House of Guardians

by Beatrice Sand

  “I understand.” With a pounding head I sink back down into the pillows and turn my back to Sam so he won’t be able to see my tears. Right now I can’t deal with everything they represent, what they stand for, their characters… the danger that’s always lurking.” A dry sob escapes me.

  “This is who we are, Laurel,” I hear him softly say. “This is how we’re made. It’s the only way we know.”

  I squint my eyes. Sam will never be my boyfriend, not the way it’s supposed to be. He can’t live in my world, and I can’t live in his, even if I happened to convince myself I could.

  I hear Sam walk through the room. The light is switched off.

  “Please don’t hate me,” he whispers.

  The door closes behind him and I stare into the darkness.

  34

  laurel

  I sit slouching on the couch, feeling worthless and miserable. The table in front of me is stacked with fashion and lifestyle magazines, and with little to no interest whatsoever I flip through the pages of Vogue.

  Renee moved into the campus dorms on the mainland. We keep growing closer, even though it takes little disasters to get us there. I am dying to know how things are between her and Don, but I’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I hope she’ll stay at home for the whole weekend, because if not, I will probably die of boredom. Everyone else’s life keeps moving forward, while mine stopped somewhere along the line.

  And then there’s something else that keeps me up at night: a clear image of Sam and Philene with their heads merely inches apart. What happened that night? Did Sam kiss her? It distresses me because it feels like he has broken some kind of promise to me, which is silly since she’s the one who he’s getting married to—even though he doesn’t do marriages. But he’s got every right to kiss her if he feels like it.

  Also the fact that Adrian organized a party to lure me closer to him keeps bugging me. What does that guy want from me? The demigods aren’t even allowed to have a relationship with mortals! I really want to ask Sam about all this, but since I literally turned my back on him in the hospital, I haven’t heard from or seen him since. I might still be recovering from a concussion, I have everything—minus one night—sorted out, and slowly but surely I start to see a pattern: Sam is nothing less—and for sure nothing more—than my protector, my personal keeper in the battle against his horrid cousin, who for some reason or another won’t leave me alone. That there’s a deeper connection between us is irrelevant to him, and he makes that perfectly clear. If I want to see Sam—okay, if I want to get into trouble with Sam—I better go search for Adrian.

  Sipping from my tea, I study Ava. She has dark bags under her eyes.

  “I’m so glad you could come and visit me. I’ve been crying my eyes out with boredom.”

  Ava yawns. “Sorry, it was kind of late last night. But don’t let me bother you with overcrowded lecture halls, cheap mass food, and marathon parties. How are you? Better yet, how is your head?”

  “My upper story is as good as new,” I joke. “Dr. Laurens took out the stiches and everything looks good. Well, apart from that one night I can’t remember.”

  “That has to be so frustrating.”

  “It is. Was Philene wearing a yellow dress?”

  “Philene?”

  “If I’m not mistaken, there was a very pretty girl at the party. I have an image of her in my mind—dancing with Sam.”

  Hesitantly, she looks at me. “He did dance with a pretty girl wearing a rubbery yellow dress.”

  “Rubbery?”

  “Looked like it. Super feminine.”

  “By the way, how is Maude doing? Is she still seeing… Adrian?”

  “Nope, but she is still a little mad at you for dancing so closely with him.”

  “I did what?”

  “Oh, sorry, you don’t remember.”

  “That’s okay. So she’s mad at me?”

  “She’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.”

  “How did you guys get home that night? You know, after the earthquake.”

  “Bastian took us home. I really like him. He’s funny. Not nearly as conceited as I always thought.”

  I worry about her ecstatic smile.

  “He’s got this rare Shakespeare document that he wants to show me. First Folio.”

  “That sounds great, but… Ava, I have to tell you something about Bastian.”

  My own soul might be lost forever, Renee came close, and Maude might have almost lost hers by flirting with the underworld, but Ava’s soul is still salvageable—provided that I intervene in time.

  “From what I’ve heard from Sam, he’s a heavy drinker. More than he can handle.”

  I can see the shock on her face and I hate myself for putting it there.

  “You mean he’s an alcoholic?”

  “I’m afraid he is. I’m sorry, Ava, I really think you shouldn’t hang out with him.”

  “I didn’t see him drink any alcohol at the party,” she mumbles.

  “Hey, I remember a big house with steeples, does that mean anything to you?” I quickly say to distract her from Bastian.

  “That sounds like Adrian’s house. Actually, it’s more like Dracula’s Castle.”

  “Do you remember where it is?”

  “You really don’t remember a thing, do you?”

  “I have a silent hope that my memories will come back to me when I see his house.”

  Ava responds exactly the way I was hoping she would. She takes a pen from the table and with a steady hand she sketches a map on the writing pad.

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “Thanks, but I need to do this by myself.”

