Her Guardian's Heart (6 page)

Her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s a surprise. Very good. Tannin’s taken to you quite well.”

“He told me why he watches over you and the others.”

“Why is that?”

“We’re his direct descendants. That would make him old.”

She laughed. “Older than you know.”

I looked at her and took a leap of faith. “He’s a real angel, isn’t he? If he is, then we’re part angel. Is that what the Guardians are? We’re gatekeepers.”

She pointed her finger at me. “You’re smarter than you think, you know, and you catch on quick. Yes, Tannin is an angel. He was one of the angels that was left behind when the other battalions were called back to Heaven. He found his wife among the nephilum. The first clans of Guardians.”

“Why is our clan tainted with the evil that is wrapped around it?”

“Our clan was charged with the highest honor that any clan could have: to watch the seven doors that lead to the different levels of Hell. If anything got out, to slay the beast before it could influence humankind. An ancestor of ours opened one door and let out a few of the demons. As punishment, God bound one of the demons inside of the Guardian so they would understand the consequences. He lived his life hearing the demon. When his children were born, part of the demon was carried along. Your father was seduced by the evil and it consumed him. Over the centuries, we’ve learned to control the evil. We sense it once the child is five or six. Then we start the training to keep it in balance. Because we are also part angel, we can mingle with other species. That’s why when you were bitten by your mates you were able to filter their venom out of you. But being a witch is also a strange combination.”

I nodded and finished eating my muffin. I sipped the tea and pondered what I had learned. When I connected with the Guardian inside of me, my wings spread out. They were more than just feathers, they were also scales. My inner Guardian reached out. I reached back and we touched hands. When I did, I gasped and opened my eyes. I shook myself from the encounter. I realized then someone had their hands around me. Tannin was holding me. I was on the ground. My grandmother had taken the tray away, but some of the muffins were scattered around the floor and the teapot was on its side.

“What happened?” I looked between Tannin and my grandmother.

“You went into a trance and fell to the floor. You…” My grandmother stopped and looked at Tannin, who nodded.

“You were convulsing. I picked you up so you wouldn’t hurt yourself.”

“I reached toward the darkness. I mean, the Guardian inside of me. She opened her wings and touched me. That’s all I remember.”

“What did she feel like? Did she seem cold or hateful?” Tannin asked.

“No. She was happy that I made contact with her. She’s not evil. If that’s what you’re asking. Is it possible to integrate the two personalities? Or do you always have this dual personality going on inside of you?”

“We combine them so we can function once the Guardian has awakened. That’s something that we have to work on with you.” My grandmother finished cleaning up the mess and went back to the kitchen.

Tannin continued to hold me. Being in his arms felt so right. I watched him carefully. His breathing had increased. His eyes were wide. I was still a little dizzy from the encounter, but it wasn’t a bad thing. My magic was still there, but my inner Guardian was also there. The two seemed to be attracted to one another. I touched his cheek, not able to help myself. My Guardian sighed from the contact. She didn’t want to let him go, and I agreed with her. This felt just as much like being home as my other mates’ arms. He peered deeper into my eyes until I saw a dark abyss in his. He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. When our mouths met, I found I was already in heaven. My magic flared outward the way it did when I had been with Landon and Nick. I couldn’t pull it back. The Guardian wove around that magic and the combination flowed around Tannin. His wall was still there, but touching upon his mind, with my power I could feel if there were any kinks in his armor. I deepened the kiss, running my tongue over his lips. He tasted like orange, with a hint of mango. He wove his fingers through my hair and pulled it free from the clip I had it in. It was still damp and rested on my shoulders. My hands wound around his neck. The longer I was in his embrace, the longer I wished to remain there. To feel all of his body. He was wrong when he said all I felt for him was a familial attraction. We were meant to be together. Even if he denied it. He pulled away too soon.

“Sorry, I seem to keep kissing you and you don’t want me to do that. Although, I think this time you were returning the kiss.”

“I have to agree with her, Tan. You and she were getting hot and heavy!” Annabeth stood in the doorway and giggled.

My grandmother stood behind her. I saw the approval in her eyes. “I do say I agree with her. Tannin, you’ve always watched over us.”

Tannin’s expression darkened. He released me and then straightened his jacket. He jerked away. He was leaving me again. I was going to be left all alone. He backed away and exited the room. I slumped to the floor and felt fresh tears roll down my cheeks. Both Annabeth and my grandmother came in. They pulled me into their arms. It seemed my heart was breaking all over again. My inner Guardian wailed for the man who had turned his back on us. I needed my mate. I needed Landon. I needed my family.

“You mustn’t cry.”

“I can’t help it. Something’s been ripped from me because he doesn’t want me.” I shook myself from my crying stupor and stood up. I straightened my dress and smiled. “I have to get back to my flower shop. I have deliveries that are coming in today. I’m sorry.”

I grabbed my purse and thought about Melissa being there all alone. Before I could leave, my grandmother grabbed my arm. “You mustn’t think about him.”

“I can’t help it. I know this feeling of being rejected. It gripped me when Landon turned me away.”

