“Why are we splitting up?” Paden sounded suspicious.

“Ree needs to focus on learning how to use the power, and the rest of you have a lot to learn when it comes to fighting Dark Ones.”

“And I suppose Roland is going to be teaching us how to fight Dark Ones?” Paden’s voice was tight and angry. There was no mistaking the resentment he felt about learning from the very thing he was supposed to kill.

“Paden, I know it goes against the very nature of a Guardian to trust a Dark One. I understand that. But Roland has done more than you can imagine for our cause. He can teach you more than I possibly could.” Sophie sighed. “He can give you the best tools to protect Ree. You need to listen to him.”

Ree could hear Paden grind his teeth as he thought about what Sophie had said. He looked over at Roland. The Dark One was talking to Juliette and Melanie but smirked at Paden when he noticed his stare. Ree just shook her head and wondered if this was really going to work.

Paden finally nodded his consent but his expression made it clear he wasn't happy about it.

Ree gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile and then followed Sophie toward a different part of the garden.

Chapter 17

Ree could barely hold her eyes open as she stumbled toward her room. She was utterly exhausted and didn’t think she would make it much longer. Sophie had spent hours explaining how the energy could be manipulated, how it could be used to change things, and how you could use it to lay something like a spell. It wasn't really a spell, more like leaving the energy somewhere with a particular intent. She could now use the energy to sense emotions of people around her, and the flow of energy between objects.

For the last hour she had practiced flinging the energy at bowling pins Sophie had set up around the garden. That had left her exhausted. She still found it difficult to use the energy from other things or people. Sophie had offered to let her use her excess energy, explaining that Guardians had an excess for just that reason. Ree had gleaned some of her energy to redirect, but had hated the feeling. It was like trying on someone else's clothes – they never really fit just right.

She rubbed at her blurry eyes and looked up just in time to run smack into someone’s chest.

“Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you.” She looked up at Roland and gave him a tired smile.

“No problem.” He grabbed her shoulder to help steady her and turned in the direction of her room. “Let me help you get to your room.”

“I can get there just fine by myself, thanks.” She wasn’t immortal with inexhaustible energy but she could find her way to the room she was using.

“Don't be difficult, Ree. I'm just trying to help you. You look like you might pass out on your feet.” His usual smirk was drooping a little, and she felt a little bite of guilt for sounding rude.

“It's just down the hall. I don't want to keep you.” She tried to step past him, but he held on to her shoulder.

“I guess some things never change,” Roland said quietly as if thinking out loud. Then he sighed dramatically. “Just because someone offers you help, it doesn't mean they think less of you.”

Ree shrugged her shoulders. “You're right.”

“See, that wasn't too hard. Now, from now on just assume I am right about everything.”

Ree snorted and rolled her eyes. “Don't hold your breath. Wait, do you even breathe?”

Roland laughed and started walking down the hall toward her room. Instead of fighting it, she fell into step with him.

“Yes, I breathe. I don't think it is a necessity, but it makes living much more comfortable.”

“Huh.” That was all her sluggish brain could come up with in response.

When they reached her room, he opened the door and motioned her inside. She shook her head and walked in. He stayed in the doorway and watched her cross to her stuff on the bed.

“Um, thanks. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Roland didn't say anything for a moment, just looked at her with eyes full of emotion. If Ree didn’t know better, she’d think there was longing hiding behind his blank mask, and it sent warm shivers down her spine.

“Earth to Roland? Did you fall asleep standing up?”

“Actually, I don't sleep very often. I was just thinking.” He gave her a small smile and looked away from her for a minute before returning his gaze back to hers. “Do you believe in reincarnation?”

“Eh? I guess at this point I think anything’s possible.” Ree’s nose scrunched up as she looked at him a little closer. That was completely out of left field, she thought. “Why?”

“It isn’t important right now. It was just something I was curious about.” Roland traded his smirk for a soft smile and stepped backwards through her door.

“Oookay. Well, goodnight then.” Ree stood where she was and watched him with one eyebrow raised.

