Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

F inlay falls back onto the grass, rubbing his nose.

“What the fuck, Zarla!” he complains.

I stand over him, fury blazing inside me. “Where the hell were you? You’re supposed to be here, protecting him while I’m not.”

He fumbles around a little as he gets to his feet, blood slowly streaking from his nose. “I was urgently called back to Silanthia. I had no choice. Where the hell were you ?”

A familiar cooling sensation builds deep inside me as my body shakes. I grit my teeth together, keeping it at bay. As much as I’d love to unleash my powers on Finlay right now, it wouldn’t be the best idea.

“My father forbade me to return. As soon as I sensed Kyle was in danger, I came back.”

He runs a hand through his messy blond hair as he paces around the yard. “What the hell happened here?”

I let out a long breath and move over to one of the dead watchers. His twisted body makes my stomach turn, and I quickly avert my eyes. “Another watcher attack.”

He eyes me and arches a brow. “And you fought all three, on your own?”

I squeeze the bridge of my nose, more than a little irritated by his questions. “Yes, Finlay. I am capable of taking on watchers.”

He wanders over to the porch and sits on the bottom step, raising his hands in the air. “Hey, I’m impressed, that’s all. Why does this keep happening?”

It’s a question I’ve thought of several times already. It’s more than a little strange. Watchers were never known to attack humans, let alone guardian angels. Sure, if a guardian angel or second broke an ancient angel law, it’s their job to intervene. I have never heard of one attacking a human before. But that isn’t what happened here. Or any of the other times.

“I’m not sure, but I need to speak to my father about it,” I say as I release my wings. “Please stay here, no matter what. Do not leave. I mean it. And take care of those watchers.”

He nods, and I know he won’t leave this time. A guardian’s command to their second is binding.

Gods above, this is a mess. Kyle deserves answers, and leaving him right now feels so wrong. I take off into the air and head back to Silanthia, making a promise not only to myself, but to Kyle too, that I will return as soon as I can.

There is no sign of my father’s guards as I pass through the entrance to the castle. A bond with my father would come in handy right about now. Where is he? I turn the corner leading to my father’s quarters, and come to an abrupt halt when I spot Astelle and Amaros. I back up behind a large stone pillar out of sight but where I can still see them.

Astelle says something, but I’m too far away to hear. I move down the wall and reposition myself behind a closer pillar.

Astelle takes a step closer to him, too close, perhaps. But he doesn’t move. Her tight black dress hugs her body, with slits on either side right up to the top of her thighs. The neckline plunges down between her breasts, showing off her golden skin. She looks like she’s dressed for a fancy event. Or to seduce someone.

“You need to stop doing this,” Amaros says in a hushed voice, glancing around as if to ensure they’re alone. “I can’t be seen with you.”

Astelle tucks her straight blonde hair behind her ears and smiles at him in a way I have never seen before. She’s flirting with him. She puts her hands on his arms and glides them gently down to his hands as she tugs him closer to her. But he pulls back.

“Don’t,” he warns.

“Amaros, please…” She reaches up to his cheek, and he grabs her wrist to stop her.

She winces, but he doesn’t release her. He’s hurting her. Using her other hand, she tries to pull his hand off her, and then he releases her wrist, shoving her back against the wall. He abruptly turns and storms away toward my father’s quarters.

She rubs her wrist as I step out into the corridor, and her eyes widen when she sees me, and she drops her hand at her side.

“Is everything all right?” I ask, genuinely concerned as I approach her.

She narrows her eyes on me and folds her arms. “Yes, why wouldn’t it be?”

Although I’m not entirely sure what I saw, something is definitely going on between them. That much is obvious.

“I saw you with Amaros just now. I saw what he did,” I say, gesturing to her wrist. “Is there something going on between you two?”

She covers it with her other hand, clearly uninterested in confiding in me. “Are you jealous, Zarla? You realise there are males around here who prefer me over you, as hard as that may be for you to comprehend.”

I frown at her. “No, I’m not jealous. It looked like he was hurting you.”

She takes a step toward me, her expression cold. “You were spying on us?”

I open my mouth to speak, but she stops me by holding a hand up.

“I don’t know what you think you saw, but Amaros did nothing. He would never hurt me.”

I eye her for a moment, amazed at how easily lying comes to her, and realise her words are more to convince herself than they are for me.

“Stay out of my business. And stay away from Amaros. He’s mine.” She bumps into my shoulder as she storms past, leaving me speechless, staring after her.

