A/N: My dear readers. I'm sorry for the delay, but for the past couple of weeks I've been planning this next part of the story. Writing and re-writing this chapter I decided on certain plots and twists, that I hope you will both enjoy and find entertaining.

29

Tris' POV

What? What did she just say? Guardian?

"There must be a mistake," Hana says incredulous.

"You can't be the Guardian," Johanna says staring at the woman.

"But I am," she says smirking.

"No, you're not. We know that for a fact," Max says a little angry.

"Then you'll have to get your facts straight, because I'm the Guardian and from what I was told you are my entourage," she says, that stupid smirk still on her face.

"You're a liar," Liam says coming to where she sits and grabs her by the arm. She lets him lift her up but then grabs his wrists, twists it and throws him over her shoulder. Liam instinctively turns into a werewolf and I watch as the newcomer charges at my friend. I step in and stop her.

"Get away, little girl. Let me handle the beast," she says overconfident. I had about enough of her. I take hold of her arm, twist it behind her back. She tries to escape, but I kick her feet from under her. I roll so that I am underneath her and hold her down using my arms and legs. "Let me go," she yells.

"Liam," is all I say and he comes over and punches her in the face, knocking her out. The moment I feel her body go limp I loosen my grip. She is out. Liam picks her up and together with Zeke and Uriah ties her to a chair.

"How is this possible?" Evelyn asks.

"I don't know," Hana says, "I never heard of two Guardians at the same time," she says and looks from our group to the mysterious woman tied to one of Liam's old chairs.

"Do you think she's lying?" Tobias asks.

"I don't know about lying, but she's strong," Liam comments. I nod my head in agreement.

"You dumb bastard. I am the Guardian," the mystery woman yells. We turn around to look at her. I step closer and look her over. She seems older than me and she is trained, I can tell by both technique and body build.

"Who are you?" I ask her.

"I told you, I'm the Guardian," she snarls.

"That can't be."

"And why's that?" she asks snotty.

"Because I'm the Guardian, have been for the past four years," I say and my answer leaves her speechless.

"That can't be right," she says more to herself.

"Why's that?" Hana asks coming next to me.

"I was called in front of a council and they told me I'm the Guardian because the previous one died," she says and looks from Hana to me. Then her expression changes. "You're a liar," she accuses.

"No, I'm not," I say and turn around. "What do you think happened? Why would the Pillars choose another Guardian? I'm still alive," I say to Hana. In the background the mystery woman keeps talking, shouting really.

"I don't understand either," Hana says honestly.

"Oh my God," Uriah says exasperated. "What is so hard to get, you guys? This chick is the new Guardian," he states matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, but the old one is still here, you dimwit," Zeke scolds his brother.

"Boys," Hana says to both of them.

"If you would let me explain," Uriah says. He steps closer to where the woman is tied to the chair. "Hey you. What's your name again?" he asks. She looks at him and measures him.

"Nita," she answers.

"How long have you been a Guardian?" Uriah asks.

"It's THE GUARDIAN," she corrects loudly.

"Whatever. Just answer."

"Over a year now," she answers.

"Ha, thought so," Uriah says with a grin.

"Then could you share it with us," Liam says as anxious as we all feel.

"If she is the new Guardian and became the Guardian a year ago, this means she was chosen because the old one died," Uriah says and it clicks in my head. Of course.

"But she's not dead," Zeke says.

"Uri, I take back every shitty thing I ever said about you not paying attention. This is brilliant. Nita is the new Guardian because she was chosen after the old Guardian died. Guys, last year I died and I was dead for three months," I say turning to look at them.

"What?" Nita asks from behind me. "How is this possible?" she asks dumbfounded.

"Nita, what did the Pillars say to you?" I ask.

"Pillars?" she asks confused.

"The council who gave you your power and told you about your mission," I explain seeing her confused expression.

"Uh, they said that I'm the Chosen One, the one to fight all evil in the world and that I need to come here to protect the Gate, whatever that means," she says with a huff.

"Nita, my name is Tris and I'm the Guardian, the one who died," I say seriously.

"How is this possible?" she asks confused.

"We'll explain. But first, do you promise not to run or punch someone if we untie you?" I ask. She nods. I can see that she is reluctant, but she's probably curious to understand this situation just as much as we are. Max cuts the ropes and Nita stands up rubbing her wrists.

"Explain," she demands a little harsh. She is taller than me, her skin is tan, her hair is reddish and in curls, her eyes are a soft brown and by the way she stands and looks I can tell she had her fair share of fights. I'd guess she is around my age, but I could be mistaken. Maybe a year or two older.

"My name is Tris Prior and I'm the Guardian. I was chosen four years ago and have protected this city ever since. Two years ago I defeated the Master of the Vampires. Does that ring a bell?" I ask and she nods.

"The council, I mean the Pillars, told me about what you did, but last year you died and that's why they chose me. I don't understand. How can you be alive?" she asks confused.

"Last year we had some trouble with a group we called the Monks. I spare you the details for now, but during the last battle I died. My family," I say and gesture around, "tried everything to bring me back to life and three months after I died they succeeded."

"But if you're alive, how come they chose me? Does this mean your mission is over?" Nita asks.

"I don't think so. I mean, the Pillars didn't contact me and I'm sure they know that I'm alive," I say.

"Perhaps they called her before we managed to resurrect you, Tris," Hana weighs in.

"Perhaps," I say.

"What does this mean now? Is she the Guardian or am I the Guardian?" Nita asks.

"What do you know about Guardians and their mission?" Johanna asks.

Nita starts telling us what she knows, which isn't much. She goes on and tells us about how she comes from Milwaukee and that she fought vampires there, but no other creatures. It seems the Pillars didn't exactly prepare her for what it means to be the Guardian.

