Chapter 18: Meeting the Guardians
I held on to Riley's hand as tight as I could as we entered the lair of the Guardians. Once again, another huge room. It was very posh and was lit up very nicely. If it were sunny out you could look up and see it through the skylight. I saw a few other members of the Guardians surrounding the room. I noticed a blonde girl come walking towards us. If I didn't know any better, I would say that she was this Dylan guy's twin. She had bright red eyes like him, but had more of a pudgy, round face.
"Ooh looks like you went a little over the top, huh bro?" she asked as she eyed me. I just looked at the ground.
"Whatever do you mean sister?" Dylan asked as he hugged her.
"I mean I could've sworn that only one vampire was supposed to come back. Not four. But hey, the more the merrier." She said and sniffed the air. "Oh my, what is that delightful smell?" I tried my best to hide behind Riley but Dylan pointed me out.
"It's him. Paige, doesn't he smell heavenly?" he asked. Paige came over to me, but Riley stood in front of me blocking her way.
"Back off Paige." Riley said sternly. Paige backed away, but then she smirked. I looked at Riley to see that he had an uncomfortable look on his face.
"What's wrong Riley? Is something bothering you?" she asked.
"That's enough Paige." I heard a voice say. A man that looked about 26 came walking over to us. I looked up at Riley to see that his face had returned to normal. "Bruce, Johnny, thank you for bringing them to me. My, my, you're actually alive. I was saddened to hear that the one that held Riley's heart had passed away. But you're here now and that's all that matters." He said as he grabbed Riley's hand. I was a little hesitant about it at first, but decided to stay out of it.
I have to admit Marco was rather intimidating. He seemed all nice and sweet, but I had a strong feeling that he wasn't as sweet as he came off. His skin was pale, like every other vampire, but it was almost the same color as mine. He had short, black, hair and a bit of a baby face as well. He looked more Italian than French.
"As I've told you before, this is Marco. His gift is that with one touch, all of my thoughts are seen by him. Paige can block your senses. Spinner can sense the strength and nature of relationships. It's quite amazing actually." Riley said.
"Yes, it is. Wow, Zane you have such an aroma about that it's making me quite hungry." Marco smiled. "I'm surprised you haven't fed off of this boy yet."
"It's not like I didn't think about it." Riley said.
"Son sang chante pour toi, oui?" he asked.
"As a matter of fact yes. That's another reason why I love him so much." Riley said as he used his free hand to hold mines. "But now that you've seen that I am no longer going to cause any trouble, we'd like to be let go." Marco looked at me and smiled.
"You know what intrigues me the most? Is that you can't read Zane's mind. How is that possible?" Marco asked.
"We've never really been able to figure that out." Langston said. I saw Marco's smile get even wider.
"Really? Hmm, that is rather, titillating." Then he gestured towards me. I felt that shiver go through my body again. "I would like to see for myself, if he is insusceptible to my power too. If you'd please." He held out his hand. I suddenly felt like a fish in a bowl. Everyone in the room was looking at me like was some sort of science experiment. I looked back at Langston, Kurt, and Blaine hoping for some sort of sign.
"You can do it." Blaine said. I looked at Riley once more. I could see that he was hesitant, but he knew it had to be done. And that was all the sign I needed. I carefully walked towards Marco who pulled me closer to him than I expected. He looked at my hand and then at me.
"I can't believe it. Nothing, I see absolutely nothing." He said as he let my hand go. I quickly retreated into Riley's awaiting arms.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you." He said. I saw Marco turn around. It would appear that he wasn't finished yet.
"Well, I've come upon a new idea. Dylan, I would like you to test my theory. If Zane isn't affected by me, maybe he will be by you." Dylan looked at me and smirked.
"No! I refuse to let you do this." Riley said as he tried to walk towards the teen. Langston grabbed him and held him back. Kurt and Blaine braced themselves for a fight. I've never seen Riley so riled up. Actually I have and that was during the time when Alex tried to kill me. I looked to see the big guy, Bruce, taking a step forward. Kurt gave him a hiss, but Bruce just smiled.
"Bruce, don't even think about it." The one I believed to be called Spinner said. A blonde woman sat by his side. I looked towards Bruce to see that the hope that had shined in his eyes had died out and was replaced by a pouting expression. The next thing then I knew Riley was making a mad dash for Dylan.
"Riley!" Langston shouted. Shockingly no one else moved. Everything was completely silent. I looked at Riley to see that he was thrashing on the ground. But I didn't understand. There hadn't been any physical contact. All I could do was stare at the one I loved on the ground in misery.
