daemonum angelus: Discovery of the Guardians
Decem

“Mickey Mouse.”

“Teen Wolf.”

“Bambi.”

“Hannah Montana.”

Riley turned his head to frown at Aaron. “Hannah Montana? Dude, where’d you getthat from?”

Aaron shrugged. “I don’t know. The ears-thing could be Disney Channel.”

Tania was standing in the centre of the living room,desperately attempting to play charades. Her blonde hair was tied back and shemade wide gestures. After a few more minutes, she finally gave up. “Guys, it’sobviously Dumbo. Come on.”

Kiara clenched her teeth together and shot up from herposition on the couch, chocolate brown curls billowing. “That’s it. I can’ttake it anymore. We’ve played Cluedo,watched a bunch of crap old movies and now this. I can’t sit ait around hereanymore.”

Riley shot up to comfort her. She couldn’t help but noticehow his black t-shirt complemented his blonde hair. “We’re all a bitfrustrated, but we need to stay here to be safe. It’s only for one more day.”

He’s so gentle andnice. And smart. And handsome… Stop it!

He tried to place a hand on her shoulder, but she jerkedaway. “What’s the point? It’s dangerous where we’re going anyway. The worldneeds us and we’re sitting around trying to guess Dumbo.”

Tania plopped down on the couch and crossed her arms overher chest. “In my defence, I think I explained that quite clearly.”

“Let’s not do anything impulsive. We can last one more day.”This came from Aaron, who was leaning against the door to the balcony.

Kiara sighed exasperatedly. “Fine. We’ll wait before goingto Alexandria. But I’m not spending any more time cooped up in this apartment.Tonight, we’re going out.”

Kiara looked stunning.

The tall slimness of her body was emphasised by the tightfit of her long-sleeved black lace dress. She had her dark curls pinned backmessily, leaving her golden face open. Riley marvelled at the way her featuresfit together so perfectly.

The slant of her sharp nose. Those high cheekbones. Thenatural downward curve of her upper lip. And those supernatural eyes of greenand silver.

The entire subway ride from the apartment to thedestination’d had Riley openly staring. Even now, standing in front of thenightclub’s entrance, his eyes were trained on her. She didn’t seem to mind.

Kiara had a broad grin on her face as she motioned towardthe club. “Welcome to the hottest spot in the Big Apple.”

Riley looked around. They were on Tenth Avenue, across fromChelsea Park. The fluorescent sign above his head read Marquee in giant letters.

He scowled. “Aren’t we a bit young for a nightclub?”

Tania rolled her eyes dramatically. “Forget about that,Headboy. This is THE Marquee. Youhave to be super rich and have made a booking like a year ago to get in here.”

The blonde was wearing one of her roommate’s red cocktaildresses. It was a little too tight and a little too long, but the colourcomplemented her light complexion.

Kiara smiled smugly. “No, you have to do all of that. All I have to do is this…”

She approached the bouncer, a massive black man who had asmuch flab as he had muscle. Riley automatically followed, a protective handresting on her upper back.

She didn’t need any protection.

Kiara simply stepped forward and said, “Dwayne. Hi. How’s itgoing?”

The bouncer’s face lit up when he saw her. “Kiara! Haven’tseen you around here in a while. We missed you.”

She giggled and put a casual hand on his lower arm. “Imissed you guys too. You think there’s room inside for me and my friends?”

Dwayne nodded. “For you, there’s always room.”

Kiara kissed the air next to the man’s left cheek. “Thankyou, Dwayne. Say hi to Andi and the kids for me, will you?”

The velvet rope was lifted and they went through the door.Tania’s mouth fell open. She looked at Aaron beside her incredulously and thenturned her gaze to her best friend. “How did you do that?”

Kiara shrugged. “Before I was a Guardian, I was actuallypopular.”

And then they entered.

Riley was hit with a sense of awe. The place was pulsingwith life like a heart on an adrenaline rush. Dance music boomed into everyinch of the room, the bass sending vibrations through Riley’s bones.

Five rows of lights ran along the ceiling, expensivespeakers lined the walls and a DJ occupied the leftmost corner. There werelarge posters and a small, light-framed stage at the opposite side of the club.Every aspect of the decoration contributed to the feel of wealth andextravagance.

Hundreds of young people were bouncing up and down on thecentral dance floor, losing themselves in the common mood. A giant disco ballencased in a dazzling steel contraption kept watch over all of it.

The Marquee wasobviously the place to be.

