There were two types of Guardians: Human-Guardians, also called HGs, and supernatural Guardians. Human-Guardians like Kaila received much of the same education as Guardians, but at the end of their training, they were sent back to Earth to watch over human beings. At home, they were able to help the cause in several different ways. Supernatural Guardians, on the other hand, moved between dimensions, many times even fighting the Sins and the Inferums on their own territory. They were stronger and faster and battled against the children of darkness in hand-to-hand combats.
Kaila touched the tattoo on her wrist: a half-Celtic moon crossed over by a red arrow. A symbol of her identity as a Human-Guardian and a protection charm, for regardless of their job, the Guardians were all taught to treat each other as one big family sharing the same purpose: Defeat evil, or in the ancient language, Vince Malum.
It was precisely that concept that had Kaila slinking into the Academy early in the morning and avoiding everyone. Saving individual lives was not a priority for the Guardians nor for those in charge of interpreting the voice of the gods. No one would help her save Mel. She was just another human, inconsequent to the bigger picture. She couldn’t ask for aid. She had to save her sister on her own.
Kaila flipped through the first book she’d picked. It didn’t have any information that she hadn’t already learned in her school years.
The second tome was gray, its pages yellow and brittle. The text reminded her that Sloth was the Sin hardest to describe and also the least explored one. He was considered deceitful, a master of the mind. Due to this, Guardians preferred to battle directly against Sloth’s Inferums rather than risk being caught in his home and face him. The author went on to explain there had only been three known incursions into Sloth’s lair. In each case, the Guardians had returned with nothing to report. The den had been empty, with barely a few deranged Inferums. The writer of the manuscript conjectured that Sloth had led the army to believe that there was nothing there to see and that in truth the Sin probably had several levels to his nest.
Next, Kaila chose a newish-looking manuscript with large gold letters that read The Myth of Sloth. She skimmed over the table of contents, nodding. This one could be helpful. It spoke of the differences between the human perception of Sloth and the Guardian perception, as well as the new current that had started a few decades ago, which considered Sloth the King of Lazy.
According to Caden McMillan, the author of the book, humans equated Sloth to inactivity. In different religions, they viewed him as a disregard for the gifts of God. He was boredom, idleness, and indifferences packed into one.
On the other hand, he explained that Guardians saw him as much more. They knew he was a danger to the world. The Sin was a mind twister that went much further than creating apathy among humans. Sloth and his Inferums not only took over a soul, turning it into a dull, good for nothing, they toyed with the mind, bending and torturing it at their will. They caused their victims to lose any feeling for the world and injected them with a darkness so powerful, it was virtually impossible to escape from it.
Kaila’s lip curled in disgust as she read about the new idea which according to McMillan had begun to circulate among certain people. According to them, Sloth was not worth the trouble. The Sin was slow and sluggish and any evil he partook in took years to complete. It was best for Guardians to fight against the other Sins who were much more active on a daily basis than to battle against Sloth.
Kaila swore under her breath. She couldn’t believe this was a thing. As a psychologist undercover on Earth, Kaila had had to deal with Sloth’s victims countless times. Yes, sometimes his illnesses, the words the Inferum whispered in a person’s ears, took months to develop, but once the seed was planted, extracting it was difficult. Most of the people touched by Sloth succumbed to him. The few who survived were never the same.
Kaila grasped her necklace. It was a simple silver chain with a heart pendant. A gift from her sister. She closed her eyes. How she could have been so blind to Mel’s plight was something she asked herself every day. She shook her head. No matter what, she would not allow Sloth to take Mel’s soul.
She chose another book from the pile. Into Sloth’s Mind. She skimmed the blurb. Her eyes widened. The author was a retired HG who had worked as a psychologist. He believed Sloth’s home might be composed of several levels, each one a mind game. This was just what she needed. Eagerly, she began to read.
