Veined (A Guardian of the Angels Novel) (10 page)

I stared at the door for minutes after he’d left. A mixture of feelings entwined with my hurt.
Protect me? And from what, exactly?

Finally, I dragged myself into the bathroom where I showered and cleaned my teeth using the pre-packaged collapsible toothbrush and tiny tube of paste I’d found in the cabinet under the sink. Along with shampoo and conditioner, there were little soaps and moisturizers. Even condoms and breath mints.

Thankfully, folded neatly at the end of my bed was a nightgown for me to slip into. It was long, so I guessed it was Cordelia’s. At three-thirty, I finally crawled into bed. For a minute or two I doubted whether I’d be able to fall asleep. Mom, Dad and Jeffrey’s faces circled my head as if on a never ending Ferris wheel ride. At some point, no doubt hypnotized by the looping, I slipped into a deep slumber.

A fresh breeze washed over my face. “Your name’s Sylva, right?” came a brassy female voice.

My head was groggy. I could have slept much longer. I sat up slowly. I’d have to remember to lock the door from now on.
From now on.
Because this was where I lived now. No. More. Family.

I rubbed my eyes. My voice came out hollow. “That’s me.” 

Standing in the open doorway was Blondie from the night before. “I recognize you,” she said. “You were the one ogling at us last night. I would be pissed at you, you know, but since you kinda saved my life, I’ll let it go. Boy, was Attic pissed with those demons. I’ve never seen him act so stupid before. Nearly got us all killed, running to help you like that.”

I pinched my arm to make sure I was awake. “Demons?”

Blondie raised a quizzical brow. “Are you saying you don’t remember five Keres attacking you?”

The attack, yes. They were demons? Should I even be surprised? If there were Angels why wouldn’t there be Demons as well?

Blondie dropped on the bed, making her skirt ride up to mid thigh. Good thing I sat behind her. “As much as I want to, I can’t say I wasn’t impressed. That was some freaky shit you pulled back there. Still. Not complaining. Saved my butt.”

Why did she keep saying that? “But it was you who saved me. That man—demon thing was about to dice me.”

Shaking her head, she laughed. “I was only trying to kill more of them than Attic. He’s been fighting twice as long as I have and is one of the best Guardians in America. It’s a game of mine to beat him. Last night is the closest I’ve gotten, on account of him being so stupid. But I hope you won’t be joining us for any more Outbreaks. While I want to score higher than him, I also want to live.” For the first time she looked me in the eye. “He was
so
stupid.”

I realized almost straight away Blondie didn’t like me. She was there to check me out, evaluate whether I was a threat.
Least of my worries.

“It wouldn’t be the only time Attic’s been stupid,” I said.

“Care to elaborate on that, Lark?” an amused voice tinkered outside my door. Attic came in carrying a duffel bag.

Of course he had to show up at precisely that moment. Annoyance panged in my chest. “Take too long I’m afraid,” I said. “Rain check?”

Attic laughed and dumped the bag onto the bed. “Alyse,” he said, “Albelin’s looking for you.”

“Sure he is.” Blondie stood up and left the room without as much as a glance
back.

Attic waited until she was out of earshot. He pointed to the bag. “Your clothes like I promised.”

“So, wait a second. My family doesn’t remember me, but my room’s still there?”

“No, all your stuff was removed. There are Guardians that deal with that. I got hold of a few things for you, though.”

I dragged the bag over and unzipped it. “Thanks.” I ploughed through the items. He’d been in my home. My room.

Attic ran a hand through his hair and bit his bottom lip. “I wanted to apologize about last night.”

“Wanted? You mean you don’t want to anymore?”

Attic sat in Blondie’s spot. “I
want
to apologize. You had valid questions and I brushed them away. Or fobbed them off to Albelin.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not the first time you’ve done that, Attic.”

His shoulders slumped. “I wanted you to know about your Vein and about us Guardians. I debated telling you anyway, but—” He rubbed his temples.

Although I’d seen everything in my bag, I continued to study the clothes. I sighed. “Turn round a sec?”

Attic’s sneaky smile was back, and I could see him getting ready to say something cheeky. So I clapped him over the head with my jeans. Why did he make me want to laugh? And what type of person would it make me if I did, a day after losing my family?

Attic’s grin disappeared, and he slanted a gaze at me. Empathetic. Intense. Too
. . . kind.

I hauled myself and some clothes into the bathroom.
Please be gone when I come out. Please.

When I’d dressed, I cracked open the bathroom door and looked out. Still there. I yanked the door wide open and grabbed the black sneakers by the door that I’d come here with. I needed a walk.

Attic said nothing until I started tying them up. “Alyse told you about the demons, then, huh?”

And then, because my curiosity couldn’t be corked, no matter what my emotional state, “She said you were stupid to save me. Why did you do it?”

“Alyse exaggerates.” He closed his eyes. “It was a little risky, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Besides, it’s my job to look out for you.”

Oh. That was all.

Attic peeked out the corner of his eye. “What else did she tell you?”

I ruffled through the bag once more for my parka. “Um
. . . She said I did
something
, that I saved her.”

