2

Jaden Sinclair

FORGET ME NOT GUARDIANS 1

Jaden Sinclair

EROTIC ROMANCE

Secret Cravings Pu lis!ing """#secretcravings$u lis!ing#c%&

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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2
A Secret Cravings Pu lis!ing '%%0 #rotic 3o&ance

Jaden Sinclair

F"3G#) M# N") 4G,%3./%NS 15 -op!right 6 2711 b! Jaden Sinclair #-book /S8N: 9:;-1-93<<=3-<2-= First #-book 0ublication: June 2711 -o'er design b! 8eth >alker #dited b! $arriane 8arnard 0roofread b! %ndre Miller %ll co'er art and logo cop!right 6 2711 b! Secret -ra'ings 0ublishing A11 RIG(TS RESER,ED- )his literar! per&ission( %ll characters and e'ents in this book are fictitious( %n! rese&blance to actual persons li'ing or dead is strictl! coincidental( ork &a! not be reproduced or trans&itted in an! for& or b! hole or in part* ithout e?press ritten

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Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

Dedicati%n )o &! 'er! good friend 0at Sager( You@'e been there since Julian first spoke to &e and through all the changesAgood and bad ones( Finall!* !our Julian is hereB

<

Jaden Sinclair

Gl%ssar/
Bloodmate: girls born either of a vampire father and bloodmate mother or two human parents. They bear a birthmark in the shape of a fang, somewhere on their bodies to identify them. Their systems are designed to feed a vampire. Extra blood builds internally, and if not bled they will experience intense pain, drown, and die. Guardian: one who protects the vampire race, trained to kill. They tend to be the unwanted second and third born sons of Noble families. Nobles: high ranking vampires. They are old families with old money and old beliefs with a huge influence over the race. The Prophet: A male child born from a vampire and bloodmate with the bloodmate mark and the knowledge of an elder. e will bring balance to the race. Elders: oldest vampires. Breeds: humans mutated to vampires for the sole purpose of killing anything they are told to kill. The Crossover: when a vampire becomes a !uardian by drinking the ancient blood of the Elders. as extra strength and heightened senses and becomes a weapon to defend the vampire race.

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

FORGET ME NOT GUARDIANS 1

Jaden Sinclair
C%$/rig!t 2 3411

C!a$ter One
)he need to feed as upon hi&* strong and urgent* transfor&ing Julian Marino into a predator not a &an( SCuatting and perched on edge of a rooftop* his the balls of his feet* he scanned e'er! corner eight balanced on aiting( De ho &ight atched the bus! streets of San Francisco belo * ithin in his 'ie * e'er! face* searching for so&eone

take the hunger a a!* but kno ing none ould co&pletel! Cuench his thirst( /ncisors lengthened and his cock burned brightl! in the &oonlight( >ind hipped through his long* thick* dark hair and tore at his trench coat* !et he ell ith didn@t flinch( )hings had changed in the cit! since his last 'isit* things that didn@t sit &onths ago and still that ondered hat the old &an anted( Julian hi&* no &ore than the letter in his pocket fro& %&brose .E%bigne( De recei'ed the letter asn@t an!thing special* Fust another 'a&pire lost in his o n grief* tracking for others* finding things and people ere lost( For hi& to be singled out as unusual since he hadn@t done %&brose an! ith a need left unfulfilled( >hile on the hunt* his e!es* usuall! bro n* turned the sil'er &etallic to distinguish his race* glistening

Jaden Sinclair

fa'ors in &an! !ears* and their parting had not been friendl!( >ere he still in his father@s house* he could al&ost understand( Nobles ere contacted* not hunters( )o ha'e the title of Noble as so&ething special* but also suffocating( )he! ere the oldest fa&ilies out there* raised o n father of life the! ith the belief that e'er! other 'a&pire as beneath the&( 8ondings to their blood&ates ere arranged* &aking &an! unhapp! unions( Dis a!

anted hi& to bond ith a girl of great breeding and to take up the seat at the anted to keep( )urning his back on that life asn@t hard* no &ore than ti&es he ished like

-ouncil* to be picked to train as an #lderAhis father@s drea&* not his( Nobles had a &aking a life for hi&self( )hat he had to do it all alone in the direction his father de&anded* he as cast out* as ho chose their o n a!* breaking fro& tradition( as( % fe

hell his father could be ith hi& hen he as at his lo est* but once Julian refused to go ere &an! other Noble children

% disgrace* his father called hi&* and pointed the finger at a 'er! dear friend of his* clai&ing she as the reason( )o recall that ti&e She as still a painful &e&or!( Not onl! did his father turn his back on hi&* but Julian lost that good friend* -arissa( as a one of a kind* and not onl! as his friend( 8orn of a union so rare as to be as not a blood&ate* -arissa that hu&an o&an concei'ed a child that li'ed after the hen she as onl! fi'e( -arissa had no thought b! &ost i&possible* a 'a&pire and a hu&an that as a half-breed( So&eho truth of

birth* so&ething that should ne'er ha'e happened( 8ut her &other couldn@t handle the hat she ga'e birth to and left -arissa place to go( Nothing( %&brose took her in* raised* and treated her like his o n daughter hen her &other abandoned her( Julian &et her the su&&er his father sent hi& to %&brose ith the hope he ould be picked as an apprentice( /t happened to be a birthda! part! for -arissa* and she sad( She su&&er for !ears* he ent back to spend ti&e ith her hile his father thought it as so as to anted her &other but instead got hi&* and the! beca&e close friends( #ach

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not be

ith %&brose( )he !ear it ca&e to an end* he lost it all but onl! cared about one part

of itA-arissa( "#e$ll always be friends, %ulian,& she whispered, her bright eyes holding so much sadness he didn$t understand. "Nothing can ever change that.& 'he was so pretty, it seemed he was seeing her for the first time. !one was the little girl he grew up with, and in her place stood a stunning young woman at only thirteen. 'he stood about five(three with bright grey eyes and thick, long hair as black as night. ")ou sound like we are never going to see each other again.& +ust going down to talk to my father. with whomever * choose.& 'he smiled, but it wasn$t the cheerful smile he was so used to. "And she$ll be lucky, whoever she is.& G%nd !et /@& still alone* and !ou@re still gone(H De sighed to the night and reached into his pocket for the one and onl! photo he had of her( /nstead* his hand closed on the letter he recei'ed &onths ago( De still couldn@t &ake sense of it( %ulian, * need your help. * can$t go into the details right now, but let me +ust say to keep your eyes open. Things are not as they seem, and you need to watch your back. #e are at war, %ulian, and *$m letting you know because * need your arm. Ambrose ,$Abigne e chuckled. "*$m e needs to know that *$m not going to be an Elder

or follow the Nobles any longer. *$m going to make my own way in this world and bond

