Julia was the first to finish and hand in her test, followed by a handful of people I didn’t know. Part of me wanted to run out of the room right behind my non-Guardian classmates, just so I could take a peek at the stained glass windows. But the postcard would have to wait. My heart sank to my knees, planting my feet to the floor. I needed to stick around if I had any hope of pledging the Guardians.
Pretending to debate over the last two questions, I watched as everyone filed out of the room. Except for the six Guardians I’d just met. As soon as everyone else left the room, I rose from my chair and made my way up front. Tearing off the last two pages of my syllabus, I handed the test to Mr. Harlixton.
“Hope I did okay.” I gave him a meek grin.
He took the papers from my hand and smiled back. “There are no right or wrong answers in this class. Only topics for further research.” Leaning in, he whispered, “I’m glad you’re giving the Guardians a fair chance, too.”
With those enigmatic words, he took the tests from the Guardian students, grabbed his jacket, and rushed out of the room with his handful of papers.
Shuffling back to my chair, I glanced around the room. “Is Mr. Harlixton a Guardian, too?”
“See what a mean? Very observant.” A satisfied grin crept up Bryan’s face. “He’s our mentor.”
“Oh, okay.” I gnawed on my bottom lip, trying to decide what to ask first. “What exactly do the Guardians do?”
“Good question.” Bryan rose from his chair to face me. “I told you the Order of the Guardians was created to protect the sacred stones. And the Chosen Ones. Now we guard them both from Nexis.”
I blinked and stepped back. Sacred stones? Chosen ones? What was this guy talking about? Then the image of St. Lucia rushed into my mind’s eye, from the ancient text Will showed me Sunday night. The three stones whirling around the saint’s head—were they the sacred stones? My knees wobbled as the vision dissipated. I gripped the edge of the table for extra support.
Laura stood up, slipping an arm around my back to steady me. “Don’t scare the girl by giving her too much information so soon.”
Bryan’s blue eyes seared into me. “She asked an honest question, so I gave her an honest answer.”
“Touché. I do appreciate honesty.” My lips curled up automatically. “So why would Nexis defect from the Guardians over a sacred stone? And what does it have to do with creating Utopia?”
“Woah, down girl.” Felicia gulped, her green eyes going wide. “Sounds like you’ve been to the Nexis meeting, huh?”
“Yeah, and it was beyond confusing.” I shared a look with the auburn beauty.
“Well, I’m glad you’re asking us and not Nexis, then.” Bryan’s gazed zeroed in on me and he took two steps closer. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Felicia flinch as he turned to me. “Nexis has some strange delusions that this stone will help them bring about a Utopia.”
“More like a dictatorship,” Lenny coughed out.
Taking two steps back, I knew why my dad sent me to this group. I needed to keep Nexis at a safe distance. Taking in a deep breath, I remembered Dad’s admonition to give the Guardians a chance and keep the status quo. In the back of my mind, I still wondered if Dad knew more about the Guardians than he let on.
“Why don’t we wait until next class to give her more information on the Guardians?” Tony glanced at me, then at Bryan.
“Good call, man.” Bryan was still staring at me. “I know that your parents are Nexis members, but your grandmother was on the Guardian council. You should have all the information so you can to decide for yourself.”
“My grandma?” I squeaked, my voice higher than intended. “I know my dad had a falling out with Grandma, but he never said why.”
He flinched but didn’t look away. “Really? That’s interesting.”
“Dude, what’d I just say?” Tony marched over and punched Bryan in the shoulder. “Chill out.”
Bryan closed his eyes, fingers rubbing a hole in the collar of his gray t-shirt. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Lucy.” He turned to me, eyes haunted. “How about this, I won’t overload your brain with too much info if you agree to call me if you have any questions.
I crinkled my eyes until the image of him narrowed. “Okaaay …”
“It’s a deal then.” He pulled a pen out of his pocket and grabbed my hand.
“What’re you doing?” I wiggled and tried to pull my hand away, but he wouldn’t let go. He marked my palm with his digits.
Then those dangerous eyes returned to me. “Promise you’ll call me first if you have any questions. Okay?”
He brought my palm closer and blew on the wet ink. Tingles shot up my arm.
“Yeah, right.” My pulse pounded in my ears.
“I hope you do.” He let go of my hand.
Somehow, it felt cold without his warmth.
I raced out of the library, speed-walking down the hall, and pushed open the heavy front door. I tilted my face to the moon and the stars, but my hand still tingled where Bryan had etched his number into my palm. Maybe I’d call, maybe I wouldn’t.