Attic’s sigh stopped my search and I looked at him. He’d maneuvered himself so his back leaned against the wall, his legs crossed. He’d even taken his shoes off. “How did you do that
. . . so fast?” Incredible.

“That impresses you, does it?”

I refused to say anything.

“Would it impress you more if I told you the only thing sometimes faster than me is the wind?”

“Really?” Dammit. I should be wallowing. Not becoming fascinated by what Attic could do.

“Ah-ha. That’s the first bit of interest you’ve shown in me.”

I jerked my face toward him, frowning.
That wasn’t true.

“Isn’t it? What’s my full name then, Lark?”

His name? I slumped down on the bed at his feet and searched the duffel bag. Other than his predisposition for pretty girls, I didn’t know anything about—I stared at his intense blue eyes. My insides plummeted.
My God, Attic. You can read my thoughts, can’t you?

CHAPTER 11

ATTIC HELD MY
gaze, a shrewd smile playing at his lips
.
“Clear as crystal.”

My stomach fluttered and I looked away, continuing to search for my parka.

“So, you hear everything?” I wasn’t entirely sure what my reaction should be. One part of me was horribly embarrassed, and yet another part wanted to know what
he
’d thought, listening in.

My fingers brushed against something cool. I pulled it out with my parka. Two small envelopes on my cell blinked at me.

“I can tune in and out at will.”

“So,” I said, irritation chimed in my voice, “why didn’t you tune out with me?”

Attic didn’t answer, just stared at me as I zipped up my jacket. “Where are you going?”

“If you can read my mind you’ll know exactly where I’m going. And if you’re as fast as you claim to be, you’ll get there quicker than I will.”

I made my way to the parking lot, crossed it, and trudged through the shrubs lining the road. The wind, a cold refreshing breath, lifted my hair and energized me better than my sleep had. When the thick pine started, I weaved my way through the trees, sticking to the fringe of the woods.

There was a rustling ahead and out from behind a large pine stepped Attic, shaking a finger at me. “‘Walking in the woods’ isn’t exactly a clear destination,” he said, moving closer. “Lucky for me I know you’re smarter than to rush deep into the unknown, otherwise I may not have found you.”

Okay. Attic had definitely proven he was fast. “That was kind of the point.”

“I would have been faster,” he said with a smirk, “but I made a little detour first.” Attic opened the bulging satchel hanging from his side and pulled out a small white container. “Thought you might like some breakfast. Go on.”

I took it and opened the lid. “You made this?” The pancakes and crispy bacon smelled good. My mouth watered.

“Nope, that was Albelin. I’m just the bringer of nutrition.” Attic stood slanted against a tree, and raised a brow, as if expecting me to say something.

“What? I don’t see why I have to tell you anything anymore.” I nestled myself on the ground, leaning back on a tree. “You can just read my thoughts.”

“It’s better if you say it aloud. I’d like to actually hear you say it.”

I gritted my teeth. “Thank you, Attic, for bringing me something to eat.”

He sat against the tree across from me. “You’re welcome, little Lark.”

Apart from a slight whistling of the wind in the trees, it was silent while I ate. The bacon was still warm and the maple syrup made my fingers all sticky. I used a dewy leaf to wipe them clean.

Attic studied a small spider that had landed on the back of his hand. I watched him carefully place it on the tree trunk. Nice that he didn’t kill it.

He looked up and smiled. Did all Guardians read minds? Would that be something I’d be able to do, too?

“Yes, but you won’t be able to do it for years. You grow into your powers.”

Oh. “So, what did I do last night to scare off the demons?”

Attic drew a finger across his brow as if considering his answer. “I don’t know exactly. Not just yet, anyway. But you’re strong, that I’m sure of.”

“What do you mean, ‘strong’?”

“Guardians are graced with different talents. Most of them aren’t much more than a particular ability with a weapon. Alyse, for example, is very good with knives. But some of us have additional powers.”

“Like you with your speed?”

“We are all fast. The older you get the stronger and faster you become.”

“So Albelin would beat you in a race, huh?”

“He wishes.” Attic made a small gap between his thumb and index finger. “He’s only a little older than me, and his ability lies more with healing, than fighting.”

Wow. Attic either aged really well, or Albelin would look middle-aged before he hit thirty.

Attic chuckled. “It’s not like that. As a Guardian you can live forever. Well, as long as you don’t get killed in battle of course.”

I swallowed. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to know the answer to my next question, but the words slipped from my mouth. “How old are you?”

“At the end of the month, it’ll be one hundred and forty-two years since I became a Guardian.”

Air rushed into my lungs and I coughed. “
Hundred
? But you look—”

“I was seventeen when I officially became a Guardian, Lark. We don’t age once that happens.” So I’d also stay seventeen the rest of my life?

I didn’t realize I was shaking until Attic slipped out of his leather jacket and draped it over my parka. “Yes, you will.” He tucked the sleeves behind my back. “It’s a lot to take in at first, but it gets easier.”

Why did he have to be so nice? It might be a bit easier if he pissed me off. Better to deal with his annoyingness than
this
.

