Sanctify: The Guardians Book 2 Read online

  “Being twins isn’t easy. Since we were tots, we have competed, it seems. Who could read first, hit the ball first, run the fastest . . . . If there was a way to compete, we found a way. One of us always upping the other. But, this also made us value each other. We knew that we would be there for each other.” Niall paused, thinking. “Growing up, Gris would become frustrated and angry. His way of dealing with feelings has been to beat something. A punching bag is usually his go-to. But sometimes, fighting it out between us was the best way to deal with our feelings.”

  “I don’t understand? You just beat each other until you can’t move?” Rose had grown up an only child. Sibling dynamics were beyond her understanding.

  “Sometimes, yes. We knew we would never really hurt each other, but fighting it out gave us a release. We could argue while pummeling each other. Usually in that arguing, we would reach a solution we both could live with.”

  “I still don’t understand. And I don’t like being argued over. It makes me feel like a piece of meat.”

  “We weren’t fighting over you. A Guardian’s nature is to be monogamous. This bond being split three ways is something we don’t know how to deal with. And the sibling rivalry that is between Gris and me has him floundering. He doesn’t know what to think. Give him time, and he will come around.” Niall stood and offered Rose a hand up. “Now, I need to go shower, unless you like eau de sweat.”

  Rose wrinkled her nose. “Not that kind of sweat.”

  “Oh, there is a type of sweat you like?” His eyebrows lifted as he looked at Rose.

  “Some activities produce a sweet sweat.”

  Niall crowded Rose against the wall, his voice turning husky. “What type of activities?”

  Rose looked up at him through thick eye lashes. She chewed her lip, reached up, and gave Niall a small kiss on his cheek and ducked under his arm. “You’ll have to find out on your own.” And she ran up the steps.

  Chapter Five

  Gris

  “Gris?” Rose called, knocking on the door.

  “Come in, Rose,” a tired Gris said.

  Rose opened the door and saw Gris sitting on the bed, a towel wrapped around his waist. She walked in, shutting the door behind her. She stopped before Gris, his legs on either side of her.

  “Are you okay?”

  He leaned his head into her chest, and she ran her hand over his shaved head. “Yeah. I just hate sharing. Hate knowing that the others have time with you, that they will be with you.”

  Rose lifted his chin, so she could see his face. “I don’t know how this will work, how we will make time for everyone. But I can’t do this without you.”

  “I don’t know if I am strong enough. While captive, I broke so easily. I lost myself and now . . . I don’t want to lose myself with you. I want to be strong.”

  “You are strong. You didn’t lose yourself but did what you had to survive, just as I did. You couldn’t fight, you couldn’t let another take your punishments, so you complied. “

  “No. I lost myself. I did whatever they asked. A part of me started to believe them. To become like them.” He hung his head, and tears ran down his face.

  Rose sat down next to him, his hand in hers. “Gris, you couldn’t do anything else. Had you fought they would have killed you, or worse an innocent. They clouded your mind. You, yourself, said that at the end it was as if something broke off of you, and you were able to finally see the truth.”

  “You don’t know the things they asked of me. What they did to ensure my obedience. Maybe death would have been a better option.”

  “Did you agree to do things because you liked it, or did you do it to save someone pain or death?”

  He leaned in and kissed her, his tears mingling with the kiss. “To save someone—to save you.”

  “You never turned into a monster. You are a Guardian to the very essence of your being!”

  “How do you see the good in me? How do you make me feel like I can do anything?”

  Rose snuggled into his chest. “You are strong, and you did what you had to do to survive! Since we have returned, you have fought for us, you have protected us. Together we can figure this out.”

  “I guess I should go apologize to Niall. It isn’t his fault that he has joined us. At least, it isn’t some stranger, and we are all Guardians.”

  “We will make this work. It will take time, and I am not sure how I feel about Niall joining us. I just had gotten used to the idea of you and Keyne.”

