Daughter of Earth (Tales of the Guardian) (2 page)

      For the most part things had remained fairly normal for Emily until she’d completed school. She was grateful she’d at least been allotted the time to graduate, even though it didn’t seem like having her diploma was going to mean much in the future.

     Aldara, one of the Guardians leaders, had made it very clear Emily’s future was in Eden, or at least her immediate future. The Elder also opened their eyes to the fact that everything was changing. Some sort of war was on the way and it sounded like there would be no stopping it. Preparation was the only remedy for what was headed their direction.

     A suspension of reality was the hardest thing for Emily to accomplish yet, it was the most important thing for her to do. When she first met Alexander, her views of what was real and believable had been turned upside down. Accepting the unknown, believing unseen beings really existed all around her, and secret battles of good and evil were being waged each day, seemed impossible. Yet, there was no denying the feelings radiating inside telling her it was all true.

     Truthfully, the biggest shock of her life came when Alexander revealed himself as a Guardian, a being created to protect humans. But, she hadn’t been able to fully process everything he revealed, not with the events that followed concerning the Opposition and Ancient Ones. While watching Alexander fight against this tangible form of pure evil, the remaining details in her new reality had been forced on her.  Actually, she hadn’t been allotted the time needed to digest all the new information and revelations which had assaulted her. But, maybe that was best. Something had to be said for pulling out a splinter quickly. It seemed to get the job done before the brain could process the full implications of the pain. Maybe this was why she’d believed things so easily; she hadn’t been given the time to develop a logical argument against any of it.

     It was late July, and Emily grew more anxious each day. When she first heard about Eden, the undiscovered realm where all Guardians congregated, she thought being a part of it was something she’d never experience.  She had mixed emotions about everything that was happening. Part of her was thrilled about entering Eden and training with one of the Guardian leaders, Damarus. But, the other part of her was quite frightened. The idea of leaving behind everything she knew, especially her father, was nearly impossible to envision.

     “I guess, in all honesty, I’m just unsure about everything; scared really,” Emily expressed aloud, even though she was certain he was aware of her true feelings.

     “I think it would be strange if you weren’t a little scared. It certainly makes me feel a bit better. I’m scared, too,” he breathed out. It was a relief to finally admit his fear.

     “You’re scared?” she was startled, fear did not seem like a realistic emotion. Not for him.  He always made such an effort to sound cheery. “Why are you scared?”

     She hadn’t thought to even ask how he felt about it. From the moment they discovered she was going to Eden, he acted quite excited about everything. He always exhibited not only strength, but also continual optimism. This declaration seemed odd.

     “Well…” he arranged his thoughts. “Once we get to Eden you’re going to be with Damarus quite a bit. And I’m sure just about every Guardian is going to want time with you, since you will be the first human to ever enter. I don’t want to share you. I’m scared I’m not going to get as much time with you as I’d like—as I’ve grown accustomed to.”

     Emily’s features softened. If she hadn’t experienced the same intense feeling herself, she would doubt that loving someone so much was possible, especially over such a short period of time. Yet, here they were. The two were quite opposite in many ways, but the same where it really mattered and that was how they felt about one another. Not only did they love each other unconditionally, they respected one another, neither attempted to change the other. They accepted each other wholeheartedly.

     Alexander’s love had developed over a long time, however hers had been different and came on rather suddenly. It was an odd experience, but she never doubted her feelings were genuine. There was something not only familiar about their relationship, but it also felt much like a puzzle. Alexander was the piece that clicked in perfectly beside her. Most would call her crazy or irrational, but she didn’t care what the world thought, only she knew her feelings and if someone could have experienced what she had, that deep burning within, they would not doubt either. All those skeptics would understand her side.

     “I feel the same way. I am not sure if I spent every second of my life with you, it would be enough. But, I promise, we’ll have time to be with one another. I’ll make sure,” Emily vowed.

     He reached over and squeezed her hand. Her words brought the comfort he sought.

     They stopped for a quick bite to eat when they hit the nearest town. Once back in the car Emily got as comfortable as possible and drifted off to sleep for the remaining ride.

     They had traveled nearly four hours to find a secluded country road. It needed to be one that stretched far enough to practice the moves Alexander felt Emily must master if she were to elude someone. It also needed to be, for the most part, a deserted road, which was hard to find on the east coast.

      Alexander hated the thought of Emily being in a vulnerable situation without him. They couldn’t take any chances. After what Aldara said about a coming war and the knowledge of the Opposition’s plans to harm Emily, he didn’t want to leave anything to chance. To make matters worse, the vision Dante had shown Alexander four months ago still haunted him. He hadn’t told anyone what he witnessed when Dante took his hand.

