Guardian

by Sam Cheever

  Finally she turned toward the serving girl. “Stay with her. Give her the green in an hour, and the black two hours after that. If she worsens or awakens, contact me immediately.”

  “Yes, your majesty.”

  Turning to Ian, Tana said, “Come.”

  Tana took Ian’s arm as they strolled toward her chambers. I followed in their wake feeling like a servant. I looked down at myself. A badly dressed, filthy servant.

  Sighing, I wished I could have five minutes to shower and dress. Actually, I wished I had something to get dressed in.

  Tana entered her chambers and went directly to the crystal decanter again. She offered Ian a glass and, this time, she offered me one as well.

  After the initial shock I took it gratefully. If I was gonna be dirty and disliked, it would be easier to live with under the influence of a little faery wine.

  Remembering my experience with the ambrosia, however, I sipped slowly.

  “What have you learned?”

  Ian dropped onto a nearby divan and laid his head back wearily. “Aubrie continues with his plans.” He narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice, looking uncomfortable with what he had to say next. “Tana, the faery I told you about…the one working against you…I was hoping I wouldn’t have to tell you this…”

  “Just tell me.” Tana had grown pale and her hands shook at her sides.

  Ian sighed. “It’s Dawnia. She’s more determined than ever to move toward overtaking you.”

  Ian’s revelation hit Tana hard. Her beautiful face paled to the color of paper and she dropped into a chair across from Ian. “It is what I feared. But I had hoped…” Her voice trailed off and I realized Dawnia’s betrayal was a bitter pill for the faery queen. She stared across the room blankly for a moment, sipping her wine. Then she seemed to shake herself, glancing at Ian. “What of Faerydae?”

  Ian sat forward, resting his forearms across his knees. “She’s in a terrible position, Tana. She can’t take Aubrie down until she finds out who in her kingdom he’s working with. But every moment she’s in danger from him and his cohorts. Like you, she hopes that I can uncover all before Aubrie and Dawnia declare war on the gods and the entire magical world.

  Her gaze turned to me. “What are your perceptions?”

  I blinked, shocked that she would address me directly. “Your majesty, I have merely been along for the ride. I haven’t even figured out all the players yet.”

  Tana stared at me another moment. “You appeared in my divining pond this morning, Monad. I have learned that you have a role in the current trouble. I do not know yet what it is, but I am willing to allow your help.”

  I bit down hard on the snarky remark that leapt into my mind. “Thank you, your majesty.”

  She nodded, frowning slightly. “Something must be done about your appearance.”

  I stiffened my spine, standing tall against the flood of embarrassment that swept me. In a desperate attempt to get out from under her penetrating gaze I held my arm out toward her. “Your majesty, do you know how to remove this? Ian said we needed your power to get it off.”

  Tana walked over and placed her long, elegant fingers over the metal band on my wrist. She ran a finger around the band, creating warmth against my skin with her power. She glanced at Ian. His response was restricted to a single lift of one eyebrow. Then she turned to me and smiled.

  “I’m sorry. I cannot.” I stood there, mouth open and flapping, as she turned away and started toward the door. “I’ll send servants for you. We’ll get you some clothing, Monad, and a place to rest for the night.” She flung open the door to her chambers and glided purposefully back toward the room where the shadow woman lay healing. Then the servants pulled the door to her chambers closed, shutting off my view of the elegant queen.

  I stared after her in shock. Hope crashed around my feet as I realized I was cut off from my power for the foreseeable future. I couldn’t even contact the Watcher in my present state. My knees buckled and I slid to the ground, tears flowing down my filthy cheeks. I hadn’t known, until that moment, just how much I’d needed to get the hated band off my wrist.

  Now my only hope for its removal was gone and I suddenly felt so weak, so tired, so vulnerable. Feet appeared before me and I looked up.

  Ian’s eyes were filled with pity. But his stance was hard, almost angry. I realized then that I was completely alone, and virtually helpless, surrounded by nothing but enemies.

  And I still had a mission to accomplish.

