Bound (The Guardians) Page 12

  Leo has an honest yet aching expression on his face. When he reminds me how cold his family life is, I kind of feel bad for him. If only for a moment.

  ‘You spoke of your time at high school. I guess you are correct when you say I do not understand what that means to you and what it was like to struggle. For me, high school in the way you know it is foreign. I have never attended any kind of real school before. My entire education has been here in the Tower.’

  I pause for a second and then reply softly, ‘Don’t worry about it. On the whole high school kind of sucks anyway. It’s a confusing time, lots of drama.’

  Leo questions, ‘Drama?’

  I shrug. ‘Yeah you know the transition from being a child to a teenager. It’s all about strange and new feelings, boyfriends, girlfriends, drinking, studying, temptations, bullying, mistakes… it’s a mess really. But then again, if you went to high school you probably would have gone to a rich Poridos institute and got the watered-down version. No one would’ve been trying to sell you their mother’s anti-depressants behind the toilet blocks at lunchtime.’

  ‘Honestly?’ Leo asks with a squeak. He’s totally sucked into my story. In fact he’s been listening intently since about the words boyfriend and girlfriend.

  I snort. ‘Well, to be fair I went to a very bad and underfunded high school. It’s amazing I’m even alive really.’

  After a while I run out of things to say. A part of me is happy we are having a conversation; I did promise Lady Lethia I would try to be his friend. If I’m going to be stuck here forever, I don’t want to have my life being totally unbearable.

  ‘Lady Lethia asked to meet with me today,’ I say fairly randomly. Leo glances away quickly, as if eye contact now burns. I go on. ‘She told me herself about everything that has been happening with her illness. I had no idea that she was so sick. I’m really sorry to hear it. She seems like such a nice woman as well.’

  Leo’s eyes narrow slightly. He stands up, ‘Sorry… I just remembered I have meeting I must attend.’ He steps away from his board and then back to it. Leo looks rattled, like the mentioning of her name has sent him into some sort of weird spiral. He takes the board into the storage room and walks out. ‘Make sure you put your board back…’

  Leo leaves the training room all together, the door closing tight behind him. I remain sitting on the floor. I’m sort of stunned and confused. What just happened?

  Lethia was supposed to be a conversation continuer. But now I’ve upset him. I guess I picked the wrong topic to keep the chatting going. I want to fulfil my promise. But if he keeps bailing out like that, it’s going to be difficult if not impossible.

  chapter twenty-three

  I put my training board back into the storage room. I’m amazed at the rows of hooks with boards attached. I see Leo’s row, the blue board and gold board stored away nicely next to others I haven’t seen before. I reluctantly turn the lights off and head to the change rooms to take off the suit. After getting back into my normal clothes, a white and blue dress to my knees, I put the body suit into the bag provided. I cross the padded floored room towards the main exit.

  I stop suddenly. I can hear a muffled banging sound. It starts again and again. I turn my head, following the sound. It leads me to a door behind the grandstand. Elentia hadn’t mentioned what was behind it; I figure it’s storage.

  I pull on the handle and open it. A loud bang hits my ears and I jump. I step into the room and see a short curved corridor before me that follows the cylinder shape of the Tower. It leads to a shooting range.

  The one making the noise is Arin. As there is only one door to this room, and no accessible windows, I wonder when exactly he came in. I’m sure didn’t seem him.

  Arin holds a large rifle out and starts shooting at several moving objects before him. I put the bag over my shoulder and cover my ears with my hands. He fires five more shots before lowering the gun. Arin’s sharp blue eyes snap towards me as his body turns. I put my hands down.

  ‘Sorry,’ I call. ‘I didn’t know you were here. I followed the noise.’

  Arin glances back at me blankly. I take a step backwards when he quickly holds out his hand. He flicks his fingers at me.

  I cautiously stride up and stand next to the tall young man. Leo and Arin are close in height, standing a good foot or more above me. But Arin looks different in the face, resembling his grandfather more than his father. His short honey blond hair is styled a little longer than his brother’s, but still presented well. If someone told me that he was being made the new Lord Guardian tomorrow, I would believe it.