  The next day I start to execute my plan. It’s quite simple actually—a sudden confrontation with Adrian’s house and the missing pieces will neatly fall into place. I have also been solving crossword puzzles and eating all the fatty fish I can get my hands on—something that is recommended after suffering head trauma on several online communities. Whatever it takes, I will fill in the gap in my long-term memory, even if it means having to stand on my head for several hours on end. Or drive past the house of the devil himself.

  I take the company van and chuckle as I set the blueprint of Count Dracula’s Castle next to me on the passenger seat.

  I follow the course of the river and pass a wooden bridge and a creek. There’s clearly nothing wrong with Ava’s memory. Eagerly, I take in the surroundings, but so far nothing looks familiar.

  After a while I park my car on the bank. I can name a thousand reasons as to why this is wrong, but I get out of the car anyway. And besides, I know that Sam is the only one of them who has the ability to see into the future, so Adrian probably won’t be waiting for me.

  After a short climb I see a red roof glistening in the sun. I recognize the towers from the sketch. I walk on for a little while and all of a sudden it’s there, basking in all its glory. I shiver at the thought of being stuck under a closet somewhere in there.

  I circle around the building to get a better view and entrenched behind a tree, I study the palatial house. It easily could be on the cover of a fairytale book. It’s the house of a king—the king of the underworld.

  The memories aren’t exactly rushing back to me, and after a while I give up. No matter from what angle I view the house, take it in, or try to visualize the basement, nothing clicks. Just as I start to turn around, I notice something that looks like a dog kennel. There’s movement inside.

  Without thinking twice, I zigzag through the trees to get off of the estate as fast as I can. I can already see the van. My head is starting to pound, but I keep running.

  Gasping for air I come to a halt.

  Adrian is leaning against my car.

  “Hello, Laurel. Lost?”

  I force myself not to panic and try to remain calm. “
No, although it’s not easy for someone suffering from amnesia to find your house.”

  “So I’ve heard. Olivia told me you got first class treatment at the hospital. Are you doing better now?”

  Adrian appears more relaxed than I am. It frustrates me that he knows exactly what happened that night, what was said between us, and I haven’t got a clue. If Ava hadn’t visited me, I wouldn’t even know that we danced.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I just can’t remember anything from the night of your party.”

  “That damned earthquake.”

  “I was hoping that coming here might bring something back, but it hasn’t.” My fingers curl around the car key in my pocket. “I guess I’ll be going then.”

  “Would you like to come inside, take a look in the basement where the party was? Maybe it’ll help you.”

  “No, don’t bother. It won’t work anyway.”

  He doesn’t move an inch and I can feel the atmosphere change.

  “Laurel, I really would like to get to know you better.”

  “I’m sorry, I have to go. My stepsister might get home any min…”

  “Is it Sampson? Is he getting between us?”

  “No. I mean…”

  “He’s getting married.”

  “Could you get out of my way, please?”

  “I really want to go on a date with you, Laurel, without my cousin interfering. When does it suit you? I’ll come over to your place, to the restaurant, wherever you want to meet.”

  “I have to go home, Adrian.” I’m starting to sound desperate.

  He steps forward and I step back.

  Adrian frowns. “Am I scaring you?”

  “No.” I am trembling all over my body and I see that he notices it too.

  “What did he tell you about us—about me?”

  “Nothing. A-absolutely nothing.” I feel I am blushing.

  He tilts his head. “You don’t want to lie to me, Laurel, and Sampson doesn’t need your protection. You know about us, don’t you? That’s why you asked me all those weird questions about my Greek roots.”

  I bite the inside of my cheek so hard it bleeds, leaving a metallic taste in my mouth.

  Adrian throws his head back and laughs like it’s all one big joke. “I can’t believe it. How much?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Adrian. Why won’t you let me go?”

  Adrian just keeps staring at me, and a little desperately I pull my cell phone from my pocket, even though I’m not sure who I’m going to call. Who do you call when a demigod is holding you hostage?

  Adrian swats the phone out of my hand and clamps his fingers around my upper arm. “I can give you everything you could possibly wish for, Laurel,” he breathes heavily. “There’s a future for us. And if you don’t believe that, then believe this: there is no future for you and Sampson, no matter what he told you. Ask him!” Then he opens the door and helps me into my car. “Drive safe,” he says before shutting the door.

  My hands tremble and my arm hurts like hell, but I manage to get the key in the ignition. At this moment even my own shadow terrifies me. I have to get out of this evil place while I still can.

  With the scent of burning rubber in my nose I pull into the parking lot.

  In the hallway I sink down on the piano bench. My limbs won’t stop trembling. I have to control myself before Renee gets back, which could be any minute now. I lower my head in my hands and take deep breaths. I look up when I hear a noise. “Renee… you’re here already.”

  “I have been for a while. Where were you? I tried to call you a few times, but it seems like you got disconnected.”

  “Yeah, I’m afraid I lost my cell phone.”

  “You lost it?”

  “Yeah, stupid me. I didn’t notice until I got home.”

  “Maybe you just dropped it in the driveway. I’ll go take a look.”