17

Jaden Sinclair Still confusing* the &essage baffled hi& e'er! ti&e he read it( So&ething as going orld(

on for sure( De couldn@t dis&iss the notion that things go out and hunt for the ans er as to 'a&pire of so&e sort e'er &et( )he proof of it blood&ates( ,ntil theirs

ere changing in their so far

Stories of sa'age deaths* bloodlines destro!ed* fa&ilies disappearing* all forced Julian to h!( )he onl! thing he kne it as that a as responsible* !et he kne asn@t an! kind of 'a&pire he@d as left in the bodies and the

as in the facts that no blood

throats had been ripped fro& the corpses( Ia&pires of his kind fed fro& their ere found* the! did drink fro& hu&ans* but onl! enough to keep the& strong( Never did the! kill or tear one apart to e?pose and bring attention to their kind fro& the outside orld( Standing up slo l!* Julian scanned the bus! streets ithout finding hat he searched for( De leaned for ard* letting gra'it! pull hi& do n to the ground( $anding all the hu&ans on the block( Julian@s fangs throbbed to sink into flesh and drink* and his dick re&inded hi& he hadn@t had satisfaction fro& a ar& bod! in a 'er! long ti&e( )he urge to feed as a priorit!* &ore so than getting laid( Dis hunger ca&e first( Julian found his pre! for the nightAa dark haired beaut! Street( De had no trouble at all con'incing her to go against the orking First and Main ith hi& into the alle! once he she ith a light thud and a hop* he shook his shoulders to adFust his coat before striding off to &i? in ith

handed o'er the &one! she asked for( Gi'ing into his po erful urges* he backed her up all* his throbbing cock pressing hard against her( De could sense ho liked to pla! and ho rough she anted things* hich as fine ith hi&( )onight* gentle asn@t a preference( Dis need for release gre * forcing Julian to fight the need to drain her dr!( De sla&&ed her up against the all* pushed her skirt up* rapped her legs around his hips* and ripped a a! her panties( Dis erection* hard* hea'!* and painful pressed against her(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Deat* hunger* and lust raged through hi&* re&inding hi& of ho

11 desperatel! he needed

to find his blood&ate( "nl! she ould be able to co&pletel! Cuench this lust and hunger( Julian@s hands roa&ed o'er the prostitute@s bod!* heating her up for his entr!( Dis incisors lengthened further hile he &o'ed in o'er the arter! throbbing in her neck( 8rutall!* he entered her bod!* sinking his fangs deep into her throat at the sa&e instant( De &oaned at the taste of her passion( Fucking her hard and fast* he drank deepl!* tr!ing to reach the satisfaction he longed for( Dis orgas& ca&e* but his need re&ained( Julian hoped he could get Fust one s&all a&ount of pleasure* a tad bit of satisfaction( De got nothing &ore than a ph!sical release( )he girl screa&ed out her cli&a?* and he ithdre * closing the ounds on her neck ith a lick( #&pt! and alone as al a!s* ithout his blood&ate he ould ne'er find peace* onl! carr! a hollo ness deep in his soul( De fi?ed his clothing* the unfulfilled frustrations e'er present( For the longest ti&e* he stared do n at the fe&ale shaking her head in da+ed confusion( She didn@t kno e?actl! hat happened* and she ne'er ould( #'er! coupling he ga'e into as the sa&e( De ould find so&eone* fuck* feed* and lea'e ith the sa&e frustrations that dro'e hi& insane in the first place( Sensing a presence* Julian s ung around and looked up( /n the shado s on a rooftop* a figure stood alone* so still he as about to turn ondered for a brief &o&ent if he sa an!one at all( De ith the hen it &o'ed( )he darkness surrounding hi& lightened

brightness fro& the e!es of one of his o n kind( % 'a&pireB Neither said a ord* but Julian &ade out the shape of a fe&ale bod! hidden behind a long coat ith a hood and bright e!es( )hose e!es shone brightl! in the dark* so&ething he had ne'er seen before* Fust as he@d ne'er seen a fe&ale 'a&pire( Yet* this fe&ale perched on the roof atching hi& had a set of shining e!es* and her stance see&ed al&ost lethal* as if she unbelie'able( as poised* read! to strike( De couldn@t den! hat he sa * e'en if it as

12

Jaden Sinclair %bout to speak* a screa& of pleasure fro& further do n the alle! distracted hi&( De

peeled his ga+e a a! fro& the figure on the roof and glanced into the dark at t o lo'ers( )aking in the scent of their pleasure* he ished it as his( >hen he glanced back up* the o&an as gone( Searching the roof peaks to find her* he sa nothing( -urious as to not onl! hat she as* but h! she as there* Julian did hat an! other hunter ould do( De found an old fire ladder and cli&bed it( ,p on the roof* he sa another roof( )urning* all the dark alle!s* people* e'er!thing* but not the one thing ent in the direction of his he sought( "ff in the distance he caught sight of so&ething black disappearing o'er ind picking up his trench coat* Julian pre!( De ran on top of the slipper! roofs* Fu&ping o'er old s&oke stacks shooting hot stea&( "nl! four houses behind her* she Cuickl! as he should( >hen close enough* he lunged at her* rapping both ar&s around her legs* taking ith unbelie'able the& both do n to the ground( De thought he had the upper hand* but she shocked the shit out of hi& b! turning her bod! and kicking hi& in the face strength* &ore than he kne an! 'a&pire could ha'e* breaking his hold of her( De sprang back up to his feet* onl! to ha'e her s eep his legs* knocking hi& do n once &ore( Sta!ing do n* one leg bent read! to &o'e if he needed to* Julian atched her slo l! stand up( )he hood co'ered her hair and &ost of her face* and dark sunglasses co'ered those shin! e!es of hers( 8ut he didn@t need her e!es to be 'isible to kno glared do n at hi&( De could feel it( Julian lunged* grabbing the front of her coat( She hit his hand a a!* s ung her bod! around* backhanding hi& hard in the face( G%nd here / as going to be nice*H he said( She snorted loudl!* and a 'er! s&all grin tugged at the corner of her &outh( Der fists fl!ing* she ent at hi&( 8locking the blo s took all of his training and &ost of his strength to sta! on the roof and not slide off( She caught hi& ith painful hits on she as so fast he couldn@t see& to catch up as

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

13

the ar&s( De blocked a strike to his head ith both of his ar&s( She kicked hi& in the gut* knocking the air right out of his lungs* and dropped hi& to his knees again( G/@& al&ost i&pressed*H she said* her 'oice sounding detached( G%l&ostAbut not Cuite(H She turned her back on hi& and ran to the ne?t house( Skidding to a stop at the edge of the roof* she turned once &ore to ard hi&( Julian held his gut* tr!ing to breathe ithout pain and not get sick( De stood up Fust ith her legs stretched out as far as the! as no sign of her up as she Fu&ped up in the air* did a back flip or do n the dark alle!( She as gone( GShit*H he &u&bled* rubbing his sto&ach( Julian headed for the onl! ho&e he clai&ed since lea'ing his father@s* $ucian@s( $ucian as his other best friend( )he da! he turned his back on his father and -arissa hat as left of hi& up off the ground( the old a!s( disappeared* $ucian had been there to pick $ucian it

ould go* and disappeared( 8! the ti&e he reached the edge* there

$ucian@s father* also a Noble* didn@t e?pect or pressure $ucian to follo

asn@t e?pected to bond ith ho&e'er the fa&ilies chose* and hen he decided

as ti&e to go out on his o n* his father supported hi&( $ucian built hi&self a ho&e as like a brother( )he! tra'eled together and learned to fight* taking up the role of

and offered it to Julian as ell( )he! &a! ha'e been best of friends* but to Julian* $ucian hunters( >hen $ucian stu&bled upon his blood&ate* )e&pest* those da!s ca&e to an end( $ucian settled do n hile Julian didn@t* but he al a!s had a ho&e to go to( $ucian &ade Julian understand that( %nd once in a hile* he did return* &a!be t ice or three ti&es a ere de&ands &ade of hi& !earAto rest* 'isit* and get the fa&il! ti&e he cra'ed( Ne'er like there ould be if his ho&e as still ith his father( )hat $ucian as bonded and a father a&a+ed the shit out of hi&( %lso* that $ucian had &anaged to find hi& and ha'e a &essage deli'ered telling hi& his child had been

12 born and his blood&ate safe( /f %&brose and $ucian reall! needed so&e ti&e off( De s&iled bonded

