Free Indestructible by Alycia Linwood Page A

him a deadpan look. “And that person probably threw it all away after finding out you were gone.”
    “Could be, but I don’t think Alan would allow it.”
    “Oh, you mean your crazy, power-thirsty guardian would keep things that belong to you?” All Alan had ever cared about was to get the vice presidency or to get to a higher position in the society, even if that meant getting Adrian out of his way. And no, I didn’t care that Alan most likely wouldn’t let Adrian die.
    “He would.” A small smile appeared on Adrian’s lips.
    “But he won’t give us anything, especially now that we don’t have what to offer to him in exchange.” I frowned. Either Adrian knew something about his guardian that I didn’t or he had more faith in him than I did.
    “He will if we ask him nicely.” The wide grin on Adrian’s face made me think he was totally planning to threaten Alan. That was fine with me, though.
    “Is Alan still working at the university or did he have to resign because you left?” If Alan was still Adrian’s guardian, he had to go wherever Adrian went, or at least that was the idea.
    “Actually, the whole guardian thing is being reconsidered and will probably become history because everyone realized there are way too many carriers out there and that it would be stupid to assign guardians when carriers can take care of themselves. Some of the carriers have already decided to reveal their identity and I’m no longer the only carrier the whole world knows about. Besides, I have a sub-element and I’m over eighteen.” He returned one huge dusty book to its shelf. “That means Alan is still working at the university.”
    “Oh, cool.” Adrian would finally be free of Alan. That was the best news I’d gotten lately, which made me wonder why Adrian hadn’t told me earlier. “So what are we going to do? Pay Alan a visit?”
    “Yep.”
    The world tilted around me and I closed my eyes, my hand grabbing for something to steady myself and finding the edge of a cabinet.
    “Whoa, are you alright?” Adrian placed a hand on my shoulder.
    “Yeah, but my head hurts from all the dust and mold. Take that photo and let’s get out of here.”
    “As you wish.”
    The fresh air did nothing to chase away the tiny tremors that went through my body. What the hell was wrong with me now? As soon as we reached the car, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
     

Chapter 11
     
     
    A frown line appeared on my forehead as Adrian stopped the car in front of an apartment complex. “I thought we were going to the university.”
    “Alan might still work at the university, but he no longer lives there. He doesn’t have to watch over me anymore, so he wanted to find a place where students wouldn’t bother him,” Adrian said.
    “How do you know this?” The last time Adrian and I were at the university, Alan had been still living there. And we hadn’t really heard from him later because we’d hoped he wouldn’t uncover my secret and try to manipulate me again.
    “I’ve been tracking him over the last three months. I sent some people to tell me where he went, what he did...” His voice trailed off as he undoubtedly saw my wide-eyed look. “What? He’s my guardian. I had to know where he was.”
    “Did you talk to him?” I’d never understand Alan’s and Adrian’s relationship.
    He looked at his hands in his lap and licked his lips. “Maybe.”
    “Ah, I should have known. I just can’t believe you keep going back to him even after he was willing to put your life in danger to get what he wanted.”
    “He raised me, Ria.” Adrian’s eyes grew sad. “He took me in when no one else wanted me and he treated me better than any other guardian would have.”
    I spread my hands in defeat. “Fine. Whatever you say.” If the government planned to do away with guardians, then Alan could get whatever job he wanted without Adrian being an obstacle.
    “I told him you were in a coma,” he said cautiously. “I