Marked, Soul Guardians Book 1

by Kim Richardson

  Kara ran along Saint Paul Street. Her long brown hair flowed behind her. She balanced her portfolio in one hand and pressed her cell phone against her ear with the other. She jumped onto the sidewalk and rushed through the oncoming crowd, her mind on her big presentation.

  “Wait for me! I’ll be there like in … two minutes!”

  “I can’t believe you’re not here yet,” said the voice on the other line. “You had to pick today of all days to be late.”

  “Okay, okay! I’m already freaking out about the presentation. You’re not exactly helping, Mat.”

  A laugh came through the speaker. “I’m just saying … that this is supposed to be the most important day of your life…and you’re late.”

  “Yes, I heard you the first time…Mother. My stupid alarm didn’t go off!” Kara dashed along the busy street. “Excuse me! Coming through…coming through…”

  She squeezed herself through the crowd and kept running.

  “You know, the presentation won’t wait for you…”

  “I swear I’m gonna kick your butt when I get there!” Kara looked behind her as she jumped back onto the street.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  Less than half a block behind, a man with white hair and dressed in a gray tailored suit stood staring at her.

  His eyes are black, she realized. A chill rolled up her spine. The man vanished back into the crowd.

  “I think I’m being followed,” said Kara, after a moment.

  “You always think you’re being followed.”

  “No…I’m serious! I swear this guy is following me—some psycho with white hair. I’ve seen him before. Or at least my mother has…”

  “We all know your mother is a little nutty sometimes…no offense… I love your mom, but she’s been seeing and talking to invisible people since we were five. I think it’s rubbing off on you.”

  “Listen. I was with my mom yesterday, on Saint Catherine Street, and she said we were being followed by someone. What if this is the same guy? Maybe she’s not as crazy as everyone thinks.” Kara wondered if there was a little truth in her mother’s visions.

  Mathieu laughed on the other end of the phone. “Are you serious? It’s bad enough that your mom sees spirits and demons. If you start believing in all that…they’ll lock you up.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Remind me why you’re my best friend again?” Kara focused on her presentation as she ran. “Okay…I can see you now.”

  Mat was leaning against the gallery’s front brick exterior. “I think it’s starting…hurry up!”

  Kara took a deep breath and sprinted onto Saint Laurence Boulevard. Her cell phone slipped out of her hand as she ran. It hit the ground with a crash.

  “Crap!” Kara crouched down to grab her phone.

  A flicker of movement appeared in the corner of her eye.

  “WATCH OUT!” Someone shouted. She stood up and turned around.

  A city bus hurtled towards her.

  EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHH!!!

  Kara watched in horror as a city bus came charging straight for her. In a second it would hit.

  Kara closed her eyes and braced herself for impact…

  But the impact never came.

  Kara felt something hard wrap around her left arm. She was lifted off the ground. She floated in the air as something pulled her body away from the bus, and not a second too soon. In a blink of an eye, Kara watched the bus as it skidded to a stop and plowed through the spot where she had stood moments before.

  She landed a few feet away. Her portfolio flew out of her hand.

  Crowds of people ran to her, all yelling at the same time.

  “Oh, my God! Are you okay?”

  “Is she hurt?”

  “Did you see that? That guy saved her life!”

  Feeling the touch of a hand still wrapped tightly around her arm, she turned around to get a glimpse of her savior. She met a grinning face. He was young and extremely handsome, with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. His full lips were curled up into a sly smile. He wore a brown leather jacket, weather worn, with the collar rolled up. He cocked an eyebrow.

  “Careful there, kiddo,” said the stranger. “It’s not time yet…not for a little while, anyway.”

  He stood there searching her eyes for a moment. His closeness made her skin prickle with goose bumps. She inhaled a strong musky smell.

  “Huh? Time for what?” It took Kara a moment to compose herself. “What just happened?” She swayed on the spot.

  “Looks like you were almost hit by a bus.”

  Kara looked at the stranger. Their eyes locked. Her heart hammered at her chest. “Hey…you look familiar … do I know you?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  She couldn’t take her eyes off his face. “This is going to sound really crazy, but…I feel like…like I know you? Are you sure we’ve never met?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Her cheeks burned. “Whoa…this is the biggest feeling of déjà vu I’ve ever had!” She pressed her hands on her head, feeling dizzy.

  “Take care of yourself,” said the stranger.

  He let go of her arm. And with a smile, he turned on his heel and walked away. Kara stared after him until he was lost in the crowd.

  “Wait!” she cried. But he was gone.

  Kara stood staring at the spot where the stranger had stood.

  Then she picked up her portfolio. The pedestrian walk sign flashed green. She took a deep breath, walked to the other side of street, and pulled open the gallery door.

  SOUL GUARDIANS

  * Book Two *

  ELEMENTAL