by G. K. DeRosa
“How could you have let her escape again?” asked Fabian furiously, his towering figure looming over Magnus.
“I’ve already explained it to you. Roman and Nico appeared, and as you had forbidden me to kill them or her, it was unlikely I would have been able to get her out of a crowded party without drawing unnecessary attention,” said Magnus.
“He’s incompetent just like the rest of them,” said Alek contemptuously.
Magnus leapt at Alek with his fangs bared and rage in his wild eyes, “I could snap your neck like a twig, boy. Don’t tempt me.”
Though Magnus was a full head taller than Alek, he casually stepped away from him completely unflustered. Then with a voice dripping in sarcasm asked, “What are you going to do to remedy this situation?”
“I will go back for her, and bring her to you as promised.”
“That may be easier said than done,” said Fabian, “especially now that they will be more cautious after your last failed attempt.”
“I have a much less subtle tactic in mind this time,” Magnus said, black eyes blazing.
***
Celeste, sweaty after her impromptu workout, sat at the bay window taking in the warm summer breeze as dusk began to set in. As she gazed out into the darkening sky, she felt that newly familiar, ominous sensation come over her and saw a winged creature alighting in the oak tree outside. Another question that she had been meaning to clarify with Roman was becoming clearer now. The falcon peered intently at her, blue eyes questioning. Celeste stood up and feeling rather silly, signaled for the creature to come in. It flew in, and in the blink of an eye had transformed back into his human form. Celeste plopped down on her bed taking a moment; imagining a bird turning into a man and seeing it were two entirely different things.
“I’m sorry to stop by unannounced, but you didn’t answer any of my calls,” Roman said.
“Sorry, but I was busy,” she said haughtily. “So it’s been you in the tree for weeks?”
“Yes,” he admitted.
“But that was before we had even met.”
“Celeste, there’s a bit more to the story than what I have told you so far,” he said nervously. “The truth is that one of the reasons that Nico and I moved back to Oak Bluffs was you, well the Guardian, I mean. One of our oldest family friends, Stellan, he used to be on the Council, and he knew that the new Guardian was to be chosen. As I told you, my mother, before being turned into a vampire, had also been part of the Council and had always kept an eye on the hunter families. When you first met Nico, and he told you that he had met some Wilders years ago, he wasn’t kidding. As your father said, you come from a very long line of hunters.”
Celeste nodded and let him continue.
“Stellan had been in the habit of letting us know whenever a new Guardian was to be chosen, and we would generally stay away. But this time it was different. When he told me about you and your father, something clicked in my memory, and I had to come here to see you.”
“So…”
“Please, Celeste, let me finish,” he said pacing anxiously in front of her. “About fifteen years ago, Nico and I were living in New York City, and I was in a rather dark period of my life. As I’ve told you before, it’s not easy being what we are. I have to fight the dark urges constantly. I had fought with Nico and taken off on the road only to find myself here in Oak Bluffs. I was hunting, and I came across a stunning woman walking in the streets alone at night. I descended upon her. As I was about to feed on her, I saw the most beautiful little girl with blonde ringlets come ambling out on the front porch calling out for her ‘Mama.’ Moments later, a Guardian came running from the house, stake in hand. When he saw that I had spared his wife and child, a look of astonishment crossed his face, and he put down his weapon. A part of me wanted to die. I wanted him to end my life once and for all, but he didn’t kill me. He gathered his child into his arms and helped his wife into the house. He let me live.”
Celeste couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“I was that little girl? And they were my mom and dad?”
“Yes. Your father saved me. He may not have known it, but he did. I’ll never forget the look he gave me that night. He made me feel like I was worth saving. He gave me a second chance, when many others would not have done the same. He made me realize that I could be redeemed, and that I could start again and be better.” His normally bright blue eyes were clouded with remorse.
“So you came back to Oak Bluffs to see if I was going to become the next Guardian?”
“Correct. When Stellan told me that the new Guardian was to be chosen, I did a little calculating and some research, and I found out that your father had been killed. As soon as I got back into town, I came to your house to see if it really was you.”
“And you stalked me through the window,” she said.
“I was just trying to protect you,” he countered.
“Just when I feel like my life couldn’t possibly get any more insane, you tell me this. I can’t believe you almost attacked my mom, my dad almost killed you, and you met me as a toddler!”
Roman slid down to the floor and kneeled in front of her, taking her delicate hands in his. “Celeste, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but there has been so much for you to bear lately! I didn’t want to add another piece of the puzzle until the time was right.”
“It’s kind of an important bit of history, Roman. Did you ever see my dad again? Did you know that he was killed by a vampire?”
“No, I never saw him again. I never came back to Oak Bluffs until a few months ago. I only found out recently that your father had been killed, and I have no idea who did it. You must believe that I would tell you if I did.” His stormy blue eyes gazed into hers pleading her to trust him.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore. Every time I blink I find out something new and terrible. I feel like my life is spinning out of control,” complained Celeste.
“I’m so sorry, Celeste.”
“You know, my mom knew all along. She knew what my dad was and that I could be the next one. She wanted to keep me from it all. She doesn’t want me to be the Guardian.”