Hana and Johanna sit her down and start explaining what exactly awaits her, while I and the guys go outside. Mom and Evelyn sat down on the loveseat and just observe everything.

"What do you think?" Max asks me.

"I think she is legit. There is a force around her that tells me she has magic in her but she doesn't know how to use it. If she was given her power a year ago she learned a few things, but without the guidance of a witch and the Chronicles to give her insight as to what we're facing she is as unexperienced as I was when I started," I say.

"But does this mean she takes your place now?" Zeke asks.

"No. I think the Pillars chose her to be the Guardian because I was dead. I don't think they could take her power back once I got resurrected. But this might not be a bad thing," I say.

"How come?" Liam asks curiously.

"If she's a guardian like me she has the same power as I have, she just needs more training. But it also means whoever the sorcerer is who wants to hurt me might not know about her."

"What if a shadow is following her around?" Zeke asks.

"No shadow, I checked," I say. The moment she said she is the Guardian I checked her shadow. She only had one.

"We still don't know much about her and I don't know if we should trust her that easily," Tobias says skeptical.

"There might be a way to find out the truth," Max says.

"Really? How?" I ask.

"Truth serum," he states matter-of-factly.

"What's that?" Uriah asks curiously.

"It's Candor's serum to find out the truth. I will have to convince my old buddy, Jack Kang, one of Candor's leaders to give me a vial. We can interrogate her and know for sure," Max explains.

"I don't know. I don't want to scare her," I say. Just then the door opens and Hana and Nita walk out. Hana is telling us that she thinks Nita would benefit if Liam and I would take her for a walk and explain things to her. But my attention is somewhere else. Nita is staring at Tobias with a seductive look.

"Can't he come too?" she asks approaching my boyfriend. He furrows his eyebrows and takes a step back. "You don't have to be afraid. I won't bite," she says licking her lips. I hear Liam growl next to me but ignore him.

"But I will," I say and she turns to look at me, her smirk still there.

"Why's that?" she asks smugly.

"Because Four is my boyfriend and I don't want to kill you," I say in a threatening tone.

"He's your boyfriend?" she asks incredulous. To reinforce my statement Tobias steps closer to me and wraps one arm around my waist.

"Yeah," Tobias answers dryly. Nita looks a little taken aback, probably thinking the same many think when they see me, especially next to this gorgeous man.

"Oh, okay," she says a little embarrassed. She looks away, but then turns around abruptly. "You can't kill me. Guardians aren't allowed to kill humans," she says smugly again. What's the matter with her? Does she really want her ass kicked?

"It's not a rule. As a matter of fact, I killed a human," I tell her and her eyes widen. She looks from me to Hana and then back to me.

"You didn't," she says, trying to chase the thought away, but I nod.

"It had to be done," Liam says and steps closer to her. His eyes flash for a moment and I think his wolf will come out, but then he leans in slightly to sniff her. Nita turns around to look at him, her eyes furrowed in confusion. "He was possessed and almost killed the Guardian. He was beyond saving and she had to kill him," he explains.

"I thought we aren't allowed to kill humans," she says, her voice low.

"We're not supposed to kill them, unless we have no other choice. A monster is not defined by his skin color or appearance," I say and gesture toward Liam, who she knows is a werewolf, "but by their actions. Liam and I have been friends and allies for years and we fought together many times. I even have allies among the demons. As long as they stay put and don't attack humans I will leave them alone."

"Why?" she asks clearly confused.

"There's much you need to learn about the Guardian and our mission. But first, my family and I have a question for you," I say and she nods unsure. I'm sure she is overwhelmed with all this information but we need to get her up to speed. Her life may depend on it. I wait for her to nod before I continue. "As you can understand your arrival is very unexpected and strange. It was issued that we need to ask you more thorough questions to believe your statement and claims," I say and watch her carefully. As I spoke she shifted from uncomfortable to angry.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you planning on torturing me?" she asks defiantly.

"No," Liam says and places his right hand softly on the small of her back. She turns around but doesn't move away. That's odd. I've never seen Liam get so cozy with any girl. To be honest, I know he has a crush on me, but we would never happen. But seeing him with her is just odd. I'll need to check this out. Nita turns around to look at him. "There is a way that doesn't involve hurting you. It is not our intention to hurt you or anyone. We are here to protect. What we had in mind is an interrogation under truth serum," he says and smiles a little. Okay. Now I'm freaking out. I've never seen him smile like that and be so lovey-dovey before.

"Truth serum?" she asks confused.

"Truth serum is a liquid that will be injected in your blood stream," Max starts explaining and Nita turns to look at him.

"What does it do?" she asks.

"Well, it will persuade you to tell the truth. We will ask questions and you will feel like you can't lie. If you resist it'll hurt of course. It's like a burning sensation. I know because I was put under it once. As long as you remain truthful it'll be okay," he tells her smiling. Nita remains quiet. It seems she is pondering on the implications of such an interrogation.

"You can choose not to do this, but it'll take a lot longer to earn our trust," I say trying to reassure her. I can see from the corner of my eye that Tobias isn't pleased and even Max frowns.

"I'll do it," she finally states.

Max nods and leaves us to walk a little down the path to talk on his phone. I watch as Hana walks Nita back inside to talk some more to her. Liam tries to follow, but I stop him. He looks at me both angry and curious.

"We need to talk," I say and he nods. I ask the others to enter the house and learn as much as they can from Nita, while I get a signal from Max indicating that he will go and retrieve some truth serum for us. Liam and I walk for a moment before he speaks up.

"She's mine," he states. I turn to look at him, confusion clearly all over my face. "She's my mate," he says and I feel my mouth hanging open.

A/N: Please review.