Veined (A Guardian of the Angels Novel) (21 page)

Dimitri had a giant pace and I trotted behind him until we got to the infirmary. There I charged past him, diving toward my friends. Jason’s eyes flickered open as I approached. He managed a small smile before his face darkened, as though he’d just remembered what had happened.

I glanced at Marcus. He lay perfectly still on his bed, his face so pale that with his blonde hair he appeared ghost-like. I couldn’t suppress
a shiver.

“Thank you, Dimitri,” I said, gesturing for him to shut the door on his way out.

“Sorry, Missy, I can’t leave you alone in here.”

“These are my
friends
—”

“You heard her.” Jason’s voice was deeper than usual and something about his tone was off. “Out.”

“You just keep your cool. I’m not going anywhere,” Dimitri said, lowering himself into a chair in the corner.

I was about to tell Dimitri to get the hell out of there, when Jason growled. It came from the back of his throat and the sound made my blood curdle. What the
. . .? In a flash, Dimitri had Jason pinned to the bed. “Control yourself, man.”

“All right, all right,” Jason said.

“I’ll be watching you.” Dimitri let Jason go and seated himself back on the chair in the corner, like what’d happened was as inconsequential as switching off the TV.

“It’s what the Arae did to them. That’s why they’re dangerous.” I hadn’t heard Attic’s voice in days, and my body reacted as if it’d been reminded of a craving.

I kept my back to him. I wasn’t supposed to be feeling like this. Maddy had just died.

“What were all those things?” Jason sounded like himself again, albeit confused and hurt. “What did this Arae do to us?”

Attic’s words were clipped, his dislike for Jason palpable. “They were demons. The Arae is a very powerful demon. She marked you as one of hers, which unfortunately means, I can’t wipe away your memories of”—I felt his gaze land on me as he paused—“the incident.’

I turned to face Attic, avoiding his eye, focusing on his silver pendant. “Those Arae demons.”
The demon that murdered Maddy.
“Were they what the Derinyes made to kill the Leon Kings of the Underworld?” The pendant seemed to glow as I mentioned the Derinyes. I shivered.

“Yes. The Arae demons are tremendously powerful,” Attic said.

I wanted to rip the necklace off him and smash it to pieces. “She said she fed off my grief. It satisfied her. Is this the type of Underworld the Derinyes wanted? Full of pain and hate?”

“They like the taste of it better than the laughter and love that the other Leons consumed. Pain makes them stronger.”

“Does it mean Jason and Marcus are part Arae now, too?” I looked from Jason to Marcus. Both of them had been dragged unwillingly into this world of Guardians and Demons. They’d lost their chance at a normal life. There’d be no more school and probably no going back to their families.

I’m so sorry. 

“Yes, they are part Arae, but only a little. Albelin was quick to stop the poison spreading. Most of their soul is intact,” Attic said.

“Does it mean they’ll feed off other people’s pain?” I asked.

Jason squirmed and I narrowed my eyes at him.

“They’ll have to fight the urge, if they have it,” Attic said.

“They’re my friends, they are good people. I know they’ll fight,” I said, walking up to Marcus’s bed. I held his clammy hand. “Wake up, Marcus,” I whispered.  I studied the crescent scar on his left jaw. It looked almost like a tattoo. Its lines were so precise. I wanted to rip it off his face. My fingers trembled as I reached out to trace it.

Attic lunged across Marcus’s bed, gripping my wrist. Gently, he lowered my arm. “Don’t touch it. It’ll hurt you.”

“I don’t care,” I said.

Out of nowhere, Dimitri was by my side. “It’ll hurt him, too. You’ve got Angel blood in you, and touching this crescent will burn.”

“Why can’t she touch him?” Jason asked.

“Because it’
s a mark of evil,” Dimitri said. His finger circled the mark without touching it. “This is where the Arae injected you with her poison. You were lucky Albelin was so close.”

Jason cursed and whacked his head back against the headboard. “That’s why I feel like this. Like bad black syrup runs through my veins. Do you know it whispers for me to kill you?” Jason looked sick. I was stunned.

Attic grabbed Jason by the shirt. “Don’t you dare touch her. Ever.”

“Which is why I never left the room,” Dimitri said, pulling Attic off.

