Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited (24 page)

As soon as Harrison was done receiving the information from Samuel, he tossed the device back over to Levi in frustration.

“You are driving me insane,” he said, as he spun the car around. He glared at him firmly. “We passed the turn-off thirty miles ago. With any luck, the family that the Plerityons are planning to terrorize won’t already be abducted by the time we get there.” He shook his head. “You seriously need to pull yourself together.”

Levi glared at his cousin. “Harrison, just drive the car. All we have is a UFO sighting from local law enforcement and the neighboring communities. That’s all we’ve had from these creatures for the last three days. They are playing games like they always do. You know how they are. They can’t shape-shift into human form, and therefore it is very rare—”

“Levi!” Harrison called out, interrupting him. “They are on the ground! The latest police report said that there were four or five green individuals spotted walking around this innocent family’s farm house.” He stared at Levi in utter annoyance. “But how would you know that? You haven’t listened to a word Samuel’s said to you.”

Levi looked back at his cousin in defeat. “Harrison, forgive me—”

Harrison turned onto a private dirt road, and increased their speed. “I’ll forgive you later, let’s just handle this business and get home.”

As dinner progressed, Reece grew more impatient.
Are they ever going to get back tonight?
She thought as she grit her teeth.

“Is everything okay, Reece?” Allestaine spoke with concern from across the table.

Reece looked down and noticed her tightly clenched fists. She relaxed her hands and forced a smile; but before she could respond, the doors to the dining area opened, admitting Levi and Harrison into the room.

“Good evening, all. It is truly wonderful to be home again. Have you missed us?” Harrison announced, while smiling mischievously at Reece.

Levi took his usual seat next to Reece and greeted her. “Good evening, Reece. You look lovely this evening.”

Reece shuddered. She thought she was in a bad mood a few minutes ago? Now it was heightened by Levi’s presence. “Why are you guys so late?” she asked bitterly.

Harrison laughed aloud as he took a sip of wine. “And so it begins; the lovely lady questioning her man about where he’s been.”

Reece’s eyes narrowed.
This guy can be so annoying
. She was so infuriated by Harrison’s interjection that she restrained herself from responding. She looked to Levi, and waited for his answer.

“Our last assignment went longer than planned,” he answered, while a servant placed his plate of food in front of him.

The way he seemed to brush her off fueled Reece’s agitation.

“Yes,” Harrison said. “But, I have to admit, if it wasn’t for Levi, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to charge into a spacecraft today.”

“Wow, how exciting,” Reece said in a mocking tone.

“Indeed, it was.” Harrison grew more serious as he locked his gaze on Reece. “Whenever we are successful in saving those on Earth from being terrorized by other entities, there is a great sense of excitement that follows.”

Reece’s lips tightened as she restrained herself from countering back at him. She inhaled deeply and took a sip of her wine. It served to calm her some, and fortunately, Samuel started asking questions about the assignment. Reece remained silent throughout the rest of dinner. She wanted so desperately to get out of this horrible mood, but no matter what she did, she was irritated.

After dinner, the family retired to one of the sitting rooms. Reece planned to take this opportunity to question Levi about cancelling their engagement party. She sat next to Simone on the sofa, and the men took up seating across from them. She knew it wasn’t the best time to bring the issue up, but she didn’t care. And so, without regard to anyone present, she did it anyway.

“Levi? I found out some interesting news today,” she said, with excitement in her voice.

Levi’s eyes widened and he smiled in response to her cheerful tone. “What is that, Reece?” he answered.

Her eyes narrowed as she smiled at him. “Well, apparently our engagement party is cancelled. Could you imagine how surprised I was when I got the news?”

Harrison stifled a laugh, and Levi sat there expressionless.

“I believed it would be best,” he responded.

“Really! Best for whom, Levi? You?”

“Reece, this is not the place to discuss this matter. Allow me to escort you on a walk, and I can explain myself in a more private setting.”

“No, I think this is the perfect place to discuss it. I’m sure that everyone here is already aware of the decision you made. From the expression on everyone’s faces sitting around us right now, it’s obvious that I was the only one you decided
not
to tell about your bright idea.”

“Reece, please—”

“No, Levi!” She faced Simone. “Simone, tell me; were you aware of this brilliant decision before now?”

Simone looked at Levi, and before she could answer her, Reece already knew the answer. “Never mind, I think it’s obvious.” Reece ignored Elizabeth sitting at her other side and looked directly at Harrison. “And you, Harrison?”

Harrison smiled in return. “Of course I knew of it; however, I feel you are being quite harsh on Levi, as it was
my
idea in the first place.”

Reece rolled her eyes. “Why am I not surprised? Maybe you should stay out of our business, Harrison.”

“Reece, please…Levi only considered cancelling it for fear of it causing you any unneeded stress. He was concerned for your health,” Elizabeth said softly.

“Really? So not only did everyone know about this – except for me, of course – but you all also knew
why
he would do it?” She glared at Levi. “Wow, Levi, I don’t even know what to say.”

“Forgive me, Reece. You must understand, it wasn’t my intention to upset you like this. I am sorry I didn’t discuss it with you first. If it is your desire to have the celebration, I will arrange for the preparations to resume at once,” Levi replied.

Harrison exhaled, rolled his eyes, and slouched back, watching Reece intently.

Reece stared at Levi warningly. “Obviously we aren’t in very good place right now. As a matter of fact, I think I need to get away from this palace.”

She stood up, and looked down at Simone. “Simone, is there any chance you will be returning to your home soon?”

Simone swallowed hard as she looked at Levi, and then Reece. “I wasn’t planning on it, but—”

“I don’t want to impose,” Reece interrupted her, “but if by chance you decide to leave, can I go with you?”

