy. Judging by the way we were all careful not to interrupt them, I’m thinking we were spying more than anything.

  The two of them are on the other side of the roof. They’re too deep in conversation to realize, or care, that we are there. Wolf is pacing back and forth as his wings rage against the sky.

  “This isn’t about me and Marcus,” she insists.

  “Everything you do is about Marcus,” he protests.

  “Look, I know it’s a strange situation but—”

  “Pretending to get back with your ex, who you aren’t over, is not strange. It’s stupid.”

  “I’m over Marcus.”

  “Please, you walk around like an open wound.”

  “Wolf, I’m trying very hard not to throw you off the roof. Help me by not being such a pain.”

  “Me? Because of you, all my Chakras are out of line!”

  “Well, put them back in line and control yourself. I told you we’re only pretending.”

  “See, okay. There goes my Yin. And wait, yeah. There goes my Yang. Now both Yin and Yang—unbalanced.”

  “You’re doing it to yourself.”

  “No, you’re doing it to me. This whole time, all I have wanted is you. And now I see you don’t want me. You want Marcus. You will always want Marcus.”

  “That’s not true! Not anymore.”

  “Really? How the hell am I supposed to know you want me? Huh? You act like we aren’t together. You won’t let me save your life. You won’t even return my calls. How am I supposed to know—”

  Ameana shuts him up by wrapping her arms around his shoulders and giving him a big, long, deep kiss.

  The team cheers and makes crude remarks.

  “It’s about damn time,” Jay says.

  “How’s your Yin and Yang now?” Rio asks.

  “Leave some for me,” Miku yells out to her best friend.

  Wolf picks his Angel up and flies away with her, never once breaking from the kiss.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THE ANOMALY

  They next morning, I find Emmy has called me several times. I call her back and brace myself.

  “Hey.”

  “Marcus! Where were you? I was gonna come find you but Ben’s mom needed me to babysit at the last minute. Is everything okay?” she asks frantically.

  No, I’m about to break you heart and in turn break mine. And I would fight Lucy all over again if it meant that I didn’t have to do what I’m about to do.

  “Yeah, I’m good.”

  “Why didn’t you come over?”

  “Something came up.”

  “Is the team okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s just some stuff I had to take care of.”

  “You sound weird. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah…”

  “I’m coming over.”

  “No, everything’s fine. Don’t come over, okay? I’ll see you later.”

  “But—”

  “Please, Emmy. Don’t come.”

  I hang up before she can protest more. Rio comes up to the roof and stands alongside me.

  “You told her not to come?” he asks.

  “The only way I can get her here is to tell her to stay away,” I reply.

  “Guess you have it all figured out.”

  “Yeah, I’m a freaking genius,” I spit out bitterly.

  I head to my room where Ameana is waiting. She was able to get Wolf to agree to the plan. The two of them are going to be low-key until we get into the Light. It’s been a few hours since her and Wolf became unofficially “official.” Strands of her hair is glowing.

  “Wow, that good, huh?” I ask her.

  “What are you talking about?” she says, playing coy.

  “I’m glad you have someone. He’s different but he’s a good guy.”

  “That doesn’t mean it will end well.”

  “Doesn’t mean it won’t.”

  “He wants me to take yoga.”

  I burst out laughing and she playfully pushes me away.

  “Can I get pictures of that?” I ask.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Wolf has no idea what he’s in for.”

  “Everyone thinks I’m a handful, but what about the Angel who stops in the middle of an argument to find his Chakra?”

  The more she talks, the harder I laugh.

  She looks out the window and tells me Emmy is on her way upstairs.

  “Okay.”

  “You sure about this?” she asks.

  I can’t bring myself to talk. I can only clear my throat and nod.

  Ameana goes over to the door and leaves it slightly ajar.

  We hear Emmy’s footsteps as she makes her way up the stairs. Even though I know this has to happen, a very real part of me hopes she can see through this scheme. I hope she knows that I love her even with what I’m about to do.

  I hear her call out my name as she heads down the hallway towards us. I pull Ameana close. Emmy opens the door. She finds me and Ameana in the middle of an all-consuming kiss.

  Her jaw drops. Her body shakes uncontrollably. She gasps as if someone is ripping the very breath from her lungs. The tears spring to her eyes like a tidal wave of pain.

  She’s trying to make sense of the picture before her. But no matter how she puts the pieces together, the picture is still the same. She lets out a whimper like a kitten who’s just been brutally kicked. She looks at me, silently begging for an explanation.

  “I’m sorry” are the only words I can choke out.

  She runs out the door. I follow her. She heads to the roof, I’m right behind her.

  “Why?” she pleads.

  “I don’t know why.”

  “TELL ME WHY!” she screams, as she shakes with rage and confusion.

  “I thought I stopped loving her, but I was wrong,” I lie.

  “You love her?”

  “Yes.”

  “You don’t love me anymore?”

  “No.”

  “Did you ever love me?”

  “I thought I did in the beginning.”

  “And now?”

  “No, I don’t love you.”

  She gasps for air, she can’t breathe. I run over to her and take her hand. She violently brushes my hand away.

  “DON’T TOUCH ME!!!”

  “I’m sorry. I should have told you I still had feelings for her. I thought they would stop eventually.”

  “Go away,” she whispers.

  “Emmy. I’m—”

  “GO AWAY! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!” she shrieks loudly, as she pounds her fists into my chest.

  I fight the desire to take her into my arms and hold her. Then I force myself to do the impossible: I walk away from the only p
erson who has made me feel alive since my death.

  I look over my shoulder and see her crumple onto the floor of the roof. Her sobbing causes her small frame to rock back and forth. I think about going back to her and telling her the truth.

  This is for her, Marcus. Walk away because you love her. She deservers better than being hunted all her life…

  As I open the door to go downstairs, an unnatural darkness takes over the once blue sky. Somehow I know what was happening even before I feel it on my skin.

  The blue raindrops hit the palm of my hand. I look up and all of New York City is bathed is blue rain. For the first time in the history of man and Angel kind, a human has drained the blue from the sky.

  I didn’t just break Emmy’s heart; I took what was left of her world…

  ********************************

  I should have gone to the Green Mountains. I should have left earth entirely but I couldn’t. I had to stay and make sure the whole Angel world knew that Ameana and I were back together. The truth is what Angels know, Demons know. And I need every Demon to know and report back to Lucy that Emmy and I are done. That way she will finally get some much needed peace.

  There’s another reason why I don’t leave New York City: I need to look in on her. The others said they would do it for me, but it’s not the same thing. I needed to see with my own eyes that she’s okay. And of course, she isn’t.

  I swallow “No See” Snaps so I can be invisible and look in on her. It pains me to see her and know what I’ve done. So why can’t I stay away? Why am I glued to the one place that causes me so much anguish?

  It’s been two days since the blue rain. Every human is talking about the day it rained a color. Scientists from all points of the globe have descended on New York City to study what they call “an anomaly.” Even Angels are fascinated by it. Although they now know the story of Isis and Demetri was a true, it’s still an amazing sight to behold in their lifetime.

  Luckily it only lasted a few hours. Had Emmy caused it to rain longer, I’m not sure what we could have done to make the rain stop. I don’t want her to suffer the same fate as Isis. The Sage admits even he didn’t know a human could make that happen. But then again, Emmy isn’t like any other human I know.

  The Splash talked about the blue rain but that was after they spent several pages talking about Ameana and I reuniting. We have made the front page of the Splash. I suspect we will be there for some time.