  Arin takes his earplugs out and I gaze at the targets before him. Each one is blasted several times, directly on the bullseye.

  ‘Wow… um great shot…or ten!’ I laugh.

  Arin stares at me. Gradually his face softens. I guess that means he’s appreciative of the compliment. I notice there’s quite a collection of guns before him. There are rifles and pistols in various shapes and sizes. It appears he has a busy day planned.

  ‘So… you seem to be into guns,’ I say awkwardly.

  ‘I would assume by now Elentia has explained to you about the Guardian Stones?’ he responds, picking up a pistol. I nod. Arin points to the chocker around his neck. A small red stone is embedded in the thick dark silver chain. ‘My gem grants me the power of the element, fire. But, I prefer to use my weapons when I can. It shows enemies I am deadly, with or without my element.’

  Abruptly he thrusts the pistol forward, placing it on my forehead. He clicks the bullet into place. My body turns ice cold. I can’t feel my hands.

  Arin stands there for a moment with a serious face. Unexpectedly he smiles and laughs slightly. He pulls the gun back. ‘Do you see? Weapons are far more intimidating than dancing around with fire. Being able to use your element is not everything. The Guardians praise Leo for being a “clean fighter”, mainly because he is the first one we have had in many generations. But as the next Lord Guardian I take matters such as fighting seriously, which is why I am skilled in many techniques. Battle is a delicate balance of offence, defence and pure luck. That is something you will learn soon enough. Here,’ he says, passing me the gun.

  I take the handle loosely. I’ve never held a gun before. I’m petrified I will shoot myself in the face or something.

  Arin stands behind me. He moves my arms up to the target. ‘Hold it like this. Put your hands here… and then, bang, fire. It is easy.’ Slowly he slips a set of earmuffs over my head. I glance at him and he flicks his head towards the targets.

  I line up and slowly pull the trigger. The bang scares me. I simultaneously scream and jump as I fire. The bullet hits the very edge of the target.

  Arin slides the earmuffs off and takes the gun from me. ‘That was… satisfactory.’

  ‘It’s fine, you can save the fake praise. I don’t think I will ever be good at this,’ I say shaking.

  He replies, ‘Anrella felt the same way in the beginning. She was utterly petrified. After her first shot she ran out of the room crying. It took me weeks to get her to try again. However, with practice, she has become quite skilled. She has her own specialised weapons and I trust her to watch my back.’

  ‘Well you should. You’re going to be Lord and Lady Guardian together,’ I say.

  Arin looks away for a moment. His face is sad, almost as if that idea is unpleasing to him.

  ‘Your shoulder is starting to bruise. You should have that attended to straight away. Go and see Teri in the kitchen. She should be able to get you a bag of ice.’

  I glance down at my sleeveless dress top and can see darkness appearing down my arm. It doesn’t hurt as bad as the bruise makes it look. I say goodbye and leave Arin to his training.

  Chapter twenty-four

  Resting on the floor of Demmi’s room, I hold an ice bag against my shoulder. I twist my head to study the space. It’s almost identical to mine. His room however has a few more personal touches after six months of residency, like
photos and a few books I recognise.

  On the white carpet Demmi, Soren and Anrella sit around me. All of us are in our pyjamas. We’re having an impromptu night party, Anrella’s idea.

  ‘I took a slight, secret, detour on my mission today,’ Anrella says with a grin. She takes the lid off a cream-coloured baker’s box resting in the middle of our circle. We all lean forward. The box is full of mini cakes and tarts and other sweets.

  ‘I went to Port Thion to the west. Afterwards, I had to stop by their famous bakery. I know it wasn’t authorised but come on! I could smell the sweetness from the air.’

  Soren is almost drooling as she leans over the box. ‘The food in Port Thion is outstanding! Plus they have a massive carnival every few months. It is so fun. They have the best rides ever.’

  Not prepared to wait a minute longer, Demmi picks up a piece of chocolate cake and puts it on a plate. Cutting a corner off and popping it into his mouth he grins. ‘Mmm…ohh nommy!’

