by Elle Scott
“Who let her out of her restraints?” Kiko snarled.
“I did.” Leila spun back around and took a hold of Kale’s wrist. “I think it’s time you listen to me. She’s been fooling us… she’s been fooling you. You need to let Riley go.”
Kale tensed, his eyes twitching. “We can’t do that.”
The way he hesitated made her feel sick. She’d held out hope for him. Hope that he didn’t know what Kiko was and the things she’d done. But of course he knew.
“Why not?” Her voice sounded foreign to her own ears. Meek and soft and spectacularly petrified of the answer.
“Because,” Kiko declared, bashing her fist onto a desk. “I am the first Guardian. I am the first Imprint. There can only be one Imprint couple.”
Kale gazed down at Leila, eyes that were once filled with love, now hollow. “And that’s us. Not you.”
There it was, undeniable proof that her brother was a Fallen. Leila let him go, her whole body weakening. She whimpered, “No.”
“Finish it. I can’t pretend to care any more,” Kale said, turning his back to Leila and moving to the window.
Denial was no longer an option. Makoto was right, her brother was already gone. There was only one thing left to do.
She moved to the second row of desks. Eyes falling on Riley, unconscious and bleeding, she demanded, “Let him go.”
“Nah,” Kiko said. She knocked a desk over and ripped the leg from it. As she faced Riley, she twisted her wrist and re-gripped the leg, holding it like a javelin.
Mr. Robertson cleared his throat and plucked the knife from his desk. “I’m outta here.”
Leila watched him leave and she glanced at Gabby. They needed his blood for the cures. As if reading her thoughts, Gabby nodded, said “I’m on it,” and fled after him.
Damien peered over the top of Mr. Robertson’s desk. Leila glared at him, making “get down” motions with her hand. He crouched back down out of sight.
“We’ve got company,” Kale said, tapping on the window.
“Who is it?” Kiko said, annoyed. “Sebastian? Tessa? Odette. Oh wait, it can’t be Odette…” Her eyes twinkled at Leila. “Because I killed her.”
Ren stepped into the room. His gaze fell directly to Riley and his brows wrinkled as though he himself was in pain. He whipped his head to Kiko, a black shimmer coating his eyes.
“Brother!” Kiko threw her arms above her head and the desk leg hit the wall behind her. “Here’s the angel on my shoulder.”
“Come on, Kiko. It’s over. Let Riley go.” Ren moved next to Leila.
Kiko chuckled. “Yes, it’s over. You tried to purify me, but you failed. I must disappoint you.”
“Immensely,” a deep voice boomed from the corridor.
Before Makoto even entered the room, Kiko lost all color from her face. The desk leg rolled out of her hand and crashed to the floor. She gasped, “No, not him.”
Makoto’s presence filled the room. He held the space as though he ruled over everything. And by the way Kiko cowered at the sight of him, she believed it, too.
“Time to start again, sister.”
Kale frowned, side-stepping toward Kiko. He pointed at Makoto, “Is this him, Kiko? Is this the one who ruined your life?”
“Yes!” Kiko cried, running to Kale. She stood in front of him, arms splayed out in protection. “Don’t you take him away from me.”
“I’m not,” Makoto replied.
Leila used the distraction and took another step toward Riley. She was three rows in. Only one to go.
“Not again,” Kiko pleaded.
“I’m not going to kill him Kiko, he is not like Ryuu.”
“Don’t you dare say his name. You have no right!” Kiko screamed.
Leila tiptoed to the fourth row, just arms reach from Riley.
Kiko spun to Leila and noticing her move closer to Riley, she leapt to stand between them. She half-shifted, red eyes staring deep into Leila’s soul. “You think you can be the True Guardians? You cannot be, you are not pure blood. I am pure blood. I am a True.”
She gave a maniacal laugh that pulsated around the room. Snapping her mouth shut, she swung her head to Kale and said, voice as smooth as silk, “And now I’ve found my love again, I can have my rightful place as the only Imprint. There cannot be another.”
Kiko sighed dramatically, raising her shoulders up and dropping them down again. She bent down and collected the desk leg, and without waiting another second, she plunged it through Riley’s chest.