Jaden Sinclair ere able to find hi& that easil!* he ith

hile he dro'e* i&agining $ucian being a father and ha'ing trouble

it( Julian Fust couldn@t see $ucian in that role( Getting used to the idea of the &an being as hard enough( $ucian had al a!s been a pla!bo! like hi&( )he! had chased o&en as ell as ido ed and unbonded blood&ates* partied the girls* fed fro& hu&an $ucian got luck! hill house

until the da n* and !et* $ucian as no bonded and a father( /t Fust didn@t see& possible( hen he found the propert!* si? acres of forested land on top of a as one of his o n design( )he anted so&ething si&ple* so&ething that* ith a great 'ie of the cit!( )he house $ucian built asn@t an e?tra'agant &ansion( $ucian

e'en though large* base&ent

ould feel and appear like a ho&e( "n the &ain floor* it had a nice ith fi'e bedroo&s* each ith its o n bath* a

si+ed front roo&* kitchen* dining roo&* three bedroo&s* and t o baths( .o nstairs* the as like another house* finished large fa&il! roo&* and built-in entertain&ent center( For Julian* it as the single place he called ho&e( )he other places ere Fust stops here he hung out for a night or t o( >hen he sho ed up at $ucian@s* he had a per&anent roo& of his o n( >hile he dro'e* Julian kept his e!es on the approaching sun( 8eating da n to safet! as going to be close( De skidded to a halt in the dri'e and Fu&ped out of the truck( )urning* his e!es burned fro& the i&pact of the brightness as the da! began( .ark shado s turned to light as the ra!s slo l! approached his feet* and still Julian didn@t &o'e( De atched it get closer and closer* thinking ho eas! it ould be to end all his ith it( Dis e!es pain( )o let the sun touch hi&* to turn hi& to ash* he closed* and he aited for the first burn* but it ne'er ca&e( 3ough hands grabbed the back of his ar&s( So&eone sho'ed hi& hard to ard the open door( Julian didn@t fight against the force pushing hi&* though he did glance back as the burning light touched his truck* the sa&e spot here he had been standing( ould be done

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

1=

Sho'ed again* Julian fell to the ground( )he door sla&&ed shut* and standing o'er hi& as -orbin( De glared do n at Julian* his hands on his hips( GYou long-toothed prickBH -orbin !elled( G>hat the hell did !ou think !ou doingJH De kicked Julian in the sto&ach hard( Julian gulped in so&e air( GDello to !ou too* -orbin(H -orbin li'ed upstairs and took care of e'er!thing( De as an orphan hen $ucian found hi&* abandoned in an old apart&ent co&ple? being prepared for de&olition( Dis &other left hi& in their ho&e one da! and ne'er ca&e back( $ucian later learned she didn@t return because one of her Johns on the street had killed her( -orbin the little bo! ne'er as si? hen as $ucian took hi& in and raised hi&* gi'ing hi& the best education( $ucian had &ade sure anted for an!thing again( )he one thing $ucian asked in return for -orbin to keep his secret( -orbin kicked( G.on@t !ou KDello@ &eB You tried to kill !ourself(H Julian laughed* and -orbin re arded hi& ith another hard blo to his ribs( G"uchBH he cried( )hough he possessed &ore strength than -orbin ere beginning to hurt( G/f / ago(H G/ ha'e a good &ind to beat !our ass ith &! fr!ing pan(H -orbin alked around orried he@s hi&* and Julian thought he as done* until he grabbed the back of his coat* !anked hi& to his feet* and pushed hi& do n onto a chair( G.o !ou ha'e an! idea ho front roo& for hours orried sick o'er !ou(H G-orbin(H G8ut do !ou gi'e a da&nJ NooooooLH -orbin alked to ard the kitchen connected to the front roo&* an open area ith a s&all table in the &iddle of the roo&( G%ll !ou@'e e'er cared about has been !ourself( >ell* !ou listen to &e and listen da&n goodBH De beenJH Julian opened his &outh to speak* but -orbin cut hi& off( GDe@s been pacing the aiting for !ou* and )e&pest hasn@t been an! better( She@s been anted to kill &!self* / ould e'er ha'e* the blo s ould ha'e been dead a long ti&e ere

1< stalked back to ard Julian and pointed his finger in his face( G/ childish stunts an!&ore(H

Jaden Sinclair ill not put up ith !our

Julian stood up* Cuickl! putting his hand o'er -orbin@s &outh and s&iled( G/ get it( / get it( /s he still upJH -orbin nodded( G)hen / ill see !ou tonight(H Julian let go of his &outh* but out of &eanness kissed the &an full on the lips( G/ &issed !ou too* Mo&(H GYou rotten* blood-sucking son-of-a-bitch*H -orbin declared ith clenched teeth( -orbin thre hi&( G/ can al a!s tell hen !ou@re ho&e b! ho &uch -orbin !ells(H $ucian stood at the botto& of the stairs* his hands on his hips* s&iling as Julian alked do n( G>ell* !ou kno *H Julian shrugged* taking the last step and standing in front of $ucian* Git keeps hi& on his toes(H $ucian .eluca as a large 'a&pire in his pri&e( De stood si?-feet si?-inches ith Fet-black hair touching his shoulders* and dark e!es e?tra si? inches in height( >ith his grin still in place* $ucian grabbed Julian and hugged hi& tight( G.a&n* it@s good to see !ou again(H Julian returned the e&brace and stepped back to ask* GSo* hat@s ne JH %n e!ebro kidding &e(H G>ell* he@s still slo (H )e&pest .eluca ca&e out of the bedroo& in a long nightgo n* looking 'er! sleep!( She !a ned )e&pest as a s&all o&an hile she headed o'er to the&( G.o !ou ith light bro n hair ould die to hold at kno he has been dri'ing &e cra+! ondering hen !ou ere going to sho upJH ho stood about fi'e-three* reaching her shoulders* kind bro n e!es* and a figure an! &ale ent up* and $ucian cocked his head to one side( GYou@'e got to be ith long lashes( 8eing si&ilar in a pillo across the roo&* hitting Julian in the back of the head( Julian &ore shit at laughed* but dashed for the door to the base&ent before -orbin could thro

appearance* the! had been &istaken for brothers &an! ti&es* e'en though $ucian had an

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not night( She best friend( as a beautiful 'ision* one Julian had to re&ind hi&self

1: as &arried to his

Julian hugged )e&pest and kissed her on the cheek( G>hen are !ou going to du&p this gu! and run a a! ith &eJH G>hen hell free+es o'er*H she told hi&* her tone as hone!-s eet as her s&ile( G"uch(H De fro ned at her* acting hurt( GSo cold(H Julian kissed her cheek again before &o'ing to the large sofa( De sat do n sigh( 3ubbing his e!es* the tired(H G/@& going to check on the bab! again before heading back to bed*H )e&pest said* turning to Julian and ruffling his hair( GGlad !ou@re back(H )he gu!s aited until )e&pest closed the bedroo& door before the! spoke again( GSo gi'e*H $ucian said* sitting do n in the o'erstuffed* leather chair( G>here ha'e !ou been this ti&eJH Julian opened his e!es( De stared at his friend for a fe Fack shit(H GJulian*H $ucian arned* Git has been al&ost a !ear* and !ou look like shit( You need to slo do n(H Julian glanced do n at the floor( Dis shoulders slu&ped( G/ can@t find her( No &atter here or ho hard / search* / Fust can@t find her(H Dis 'oice as Fust abo'e a hisper* but he kne $ucian could hear( De had the sa&e e?traordinar! hearing Julian did( GMa!be !ou are searching too hard*H $ucian said( GYou@re again* she doesn@t ant to be found(H Julian sat back on the sofa( $ucian thought he referred to -arissa( De kne do n* $ucian deep as right about that issue e'en thought it hurt like hell( De sighed deepl!( orn do n( /t@s onl! a &atter of ti&e before !ou drop fro& e?haustion( 8esides* /@'e told !ou this o'er and o'er seconds before he leaned for ard and shrugged out of his coat( G"h* here and there* !ou kno ( Dunting but finding ith a eariness caused fro& the night@s e'ents hit hi&( GMan* /@&

