He released a deep, smooth laugh and I was grateful that I could draw such a beautiful sound from him. We drove deeper and deeper into the mass of trees. I glanced out the window. There were no stars in the sky tonight, just a dense layer of clouds. I’d be okay with it raining. Nothing could ruin today, not even the rain. It might even ease me into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

***

“You took her from the school? Do you have a death wish?” Lyric snapped at Eli.

Eli and I stood opposite Mr. Aleksandrov, who rested his head in his hands, with his elbows firmly on the table. It appeared that our disappearance had caused some kind of mass panic.

“Relax.” Eli’s voice was deep and demanding. “She was with me, nothing would have happened to her.”

“I think it’s a nice gesture,” Mila interjected, pulling Lyric’s angered gaze on her. “Ruby hasn’t seen her mother’s grave before today. She deserves that after everything that has happened to her.”

“I agree,” Xavier said, glancing at Mila with a subtle gleam of hope in his eyes.

Poor guy still hadn’t been able to tell Mila how he felt, and as far as I knew, she was still dead against dating a guardian angel—emotional baggage and all that. Lyric’s dark, chocolate gaze fell onto me and I hugged my coat tighter around me. I had a nervous feeling that they’d ask me to take it off. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing? I don’t think me or Eli had the ability to talk our way out of that one.

“What are you doing, Eli?” Lyric asked, shifting his attention.

Eli’s jaw tightened under his skin.

“I fail to see how that’s any of your damn business,” I snapped, stepping in before Eli got a chance to.

“Ruby,” Eli warned me. I rolled my eyes. “It’s okay.”

Inside me, my blood simmered. Why was I getting treated like I didn’t deserve a break, after everything I’d done?

“We went to see her mother’s grave and have lunch with her family. We were back just after dark. No harm done.”

Lyric scoffed and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. Tired bags hung under his eyes and I could tell he just wanted to go to bed. “Since when did you become the reckless one?”

Eli’s brows pulled together and he stared at Lyric with a glare so dark it made me a little fearful.

“All right, all right,” Mr. Aleksandrov exhaled, pushing off his desk and rising to his feet.“The main thing is you’re back now. I know that Ruby’s title is guardian, but she still has goddess blood coursing through her veins, not to mention that she’s the only chance at curing vampires the council has. They would have my head, your head, and everyone else’s head if they knew you took her away today.”

“I understand,” Eli replied casually.

“I also told you that you two,” he pointed a long finger at us. “Aren’t meant to be alone together.”

I felt heat pool in my cheeks, knowing exactly why he put that rule in place.

“If the council knew about what happened or is happening between you two, you can kiss your guardian life and Ruby behind. Shape up, Eli, because you didn’t work so hard for everything you have now just for the council to take it away.”

He nodded without a flinch. “Yes, sir.”

Mr. Aleksandrov continued. “As a result, you’ll be doing the late night shifts indefinitely, starting tonight.”

Eli nodded again, but I protested. “It isn’t his fault. I was the one that wanted to go.”

Eli glanced sideways at me with a warning look. He didn’t want me to take the fall for him.

“He should have known better,” Mr. Aleksandrov countered.

“But—”

He raised his hand to silence me before falling back into his chair.

“Sadly, this isn’t the worst thing to happen to me today.” He exhaled and closed his eyes briefly. “The council knows that Lucian broke into the school. It got back to them and they’ve requested hearings.”

I stiffened, and beside me, Eli did the same.

“What do you mean?” Mila asked before anyone else could. Even Lyric looked frightened.

“They want to know exactly what’s going on here. I’m trying to pass it off as nothing now that the students are back and resuming their classes. I have a group of wizards and witches living in the school, protecting it with extra charms, but they aren’t satisfied with that. They heard about Eli choosing Ruby over his charge and they heard about the success of the serum. They want us to travel to the council city and participate in a series of hearings.”

“And if we don’t go?” I asked.

Mr. Aleksandrov chuckled. “We don’t have a choice. Pack your things, we leave in two days.”

He rose from his chair and his grey robe flailed behind him as he stormed from the room.

“Well…” I exhaled. “That sucks.”

Chapter Three

The next morning, I stood at the base of my bed packing my clothing into a purple suitcase Mila had lent me. She was doing the same thing as me this morning. It turned out that the council wanted ALL of us to go—Mr. Aleksandrov, Mila, Lyric, Xavier, Eli, Hunter, and me. Aaron and Sera were the only ones neglected from the request. Not that it mattered, they were out on a mission, somewhere. On my porch, a woman cleared her throat. Last night, while we were sleeping, elite guards from the council were sent in to keep an eye on things and to make sure we got there safely. I rolled my eyes. Basically, they didn’t trust our guardians so we weren’t allowed to use them. It was annoying. Low voices filled my house and not a second later, Xavier and Lyric’s heads peered into my bedroom.

“You’re still packing?” Xavier chuckled, like it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen.

“Yeah, I don’t even know where we’re going.” I held up a short sleeved shirt and a thick jumper. “Do I pack for hot weather or cold weather?”

He shrugged. “Both…I guess.”

I exhaled and threw them both into my suitcase. “What are you guys doing here, anyway?”

“It’s time for training.”

“That’s happening today?”

Lyric snorted. “What kind of question is that? Of course it’s happening. We train in rain or shine.”

“But we’re leaving tomorrow…I have to pack.”

“Pack later. Put your uniform on and let’s go.”

Somehow, Lyric was more anal about training than Eli was. Eli…I hadn’t seen him since we left Mr. Aleksandrov’s house last night. He was probably sleeping now. I wished I could sleep. Last night was filled with endless nightmares—like every night since the attack on the school. I just couldn’t get away from it. With a heavy sigh, I pulled on a fresh guardian uniform, tied my hair into a high ponytail, and met Xavier and Lyric on the porch. They stood opposite the elite guards with their back to them. It was weird seeing the exact same uniform in two different colors. I preferred the black uniform. It looked more badass.