****
Kaila stifled a yawn. She raised her head and looked out the window. The sky blazed with red and orange colors, and the clouds painted in a pale yellow. She’d been sitting here for hours. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten anything all day. She sighed. She didn’t have as much information as she liked, but there was nothing to do about it. She couldn’t sit at home and wait any longer. She had do something to save her sister. Tomorrow, Kaila would venture into the Sin’s dimension and into Sloth’s lair. She shut her notebook and dug her fingers in her hair. She stretched languidly.
When she opened her eyes, her gaze fell on the tall sycamore tree atop one of the rolling green hills which surrounded the Academy. She bit her lip and tried to evade the memory, but it was inevitable. One look at that place and the memory of Seamus came crashing over her. Her hands became clammy and her heart began to race as she stuffed her things in her bag. She refused to dwell on the past.
Yet, as she straightened and threw her bag over her shoulder, she found herself looking at the spot again. Sitting under that tree to read a book used to be her favorite thing until the incident with Seamus. He’d ruined everything.
How long had it been? Ten or twelve years at least, probably more. Her fingers dug into the strap of her purse, and she could feel the rough fiber against each tip. Who was she kidding? It’d been close to sixteen years.
Nowadays, she had finally managed to stop thinking about him during the day. Sometimes, she was even capable of doing it at night. However, there wasn’t a single week in which she could say thoughts of Seamus hadn’t crossed her mind.
It was slow, painful torture, but she refused to give in.
It didn’t matter that they were mates. Nor that her body went haywire every time he was near. The fact she dreamed about him almost every night and woke up yearning for him was of little consequence. No one, not fate, destiny, gods, or spell casters, could force her to be with Seamus.
She had a mind and body of her own and the right to decide whom she wanted to be with. He was not the man for her, not after what he’d done.
Kaila pulled her gaze from the hill. She didn’t have time for painful memories. She had to save her sister. It was all that mattered. All she had left.
Chapter Three
Seamus observed Kaila from the shadows. Her hips swayed seductively as she hurried through the long hall, her shoes clicking against the parquet like tiny hammers drumming on nails.
She looked gorgeous, as always. She’d chosen to wear a pair of tight, hugging black jeans and a white blouse which showed just enough cleavage to make his mouth water. Her heels completed the ensemble, making it casual, yet formal.
He held his breath as she stopped walking and glanced behind her. Her gaze darted left and right, and he found himself hoping it was because she’d perceived his presence and not because she was up to no good and scared of being caught. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, waiting. Her shoulders were tense. Her grip on her purse tight. He could almost taste the trickle of sweat gathering at the nape of her neck.
Finally, after a moment, she turned and practically ran to the library doors. Yes, his little Kaila was definitely up to something.
It wasn’t normal for her to be at the Academy. She avoided the place like the plague. Of course, she never came here because she was afraid of bumping into him. Seamus bit back a forlorn sigh. Silly girl.
She was his mate, and whenever his work allowed it, he kept an eye on her. She hated him, but he couldn’t stay away for long, even if from a distance. When
he wasn’t out on a mission, he watched her, making sure she was safe and as happy as she could possibly be, given the circumstances.
Now, it was his mission.
After his meeting with Aslan, he’d gone home to shower and change clothes. He had been on his way to see her on Earth when she walked through one of the portals. Unease rolled off her like thick fog on a cold winter day. He followed her. Initially, he thought she might have come see some friends down in the city of Altor, but instead, she’d led him here. Clearly, she was investigating something. What other purpose could someone have to go to the Academy library?
Seamus clenched his jaw. If she wasn’t so stubborn, she could have asked him for help. Whatever she needed, they could find out together. He ran his fingers through his hair. He knew her better than that. She would rather agonize than ask him. After almost twenty years, he still struggled to understand why she chose unhappiness over him, over them. Why did she make them both suffer day in and day out?
Yes, he’d been a jerk, but he’d tried to make amends repeatedly. She didn’t want to hear it. Whenever they got close, she’d push him away. Life would be hell if he didn’t still hang onto the slim hope that someday she’d give in to what they both felt, and she would eventually surrender to the mating pull.