Wow. I brush it off and continue down the corridor to find my father, hoping I won’t see Amaros along the way. Rimel and Yimel are, once again, guarding his quarters. Ignoring them, I pause and wait for them to open the doors. They don’t.

I roll my eyes and reach for the door myself. Yimel steps in front of me, blocking my path.

I step back and hold my hands up. “Okay, what’s the problem?”

Yimel doesn’t speak, as usual, and Rimel chimes in with a cocky smirk.

“State the reason for your visit, Miss Quinn.”

I narrow my eyes at him. He has never called me that before, and something about his tone is mocking. I have never had to state my reason for visiting my father before. Did he put them up to this?

Rimel arches a brow at me. “Well?”

I shake my head. “It’s just a casual visit. Is that a problem?”

Yimel moves aside, reaching for the door, and pulls it open.

“Of course not. You may proceed,” Rimel says with a wave of his arm.

My father looks up from his desk as I enter the room, and I spot Amaros standing behind him to his left, with Mikel, his other guard on his right. Amaros looks a little flustered, likely due to what just happened with Astelle. We lock stares for a moment before I focus on my father.

“Zarla, what’s going on?”

I march across the room to his desk. “Why did your guards stop me from entering just now?” I risk a glance at Amaros, who frowns.

“I don’t know. But you’re in here now, aren’t you?”

I eye him for a moment. Is he lying to me?

He shuffles some papers on his desk and sets them aside. “I assume there is a reason you are here?”

I nod. “There’s been another watcher attack.”

He gets to his feet and moves around the desk to me, his face laced with concern. “Are you all right? What happened?”

He’s acting strange again, and a part of me feels he knows more about it than he’s letting on.

“I’m fine. Kyle’s fine. Finlay is there now, but I need to be there with Kyle. I am his guardian, and clearly I am the most suited to watch over him.”

“Absolutely not,” Amaros says.

I slowly turn to Amaros, who looks a little embarrassed for speaking up, and Mikel, too, appears surprised by his outburst.

My father clears his throat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I told you I needed you to remain here. It isn’t safe.”

I throw my arms up in the air. “It isn’t any safer here, is it? Watchers have attacked the castle, too. So what difference does it make? At least there I can do my job and guardian over Kyle.”

He scratches his head and looks at Amaros. “What do you think?”

Amaros focuses his gaze on me. “I think it’s a bad idea. She should remain here where I can—where we can watch her.”

I glare at him. Unbelievable. Where he can watch me? That’s what he meant to say.

“No,” I say, “Kyle needs me.”

Something silent passes between Amaros and Mikel, and my father sighs.

“Perhaps Kyle would be better off with another guardian,” he says. “I never considered the fact that you are my daughter to impede your guardianship. But if you are being targeted…”

My heart feels like it’s about to leap out of my chest. I take several deep breaths as I stare at my father. “Kyle is my human. I am his guardian, and no one is going to take that away from me.”

I could swear Amaros is smirking. My father closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths while he considers what to do next. I hold my breath as I await his next words.

“Zarla, you can return to Earth, for now . But if this situation continues or gets worse, I will revoke your guardianship. Mark my words.”

I let out a long breath and steady myself against my father’s desk.

Amaros steps forward. “My King, I don’t think it’s a good idea?—”

My father raises a hand to stop him. “My decision is final.”

A small smile spreads across my lips as Amaros glares at me. “Thank you.” I turn to leave before adding, “And it might be a good idea to consider that trip to Galespo before there’s yet another attack.”

I don’t bother closing the door on my way out, leaving it to Rimel and Yimel. Amaros is probably just looking out for me, but I don’t need him to. I can do that for myself. And I’m getting sick of these attacks and the lack of action on our part. We need to get to the bottom of it. Why can’t my father see that?

I reach the fifth floor and stop outside my mother’s quarters, using the key my father gave me to unlock the door. My mind turns a million miles an hour as I prepare myself for what I will see or find in there. I take several deep breaths before gently pushing the door open.

Stale air hits my nose, and without a further thought, I step inside. There are two large windows along the far wall that overlook the castle grounds, and I cross the room and open them wide to allow the fresh air to flow in. I sit on the window ledge and look around the room, taking it all in.

A beautiful turquoise blue covers the walls, with an intricate gold detailing of vines and leaves. A four-poster bed sits against the wall in the middle of the room. The bedding is a pretty pale-pink with flowers, and is perfectly made. There’s a book sitting on her nightstand, and I cross the room and glide my fingers over the worn cover, tracing through the thin coat of dust. It’s a romance book.