  Chapter Nine

  Startling Revelations

  I stood under the waterfall-like shower and let hot water pelt my face and shoulders, grateful for the warmth. Since the moment when Tana had told me she couldn’t remove the metal band and restore my powers, I’d been infused with such numbing cold I could barely function.

  After several moments I forced myself to wave a hand over the water spigot and climb out. I dried myself off with a fat, heated towel and stood numbly, in front of the mirror, staring at a pale, heart-shaped face in the mirror with smudges, like bruises under the gold eyes with silver specks.

  My white gold hair hung in damp strings around my arms and dripped on the floor but I barely noticed. I had never felt so helpless, so unsure. Without my power I was just another spiritual being, subject to the whims of the world around me. I didn’t like the feeling. Not at all.

  Finally the awareness of tasty aromas filtered through my benumbed state and my stomach rumbled heartily, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten much all day. I pulled a soft, white robe over my heat-pinked skin and toweled my hair. Grabbing a large toothed comb off the counter, I pulled it through my hair as I walked into the next room, where Ian and an unbelievable array of food awaited me.

  Like a starving dog, I licked my lips as I approached the table.

  Ian had been standing in front of a large window, looking out at the Wood. Something about his stance told me he wasn’t really seeing whatever was in front of him. Like me he was lost in his thoughts. He turned as I approached and smiled.

  “You look hungry.”

  My eyes shot to him but I didn’t respond. I sat down at the table and dove in. I didn’t even realize he hadn’t joined me until I looked up several minutes later and found him staring at me with a speculative look on his face.

  I set my fork down and used the cloth napkin beside my plate to wipe my lips. Then I sat back and started running the comb through my tangled hair again. Ian continued to watch me. Finally I set the comb down and looked up at him. “So, what’s next?”

  He seemed to shake himself a little and refocus. The slight smile that had fixed itself on his handsome face slid away under my question. He sighed and walked to the table, sitting down across from me. “There’s a meeting tomorrow. I’ll need to return for it.”

  I nodded. “So, do you have a plan or are you just going to keep monitoring the situation indefinitely?

  He shrugged, picking up a hunk of meat. “Right now all I can do is monitor things. I need to try to figure out who’s really behind all this. But I fear Aubrie and Dawnia are close to making their move. Once they do I can escalate my involvement.” He frowned as if the prospect didn’t appeal.

  I nodded. “Have you tried watching Aubrie and Dawnia to find out who they talk to?”

  He nodded, chewing, and reached for a hunk of dense, sweet bread. “Tana and Faerydae have been watching them for months. Either they’re extremely careful or they haven’t directly communicated with anyone.”

  “Maybe they’re working on their own.”

  Ian shook his head and picked up a silver pitcher with drops of condescension pebbling its surface. He poured several fingers of thick, amber liquid into a goblet and looked at me.

  I nodded and he poured me some too.

  “They’re ambitious but they don’t have the resources to pull this off on their own. They’re working with someone who’s very powerful.”

  “How powerful?” I sipped my drink, licking sweet peach juice o
ff my lips as I set it down again.

  He arched an eyebrow at me. “Very powerful.”

  Our eyes locked across the table, both of us aware that the tension level had just risen considerably but neither willing to acknowledge the pink gargoyle in the room.

  Finally I couldn’t stand it. “It’s not possible.”

  He shrugged. “You asked.”

  I stood up and started pacing. He had to be wrong. If he was right that meant one of the gods was playing some serious games. A power grab of monumental proportions. I knew the gods were ambitious, and egotistical, but they’d always been willing to tamp down their egos and put up with the natural hierarchy to keep Olympus strong. Because we all knew that a weakened Olympus meant serious trouble. The gods were all that stood between peace and order and complete chaos in the magical realm.

  I stopped, narrowing my eyes at Ian. “I can’t even fathom it.”

  He nodded. “I know. I had the same reaction. But there’s no other explanation.”

  I started pacing again, thinking. If what Ian was saying were true I needed to get back to Olympus immediately and see what I could do to warn somebody. But even if I could, I wouldn’t know whom to trust. Sighing, I shook my head, I couldn’t get to them anyway without my powers.