1; G/@& not talking about her* Julian( / need &! blood&ate( )his li'ing is sort of killing &e( /@& tired of being alone(H GDo far ere !ou this ti&eJH

Jaden Sinclair ithout reall! li'ing

G/n -anada hen !our letter reached &e* then / got one fro& %&brose(H G% letter fro& %&broseJH $ucian fro ned( G)he #lder* %&broseJH Julian nodded and dug into his pocket for the letter( De tossed it to $ucian* for hi& to read it( GDa'en@t heard fro& hi& since / told hi& to kiss &! ass* ouldn@t tell &e here the hell she ran off to( / as prett! clear aiting hen he

hen / left about not

contracting &e again(H De &et $ucian@s e!es( G%&brose doesn@t ask for fa'ors* $ucian( Ne'er( )his &ust be 'er! i&portant if he@s reaching out to &e after all this ti&e(H GYou can sa! that again(H $ucian handed the letter back( GSo doJH G/ don@t kno *H Julian rubbed his face again and !a ned big( GMa!be / can use this to de&and the ans ers to &! Cuestions fro& back then( /f he ha'e to &ake it orth &! hile or no can do(H "#here is she-& %ulian demanded, facing Ambrose, pissed at the world. "*t$s better if you don$t know.& Ambrose answered. ".eaving was her choice, %ulian, and she specifically said * was not to tell you where.& "#hy- #hy would she leave like that without telling me-& "* can$t tell you that, anymore than * can tell you where she went.& G/ don@t think black&ailing an #lder is one of !our brightest ideas*H $ucian stated( G>ell* hat the hell should / doJH )hat all too fa&iliar burning anger surfaced hen he thought of her and ho she Fust disappeared out of his life( De stood up* pacing( GShe as &! best friend( She didn@t treat &e different for being born a Noble or e?pect an!thing but friendship( /f !ou ere in &! shoes* hat the hell ould !ou doJ >ould ants help* he@s going to hat are !ou going to

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not !ou do an! different if / Fust up and left here / entJH GJulian* !ou need to let it go alread!( She doesn@t ithout a ord* and !ou kne

19 that he kne

ant !ou to find her*H $ucian also

stood up( GShe left for a reason( You need to stop killing !ourself looking for that reason and accept that she doesn@t ant to be found( You can@t bring the past back(H GYou sound like &! father*H he gru&bled( $ucian s&iled( GSo&eti&es / feel like it(H GYou and her ere all / had* $ucian(H Julian sat back do n* clenching his hands( ill take !our &ind off of things(H $ucian dug a letter ho heard fro& G/t@s dri'ing &e nuts* the not kno ing(H G/ ha'e a strong feeling this %&brose( 3ead that(H .ucian, * know of the birth of your son, so it grieves me to have to ask you to think about +oining my guardians in a battle that we are fast losing. A new breed, which is half(vampire, half(human, has been created by a man who has a bloodmate for a daughter. * fear for her life and have sent for %ulian to come home too. Together you two will be great assets in this war. Ambrose G.a&n(H Julian sighed( G/@& not going back out( / pro&ised )e&p!( She ent ballistic hen she read that*H $ucian said* taking the letter back fro& Julian( G)old &e she as going to take the bab! fro& his back pocket and sho'ed it at Julian( GYou@re not the onl! one

and lea'e if / ent out there to fight( / had to assure her all o'er again that /@& done ith fighting* and / sure as hell ha'e no intention of taking on the Guardians as allies( )he!@re nothing &ore than a bunch of killers(H

27 Julian groaned* G/ kne Da'en@t the! Fust lea'e us aloneJH G-al& do n*H $ucian sighed( G8ullshitBH Julian snapped( G>hen / needed his help* he for ans ers* all / got it( / kne he

Jaden Sinclair as going to tr! to bring us into his shit(

e gi'en enough to hi&* the Nobles* the #ldersAshit* e'er!oneJ >h! don@t

asn@t there( >hen / asked

as &ore Cuestions( / need to find &! o n blood&ate* ha'e &!

o n life* for -hrist@s sake(H Dis anger boiled o'er* and he couldn@t control it( G)hen don@t ans er hi&*H $ucian stated cal&l!( G0retend !ou didn@t get the letter( Go out there* find !our blood&ate and be done includes searching for -arissa(H G/ thoughtAH G/ kno finding her hat !ou thought*H $ucian snapped* his 'oice no longer cal&( GYou thought ould fi? that hole !ou ha'e inside !ou( >ell* it@s not going to( /@'e said it ith hi& and the rest of the&( )hat

before* and /@ll sa! it again( You@'e got to let go of the idea of finding her( )he past is the pastM it@s ti&e to look to the future( Dunt for !our blood&ate and ha'e a life(H GYou@re right*H Julian nodded( G/t@s past ti&e / found &! blood&ate(H G>a! past ti&e*H $ucian rubbed his face( G)he sun@s co&ing up* and /@& beat(H De chuckled tonightJH Julian stood up and nodded( GSounds like a plan to &e(H Julian headed do n the hall a! to his roo&( De s&iled( Do&eAthis he left his father@s( Dis roo& as Fust the a! he left it* bed un&ade* a fe clothes scattered here and as sure -orbin there* shoes ne?t to the bed* and dresser dra ers opened* a &ess that he as d!ing to clean up( as the one place he could al a!s call ho&e* the one place that had al a!s been ho&e for hi& since hen he glanced at Julian( GYou look like !ou@re are about to drop on &! floor e can finish talking about this instead of in bed( >h! don@t !ou get so&e sleep* and

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not )he

21

eariness hit* and Julian tugged his shirt o'er his head( De &anaged to pull his a! his &ind ent back to the past as his e!es drifted

shoes off before he fell back on the bed( Julian couldn@t fight the closed( De sa the faces* could al&ost s&ell the people* and hear their 'oices( 8ut there

as al a!s the one that stood out to hi&( Trees surrounded the party/ guests showed up by the car full. %ulian was there, waiting with .ucian to greet the host of the party. "'o, this must be %ulian.& %ulian looked up at the familiar smiling face and shook his hand. "* have heard so much about you, young man.& e heard a little girl giggling off in the distance. %ulian turned to see the white of a lace dress disappear behind a thick bush. 0ulling his hand away, he went in search of it, feeling he had to. The scene changed, but the giggling didn$t. %ulian stood at the end of a long table, watching. 0resents were piled high, but the guest of honor wasn$t sitting in the seat. "* think the game of hide and seek isn$t over yet,& one man chuckled. %ulian left the party and strolled around. e walked and walked in thick trees until he spotted the hedge ma1e. 2eeping his ears opened, %ulian walked in. Turn after turn and still he didn$t find what he was searching for. %ulian stopped. At the end, huddled on the ground crying was a little girl dressed in white lace. er thick, black hair was up in pigtails. "Are you all right-& he heard himself ask. "* want my mommy3& she cried. %ulian went closer. e knelt down, touching her shoulder. ",on$t cry.& e smiled. "4ome on now, you$re here for a party.& e was young, and he didn$t know most of the people, but his father thought the invitation a great opportunity and honor.

