Personal Guardians

by Rachel A. Collett

  Her breath puffed against my hair. “None of us are powerful enough to take on the Annihilator.” She drew back, staring into my eyes. “That day in the forest, you saw how we were barely able to fight off the Fallen, the one called Jonathan, and there were four against him. The Annihilator is even stronger because of the power she derives from her followers.”

  I flushed in embarrassment, recalling the ease that Jonathan possessed in fighting my father, Laith, Elisa, and even Darius, while I stood against a single lesser demon. They weren’t able to destroy Jonathan just as much as I was unable to dispatch the ghost of an evil butcher. Jonathan had to take care of him for me.

  I breathed a heavy sigh of regret. “Elisa—”

  She closed her eyes. “I know.” She walked back to the others, reclaiming her seat. Darius nudged me from behind, encouraging me to follow. I dropped his hand and together we stood before the group.

  “I’m sorry,” I managed, looking at the others before turning to Laith. “I’m just… I don’t know how to…”

  Laith moved around the couch and kissed me on the forehead. “Your anger is not out of place. We all expected growing pains when you came back to us, but you are stronger than you know, and we are stronger with you.”

  We all sat together. Even Darius took a place next to me.

  “Why are we weaker than the Annihilator?” I asked. “I thought The Three were created to stand against the Fallen.”

  “Because we are only our strongest with all of The Three. We are still effective but not as powerful as we are with our Defender and her Guardian,” Laith said.

  “Oh.” I blushed. I could sense Darius watching my reaction, which only made it worse.

  “For the safety of our people as well as our own, we need to take shifts sleeping until we solve this problem. Cedric and I will take the first watch. Ava, until you select your Guardian, Darius will be your security guard and take first watch as well. Four hour periods of rest only.”

  “Four hours?” I eyed everyone in the group, shocked.

  “That is where a healer comes in handy, my niece.” Fiona smiled. “That and a little chocolate goes a long way.”

  “We do not have time to rest, Ava. The Annihilator knows you have resurfaced and she knows we are weak. She will exploit that if she can. We need to triple our efforts in closing this door that she has managed to open. If there is a traitor, we need to find h—”

  Exploit. I gasped, my memory triggered.

  I will kill everyone you have ever loved, Ava Matthias! Everyone you have ever cared for!

  “Aaron!”

  14

  Call for reinforcements

  “Aaron!”

  Laith’s eyes grew wide as he regarded me. “Ava, what is wrong?” But there was no time to explain.

  “Aaron!” I called again.

  Everyone shot to their feet when my angel materialized into the middle of the room.

  My friend. He was dressed in average mortal clothing, his reddish-brown hair swept-back to expose his fresh face and deep-green eyes. I had forgotten how young my previous caretaker looked, although I knew that was not the case. An old spirit, he had called himself.

  Aaron surveyed the room, his demeanor calm; not a single emotion flickered while everyone watched him. Finally, he brought his attention to me. “Hello, my Defender.”

  Fiona hummed. “A preemie.” She circled my angel—a pre-mortal entity. Laith had called him such, as well. “I have not seen one in years.”

  “He is my friend.” I stepped toward him, taking him by both hands. That same energy he possessed from the beginning shot up my arms at his touch. His eyes delved into mine. “Aaron, Cheryl is in danger.”

  “Ava?” Fiona paused in her circling, her gaze narrowed at me.

  “The Annihilator’s threat tonight. She said she would kill anyone I have ever cared for. The only mortal outside of this sanctuary that I had any connection with is her. She was the closest thing I ever had to a mother.”

  Cedric shook his head. “Is there really cause to be concerned—”

  “Yes.” Elisa cut in. “Ray. We need you to go back.”

  “Of course.” Without hesitation, Ray gathered several stacks of paper from the desk in the library. “I will prepare her for entry into the sanctuary.”

  “Wait a minute, Ray.” Laith held up his hand. “Is that something we want to do just yet?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked turning to him. “Laith, she is in danger.”

  “We don’t know that. You had little to connect you. Your father’s efforts made it impossible for anyone to find you. That is now a blessing for Cheryl instead of a curse. I doubt the Annihilator can make that connection.”

  I shook my head. “No. She needs to be brought here.”

  “Think about what you’re saying, Ava. This life, this sanctuary, while it is a blessing and a haven for everyone within, is not something most would have chosen if they had any other option.”

  “I don’t care.” My pulse quickened.

  Aaron squeezed my hands. “I agree with the Healer. I do not think we need to make such a rash decision. Not at this time. But I will stand watch over her and let you know if there is even the slightest sign of evil influences.”

  “And I will take the first flight back,” Ray interjected.

  “Thank you. Take Noah and Zane with you to the airport,” Laith said.

  Anxiety tightened the airway to my lungs. They didn’t understand. This was Cheryl. My best friend’s mother. Not knowing who I was or what world I belonged to, Ian had been caught up in a battle neither of us even knew existed. He was killed because of me, an attempt by the Destroyer to con me back into hiding with my father. And now, once again because of me, his mother Cheryl was in danger.

