“Why won’t you die!” Sanaya screamed as she struggled against Congo and Eve’s hold.
“Easy sweetheart,” Congo said soothingly. “You did good. Real good.”
At least a dozen Guardians surrounded Halo, weapons drawn. The vampire thrashed about violently, sending a high pitched scream into the night air.
“How the hell did she cross our barriers man?” Another Guardian demanded.
“Take her inside,” Archer commanded grimly, motioning towards Sanaya.
“Come on honey,” Eve said gently, ushering Sanaya and Congo towards the main building.
Sanaya calmed enough to allow herself to be escorted from the violent scene. As her senses normalized, she felt the soul chilling caress brush across her exposed shoulder. She tensed, recognizing immediately the invisible culprit. She clenched her jaws shut. The Guardians were already in over their heads.
“I know you felt him,” Eve whispered to her as they approached the steps. “He is close.”
“Who is close?” Congo demanded.
“The Master,” Eve replied.
Congo cursed as Eve continued. “He won’t breach the school. Something or someone is holding him back. He has already had a taste of our Slayer and the knowledge that she is close is driving him to the point of madness. Halo was sent.” She inhaled deeply, fighting back tears. “Halo was sent to weaken our resolve and our defenses. But, the fact that she didn’t turn to ash even with the stake in her chest means that she wasn’t supposed to turn. She won’t die until we put the master that killed her down.”
The three of them said nothing more once they entered the multistory building. Sanaya’s thoughts went to King, and from what she could determine based on her mental survey of the scene, he was unconscious and being loaded onto a stretcher. She sensed his pulse, which to her was a good sign. Again another mistake. She should have taken him away and ran for it instead.
They walked down a corridor with hanging portraits of the fallen Slayers that had come before her, and she took her time, taking each one of them in. All of them, female. All of them, being called to serve a higher purpose of defending humanity from the Darkness that threatened to devour and destroy everything in its wake. They rounded a corner before they ended up in the small chapel that was built specifically for the school.
“It seems this is the safest place,” Congo murmured, closing the double doors behind him.
“We should move some of the students here and perhaps take the rest to the other side of The Vatican. The Archbishop is sending over his assassins to help guard…”
“How did a vampire breach our grounds?” Sanaya asked finally, drawing the attention of both Guardians.
“I don’t know young one,” Congo confessed. “But I’m sure Archer will have some answers.”
“Do you have anything you’d like to tell us Sanaya?” Eve asked, while Sanaya took a seat on one of the pews.
“Like why you were outside with my charge after midnight?” Congo added, crossing his arms.
Sanaya lowered her gaze to her feet and silently wished that she could be anywhere in the world instead of this chapel in front of these inquiring Guardians. Some things were just too special to discuss or defend. Whatever this was between herself and King, there were no words to accurately describe. Neither of these Guardians would understand and there was no way she was revealing her true feelings.
“Both of us heard something.” She knew the lie was a weak one but she didn’t care.
“Y’all heard something?” Congo repeated in disbelief. “And y’all just thought you are that bad ass to take care of it yourselves, huh?” He shook his head. “You know, Slayer or not I expected better from you Sanaya. The boy is unconscious and even though I am sure that he will be alright but still. He is a strong potential Guardian, but even he isn’t immune to vampire or demon bites. He hasn’t even begun his formal training. Hell, you ain’t even finished with yours!” Congo slammed his heavy fist onto a nearby table, rattling it.
“Eve, talk to her,” Congo mumbled, walking away. “Because I can’t. This job has become too stressful for me and the last thing I want to deal with is two teenagers going on a midnight romantic stroll believing that they can take care of themselves.” Congo stormed out, leaving the two of them alone.
“I’m sorry…” Sanaya whispered through unshed tears.