  Gris stood to dress. “You probably should talk to Keyne. He wasn’t too happy about not going out with you tonight.”

  Rose

  Rose wandered around the house, unsettled. She had been looking forward to going out with Keyne. Of course, no one would be able to see him, so it would be a little odd. Sitting at a table, talking to empty space. It could be funny, but might also get her kicked out. How would she have a normal relationship with Keyne? Would they forever be stuck in the house, never able to explore the outside world together?

  “Rose,” Thea said. “What is wrong? You look like someone just took the last donut.”

  Rose laughed.“Thea, you always know what to say or do. My mind is just getting ahead of me, over thinking as usual.” Rose sat on the couch, fiddling with her shirt. “Keyne and I were supposed to go out tonight. With Niall showing up, we can’t, it would be rude. And even if we did go out, how would that work? People would think I was insane talking to thin air.”

  “You can’t think of what other people will think when you are out. Make it work for you. You could just own it and not let people's opinion matter, or you could pretend you’re talking on the phone.” Thea paused, “What really matters is that you take care of the relationship between you and Keyne, and you and Gris.”

  “Don’t forget Niall,” Rose said, acid lacing her voice.

  Thea took Rose’s hand and held it. “Niall, too? How do you feel about all this?”

  “Do I have a choice? The mating bond is there. I can feel it tugging at me. But I am not sure I can accept Niall. He is too large, too–” Her voice broke off as she suddenly found herself in mouse form, stomach swollen. She quickly touched the stone at her neck and returned to her human shape.

  “Too what?”

  Tears filled her eyes, “Too overpowering. It makes me feel out of control, like I did before . . . in that place.”

  Thea wrapped her small arms around Rose’s shaking shoulders, as tears fell down Rose’s face. Gris and Keyne ran into the room, but Thea shooed them away. This was girl time.

  “What about Niall makes you feel that way?”

  “My body responds to him, but my head doesn’t. He is nice enough. I remember talking with him a bit in the hospital. But where Gris makes me feel pampered, he makes me feel dominated. Like I have to submit to him and the bond.”

  “Sweetie, Niall is a pussy cat. Well, maybe a Maine Coon. He would never force himself on you.”

  “I think I know that, but I don’t know if I can handle this. I want a choice in who I love, who I am with, and this mating bond feels like I don’t.”

  “Take your time with Niall. Get to know him. He is loyal, and I can’t picture him ever hurting you.”

  “I don’t have much choice, do I?” Rose asked bitterly, not really expecting an answer.

  “We all have choices. The issue lies in whether we can deal with the consequences of those choices.” Thea patted Rose and left, letting her think on their conversation.

  Keyne

  Keyne leaned against the wall, his incorporeal form invisible. The convenient thing about being a ghost was he could listen, in and no one would know he was there. He was pretty sure Thea had sensed him, but she hadn’t said anything. Maybe she thought he needed to know what Rose was thinking, going through. But now, he needed to figure out how to best help her.

  He could feel her pain in their bond. The captivity had taken a toll on all of them. Gris had broken under the Reditus Coelus, but Rose . . . she had become stronger; it had forged her into a new creation. But it had also left scars on her. She shied from social situations, preferring to stay in the safe house. And now she was scared of one of Keyne’s closest friends and her mate. As much as he longed for time with just his mouse, maybe she needed something else. Maybe she needed time away.

  Keyne went to Thea’s door and knocked. Thea opened the door and slipped out. “Keyne, how can I help you?”

  “I overheard you and Rose earlier. I want to help her, but need your help.”

  Thea smiled a secretive smile. She, of course, had known of Keyne’s plans for a date night and that his tender heart would always put Rose ahead of himself and his wants. She also had known that he was listening in.

  “What do you need?”

  “I think that Gris, Keyne, Niall, and I need to spend some time with Rose–away from all the memories she has. Do you have any ideas?”

  “Hmm, let me check with some of the Brownies. I think they might have some properties in the woods. Is there any area you particularly want?”