I fumbled in my jacket pocket and pulled out my cell. Jason had called and Maddy had texted. And I hadn’t thought about them until now. But they were the only friends I had. Would they still remember who I was? Or had they been Lethed, too?

Attic picked himself off the ground, pulling a stray leaf from his hair. “Not yet. I need to be within a few hundred feet to Lethe them.”

I jumped up. “Don’t. Attic, please. I just don’t think I could handle it if I lost anyone else.”

“Sorry. I’ll be Lething them later. You won’t be going back to school, you’ll start your training. Here.”

But I’d just lost so much, I couldn’t
. . .
Not them, too.
Maddy and Marcus with their lightheartedness and sincerity. And Jason. Darn we hadn’t spent anywhere near enough time together. They were too much to lose. “No. You won’t do it. I won’t
allow
it.”

“I have to do it, understand. You need to train, so you can defend yourself and, I’m sorry, but eventually you’ll lose your friends anyway. They’ll wonder why you never get old and
. . . It just has to be done, okay?”

“No, you can’t lethe them. I’ll
. . .I’ll . . .you just can’t Lethe them.”

“Lark, you’re not strong enough. I can’t lose you like I nearly
. . .” His adam’s apple jutted out as he swallowed. “You’re too vulnerable there.”

I rested my head in my palms, scrunching my hair with my fingertips. “I’ll just run away if you do it. I don’t care how dangerous it is.”

“Dammit, Lark.” Attic gripped my upper arms. “Grow up. You’ll make new friends.” He let go, but his mouth paused at my ear. “And new boyfriends. Before you think it, yes, even better than Jason.” His venomous tone at Jason’s name sent shivers down me, but they weren’t all bad shivers. I frowned and stuffed the thought away for another time.

“Who ranks higher here? Who’s on top?”

Attic thrust his fist into the tree behind me and I flinched. “Just get over it.” But his reaction told me there might be a chance.

Albelin’s curly black hair swayed slightly, his posture a signature of resignation
. He sighed and looked at Attic. Soft and tired, his voice sounded pained. “Cordelia and I agree. Sylva’s in danger wherever she is. You’re right that she needs to be trained, but she’ll only learn if she co-operates.”

Attic went to interrupt, but Albelin held up a hand and Attic immediately sealed his lips. He turned to me. “You’re right. I don’t take disagreeing with Attic lightly.”

Attic struggled to keep his cool. He kept repeating my safety was top priority. Guilt knocked heads with my grief. But it didn’t stand a chance. I didn’t want to create any tension between him and Albelin, but I needed to keep my friends. He was standing in my way.

“Fine,” Attic muttered.

“Attic, you don’t have to go,” Albelin said. “Consider your job done. I’ll send Alyse or Toby to accompany her to school.”

“Not for a second,” Attic said, in a voice that dared anyone to disagree with him. Albelin jerked in surprise and looked at Attic as if analyzing a stranger. Eventually he faced me.

“Sylva, your friends will be lethed to believe you are adopted and live here with other adopted teenagers. I reserve the right to change my mind about you attending school at any time, but I will give you an explanation first if this is necessary.” Albelin paused, as if to read a mental list of all the points he had to cover. “Trainings are weekdays from eight to twelve and all day Saturdays. And your friends are to come here after school. Any other meeting point has to be discussed prior, and a Guardian must always be present.”

Attic mumbled something I didn’t catch, snatched a pancake from a pile by the stove and left. Albelin slouched, looking like he’d just kicked his friend and was sorry for it. Which he had and probably was.

“He’s the best we’ve got,” Albelin said, his eyes darkening. “We need him to fight our Outbreaks while we have him. Don’t do anything reckless.”

I nodded. “Ah, what’s an—”

“An Outbreak, Sylva, is what we call it when a group of demons manage to force their way onto Earth. Their goal is to open a gateway for the Derinyes Queens.” Albelin leaned forward and his next words sent a shiver down my spine. “Because once they do that it’s all out war between Eirene and Ache, or as you know them, Heaven and Hell.”

Albelin made good on his promise. When I asked him if Jason could come over that night for our Saturday night date, all he did was smile and ask whether Jason would prefer blueberry or pumpkin muffins.

At seven o’clock, Jason’s Smart entered the parking lot—mighty out of place next to all the BMWs, Porsches and Mercedes, but a better match to the façade of the motel.

I’d dolled myself up with a soft purple top that laced up at the sides, a short black skirt with stockings
, and kick-ass leather boots Attic had packed.
From home.
I swallowed, stifling the sigh in my throat.

“You look amazing,” Jason said, slipping a hand around my waist and drawing me closer. “I missed you. I hated that I couldn’t come to the Steakhouse with you guys yesterday.”

That was only yesterday? Felt like weeks ago.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Even if my world was spinning so fast I wasn’t sure I’d ever regain my balance, I was determined not to let it change what I had with Jason. He was sweet, and he liked me a lot. And, whether or not it was right, I needed someone close, to hold me while I was still processing the last twenty-four hours.