The Guardian (The Gifted Book 1) (11 page)

Daen scanned the list and sighed. "I see what you mean. But the group that came out, it was large
—right? Wouldn't that mean they were in a large space?"

Randell took the list and scanned it again. "Here." He pointed at two meetings. "These are the rooms in the center that hosted large groups around the times we're considering. One was booked with a
resident advisor meeting and the other hosted the Annual Feed and Seed Symposium. If she was in a large group, I would say it was one of these two. Care to take a guess?"

Daen shrugged. "A symposium sounds like the attendees would have
been professionals. The group we saw was younger, and dressed casually. I would guess RA."

"Okay. Then we are looking for a female RA
who glows light blue when something startles her. Still sounds like a needle in a haystack. Assuming we're right."

"How do we get the names of the RAs?"

"Now that will probably be tricky. I doubt that kind of information is on the Internet."

"As faculty, can't you ask?" Daen was anxious, pressing Randell.

"Not unless I have a good reason. It's not a secret as to who they are, but to publicize a list ... I'll ask, but don't hold your breath."

"Thanks."

Randell used his smart phone to look up the number of the RA's office on campus. A few minutes later he hung up. "They don't share the list. What do you want to try now?" Randell watched Daen as he scanned the field that divided the residence halls from the academic buildings.

Daen sighed in defeat. "We haven't checked the town yet and I'm hungry."

"Me too."

They turned and headed back towards town.

19
Mummies

The cave was lit with torches hanging on the walls. Water seeped from the walls, creating random streams across the dirt and stone floor. Tunnels veered off in several directions, each as creepy as the next. She turned to the tunnel on her right, following the twists and turns highlighted by the torches. The smell of rot grew more intense the further she went. The tunnel ended in a large, circular room. Carved into the walls, from ceiling to floor, were hundreds of narrow openings. In each opening lay one or more dried, shriveled mummy-like bodies.

Shock and terror rushed through her. She turned to escape
by the way she came, but found the opening to the tunnel gone, filled with more bodies. The torch struggled to stay lit as the air thinned, making it hard to breathe. The walls started to move in on her as she gasped for air.

As the torches took their last breath, she was thrown into total darkness. Bony fingers started to crawl over her body, tugging on her clothes and hair, trying to pull her into the open tombs. She fought, thrashing at the sensations that crawled over her body
, until she knew she couldn't win, leaving no other recourse than to scream.

Rhea sat up in bed
, gasping for air, her body trembling, her hands frantically wiping at her arms and legs, removing the sensations she’d felt in her dream. It was a dream. Just a dream. She flipped on the light and confirmed that she was in her room, alone.

Rhea rubbed her eyes and glanced around her room
, hoping all would be intact, but she could see that was not the case; her belongings were scattered across the floor. The mess could wait. She grabbed her journal and started writing about the catacombs filled with tombs and mummified bodies. She sketched pictures of what she remembered, pictures of the tunnel entrances and the tombs, trying to capture the images she had experienced before they faded from her memory.

The knock on her door brought her away from her chore. "Just a minute." She slipped on a robe and opened her door to find the girl from across the hall looking sleep frazzled and concerned. "Carla, what's wrong?"

Carla squinted in the light of the hall, her sleepy eyes resisting its brightness. "That's my question for you. Are you all right?"

Rhea's stomach flipped over with guilt. "I'm so sorry I woke you. I had a bad dream. I'm okay."

Carla blinked slowly. "Okay." She turned and shuffled back to her room.

"Thanks for checking on me. And again
, I'm sorry for waking you."

Carla waved her hand behind her head and closed her door.

Rhea closed her door as well and took inventory of the shambles that was her room. Not only was her blanket across the room, but books had fallen from her shelves, her desk lamp was on the floor, clothes in her closet were off their hangers, and the pages from a stapled handout she'd gotten in class carpeted the floor. This was the worst she'd ever seen it. "Thank goodness I don't have a roommate."