“She’s your mom, of course she doesn’t want that life for you. She, above all people, wants to protect you.”
“What if I don’t want this? What if I can’t be a Guardian?”
“I’m afraid that that is a decision that only you can make, Celeste. But remember, guardians are designated after much consideration; it is not a selection that is taken lightly. They chose you for a reason, because they saw something in you, the same thing that I see,” he said, a serious expression crossing his handsome face.
“And what’s that?”
Roman sat down beside her, and reached out to cradle her face in his hands. “A beautiful, courageous young woman with an extraordinary heart and the capacity for immeasurable greatness.”
She smiled, and looked into the blue depths of his eyes. “I don’t feel like any of those things.”
“You will, Celeste, I know it. I want you to come somewhere with me tomorrow. I want you to meet Stellan.”
Chapter 12
Celeste reached under the bed, retrieving her sword from its hiding spot to place it carefully into her oversized backpack. Oddly, Celeste now found its presence comforting, and she wondered if it had some sort of magical, calming powers. She swung the backpack onto her shoulder and looked anxiously out the window, hoping to see the black Porsche. If Roman was correct, Stellan would be able to answer many of Celeste’s questions about the guardians, the Council and the entire supernatural world. She felt nervous and excited all at the same time.
Celeste felt strangely relieved to see the bright red BMW and Nico’s smiling face pulling into her driveway. The tension between her and Roman had gotten a bit intense lately, and Nico’s presence was a welcome distraction.
“Well, hello beautiful,” Nico said kissing her on the cheek.
She and Roman exchanged brief p
leasantries, and the threesome set out on the road as the sun crept higher in the sky.
“And you must be the famous Celeste Wilder,” said Stellan, welcoming them into his home.
“I don’t know about that,” she said blushing, “but I have heard many things about you, and I really appreciate you meeting with me.”
Celeste surveyed the entryway as she walked in. There were rows of shelves lining the walls filled with old books in ancient languages. She stared up in awe at the high vaulted ceiling with mahogany rafters stretching from end to end. As expansive as the home was, there was a certain cozy feeling about it, like it had been thoroughly lived in. Celeste took a breath and noticed a peculiar smell too, a mixture between mothballs and incense. She felt strangely reassured.
“Well of course, it’s my extreme pleasure. It’s not every day that I have a Guardian in my humble home,” responded Stellan graciously.
“Stop kissing up to her, Stellan, it’s not like she’s going to try to kill you,” Nico teased.
“You on the other hand, Nico, are not so safe,” she said with a wink.
In truth, after the four-hour car ride with two vampires, Celeste was feeling antsy. It took all of her strength to fight her budding murderous urges.
“Roman, Nico, why don’t you make yourselves useful and get started on lunch. I’d like to speak to Celeste alone for a bit.”
Roman looked at Celeste for approval, and when she nodded, the brothers headed toward the kitchen.
“Why don’t we go sit outside? It’s much more pleasant,” Stellan said.
…And out of vampire earshot.
Stellan led Celeste out to the rustic back porch overlooking the woods and sat beside her on the wooden bench. The air smelled so pure in the countryside, and Celeste filled her lungs with it, reveling in the refreshing sensation.
“Let’s get right down to it then,” he said with a pleasant smile. Celeste let go of the breath she had been holding. “I’m sure it’s of no surprise to you that Roman and Nico have kept me apprised of your situation.”
“No, they told me that you were the one who told them about me in the first place.”
“Very true, my dear. You see, after all this time, I still keep in touch with Guardian affairs, and I’ve been in the habit of informing the boys over the years. I care deeply about both of them, as I did their parents. I try to keep them safe and up to date with supernatural matters that may concern them.”
Celeste nodded, her inquisitive eyes urging him to continue.
“When I found out about you, I informed them as well, simply because of their proximity to you. I had no idea that Roman would want to come back to Oak Bluffs, and it wasn’t until yesterday that he finally admitted why, as he did to you.”
“Right, because he knew my dad.”
“Yes, and to be perfectly honest, Roman is not the only one that has been keeping secrets. I haven’t told the boys this, but I also knew your father. I knew him very well. In fact, I was on the Council when he was made a Guardian so many years ago.”
It took every ounce of Celeste’s self-control not to burst into tears or hysterical laughter – she wasn’t sure which was in order. Everything was a lie: her father had lied to her, her mother lied to her and now she was meeting one of her father’s oldest friends whom she had never even heard of.
“So you knew my grandfather and my great-grandfather too? I just found out I come from a whole line of guardians apparently.”
“Yes, I have met many generations of Wilders during my time on the Council. You come from a special family, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to train you and help you to become what you were born to be.”
“You are going to train me? You’re the one my dad was talking about in the video…” Celeste eyed his slim wiry frame skeptically. She didn’t think he was capable of teaching anyone to fight.
“Yes, Celeste. Many years ago, I made a promise to your father that if anything ever happened to him, I would step in and help you in whatever way I could. As a matter of fact, I received an email from your mother just a few days ago. She of course had no knowledge of who the recipient was, but it was your father who had instructed her to contact me.”
