Free Xander vol.1 Transmutation by Jaz Johnson Page B

companions?”
    “ It’s very rare for
Athenians to bond with another Guardian. And even more so for
Guardians to find another companion,” Xander explained. “In fact,
it’s yet to be recorded – Guardians taking on another companion.
Though when speaking to those that have lost them, they say it is
based on a sense of loyalty and grief, rather than an incapability.
So the answer remains unclear.”
    Nora nodded slowly, taking
in the information. She couldn’t help but be continuously
overwhelmed, as well as curious. At first, she had tried to reason
with herself and convince herself that what she saw with Loni was
an extensive magic trick, and that Xander had been lying about
being an alien.
    But hearing more and more
of his culture, there were entirely too many facts to keep track of
for the lie to be so complex. And then there was of course, Loni,
who, while she was learning more and more about her species, seemed
more and more real.
    And now Nora was stuck
with the unbelievable fact that the man sitting next to her was a
full-fledged alien. And that he wasn’t at all trying to abduct her,
or conduct tests on her, or do anything of the things Hollywood had
suggested. He was just a guy, studying the planet, and possibly
helping her save it.
    “ At any rate,” Xander
exhaled, readjusting himself in the sofa cushion. “We’ve gotten off
subject again.” He raised a brow, catching Nora’s sudden tension in
her body language. “Chimera.” Xander demanded. Nora frowned,
averting her eyes. “I suggest that if you wish to continue having
my protection, that you enlighten me on just what I’m getting
myself into.”
    Nora sighed, but knew he
was right. It was only fair to give him a fair warning of what was
about to go on, and what she was planning on doing. She wouldn’t
assume that he would go as far as to tag along on her mission. But
as far as protecting until said mission took off, he was right in
wanting to know just what he would be up against if the time should
arise.
    “ You said ‘he’ called you
Chimera. Who is ‘he’, exactly?” Xander asked, starting the first of
many questions.
    Nora hesitated, grimacing.
She knew that she was about to give away information she had sworn
not to. And she knew that giving the information would make her
more of a target than she already was. And while she was fearful of
her life, she no longer cared for the oath she took.
    That was before the
change. That was before the manipulation and the lies. That was
before she found out what the doctor’s true intentions were. That
was before the danger for the future. And most importantly – it was
before Sarah. She took a deep breath, taking her first
plunge.
    There would be no turning
back.
    “ He was our therapist. His
name is James Lupin.”

Chapter 9

    “ How did he do it?” Xander
asked.
    “ He told us it was a new
breakthrough in therapy,” she scoffed. “A new drug designed to cure
you personally .
And we believed him.”
    “ Was it a
malfunction?”
    “ No. He knew it would
mutate us. I don’t think he knew how, though. He was after a
uniform mutation, wanting the same results every time. But that’s
not what he got. He was after an ideal. But ended up with
us.”
    “ What do you
mean?”
    “ He told us it would cure
whatever disorder or problem we were seeing him for. But instead,
the mutation manifested them, and we became their
embodiment.”
    “ What was yours?” Xander
asked after some hesitation. “Why were you seeing him?”
    “ They called me a hippie.
A tree hugger,” she scoffed, laughing harshly. “I felt a connection
with nature that people called unnatural .” She turned her hand
over, looking down at its palm as she allowed the beginnings of
thin vines to merge from her wrist and crawl up into the palm of
her hand. Her eyes were solemn, even as she handled the wines with
care.
    “ Now the connection is
more than emotional.”
    Xander watched her
movements, unable to help but