My heart warms at learning something about her. I pick it up and blow the dust off the cover, and sneeze as it tickles my nose. I flick through the pages, deciding that I’m going to read it sometime. After I place it back down, I move across the room to her wardrobe. I open the double doors, and my mouth practically hits the floor.

It’s filled with the most gorgeous dresses I have ever seen. I step inside and run my hands along the fabric, amazed at all the colours. She really had good taste. There are dresses in just about every colour and shade you can imagine. Although the majority of the clothing in her wardrobe consists of various hues of purple. Clearly purple was her favourite colour, just as it is mine.

I reluctantly move back out into her room and spot a wooden bookshelf along the wall next to her bed, filled with books. I wonder if they’re all from the castle library or if they’re her own books.

And then I see it. My crib. Where I slept as a baby, nestled in the corner near the window.

Tears sting my eyes as I slowly cross the room toward it. Thin white fabric hangs from the tall ceilings draped around the back of the crib. It’s beautiful. The pale-pink bedding is messy, as if it has remained unmade since I last slept in it, and there are several stuffed toys sitting in the corner by the pillow. I reach down and pick up a soft pink teddy bear and frown as something falls from it into the crib. A note.

I pick it up and unfold the delicate paper. Zarla, if you find this letter, trust no one. My life may be in danger, and I fear for your safety. The locket is the key…

Her words cut deep, and I can almost feel her fear. Trust no one… Her words echo in my mind, prickling the hairs on the back of my neck. Without further thought, I cross the room and close the door. All the angels currently in my life were also in hers. So if she is telling me not to trust anyone, I won’t.

I fold the note up and slip it into my pocket, then pull out the locket, turning it over in my hands. The locket is the key… The key to what? I open it and look at the picture of the two of us. Looking at the wallpaper in the background, I realise the photo was taken in here, in her quarters. I study the picture a little longer and find it was taken outside her wardrobe.

Zarla…

My focus snaps to the wardrobe. Someone called my name. But I didn’t hear it aloud. I heard it in my head. By the gods… I step back inside and look around.

Zarla…

There it is again! I move the dresses aside and spot a thin gap where red light is shining through. There’s a room back there.

Instinct takes over, and I hold the locket up to the wall. It glows as green magic seeps out, and then there’s a click and a hidden door pops open. I duck my head and step through into a small room. It’s dark in here, aside from a red light shining up out of a wooden chest. There’s a small table with a lamp in the corner, and I switch it on, illuminating the room in a soft glow.

Something is luring me to the chest, and I know it’s the voice I heard in my head. What is that?

Zarla… It calls once more. I crouch down and carefully open the chest, coughing a little as disturbed dust floats into the air.

The chest is full of journals, and there’s a small box sitting on top of them. That’s where the red light is coming from. I pick it up, cautiously opening it to find a ring inside. It’s silver with a large red diamond, which continues to glow as I pick it up. With little thought, I slip the ring onto my finger. A strong power surges through my body, and I shudder.

The glow subsides as I turn my finger, studying the diamond. It’s beautiful, ancient even, and somehow, I know it was my mother’s. This ring contains strong power. I can feel it flowing within my veins.

My focus shifts to the journals. There must be at least twenty or thirty of them in here. The covers are a pale-brown leather with ancient symbols on them. I recognise the symbols from the Kingdom gates.

The language of the gods.

My brows knit together as the symbols become clear, and I can understand what they mean. It’s a numbering system. The journals on the top appear to be the latest ones, so I move them aside and choose an earlier one. I flick through it and read a passage from when my mother was young. She’s mad at my grandmother for telling her she couldn’t go out with her friends for the night.

I smile, wishing I had met my grandmother. She died before I was born. I slip the journal back and choose another. I open it and read a section.

My powers still have not come. Despite all attempts, I cannot seem to harness them. All the other angels at the academy have theirs now. I am the outcast. It isn’t fair. I went to see the Guardian Master after class today, and he told me to be patient and that my powers will come and they will be strong. Stronger than most guardians. He said he can sense great potential within me, which I don’t understand. How does he know? And what potential exactly is that?

I need a break, an escape. I need to see him again. He always knows what to do and what to say to make me feel better.

Who was she talking about? My father? I flick through the journal and find another passage.

I can’t believe it. It actually happened. I harnessed my first power. Lissian and I were training in the Dark Forest, and she was showing me how she harnessed her powers, when it happened. It was the strangest experience I have ever had. A voice spoke to me. She told me I was ready. And then the next thing I know, she’s gone. At first I thought it was a dream, until I blasted a ball of light out of my hands and snapped a tree in half.