Kiara had already started to sway to the rhythm, her everymove mesmerising Riley. “Alright, guys, go crazy. Just no drinking. I’m alsofriends with the bartender, which means he knows I’m under aged. Have fun.” Shewinked then. This had a very strong effect on Riley’s pulse.

Tania immediately hauled Aaron into the mass of dancers,beaming like a kid in Toys ‘R Us.Kiara chuckled and turned to Riley. “The floor’s always been too crowded forme. Come on, I know somewhere a bit more private.”

She took his hand and led him up a hidden staircase, whichended in an inward balcony. The gallery bore three black leather sofas, a minibar and a glass coffee table. It was abandoned.

Kiara grabbed two sodas from the bar, tossed one to Rileyand sat down on the middle couch. He positioned himself next to her.

She sighed contentedly and flashed him a smile. “I missedNew York.”

He nodded. “It looks like you had a great life before allthe supernatural stuff.”

“Yeah, it does look thatway and it’s nice to be back. But the truth is, everything was fake. I’m notreally this person – this party girl. It’s not my personality. I didn’t evenlike any of my ‘friends’. Despite the lethal situations, I’m much happier now.I’ve finally found friends I can trust.”

He chortled. “That’s good to hear.”

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad we’regetting this time to talk alone. We haven’t in a long time. You’re the personin the world I have the easiest conversations with.”

“Well, I would’ve talked politics on the boat, but…

She guffawed softly. “Shame, you were really miserable. Ifelt so sorry for you.”

“I can tell you; I think seasickness is worse that dying. Iwould do a lot of things for you, but I am not going on a boat trip everagain.”

Suddenly, a high-pitched female voice squealed through theair. “OMG! Kiara, is that you?”

Riley looked up to see a teenage girl with blue-tipped ashblonde hair, a tight peplum skirt, severely made up hazel eyes and hot pinknail polish.

Kiara got up, a clearly forced grin plastered onto herfeatures. “Britney, hey.”

The gossip girl stepped forward. “OMG. Where did youdisappear to?” They exchanged kissed and Britney continued. “Your mom said youwent to like some posh boarding school or something. Is that true?”

Kiara nodded. “Yeah. Boarding school. I’m just on vacationfor a few days.”

“Why would you like do that? Aren’t boarding schools liketotally strict and stuff?” She gasped melodramatically. “Do you have to wearthose hideous uniforms? Oh, you poor thing.”

Seeing Kiara’s irritation, Riley stepped forward andextended a hand. “Hi. I’m Riley.”

Britney’s eyelashes suddenly seemed to become sunbird’swings. “Is this the new beau, Kiar? He’s totally gorgs. Matt is totes going tobe jelling.”

He was about to shake his head, when Kiara answered, “Yeah,this is my boyfriend.”

The blue-tip blonde looked like she was undressing him inher thoughts. It made him uncomfortable. “If all the guys look like this at boardingschool, sign me up.” She giggled annoyingly and Kiara pretended to join in.“Anyway, K, I should totally get back to the girls. Amazeballs to see you.” Sheshifted her gaze to Riley. “And meeting you.” She departed with a wink.

Riley spun to face Kiara with an amused expression on hisface. “OMG! Is it just me or was that like totes an episode of Rich Kids of Beverly Hills?”

Kiara broke out laughing and punched him on the chestplayfully. “Shut up. Besides, you’re the one who’s from there.”

He beamed at her happiness. He wanted her to be happy allthe time. “Two questions. Who’s Matt? And why pretend we’re together?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Matt’s my ex. Complete jerk.And I just thought that saying we’re a couple would be easier than explaining theactual situation.”

He held up his index finger. “I have another theory.”

“Oh, and what is that?”

Riley felt himself grin mischievously. “I think you like itwhen people associate us with each other, because I’m what your heart reallywants.”

He saw the truth of his statement in her eyes, even thoughshe dismissed it. “Come on, Dr Phil, let’s dance.”

Kiara was lost in another world, a world she never wanted toleave. The music was loud and upbeat, but they had been slow-dancing for whatfelt like a few minutes yet simultaneously like eternity.

Riley’s arms were wrapped low around her waist and his cheekrested on the top of her head, which she was leaning against the wall of hischest. Everywhere they touched, her skin was tingling.

Her eyes were closed in serenity and she focused on thesteady sound of his heartbeat. Affection and content warmed her from theinside.

And she knew that he felt the same. They didn’t need tospeak to share their thoughts. It was only with Riley that she could get thisfeeling.

