Free Bound (The Guardians) by M.J. Stevens Page A

because these trivial acts aren’t important to me.’
    ‘Then what is?’ Leo asks.
    I sigh. ‘You need to figure that out for yourself by listening to me and picking up on the subtle hints I drop from my words, and my actions. Making a new friend is all about self-education. But it’s not supposed to feel that way. It’s supposed to be fun.’
    When I glance back at him, I see Leo’s shoulders drop. He seems deep in thought as if everything I have said is completely new. He reaches down to the bag and puts the gift back inside. Carefully he places it on the bed.
    ‘I know you do not want this. But please at least open the gift. It is not a bribe… I thought you might like it. Perhaps…it can be a start.’
    He strides towards my door and turns the knob. Like that, he is gone once again.
    When silence falls around the room, I tap my hands on my knees gently. Curiosity gets the better of me and I reach over to the bag and pull out the gift. Inside is a metal music box with a tiny handle. It’s the size of my palm. The instructions from the seller are attached to the side. It’s handmade. I walk over to the window and hold it up to the light as the directions tell me. As the sun shines on it, the handle winds and a small tune starts to play.
    I’ve never heard the song before.
    It’s strange, but when the music plays it makes me feel safe. The tune is gentle and soothing, a nice choice and perfect for me. When the winding stops completely, I remove it from the light.
    I feel myself smiling. I’m not so stubborn that I refuse to recognise that he’s attempted to do something nice for me. I know it must be hard for him to understand the concept of friendship. I doubt he has had many friends in his life, especially if this is how he treats them. But I don’t think I’m emotionally strong enough to keep tutoring him. I’m barely holding on myself.
    All I want is to go home.

Chapter Tweleve
    The next day brings harder tests, one of which I fail. It’s the first one I’ve stuffed up since coming to the Tower. Elentia scolded me for not trying hard enough. I did try, I really did. But for some reason, after Elentia informed me Leo was back in the Tower for meetings, for at least a week, my concentration started to lapse. I keep thinking about what I’m going to do when I see him next. Or wondering what he might do to me.
    I put my pen down on the table. I close up the textbooks. My eyes fall to the music box before me. I poke it.
    Desperate for some fresh air, I pack up my books and step out of the room. I turn my head, left and right. No Leo, so far so good. I make my way directly down to the bottom level foyer.
    On my way across the large circular floor, I pass a few Sentry officers and keep my eyes down. I duck into the second pillar and down the hallway of meeting rooms. When I reach the end, I push on a set of doors and descend into the underground; I’m heading for the kitchens, a little place I discovered in my travels.
    I walk causally past the chefs and non-executive day maids, nodding my head to them. This has become a common occurrence and they’re getting used to seeing me around. Technically, I’m not supposed to go into the staff areas. But that’s where the normal people are and the place I feel most comfortable. I rush up to the older maid Teri, who is making a giant pot of soup. I jump up and sit on the silver bench beside her. She grins at me.
    Whist stirring Teri asks, ‘How’s the studying coming along? All done for today?’
    ‘Yeah good… I finished an interesting chapter in the “Guardian’s antiquity”. It’s about these people called the MECHs. Do you know about them?’
    Teri shakes her head.
    I frown. ‘I know right? It’s strange. I took a couple of history classes in high school and not once did they come up. In fact there are a lot of confrontations with people all over the Centreland and Stray Islands of the Coasts that are all news to me.’
    Teri tastes the soup.