  “Breathe, Ava,” Aaron said, drawing my attention. He placed a calming hand on my cheek, his touch cool against my heated face. “You have my word that I will protect Cheryl Davis.”

  I obeyed my angel and inhaled deeply, then slowly released the oxygen from my lungs. I shook my head. “I don’t need your word, my friend,” I gave him a faint smile. “You are an angel, after all.”

  His eyes constricted as he regarded me. His hand dropped to his side. “And you don’t believe angels can fall?”

  No, I didn’t think angels could fall. Before I had accepted my destiny, Aaron had told me multiple times that it was my right to choose—my decision to make—whether I wanted to be the Defender. Was an angel extended that same right to choose his fate? I would think it impossible for Aaron to fall and would trust him to watch over Cheryl. I would trust him with my life.

  As I walked back to my room, my jumbled thoughts clouded my mind, but not enough to overshadow the presence of Darius trailing behind. He did reside in the room right next to mine, after all.

  Upon arriving at my door, I allowed him to escort me inside.

  “I’ve updated your lock. It’s much more secure now. And your window is in.” He guided me to the other side of the room. “It’s a bullet-resistant sliding glass window.”

  “But demons don’t use guns, remember?”

  A smile pulled at his mouth. “No, but it is incredibly thick. And don’t worry. There’s a protective film over the window. You can see out, but no one can see in.”

  I peered into the dim moonlight beaming down upon the beautiful courtyard beyond. “Thank you,” I said, but still slid the curtains shut.

  I needed to talk to Jonathan, but I couldn’t summon him. It would have to be in my sleep.

  A knock brought us both on high alert. Darius beat me to the door, unconcerned at how it might look if he answered. I peered over his shoulder, annoyed.

  “Darius.” Ray blanched, looking immediately uncomfortable. “I almost forgot you were guarding Ava tonight. I was hoping to have a word with her about Cheryl before she retires, but if she’s already—”

  “I’m right here,” I said, pushing past Darius. I faced my evening guard. “I’m going to
speak to Ray, but after that I’ll need a little while to get ready for bed. I’ll knock on your door when I’m done.”

  “Very well,” he said, but instead of leaving out the main entrance to my room, he walked to the doorway near the bathroom. I almost growled when he retrieved a key from his pocket and entered his quarters from mine.

  Insufferable man.

  “What about Cheryl?” I asked, turning my attention to Ray.

  He fidgeted, eyeing the frame of my door. “Well, actually, it’s not about Cheryl, but I’m wondering if now is the best time for this.”

  I tried to smile to ease whatever discomfort was plaguing him. “Now is fine, really.”

  “Thank you. Walk me to the front entrance, please.”

  He waited until arriving in the main foyer before addressing me. “Ava, what I’m about to say isn’t going to make a lot of sense and has been upsetting me for… a while now, but it’s something I feel you—I feel you deserve to know.”

  The muscles between my brows tensed. Ray’s behavior was at odds from his usual happy demeanor. Anxiety pulled at him.

  “Your mother, before she died, and while she was sick, asked God to grant her the right to call a new Defender. She chose you.” He paused, searching my face for a reaction.

  I smiled, relieved. “Right. Well, I’ve already been told—”

  “That’s not all. You see, everything revolves around the females of The Three. They select their mates; they are the—well, they are the foundation of the relationship, really. Rachel knew that if she were to die, your father would have to pass on his title to another, but she also knew Alexander was too overprotective.”

  My throat tightened at the mention of my father’s name. “Ray, what are you trying to say?”

  “Your mother knew, Ava. She knew Alexander would never choose another to take his position, so Rachel asked God to make the decision for him.”

  “Okay—?”

  “She asked for Darius to be your Guardian—”

  My mouth snapped closed.

  “—and it was accepted.”

  My neck jerked back and I stared at Dr. Raymond Stevens, my breathing accelerated.

  “When your father took you from here, The Three searched for you for years. They never gave up, but after a while, the searches slowed. It was frustrating knowing your twentieth birthday was nearing and still you hadn’t been found. I came up with an idea. Maybe if we asked, God would grant Darius the right to choose a new Defender, like God had done for your mother. Before going to Laith and Elisa, I proposed the idea to Darius to see if he would be willing. After years of hunting for you, he was tired and decided to give it a chance. He talked the idea over with Charlotte, who, I believe it is plain to see, considered it an excellent idea. We always knew she preferred Darius over anyone. But then—”

  “Then I came along,” I said, my voice less than a whisper.

  Ray only nodded.

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Why didn’t anyone tell me this?” I asked, hurt that my friends had avoided giving me such an important detail.

  “They didn’t know he had brought it up with Charlotte. I’m not sure how Darius’s relationship with her started but I believe he selected her because she was the best female warrior on the compound and the most suited to him. She was actually dating Zane at the time, but no one knew that until later.”

  I brushed away the dramatic scene I was positive ensued after Charlie snubbed Zane for a more powerful man, an immortal. Someone she had always wanted.

  “So, are you saying that my mom basically selected my mate? Am I dealing with an arranged marriage?”