  “No, I didn’t even hear it ring. I’m positively I lost it a while ago.”

  “Then where have you been?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know where you were?”

  “I mean, nowhere. Nowhere special.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t follow you, Laurel. Where could you have lost your phone?”

  “I doesn’t mat…” I look past her. And stare at Don and Sam.

  “Oh, right,” Renee says, “before I forget, you have visitors. It’s a sick call, to be precise.”

  “Hello, Laurel,” Don says.

  “Hello,” I say much too shyly and look back at Renee, who clears her throat.

  “I’m going to get us some lemonade.”

  Still shaky, I walk into the sitting room and the guys take a seat next to each other on the couch. I sit down in the armchair.

  “How are you doing?” Don wants to know.

  I move my gaze from Sam, who hasn’t opened his mouth yet and look at the guy with absolutely devastating power. “I’m doing well, Don. Dr. Laurens pronounced me completely healed.”

  He smiles. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  Sam stays silent, but I see his glance wander to the pocket of my cardigan. He squints his eyes. I feel Ava’s sketch of Adrian’s house protrude and crumple up the piece of paper as I push it farther into the pocket.

  “So were you guys in the area?” I ask because I can’t think of anything better to say.

  “No,” they answer simultaneously.

  I bite my lower lip when the next bout of silence settles over us. Thankfully, Renee returns with a tray full of drinks—and even snacks—and breaks the awkward silence with her vivid chatter.

  Sam continues to eye me from his place on the couch. Suddenly he leans forward. “Laurel, can I speak to you in the room next door?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  When we’re standing in the hallway, the expression on his face turns surly, and I wonder if this is the same guy who completely swept me off my feet with a nerve-wrecking kiss. Just thinking about it makes my body react all over again. I don’t get the impression he is planning on doing something similar anytime soon.

  “Where were you?” he demands.

  “Couldn’t you have asked in the living room?”

  “Just answer the question,” he orders, dangerously calm.

  I stick out my chin. If I refuse to be intimidated by the demigod of the darkness, then I definitely won’t be by the demigod of the light. “You know, I would like to know where the two of you got the nerve to show up here. Did you see how Don and Renee look at each other? If I were you, I wouldn’t want to loiter for too long in the hallway before he puts her in danger again.”

  “Don knows how to keep his distance around Renee. He’s here to see you. He feels guilty about what happened to you, and he wanted to see you in person to make sure you’re okay. That Renee answered the door came as a complete surprise. So, where were you?”

  “Am I suspected of anything?”

  Visibly annoyed, he exhales. “Where did you lose your cell phone?”

  “Do you really have nothing better to do than to worry about my phone? Shouldn’t you be rescuing people or something?”

  “Where, Laurel? I am not asking again.”

  “Someplace. I’ll go look for it myself later. I wouldn’t want you to lose sleep over it.”

  “Someplace,” he slowly repeats. His hand moves toward my cardigan. In the blink of an eye, he grabs the sketch and unfolds it. He thumps it down on the piano and I shrug. “Care to explain what this is supposed to be?”

  I wrinkle my brows in surprise and stare at Ava’s drawing as if I’m seeing it for the first time.

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Laurel. I’m running out of patience.”

  “It’s Dracula’s castle,” I say hastily. “It’s a joke between Ava and me.”

 
His eyes, still on me, blaze with fury. “Unless I am wrong, and believe me, that doesn’t happen often, that is still in Transylvania.” He plants his index finger on top of the meandering line that runs over the paper. “I am very sure it’s not located along Sooke River. Don’t play games with me, Laurel. You won’t win.”

  Frustrated, he runs his hand through his hair and walks up to the window next to the front door. He stares outside and the silence is horrible. No outburst, nothing.

  “What were you doing there?” he eventually asks me.

  I stare at his back. “I was looking for the missing episode.”

  He furiously looks aside. “An episode? Five hours, Laurel, not even five hours are missing. Trust me, those were not memorable hours. Can you please just get over it? There are plenty of episodes waiting ahead of you.”

  “No, Sam, I can’t. But of course you wouldn’t understand, because you have more brain capacity than us mere mortals.”

  “I don’t, I just use it more efficiently. My brain is in better tune with the cosmic frequencies.”

  “What?”

  “I can shift between two dimensions.”

  “Oh please, you have to always know better anyway. But you have no idea how insecure I feel about those missing hours, so mind your own business.”

  Slowly, he turns around, and an image flashes through my mind. I am in a dark room with flickering candlelight. Just like now, Sam slowly turns around and bores his eyes into mine. I feel the fear. Just like I do now.

  “Mind my own business?” His voice is terrifyingly low. His jaw is clenched tightly. “If you venture there near him again, then…”

  The first thing that comes to mind is Apollon’s wrath after he was cheated by the mortal woman he had lost his heart to, and trembling, I sink down along the side of the piano. “Then you’ll send Olivia after me,” I whisper while my heart almost pounds its way out of my chest.