“I wouldn’t hurt you, Sylva,” Jason said, meeting my eye. “I care about you. I love you.”

Attic looked like he was about to lunge at Jason again and Dimitri tightened his grip on his shoulder. Jason’s feelings toward me and Attic’s jealousy were the last things I could deal with right now. Thankfully, Albelin entered the infirmary. All eyes lifted to him as he sidled to Marcus’s bedside.

“Still unconscious.” Albelin shook his head.

I felt hot tears in the back of my eyes. Soon everything blurred, and when I spoke the thick tears came too. “Why won’t he wake up?”

Attic ripped himself out of Dimitri’s grip and was at my side. “We could infuse him with Angel Blood,” Attic said to Albelin.

“It’s his best chance of coming out of it,” Albelin said, “but still, no. The consequences are too grave and it’s too bloody painful.”

“Why won’t he wake up?” I shouted the words with everything in me. “Dammit, I want answers.” A wind swirled in the center of the room, whipping in circles, faster and faster.

Dimitri and Albelin stepped back. I quenched my anger and controlled myself. I could
n’t burn out of Angel Blood now. I needed to wait a little longer. There was something I needed it for.

Once the wind died down, Albelin inched closer.

“She created that twister?” Dimitri’s brows almost touched his hairline.

“That’s nothing.” I heard the mixture of pride and wonder in Attic’s tone. A warmth filled me up so suddenly, I had to stop myself from leaning into him. I couldn’t feel like this. I clutched Marcus’s hand tighter.

Albelin checked under Marcus’s eyelids and inhaled deeply. Finally, he looked at me. “He’s dying.”

I would have collapsed if Attic hadn’t braced me.

“Why?”

“Grief is killing him,” Albelin said.

My chest heaved as I sobbed. “He threw himself at a demon to protect her. But she died.” Of course I understood he was grieving. He loved Maddy. And Maddy loved him. They were the best of friends. She died trying to save him. No. Marcus couldn’t just die. I wouldn’t let Maddy’s death be in vain. “Do it. Infuse him,” I said.

Albelin shook his head. “He’ll have a bonding with whoever infuses him. They’d feel a dulled version of his strong emotions or pain and they’d be held responsible for his actions. If he doesn’t control his demon side
. . .” The rest of the sentence hovered over Marcus’s dying body. I got it. He could kill, and from Albelin’s expression I could only guess the penalty would be death. For both parties.

“I’ll do it,” I said.

“No.” Attic’s nails dug into my elbow.

Albelin sadly shook his head again. “You can’t. You haven’t accepted becoming a Guardian. And even if you had, your Angel Blood is not strong enough yet.”

“So we’re just letting him die?” Air rushed round the room again.

“Albelin,” Attic said, “I’ll do it.”

“My friend, letting you do this would almost be treason,” Albelin said. “I’m sorry. No.”

“It’s my wish to infuse him.” A blue glow tinted the light in the infirmary, seeping through Attic’s shirt from his Vein.

“If it’s your wish,” Dimitri said, “then let me do it.”

Attic calmed, releasing his grip on me. “I don’t really want you doing this, either.”

“I’m the only one, if you want it done.” Dimitri glanced at Marcus. “At least he’s cute.” He gave a weak smile. “Let me do this.”

Attic embraced his brother before returning to my side.

I watched as Dimitri unbuttoned his shirt and pierced his Vein with a sharp surgeon’s knife that Albelin handed him. He knelt at the bedside and made a slit in Marcus’s wrist. I swallowed a yelp.

“It’s okay. Remember, this is his best shot of bringing him back,” Attic whispered.

Dimitri pressed Marcus’s wrist onto the cut in his Vein. He grunted as their blood mingled. His jaw clenched, hard as granite, and I watched as he fought, refusing to voice the pain. His body trembled and soon his eyes flicked back into his skull so only the whites were visible. I leaned into Attic, letting him support me, but didn’t let go of Marcus’s other hand.

Every second watching Dimitri’s contorting face was like being stung by bees. He was only doing this for Attic, but Attic was doing it for me. I could feel the hurt echoing through Attic’s body as he watched his brother.

Marcus, wake up. Please. Wake up.