Rhea decided to clean up her room, being too wound up to sleep. When she finally got everything put away, it was almost 3:00 in the morning. She
had turned off her light and started to crawl into bed when she heard a familiar voice.

~~~

"Grennal?" Rhea whipped around to face a small moon shadow under her desk. Her eyes landed on the familiar creature sitting amongst a collection of trees.

"What are you doing up so late?" Grennal's voice was calm and quiet.

"Am I ever glad to see you! What happened in January?" Rhea slipped her robe on again and sat on the floor to face her friend.

"Hunters were camping in the area. I couldn't risk it. I knew you were returning to school
, so I decided to make the trip. What's troubling you?"

Rhea was tired, her brain was fuzzy, and she was frustrated. "Besides a lot of unanswered questions from our last visit? Dreams. That's the problem. Dreams. I had wanted to tell you about them the last time we met
, but other, more pressing, topics took precedence. Speaking of which, can we pick up where we left off?"

"I knew you would want to. Go ahead."

"Okay, for starters, how is it possible that you carried me to this world in a basket? No offense, but ..." She waved her hand at Grennal's body, "... you're not exactly the type of creature that can walk on two legs carrying a basket."

Grennal looked to her left and right before turning back to Rhea. "What I'm about to tell you must not be repeated to anyone else unless I say it's okay. Do you promise?"

"Yes, of course."

"I must start by telling you more about our world than I already have. You see, our world is not like the one in which you live. Some of us have the ability to connect with the energy around us; the ability to perform what people in that world would call magic. My gift is the ability to make myself appear different than I actually am."

As if on autopilot, Rhea's mouth spit out, "Magic?" She shook her head. "Magic's an illusion."

Rhea
had been raised to believe there was always an explanation for the unexplainable. So many times her parents had been able to explain why something was true or false. They were scientists; it was their job. It was during those times that Rhea had doubted her sanity the most. If everything was explainable and there was no such thing as magic, then why did Rhea see another world in the shadows cast by the moon? The contradictions between what they told her and what she knew to be true had frustrated her.

"Think about it
, Rhea. What can you do that no one else can?"

Rhea slowly answered, "I can see you. But mentally ill people see things that aren't there."

"Are you going to start on that again?" Grennal jumped to her feet, agitated at Rhea's fear of believing after so much had happened. They'd had this discussion several times when Rhea was a child, and Grennal had thought Rhea had started to believe. "And who's to say they're ill? Maybe they're the ones who can truly see. Have you ever considered that?"

Rhea's eyes went wide at her friend's passionate plea. Grennal was right. Rhea knew in her heart that Grennal was real
, which meant the world she could see in the shadows was real, a scenario that was nothing short of magical. Rhea forced herself to keep an open mind; she had to. "If I can be sitting here, talking to you, I can't very well scoff at what you're telling me. So you're not this ... creature before me. What do you normally look like?"

"I look much like ..." she looked at Rhea and thought about her own appearance. How had she not seen it before? Was she that distracted when she visited Rhea that
the resemblance had escaped her notice? As if talking to herself, she whispered, "I look like you."

"Me? In what way?"

Like sisters, is what Grennal wanted to say, but she knew that would trigger more questions. She needed to think about this revelation before putting ideas into Rhea's head. "Well, we're both female. Our hair has the same gold highlights." She left out the eye color, the facial features, everything that would tell Rhea there was something more to their similarities. Secrets, more secrets.

"What's wrong
, Grennal?"

Grennal
shook head, forcing her own questions from her mind. "It's not important."

Rhea had learned over the years when Grennal said something wasn't important, she meant she wasn't going to answer, at least not then. So, on to the next question. "Is this the only form you can take?"

"I can appear as many different creatures, as well as other people. I change my appearance when I watch you."

"Speaking of watching me, if you put me here, why was I nine before I saw you?"

"Because it wasn't safe. I didn't want anyone to see me watching you or talking to you. If they had, they would have known I was talking to someone from Luxatra but in the shadow world. I feared they would get suspicious and would learn it was you. I still worry about that. If I'm not careful, I can lead them straight to you."

"What changed? Why show yourself when I was nine?"

"At first I watched from a distance during the time of darkness so I could respond to the king's inquiries about you. But the frequency of his messages increased over time and I needed to find a way to watch you more closely; one that wouldn't allow someone to see me. So I started changing my appearance. It took me a while to appear as I do now. Other creatures I tried scared you when you were little. I'm sorry about that. It broke my heart to see you upset."

Rhea's eyes went wide. "The creatures in the shadows, the ones that scared me, those were you?"

"Some, yes. But I have no doubt you also saw some of the other creatures that live in this world."

Rhea asked, "Is Grennal your real name?"

Before Grennal could answer, she jumped to her feet and looked to her left. She crouched as if she were about to leap but turned her head to Rhea. "I must go. I'll see you tomorrow night, if it's safe." And then she was gone from the window into her world.

Rhea watched the empty space where Grennal
had once stood. She’d gotten more information this time, but still hadn't been able to talk about her dreams. She unfolded herself from the floor and crawled into bed, exhausted.