She hugged me. “You need to give him time. It’s so good to see you. You will come back?”

I smiled. “Of course! You’re my family. My only family now.” I hugged them hard and left the house. The one place I should have gone was back to the flower shop. However, my instincts drove me home. I didn’t know what I was going to say to Landon, but it was time that we talked.

Chapter Four

I arrived back at the house and found several cars in the driveway. Music blared from Landon’s wing. I sighed and walked in. The crystal hummed with energy. Where Nick was buried there was a small blue orchid growing. I brushed my fingers over the petals and thought about the vampire who was my lover for so many years. My inner Guardian also mourned for him. I was glad to know that she cared too. The same for the werewolf. I walked into Landon’s wing of the house and heard laughter. When I walked into his living space, Landon was making out with one of his pack members. They looked up and talking ceased.

“What’s she doing here?” another woman growled and continued kissing his back.

A pang of jealousy wound through me seeing that. His muscles rippled in the light. He was tanned. He had been working out or working harder at his job. I didn’t know what was worse, seeing him there or knowing that I hadn’t been able to touch him since that night.

Landon glanced over. He met my eyes. I watched him extend his tongue and then lick the line of the woman’s neck. I looked away. I drew in a breath to steady my heart and then looked back.

“I need to talk to you, please.”

“Talk. My pack will listen to what you have to say.”

I sighed. “This is important. I need to see you alone.”

My mate growled. He said something low enough that I couldn’t hear. After a few moments, the other members of his pack filed out of the room. Each of them snapped at me when they walked past. When they were completely gone, he got up from the couch, took a swig of water, and sauntered over to me. His prowling swagger was the first thing about him that made me desire him even more. It still had a heart-stopping effect on me. It made my heart hiccup and wonder if Tannin and he would get along. Then I remembered that Tannin didn’t want anything to do with me.

“We’re alone. What did you want? I noticed you didn’t come back last night. You find someone to fuck? It’s about time, you know.”

I looked down at the floor. “I didn’t think you watched anymore. Or that you cared.”

“You’re still my mate. I always check to be sure that you’re okay. Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing wrong. Someone came to the shop. They said that someone wanted to see me. My grandmother.”

He straightened up. “Your family is coming back here to take you again?” The tendons in his neck bulged.

I put up my hand. “No. It’s not like that. You once asked me about my past. And I never talked about it. Well, here it is. My mother was raped by a man, which produced me, but he wasn’t human. My grandmother found me. I met her and the rest of my family. I have a half-sister and I know what I am. The darkness inside of me is part angel with a demonic taint. I was never meant to be born. An angel watches over them. He’s my mate, Landon. I never thought I could say that about another being.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Wow. I’m shocked. At least you’ll have one another.”

I shook my head and laughed a sob. Tannin walking away from me flashed in my mind. “No. He doesn’t want me.”

“How’d you drive him away? Threaten to kill him?”

Tears slipped down my cheeks. “No. Landon, I know things between us are strained, but I need you. You told me if I ever needed you that you’d be there for me. I need you today. I need you now. I don’t want to beg. If you still care for me at all. I’d give anything to make it right between us.”

Landon stared at me.”How could you say that? Of course I still care for you.” Surprise brightened his eyes. I stepped toward him and placed a hand on his chest. His skin was so hot I had nearly forgotten how warm it was compared to mine. I laid my head over his heart and let the pain wash over me. More tears flowed as sadness gripped me for the past two years. The muscles tightened in his chest.

He wrapped his arms around me. Once his strong grip encased me, I was home. Landon moved the hair from my forehead. The disbelief was apparent in his eyes and from the small amused smile on his lips. The link between us was growing again. He tried to lock me out, but I wound my mind around his too quickly.

He growled and tried to back away.
Get out of my mind
.

I can’t. You’ve pushed me away for such a long time. Please hear me out.

The events of the past two years flowed through our minds. The Guardian inside of me opened its wings and came toward Landon. She showed him our wings and her love for him as well. He gasped. His fear bombarded both of us. She was the one who responded to him.

We love you, Landon. You have nothing to fear from me. But we can’t be alone any longer. Tannin pushed us aside. We need someone.
She touched his face within our mind and then retreated, leaving only me.

“I can’t have you in this house without wanting you. And I want you. I remember the first time Nick brought me here. You argued with him about bringing me back here. You didn’t want anything to do with me. Then you touched me. At that moment, you knew we were meant to be together. Don’t you remember?”

He nodded. His walls were crumbling the longer we were together. ”I remember. I couldn’t think of sharing him with anyone, but then that sparked fire through us. I yearned to get to know you. To feel your body on mine.”

“Do you still want that? After what happened with Nick you pushed me out of your mind. I haven’t stopped loving you. I’ve shared your pain when you sleep. Please tell me that you’ve forgiven me.”

”I’m the one who needs to be forgiven. I panicked. I was an asshole. Cutting you out of my life was a mistake. I’m sorry.” Landon ran his fingers down my face and then fell to his knees before me. Tears ran down his cheeks. His head hung and he breathed in long breaths. His shoulders shook from sobs.