22 e stood and held his hand down to her. reaching down deep inside of him. "Thank you,& she whispered. -orbin burst in( G"ka!* / ha'e had enough of this roo&(H

Jaden Sinclair er tiny hand reached out, closing around

his. #hen she raised her head, she smiled. 5right, tear(filled eyes stared up at him,

Startled out of sleep* Julian sat straight up in bed( De peered around* da+ed and not sure here he as( -orbin alked around the roo&* picking up dirt! clothes and &u&bling about ho tiredness off his bod!( G$ucian has let !ou keep this shithole the a! !ou ha'e anted for far too long( No * / a& going to clean it*H -orbin ent on* shaking his head( G>hat ti&e is itJH Julian groaned* dropping back do n on the bed* co'ering his e!es ith his ar&s( G%l&ost si? at night(H -orbin nudged his legs* pulling the shirt Julian had taken off earlier fro& under his bod!( GDo probabl! could alk b! itself(H G-orbin* go a a!*H Julian gru&bled* Gbefore &! foot lands so far up !our ass !ou taste leather for eeks(H G>ell* look ho is a gru&p! bastard tonight*H -orbin &ocked( GYour roo& s&ells(H G-orbin(H Julian gro led* the arning onl! in his 'oice( G.on@t K-orbin@ &e(H -orbin tossed a shirt at Julian* and it landed on his face( G$ucian is aiting for !ou to get up* so get up( %nd sho er(H -orbin turned his back* alking to the door( GYou look like shit* and !ou s&ell(H )he door closed ith a sla&( long has this nast! thing been hereJ .a&n thing dirt! Julian kept things* but Julian didn@t pa! attention* at least he anted to re&e&ber the drea& he@d Fust had and shrug the

tried like hell not to( De

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

23

Julian groaned* rolling o'er in the bed and pushing hi&self up to sit on the edge( De rubbed his face* little prick(H orking at aking up and facing another night( G/@& going to kill that

22

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter T"%
G/ need to sho !ou so&ething*H $ucian said the &o&ent Julian alked into the

kitchen and sat do n at the table( GGood &orning* $ucian( Yes* / slept Fust fine* thanks for asking*H Julian gru&bled( $ucian chuckled* stood up* and alked to the coffee pot( G-orbin said !ou all the tra'eling has ere a crab-ass tonight(H De handed Julian a cup and then filled his o n( G)oo earl! for !ouJH Julian took a sip( GGuess / didn@t reali+e ho thatJH G.on@t tell &e !ou@'e ne'er read our histor! beforeJH $ucian chuckled and &ade a tsking sound( GSha&e on !ou(H GDistor! as ne'er &! fa'orite subFect to stud! in school*H Julian said* rubbing his face and e!es( G%nd that doesn@t look like one of our histor! books(H G/t@s a cop! of the 8ook of the %ncients(H $ucian flipped through so&e pages( De stopped at a large dra ing of placeJH De pointed( G>h! ould /JH Julian stared at the dra ing( Me&ories flashed into his &ind( ith a large altar in the &iddle and thick hedges( %gain he Stones for&ed a perfect circle hat rese&bled a stone bridge( G.o !ou re&e&ber that orn &e do n(H De nodded to ard the old o'ersi+ed book $ucian had spread open on the table( G>hat@s

heard the giggling of a little girl in his &ind( G>e@'e been there*H $ucian ent on* G&an! ti&es(H #hite lace flew around a large stone wall. %ulian followed but stopped to glance up. The stone wasn$t a wall, but appeared to be a tomb of some kind, the kind of place one would place ash remains of a body.

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

2=

GJulianBH $ucian snapped his fingers in front of his face( GYou ith &eJH G>hat is this placeJH he hispered( G)he burial ground of the #lders* a secret place h!(H $ucian here the #lders celebrated life and death in the old da!s( )he! stopped ha'ing the parties !ears ago* but / can@t re&e&ber aited until Julian looked up at hi&( G>e used to go there for birthda! parties all the ti&e hen e ere !ounger( .on@t !ou re&e&berJH Julian shook his head* e'en though he did( ,nable to take his e!es fro& the photo* in his &ind he could hear a little girl* see her runningA-arissa( "4ome play with me, %ulian,& her young voice sang out. De flipped through the pages* forcing hi&self to see other things and stopped at an old dra ing of a !oung &an ith the &ark of a blood&ate in the center of his chest( For a &ale to ha'e the fang-&ark an! here on his bod! definitel! grabbed his full attention( G>hat@s thisJH Julian asked* touching the page( G)he 0rophet(H $ucian ans ered ithout e&otion* causing Julian to glance at hi&( GYou@'e seen this(H /t atching his friend closel!( $ucian pulled the book a a! fro& Julian* flipped &ore pages until he found the one he as searching for( G3ead that(H A male child shall be born with the mark of the sixteen, the mark of the first. e shall be stronger than the rest, smarter than them all. G>hat the hell is thisJH Julian fro ned( as &ore a state&ent than a Cuestion* one that had Julian as unheard of( )he dra ing

2< GNeep reading(H

Jaden Sinclair

A guardian will be chosen for protection. 6ne who will stand by the 0rophet$s side, to give his life so others may live7a guardian for our night to protect against the light. G)he &ark of the si?teen is this(H $ucian flipped back to the dra ing of the &an ith the fang blood&ate &ark on his chest( G)his is hat it@s talking about(H $ucian pointed at the chest( G)his is the &ark of the 0rophet(H G)hat@s the &ark of a blood&ate* a o&an* not a prophet*H Julian said( GMales don@t ha'e the&(H GJulianLH >orr! sho n fro& $ucian@s e!es as the! &et Julian@s* and he s allo ed hard( GM! son has this &ark(H Julian let the kno ledge sink in* and hispered in shock( $ucian nodded( G-o&e ith &e(H )ogether the! alked do nstairs( )e&pest ca&e out of the bab!@s roo&* carr!ing a sCuir&ing bab! in her ar&s( She stopped hen she sa $ucian and Julian( GYou@re going to sho hi&JH she asked $ucian( $ucian nodded and took the bab!( Julian s&iled hen he sa the child for the first ti&e( De as i&pressed at ho big he as for being Fust &onths old( )he bo! rese&bled his father* and so&ething told Julian he as going to be Fust as &uch of a handful( G>hat@d !ou na&e hi&JH Julian asked( $ucian struggled to turn the bab! so he rested in his ar&s chest( G$ucan Julian(H $ucian s&iled( ith his back to $ucian@s hen it did his gut dropped( GYour sonJH he

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Da'ing a child na&ed after hi& ga'e Julian a

2: ar& sensation in his gut* and he hen the bo!

s&iled at the bo!( GGood na&e(H De touched $ucan@s hand* s&iling bigger grabbed his finger and sCuee+ed tight( G%nd he@s strong(H $ucian pulled the to el do n and right before Julian@s e!es fe&ale(

as a birth&ark of a

large* dark fang in the center of $ucan@s chest* so&ething that should onl! appear on a GSon-of-a-bitch*H Julian gro led* touching the &ark( G.o the #lders kno JH $ucian shook his head( G/ don@t think so(H $ucian handed the bab! back to )e&pest* ho turned and ent into the bathroo&( G-o&e on( Got so&ething else to sho !ou(H )he! laughed( GDe!* look at this(H $ucian flipped through the book( GGuardians of the "ld "rder* 0rotector of the #lders(H $ucian sho'ed the book back to Julian( G)he! kick ass and take no na&es( Nill ithout blinking or thinking about it(H Julian sat back in his chair and kept his e!es on the picture( Dis &ind the chase across the rooftops* to the enough to kill( Dis head told hi& he o&an he caught atching hi& ent back to ho see&ed deadl! ere so&e bad &others in their ti&e* and the guardians of our generation train to be Fust as bad( )he! ent back upstairs into the kitchen( -orbin fi?ed breakfast and ignored Julian( Julian chuckled at the cold shoulder he got fro& the &an( G"h* he@s harsh(H Julian

as being follo ed b! a guardian( G/ think / had an

encounter ith one of the& the last night( % o&an(H $ucian shook his head( G)hat isn@t possible( Guardians are 'a&pires* and there are no fe&ale 'a&pires* onl! &ales( You kno ould end up being trained* and fro& that( -enturies ago the outcasts and unfit hat /@'e disco'ered the!@'e been third*

so&eti&es second-born sons* cast out and discarded* that beco&e guardians( )he Nobles think of the& as disgraceful beings( ,n orth!(H