  Suddenly a thought occurred and I brightened. I turned to Ian. “Zeus! I think we can assume he’s safe, I mean he’s the one they’d usurp with any power grab. He wouldn’t be plotting against himself.”

  Ian nodded, leaning back in his chair. “On the surface that would appear true. But what if he just wanted to get rid of the constant threat to his throne? What if he wanted to be able to rule without interference? He would know we’d assume he was innocent. He’s in the perfect position to rid himself of all obstacles.”

  My stomach dropped. Ian was right. Zeus spent most of his time and energy holding off those who would question his decisions, his judgment. I’d often thought it must be exhausting leading that bunch. “Shit!”

  Ian nodded. “So you see our dilemma.”

  I lifted my arm, showing him the metal ring around my wrist. “I need to get rid of this thing, Ian! I need to get back to Olympus.”

  He shook his head. “You’d warn them that we’re on to them, even if you didn’t mean to.”

  I glared at him. “I would not. I’m not an idiot!”

  He looked up at me. “I know that, Nuria. I wouldn’t have confided in you if I thought you were. But the gods are very intuitive. You know they are. They’d sense what you were up to in a heartbeat. The best way to fight this is to stay out of their realm. We need to work this problem from the outside in.”

  I dropped back into my chair, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit it, even to myself. It made me cranky, and weary.

  I sat in bad-tempered silence for several moments. Ian stood up and moved back to the window, letting me stew.

  Suddenly I had a thought. It was a radical thought, but I knew it was our only option. “We need the help of someone very powerful right? Someone as powerful as the gods? Someone who might be able to monitor them without their knowledge?”

  Ian turned, his arms crossed over his chest as he peered at me suspiciously. “That would certainly help. But you know as well as I do that entity doesn’t exist.”

  I gave him a smug smile, suddenly feeling better. “Yes he does.”

  Ian stood staring at me for several seconds. I knew the moment he figured out who I was talking about. He shook his head, disbelieving. “Not a chance.”

  I nodded. “It’s our only hope.”

  He strode toward me, looming over me with dark, angry looking eyes. “He’s not of the magical realm, Nuria. We’ve worked hard to keep it that way for millennia. We don’t want and can’t allow his interference in our world.”

  I stood and got in his space, glaring right back at him. “His purview is the human realm. There are humans involved in this.”

  Ian’s eyes narrowed. “True.”

  “He understands the gods, knows their strengths, their weaknesses.”

  Ian nodded. “Go on.”

  “He has spies everywhere on Olympus.”

  Ian frowned at this, apparently he’d never seen it that way. He sighed, dropping finally into the chair across from me at the table.

  I sat back down too, stifling a yawn.

  He sipped from his goblet for a moment, obviously going over my proposition. Finally he set the goblet down and looked up. “Do you think he’d help us?”

  I nodded. “I know he would. If this thing goes down as Aubrie and Dawnia have it laid out humans will get caught in the crossfire. Without any real power to fight back they’ll suffer greatly. He’ll want to stop that.”

  Ian nodded, running a finger through the condensation on the outside of his goblet. He looked up, “Don’t you think he’ll know all about this already and be monitoring it?”

  I nodded, grinning. “Yes. He will. Which is why he’ll be able to step in quickly and help.”

  “Why would he need us to interfere? He’s probably already got his ‘spies’ as you called them working on it.”

  I nodded, agreeing completely. “You can count on it. But if we offer our assistance we’ll have an inside view of what’s going on and will be in a position to stop it before he’s forced to do something desperate.”

  Ian paled. It was obvious he hadn’t considered that. “Shit!”

  I shrugged. “He will do whatever it takes to protect the human race. If Olympus needs to lose a few gods in the process, well…in his view that would be an acceptable price to pay.”

  Ian stood back up to pace. “Let’s assume for a moment that I agreed with you. How would we engage him?”

  “Etta.”

  Ian stopped, turning back to me with his mouth hanging open.