The bones in my hand crunched. Marcus’s body arched off the bed with a scream that frightened and relieved me. Albelin pinned his shoulders and Attic his feet, but Marcus kept struggling and howling as if he was possessed. Dimitri struggled to his feet. He looked pale, drained. He rested a hand on Marcus’s chest and Marcus stopped screaming and crashed onto the mattress. Sweat matted his hair to his head and the mark on his jawbone glowed burning coal red.

I threw my arms around his waist, ignoring the throb in my crunched hand as it healed. “Thank God.”

“She’s gone,” Marcus croaked.

Dimitri doubled over. His Vein was a dark violet. I could tell he’d used a lot of his Angel Blood, because the skin sagged a bit. Could Dimitri feel Marcus’s pain stronger because of their bond? Attic moved to steady him.

I owed Dimitri. Big time.

Marcus pushed me away and I staggered off the bed. “Why’d you insist I come back? I was going to die. To join her. But you let them wake me.” Hate radiated from him and I thought he’d jump off the bed and attack.

“I—” My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth.

Attic gripped Marcus’s foot through the sheet and twisted. “She saved your life. Twice. And she also lost a friend. She hasn’t left her bed until now for the past two days. And the only reason she did, was because she wanted to check you were going to wake up. So get a grip.” He twisted some more before he released. “Sorry, bro,” he said to Dimitri.

Dimitri grimaced, but gave him a nod.

“Attic’s right,” I said, drawing closer to Marcus’s side, “Losing Maddy hurts like hell. And I can understand why you wanted to die. But it’s selfish.” I took his hand once more and looked him squarely in the eye. “Tell me, why did she die?” When he didn’t answer, I continued. “Because she loved you. She wanted to save you.” Marcus closed his eyes, his chest heaved. “Why did we save you? Because that’s what she would have wanted. Hell, it’s what she died for. Don’t diminish her death by giving in.” I dropped his hand.

As I marched out of the infirmary, I paused at Jason’s voice. “Sylva, I need to speak with you. I—”

I shook my head and closed the door behind me.

He’d just have to wait.

CHAPTER 18

READY TO CRAWL
back into bed, I hauled my heavy spirits to room fourteen
.
I opened the door, stepped inside and stopped. This wasn’t how I’d left things. I gritted my teeth and scanned the room for the culprit. Attic sat on the desk, his legs swinging.

“Where’s the bed?” I asked.

“Alyse was right to drag you out of bed. It’s the first time in days the real you has reared its pretty head.” In a flash he stood in front of me and held my chin with his index finger and thumb. The black material of his gloves absorbed a stray tear. “I couldn’t bear it if you cried yourself numb another day.”

I cracked at the sweetness in his voice. “But I miss her, and—”

“And?” Attic’s head tilted as he tried to read me.

I cast my eyes down, so the bridge of my nose was blurry. “And maybe it’s my fault she’s gone. If I had just reacted quicker—”

Attic clamped my lips together. “Stop. You can’t think like that. Maddy died, yes. You’ll miss her, absolutely. But it is
not
your fault.” His fingers loosened their grip on my mouth.

“If I had never become a Guardian
, she’d still be here. That demon said she was after
me
. I won’t be responsible for more death, Attic. I can’t. Do you think
this
reason not to be a Guardian is shitty?”

“No. I don’t agree with it, but I understand.” He grabbed the bag he’d used to bring me clothes the day after I’d Phoenixed, and started stuffing things into it.

“Stop packing. I’m not leaving just yet. I want to go to Maddy’s funeral first.”

“I’m not packing for you to leave us,” Attic said. “We’re going for a trip.”

“A
trip
?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be back for the funeral.”

“But why? And isn’t it a bit late to be driving anywhere?”

“I want to show you something.” He zipped the bag shut. “Come on, let’s go.”

I looked at the nearly bare room. Attic had shown me I wouldn’t be allowed to crawl back into bed. I eyed up the bag in Attic’s hand and frowned. “At least let me pack.”

Attic whisked me out the door. “Don’t worry. If I haven’t got what you need, I’ll portal back here and bring it to you.” Pressing the small of my back with his free hand, he led me to the Porsche.

We drove out of Foxtin, and turned onto Interstate 94. I started to squirm. “Attic, where exactly are we going?”