2; Julian snorted( )he da&n Nobles( )he! an! 'a&pires should ha'e( )he! born one( G/ kno hat / sa * $ucian( %

Jaden Sinclair ere snobs and also had &ore po er than as

ere the kings and Cueens of their race* and Julian

o&an dressed like this*H he pointed at the book(

GNicked &! ass* and let &e tell !ou* she kicks da&n hard(H De rubbed his gut* re&e&bering the blo she landed there( $ucian stared Julian in the e!e and sat back in his o n chair( G)hat@s so strange( /@'e ne'er heard or found an!thing about a fe&ale 'a&p* guardian or other ise( /f it ere true* her strength is e?plained b! the crosso'er(H De turned the book* leafed to another page and pointed( G)he! drink the ancients@ blood( /t gi'es the& great strength* speed* kno ledge* &aking the& super 'a&pires* but it can also kill the&( Fro& hat /@'e found* the! ha'e to be a certain age* like bet een ten and t ent!* to do the crosso'er* h! in the old da!s the outcasts tried usuall! died( G)he things / have found about the Guardians are a&a+ing* though( / &ean* these gu!s fro& the old da!s ere ruthless bastards( Not sure hat the!@re like no * but it see&s the! kept the balance e'en though so&e of the Nobles still think it@s better to sa! !our child is dead than a guardian( )he! think it@s 'er! sha&eful* but the #lders hold great respect for the&* letting those snobs kno freedo&(H Julian chuckled( G8et the! don@t like that re&inder(H Especially my father. GNope*H $ucian said( G3u&or also has it that the #lders are putting out a call for recruits because the breeds %&brose spoke of in his letter are gro ing in nu&bersAfar &ore than hat the Guardians can handle( %nd he did tr! to recruit us(H G>h! don@t !ou t o put that up so table* gi'ing Julian a sour e?pression( e can eatJH -orbin said* placing plates on the it@s the Guardians ho keep their ere rescued hich is ho hile still !oung( )he! became the

Guardians( )he! had to be !oung for the training and the crosso'er( %n!one older

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Julian closed the book( GYou are a &an of &an! talents*H Julian teased s&ile( -orbin turned and pointed at hi&( G/ still o e !ou(H

29 ith a bright

Julian laughed* and $ucian left to put the book up( >hen he ca&e back* -orbin hi& on his knee* &aking $ucan laugh(

as

putting the food on the table* and )e&pest Foined the&( Julian took the bab!* bouncing )he! ate a large &eal of eggs* bacon* sausage* toast* biscuits and gra'!* cinna&on rolls* coffee* Fuice* and &ilk( Julian enFo!ed the rela?ed at&osphere* enFo!ed ho children* but the ones ith hi& at the &o&ent ere his fa&il!( %fter breakfast $ucian e?planation to kno $ucian ent ith )e&pest do nstairs( Julian didn@t need an ith her( -hildren al a!s took so &uch ith -orbin( De anted to anted to be alone at ho&e he felt each ti&e he ca&e back( De &a! not ha'e a blood&ate of his o n or

ti&e a a! fro& couples* and Julian 'alued the ti&e alone learn hat the &an kne (

-orbin as the heart of the house( De kne e'er!thing that ent on ith this fa&il!* e'en the things the! didn@t ant hi& to kno ( Julian taught hi& to cook* $ucian sent hi& to college* and -orbin beca&e a per&anent &e&ber of their s&all little fa&il!( #'en though Julian ga'e hi& a lot of shit* he lo'ed the gu! as if he ere his o n son( >hile -orbin cleaned up breakfast* Julian sat at the table* dru&&ing his fingers on the ood* aiting* but not long( GDo the dishes( G,ntil !ou spill hat !ou kno (H Julian s&iled hen -orbin turned and glared at hi&( G/ kno !ou* -orbin( You kno so&ething*H he pointed out( -orbin crossed his ar&s o'er his chest and leaned back on the counter* cal& and ith no e&otion sho ing in his e!es( GMa!be / do* and &a!be / don@t(H long are !ou going to do thatJH -orbin asked ith his back to hi&* finishing

37 -orbin $orr! stood close to fi'e-ele'en( Dis dark bro n hair

Jaden Sinclair as cut short and ere sharp

al a!s co&bed neatl!( De didn@t dress like a ser'ant but like a &e&ber of the fa&il!* al a!s in crisp* iron-pressed shirts* and clean Feans or slacks( Dis green e!es as a snake@s* searching for its pre!* &issing nothing( De and Julian lo'ed hi& to death( GFine* / kno so&ething(H -orbin shrugged under Julian@s stare( G8ut telling !ou that so&ething is not on &! list of things to do toda!(H De turned back around to the sto'e( G/ ha'e to get a ste on for lunch(H G-o&e on* -orbin(H Julian sighed( GYou eren@t born into our orld and &ade to belie'e in our legends( / kno !ou@'e read the book( .o !ou belie'e this prophet shitJH -orbin took a deep breath and let it out in a long slo sigh( Dis shoulders slu&ped a little* but not &uch* Fust enough for Julian to kno G$ucian is afraid to let an!one kno about the &ark(H G-an@t sa! / bla&e hi&(H Julian sighed( GNo(H %gain -orbin sighed* a deep* hea'! sound( GYou can@t(H -orbin 'egetables before he stopped and turned back to Julian( GSo&eone@s been house* and / &ean sta!ing to atch(H ,neasiness crept into Julian at the i&plication of hat -orbin told hi&( /f so&eone atched the house* and if the birth&ark on $ucan@s chest &eant so&ething i&portant* there as a da&n good chance the #lders kne ( )hat asn@t all that orried Julian( >hat also had hi& on edge as ho else &ight kno and ho atched the house( Julian being follo ed as bad enough* but for -orbin to sa! so&eone atched the house &eant so&ething as left out of the letters %&brose sent( GDo longJH Julian asked* keeping his 'oice le'el( ashed so&e atching the the &an had a lot on his &ind( G/ hile he fi?ed his ste ( don@t kno *H -orbin ans ered* keeping his back to Julian as the e!es and ears of the

house( >ithout hi&* the! ould all be lost( -orbin as also one hundred percent hu&an*