  ‘I want some!’ Soren cries loudly. Demmi cuts another piece and holds out the fork to her. She leans over and slowly slides the piece off with her mouth, chewing it happily.

  ‘Oh to be sixteen and in love once more… I’m only twenty three… but the teenage world seems like forever ago,’ Anrella smiles.

  I take a bite out of my cookie. It’s really good. As I chew, Anrella asks about the bruise on my shoulder. I reply, ‘I got hit by something called the Shooter?’

  Demmi and Soren glance at me with shocked faces. Demmi says, ‘But… this was your first day of training, right? That’s so mean. Elentia didn’t use that on me until a few weeks in.’

  Anrella nods quickly. ‘Yeah it was a good month or more for me.’

  I say, ‘Maybe she thought I needed the push. When the MECHs attacked Leo and me, I was completely useless. I got chased down by a child. I’m no fighter. I’d be more help offering my services to the Tower as a sandbag.’

  Anrella touches my unhurt shoulder. ‘Don’t be like that. We aren’t exactly born fighters, not us brides anyway. It’s something you learn. Besides, once you prove yourself worthy you’ll get your Guardian’s Stone and you’ll feel a lot safer.’

  I ask the group, ‘So do you all have your Guardian jewellery?’

  Anrella pulls a long hair pin from her high ponytail. I’ve never really noticed it there before. It’s long and silver with a clear jewel on the end. ‘It’s an air stone,’ she says touching it. ‘But as expected, I can only use the shield not the element.’

  Demmi lifts up some of his black hair around his left ear. There’s an earring with a white jewel on it. ‘It’s an ice stone for me,’ he tells me. ‘But I can’t use the element either, only the shield. Trust me when I say I’ve tried through… pulled a muscle…’

  Soren then puts her right hand forward. She has a ring with a small green stone on her pinkie. ‘Earth stone,’ she says me. ‘And yes I can use my element.’

  ‘But she isn’t very good,’ Demmi adds. Soren elbows him in the ribs.

  My eyes drift downwards and Anrella tries to cheer me up. She tells me that I will get something and not to worry. But that’s not what’s bothering me. I’m actually concerned more about if that day comes. It’ll mean that I’m officially a Guardian, bound to this life forever. Mellea Wendorn from Pekkin will disappear completely.

  ‘LaLa, can I have this?’ Soren asks Anrella, holding up a piece of white cake with a berry dressing.

  Anrella laughs. ‘Why are you asking? You never ask permission for anything.’

  Soren pouts and says, ‘It is for Leo. This is his favourite flavour. I was thinking about taking it to him. He has been working a lot of hours lately, for Momma…you know…anyway I am worried he might not be eating right.’

  ‘And cake is a healthy food choice?’ Anrella smirks. ‘What about Arin? He’s your brother too. You never take him anything.’

  ‘Arin and I are ten years apart,’ Soren says. ‘He hardly ever speaks to me and when he does it is very scary! I love Leo more than anyone!’

  ‘Hey!’ Demmi cries.

  Soren bats her eyes. ‘Sorry Demmi. But our love is different anyway; it’s a special kind of love. The kind where you let me take my tongue and—’

  ‘Please…I’m begging you, stop!’ Anrella says with a twisted face.

  I suddenly get an idea. Not from the tongue talk, but the cake in Soren’s manicured hands. If I was to take the cake to Leo, it would give me a chance to check on him and possibly strike up a conversation, thereby keeping my promise to Lady Lethia. It’s perfect.

  ‘Do you mind if I take it to him?’ I ask Soren.

  Her blue eyes flutter and she slowly passes the plate over to me. I take it from her and place one of the plastic lids over it for safe keeping. When I look back up, everyone is staring at me.

  I draw out the word, ‘What?’ with squinted eyes.

  ‘A late night visit to Leo’s room?’ Anrella questions. ‘It sounds like someone has been keeping us in the dark about their relationship status. I thought you were still mad at him? Did he finally break through to you with those big blue eyes of his?’