The elites followed us off the porch and I glanced at them awkwardly over my shoulder. They kept their heads high, watching the world in front of them. One of them was a female, the other, male, and they looked eerily similar—no doubt brother and sister. Both had brown eyes and dimples regardless of their facial expression and the male on the left was taller and wider than the girl.

Some of the guardians we passed on the way gym watched us. It was clear nobody liked having the elites here. I sure as hell didn’t. They represented uncertainty… and everything else I was trying to stay away from.

***

Training went smoothly. I was a little disappointed Eli didn’t come and watch me like he usually did because today I managed to block every punch and kick that Xavier threw at me. It was awesome. The elite guards stood against the back wall—watching, always watching.

“You did good today, Ruby. I’m very impressed.” Lyric said, bringing me a small bottle of water. I gulped back a mouthful and it hurt my chest. I was definitely exhausted.

“Thanks.” I panted, closing the lid. “I was really trying.”

“I noticed. Maybe I should have elite guards around during our training sessions more often. It seems to be the only thing that makes you focus.”

I rolled my eyes. “I was just making a statement. I might be small and girly, but I can kick ass when I want to.”

“Let’s see,” the female elite guard called from across the room. I wasn’t even aware they could hear us.

I turned to face her and her thin lips smirked at me as her brother chuckled.

“See what?”

She shrugged, smugly. “Let’s see if you can kick my ass.”

My brows pulled together. “Why would I want to fight you? That’s not what you’re here for.”

Her long legs stretched out in front of her as she made her way over to us on the mats. Her brown eyes narrowed in on me, her distaste coming through loud and clear in her scowl.

“Don’t be scared. I’m not going to hurt you…much.”

I arched an eyebrow at Lyric and he returned my look with the same confused expression.

“I’m not going to fight you,” I half laughed, half spat.

A wry smile played on her lips. “Are you scared?”

In frustration, I clenched my water bottle tighter in my hand. “Definitely not.”

“Then what’s the matter?”

I stepped forward, but Xavier grabbed me by the elbow, stopping me from taking another step. I kept my eyes locked on hers as he spoke.

“Ruby,” he said, his voice low and gruff. “Ignore her. You don’t want to do anything drastic before your hearing.”

I glared at her. She seemed hostile toward me and I had no idea who she even was. I pulled my elbow free from Xavier’s grasp.

“What’s your problem?”

“You’re my problem. I don’t like you. You’re cocky, stubborn and stupid. I hate that you’ve been given the title guardian. You’re not and you never will be.”

Okay, now I was pissed. I took a step forward, prepared to accept her challenge, but Xavier’s hand found my elbow again. I yanked my arm free. “You know nothing about me.”

“You’d be surprised. Your name comes up regularly in the council meetings.”

The gym door opened, but I didn’t take my eyes off the random elite girl. I didn’t have to. I’d been in enough situations to know exactly who stepped through that door. Eli had some strange sixth sense, I swear.

“Ruby?” Eli asked cautiously.

I didn’t answer him.

“This girl is crazy.” Xavier informed him. “She’s trying to fight Ruby.”

The girl’s lips twitched at the comment, but here yes didn’t dare dart from mine.

“And why are they still in the same room?”

“Because I’m finding this really interesting.”

Eli exhaled in annoyance before coming to stand next to me. He wasn’t wearing his guardian uniform, just a polo t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His hair was dishevelled—almost sleepy. He looked good from the corner of my eye, but I didn’t turn to get a better look.

“Are you done?” he asked and I swear he was implying that I was the one who started it.

I could feel Eli’s eyes watching the side of my face, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the girl.

“I haven’t even started,” I growled through clenched teeth.

The girl chuckled, straightening her stance. “You better do what your angel says.” Then she turned away from me, leaving me feeling disrespected. She had the nerve to challenge me and then thinks she can just walk away? No. The plastic bottle creaked in my grasp as my fingers twitched. Without thinking it through, I cocked the bottle behind my shoulder and threw it at her. The plastic sailed through the air before colliding with the back of her head. The boys in front of me gasped, and beside me, Eli stiffened. His arm shot out and firmly grasped my forearm. He yanked me toward him, partially tucking me behind his body. The girl whirled around abruptly—her nostrils flaring as she bared her teeth. She was pissed but I couldn’t help myself. I smiled at her.

“You little bi—” Her brother grabbed her by the arm, stopping her from launching herself at me. I didn’t even notice him come toward us. I was too busy watching her.

“Not now, Faith,” her brother stated. “Asking for a friendly spar is one thing. Fighting her for no reason is another thing entirely. You don’t want to upset the council.”

“She threw her freaking bottle at me, Tate!” Faith snapped as she looked at her brother. Her face seemed vulnerable and I wondered how old she was—at least twenty-two. When she realized her brother wasn’t going to change his mind, she straightened her stance once again and brushed off her uniform.

“We’ll meet you outside when you’re finished here.” Her brother strode from the gym and Faith followed, but not before her long index finger brushed over Eli’s forearm. Oh, hell no! I started forward, but Eli’s arm gripped me tighter, forcing me to stay put.

“You should be spending your time with a real guardian.”

Are you kidding me? In a huff, I shook off Eli’s arm and stepped out from behind him. His hand pressed firmly against my stomach, preventing me from stepping any closer to her. Faith winked at him before she exited the building. I stepped away from Eli’s hand and placed my hands on my head, forcing myself to take deep, controlled breaths.

“Man, that girl has some serious issues,” Lyric said. “She’s cute, though.”