Seamus touched the tattoo on his side. A tall sycamore tree stretched across his ribs, part of his abdomen, and onto his shoulder blade. Inked in black, the leaves appeared to flutter in the wind and mingled with the long locks of hair of a girl hidden behind the thick trunk, near the base. It represented the moment things had changed between them. Before that day, they’d enjoyed sitting under that tree and spending time together, then, he’d fucked up and ruined everything.
Seamus passed a hand over his face. How many times had he thought back to that evening? How many times had he wished he’d done things differently? He wished he hadn’t let her leave. He wished it hadn’t taken him three years for his mind to catch up with his heart.
He stretched his wings and accommodated himself better in his hiding spot. There were so many things he would have done in another way. Sadly, going back in time was impossible. All he had was the possibility of a future, and every day he fought for it to become a reality. The problem: Kaila wouldn’t bend. She had it in her head that their mating was a mistake and he would be better off with someone else or alone. She was sourly mistaken. She was his one and only, and that would never change.
****
It was practically dark when Kaila finally emerged from the library. Her shoulders slumped. Her eyes downcast, no doubt tired from spending the day reading.
Seamus frowned. She probably hadn’t eaten anything all day. He hated when she did that. She drove herself to exhaustion, forgetting to eat or drink for hours. He often wondered if she did it as a way to distract herself from thinking about him.
One time, she’d left her workplace at almost midnight. He’d been unable to keep quiet anymore. They’d argued in the street and screamed some ugly things at each other. By the end of it, he’d grabbed her and dragged her to dinner. He’d gotten a pretty hard kick on his shins as a result of that antique. However, his cock twitched as he recalled what happened after. Things didn’t turn out as bad that night. As much as she hated his guts, as much as she kept her distance, her body knew what it needed. Him.
Seamus bit back a sigh as she walked near him. Her essence wafted up his nose. Sweet, yet tart, like mango with a hint of orange.
She shivered. He pulled himself deeper into the shadows, grinning. Kaila stopped and looked around. After a moment, she continued on her way. It would take her a few minutes to get to the portals. His wings would carry him faster.
As soon as she was out of sight, he flew to the library. He entered and waved at Noah. Hunched over a set of books, he kept one of his gnarled fingers on the page while he read.
The willowy man had settled behind the desk a few hours earlier, when Caden had finished his work shift. The library never closed. The Academy believed knowledge should be accessible at all hours.
“Did you see the woman who just left?” Seamus asked.
Noah looked up from his paperwork. The crow’s feet under his eyes crinkled.
“Pretty girl with bangs? Nervous and tired looking?”
Seamus nodded. “That’s the one.”
“What about her?”
“Did she take out any books?”
“Why do you want to know?” Noah asked. His dark eyes narrowed.
“She’s in some sort of trouble and I want to help.”
Noah’s eyebrows shot up. He gazed at him steadily in the eyes. Seamus held his breath. He wasn’t lying and the perceptionist had no reason to believe otherwise. Finally, Noah grunted.
“Mates, eh?” He shook his head, the hint of a smile on his lips. “She didn’t take any books, but if you want to have a look, she was sitting near the S section, close to a window.”
“Thanks, Noah.”
The man shrugged, but Seamus heard his low chuckle as he returned to his work.
Seamus approached the tall shelves. Kaila’s fragrance still remained in the area. He caught sight of the cart nearby. He scanned the rows of used books: Guardian lore, fighting techniques, and about eight different books on Sloth. The hair on his arms stood. Sloth.
Surely, she hadn’t spent all day here searching for ways to kick someone’s ass. No. She’d been trying to find information on the Sin lord. Why?
Seamus bolted out the door and toward the portal area. Kaila strode in the same direction. His gut tightened at the sight of her. She glanced behind her. He hid. It would do no good to confront her. She wouldn’t speak. He only had one option. Follow her and wait.