Only with Riley. See,you should be with him.

He hooked a calloused finger under her chin and made herlook at him – look straight into those honey eyes. She gulped.

Oh, why is he so hot?It’s agonising.

He smiled warmly, his dimples sending a wave of desirethrough her. “Do you remember the last time we danced?”

She nodded. “You told me you had a crush on me.”

Riley leaned down until his lips brushed her ear. Sheshuddered. His voice came out in a smooth whisper, “I want you to know that myfeelings haven’t changed.”

She looked up at him as he cupped her face in one hand. Hecame closer slowly. She closed her eyes and got up on her toes to lessen thedistance. Her heart attacked her ribcage with lust.

They were so close that she could breathe him in. Their lipswere millimetres apart.

“Guys, I just saw Savanna.” Aaron’s voice cut through theroom and she was shocked out of her trance.

Kiara and Riley looked up with dazed expressions, drunk onemotions. Aaron was at the other side of the gallery. His dark eyes were alert.

Tania popped up beside him. She was petite next to herboyfriend. “The Guardians found

us.”

Kiara shook her head to clear her mind and stepped out ofthe circle of Riley’s arms. “Right. We should get out as quickly and discreetlyas possible. The apartment is the only safe place. If Naru’s right, this willbe their final attempt at replaceing us.”

The other couple nodded and immediately headed for the exit.Riley and Kiara shared a longing glance before following.

Immediately after arriving at home, Kiara and Riley haddisappeared into her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind them.

Presently, they were in each other’s arms, breathingharshly. They hadn’t kissed yet and it nearly drove Kiara to insanity.

Her senses were alert, taking in everything about the boy infront of her. She remembered describing him as a Calvin Klein model on firstsight, but he was more muscular. The bare skin of his arms was hot and smoothunder her fingers. He smelled like perspiration and ocean-scented cologne.

She couldn’t help but wonder what his kisses would tastelike.

He brought his moth level with hers and whispered, “Dominus, auxilium me. Ego perdidi meum cor.”

Lord, help me. I havelost my heart.

Their lips finally met. And everything exploded.

The kisses started out slow and thorough, and then turnedquick and desperately passionate. She was pressed up against him and every inchof her body reacted to his touch.

Desire and love burned deep in the caverns of her heart,devouring every conservation or doubt that could possibly have been there. Evenher head, which always screamed at her to stop wanting him so much, seemed tohave given in. No part of her could resist him. She was replaceing some long-lostpart of herself.

It was absolutely exhilarating.

His hands travelled up and down her back and then started totug at her dress’s zipper. Her breath caught and she pushed him away with greatdifficulty. It took all of her self-control not to start kissing him again.

She was panting and shaking her head. “What are we doing?”

He grinned, adrenaline turning the colour of his eyes tothat of molten gold. “I thought that was pretty clear.”

Kiara stepped further away from him, not trusting herself.“I can’t do this.”

His expression transformed into tenderness. “Kiara, it’sfine. We don’t have to do anything. We stop whenever you want to.”

“It’s not that.”

A coldness she had never seen on his face made itsappearance. “Are you going to tell me that you don’t have feelings for meagain? Because both of us know that that’s not true.”

She let out a frustrated sob. “What do you want me to say?Yes, Riley, I’m in love with you. Do you feel better know? I don’t.” Sheflopped down on the edge of her bed, feeling like an abandoned ragdoll.

The coldness disappeared and he sat down next to her.“You’re in love with me?” His voice was so gentle that it only broke her heartfurther.

She sniffed once, still battling not to shed a tear. “Yes.”

“Then why do you keep resisting? Why aren’t we together?”

Kiara finally allowed herself to look at him. “Honestly, Ithink that if I’d met you first, we would be. But I didn’t. Unfortunately, whenwe got close, my heart already belonged to someone else.”

Riley clenched his jaw. “Xavier.”

She nodded. “I’m so sorry, Riley.”

Probably hearing the sorrow in her voice, he enveloped herin a friendly hug. He stroked her hair comfortingly. “It’s okay. Don’t worryabout me. You just be happy and I’ll be fine.”

She pulled away and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “You’resuch a great guy.”

He chuckled softly. “So I’ve been told. I just wish that Ihad someone else too. So I could stop being so hung up on you.”

She pointed a finger at him jokingly. “As long as the girlgets my approval first.”