“I know you are desperate to spread your wings,” Eve said gently. “But just like the eagle that spreads its wings against the wind, even he had to wait until his feathers for flight were ready. The eagle must learn to fly not just against the flow of a gentle breeze, but above and through raging storms. And eagles, do not leave the nest until they are ready…until their wings are fully developed. Yours are barely forming and you will have plenty of time to test them out when they are ready. Understand?”
Sanaya nodded.
“And one more thing Sanaya,” Eve added. “I am not here to tell you what to do, let alone who you should be attracted to, but I would take a step away from King for a while. That young man is fresh out of a life of darkness, using his precious gifts for self-gain and could very well be a marker for The Darkness. We don’t know yet. Trent, same thing. These young men were pulled from the clutches of darkness and were well on their way to becoming powerful agents of their cause and they didn’t even know it. They have a lot to learn about themselves here, so before you go there in your mind with him, give him some space to choose which side he is on. The last thing I want for you to experience is to have to put a stake in the heart of someone who carries yours in the palm of his hand.” Eve left Sanaya alone on the pews facing the alter with the glass portrait of the Virgin Mary sitting high above the pulpit, while she stepped outside to speak with another Guardian. Halo’s screams could still be heard somewhere within the protective walls of the campus, and Sanaya wondered what the other students may be thinking.
Not that it mattered. No one but the Virgin herself knew that she wished she could disappear into a black box and scream.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning was plagued with an endlessly long sermon to the hundred and some odd students about responsibility, honor and all of the other attributes that made a Guardian. Sanaya sat next to Maya towards the front, and tried to pay attention to what Archer was saying to her peers. However, the events from last night still haunted her. In lieu of the missing students, it had been decided by The Vatican to provide students the opportunity to return home temporarily until the threat was handled. Those that decided to go home (or had homes to return to) would be escorted home by Guardian volunteers, and for those who stayed had to deal with being under complete lock down until further notice. No one was to leave their rooms when the sun set and were not permitted to leave for class until later on in the morning when the sun was at its highest.
Sanaya still had a few bruises from the night before including a swollen jaw and a sprained hand, but instead of fear or hatred that she usually received from the other students, respect glimmered in their eyes when she walked by. King was ok, and he secretly hit up her mental inbox letting her know along with a few choice words of praise in her direction. She tried not to show it, but for the first time she felt pretty damned good about herself. Word must have spread via King how she faced off fearlessly with Halo and how it took a couple of Guardians to pull her off. That and the fact that Elizabeth was nowhere around to fan the fire of hate in her direction.
After Archer finished his speech, all classes were cancelled for the day, and even though she was technically on “punishment”, courtesy of Archer and Eve, Maya was welcomed back into her room as the exception to her penance for mind stunning Guardians and sneaking out. When the speech was over, the students were dismissed in groups, with Sanaya’s group being the last to leave. King walked passed her, pretending to have not seen her but connecting with her mentally as always.
Hey beautiful, he shot to her as he walked ahead of another student
Hey
and thanks… She tried hard to act like she was busy with her phone, but the flush of her cheeks gave it away.
I’ll call you later, he promised, referring to their private form of communication.
Archer caught Sanaya’s starry eyed gaze and scowled. She straightened in her seat, while Maya chuckled.
“Man, Archer is going to send you to Antarctica if you don’t learn how to play it cool,” She teased.
“I know but I can’t help it,” Sanaya giggled.
“Girl he is all inside your head isn’t he?” Maya asked.
Before Sanaya could respond, Archer motioned for them to get up so they can be escorted to their dorms.
As the two of them walked shoulder to shoulder, Maya nudged Sanaya and began whispering in hushed tones.
“You ever hear of the Guardian Mate Bond?” she asked Sanaya who just glanced at her with confusion.
“No, what is that?”
“I think that is why Archer and Eve are about to have a cow about you and King,” Maya said slowly.
“I don’t even know what that is but I sincerely doubt it because I barely know the guy to form any type of bond.”
“I read about it during health class. Guardians form bonds with each other that are different from regular human relationships.”