“It’s an eight hour drive, we’ll be there early tomorrow.”

“We’ll be
where
early tomorrow?”

“Can’t wait to be surprised, can you?” Attic grinned.

“I’m beginning to think this is less a trip and more you kidnapping me.”

Attic rested one hand on my knee. Surprised, I jerked away. I wished I hadn’t. But neither could I just ask him to put it back there. Attic acted as if it hadn’t bothered him. “You’ll like where I’m taking you, Lark. Don’t worry.”

“You want me to take over driving?” I asked, two hours into the trip. If we were going to drive all night, it would be better if Attic got his three hours of shut-eye now. I was wiped and wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to keep my eyes peeled.

Attic shook his head. “We’re going to stop at a motel.”

Twenty minutes later, we turned into a parking lot outside a motel that looked even dodgier than the one we lived in. I arched a brow at Attic. “Um, isn’t this just a bit too reminiscent of
Psycho
?”

He laughed, and suddenly he was opening my door, pulling me out. “What did I tell you the first time I brought you to my home?”

The word home made my stomach lurch. I cleared my throat. “You said:
Don’t rush to judge
, or something. But Attic, this place is
creepy
.”

Attic grabbed the bag from the backseat. “I also said we don’t want just anyone rolling up.” He moved toward the reception
, and I hurried to stay close. “The Guardians like their privacy.”

I should’ve known. With all those credit cards we could easily have afforded a deluxe suite in a hotel. The reason we were at this
Psycho
motel was because Guardians lived here. Duh. “There really are Guardians everywhere, huh?” It was more to myself but Attic nodded.

“We’re distributed all over the world. Outbreaks can happen anywhere.”Attic rang the bell and a woman with strawberry hair came out. When she saw us, or more accurately, when she saw Attic, her mouth dropped open. “Can we crash a night here?” he asked.

Strawberry smiled and then clapped her mouth. “Of course.” She handed Attic a key. “Room three.”

She offered to take us there, but Attic politely refused. Outside
room number three, I whipped the key from Attic’s hand and opened the door. I flicked the switch and cursed. “That’s a rather big assumption. Does she know of your reputation?” I turned to Attic. “We need another room. One with
two
beds in it.”

Attic chucked the bag on the bed. “Calm down.” He sounded like he had the night of Twirp. Hurt edged his words. “I don’t need much sleep, I’ll doze in the armchair.”

Again. I’d judged him again. Frigging hell, I was awful. “I’m sorry, Attic,” I said.

I looked at his profile, standing under the light, and that’s when the realization hit me like a fist that punched for all it was worth —
the orange juice.
That’s when it started. The simple act of him pouring the juice in my cup when he’d come round to dinner. The time he looked at me through his rearview mirror. Catching me as I fell over the fainting couch. Holding my hair back as I was sick. Being nice to Marcus at the mall. Putting me to bed when I was drunk. It was him demanding the truth from me. Wanting to kiss me but waiting. Letting me drive the Porsche.

It was making sure I ate breakfast.

Attic looked as if he were about to say something, but I stopped him, resting a hand on his glove. “Hear me out. Please.”

Attic blinked and I knew he was waiting for me to continue.

“The first time I laid eyes on you I judged you. And I’ve never gotten past it, although it’s been proven to me time and time again that you are a caring, thoughtful, generous, genuinely sincere person.” I took a deep breath and ploughed on. I owed it to him to tell the truth. “I— I use this judgment as a shield because I’m afraid I might like you. A lot. And I’m afraid to let myself like you more, because I don’t want it to make me change my mind about becoming a Guardian.” I swallowed and the next words came out barely a whisper. “I’m sorry I’ve hurt you with my judgments.”

Attic groaned and I dropped my hand.

Now I’d embarrassed myself. He was going to set me straight. Tell me how he never meant for me to get so emotionally attached anyway, it was merely a physical connection he’d felt. Sickness burned my throat. I didn’t want to hear it. Couldn’t. Tears swelled in my eyes and I flicked the light switch, so at least I could let them fall in darkness.

Attic reached passed me and turned it on again. With one hand on the wall, he leaned over me, caging me from the door. His head swooped to mine and his lips brushed against my cheek, kissing my tears away. “Don’t hide from me. It’s my turn to talk, and I want to see you.”