Lissian was hysterical and couldn’t believe it. I can’t either. And the best part is the Guardian Master was right. My power is strong. I haven’t seen a power like mine before. Although it is thrilling, it is also terrifying. I need to be careful with it and learn how to control it.

Wow. That reminds me so much of myself. Gods, I miss her. I wish she were here with me, guiding me. Life can be so cruel. She didn’t deserve to die, and I deserve to have my mother. I shove the journal back, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, before selecting another one. Judging by the symbol on the cover, this journal appears to be the one to follow after the last. I flick through it and come across a passage which appears to be before the Guardian Angel ceremony.

My stomach flutters every time I think about the ceremony tomorrow night. I am as equally excited as I am afraid. Who will I be bonded to? What if it’s someone I can’t trust, like him? Since Harlum’s father, Zarlin, died, he is to be named the next King, so he won’t become a guardian tomorrow night. He will remain here within the Kingdom. He says he wants me at his side, but I see the way he looks at her.

Time will tell. He must earn my trust, and until then, I will be cautious.

The passage ends there, and when I turn the page, I notice a bunch of pages have been ripped out of the journal. They appear to be the pages that would have shown who she was bonded to on Earth, and who her second had been. Someone didn’t want anyone to find out. Someone didn’t want me to find out.

The thought sends a chilled shiver up my spine. Has someone been in here and read through her journals before me? I think back to the note left with the locket. Whoever left it to me could have come in here and read the journals. They could have taken the pages. But if that were the case, why would they leave me the locket in the first place? It makes no sense.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I select another journal and flick through it to a passage from when she was pregnant.

My baby girl is growing inside me. Although it’s something I dreamt about, I never expected to be a mother. But I am so excited to meet her. I can’t be certain it’s a girl, but there’s this deep instinct within me. I just know.

Harlum was desperate to have a child with me. He talked about it every chance we were alone. I didn’t know if I was ready, and I hadn’t thought a lot about it, but the timing felt right. I knew Harlum cared for me. He wanted a Queen, and he treats me like one. Most of the time.

But now here I am, more alone than ever. I have never been so scared in all my life. Harlum has abandoned me. He spends most of his time with Hethenos and their daughter. We are so disconnected, and I don’t think he even knows it. It’s like now that I have this child inside of me, he has what he wanted from me, and he no longer cares. Who is he?

He won’t let me do anything or go anywhere, as if it would put our child in danger. He doesn’t let me fly, and I miss it so, so much. The instinct to spread my wings flows deep inside me, and I cannot give in to it. It is torture. I don’t know if I can do this.

I close the journal and cradle it in my lap as my eyes well up. I gently wipe the tears away as they flow freely down my cheeks. The emptiness I feel inside mirrors that of what I am sure my mother was feeling when she wrote that passage. Although my father and I aren’t close, it sounds nothing like him. Her words depict some sort of monster.

How could he have been so cruel? I take a moment to prepare myself before I choose another journal. In this one, my mother talks about her beautiful baby girl, Zarla, who was born the night before. She talks of how perfect I was, how beautiful, and how much she loved me. She says I have my father’s piercing green eyes and that she will protect me, always.

Her words send warmth throughout my body and a sense of relief that I brought her happiness during those dark times she was in. She continues on about how she feels as if she has been abandoned, like my father is avoiding her. She says Hethenos is jealous of her and me, but she doesn’t understand why, as Harlum now shows more affection to Hethenos than he does her.

She describes an immense sadness she feels, and how much she misses her love. Who is her love, if not my father? There is much in these journals that doesn’t make a lot of sense. I continue to flick through to another passage farther in.

My fear grows each day, and I am afraid for my life, and that of Zarla’s. I don’t know how much longer I will be around. They make me feel as if I am a nuisance, someone in the way, someone who needs to be removed. I spend most of my days avoiding Harlum, Hethenos, and everyone else. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.

I need to find a way out. I need to escape, to save my daughter. He promised he would help me escape, but I don’t see how it’s possible. How will he get me out? If he doesn’t hurry, it will be too late. These may well be my last words.

Footsteps sound out in the corridor, and I frantically place the journal back, grab the last one I haven’t yet read through, and tuck it into my robes. My heart races as I close the chest and turn off the lamp before hurrying back into the wardrobe. I shut the door behind me, rearranging the dresses back into order as I slip the locket into my pocket. I turn to leave, but Amaros is standing in the wardrobe doorway.

He steps into the wardrobe, making the space feel much smaller. “What are you doing in here?”