I opened my eyes. Hunter gasped as Eli pushed the stake harder against his chest. My hands started shaking and my chest hurt. There was no way Hunter would be able to get away, so for the benefit of my soul—I ran to my room and closed the door.

Suddenly, the air grew thicker or my lungs grew heavier, whatever was happening to me hurt. I collapsed on my bed and cried silently into my pillow. A short while later, my door opened. I didn’t lift my head. A warm body sat down next to me and stroked my hair. I rolled over and looked up at Eli.

“I didn’t kill him,” he whispered.

The air thinned and I was able to breathe easier. I hated myself for it.

“Why?”

“I couldn’t do it to you.” He pushed a dark lock of hair out of my face.

“I didn’t leave because I was angry… I left the room because I came to terms with it and I didn’t want to watch. Hunter is a vampire and our job is to kill vampires. His death is inevitable.”

“Maybe his death is inevitable, but not tonight.” He planted a lingering kiss on my forehead and stroked my arm. His fingers hit the metal bracelet.

“What’s this?” he asked.

I groaned. “Hunter clipped it onto me and I can’t get it off.”

He tugged at it and tried pulling it over my hand, but it still wouldn’t budge.

“It won’t come off. Hunter said a Middle Eastern witch spelled it, and then he killed her.”

Eli exhaled, running his hands through his hair. “Don’t panic. I’m sure Aleksandrov knows how to remove it without the witch’s spell.”

I nodded and he planted another kiss on my forehead. “I need to report to Mr. Aleksandrov and we’re going to need to comb the school and make sure there are no more vampires lurking anywhere. Hunter said he was the only one, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

I felt sorry for Eli. Fatigue lines had carved their way through his usually smooth skin and after the night we’ve had, I could see that all his body wanted was a long, unbroken sleep.

“Are you going to be okay?” he asked.

I didn’t know what to say. Was I okay? I felt okay. I mean, I was lost in shock and my body ached even more than before, but was I really okay? Sage Sanctum was no longer my safe haven. Its guaranteed safety was void. Vampires had somehow breached the charms.

“I think I’ll be okay,” I muttered, rubbing the whistle between my index finger and thumb.

“Do you want me to send someone to keep watch?”

I could tell he wanted to stay with me as much as I wanted to stay with him, but unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.

“No, I’ll be okay.”

Eli stroked my hair and rose to his feet. He strolled over to the door and glanced at me over his shoulder before turning out the light. I lay in the dark, caressing Eli’s whistle. I was relieved Eli hadn’t staked Hunter, even though he had every right to. Twice tonight Eli had proved how much he cared for me without uttering a word. I hugged my pillow closer to me and tried to fight off sleep, but the heaviness of my lids won out and I let my dreams take me away.

THE GYM

When I woke, the sun was bright outside my window with a small spattering of clouds that scuttled too quickly across the sky. After breakfast, I braided my hair down the side, got dressed and stepped out onto the porch. My eyes adjusted to the brightness of the morning light. The air was pleasant and warm. A breeze blew across my porch, sending little dust fairies everywhere. The sun hung bright in the sky, coating everything in golden light. Cicadas chirped and birds sang all around me. Despite the events that took place after Eli left the first time last night, I felt different—more alive—could sex even do that? I couldn’t explain it…colors seemed brighter and nature appeared more beautiful than it had yesterday or any other day before that… Or maybe I just took the term ‘awakened’ a lot more literal than I should have.

Guardians moved up and down the street, giving orders and talking in hushed tones. It was about last night, no doubt. Despite the urge to find out what they were talking about, I ignored them and headed for the gym. As I stepped off the porch, my bracelet smacked the support beam. I glanced down at my wrist. I tugged at it one more time—it didn’t budge. I clenched my fists and walked quickly toward the gym. If I was going to get through the day without breaking down and punching someone, I needed to take my anger out on a punching bag. I didn’t know what would happen when Mr. Aleksandrov found out I couldn’t use my Heelian power. I was meant to protect him, but I couldn’t, not without my sun power.