I steadied myself.

“I don’t know whether to shout or wrap you in my arms and not let go,” Attic said. “I feel like you’re taunting me. It hurts, Sylva. You tell me these wonderful things, practically serve my wishes on a silver platter, and then whip it all away from me.

“I liked you the first moment our eyes met in the hospital. And then watching you every day, seeing the way you care for your family, for your friends. I had to constantly fight my growing feelings. And then when you mourned for a fellow Guardian, wishing you could have helped him, and how strong you were—
are
, I couldn’t keep the fight up anymore. On the one hand I wished you’d feel the same, but on the other I wouldn’t want you to have the pain.”

I felt light headed. It was as if my insides sang in a wonderful harmony.

But I’d chosen not to be a Guardian, soon my memories of Attic would be taken from me, but he’d be stuck with his forever.

The singing stopped. I lifted my finger and stroked his brow. “You’ll find someone who’ll make you happy, I’m sure of it. You’re amazing, Attic, there’s a line a couple of miles long behind me. I wish when you take my memories you didn’t have to take all of them. Can you save me something to remember you by?”

Attic slumped to the floor.

“Oh my God. What’s wrong?” I sank to the floor beside him. His head bowed and his chest heaved. A drop splashed onto the carpet.
He’s never cracked like this before.
The thought scared me. Not sure what to do, I rubbed his back. “Tell me what I can do.”

Attic grabbed my arm and pulled me onto his lap, resting his back against the foot of the bed. “You can’t. And it’s better if you don’t try. It’ll only make me love you more and I can’t.”

I sucked in air. My Vein started to throb and a spasm of euphoria swept through me. I wanted to be closer to him, to kiss him over and over again.
But that wouldn’t be fair.

“
I have responsibilities. Even if you became a Guardian and you wanted to, I couldn’t be with you.”

What? Why, and
—Attic’s voice deepened, interrupting my thought. “Do you know why my Guardian brother came for me? Because I ran away. You’ve seen all the postcards on my wall. I’ve been to a lot of places. I’ve run for so long. Every time one of my brothers finds me, I run again. But soon I’m going to have to go back home.”

“
Why? Have you promised them something—did you swear something?” I remembered his words:
never,
ever
, swear to something unless you’ve thought about it for a very long time and even then don’t do it
. Had that advice come from his personal experience?

Attic shivered. “Hell no. I don’t ever swear. If I had, my family would have had me killed by now.”

“Then what do you have to do? And why would you if you don’t want to?”

Attic sighed. “My parents are the Head Guardians of America. Like a king and queen.”

My voice cracked with surprise. “Guess that makes you kind of a prince, huh?” It certainly would explain the awe on Strawberry’s face just now.
You have no idea
who
he is—
and Alyse’s emphasis.

“I’m the First Guardian Son of America,” Attic spat the words like they were something foul.

I wanted to know more about Guardians and their families, but it wasn’t my place to ask such questions anymore. I’d made my decision. Soon, I’d forget everything about being a Guardian anyway.

“Is that why your brother saved Marcus?” I asked instead. “He did your bidding?”

“Yes.” Attic avoided looking me in the eye. “He’s not the first like I am.”

“So why do you follow orders from Albelin? Don’t you kind of outrank him?”

“Until today, I’ve never used my rank to get my way. No matter how much I’ve disagreed with Albelin in the past,” he said.

I thought of when I’d pleaded for Attic not to Lethe my friends and how Albelin had sided with me. Attic hadn’t been happy, but he’d accepted Albelin’s ruling.

“I hate that I did that to him,” Attic said. “I came to him for a place to stay and he offered it. We’ve been good friends for a long time and I’ve never ordered anything. In his house he is the leader, and I follow his orders. It only seems right.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Why should you be sorry? You did nothing wrong.”

“Because you only asked him to infuse Marcus because of me.” Attic’s silence confirmed it. “That’s why I’m sorry,” I said.

Attic curled a lock of my hair around his finger. “It makes you happy that he lives.”

I nodded.

“Then I can live with my guilt,” Attic said, letting my hair go. “Now, let’s get some sleep.”

I crawled off him and got to my feet. I kicked my shoes off and opened the bag on the end of the bed. No PJs.