by Anni Antoni
There was a knock at the door. Marron walked across the room and opened it to the young man with my folder in his hand. He smiled as he handed it to Marron.
“All done, Sir, and within the allocated time frame.”
“Well done, I expected no less from you,” said Marron as he took the folder.
After shutting the door, he walked over to me, riffling through the pages in the folder.
“Ah, here we are.” He handed me a well-stamped sheet of paper with several signatures, bearing the heading ‘Official Protector.’
“You are now the fully sanctioned Protector for your young lady. All necessary signatures are on this document and a copy will be forwarded to the Vigilante Guardian.”
“Thank you, Marron.” I gave a wan smile as I folded the document and put it in my coat pocket. “You’re a true friend, always there in my time of need.”
“My pleasure, Joe. You always come up with the unexpected.” He shook his head. “Meanwhile, I’ll try to put a stop to this Vigilante business, but I don’t hold out much hope. This Guardian may challenge you to a showdown before anything can be done.”
I had to agree with Marron. Theo had shown he wanted action.
“Now our business is out of the way, won’t you stay and have coffee with me?”
I fully intended to stay. I wanted to spend time with my old friend, but an urgent need to be with Kat and tell her the news gripped me hard.
“I’m sorry, I need to see Kat,” I mumbled, embarrassed by the strong emotions coursing through me.
“Good! I’m truly delighted for you. Relax. Don’t fight it. Trust in the bond.” Marron grinned.
We hugged, and I flashed back home.
Chapter 13.
Kat’s Letters
No matter how much Claire and the other girls tried to explain it away, it seemed obvious. Joe’s behavior had changed towards me in the space of a few hours.
It could only mean one thing. Now he knew me better, he didn’t like me. Although he was my Guardian, and had to protect me, he couldn’t be doing so willingly. And to think he got injured protecting me. Twice! It was so wrong.
The change in his attitude was even more apparent once that crackpot Vigilante Guardian showed up. Now Joe had to face the fact I was part demon. Maybe a big part of me was demon.
My face burned with shame at the thought. No wonder Joe had gone off me. I’d gone off me too, when I heard that news. And because of me, Gran died this morning. Guilt added to my grief and I choked up.
Breathing deeply, I attempted to dampen my emotions before they raged out of control. I sat down on the bed in my new quarters and looked around – such a beautiful bedroom. How could I stay? I didn’t belong here, not with Guardians and their mates. It was ridiculous – Kat the part demon living with Guardians.
At least it was a good sanctuary while I figured out what to do next. If I got Joe to teach me a few martial arts moves I could use against the Vigilante crackpot, I could look after myself. After all, I’d been standing up for myself ever since my parents had died, while watching Gran gradually descend into senility.
It was a good plan. I could do it. Once I was better prepared, I would disappear, then Joe could do as he pleased, when no longer responsible for me.
The thought saddened me though. All my life I’d heard about Guardians and I had longed to have one. My heart ached at the thought of leaving Joe – he was such a great guy and a great Guardian, but I would never stay where I wasn’t wanted.
I sighed and leaned back on the bed. Something crackled in my hip pocket -- the sealed letters from the moving box. They had completely slipped my mind. Hastily I pulled them out of my pocket and examined them.
Both envelopes were addressed to me. One, ‘To Kat’ in a large, masculine hand, was fat, stuffed full. “Dad,” I whispered. The other, containing a small card, by the feel of it, and maybe one sheet of paper, was addressed more formally, to ‘Miss Kat Spur.’
I kept the fat letter and put the other one back in my pocket. With shaking hands, I turned it over, then carefully broke the seal and took it out of the envelope. The last page held the signature, ‘Your Loving Father.’ Yes, I had been right. What had my father written, all those years ago?
A clear image of him appeared in my mind, happy, laughing, his arm around my mother, also laughing. I would have been seven or eight. Good times, I remembered, but soon after, they were always travelling and I seldom saw them.
Then they were dead, and Gran and I became nomads. I never really understood why, only that staying in one place for too long held danger, according to Gran.
I put the letter on the bed and began reading…
My dearest Kat,
Happy 16th Birthday darling. If I’m not around to say this to you in person, your grandmother will give you this letter. It will explain many things you may have been wondering about. Some will be a complete surprise to you, but not too much of a shock, I hope.
My heart squeezed painfully in my chest, as I remembered how much importance Gran placed on the moving box, but she had forgotten why it was important or what it contained. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. If only I’d thought to look inside instead of just humoring her all those years, I could have read dad’s letter years ago.
Gran has told you stories of the Guardians, the letter continued. She has a Guardian ancestor way back in her past, and is very proud of it, I might add.
However, you are much more Guardian than her. I am the son of a full Guardian, and from me, you have inherited many Guardian abilities which I tried to foster in our games together. You have inherited greater strength and speed than humans, important for martial arts, but also the ability to use your mind like a Guardian.
Never forget our mind games sweetheart, they are skills which may, one day, save your life, especially the ability to ward your mind. Remember, always keep your mind warded. Your grandmother is aware how important this is. No doubt, knowing her, she will keep nagging you about it.