“But my dad died almost eight years ago. Why didn’t you come to me before this?” Celeste demanded.
“I’m sorry Celeste, but your father was very clear that he didn’t want you exposed to anything in the supernatural realm unless you were chosen. Once Roman told me you had been selected, I was going to come find you and tell you everything. Before I could, they suggested you come here, so I let them think it was their idea.”
“Why didn’t you want them to know the truth?”
“I was curious about their attachment to you, and I didn’t want them to be influenced by me. Of course, at the time I didn’t know about Roman’s personal history with your father. I had warned them to stay away from you, Celeste. It was my fault for telling them. They should never have come into your life. I’ve now put your life at risk because I was trying to protect them. Fabian is not someone with whom we should trifle, and he has been after the Constantin clan for decades. I’m afraid I’ve given him a way to get to them now.” Stellan looked away for a moment, but not before Celeste caught the flash of worry in his kind grey eyes.
“But Roman and Nico are strong, and I’m going to be the Guardian so I can protect them too.”
“Celeste, you remind me so much of your father – that enormous heart and eternal optimism. The best thing for you, my dear, is to stay as far away as possible from both Roman and Nico. It hurts me to say that to you because I know how much they care for you, but a hunter cannot be friends with vampires, let alone vampires who are being pursued by Fabian. I promised your father many years ago that I would protect you, and I must keep my word.”
“But I need them,” she murmured softly.
***
“Paging Nurse Wilder, Nurse Wilder you are needed at the ER front reception a.s.a.p.”
Celeste’s mom hurried to the Emergency wing of Oak Bluffs Hospital, wondering why they would need her in the ER.
“Nurse Wilder, there is a man here looking for you. He said it was an emergency—something about your daughter,” said the ER nurse.
As she approached the man the nurse had pointed out, Olivia noticed a white streak in his hair and an ugly scar across his right eyebrow, and the tiny hairs on the back of her neck shot up as a cold shiver shot down her spine.
***
“Do you have any questions for me, my dear?” asked Stellan.
“How much time do you have?” retorted Celeste.
Stellan chuckled good-naturedly. Looking into his kind grayish eyes, she was reminded of her own grandfather. Perhaps it was this resemblance that allowed Celeste to trust Stellan almost immediately.
“I don’t understand how I’m supposed to fight all of these evil creatures. After our encounter with that vampire, I just don’t see how I could ever be a match for any of them.”
“As I’m sure the Council told you, you will begin to develop special powers. You will become stronger and faster. And you have to train. Some of this will come to you naturally, but there is nothing better than hard work and effort.”
“That’s what Roman and Nico said,” Celeste agreed.
“Yes, well sometimes they do know what they’re talking about.”
“Did Roman tell you that I see my dad in dreams?” Celeste asked Stellan.
“No, he didn’t. That is quite extraordinary. It is not easy for a former Guardian to manifest himself in dreams.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it is quite rare. It must be because he loves you so much.” Celeste threw him a grateful smile.
“Is there any way to regulate my emotions? I feel like I’m losing control of myself sometimes.”
“That’s normal and it will get better with time. As you know, your emotions are heightened right now, but there’s a reason for it. It allows you to become awa
re of the supernatural world around you,” Stellan counseled her.
“So there’s no magical on/off button?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
Celeste bit her lip and spit out the question she had been too scared to ask. “Is there a way to train myself to not want to kill Roman or Nico?”
Stellan glanced at her with a knowing smile. “I’m sure we can figure something out.”
Roman and Nico stood on one side of the sunny clearing behind Stellan’s home while Celeste and Stellan stood on the other. Celeste wiped her sweaty palms against her jeans and tried to focus on Stellan’s calming voice. He was standing behind her, holding her firmly by the shoulders.
“Now the fact that you are able to be in such close proximity to those two without being overwhelmed by your urges means that you are already exerting a high degree of control.”
“Uh huh,” murmured Celeste, with little confidence.
“Now, I’m going to ask you to completely let go and drop whatever defenses you’re using to block those urges.”
“Okay.”
Roman and Nico looked on anxiously from across the yard.
“Go on, don’t be afraid. I’ve got you,” said Stellan, increasing the pressure on her shoulders.
Celeste breathed in and out slowly and closed her eyes in concentration. She searched deep inside her mind and dropped down the wall that she had carefully built up over the past few days. She was immediately pummeled by an onrush of emotions, getting stronger by the minute. Blindly driven by rage, she lunged towards the vampires. Stellan, who was stronger than he looked, held her in check.
“Celeste, keep breathing, slowly, in and out. You can’t block the feelings. You must take them in and allow them to become a part of you.”
“I can’t! It’s too much.” She wriggled, straining to get away.
Celeste caught sight of Roman’s tense expression from across the field. A different kind of emotion flowed through her. She knew she had to try for him. She breathed in again slowly and as she inhaled the air, she let all the intense feelings and emotions circulate through her. When she exhaled, she blew them out as hard as she could. She repeated this exercise a few more times while Stellan murmured encouragingly.