  “I know I should say Louisiana, but I think that can wait a bit longer. Just a couple days somewhere warm, maybe near water.”

  “Okay, let me go see. Meanwhile, why don’t you go talk with the guys? I think they need to be a part of this.” And she slipped back into her room.

  One day, I want to see what she hides behind that door. Keyne left to find the guys.

  Chapter Six

  Keyne

  It didn’t take long to find Niall and Gris. They were in the basement, sparring with a variety of weapons. The fluid movements were artistry in themselves. Both men controlled their movements, stopping hits just short of being deadly. The clash of weapon on weapon resounded through the room. Keyne went to the wea
pons wall, itching to pick up a sword and join them. He willed his form to be more substantial and was pleased to find that for once his hand didn’t pass through the handle. Maybe he could do this, he picked the sword up and stepped onto the mats.

  A half hour later, Keyne’s sword fell to the ground, his form barely visible. The energy it had taken to hold his form was substantial, but he would take it. Being able to protect Rose was the most important thing in his life now.

  “I actually came down to talk to you guys,” Keyne said. “I think we need to take Rose away from all of this. Somewhere that she can relax, and that we can get to know her, and her us. The last year and a half has thrown us all into a situation that we have spent more time reacting to and less time together. Even after we were free, the last four months have been dealing with the fall out of the R.C. Rose is feeling the strain. I overheard her with Thea. She accepts the mating bond, but she also feels . . . threatened. I think she needs to unplug from everything—for us to just be for a few days, to figure this bond out.”

  Gris and Niall looked at each other, then to Keyne. “You’re sure that this is a good time? And where would we go?”

  “I have already asked Thea for help. She will find the perfect place, that Brownie magic is something to behold.”

  A throat cleared near the stairs. “Gentleman, I have the place for you. If you get Rose, I can escort you there now. No need to pack, everything is already provided.”

  “So, where are we going?” Gris asked. “And we really don’t need anything? What about the Guardians? And our research?”

  Thea glared at Gris. “Nothing is needed. I have made all the preparations already. And you may NOT take your work with you. Think of this as a therapist-ordered vacation.”

  Niall slapped Gris on the back. “Looks like you are beat! Thea is the mistress of organization. I will let the Guardians know we will be out of reach.”

  “No need. The Guardians have already been informed that you will be out of touch. Each of you has gone through hell in the past year and a half. You need some time to just be, to relax. Now get Rose, as it will take a bit to get you there.”

  Keyne could move the fastest of the three, being able to float through the walls and floors, so he went to find Rose. Drifting up through the ceiling, a cursory glance told him that she wasn’t on the first floor. Up another floor, and he found her lying in bed, asleep with a book open in front of her. He stood there, just watching her sleep. The worry lines had left her face. She looked peaceful, a small smile twisting her lips. She has no clue how beautiful she is. What she does to me, the power she has over me.

  Keyne lay down on the bed and allowed himself to become more substantial. He spooned Rose, wrapping his arm around her, kissing her neck. “Little Mouse, time to wake up,” he whispered in her ear.

  Keyne chuckled as Rose moved her head away from his kisses. He rubbed his hand in small circular motions on the small bump on her stomach. He jolted when a small thump hit his hand. “What the heck?”

  Rose laughed and rolled over. “I guess he was saying hi?”

  Keyne looked at her stomach in wonder. “That was him? And how do you know it is a boy?”

  “Yes that was him, and he has been moving for awhile, but I am just now starting to really feel the movements. And as to a boy, I guess I just think of him that way.”

  Keyne just looked at her stomach, his hand resting there, waiting. He couldn’t think around the idea that the baby was real, moving. He wasn’t so abstract but a living being. His eyes watered, and he bent down to kiss her stomach. “I love you, little one. No matter how you were created, I will always love you.”

  Rose

  Tears filled Rose’s eyes at the gentle love that radiated from Keyne. She knew that, even in death, he had found her, and that his love would find her little one no matter what. Maybe there was hope for them; for a little one who was conceived in violence.