“No!” Leila cried.
Riley’s eyes sprung open and he gasped for air. Drops of red hit the corners of his mouth and fear filled his eyes as he searched the room, as if trying to figure out what was happening.
With a twisted smile, Kiko pulled at the chair leg impaled through Riley’s chest, and raised his body up with it. She slammed the end of the leg into the cork wall, trapping him there. Seeing Riley like that gave Leila both heartache and rage.
“Kiko stop!” Ren bellowed.
Sacrifice. The word rang through Leila’s mind.
Not his sacrifice. She said to herself. It’s mine.
Riley clasped at the metal leg sticking out of him, blood pouring from the wound. He looked up at Leila, tears rolling down his cheeks. As if knowing what she was thinking, he shook his head and mouthed the word, “No.”
“Yes.” Leila lurched forward, grabbing Kiko by the shoulders. She threw her aside, sending her crashing into chairs and desks. She stood before Riley as he hung against the wall, neck twitching, eyes pleading her to stop.
But there was no other way. If she removed the leg, he’d bleed to death. Even Guardians couldn’t heal from a gaping hole in their chests.
Leila inhaled. Sacrifice. She was ready.
“Don’t—” Riley rasped.
There was nothing anyone could say to stop her. She’d lost him once, there was no way she’d lost him again. The risk was too high.
And so, she leapt, aiming her body parallel to Riley’s. The end of the leg hit her sternum and, as the momentum of her body propelled forward, it sank into her skin. She cried out in pain as it slid further, deeper, until she had Riley in her hold—arms around his neck, legs around his hips.
“What have you done?” Riley gurgled, blood pouring from his mouth.
Her breath fell short, like she couldn’t get air into her lungs. It was now or never. Straining, she said, “Let’s finish this.”
The surge expelled from the both of them, entwined and holding on for dear life. Leila kept her eyes on Riley as they shared their auras, each of them with one gold eye and one blue. Lighted bloomed, moving around them in waves. The satchel in her jacket pocket warmed, heating against her ribs. Another color sparked between them—purple, like a vervain’s bloom. It shimmered between them, reaching for the ceiling like an upside-down lightning strike.
When the ripples of their combined auras faded and the surge was complete, Leila felt her lungs expand. She glanced down; the desk leg was gone, wisps of its remnants falling to the floor. She didn’t hurt, either. And no wounds remained.
Riley clutched at her back, nuzzling his face into her neck. “Thank you.”
As they tore away from each other, Leila noticed it. The rift. A blazing purple light, tearing at the Veil, creating a door between their world and the Sanctuary.
Kiko clambered to her feet. Her eyes darted between Kale and an approaching Makoto. She grabbed a chair, placing it in front of her like a shield. “We’re stronger than all of them, baby. We are Imprints, we can take them down.”
Leila looked at Kale, hoping to see his Guardian had been ripped from his side from the surge. Hoping, because that meant he hadn’t killed anyone yet. But no-one in that room had been stripped from their Guardian. Everyone except her and Riley had killed an innocent human being.
As Kale and his bear aligned, angry and ready for a fight, Ren looped around the room. Quiet as a ninja, he sneaked around Kiko and leapt for Kale. Ren
was svelte and fast and accurate, pinning Kale against a wall, but Kale was big and strong, especially with Kiko nearby. He pushed Ren off with ease, throwing him across the room.
Ren landed in front of Mr. Robertson’s desk. He flipped to his feet, wagging a teasing finger to Kale.
“Don’t,’ Kiko warned. “It’s a trick.”
But Kale didn’t like to be taunted, even before he became a Fallen. He fully shifted, slamming his paws to the floor. As he bounded for Ren, Makoto made his move on Kiko.
“Brother!” she cried, scratching at his face. “Don’t do this. You’ll regret it.”
Makoto struggled against her, trying to drag her to the split between worlds. Leila knew he wouldn’t be able to hold her alone. Riley moved first, sweeping behind Kiko and wrapping his arms around her waist. Leila soon followed, pulling Kiko’s wrist from Makoto’s face.
