Your Guardian Angel (The Guardian Angel Series Book 1) (6 page)

I dialed Camilla's number, but hitting the call button took longer than I expected. Millions of questions and doubts buzzed around my brain. I wanted to put the phone down and never contact her again, it was safer for her. I was dangerous and I brought nothing but danger to their lives. However, on the other hand, she at least deserved to know that I was okay; she deserved a proper goodbye.

Pushing the doubts aside, I exhaled deeply and hit the call button.

“Hello?” she asked slowly.

“Camilla, it’s me.”

“Oh my god, Ruby! Where are you? Are you okay?”

“I'm fine and I’m safe.”

“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”

“I can't tell you where I am.”

“Why?”

“Because I can't.” I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat down.

“Tell me where you are; we’re bringing you home. Do you know how worried Mum and I—”

Beep.

I hung up on her. I squeezed my eyes shut, using every ounce of will not to cry. Electricity shot through my body as Eli put his hand on my shoulder. How did he provoke such a strong reaction from me? I turned to face him and he dropped his hand back by his side, much to my dismay.

“Everything will be okay, eventually,” he claimed.

“She was so hurt that I couldn't tell her anything.”

“It’s safer for you and for them if they don't know where you are or what you’re doing,” He explained, taking the phone off me. “Come on, I'll take you to your new place.”

Eli escorted me out of the door and I was careful not to touch it. I had experienced enough silver burn to last me an eternity. On the bench in front of the mirror (which was a two way mirror, like I assumed) was a pillow and a blanket.

“You slept here? I asked, pointing at the pillow and blanket.

“Yes, Iva— Mr Aleksandrov gave me orders to in case you escaped.”

“You do know the door is lined with silver?”

“You can never be too careful.” Eli chuckled. “Before we go…” He held up a pair of handcuffs.

He had to be joking. The handcuffs swung gently as they hung of the end of his index finger. “You can’t be serious. I’m not going to run; this is what I want.”

His eyes searched mine; I could tell he was questioning whether or not to trust me. I was a vampire, after all.

“Don’t make me regret this.” He sighed, throwing the handcuffs down on the bench.

He turned and began walking up a rocky tunnel and I followed. Fifty metres ahead, the sun peered in, lighting up the exit to the tunnel.

“Wow, you really wanted to make sure I wasn't evil, huh?”

“We take whatever cautions needed to ensure the safety of our school, students, and faculty members,” replied Eli, his voice stern and hard.

“How much do you get paid to say ridiculous lines like that?” I said mockingly.

He didn’t acknowledge my comment, not even a smirk. I smiled and dared to peek at him. A tall, muscular build, ridiculously mysterious green eyes that was hard not to get lost in. His hair, dark and incandescent, had a shine like fine hardwood. I suppose that comparison wasn't entirely fair. Hardwood doesn't swish gently like his hair; swaying with every step he took.

I hadn’t realised how dense and muggy it had been in the cell. It was a relief to feel the cooler air against my skin. We trudged along the soft floor of the forest. The tree's soft whisper against the wind was like a lullaby. It was so welcoming and calm. Despite my situation, I felt safe and secure.

“So you’re a guardian angel?”

“Yes.”

“Where are your wings?” I wondered aloud, as I often did.

Eli laughed. “I assume you expect angel wings to be big and white and feathery.”

“Well… yes.”

“No, they aren't like in the books at all. Our wings are connected to our souls, and like the soul, our wings aren't physical. They are a mass of energy, in the shape of wings, yes, but not physically.”

“Wow, what a rip off.”

“I don't see it that way. If I had massive wings, I couldn't fit through doors or drive a car.”

“Who needs to drive when you can fly?” I commented as I climbed over the rotted trunk of a tree.

“Humans would have a heart attack if they saw us flying around,” he countered.

“Touché.” 

I liked hearing his voice; it was deep and husky, soothing even.

“So, can you do anything else other than not really fly?” I asked, as we trudged through the bush land.

“I can do a lot of things, but you’ll find out more about that later.”

I couldn’t help but link his comment to a sexual gesture, what is wrong with me? Of course that wasn’t what he meant, but my libido was hoping that it was.

After ten minutes of ruthless hiking, I could see the cabin. It was wooden (as cabins usually are) and had a very pretty rustic colour to it. We proceeded up the cracked footpath to the front door. Eli pulled a key from the pocket of his dark baggy jeans and unlocked the door, with a loud creak and a slight nudge, it opened.
Eli stepped aside to let me in first.

“Do I tip you now?”

He ignored my joke and entered the house behind me. “This was your mother’s. Apparently she stayed here when she was doing her research.”

“Research?”

He nodded. I pondered on the thought of my mother existing here. The house was amazing; it was like a studio— everything was in the one room, the kitchen was right by the lounge and the lounge was by the bed. The bathroom had its own room, behind a door, for obvious reasons. I walked around the massive room, touching everything and thinking of my mother. Images and thoughts of her ran through my mind.

“Why was she staying outside the border? That’s extremely dangerous. Vampires hunt goddesses.”

“They say your mum was amazingly strong and fantastic at wielding the elements. She and her guardian angel, Michelangelo, were a strong team; they could defend themselves very well. She stayed outside the charms because she had vampires visiting regularly.”

I stopped in my tracks and suddenly felt ill.

“What? Why?”

“Because she was studying them. They were like you, not completely vampires, but not like us either, stuck in the middle. Unfortunately, full vampires came in the night; Michelangelo fought them off so Meredith could retreat to the safety of the school. She made it; unfortunately Michelangelo was never seen again. Soon after, your mother found out she was pregnant and left to make a better life for you. Everything is how she left it.”