The gym was empty, for the most part, anyway. Xavier was lifting weights in the far corner with headphones in his ears and the only other person was pulling his boxing wraps off and storing them in his gym bag. I made my way over to the boxing bags and gloves situated at the far end of the room by the boxing ring. I put the gloves on and chose the punching bag that looked almost brand new.

My punches were hard and fast, but I was quickly burning out. I grunted as I packed as much ferocity as I could into my last punch. Even as I heard the chain that held the bag creak and threaten to snap, I still felt no satisfaction, no quick fix for the anger inside me. Sighing, I lay down on the floor and closed my eyes. I heard the sound of sneakers scuffing the overly buffed floors and I cringed as the horrible sound sent shivers down my spine.

“Ruby! Ruby, are you okay?”

My eyes shot open and Xavier was leaning over me, his usual fluffy golden hair flattened against his forehead with sweat.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled warily. “I’m taking a break.”

Xavier exhaled in relief. “Thank god, I thought you hurt yourself.”

I eased myself into a seated position, ignoring the ache in my arms. Xavier sat on the floor next to me, panting heavily.

“So, uh, a vampire came into the school last night.”

I flicked my braid over my shoulder, avoiding eye contact. “Yep, I know.”

I focused on fraying the cotton on the end of my shoelaces. Xavier leaned in closer and I glanced at his red, sweaty face.

“Was it really Hunter?” His voice was barely louder than a whisper.

“Where’d you hear that?”

He shrugged. “People talk and I’m still on a ‘need to know’ basis.”

I sighed. “Yes, it was.”

Xavier sensed how uncomfortable the topic made me, so he changed it. “Cool bracelet,” he said, tapping my wrist.

“Not so cool, it cuts off my Heelian power.”

Xavier’s mouth dropped open and his brow furrowed. “Hunter did that to you?”

I nodded. “It’ll make it easier for Lucian to capture me.”

I bit my lip. I wasn’t sure if it was in thought or out of fear. My Heelian power was the only thing that kept me—and Eli—alive in Mount Kuuce and Gerald Harbor. I would have never had the chance to stake Lucian without weakening him first. Lucian made the mistake of trusting me—a mistake he wouldn’t make again. Xavier tapped his index finger on the floor.

“So what are you going to do?” he asked.

“I have no idea. I’m hoping you and the rest of the guardians are as strong as you claim, because when this all goes down on Wednesday, I’m not going to be able to help you.”

Xavier climbed to his feet. “Things are in motion. Plans are being made for Wednesday, and if things go to plan, no one is going to get hurt.”

“What are the plans? You’d think since I’m Aleksandrov’s head guardian, I’d be included.”

“I don’t even know what’s going on, but I’ll find out.”

I gave him my cell number, and with a few more assurances that he’d see what he could do, he left for breakfast. I went back to punching the bag.

I didn’t punch for much longer after Xavier left. Physically, I couldn’t. I was drained in all senses of the word and I couldn’t shake the nauseous feeling that churned my stomach or the headache that relentlessly pounded behind my eyes.

I left the gym with my head down. I was focused on the piece of frayed shoelace when a girly voice called for my attention. I raised my head. Mila was running toward me, her blonde hair swishing like a horse’s tail behind her. A thin sheen of sweat glistened against her forehead and her cheeks were flushed in a light pink.

“Ruby,” she panted. “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Mila didn’t seem panicked or scared. Her voice had a shaky element to it, but I’d say that was from the running. My brows furrowed. “Is everything okay?”

“Mostly. I mean, except that a vampire got into the school last night, everything is fine.”

My muscles tensed. I wasn’t aware the students knew about last night. Suddenly a suspicious, a deep crease formed in Mila’s forehead as she watched me. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

I pushed her shoulder playfully. “Hey, you found me. Tell me what’s up with you first.”

“Oh, I was wondering…” She paused to straighten her ponytail. “You don’t have to say yes, I know how difficult it might be for you, but…” She exhaled and scuffed her shoes against the concrete.

I nudged her shoulder again. “Come on, spit it out.”

“Eli and I are getting bonded today. Well, right now, and I thought that maybe you’d like to come? It’s okay if you don’t want to, I understand.”