  ‘No. There’s just something I have to do.’

  Demmi smirks. ‘You mean there’s someone you have to do.’

  I stand up with the cake. ‘Shut up! I’m keeping a promise, that’s all you need to know.’ Not looking back, I make my way to the door and out towards the elevators.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  I adjust my long blue shirt and knee-length star-patterned pyjama pants for the seventh time. I can’t help but think I should have changed my outfit. As I stand uncomfortably, gently rubbing my shoeless toes together, I start to feel unjustifiably nervous. I have no feelings for Leo. This is not a romantic visit. I’m simply dropping off something in the hope it will foster a conversation.

  I reach up, draw my hand back, and then knock on Leo’s door. I step back. Whilst I wait I glance around a few times, hoping no one will come past and catch me on an executive level. When the time frame you would expect a normal person to answer a door passes, I think perhaps he isn’t home, or possibly asleep. I’m about to walk away when one of the wooden doors rattles.

  Leo’s head pops through the top and he glances down at me.

  Standing tall, I announce, ‘I’ve brought you some cake.’ I thrust it forward at him. My hands are shaking a bit. Leo gives me silence as a reply. Why doesn’t he say something? Maybe this was a bad idea after all.

  Leo pushes open the door and steps out. He’s wearing a sleeveless white top and dark blue shorts to just above his knees. I haven’t seen him dressed so casually before; it puts me at ease about my outfit. His hands reach out to take what I have. I quickly place the plate in them and he stares at me.

  ‘Is there an occasion I am forgetting?’

  I reply, ‘What? No, it’s a gift. It’s not really from me, I guess. Anrella bought them today and Soren said this was the flavour you liked and so I thought I would drop some off.’

  Leo’s face breaks into a smile, the biggest I’ve seen yet. It feels like someone has shot hot butter straight into my heart. Why are his sweet looks so utterly captivating? He’s a demon or something, no doubt!

  ‘Would you like to come in?’ Leo asks. ‘Or, I think you should…before someone sees you.’

  I slowly follow Leo into his spacious apartment. Gently I close the door behind me. Leo turns to the left, walking towards the lounge room area. His projector is on and a game is paused, flashing on the large screen.

  Leo unexpectedly says, ‘My mother is the reason you are here, isn’t she? I bet she put strange thoughts into your head when you visited her today.’

  I stop walking quickly. He’s sharp, too sharp. But I need to play it cool. ‘How do you figure that?’ I ask.

  ‘It is obvious,’ Leo replies. ‘You speak to her and the next moment you are on the doorstep of someone you hate, with a piece of cake.’

  I follow Leo into the lounge with clenched fi
sts. I do hate him for what he did. And bringing it up when I’m trying to be nice makes me stew more. I watch Leo place the cake on the coffee table. I sit stiffly in a nearby arm chair.

  ‘Tell me what my mother said to you.’

  Okay, Lethia told me that Leo appreciates honesty. I only hope she’s right and he doesn’t hit the roof…or me. Here it goes.

  ‘I told her all about what you did to me. All the bad stuff mostly. She’s really mad at you. But as your mother she believes that deep down you’re not totally wicked. Now she has asked that I attempt to bridge the gap between us, you created. In essence she wants us to be friends. Or rather she wants me to be your friend. Even though none of this is my fault and yet I still feel like I’m being punished because you’re a jerk.’

  Leo sighs and sits back in his chair. ‘I can assume then that by being here tonight you have agreed to this and are thus trying to develop a friendship?’

  I say, ‘Yeah well…I don’t know. I mean, clearly it's not going to be easy considering what's happened between us. I’m still pissed off at you. But at the same time, you didn’t make my Da hit me or say those things. So I can’t exactly blame you for that part, only that part.’

  He lowers his gaze. ‘I hope you believe me when I tell you this but…if I had known that your parent’s reactions would be so cruel, that you would end up miserable, I would have set you free the very first moment you asked.’

  I feel my eyes widen. He would have? Really?

  I watch Leo stand and walk towards the kitchen. He returns with a shiny fork in his hand.