~~~

Once again, Daen woke gasping for air. If he’d had any doubts the gifted person was still close by, they were gone. If he hadn't known better, he would have assumed she was right outside his window. Outside his window? Why hadn't he thought of that before? She could be in one of the nearby apartments.

The idea of her possibly being close by wouldn't leave his thoughts. He went to the window and scanned the area. It was 2:00 in the morning and the parking lot was quiet. He could see lights on in the apartment buildings that surrounded his, indicating some students were pulling all-nighters, studying.

He mumbled to himself, "What if she moved in over the break? What if she was here all along?" He threw on some clothes and headed for the balcony, hoping the open air would give him a connection he'd never had before.

As he approached the living room, he could see the moonlight shining into the room
, creating shadows. As he passed by them, he could see the darkness of Luxatra seeping through, beckoning him home, but he knew it wasn't possible. He'd tried many times before to walk into the shadows, to cross from this world to his, but the walls that separated the two worlds wouldn't open for him.

Daen stepped out on
to the balcony and enjoyed the blast of winter air on his face. He reached for the energy around him and his body warmed as he scanned the building, hoping to get some sign she was near. He stood there for what felt like hours, waiting for a sign from the woman, but nothing came.

He forced himself to return to bed, falling asleep quickly, exhaustion overtaking him.
The following day would be another day without work.

20
Hunters

The man on watch jerked awake. Temporarily dazed, Bestian scanned the wooded area around him, looking for the source of the gift that had just nudged him awake. Silence echoed back to him.

He'd never sensed a gift like that before. As fast as it came to him, it was gone, but not before he could ascertain the general location of the source.

His partner slept soundly a few feet from where he sat. Gauvin wasn't the most gifted tracker. He hadn't felt the presence of a gift yesterday outside the student center, but Bestian had felt something. Gauvin was supposed to be better than that. He was supposed to be better.

Bestian pulled his coat tighter around him. The cold in this world was difficult to withstand. His partner snorted and rolled over, blissful in his ignorance of everything that had just happened.

Bestian stood and checked the food supply hanging from a branch above him. Their supplies were getting low. They'd have to find alternative sources of food in the near future. The only animals they'd seen so far were fuzzy-tailed rodents and a few rabbits. That would have to do until they found the Luxatran they had been sent to capture.

"Gauvin." Bestian kicked him gently in the ribs.

"Mmm."

"Gauvin! Get up."

Gauvin rolled onto his back and stared up at the grin Bestian tried to hide. "You look like you have a secret. Talk."

"I think I've found a Luxatran."

Gauvin sat up. "Then why are you waking me to take watch? We should be heading in that direction." Gauvin stood and started to break camp.