“Well what is it?” Sanaya asked urgently. She turned around to see if anyone was watching them and sure enough, Archer was several steps behind them and Eve was now in the front.
“A Guardian Mate Bond is this special connection formed when two Guardians are destined to be together. It is supposed to be this unexplainable connection between two Guardians that links them as soul mates. I think they sense one forming between you two and they don’t know what to do…”
“Maya that is crazy!” Sanaya protested even though a part of Maya’s statement made sense to her.
“Think about it. You two mind locked with one another before meeting in person. You said so yourself you couldn’t figure out how you did it.”
“Yeah but…”
“You broke a rule for him last night and you never break rules, unless you’re fighting. And I am still a little pissed that you didn’t tell me that was what you were going to do but hey, I forgive you.”
“I still don’t know Maya…”
“It really doesn’t sound so crazy at all. It actually makes sense. I bet he is taking up space all in your head. Had he been a regular crush, Archer wouldn’t even care. But again, you broke rules, serious ones at that and so, yup, Archer is going to try his best to keep the two of you apart.” Maya started to chuckle, and Sanaya quickened her pace.
“And what about you and Trent?” Sanaya huffed as her friend struggled to keep up.
“I’m not getting my hopes up on him. He barely notices me.” Maya said sadly.
Sanaya wrapped her arm around her BFF and said, “Girl, he will eventually recognize your fabulous glory. They all do.”
Maya laughed. “I hope so. He has no idea what he is missing out on.”
Daemon’s expression remained calm as his messenger informed him of the latest news transpiring at The Academy. Ronan, once again had acted prematurely and out of order and for that, there would be redress. Unfortunately, he was stuck in Louisiana for the time being per Petronius orders, but he would be on his way to Rome soon. The good news is that in Ronan’s haste to claim the Slayer, it was discovered that the grounds weren’t so protected after all but then again, with the Guardian being an unsanctioned turn, her guardian blood still permitted entry despite her condition. There was no way to know until he saw for himself that vampires could cross the supposed hallowed ground. As a matter of fact, he had an appointment with the current Pope later on in the week to discuss weakening some of those barriers…The Catholic Church was no longer what it used to be and it had taken him many centuries to weaken their resolve.
The world didn’t need any more slayers-not even for the benefit of a day walker; and he would see to it that the Slayer did not reach maturity. Petronius wasn’t the only one with plans for the girl’s twenty first birthday. No. He had his own plans. The Beast would be appeased either way, and with the girl out of the way and the next Slayer possibly not scheduled for birth for another thousand years. In the meantime, he would be free to unleash his demon legions upon mankind; overthrow Petronius and Alex; and bring the world to its knees. And with the rare occurrences of angelic intervention, humanity was ripe and ready for the picking.
Daemon reclined into his leather seating and motioned for the hooded figure that stood before him to go on its way. The creature bowed and then disappeared into mist. Daemon checked his watch, realizing that the sun would set soon. Louisiana was beautiful at night, and tonight he would feed well.
The dining hall was unusually quiet when Sanaya entered, accompanied by Maya, Eve, Tia Archer and a couple of other Guardians. This is starting to get really, really old, Sanaya thought to herself as she grabbed a tray and made her way to an empty table. King was nowhere in sight, and neither was Congo. However, Trent had just walked in accompanied by Lois and Myra and spotted her and Maya as they took a seat. He made a beeline for his tray, dumping anything and everything on his plates before pulling up a seat next to Maya.
“Wassup yall,” He said, winking at Sanaya.
Sanaya sighed, while Maya looked away.
“Hey Trent,” Sanaya said, with a sudden loss of appetite.
Trent flashed both of them a toothy, perfect grin. “Man, yall know that new kid King?” He began, his eyes still focused on Sanaya. “I know you know him-and you need to let ol’ boy know you are spoken for.”
“Excuse me?” Sanaya snapped, dropping her fork onto her plate. “Uh, no I am not. Last I checked I was single.”