  I shrugged, my shoulders felt as if they had lead weights strapped to them. “If we can talk her into it. She’s pretty pissed at us right now I’m sure.”

  Ian nodded. “We’d need to find her first.”

  “The Watcher.”

  Ian’s gaze slid to my wrist and I sighed. “Dammit!”

  Ian turned away from me, striding toward the window. After a few moments he said, “Another guardian could probably find her.”

  My heart lightened. He was right. “Yes! All we need to do is find another guardian and send him or her to the Watcher with a message from me.”

  Ian nodded, looking uncertain somehow. “We’ll return to the human realm in the morning. You look like you need some rest.”

  I shook my head, but, as if the words held some sort of compulsion I did suddenly feel tired. My limbs were heavy and my eyes drooped. I looked at the goblet and back at Ian. He laughed. “It’s not drugged. You just need to rest, there’s no treachery involved.

  Sighing I finally nodded, getting to my feet. I headed toward the large bed in the adjoining room, suddenly feeling as if I wouldn’t make it. I realized, too late that I hadn’t donned the pretty nightgown Tana had sent up for me. But I was suddenly too tired to care. I dragged the covers back, shrugged the silken robe off my shoulders, and slid naked between the warm satin of the softly scented sheets.

  I drifted into sleep immediately.

  My dreams were filled with angry elves, demanding faeries, and the Watcher, looking for me everywhere but unable to find me. I was trying to find him in a travel layer, walking and walking, always feeling as if I were getting closer but never really reaching him.

  Something always stopped me. Something interfered. Then the layer disappeared and I found myself back in the cave of the harpies.

  The stench was terrible. The cave was dense with silence, broken only by the occasional wisp of a wing against the thick, moist air.

  I stood alone in the center of the cave, surrounded by the horrible things. I had nothing in my hands with which to fight them. I turned in circles as they flapped their magnificent wings and hovered above me in the air, grinning at me with huge, horrible mouths, filled w
ith blood coated teeth.

  I closed my eyes and prepared to die.

  In the dream, my eyes snapped open again as a voice whispered across my mind. Beware your friends.

  Then the harpies shrieked and plunged toward me. I screamed in agony as the first deadly set of claws ripped into me.

  I jerked awake, throwing myself upright in the bed.

  Ian sat up, looking fully awake. “What is it, Nuria? What’s wrong?”

  I blew out a breath and sagged back onto the bed, scouring my face with a shaking hand. “Just a bad dream.”

  Ian perched himself on an elbow and fixed his gaze on me. I took a couple of deep breaths and felt the nightmare sliding away. My gaze slid to the windows and I saw that the sun hadn’t quite risen. It was still early.

  When my gaze slid back I found Ian staring at a spot below my chin. I looked down and saw that the sheet was pooled around my waist. My breasts tingled and my nipples peaked in response to his open appraisal.

  I grabbed the sheet and pulled it up, feeling self conscious. “Pervert.”

  Ian laughed and reached for the sheet, trying to pull it back down. “Don’t do that, let them back out, they like me.”

  I giggled despite myself and smacked his hand away. “They don’t like you. And they aren’t play things.”

  His grin widened. “Oh, yes they are, drunkin’ spirit. They are most decidedly play things. And I’m determined they will be my playthings.” He jerked as the words left his mouth and I became very still.

  Ian dropped his hand and turned away, climbing quickly out of the bed. I watched him saunter, completely naked, toward the bathroom, enjoying the way his firmly rounded buttocks flexed as he moved.

  Watching him walk away, I licked my lips and fought against a serious sense of regret. He had a few things I wanted to play with too.

  As soon as he disappeared from sight I jumped out of bed and started pulling clothes on. Fortunately for me Tana had provided some faery leggings and a soft, earth-toned tunic to drape over them.

  Buckling the silver belt she’d provided with the tunic, I felt better than I had for days. I slipped my feet into soft, flat slippers and sighed in pleasure. It was amazing how one took things as simple as clothing for granted. Unless one had to scamper around the world without them for a couple of days.