Is anyone even reading this dumb thing? I own none of the original trilogy.

"Someone's looking better this morning," Adne greets.

I yawn. "I don't feel better."

Ren, Brady, and Nick sit together apart from the older (overall) Guardians, sending warning bells through my mind. Their expressions are all different at my sudden appearance, as if they thought and argued I wasn't going to get up. Ren stands, his fingers circling my wrist and pulling me from the room.

"Don't go anywhere near Nick," he growls. "Brady and I are trying to keep you far away from him."

Cocking a brow, I wrench my wrist from his viselike grasp. "Why?"

"He's trouble," he replies before disappearing back into the kitchen.

A growl rumbles in my throat that I quickly swallow back. Brady walks out to join me. "Want to see the garden? The Weavers were working their magick into it all night." He smiles reassuringly at my quizzical expression. "I'm not going to order you around like Ren," he comments.

"You suck at lying," I respond, but I follow him anyway. "Will you really not order me?"

"Never," he promises. "I'd probably get my butt kicked if I did."

"You're right." I smile wickedly.

Brady glances at me, his eyes shining. He pushes open the door to the garden. I breathe in the familiar smells, instantly knowing they changed the atmosphere to soothe us wolves. "You'll find that my guesses are almost always right."

I snort sarcastically. "Good luck with that!" I scoff.

Unsheathing a xiphos, he tilts his head slightly. (All of the new Guardians keep their specialized weapons on them now, for whatever reason.) "Wanna fight, she-wolf?" he taunts.

"Gladly," I accept, slipping his other sword from its sheath. "But to keep things fair, we'll remain in human form. Deal?"

"Deal," he concedes.

Because I am still somewhat weak and not really trying, it does not take him long to pin me. He grins down at me triumphantly. Sighing, I relax my battle-hungry muscles. "I hate you," I mutter.

"I know." He sheathes both swords and offers his hand. I take it, grateful for his help to stand. My sleepless nights are catching up fast. "Are you okay? You barely put up a fight."

"Shut up. I'm still not feeling well."

Sympathy flashes in his eyes. "You could've said no." He snakes his arm around my waist protectively, supporting me. "How come you haven't gotten better?"

"I can't sleep." I walk inside and sit in one of the more-secluded corners. Brady sits next to me. "I should've stayed with you last night. Maybe I would've gotten some rest." Leaning my head against his shoulder, I sigh from exhaustion.

"To be honest, I didn't sleep, either. Your bark might actually hurt worse than your bite."

I flash sharpened fangs at him. "Maybe not," I tease.

He stiffens and abruptly stands. I follow suit when he tugs on my hand. "We have to get out of here," he whispers into my ear. "Nick's coming." I don't ask how he knows; instead, I follow him back outside and duck under the canopy of thicker trees.

"What's so bad about Nick, anyway?" I dare to ask, keeping my voice low.

Brady looks as if I'd asked what water is. "He's a jackass for one, and for two, he breaks a lot of hearts."

"You hate him, don't you?"

"Not necessarily," he answers uncomfortably. "I hate what he does to girls who fall for his act." He angles his head on mine. "Just promise me that you won't ever agree to anything he offers. It won't turn out well." He hesitates before adding, "He makes even power seem innocent."

Beware the innocence of power. I start when his words echo with the warning in my mind. He tightens his grip on me, afraid I might take off – which, knowing me, I would. But not this time. "You and Ren have to stay away from him, too. I can't explain why, but…"

"You don't have to," Brady gently interjects. "I've already voted for leaving my dumb brother alone… about seventeen years ago."

"Weren't you born seventeen years ago?" I query.

"So was he, a few months later. He's my half-brother, but no one really notices the 'half' in it. Even back then I hated him."

"Of course you did." I shake my head as if in exasperation. "How come you let him push you around if you're older, then?"

Brady's jaw clenches. "Rather not say," he growls.

I clamp my own jaw shut, staring at him worriedly, watching different emotions flicker in his dark blue eyes. I know how conflicted he is because of Jazz, who has served as a sister to me since… well, forever.

"Don't worry, Aqua. Neither of us will get hurt."

"What about Ren?"

"He's a tough alpha. I'm pretty sure he won't get hurt, either."

The reassurance in the depths fades into compassion, and I have to turn away. "I'm sorry," I say. "I can't think…"

"Don't think. Just relax. I'm not forcing you to choose, along with not forcing you to follow my orders. You're your own person, and I know that." Unlike some people remains unsaid.

I peck his cheek, smiling slightly. "Thank you."

A lot more will happen in the next chapter. Warning: IF I DON'T GET ANY REVIEWS THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER CHAPTER!