Her Guardians Lost(3)

Looking into her deep brown eyes, I saw it. Right there in those precious seconds, I saw a little hint of vulnerability. Something stirred a little, and I didn’t know whether the feeling was welcome or not.

As if this feeling wasn’t enough, Luana then gave me a picture of us in my head. A picture I shouldn’t have in the middle of a very public hospital.

“Luana, that’s not fair.”

The glistening in her eyes grew brighter as she smiled her best innocent smile. “I just couldn’t go back home without leaving you with a little reminder, that’s all.”

“And what a reminder it is.” I chuckled. “I promise you I will think long and hard.” Her eyebrow raised as she gently played with the hairs on my arm. “Stop that, Luana. You’re not playing fair.”

“Well, it would seem I have competition, so of course I’m not going to play fair.” I watched as a slight pout formed on her lovely rosebud lips. She was something else.

“She called me, you know. Just before everything happened with Kali.”

Luana pulled her hand away, ending our playful banter. “What did she say?”

“She said she wanted to speak with me. She sounded worried, but I could also hear the urgency in her voice.”

Luana frowned a little. “What do you think she wanted to tell you?”

“I don’t know.” I was honest with her, but couldn’t help feeling it had something to do with us—and with Stephen. It was another reason I was eager for Cassie to wake up. I had to know what it was she wanted to say.





Chapter 1



Standing by a door, I could hear the sound of laughter. It was familiar and I longed to know who was behind that door.

I placed my hand on the wooden frame and tried to push with my shoulder, but it didn’t budge. I was frantic, desperate to know more.

The giggling intensified and I stopped for a moment, leaning my ear against the door. Children—that was what it was. The sound of children laughing. I smiled, but a tear fell down my face as I clung onto a memory I couldn’t seem to remember. What was it? Who was it?

I closed my eyes and my hand stroked the wood. What was I missing? Who were these children, and what were they doing behind the door?



Opening my eyes with a jolt, I realised where I was. I started gasping for air, trying to breathe away the pain I was now feeling in my shoulder. Deep breaths—just slow, deep breaths.

“Cassie, it’s okay. You’re in the hospital.”

“Michael?” With my eyes adjusting, I finally managed to settle them on a very sweet, worried, familiar-looking face.

“I’m here, Cassie. I won’t leave you.”

“Oh, Michael. What happened?”

“Don’t you remember?”

Confusion seemed to fill my senses as I scrambled to remember. “Stephen. Where’s Stephen?” As soon as I asked the question, I knew. He was gone.

I felt a burning in my throat as the tears threatened to fall. “He’s with my mother, isn’t he?”

Michael stared blankly at me. “You remember who you are?”

“You know who I am?” I tried to sit up a little, but the pain in my shoulder quickly reminded me of why I was here.

“Here. Let me help you.” Michael snaked his arms around me, gently pulling me up to a sitting position.

Once he released me, he started to sit back down, but I grabbed his hand. “Please, sit with me, Michael.” His smile was sweet as he sat on my bed, not once taking his hand away. “So you know who I am?” I needed to know more.

“Yes. Do you know who you are?”

“I saw Charisma. She told me.” My memories were a little hazy, but the more I kept thinking and talking, the more it came back to me.

Michael’s eyes widened. “But can you remember?”

“Remember what?” I quickly wanted to get to the point, but he seemed to be skirting around the issue.

“Who you are?”

“No. I only know I’m Charisma’s daughter because she told me so.”

Michael slouched a little, either in relief or comprehension. I didn’t know which.

“Are you going to tell me?” I searched his eyes for something—anything.

“Tell you what?”

“Who I am.” This conversation was suddenly frustrating the hell out of me. There was something I didn’t know. It was almost as though it was within arm’s reach, but I couldn’t get to it.

“I can’t.” His face was resolute and stern.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not allowed to. It is against our law to remind mortals of what they used to be. You are here for a reason and your memory is one of this life, not the life you used to lead.”