But then, I understood. I remembered Langston saying that Marco likes gifted vampires. It all made sense now. Dylan must have had the gift to cause some type of pain. I couldn't let this go on for one more second.
"Please!" I shouted with obvious horror in my voice. Langston went over to hold Riley's hand, while Kurt and Blaine stood guard. I started to walk towards Dylan but Paige stopped me. "Don't do this! You're hurting him!" Marco walked over to Dylan who was smirking in satisfaction at Riley.
"Okay, that's enough." He said. Dylan stopped and looked at Marco.
"Yes sir." He said his smugness still remaining. I looked down to see Riley was done thrashing about. He was actually still.
"He'll live." Langston said as he helped him to a sitting position. I felt physically sick looking at him. He looked so weak and mal-nourished.
"You may continue." I looked up as Marco was gestured towards me again. Dylan smiled and looked at me. I looked around the room to see that everyone was expecting some sort of reaction. I looked at Riley to see his and Langston's faces, and theirs was a look of surprise. I saw Dylan's smile turn into a frown as a look of determination crossed his face. After a few more minutes Marco clapped his hands together.
"How strange, it's as if he's immune to everyone." Marco said. I smiled triumphantly at Riley. I could see the corners of his mouth rising too. He was by side within seconds.
"I-I don't believe this!" Dylan shouted and was prepared to pounce when Marco put his hand on his shoulder.
"Relax, he's special. I can't believe that you didn't make a sound Riley. When Dylan did that to be I was screaming like a Banshee. Nothing I'd ever want to relive again." I wonder what that was all about. "Now the question is…what happens now?"
"Oh please, you know exactly what happens now." The one I believed call Jimmy, said with callous in his voice. He too was about my complexion with pale skin and bright red eyes. His hair was short also and he looked sort like a bear.
"Yeah Marco, he's sort of a liability." Spinner said as the blonde woman stroked his face. I hide behind Riley. I knew something bad was about to happen.
"Wait, Riley, I'm hoping that you've given more thought to his becoming an immortal." Marco said. Riley looked at me and then answered.
"Yes, I have and there's no way I'm doing that to him." He said strictly.
"Okay, then maybe you all would like to join us then?" I felt Riley tense. Was this Marco guy serious? Sure all the vampires were gifted, but asking me to join would be like inviting a fly into a spider's web.
"I'm afraid not." Kurt said.
"Same here." Blaine replied.
"Thanks, but no thanks." Langston quipped.
"No." Riley said. "For the both of us." I really could answer on my on, but that was pretty much what I was going to say.
"We wouldn't need him anyway." Jimmy said. Wow, talk about a severe attitude.
"Oh come on, friend, he has clearly got some major potential here. Just imagine if he were one of us. A gift like his could prove just as good of use as Dylan and Paige's gifts. It would fabulous." Marco said as he clapped his hands together like a giddy school-girl. I noticed that Jimmy and Dylan's faces weren't so accepting.
I felt Riley start to shiver. I could tell his temper was about to burst through the roof. And I couldn't let him get us all in trouble. So I did what I thought he would appreciate.
"I believe it would be best if I didn't join. But I appreciate the offer." I said with a polite smile. I really hoped that got us somewhere.
"Well, it was a good try." Marco sighed and turned around.
"Oh, I get it. So it's pretty much, if you don't do as we wish, you might as well stick an apple in your mouth and stay for dinner, right?" Riley hissed. I've seen him mad before, but now that Dylan could put him in more pain I couldn't risk it. I held his hand up to my mouth and kissed it. It seemed to calm him down just for a few minutes.
"Enough of this! He's a liability and I won't have what we worked so hard for destroyed by a mere human! The law doesn't exclude them!" Jimmy roared. I heard about four other hisses in the room.
"But if I'm correct, there are humans that know all about you as well." Riley said. Jimmy just sat back in his chair.
"Yes, but the way we see it, if they do something that could expose us, we could kill them. There are no emotional ties to them. But if this one were to how you say, screw up; you wouldn't lay a hand on him, would you?" Jimmy shot back. I wanted to say something, anything really, but I was silent. Besides, Jimmy's blood-red eyes staring icily at me didn't help my confidence.
"I really don't want to do this." Marco said sadly. Jimmy was at his side in seconds.
"Then I will, oh Bruce, your services are needed." Jimmy said with a pleasurable tone.
It all happened so fast. One minute Riley was beside me, the next I was being flipped over to face Marco and Jimmy. When I turned around Riley had pounced on Bruce. Johnny had Langston by the throat and Kurt and Blaine were on the ground writhing in pain.
