Free Blood of the Guardian by Kristal Shaff Page A

child—”
    “It’s not my child!”
    The room fell silent. Nolan had never heard Emery yell before. When Emery had confronted him in the village, when he thought Nolan had been killing others to gain their powers—even then, Emery had a steady calm in his rage. It was nothing like the outburst of emotions from him now.
    “Whose then?” Kael’s expression fell as realization hit him; his face paled.
    Emery turned toward the Guardians. “Is it possible? Can a Guardian father a child?”
    “It is possible,” Malik answered. “However, joining with a human is unwise and disrespectful.”
    Kael snorted. “ That’s never stopped Alcandor.”
    Malik uncrossed his arms, fists at his side. “Alcandor? He has done this?”
    “Can you tell us what kind of child it will be?” Emery asked, diverting the question. “Will it be … human?”
    Malik’s white, glowing eyes flicked to Nolan. Both Kael’s and Emery’s heads turned toward Nolan, mouths open.
    “Crows, Kael,” Nolan said. “We’re brothers, for Brim’s sake. Our parents are human.”
    “I imagine the child would be something similar to Nolan,” Malik added. “However, the blood of a Guardian would run through the child’s veins. I have never known any Guardian child to survive the birth from a human mother. They all die with the mother.”
    Nolan stepped back as if someone smacked him. He grabbed the bedpost, steadying as his head swam. Both mother and baby die? Any contemplation of a life with a girl—any girl—snuffed out in a puff of smoke. Then, the realization of a more pressing threat hit him. Megan will … die? He ran a hand over his chin, his head heavy and thick. What would they do?
    Emery rubbed shaking hands together. “Can we remove it?”
    “The child?” Malik asked. “No. In the past, all attempts proved fatal, for both mother and child.”
    Emery closed his eyes, defeated. Then he opened them and stared at Kael intently. A spark of hope flared to life in him. “Maska. We need to speak with Maska.”
    Kael brightened. “Of course. Maska. I’d almost forgotten.”
    Emery forced a smile. “General, could you please—”
    “I’ll get him immediately.” Kael’s eyes flared yellow, and he zipped away.
    The rest of them waited, tense energy clouding the room. Nolan looked up, expecting to see Nass filling the ceiling, but saw nothing. Then he remembered what Brim had told him: Only those who have not taken the light produce them. He’d been so immersed with the common people of Renfrew, and their fresh supply of Nass, he’d nearly forgotten what it was like to be without them again.
    Emery paced, bringing Nolan’s attention to him again while they waited for Kael to return. What did Maska have to do with anything? How was Maska going to save her?
    Nolan pulled on his Guardian abilities, wanting to read Emery; however, Emery fortified his mind like the stone walls of Faylinn.
    His eyes flicked to Nolan’s. He didn’t say anything, but he gave Nolan a subtle shake of his head. Nolan pulled back, ashamed. Of course, Emery didn’t want him dipping into his mind. Especially not here . They stood in the room where Alcandor had abused Emery for seventeen years.
    Finally, someone approached, their steps cutting across the throne room floor. Maska’s complaints echoed through the expanse of the room. Apparently, his mood hadn’t improved.
    Kael entered first, followed by Maska. However, the moment Maska set foot inside the room, his posture stiffened. His dark eyes darted, flashing red with Strength. He muttered a Talasian word that sounded much like a curse.
    He wore only leather breeches. No shirt. No shoes. Wet hair clung to his face, as if Kael had pulled him from a bath. He inhaled slowly before speaking. “Emery, why do you bring me here?”
    Emery motioned to an overstuffed chair, but Maska stood erect, his muscled arms crossed tightly over his olive-colored chest. Kael closed the door, sealing their privacy.
    “Thank