Bestian rolled his eyes. "Did I say anything about watch?" He joined Gauvin in breaking camp, knowing the sooner they found the person they hunted, the sooner they could go home.
And the sooner he could go home, the sooner he could rid himself of his partner.

~~~

Bestian and Gauvin worked their way east towards the small university town. The night was bright with moonlight, making it easy to find their footing and their way. Within an hour they had reached the edge of campus, heading straight for the dorms to the far south.

Gauvin practically had to run to keep up with the long strides of his partner. The man walked with determination and focus. "Bestian, how can you tell where the gifted is located?"

"How can you not? I thought you were a tracker."

Gauvin cringed. "I am. But
I can sense a gifted only if he or she is within my eyesight."

Bestian growled, notably frustrated with being saddled with one of limited abilities. "Then why didn't you see him yesterday?"

"I don't know. I should have. This world is ... weak. It's like I'm not gifted at all."

"Well
, you better start getting it back or I won't have a use for you."

"Don't get all superior on me. I might not be able to see the gifted
, but I can help in other ways. I'm good in a fight, I can use a knife, and I can keep watch, and you know it." Gauvin might be smaller than Bestian and less talented, but he wasn't any less gruff and he wasn't going to put up with any grief. He'd learned long ago that the minute you showed weakness you were a dead man.

Bestian ignored Gauvin's proclamation of importance and usefulness. He knew
Gauvin was right, but no way would he admit it.

"Shouldn't we call Darren?"

Darren was their helper in this world. He made sure they had food to eat and understood this world.

Bestian didn't respond at first. Gauvin had a point. But calling Darren would take too long. "We'll call him later if we find something."

They reached a small field between the buildings, larger than any other open space they had encountered so far. It was banked on three sides with buildings, while a road created the fourth side. Bestian stopped in the middle of the clearing and closed his eyes, trying to sense the source of what he’d felt earlier. As he turned slowly, pushing his gift in all directions, he felt nothing. He couldn't understand how this was possible. To have felt someone at that distance, how could not feel them now? Surely they would emit some element of their gift and he would feel as he approached?

Gauvin, sensing Bestian's frustration and noting the lack of forward movement
, surmised the worst. "The gifted has left. We missed him ... her ... whomever."

"Aye, him. Someone that strong ... I've never sensed a woman that strong. I think I would have felt him move. No. He's here, hiding."

"What do you want to do?" Gauvin glanced around for any wayward students who might be out late. He didn't want to be noticed.

"We wait. Those benches over there. We'll wait there. It'll be light soon; the people will leave the buildings just as they've done every day since we've been here. Then we'll have him."

"But we'll be noticed. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves. Someone might start asking questions. I get the feeling that people in this world do not tolerate strangers, especially in this place." Gauvin tried not to sound like a coward but the look on Bestian's face conveyed that that was exactly how he sounded.

"Are you afraid of these ... weak people?" With a leer, Bestian let Gauvin know what his answer should be.

"No. I'm just saying ..."

"Enough!" Bestian stormed towards one of the benches and Gauvin reluctantly followed, taking a
seat on a bench a few feet away from Bestian.

~~~

Morning came early. Rhea hit the snooze button three times before caving to the relentless buzzing and the fact that she would be late for class if she didn't get up. With ten minutes to get ready, she didn't have time for a shower. She quickly brushed her teeth and got dressed. A quick glance at the weather bug on her computer showed she would need her knit hat, scarf, and gloves. After bundling up, she grabbed a package of the hard toaster pastries from what she referred to as her emergency rations and headed for class.

Her friend Beth stepped out the dorm doors in front of her
, and Rhea ran to catch up. "Hey."

Beth turned to see Rhea. "Hey. You look bright and chipper." Beth did sarcasm well.

"Yeah. Rough night last night."

Beth raised an eyebrow. "Partying on a Sunday
? I didn't think that was your style."

"No, no. Dreams."

"Dreams don't keep a person awake. Nightmares do. Are you still being bothered by them? I thought it was getting better."

"I
t was, but last night's was a doozy."

"Do tell." The gleam in Beth's eyes revealed her interest in the creepy
, but Rhea already knew that about her friend.

"Let's just say there were dead bodies and bony hands grabbing at me."

"Zombie dream. Cool."

Rhea rolled her eyes. "No, not cool."

They walked across the field that divided the residential buildings from the academic buildings, each going their own way when they reached the academic side.

As Rhea neared the building hosting her first class of the week, a person riding a bike whipped around a corner and almost knocked her down. "Hey!"

The rider yelled "Sorry!" and kept on going.

Rhea placed a hand to her chest at the feel of her heart racing. She mumbled to herself, "Who needs coffee to wake up
? Just have a cyclist run you down first thing in the morning."

She
climbed the stairs to her classroom and settled in to yet another lecture that would surely bore her. This morning was her economics course, her least favorite subject. Later she would have her creative writing class. That would brighten her day.

~~~

Shortly after the first people emerged from the buildings, Gauvin joined Bestian on his bench. "Do you sense anything?"

"Not yet."

The morning slipped by without a sign of the Luxatran they were tracking. Bestian was about to suggest they walk the campus when a tiny tingling sensation ran up his spine. "I feel him."

Gauvin sat up straight, concentrating on the people walking across the open area. "I don't see him. Are you sure?"

Bestian was scanning the group as they disappeared between two buildings, heading for the north side of campus. "No. But I felt it. It was subtle, as if he was north of here."

"Maybe he slipped by us. If he can hide his gift, then it's reasonable to assume he got by us."

"Perhaps." Bestian stood and headed for the opening between the buildings. "Let's go hunting." Gauvin worked to keep up.