Riley was thrown through the air and Bruce pinned him to the ground. I saw the ground crack beneath them. Then Bruce started to walk towards me. I couldn't believe this was how I was going to die. But then Riley tackled him. I believe that Riley wasn't at his full strength because he was thirsty or maybe Bruce was stronger.
I watched as Riley crashed into one of the pillars in the room. I felt my heart break for him. I didn't want him to die either. I loved him way too much. But I couldn't do anything but watch in horror as Bruce took one of the pillars and hit Riley sending him across the room once more.
They moved so fast to where I could hardly see anything. But then Riley was slammed onto the steps next to where the Guardians sat at. I noticed that Marco had this deranged look in his eye. I knew what he was about to do when he walked towards Riley who was now on his knees waiting to have his head ripped off. I couldn't be silent anymore, especially when he could be killed right in front of me.
"No! Please, no, No!" I yelled. Marco looked at me and I heard Riley release an unnecessary breath. "Me! Kill me instead!" Marco seemed surprised at my outburst and slowly walked towards me. Bruce picked Riley up and turned him towards us.
"I'm shocked. You would rather die for him? Someone who could've killed you when he first met you? Someone who has no soul and is considered a monster? Someone like us?" he asked. I hated how he pretty much dissed my boyfriend.
"Stay away from him!" Riley shouted but it was cut off due to the grip placed on his neck by Bruce.
"Well, not to be rude, but you don't understand him like I do. His soul is gentle and kind." I said. He just looked at me with sad eyes.
"So you think." He sighed. "I feel bad. You really could've avoided this if you would've just agreed to change him, you know." Marco said as he advanced towards me. I closed my eyes and waited for death. But once again, it never came.
"Marco, I've seen something!" I heard Langston shout. I opened my eyes to see Marco looking at him. "A decision had been made. I'm gonna be the one to change him. I've just seen it." Wait, really? Could this be the moment that I've waited for?
"Come here, young one." Marco said. Johnny let him go and he walked over to Marco, giving him his hand. It was obvious to me that he saw something because Marco's face lit up with joy.
"See, it's already been decided. He will be changed." Langston said.
"Oh brothers! It's magnificent. I saw Riley's love and he was stunning." Marco said. Spinner looked bored, while Jimmy looked pissed.
"Fine! If he must become one of us, it must be right now." He said coldly.
"It can't be now. You see, his mother is a judge. She has ties with the police department. If he goes missing she'll send just about anyone to look for him." Langston said.
"Oh well, something can be arranged for her." Jimmy said.
"I've seen it Jimmy, everything will be fine. Dylan, Paige, let them go." Marco said. Kurt and Blaine were let go of their invisible torture. Riley was also let go and he came rushing over to me.
"Are you alright?" he asked checking me over.
"I'm fine." I said as I put my hand on the back of his neck and hugged him.
"You can leave now." Spinner said playing with the blonde woman. She giggled and kissed him. We all started walking towards the door with Johnny.
"Wait you're actually letting them go!" Jimmy said. We all stopped and waited for Marco's answer.
"Yes. As long as the stay true to their word everything will be fine. Oh and Zane?" I looked back at him. "I saw that your sister knows about us as well. The same goes for her. I want to see two newborn vampires if I shall ever make an appearance in your area." My blood ran cold.
"Another human knows about us? Kill them, kill them ALL!" Jimmy yelled.
"No! It is my decision and mine alone. Zane and his sister will be vampires. Am I clear?" Marco asked. I couldn't answer that so Langston did it for us.
"Yes. Do you need to see me again?" he asked. Marco waved his hand.
"No, it's almost time for Hazel to bring back breakfast." He said. Spinner stood up and held onto the blonde woman's hand.
"Come on Emma, it's almost time." He said as he walked to the center of the room.
"Stay true to your word. We don't offer do overs." Jimmy said.
"See you soon, my friends. And tell your family I said hello." Marco said. We all turned around and left. I hope I never have to see any of them again. At least not while I'm human.
We walked through the corridors back to the elevators. I saw a dark-skinned woman with bright red eyes come walking towards us with a crowd of at least twenty people. It ranged from kids to senior citizens. As they walked by us to the room we just left, I could only turn my head. Once we were in the elevator that's when I put my hands over my ears.
A/N: Just one more chapter to go before the third installment. I hope I did this chapter right. It took a bit of thought but I eventually go it down. Read and Review. Non-members can review too. XOXO ShadowBeauty.