I’d forgotten that Eli and Mila would be bonded on Monday, which I’d also forgotten was today. Whether I chose to forget or genuinely forgot, I didn’t know. Mila’s deep brown eyes watched me and suddenly I was afraid to say no. She seemed fragile, and if I said no, I was afraid she’d have another meltdown. I swallowed my emotions and agreed to go and watch my guardian angel be signed over to someone else. She wrapped her arms tightly around my neck and squeezed.

“Thank you so much! I’m so nervous and you’ve been through this before, which eases my nerves, like, a lot.”

I smiled, but even I could tell it was fake. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy for her—I couldn’t think of a guardian angel more dedicated than Eli De Luca, but… but… I didn’t really have any other excuse as to why I wasn’t happy. I was jealous. End of story.

Mila, Lyric, Aaron, and I made our way across the open field. The security team let us pass without interruption since Mr. Aleksandrov was expecting us. No one said a word. I don’t know if we didn’t speak because there was nothing to say, or because Aaron was one scary guardian. He was wide and tall, he even towered over Eli, but that wasn’t his scariest feature. A thick, long scar carved its way down the left side of his face. Shivers rolled down my spine as I thought of Scar-face, the vampire Lucian had ordered to bite me. He’d almost succeeded.

“Are you nervous?” Mila asked me.

I laughed. “You’re asking me if I’m nervous?”

Lyric snickered. Mila hooked her arm around mine and shrugged.

“No, I’m not nervous.” And I wasn’t.

“Good, because I can totally back out of this if you want me to—Lyric would step in as my guardian angel, wouldn’t you, Lyric?”

“Of course,” he replied.

I glanced sideways at Aaron, who appeared oblivious to our conversation, his eyes always scanning ahead.

“Or you could have Aaron, he isn’t much of a talker, but he seems to be a good listener.” I had to say it and I couldn’t help the laugh that exploded from me a moment later.

I thought I was funny. Aaron hardly spoke, which meant he listened—or at least appeared to listen. Aaron laughed, too, surprisingly, his scar creasing with his face. Mila stared at him in amazement. I assumed she’d never heard him make a sound. Everyone is known for something—Neil Armstrong, the first to walk on the moon. Tom Whittaker, the first disabled man to conquer Mount Everest, and then there’s me—Ruby Moore, the girl who made Aaron laugh. Now there’s something that should be put in the history books. I know they aren’t on the same levels of greatness, but either way, I’ll wear my accomplishment with extreme pride.

“I’m sure both Lyric and Aaron are fantastic guardians, but Eli has saved my life countless times. If I trust anyone with your life, it’d be him.”

“I agree,” Aaron added. “Eli is a great guardian angel. He never puts himself first. He’s loyal, kind and determined. If there’s anyone I look up to—it’s him.”

I wanted to crack a joke about how Aaron doesn’t have to look up to anyone, but I didn’t want to push my luck.

“Things change,” I added. “I don’t need Eli as my guardian angel anymore. You’re the higher power’s niece. You need him more than I do.”

“Yeah, but you have the ex-higher power-vampire wanting to kill you… nobody is targeting me.”

I wanted to say ‘not yet’ out loud, but I didn’t want to scare her. She might not be a target yet, but as soon as Mr. Aleksandrov made a bad decision, who knew what would happen to her.

“It’s better to be safe,” Lyric said, taking Mila’s attention off me. “Besides, Ruby has her Heelian power, she’s safer than any of us.”

Subtly, I tugged at the damn bracelet. In defeat, I blew out the air I’d been holding in my cheeks. I was screwed.

BONDS

When we reached Mr Aleksandrov’s house, we were ushered into an elegant sitting room. I’d never been in it before. It was immaculate. I felt like I was in the house of a king rather than a wizard. The walls were panelled in a mahogany colored wood. In the corner of the room, a small fire burned. Near the fire, a small stool and a flimsy wooden table were set up—obviously for the tattoos. Mila and I shared a dark leather armchair, she comfortably ensconced in the seat and I balanced precariously on the arm. Lyric and Aaron stood against the wall, waiting professionally—they were on duty, after all. I looked down at the beautiful red and black Persian rugs. I’d always wanted a Persian rug. They seemed so elegant. I bet it feels good on bare feet, too.