     There was no telling what the Ancient Ones’ real intentions were when he arrived at the Wallace’s home in Cooperstown. But, there was no arguing that Dante had done serious damage. Even though Alexander had killed him and Emily’s father had recovered from the almost fatal blow, there had been a measure of time which could not be changed, a thorn of evil that could not be removed, and it all swirled around the vision Dante had given Alexander.

      The entire event was a horrible experience, one he wanted to forget but couldn’t. Instead it remained in the back of his mind, a haunting and relentless memory. When Dante had touched him, Alexander felt a cold rush run through his body. Much like when he healed a Traveler, when he took an illness from their body. But, this coldness was different. Instead of it traveling to his gut and then heating up, feeling like his body was incinerating the foreign feeling, the unwelcome coldness spread to every limb in his body. It then traveled to his heart, surrounded it and clenched down. It was then he saw the vision. It was as vivid as an actual experience. What Alexander saw shook him to his very core.

      A week or so after the event, Emily asked what Dante had shown him. He told her it was just a bunch of ridiculous lies, and those lies didn’t matter. Unfortunately, Alexander wasn’t certain this was wholly the truth. There was something inside of him, much to his distaste, which agreed with the vision. No matter how hard he tried to convince himself it was false, he had an eerie and uncomfortable feeling that some, if not all, could indeed happen.

     Emily awoke as they pulled into the parking garage. Alexander was grateful to be back safely and that she was alert again. He didn’t like being alone, in silence, with nothing to distract him from his thoughts. Not anymore.

     It was shortly before midnight and she was still quite groggy. Alexander helped her up to the apartment. He would have just carried her but he knew she would protest such treatment. If she ever denied she enjoyed his doting, she’d be outright lying. But, there was definitely a subtle distinction between doting and what she called babying, as he’d been forced to learn. She always let him know when he crossed the line

     When they entered the door they weren’t surprised to see Xavier and Emily’s father, James, sitting in the living room waiting for them.

     “I totally smoked you guys,” Xavier gave a few menacing chuckles.

     “Yeah, and how you never manage to get a ticket is beyond me?” Emily said rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “That would be an interesting encounter for the officer.”

     “I can see a cop a mile away, guess it’s just another sixth sense. Not all of us have it though,” he winked at his friend.

     “Ha, right,” was all Alexander said. He was still trying to shake the vision and reoccurring thoughts which passed through his mind during the last part of the drive. His sense of playfulness had taken a momentary hiatus.  

     The four sat in the living room for a little while, discussing the day’s events. Alexander bragged about Emily, declaring she would give any Daytona 500 driver a run for their money, if given the chance. She truly had developed some impressive driving skills, even if she refused to recognize how far she’d really come.

     James had lots of questions. He was disappointed he hadn’t been able to go, but he needed to carry on life as normal. Especially since he was the only one who could earn an income, thus financing all of these adventures  they’d been taking.

     After about forty-five minutes Emily got up and excused herself for bed. She kissed her father and gave him a hug goodnight. She then went to Alexander and kissed him, as well.

     “Hey… where is my kiss?” Xavier piped up. He used the line quite often but it never got him anywhere.

      Emily tiredly threw her hand in his direction, as if she were pushing him away.

     “Oh, that hurts, I thought we were close.” Xavier grabbed his chest and scrunched his face in mock pain.

     She couldn’t help but allow a sleepy giggle to rumble from her chest. “
Goodnight,
Xavier,” she called out over her shoulder making her way down the hall and into her bedroom.

     A few more minutes of frivolous conversation went on between the men before James excused himself for bed as well. Xavier took his cue and headed for the den, where a small couch and large book collection would keep him busy. The spare room was often where the Guardians retired for the night. Since they didn’t need sleep, they would busy themselves with reading or simple conversation. The room was secluded enough from the other bedrooms  they felt they wouldn’t disturb James and Emily as they slumbered in the rooms on the other side of the kitchen.

     Alexander sat alone in the living room, contemplating what he should do. It was the war general in him who looked over and carefully weighed each and every detail. What consequences could possibly result if he actually told someone about his vision? Was it his burden to bear or would he be placing unnecessary stress and confusion upon whomever he told?

     The problem for Alexander lay in his inability to determine what was in fact true, if any of it. Perhaps an outside view was the key to discovering what aspects of his vision could be trusted.  It wasn’t long before he was on his feet and briskly walking toward the den. His decision was made; he had to tell someone about the vision. Xavier needed to know what Alexander saw; he needed to know what frightening future just might be coming.