“To the rift,” Makoto commanded.
Together, the three of them dragged her over. She resisted and screamed and dug her heels, but she had no hope against two Imprints and her brother. As they held her in front of the rift, Makoto pushed.
Leila and Riley both let go. As Kiko toppled backward, Makoto held on for a moment. His fingers curled around the collar of her dress, his eyes filling with sadness.
And, as he released his grip, he said, “I loved you, sister.”
Losing the battle against gravity, Kiko fell backward into the rift. Kale let out an almighty roar. He ran for his wife, but he wasn’t quick enough. Kiko passed through, leaving the human world behind. Kale slammed his fist against the wall beside the rift. Panting, he stared in, as though wondering if he should go after her.
Inside the Sanctuary, Kiko tried to climb through the rift, but Samuel appeared. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hold and dragged her toward the exiled forest. He whispered something to her and threw her inside. Kiko swung around and lurched for him, immediately slamming into an invisible barricade, unable to reach him. And there she would stay, trapped forever.
Kale ripped his bereaved eyes away, letting them land on Leila. His face changed, sorrow turning to anger. Scowling, he stepped right up to her and just inches away, he slowly curled his lips, showing his blood-stained teeth. He roared, the vibration rattling her soul, and saliva strings flew out and stuck to her hair. For a moment, Leila thought he might kill her—rip her throat with just a simple flick of his bear claw. But instead, he tore himself away. He barged across the room, pushing desks aside as he went.
And, with that, her brother was gone.
Leila
Leila slammed her front door shut and stormed down the path from her house to the sidewalk. As she ran, she felt the weight of her backpack thump against her back. She needed to be quick. Today of all days, she really needed to be quick.
The wind whipped against her face and it took everything within her not to half-shift. Despite everything that had happened, she felt exhilarated and excited. She kicked up her heels, speeding toward Riley’s house.
They’d won. Kiko wouldn’t be able to create her team of Fallen. No more lives would be lost because of her. Of course, those she’d turned in the past were still out there, but that was a matter for another time. Now was the time of celebration.
But after all that, only part of Leila wanted to celebrate. Because while they’d won, she’d also lost. Kiko. Odette. Her brother. Her trust in people.
Makoto had said he’d give Kale a chance for Leila’s sake, but any sign of him causing trouble, he’d have to step in. Leila agreed with that, but she couldn’t help but think of all the ways in which Kale could cause trouble. And then, all the ways in which Makoto could step in.
Stop it. Leila scolded herself, clutching the straps of her bag. Today was not the day for misery.
There was more to celebrate. Gabby had gotten the cure from Mr. Robertson. Not with a struggle either. He’d just given his blood to her without debate.
That meant that there was a little bit of good in him, just like Sebastian. The thought of Sebastian’s growth let a glimmer of hope for Kale remain, too. Somehow, sometime, he may forgive her for what she did.
And today? Today was the day Riley got his sister back.
Leila leapt over Riley’s broken fence and ran across his front yard. Before she had a chance to knock, Riley flung the door open, and Leila fell into his arms. The force pushed them both inside.
As she pulled away, she whispered, “Is she here, yet?”
“Not yet,” Riley said, glancing over Leila’s shoulder. “Soon, I hope.”
“Leila!” Riley’s mom, beamed, leaning over the kitchen bench. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” She waved her wooden spoon at the table. “Sit, sit, sit. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
Leila clutched Riley’s arm and pulled him to her. She whispered, “Does she know?”
Riley shook his head and closed the front door. “I want it to be a surprise.”
Leila took her seat at the dining table and stared at the door. Her knees bounced with anticipation. For so long Gail had thought her daughter destroyed her life. That she’d turned evil, never to be saved or seen again. Any moment from now, Tessa would walk in and cure Gail’s silent but aching heart.
Every bone in her body ached for the same with Kale. Maybe one day.
“You know,” Riley said, taking a seat. “You didn’t have to hurt yourself to do the surge. You could have just held my hand.”
Still gazing at the door, Leila shrugged. Wistfully, she said, “If you die, I die.”