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

31

-orbin licked his lips* clearl! ner'ous( GFor about t o eeks( -ould be longer* but / sa hoe'er it as about t o eeks ago(H Julian rubbed his face* crossed his ar&s o'er his chest* and sighed( G/ bet it@s been longer( >hat do !ou kno about the guardiansJH De shrugged and ent back to his large pot* filling it up ith ater( G-orbinJH G/n the old da!s there ere t o for each #lder(H -orbin said( G)he! are s orn to die in order for the #lder to li'e* or hoe'er the!@re gi'en the dut! of protecting(H De took a deep breath( G/t@s a hard life* Julian( Most of !our outcasts beco&e guardians because there@s little else for the& to do or beco&e(H De turned his head* gi'ing Julian a so&ber e?pression( G)he!@re killers* Julian( 0lain and si&ple( For &ost* being a guardian is their last chance for an! kind of life( /t@s either that or d!ing alone( )he! protect the #lders* the race( /f !ou go up against the&* it@s the last thing !ou ill e'er do(H Julian had nothing to sa!( De stood and curtains to peer out at the night( /t GYou see hi&JH $ucian ca&e up so silentl!* Julian Fu&ped( De shook his head( GNo* but he@s out there(H G8een out there for a reali+ed( Julian &ind aited a fe &inutes before he turned to gi'e $ucian his full attention( Dis hat he sa in the cit!* but Cuickl! turned to )e&pest ould hate to see his best friend lose the ent o'er the &e&or! of hile no *H $ucian said* sho ing he kne &ore than -orbin ent into the front roo&* parting the hea'! ithout a doubt as cal& out there* but Julian kne

the! eren@t alone( De sensed e!es on hi&* atching the house and all ho li'ed inside(

and $ucian( )he!

ere da&n luck! )e&pest hadn@t died during childbirth( Man! hen !ou chose it for !ourself* it sucked e'en

blood&ates bleed to death fro& deli'er!( De one he lo'ed( 8eing alone sucked* and

&ore( Julian had been alone for so long he had forgotten ho to li'e ith others(

32 GDo as the birthJH

Jaden Sinclair

GShe ga'e &e a scare(H $ucian sighed* alking into the kitchen Cuietl!( GDad to gi'e her so&e of &! blood to stop her bleeding( Ne'er seen -orbin so pale in &! life(H De took a deep breath and added* G)his Fust ca&e under the door(H $ucian held a letter ritten on old parch&ent paper( 8oth Julian and $ucian@s na&es addressed it( $ucian ripped into it* and ith Julian peering o'er his shoulder* the! read it together( .ucian, %ulian, %ulian, you are one of the best trackers around, and * ask that you go out as soon as possible. 8en1o 9errari is the name of the man * need found, immediately. The !uardians have had no luck locating him. found. .ucian, * know about your son. 2eep him safe until * can arrange for his protection. Ambrose. G0rotectionJH $ucian fro ned* turning the letter o'er before letting Julian ha'e it( G>hat or ho the hell does he need protection fro&JH GDo the hell does he kno the letter again( G/ kno the na&e(H $ucian snatched the letter back( G3en+o Ferrari as a nut( Deard a ru&or that after his ife died* he clai&ed he as going to cure his daughter fro& the bleeding sickness(H De glanced at Julian( GDe@s anti-'a&pire(H G8lood&ate daughter and hates 'a&piresOnice cocktail(H Julian nodded( GDe@s also a ps!chotic bastard*H -orbin added( )he! all and aited hile -orbin dropped &ore &eat in the pot( ent back into the kitchen hat@s going on all the ti&eJH Julian de&anded* reading is daughter is a bloodmate, one in need of medical attention until her mate is

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not GYou ant to gi'eJH Julian chuckled(

33

-orbin finished filling up the huge pot before turning to $ucian and Julian ho sat at the table aiting( GDe thinks he@s a scientist* but he@s reall! a torturer(H GDo the hell do !ou find these things outJH Julian shook his head in onder( G3esearch(H -orbin s&iled o'er his shoulder( G8een telling !ou o'er and o'er it@s all about kno ing !our histor!( %nd e?istent(H GNobod! is stopping !ou fro& tr!ing to find !our fa&il!*H Julian sighed( G>e both ha'e told !ou &an! ti&es that e@d help !ou search for the&(H G%n! a!*H -orbin ent on* turning back to his cooking and acting as if Julian hadn@t offered to help hi& again( G3u&or has it that the gu! has taken 'a&pires in the past for his e?peri&ents* and the 'a&pires ne'er ca&e back out(H G)hat still doesn@t ans er the Cuestion of h! %&brose ants Julian to go hunt this gu! do n*H $ucian re&arked* Gor ho he kno s an!thing about &! son(H GDe@s an #lder*H -orbin ans ered( G/t@s his bi+ to kno e'er!thing* re&e&berJH )he! ate lunch and after ard he anted the others to kno ( %fter &idnight* Julian found hi&self in $ucan@s roo&* the ans er to all their proble&s( /t to 'a&pires* lo Guardians( as unbelie'able* and it atching the bab! sleep* asn@t fair( )he proble&s a&a+ed at ho the fate of the hole 'a&pire race &ight rest on a child* one ho could be ere &an!* shortage of blood&ates because so&e hu&an parents refused to gi'e the& up birth rates due to 'a&pires not anting to chance their blood&ates@ li'es* and that didn@t e'en touch the shit this nut* 3en+o* &ight be starting or the atched $ucan tr! to alk( Julian kne it as supposed to be a rela?ing ti&e* but he couldn@t rela?( )he letter bothered hi& &ore than h! is it* b! the a!* that / kno &ore about !our da&n histor! than &! o n fa&il!( /t@s al&ost as if &! hole hu&an e?istence is non-

32 G/t

Jaden Sinclair ill happen(H )e&pest ca&e up ne?t to hi& and put her hand on his shoulder* a

kind s&ile on her face as she guessed h! he as so sad( GShe@s out thereM / kno it(H G/ kno *H Julian agreed softl!* nodding but unable to &eet her e!es( G/ Fust need to hold on to the hope that one da! /@ll find her(H Minutes see&ed to tick b! before she spoke again( GDo going to be gone this ti&eJH Julian grinned( GDo do !ou kno /@& lea'ing againJH GYou look like !ou@re sa!ing goodb!e(H Julian still grinned hen he turned to her( G%re !ou going to &iss &e this ti&eJH De pulled her into his ar&s* holding her tight and putting on his best char&( G>ant to run a a! ith &eJH GDell no(H She laughed* pulling out of his ar&s( G8ut $ucian orries about !ou* Julian(H Julian took a deep breath and s&iled( G/@ll be fine( 8esides*H he leaned on the crib* facing her* G&e going back out there &eans $ucian sta!s nodded to ard the child( G/s it badJH De heard her orr! in the Cuestion* erasing his s&ile( GYes(H De glanced at $ucan again* thinking about ho &uch to tell her( )his as $ucian@s discussion to ha'e( GSo* hat isn@t he telling &eJH she asked* dra ing his attention back to her( G)e&pestLH Julian began( G.on@t )e&pest &e*H she snapped* keeping her 'oice do n so she that birth&ark reall! &eanJH Julian caressed $ucan@s head( G/t@s not &! place*H he hispered( GJulianAH )e&pest tried again* but Julian cut her off( ouldn@t ake the bab!( G/ ha'e a right to kno * and &! gut is telling &e &! son is in'ol'ed( >hat does ith !ou and hi&(H Julian ill &iss !ou( De long do !ou think !ou are

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G/@'e got to go(H Julian hugged her Cuickl! and left her to the stairs and took the& t o at a ti&e to the top(