I walked over to the door on the left wall near my bed, it was the bathroom. It had a big white spa bath with a matching porcelain sink sitting in a beautiful black wooden bench. The toilet was also porcelain and elegant. In the corner was a big shower with glass surrounding it. I felt like I was in a five star hotel, it was so modern despite the look on the outside.

“Amazing, isn't it?”

I spun around.

“Mr Aleksandrov! I didn't hear you come in.”

“Scaring a vampire, there is a first for everything I suppose.” Mr Aleksandrov chuckled.

I smiled an uneasy smile.

“I just came by to see if you liked your new accommodation.”

“It’s amazing,” I replied, even though I had only just got here myself.

“Good.”

I stepped past Mr Aleksandrov and back into the main area. Tay was here also, leaning on the back of the couch, twirling a silver chain around his finger. It infuriated me just having him around. They say first impressions are everything, and my impression of him was that he was an arrogant, self-absorbed bully.

“You do know silver doesn't kill a vampire,” I blurted.

Tay grinned at me. For a moment, I imagined ripping his throat out with my fangs.

“No, it doesn't kill a vampire, a little piece like this.” He lifted it into the air, examining it. “It wouldn't cause a normal vamp too much pain, but it does great damage to you.”

I remembered the burning pain that came with the silver. It was so bad, I couldn't even think straight. I remembered my helpless scream as the silver was wrapped tightly around my wrist and all I could do was wait for the sickening pain to stop.

“I know you attacked me at school.”

“Yes, yes I did.” His smile broadened.

Words failed me when I try to describe the hate I had developed for this man over such a short period of time. Everything about him annoyed me; his deep voice, and his boot cut jeans with his tucked in singlet. I even hated the way the light seeped down his long blond hair, barely settling on each strand.

“How dare you! You could have asked me. I would have done anything you wanted if it meant ending up here. You didn’t have to attack me.”

“But it was so much more fun.” Tay smiled.

A low growl vibrated in my chest and Tay threw his silver onto the floor, taking my growl as an indication for a fight. He wanted to fight me one on one, without the advantage of silver. Not that he needed it, though, I was outmatched. He was stronger, taller, and faster than I was. Before I could even jump at Tay, Eli had restrained my hands behind my back.

“Stop,” Eli demanded fiercely into my ear.

“Control your pet.” Tay snickered.

He narrowed his eyes at me, provoking me to try and wiggle out of Eli’s grasp. I was angry and I wasn’t going to be satisfied until I tore his head from his body. Everything that I had been through this year and last flooded into me, fuelling my anger more. I struggled harder against Eli, trying to free my hands. I felt a familiar warm, tingling sensation beginning at my toes. Quickly, it began coursing its way up my body, this time bypassing my heart and going straight to my head. It was magic, my magic. I concentrated on the plant hanging from the ceiling, above the coffee table, a few metres away from Tay. The plant started to grow and stretch, making its way towards Tay's head rapidly. I heard Mr Aleksandrov gasp.

The plant, which I identified immediately as a Golden Pothos Vine, my mother’s favourite, wrapped around Tay's neck. His hands grasped at his throat as he tried to pull the vine away but it was too tight. His eyes were wide with fear and small ragged gasps escaped from his throat.

“Her concentration,” Mr Aleksandrov stated calmly.

Eli knocked me to the floor, my arms still pinned to my back. The plant dropped and hung loosely down to the ground. Tay took no time to recover from his strangulation; he grabbed his chain and jumped at me, but Eli leapt at him, shoving him backwards. After a few misguided steps, Tay recovered from his backwards stumble.

“You’re protecting a vampire?”

I couldn’t help but smile at his expression, an expression of pure disgust. Tay and Eli stared each other down as I rose to my feet.

“Tay, relax,” Mr Aleksandrov commanded.

I saw his jaw clench in frustration before he returned to leaning on the couch, twirling his silver like he was moments earlier. Eli’s eyes narrowed in on me, annoyance dominating his features. He pulled a long piece of silver from his back pocket. He wouldn’t, would he?

“Don't restrain her,” Aleksandrov announced.

Oh thank god someone here was making sense.

“She attacked me,” Tay replied, bitterly.

I bit my lip trying to supress a laugh. He sounded like he was in primary school.

“You provoked her; besides, a good thing came from it. We know that she can use her magic.”

Tay focused on me, hatred, deep and dark, boiled behind his eyes.

“I was going to get Tay to be on guard here tonight but since you handle her better, Eli, you can do it.”

Tay smirked and Eli nodded in agreement.

“We have to leave now; other issues to attend to. I trust that you will keep everything under control.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tay and Mr Aleksandrov left the cabin.

“Let's talk,” Eli suggested, gesturing to the couches.

I walked over to the couch opposite Eli and dropped into it.

“The second you are no longer a vampire, I will be made your guardian angel.”

“… and what does that entail, exactly?”

“We will become bonded by each other’s blood.”

I made a 'that's gross' face and his lips curved into a delectable smile.

“I have never seen a vampire cringe at the word blood before.”

How surprising. I didn’t think Eli was capable of making a joke.

“And how exactly are we bonded by blood? I drink yours, you drink mine?” I asked.

“No, blood drinking is forbidden.”

He didn't elaborate as to why it was forbidden and I wasn’t going to ask. It was obvious; that it was only a vampire thing.

“You will receive a tattoo on your wrist; it will be mixed with my blood and ink. I will also receive one and a Shar will bind us together.”

“Shar?”

“A Shar is an angel with special powers; they bond guardians to their charges.”

I opened my mouth to ask another question but the words never came out. Eli raised his hand and stopped me.