Joe was right. I did have a close Guardian ancestor and was much more Guardian than I ever suspected. Something so important to know… and Gran had forgotten to tell me.
I should have been given the information years ago. However, I laughed fondly at dad’s gentle reminder of Gran. She was an excellent nagger. I continued reading dad’s letter…
Now I must tell you about your mom. She has had little contact with you because she’s been ill, not because she didn’t love you, darling.
Mom didn’t know until after you were conceived, but she is part demon, which makes you part demon too. Let me hasten to add, I didn’t love you or your mother any less when I found out.
The first we knew was when, very much in love, we visited my parents to tell them the good news about your impending birth, and to announce our marriage. My Guardian mother smelled the demon in your mom and refused to have anything to do with us or any children we might bear.
She banished us from her home, straight away. Full Guardians are sensitive to smells you see, so there was no hiding it from her, although I had never noticed it.
They also don’t like demons, I thought, which added weight to my fears that Joe didn’t like me. Anger flared within me as I imagined my poor mother, meeting her prospective mother-in-law for the first time, and being rejected so harshly. What a scene that must have been! However, dad had stood by her – stood by us. That thought warmed my heart.
Confused and more than a little upset, we confronted Gran, her mother. It was news to her too. Totally shocked, she confessed she had agreed to an unofficial adoption, when your mother was a baby.
The poor mother was ill, not expected to live, and she didn’t want the father to have any part in her baby’s upbringing. She swore Gran to secrecy. Your Gran couldn’t have children, and jumped at the chance when offered a baby, having no idea of the demon connection. Part demons appear and act just like humans, especially when they are young, you see.
I read those last
few paragraphs several times. It was a lot to take in -- mom, part demon, and secretly adopted by Gran, dad the outcast son of a Guardian. Together they had me, making me a weird mix of Guardian, human and demon. Talk about family secrets.
What an unlikely couple! Searching my hazy memories, all I could remember was closeness, laughter and affection when we were together. They seemed very much in love and we were a happy, loving family.
Tears filled my eyes as I remembered. For a few moments, I allowed the tears to fall. Then, overcome by grief, I curled up on the bed, and sobbed for the loss of my entire, beautiful family.
When my sobs subsided, I wiped my face and reached for the last pages of dad’s letter, eager to drink in every word – as if he was reaching across time to speak directly to me.
We proceeded with our wedding plans, without my family. Then your mother got it into her head to search for her real family to invite to the wedding.
Unfortunately, all that searching drew some unwanted attention. Eventually we received a call inviting us to meet someone who could help us in our search.
It was a trap. The man waiting for us was a Guardian who announced he had vowed to kill all related to Telmut, the half demon who was your mother’s father, your grandfather. Telmut had killed the Guardian’s family – not a nice man by all accounts.
I fought the Guardian, managed to wound him, and escaped with your mother. We went into hiding, cancelled our wedding plans and kept your birth a secret. Your birth was never registered. That decision, we believed, would keep you safe, Kat. We also decided to live separately from you and Gran, so this Guardian wouldn’t connect you to us.
After several years, just when we had started to feel safe once more, he found us.
At the time of writing this letter, your mother and I are waiting for him to show up. We will fight, and whoever wins, the matter will end. Because your existence is a secret, the Guardian doesn’t know you exist. You will be safe, and we have arranged a Trust Fund to take care of you and Gran. The details of the Trust Fund are in the other letter addressed to you.
Hopefully your mother and I will be around to give you this information when you turn sixteen. If not, remember we loved you with all our hearts, and did all we could to keep you safe.
Your loving father
A loud buzzing sound filled my head, and I was having trouble breathing as my father’s last words sank in. My parents were waiting for a Guardian to show up? They would fight…?
I always believed my parents died in a car crash, but no, it was the Vigilante Guardian who killed them. Then Gran had taken me and fled, going into hiding, always moving.
Everything made terrible sense at last.
Grief tore at me anew, and my vision closed in, as a scream erupted from the depths of my being. My whole family, dead – killed in pointless acts of revenge – such good, loving people, gone forever.
I couldn’t see, I fought for breath, but strong, familiar arms wrapped around me, comforting me, before darkness descended.
Chapter 14.
Joe Speaks the Truth
I drifted, safe, protected, at peace. Whatever had happened, wherever I was, I felt good. Then, like a fog lifting, memories of the letter and the real reason my parents were dead swirled again through my mind. A whimper escaped my lips.
A hand smoothed my hair, and I realized my cheek was resting against a familiar chest. The arm curled around me was also familiar.
Joe! How did he get here? Immediately I shut my mind. I didn’t want my weaknesses on display to him. Hands against his chest, I struggled upright. I could look after myself.
“Sorry. There was bad news in the letter. I’m fine now.” I lurched to my feet standing, unsteady, leaving Joe sitting on the bed. His concern wasn’t real, he was only doing his duty.
“I know, your mind was unwarded. When I came in, the words you were reading were bouncing off the walls. Of course, I picked them up. Then you passed out, and I gave you healing. Are you sure you’ve recovered?”