  “No.” Ray shook his head emphatically. “No. He is meant to be your Guardian until that time you—well, until the time you are ready to accept him as such, fully and completely, or find another.”

  I groaned, my eyes rolling back into my skull. “This explains so much.”

  “The others have told Darius you have the right to know, but he has asked to break the news himself. But… well, he didn’t ask me, and I feel too much time has passed.”

  I shook my head, still unsure how to process this new revelation. I ran a hand down my face, exhausted.

  He touched my arm, his expression sympathetic. “You have been through so much, Ava, and while I understand this is adding to the pile you have to sort out, I feel responsible for this. After all, it was my idea for him to find another Defender.”

  I shrugged, trying to appear unaffected. “Your logic made sense. I would have probably thought it was a good idea too. I’m not mad at you.”

  He gripped his small carry-on and walked to the front doors. He paused beyond the threshold. “Just remember: you do have a choice in the matter,” he said then headed to the truck waiting for him in the drive.

  “That’s what they all keep telling me,” I muttered under my breath.

  I ghosted to my room in a trance, thinking back to all of my encounters with Darius from the moment we met. His shock when he discovered me. His anger at my father for hiding me. His insistence that I return with him. Drugging me twice—once to get me to the compound, and again to force me to rest. His irritation and constant shadowing. His persistence to train me—then not to train me.

  I almost laughed, realizing how much torment he had put himself through from choosing to omit the simple truth. My mother had chosen him for me.

  Oh my gosh, my mother had chosen him for me!

  A man that had feelings for someone else—and she loved him back. My brain hurt. I rested my forehead on the door, knocking it against the panel several times.

  “Bad night, my Defender?” Roman’s voice spoke from behind and I almost jumped out of my skin. I had not heard him approach. He smiled at my unease. “My apologies, my Defender.”

  I almost groaned. Such unnecessarily formal titles. “Please, just call me Ava,” I said with the flip of my hand, trying to control my breathing.

  “Would you like that?” Roman asked, one eyebrow raised.

  I ignored his pointed question. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m patrolling the compound, and I don’t think it’s safe for you to be out of your room this late at night unescorted.” He stood only a few inches taller than myself. His brown eyes studied me and my reaction to him. “But if you need a release, the courtyard is always open. We have yet to have that friendly match you promised me.”

  “I didn’t promise you anything,” I said, shooting him a warning glare.

  He sighed. “What is causing my Defender distress? Could it be the attack on Hector and the Annihilator’s presence at the veil?”

  I jerked. “How did you know about that?”

  “This is a small community. There are few secrets here, even when it comes to our powerful immortals.”

  “Is that so?” And why did I not believe him?

  “May I escort you into your room?”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Right. Because of your temporary guard. It’s a shame, really.” He shook his head.

  “What is?”

  “As the head of security his focus has changed. His attention is split between the safety of the compound residents and you. Not to mention the strain it has put on already formed relationships—with their Defender refusing to choose a Guardian.”

  “Are you talking about Darius and Charlotte?”

  He ignored the question. “But if what you said the other day is true, I am glad. I’m sure Charlie will be too.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You mentioned to Darius about starting interviews for the new Guardian.” He placed a hand against the door, leaning toward me. “If so, how would I apply for such a position?”

  I narrowed my eyes at the arrogant man. “How about I see what you can do in the ring before we talk about applications.”

  “I was hoping you would say that.” He smiled a crooked grin. “I look forward to it, Ava.”

  “It’s Defender,” I
snapped. Pushing him to the side, I managed to get in my room without further struggle, although my heart beat angrily against my ribs.

  But why was I upset? Because Darius did have feelings and a relationship with Charlotte? Because my mother had chosen someone who was already taken? Because I had yet to meet another man who even came close to Darius’s skills and his strength?

  He is meant to be your Guardian until the time you are ready to accept him as such, fully and completely, or find another.

  Whether or not it was my choice, I would still be forced to select a mate before defeating the Annihilator because I wouldn’t be powerful enough to do so without my Guardian. Without the power of The Three.

  I cursed as I entered my closet, throwing off my clothes and dressing down into my pajamas.

  Darius had gone through a lot of effort to hide his mistake of asking Charlotte to be his Defender before confirming with the others, and now he was desperately trying to finagle his way out of the mess without disclosing his blunder. And he was hurting Charlotte because of it.

  Coward.

  I debated whether to allow him back into my room before remembering he had his own set of keys. I knocked twice, then walked away, climbing on top my bed. Darius opened the door, slowly at first, peeking in.

  “You act as if you’re about to see me indecent. I’m not the one that came barging in halfway naked the other night.”

  “Barging in? I saved your life.” He closed the door behind, bringing with him a chair and a book.

  As he neared, my eyes contracted, my temper rising. My mother had asked Darius to be my Guardian before she died. Darius was my Guardian. Temporary Guardian already.

  He hesitated. Sensing the tension in the room, he set his chair down several yards from the bed; the book he placed on the dresser. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and glanced around. “I won’t try to force my opinion on how I think the next eight hours should go; heaven knows how well that has gone in the past.”

  “That’s a first,” I said with a snide lilt to my voice.