Leila felt Riley’s fingertips grazing behind her ear. “Really?”
She snapped her eyes to him, realizing what she’d just said. Clearing her throat, Leila gave a sheepish smile. “Riley. We may have had our disagreements over the last few days, but I love you. I would die for you.”
Riley closed the gap between them, pressing his lips to hers. He murmured, “I love you, too.”
A knock at the door made them both jump back. Riley jogged across the room, peering through the small window beside the front door. He glanced back and grinned. “She’s here!”
“Who’s here?” Gail asked, holding a plate of pancakes.
Leila smiled, looking at Gail’s confused expression. “You’ll see.”
“Is that Mom?”
Tessa’s voice was tender. She brushed her hair behind her ears nervously, staying a step behind Riley.
The plate slipped out of Gail’s hands, crashing on the tiles and sending pancakes flying across the floor. Her eyes widened, tears welling. She quivered, “Tess?”
“It’s okay, Mom,” Riley assured her, pushing Tessa out in front of him. “Tessa’s a True Guardian. Always has been. It was a wild misunderstanding.”
Tessa seemed so young in that moment. All her twenty years of life, all the experience of being a Guardian, everything she’d been through diminished. Here she was, a little girl, begging for her mother to love her.
“Oh my baby girl!” Gail sprinted around the table. She wrapped her arms around Tessa and they both exploded into sobs.
Riley hiccuped, watery eyes glancing quickly at Leila before taking his family into his embrace. They stayed there, all three crying tears of joy.
Leila silently got out of her chair and wandered past them. She squeezed Riley’s shoulder and whispered, “I’ll just be outside.”
She wanted to see the moment, feel comfort from Riley and his mother being reunited with Tessa, but there was a time for privacy, and that was it.
Leila wandered outside and sat on the front porch. Makoto’s car was parked in Riley’s driveway, Jamal sitting at the wheel. In the back, hiding behind him, Calice stretched her neck to see through the middle. Noticing Leila, she snapped her eyes away, then slowly, hesitantly returned them. Calice smiled then, a kind of hopeful smile. Leila didn’t like the jealousy that remained inside her. She lifted her hand, gave a quick wave, then looked away.
Her eyes fell on Makoto and Ren as they leaned against the hoo
d of the car, chatting.
Another family moment. It both warmed and chilled her heart. Everyone had gained someone… except her.
“I need a nap,” Ren muttered, sliding his palms up his mohawk.
Makoto chuckled. “You know what you need, brother? A vacation. Take a break, be normal. Travel.”
“Samuel said something to me. He said when it’s all over, it’s my turn. What do you think that means?”
“It means that you’ve been her shadow too long. Now it’s your turn to live.” Makoto noticed Leila and gave a friendly nod.
“Ha.” Ren scoffed. “Live? What’s that?”
Leila smiled to herself. She was almost starting to understand Ren. He’d been so preoccupied trying to keep his sister out of trouble that he’d forgotten how to live his own life.
Makoto threw a thumb to the car. “You can join a clan for starters. I’m already in the middle of a school year with my recruits, but maybe you could join the next one?”
Ren raised his brows. “And be taught by you?”
Makoto glowered. “I’m not so bad.”
“I think…” Ren crossed his arms and pushed himself off the hood. “I think I need to be my own self. Without running after any sibling.”
“I can respect that.”
Leila caught Ren’s attention. As he spotted her, his mouth tilted into a lopsided smile. “I’ve always wanted to go to school, though. Maybe here in Cedar Falls?”
“Leila?” Riley poked his head through the doorway.
Leila jumped up. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. They’re just making up for lost time.” He reached for her hand, clutched it tight and pulled her inside. “Come on.”
He led her past the dining table, where Tessa sat next to her mom, head resting on her shoulders, and headed to his room. As he closed the door behind him, Leila sat on his bed.
Riley rarely closed his door the whole way. It was a rule of the house. Leila wondered if Gail would relax that rule now that she knew Tessa wasn’t Fallen—that it wasn’t Riley’s fault for being too distracted by Calice to notice something was up with Tessa. Regardless, it must have been serious for Riley to close the door.