“I’m positive.” Joe’s words made me angry, and I bristled with indignation at the invasion of my privacy. “Were you standing there spying, with your own mind warded?” Hands on my hips, I stood there frowning my displeasure.
“Sorry. It wasn’t like that. I, I didn’t want to intrude… When you collapsed, I was concerned. I only wanted to help – I am your Guardian, after all.”
Joe looked flustered, which made me even more positive he’d been spying on me. What a nerve!
“Yeah, about that. Look, I know you don’t like me, and you’re only doing this Guardian thing because it’s your duty.”
“That’s not true! Not at all!” Joe stood and almost shouted the words.
I held up my hand for silence. Obviously, he was lying, he must be. “Let me finish.” I shot him a black look, and he shut up.
“Okay, I admit I need you, that is I need your Guardian services right now. What I want, is for you to teach me how to fight this Vigilante nutcase, who killed my family. When you’ve done that, I’ll disappear, and you needn’t see me ever again. Then you can forget all about Guardian duties. Deal?”
I stood there, after my outburst, breathing heavily, my face hot, facing him with hands on hips. Joe stood with his mouth open and his eyebrows doing funny things. He closed his mouth and opened it again as if he was lost for words.
“Well, is it a deal?” I repeated.
With some effort, Joe appeared to pull himself together. He must have been surprised I knew how he felt about me. It was obvious. Apart from his changed behavior, why would he like someone who was part demon? He shut his mouth and folded his arms.
“No deal,” he said, shaking his head.
“What? Are you refusing to teach me how to fight this crazy Guardian?”
“No.” Joe was quick to answer. “I’m happy to teach you, but I won’t allow you to fight the Vigilante. That’s my job.” A stern expression spread over his face.
“Ha! Your duty, don’t you mean?” I took a step closer to him and jabbed my finger in his chest. “When I’ve gone, you won’t have to worry about your so-called duty. I refuse to stay where I’m not wanted.” Breathing hard, I narrowed my eyes and glared at him, waiting for a response, waiting for him to admit the truth.
Finally, Joe broke the heavy silence between us. Because he spoke softly, his words carried more weight.
“I said no deal because I don’t want you to go,” he said, considering my face, his eyes soft and warm. “I do like you Kat, and I want you here, where you’re safe.”
A sudden grin flashed on his face. “You’ve got one bad-ass temper, but I like you, even so.”
His answer took my breath away and words refused to come. Even with his thoughts warded, Joe’s words carried truth, and I believed everything. I sat down, hard, on the bed, my emotions all over the place. Joe sat next to me.
A sudden thought shook me, and I blinked back hot tears before they fell. “Don’t you care that I’m part demon?”
“Not really.” He shrugged. “It’s more of a problem you must come to terms with, but I’ll help you deal with it, whenever necessary. I’ve known a few full demons over the years. Some were quite likable, half-way decent, in fact.”
He grinned again. “Besides, being part demon is more common than you think. Esau has a touch of demon in him, for example.”
I buried my head in my hands. Could it all be true, Esau part demon, and did I really have a Guardian who liked me? But Joe’s thoughts were still warded. I lifted my head and turned on him.
“So how come your thoughts are still warded, if you’re speaking the truth?” I snarled.
He exhaled, took in a deep breath and exhaled again. For a while, I wondered if he would answer.
“I have some personal issues to sort out, and, as I said before, I’ve never been Guardian to a young lady. It’s hard to get used to, but I’m sorting those issues out,” he said at last. “Why are your thoughts still warded?” He chuckled.
Yes, why was that? I had no sensible answer, only confused emotions swirling through me, making me want to cry one minute, and punch someone the next.
Joe took my hand. “Don’t worry Kat, I understand. All your life you’ve been taught to ward your thoughts and to be wary of strangers. Am I right?”
I nodded.
“Today you’ve been in grave danger, lost your grandmother and your home, and now you’re in a new environment, surrounded by strangers. Is it any wonder your training has kicked in automatically?”
“I guess not.” Looking into his eyes, I desperately wanted to trust him. Did Joe have any reason to lie?
“No Kat I’m not lying. Sorry, I picked up that stray thought, flying about.” He gave me an apologetic grin, then dropped my hand and stood up, passing his hand through his hair.
“I know we have our issues, and we’ll face them later, I promise. Now is not the time. Once this Vigilante Guardian is sorted out, we’ll have plenty of time for that. In the meantime, can we agree to trust each other?
Once again, I nodded, hardly daring to believe what he was saying, but I gave him a shaky smile anyway.
Hope and confusion warred in my chest, still heavy with shock and grief. My Guardian, I loved thinking of Joe that way, was such a great guy. Warmth flowed through me knowing he liked me after all, such a comfort to know I wasn’t alone in the world. It was so much more than I deserved.
“Good. I must see Esau about something now. Why not open your other letter? Tell me if you need help with anything in it.” He pointed to the unopened letter on the bed, which I’d forgotten, for the moment.
I reached over to get the letter and when I looked up, Joe had gone.
Chapter 15.
Joe’s Challenge.
I flashed to the roof-top of the Guardian complex, a peaceful spot, high above the city. A cool breeze always blew down from the low-lying hills as evening fell.