“Sleep well, Ree.” He pulled the door shut behind him and Ree stood there for a moment, staring after him.

“So stinking weird,” Ree whispered to herself.

She locked the door, not wanting a repeat like yesterday morning. The clock next to the bed said it was after two o'clock in the morning. Groaning, she grabbed her stuff and trudged into the bathroom. Opening the door, she was once again shocked by the opulence of a room in which you basically spent as little time as possible. Then again, with the Jacuzzi tub, steam shower, and heated floor, people might want to spend more time in there.

She dumped her stuff on the floor and got undressed for a shower. The water was warm and soothed the knots of stress that were lodged between her shoulders. She used the soaps that were in the shower since she had been too lazy to get her own out of the bag. The steam in the shower strengthened the smell of rosemary and mint from the shampoo and body wash. It was a comforting and relaxing smell. Once she was finished, she used one of the large, fluffy towels to wrap herself in, brushed her teeth, grabbed her bag off the floor, and headed back to the bedroom. Just as she was about to change, there was a knock on her door. Tired and frustrated, she gripped the towel tighter and mumbled angrily as she went to the door. All she wanted to do was crawl in that big bed and fall into the oblivion sleep offered.

“Who is it?”

“It's me.”

She ran a hand through her wet hair before opening the door and looking at Paden. “What’s up?” She motioned for him to come into the room. He hesitated for a moment and then stepped in. She closed the door behind him and turned to look at him.

“Sorry, I didn't realize I'd interrupted your shower.”

“I just finished. Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to check on you. See how it all went.”

Ree went and sat on the bed, making sure nothing was peeking from under her towel. Paden stayed near the door, his expression unreadable.

“It was tiring, but other than that I don't really feel any different. What about you? Does it feel different to be a Guardian? I mean, instead of human?” She cringed at the word human.

“I'm still me, but I can do more things now. I can hear so much better and smell things I never would have been able to before. Also, I can . . . .” He hesitated and ran a hand through his already-tousled hair. “One of the reasons I stopped by before I headed to bed was to tell you something I noticed earlier. I can sense you. Like, where you are, and if you’re upset or hurt.” He looked at her, his eyes wary as he waited for her response.

She tried to keep the shock off her face. “You can tell what I am feeling?”

“Yes. I mean, no. I can't tell what you are thinking, but I can feel if you are upset, or angry. I knew you were frustrated while working with Sophie.” He finally moved closer and sat in the chair next to the bed.

“When did this start? When did you realize you could sense things about me?” She swallowed and tried to stay calm. Did he know how much it hurt her when he ran away at his parent’s house? Would he even understand why she had been upset? She rubbed her sweaty palms on the bedspread.

“It’s gotten stronger all day. At first, I just had a general idea of what direction you were in, and then I started getting this feeling that you were upset, or angry. I could tell you were more relaxed in the car ride from the antique shop.”

“Do the others have this as well?” She felt surrounded and wanted to open the window to let in a breeze.

“I asked Jules. She said that she could sense what direction you were in and if you moved. She thinks she would be able to tell if you were in trouble.”

“Oh, God. It's like I’m carrying around a baby monitor all the time!” Ree stood up and started pacing.

“I figured that was how you would take it.” He leaned forward and set his arms on his legs. “But, I think it’s so we can protect you better. It could come in handy. Roland said most Guardians have a sense of what’s happening to their charge.”

“Handy? I have no privacy, and you think that’s handy?” She whirled around and glared at him.

“Ree, think about it. This gives you more privacy. Now you don't have to have someone with you everywhere you go. We’ll be able to tell if you’re upset, or need help.”

“Wait a minute. You were going to have someone with me at all times? Like, posting a guard? Geez, Paden! I'm not a criminal!” She clutched at her towel angrily. His need to protect her was really starting to get on her nerves.

“You aren't a criminal, but it's our job to protect you. You're our friend, and we don't want anything happening to you.”

Ree was seething. Her whole life was being taken away from her, even her mental privacy. It was just too much to handle in two short days.