“Oh no, you gave up that privilege, dear.” Their laughterdied down after a while and was replaced by silence. He intertwined theirfingers and caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. “I still think you’remaking a mistake, but I accept it. From now on, I’m that friend you shareeverything with. Okay?”

She smiled at him fondly. “Okay.”

“Tell me something about you that I don’t know,” Aaronrequested.

It was a quiet night – as quiet as New York would ever be –and the sky was filled with stars. He and Tania were lounging on one of theliving room couches. Her head rested on his shoulder and his arm was drapedaround her waist.

She chuckled at him. He loved the sound of it – like chimesin a breeze. “From where the sudden need for enlightenment?”

He placed a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s not sudden.We just haven’t had peaceful time alone yet. Do I get the idea that you’reavoiding the subject?”

“Of course I’m not. I love talking about myself.” thesarcastic tone in her voice was evident and she giggled again. “Here’ssomething you didn’t know: before I became a Guardian, I dreamed of being aveterinarian.”

He smiled. “Really? Why?”

“I love animals and I wanted to help them. Plus, my step-daddoes it for a living. I grew up assisting him. He was my hero, always managingto save even the direst of situations. He was gentle, but strong when he neededto be…” She drifted off.

Aaron hugged her a bit tighter. “You really miss home, don’tyou?”

Tania sniffed once and nodded. “And now, instead of thefamily who loves me, I have to see Nathan Houghs every day.”

“He is your father. And he does love you.”

She cleared her throat to dismiss her emotions. “Your turn.”

His brows furrowed. “What?”

“To tell me something about you.”

The moment of truth.

He gulped, his heart rate quickening. “There is a confessionI’ve been meaning to make for a while now.”

“What is it?”

“I – uh – I’m…”

This could ruineverything. It has before.

“Just don’t freak out, okay?” he continued.

Tania sat up and the directness of her gaze worsened hisnerves. “Please don’t be breaking up with me.” Her voice was tinged with fear,echoing his own feelings.

“No. No. Of course not. It’s just not easy to-’’

Just do it. It’s likeripping off a Band-Aid.

“Tania, I’m bisexual.”

There. It’s out.

She stayed quiet, her features set in shock. His breath cameout harsh and uneven. “Please say something.”

He scrunched his eyes shut and waited. Waited for her toyell at him. Waited for her expression of disgust. Waited for anotherdisapproval.

Instead, she just said, “Okay.”

Aaron’s eyes opened slowly – disbelievingly. “Okay? That’sit? You don’t have a problem with this?”

She shook her head and shrugged. “Why would I have aproblem? As long as you love only me while we’re in a relationship, I don’tcare about anything else.”

His heart soared. “Are you serious?”

She beamed irresistibly. “Yes, Aaron, I’m serious.”

The absolute joy that flooded over him was overwhelming andunlike anything he’d ever felt before. He threw both arms around Tania,cradling her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

She is.

“You are so amazing. You are perfect and I love you so much.Words can’t even begin to describe… Oh, Tania, I love you.”

She kissed his cheek and whispered, “I love you too.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Kiara was standing by the front door, ready to leave. Shewas wearing gear and had a bag slung over her right shoulder.

Aaron and Riley groaned groggily and buried their heads inthe couches’ cushions, still attempting to wake up.

Tania stumbled out of the bedroom, stretching. Her pinkpyjamas were twisted around her and her hair stood up like spun sugar. “Jeez,Kiara, it’s five in the morning. What’s the rush?”

Kiara cocked her eyebrows incredulously. “What’s the rush?The world is ending; that’s the rush. Am I the only one who gets the importanceof this mission? We needed to stay here for three days. We did. Now we need toget going. Come on.”

After a protest-filled hour, the group was finally lined upand ready to portal to Alexandria.

Virginia hugged Tania briefly, shook hands with the boys andthen embraced her daughter. “Don’t get yourself killed, okay? I wouldn’t beable to handle that.”

Kiara nodded, fighting against tears. “I’ll try my best.”

When all the goodbyes had been said, Kiara grinned at hercomrades. “Let’s go stop an apocalypse.”

March 1998

The fiery-haired young womanlooked down at the baby with a concerned expression. The infant had big greeneyes and was giggling. She had never cried in her two months of life.

The woman shifted her gazeto her husband. “We don’t even know what she is. What she could become. Shecould be a monster.”

But there was a smile on theman’s face as he stroked his daughter’s hair, which was the same brown as hisown. “No. She’s absolutely perfect, Virginia. She’s everything I always wanted.”