“Reece, what are you doing? This is absurd. All over an engagement party being cancelled? Like I said; blame me, not Levi. I encouraged him to cancel it. Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little bit?” Harrison cut in.

“No, Harrison, I don’t!” she snapped harshly. She looked down at Simone. “Simone, would you mind?”

“Yes, of course you are welcome to stay at my home. But I really think it would be best if—”

“Then it’s settled. When can we leave?” Reece cut her off again.

Levi stood up. “I can have your carriage arranged for tomorrow. Jasmeen will accompany you as well, if that is your wish,” he replied flatly.

Reece’s heart beat rapidly as he stood there, tall and imposing, staring down at her. It startled her for a moment, and then she recalled how many times he looked at her like this in her nightmares. She shuddered internally, wondering if he would grab her arm harshly and force her out of the room with him.

Unexpectedly, his expression softened. “If or when you should decide to return, your personal guards will arrange for your transportation back to the palace.”

“Guards?” Reece said, annoyed. “I don’t need people following me around, Levi.”

“Unfortunately, you don’t have an option on that one, Reece,” Harrison spoke out. “That little map in your mind mandates that you be guarded at all times.”

“This is so ridiculous!” She glared at Levi. “I don’t need anybody following me around.” She ordered him.

Levi stared at her commandingly. “They are there for your safety. I’ll have everything prepared for you first thing tomorrow,” he said, before turning to briskly leave the room.

How dare he walk out on me?
she thought in her rising anger. She became distracted when Harrison stood and stared at her in confusion.

“What, Harrison?” she bitterly demanded.

“Don’t you think you’re going a little overboard, Reece?” Harrison asked.

“Harrison, this isn’t your problem!”

Harrison smiled but it didn’t reach his piercing icy blue eyes. “
You
have no idea how much this is about to become my problem!”

The smile on his face was fueling her rage. “Whatever.”

Harrison’s expression changed. He grew more solemn. “Reece,” he said deeply. “Perhaps you and Levi need to talk about this in private. You don’t need to leave the palace in order to prove your point that you are upset with him.”

“I agree with Harrison, Reece.” Simone reached for Reece’s hand.

Reece jerked away. “You’re taking their side on this?” She snorted. “Are you going to help me or not?” she asked Simone.

Elizabeth remained silent as she watched Reece lash out at everyone around her. Harrison’s gaze was almost threatening as he stared at Simone, waiting for her response.

Simone sighed. “Yes, we can leave tomorrow.”

Reece smiled with satisfaction at Harrison’s concerned expression. “Then it’s settled.”

Before either could respond, Reece quickly fled the room. She wasn’t done with Levi yet, and she needed to find out where he went. She turned down the corridor, and encountered a servant.

“Sir?” She startled him with her brazen tone.

He bowed. “Miss Bryant, how may I be of assistance to you?”

“Where’s Levi?” she demanded.

“Miss Bryant, Master Levi has retired to his chambers for the evening. May I call on him for you?”

Hiding out in your room and feeling sorry for yourself, huh?
she thought with disgust. “No! Take me to his room.”

The confusion in the servant’s eyes told Reece this was highly improper, but she didn’t care; her argument with Levi was not over.

“Sir!” she snapped. “Take me to his room!” she ordered again.

The servant nodded, and with some hesitation, turned and led Reece up to the third floor of the palace. She had never explored these floors before, but understood that this was the Oxley’s private living area.

At the end of the long hallway were two large double doors. The servant knocked on them softly. The hesitation the servant was displaying was aggravating, and she stepped forward abruptly. “Thank you.” She arched her eyebrow, and dismissed him with her reproachful gaze.

The door opened, and when Levi’s valet saw her, he stared at her in utter astonishment. She let out a quick breath; all of this propriety was making her irritation worse, and validating why she wanted to leave this pretentious place.

She crossed her arms. “I need to speak with Levi.” She spoke loudly, hoping Levi would hear her.

“Who is it, Henry?” Levi called out distantly.

Before the servant answered him, Reece shoved the other door open and stormed into the room. Levi stood in front of the large windows at the front of his room. He turned at the sound of Reece entering his room.

Her eyes were drawn to the paintings that lined the burgundy walls of his room. The pictures were magnificently set into rich mahogany frames, and displayed beautiful images of scenery and Guardian horses. Levi’s room was exceptionally warm and inviting. The décor, in Reece’s opinion, spoke of his personality very well. She walked past a large mahogany desk toward charcoal-colored sofas situated around the fireplace. Various books lined the elaborate, mahogany mantel that lavishly framed the large fireplace.

Levi was watching her in suspicion. “Reece?”

“We need to talk!” she demanded.

Levi addressed his butler. “That will be all for this evening; thank you, Henry.” When he brought his attention back to Reece, his expression was somber. “I trust you have said everything you needed to say to me tonight.”

“No, and that’s because you ran out of the room before I was finished!”

Levi ran a hand through his hair and exhaled. “I’m listening.”

“First of all, for a man who seems to be so
proper
all of the time, I’m trying to figure out why you were so rude to me tonight. How dare you walk out on me! And then you come up to sulk in your room?”

Levi’s expression was unreadable, and she went on. “I don’t know what’s going on between us, but right now, I don’t know what to think anymore! Tell me why you think that it’s okay to go running around and making decisions behind my back!”

His expression changed to that of regret, and it repulsed her. He reached for her arm. “Reece,” he said softly.

Reece shook his hand off of her. “Don’t, Levi! I simply came up here to tell you that I can take care of myself! I don’t need anyone telling me what I can and can’t do! Or what I should or shouldn’t be doing. Maybe that’s how it works in the royal family, but that’s not how it’s going to work for me.”