“Yeah, well, maybe you guys are just my friends because I’m the Alastriana. Maybe it was never real. Just another hereditary gift from the gods.” Her chin trembled at the thought. She loved these people; they had been her family for years now.

“No, Ree. Don't think like that.” He stood up and took a few steps toward her. “You know it isn't like that for me.”

“Yeah? What is it like for you, Paden?” She was too tired and hurt to care if she was crossing boundaries.

He closed the distance between them and pushed some of the hair out of her face. He didn't say anything for a long time. She was so tired her legs started to shake but she met his stare angrily. He slid a hand down her shoulder and cupped her elbow. Despite her irritation, she couldn’t fight the shivers his touch caused.

“You need to sleep, Ree. I know how tired you are.”

She jerked her elbow away from him and poked him in the chest.

“You're avoiding the question Paden. Why can't you just answer me?”

He looked away from her, his jaw clenched as he took a couple of steps back.

“You're Tristan’s little sister.” Ree looked at him, hurt, and Paden scrambled to explain better. “I made a promise, Ree. I promised to take care of you like you were my own sister.”

“That’s the only reason you've spent so much time with me? These last two years you’ve just been keeping your promise to my brother?” After everything that had happened in the last two days, this is what broke her heart. This was the lowest she had ever been, other than when the cops showed up to tell her family Tristan had died in a drunk-driving accident. It was like all of the happy times after he had died were nothing but a lie.

“I'm your friend Ree. I've always been your friend, but Trist gave you to me to take care of, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

“I wasn't his property to give.” She hoped he couldn't hear the tears in her voice.

Paden’s shoulders tensed and he moved to the door. He paused for a moment with his handle on the door knob. His knuckles were white, and she heard something creak from the pressure he was exerting.

“I made a promise to my best friend, Ree. Don't ask me to break it.” Then he was gone.

Her door swooshed shut behind him and the only things left in the room with her were the shards of her heart. Ree sat on the edge of the bed and took several deep breaths. She didn't want anyone rushing into the room to find her sobbing in nothing but a towel, but in the end it was useless and she settled for trying to muffle her sobs in a pillow.

Chapter 18

The time to wake up came entirely too early. She could hear other people moving around in the house, so she decided to get up and get dressed. She cracked an eye open and sneaked a peak at the clock. Ten fifteen was blinking in bright red numbers. A nightmare of sunlight flooded the room, making her squint her eyes. She had slept for less than six hours. She figured it was only a matter of time before someone came looking for her. Worried they would send Paden, she crawled out of bed and went to her stuff. She pulled out some comfortable clothes, brushed her hair and teeth, and was tying her sneakers when there was a light knock on her door. She sighed, not really wanting to face anyone after her breakdown last night.

“It's just me, Ree. I know you’re in there,” Melanie said from the door.

Tennis shoes? Check. Hair brushed? Check. Baby monitor turned on? Check, Ree thought as she went to open the door. Her expression must have given away just how frustrated she was, because Melanie gave her an encouraging smile as she walked in.

“Come on, Ree. It isn't that bad, is it?”

“If you say so,” Ree said in agitation.

“I do say so! Besides, I heard that you can sense the emotions of people around you, too. Classic pot and kettle scenario, if you know what I mean.”

That made Ree pause and think for a moment. She could sense what the others were feeling. Concentrating for a moment, she could sense that Weylin was in a rather chipper mood, and that Juliette and Bryce were focused on each other. Pushing further, she found Paden brooding in the kitchen, and a quiet, calm Roland was with a relaxed Sophie. She turned her attention back to Melanie and could tell that under Melanies' bright smile there was a desperate sense of determination. She tilted her head and looked at Melanie a little closer. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her hair was unkempt, hanging over one shoulder in a messy braid. Melanie's cheerful grin wilted a little bit as Ree looked at her. And there, in the space of an instant, her friend’s walls fell down and she could sense the burning anger and grief flowing through Melanie.

“Good God. Melanie, what’s wrong?”

“Yeah, I figured you would be able to tell. See? We can only sense you, but you can sense all of us, even random people around you. So you can't be upset at Paden, or any of us.”