“Well that day changed when I showed up,” Trent grinned, taking a bite of his burger.
“I don’t think so-“
“So what did King say?” Maya interjected, desperate to change the subject.
“Yoooooo, he got the chance to see my girl here in action,” Trent bragged.
Sanaya and Maya both cringed the moment he said “my girl”, but he didn’t seem to notice. He just kept right on talking.
“He said that you had this crazy ass look in your eyes and…”
All of sudden, Sanaya could not hear a word that was coming out of Trent’s mouth. She felt his presence before he appeared through the door. Her heart rate began to race as soon as his handsome, dark face appeared through the doorway accompanied with Congo. Smooth chocolate skin, an athletic body as evidence from playing a variety of sports. His black V-neck did little to mask the well-defined abs and chiseled pecks. Without even looking at her he sent a mental embrace her way, sending a chill down her spine. His long, intricately twisted dreads were pulled back away from his face. How she’d love to run her fingers through his-
“Sanaya! Girl, snap out of it,” Maya barked with a laugh. “Earth to Naya…earth to Naya…”
“What? Huh?” Sanaya said shaking her head and trying to pretend like she was preoccupied with her food.
“Damn ma, you just gon’ play me like that?” Trent remarked, his tone with a bit of bite to it than usual.
“Play who?” Came the voice she could not get out of her head, even if she tried. “Can I sit down?”
Sanaya was all too thrilled to answer. Her response was her moving her tray over to make room for his. As he sat down, Sanaya and Maya shared a glance, both masking huge smirks that were threatening to reveal themselves.
“Look at you girl,” Maya squealed in her head. “You can’t even contain yourself.”
“Shut up. I can’t help it-“
“Ay dog,” Trent said, his eyes focused on King. “This table is taken.”
King glanced over at Sanaya and inched closer to her. “Doesn’t look like it from here. I was invited.” And to add insult to injury, King swung his arm over Sanaya’s shoulders, his glare never leaving Trent’s. Feeling froggish…His eyes told Trent. Jump then.
Trent stood up to meet his challenge, but when it was clear that their table had full Guardian attention, he grabbed his tray to leave. “You wanna roll with me Maya?” He asked, his gaze completely focused on Maya’s surprised glance.
“Uh, yeah sure,” she said taking the hint. “See you at the dorm Naya?”
“Yeah.” The two girls held each other’s stares, both silently squealing for joy, when Maya turned around and followed Trent to another table.
King didn’t hesitate to express his dislike for Trent. “What’s up with you and that clown? Let me know before I involve myself in something I shouldn’t.”
“Nothing is up. Trent has only been here maybe a day or two longer than you. He likes me or he did like me but that is about it,” she said coolly.
“And your friend? Is she cool or nah?”
“Maya? She’s been my best friend since I arrived here. She’s always had my back. She just has a thing for Trent.”
“Aight. Cool.” King raised his glass and took several long gulps of his lemonade, while Sanaya watched.
“I’m glad you are ok,” she said quietly.
He set his glass down and faced her, smiling. “No. I’m glad you are ok, girl. You were straight gangsta with that vamp! I ain’t neva met a shawty as bad as you. That’s what they taught you here?”
When she nodded, he continued. “Like for real for real…you ain’t even need my help. You fought like a pro.”
“Thanks King.”
“I see why they keep twenty four hour guard over you…and these suckas in this school are fools for not wanting to team up with you. Just know that I am your number one fan and…” He looked around and when he saw the hard stare coming from Archer, he switched over to telepathy.
And I wanna know you…like get to know you.
She raised her eyebrows so high, she thought she felt her entire face lift. Like how?
Be your homie/boyfriend/friend type deal-but not now. I want to know you Sanaya.
If she was of fairer skin, her face would be bright red right now. I want to get to know you too King.
The Vampire Hunter's Academy: The Darkness Page 11