Chapter Four
Seamus kept a close watch on Kaila. She stood in the middle of her living room, hands on her hips, surveying a selection of objects before her. From where he stood, he could make out a few of them: a backpack, a flashlight, spare batteries and rope. She was clearly setting up a kit, but where exactly was she going? Why did she need those things? And when would she make her move?
He crouched lower on the rooftop of the nearby building. The gleam of her weapon caught his eye and the hairs on the back of his neck stood.
“Babe, what are you doing?” he whispered.
It wasn’t long before Kaila finished packing. Seamus watched as she grabbed her bag and car keys, and left her apartment. He followed her with his gaze as she hurried across the street, climbed into her Chrysler, and drove off.
Seamus sprinted into the air. His wings spread out behind him like a veil of darkness. He soared high into the early afternoon sky. The breeze caressed his flesh, soothing his frayed nerves. Technically, they were not allowed to fly on Earth. Humans couldn’t see their wings, but they could notice him if they glanced upward and he wasn’t careful.
Seamus watched Kaila take a turn into the highway. He trailed behind her vehicle at a precautionary distance. Today, he didn’t care if people saw him. His mate was up to something, possibly dangerous, and he had to find out what it was and help her. His orders had long stopped being of consequence. Kaila was in some sort of trouble and he would die before he allowed her to fight any demons alone. She might hate him, but that would never stop him from protecting her to the best of his ability. He would allow her to carry her plan forward until it became too dangerous to do so. Then, he’d stop her at whatever cost.
Almost an hour later, Kaila took the exit to the nearest national park.
“Ah, babe, you can’t keep anything from me. I know where you’re going.”
Seamus sped ahead. He zoomed over the trees, slowing down as he caught sight of the ranger’s lodge. Effortlessly, he landed and rushed to the wooden house. He tapped the door. Someone had to be there. He glanced behind him. There was no sign of Kaila, but she was not too far behind.
“Come on,” he murmured.
Finally, the door opened. An athletic young man dressed in a brown ranger outfit stared at him f
rom behind a pair of thick glasses.
“The park is closed.” The man looked him up and down. He blinked. His blue eyes grew round and his mouth dropped open. “Sir.” He saluted. “Apologies. We don’t normally have travelers coming through here. Come in, come in.” He strung the words together into a long sentence, all the while adjusting his glasses over his nose and waving Seamus inside.
“Relax, soldier. I’m certain you don’t get many visitors. What’s your name?”
“Nathaniel, sir.” He closed the door behind them. “Yes, we don’t normally have any Guardians travel through here, much less one of your rank. I apologize for my mishap earlier.” Nathaniel toyed with the cuffs of his shirt.
Seamus chuckled. “No apologies needed. Though, you have a good eye, noticing the insignia on my sword belt. Not many would have done so.” Seamus extended his hand. They shook. The man’s hold was weak, his hand clammy. He had met his sort before. Young, inexperienced. Still discovering the ropes to being a Human-Guardian.
“I’m Seamus. You’re an HG, correct? From what year?”
“I haven’t finished my training yet, sir.” He cleared his voice. “I’m just helping out my uncle during the weekends.”
“I see. Where’s your uncle?” Seamus asked.
“He’s gone out. Um, there was a problem with some hikers.” Nathaniel fidgeted with his clothes some more.
Seamus bit the inside of his cheek. Problems with hikers? The man’s nervousness didn’t add up, but he didn’t have time to enquire further.
“It is of no consequence. You said you weren’t expecting anyone, Nathaniel?”
“Yes. This portal is too far out for most travelers. Most prefer the one down in the south part of the city.”
“I see. Tell me, has a woman come through here recently? A Human-Guardian, a little bit shorter than me, large brown eyes, brown hair with long bangs?”
“Yes, Kaila. She was really friendly. She came by a few weeks ago and asked a few questions about the portal, but I didn’t give it much thought. Why?”
Seamus's Mate Page 2