  Chapter Seven

  Rose

  “We will have to go through the Bogs to get there. Ortheus, another Brownie, has a cabin that he will allow you to use. This cabin is secluded, and you will not be bothered there.” Thea opened the door to her room, then turned with a serious look. “Very few humans have been allowed into our Bog. Please be careful, and do not touch anything. It is not like your world.”

  A silvery veil covered the door, and Thea stepped in, disappearing from view.

  Gris looked at the others. “I’ll see you on the other side,” he said, then followed her through the veil.

  Keyne and Rose stepped in next, with Niall bringing up the rear. He shut the door on the safehouse and entered a new world.

  The four of them looked around in wonder. They were in a marshy field, pink grass waving in the breeze. The sky was a lavender color streaked with gray clouds. A moon shone with a bright light, much brighter than the moon of Earth. Here and there, small mounds could be seen rising from the grass.

  “Follow me, and step where I step. The Bog is not a place to go off the path. Many creatures have sunk to their deaths.” Thea strode purposefully towards a far-off mound. “We must reach his home before nightfall. The Bog is not a friendly place at night.”

  Gris had to ask, “What do you mean? This obviously isn’t Earth. So, where are we? And what is different here?”

  “We are on Earth, but not. Think of this as a parallel plane. We can access the Earth through the ley lines. Portals are places on the convergence so that we can use their power. There is one in Farfoss at the safe house, one is in Chicago, one in New York City, one in St. Louis, one in Las Vegas, and one in Louisiana. There are also one or two in Canada, and then some in Europe.”

  “Obviously the land, itself, is different. The grass is deceiving, making you think that you are on firm ground, but a wrong step, and you will sink. We have two moons that shine day and night, but no sun. The first moon is bright like you see now, the second is much paler. We have many different creatures here, and what in your world might be innocuous, in Empyrean could kill you.

  “Then, there are the politics, which get convoluted. This tribe doesn’t like that one, the fairies are fighting the pixies . . . . The best thing is that we remain in the Bog and unnoticed. This Bog is the territory of the Brownies, as such we should be safe from the other groups.”

  Thea led them through the Bog with the sure steps of someone who had walked the path many times. Rose leaned over to peer into the murky water and jumped back at the face peering back at her. The slightly feminine face was a pale-green with dark-green splotches over it. Gills protruded from each side of her face, ending in pointed ears like the pictures of elves on Earth. Green hair, the color of seaweed, streamed behind her. Webbed hands moved under the water keeping her still as she looked up at Rose. “Thea? What is in the waters here?”

  “ROSE!” Thea yelled. “Don’t look her in the eyes!”

  Rose jerked her head away, and looked at Thea. “What is she?”

  “That is a Nixie. She can enchant you.” Thea grabbed a stick from the ground and threw it into the Bog. “If she surfaces, her song will lure you into the water, and then you will be lunch.”

  “Thea, you just said that we should be safe here,” Gris said. “How can we be safe one minute, then you’re yelling the next?”

  Thea rubbed her ears, frustration evident. “It has been many years since we have had visitors here. The creatures who know their places, have heard of your arrival and are curious. I had hoped by rushing your coming, that we would keep your arrival quiet. We should walk as quickly as we can to not attract attention .”

  “How far do we need to go, Thea?” Rose asked in a soft voice, looking around in awe at the landscape.

  “Just over the next knoll. Hopefully, we won’t run into any other creatures.”

  “Do all the Brownies work in the human world?”

  “Oh no, most live here in this Bog or one near the other gateways. Very few of us actually go into the human realm.”

  A curtain twitched shut in one of the windows of the houses they were passing. Each house was built into a knoll, small windows and gables peeking from the grassy roofs. “Why are all the Brownies staying inside? Are they scared of humans?” Keyne asked, watching a door quickly shut in the house down from them. The village was eerily empty and quiet.