Free Guardian by Valerie King

mustering up a grin. With my head hung low now that I sat alone, I viewed the last remaining bruise that had lightened to a pale yellow around my left wrist. It was a valid reminder that I had faltered, that my foot had stumbled, giving the Nightenbows reason to step in and uphold the treaty in place. Now I understood what my father’s importance was. What his job entailed, and why it had remained a secret all these years. Knowing the truth didn’t make things any easier.
    Aaron had made it perfectly clear what my world now held, what my fate was. Evan’s life was to expire along with mine, but his life was to be taken by my own two hands. And as the truth hit my conscience head on, I made one final promise to myself, to my Shomer…to the Guardians. I would leave before any more damage could be done, before the truth escaped the lips of another…before anyone knew what Macy Louise Milligan had done.
    I refused to kill, and I refused to die in vain. I would leave the only world that I had ever known, and I would take Evan with me. Yes, I would have to break the heart of someone I genuinely cared for, but I longed to love the one who knew me and accepted me. He was the one I longed for, wanted more than anything in this world. I had spoken a vow, and it would remain unbroken for all eternity. Or at least, for as long as this girl walked the streets of the broken world around her.
     
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    Warning
     
     
     
    Days passed slowly as I waited for him to cry out for me. It was the only way I could face him again, to speak of the dangers that awaited the two of us if we stayed any longer. But his heartbeat remained silent, his resilient being completely still. I had to awaken a need inside the depths of his soul, so I planned a course of action. It was a completely crazy scheme that left me questioning my own sanity, but one that left me no choice unless I was ready to face my eradication. I wasn’t ready to leave this world just yet. I had too much to live for, to give.
    “Where are you off to so early this morning, dear?” Mom was working the crossword puzzle in the New York Times . Dad had already left for the day; he had left for the job, the position of secrecy that was no longer a secret to any of us. But this didn’t make his work any less important. If anything, it was even more important nowadays.
    Trey and I didn’t see each other very often anymore. It wasn’t that we didn’t want to spend time together; it was because the Guardians had formed a group to watch the slithering moves of the Nightenbows. They were watching us, so we began watching them. A handful of young men were called to action, to disperse throughout the city, and to check that the Nightenbows continued to uphold their side of the bargain. Several other groups of angels had joined ours in an attempt to keep things in peaceful order. The Seraphims, Cherubims and the Chayots were working alongside us.
    “I’m headed downtown for coffee, a little window-shopping, and to take a walk through the park,” I replied.
    Mom folded her newspaper and removed her reading glasses. “Mind if I join you? I could use some fresh air.” She rose to her feet before I could answer.
    I knew what she was doing, she was afraid to allow me to go anywhere alone. After the attack, my mother had grown leery of everything and trusted no one. Of course, I had expected this to be her reply to my answer. So I had constructed a plan that would allow me to part ways with her at just the right time later this morning.
    Mom slipped on her shoes, pulling her hair back in a loose ponytail. Within ten minutes, she was ready to go, and so was I. As we shut the door behind us, her arm slipped around my shoulder, pulling me into her side as we walked into the empty elevator. “This will be nice, Mac. A little mother-daughter time this morning.”
    I smiled at her sweet gesture and replied with great ease, “Of course, Mom. Now let’s grab that