3= here she stood* rushing out

of the roo& before she could sa! an!thing &ore( De grabbed the bag aiting for hi& ne?t ,pstairs* $ucian stood in the kitchen( Julian shook his hand* but $ucian pulled hi& into a tight hug( G.on@t sta! gone so long this ti&e(H Julian nodded and held onto $ucian a fe &o&ents longer( )his ti&e he asn@t going out for hi&self( De did it so $ucian could sta! ho&e and be a father( G)ell )e&pest the full stor!(H De pulled out of his friend@s ar&s* looking straight into his e!es( GShe has a right to kno -orbin hat &ight happen to her son and hat@s in store for hi& if he@s our 0rophet(H $ucian nodded in agree&ent* and Julian left hi& there( aited for hi& b! the door ith a large bro n bag in hand( De sho'ed it at Julian ith a grin( G% fe sand iches(H Julian took the bag and teased( G%nd here / thought !ou didn@t care(H De sobered up Cuickl!( G)ake care of hi&(H -orbin e?tended his hand* and Julian shook it( G>ill do( 8e safe(H De alked do n the long dri'e* stopped at the end and turned around* looking back o&an clad fro& head to toe in a long* black trench hen the ind picked up the coat and ind hit( Shin! e!es hen a hard gust of at the house( % lone figure stood on the roof* the sa&e person he chased the night before* ho kicked the shit out of hi&( % coat( De could see the leather co'ering her legs hipped it around( She didn@t &o'e* not e'en stared out at hi&* piercing the night( GYou take care of &! fa&il!*H Julian said* pointing up at her( She nodded at hi&( Julian couldn@t e?plain h! he felt assured* lea'ing her there* but he kne for certain a fe&ale guardian protected the&(

3<

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter T!ree
.a!s turned into eeks and eeks into &onths here he did nothing but chase lead

after lead* all ending in dead ends but one e?ception* a safe house( )he onl! thing Julian disco'ered ne in that a&ount of ti&e daughter( Julian had no clue all the places Julian arri'ed at too late( elp my sister. )hat as the last note* and Julian found it a eek ago( De searched for another note as 3en+o Ferrari had a son* .en'er* as ell as a ith the notes he left in hat .en'er &eant to acco&plish

or at least a clue as to here the! had gone* but so far* he hadn@t found either( Gone for nine lonel! &onths* he as still not an inch closer to finding the current location of 3en+o Ferrari or the location ru&ored to be the birthplace of the breeds( /n his hotel roo&* Julian la! on the bed and stared up at the spots on the ceiling( De tried to fall asleep* but had no luck( De@d been in the to n for three da!s and to &o'e on( )he onl! thing he learned to here he had gone( )he to n folk ere too scared to go near the old arehouse* telling an!one ho ould listen that it as haunted( Screa&s had been heard throughout the da! and night at 'arious ti&es* inhu&an screa&s* &aking hi& belie'e 3en+o 'a&pires for his sick pleasure hile &o'ing fro& site to site( %t one-thirt! in the &orning* he as out of his roo& and dri'ing to the edge of to n( )hough the infor&ation he gathered indicated no one ca&e out there after dark* the as up to no good* killing as read! as that 3en+o had been there* and he gained

directions as to here( "nce the sun set* he ould go out there to search for so&e clue as

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not &o&ent he pulled into the dri'e* Julian sensed he ne'er been alked the rest of the

3: asn@t alone( So far* his senses had arning( De

rong( 0arking his truck a a! fro& the building and out of sight* Julian a!( )he hair on the back of his neck stood up in

sCuatted do n and aited to see if there as so&e sign of life( )he ait asn@t long( Fro& around the far corner of the building* a single person* clad in a long trench coat ith a hood o'er her head* lea'ing the person alked to the front door( Julian held his breath* his e!es not alked around* but the sight of another person didn@t atching hi& lea'e* and that left ho so boldl!

ha'e his heart pounding or his senses sharpeningAthis person* this o&an* as the sa&e one he chased* the person hi& startled( De thought she ho stood on $ucian@s roof as back ho&e keeping an e!e on his fa&il!( >hat the hell

as she doing out hereJ %nd h! the fuck as she follo ing hi&J Julian couldn@t see her face for the hood and the dark glasses co'ering her e!es that rapped around to the side* re&inding hi& of Spider&an( >hat he thanks to the soft bree+e* Der features ere still a &!ster!( She spun around and back kicked the door open and then disappeared inside( Julian ca&e out of his hiding place to dash up to the building* searching for a and sCuatted to peer inside( )he place reeked of 'a&pire blood and death* forcing Julian to co'er his nose to block out as &uch of the s&ell as he could( )he hole arehouse as trashed* indicating a Cuick abandon&ent* e?plaining left too Cuickl! to hide hat he did( Julian didn@t kno see the kicked-in door( ho long he aited* but his legs ere nu&b* and still he didn@t o&an( Gi'ing up and going on a hi&* he stood and headed around to the h! Julian as disco'ering for the first ti&e the horror ho close he as getting and 3en+o put his kind through to kill the&( 3en+o &ust kno indo clean enough to see inside( 8! luck alone* he found one indo &issing a large piece of glass* as able to see* as an outline of a leather-co'ered bod! and long black hair(

3;

Jaden Sinclair "nce inside* the first thing to catch his attention as an elaborate ho&e&ade hatch in

the roof and a pulle! s!ste& abo'e a s&all* enclosed cage in the center of the roo&( )he cot in the cage took up o'er ninet! percent of the space* gi'ing hoe'er &ight be in there a 'er! s&all a&ount of roo& to &o'e( Julian asn@t frightened b! &uch* but the ash on the rust! &etal cot scared hi& shitless( )he place&ent of the ashes told Julian a 'a&pire had been resting on the cot hen the trapdoor in the roof abo'e had opened and the sun ca&e through* sho ing the a! 3en+o killed off their kind( Julian alked around the cage* fro ning( Do &an! had died fro& this kind of a bed thingJ De backed up to get a better 'ie and bu&ped into a chair* turned* and sa it

that appeared too plush to fit in a du&p like this( 8lood spots ere on the floor ne?t to the bed( Fro& the lack of a tainted s&ell* he kne single ord ca&e to his &indAblood&ate( Julian found a note sticking out fro& the thick blankets on the bed( 'he will die without help. )he ords chilled his bones* another desperate call for help fro& the brother( Still kneeling* he reread the letter hen he heard the scraping of leather on the floor( Julian s ung around* Fu&ped to his feet* and pulled out a gun as he &o'ed( De took ai&* pointing the red bea& of the laser sight right in the &iddle of the head of the leather-clad o&an( #'en ith her e!es co'ered ith sunglasses* Julian could feel her cool stare* and it ith her* he also had a sense of chilled hi& to the bone( Staring at her* hile not in battle as not 'a&pire blood* but it did carr! the scent of its o ner* one of Fas&ine( Nneeling do n on the floor* touching the spill* a

so&ething fa&iliar* though it as so&ething he couldn@t put his finger on(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

39

She stood on top of a desk on the second floor balcon! looking do n at hi& o'er the broken railing( $ike the first floor* the second co'ered as trashed* filing cabinets turned o'er* ere to her sides and papers scattered e'er! here* and broken furniture( Der hands

ith leather glo'es( #'en though she appeared to be cal& and rela?ed* Julian@s

gut screa&ed at hi& to be cautious( #?perience told hi& people ho appeared to be cal& in a tense situation usuall! eren@t( G%re !ou going to shoot &e* JulianJH she asked* her 'oice cold* e&otionless* and detached( Julian fro ned( GDo O ho are !ouJH >hen her right ar& rose* Julian@s gut knotted( GDo fast can !ou runJH She cocked her head to one side and flicked the s itch on the detonator in her hand( G"h* shitBH Julian took off at a run back to ard the front door( #'en ith his superior speed* he barel! &ade it out before the building e?ploded( hi& to the ground hard* knocking the ind out of hi&( De aited for the debris to stop falling* and tested to see if hole )he po er of the blast ble he had an! broken bones( Julian took it slo as he &ade it back to his feet and glanced around( )he o&an ho kne place burned* and onl! a fe sections of the alls still stood( )hat asn@t hat caught his e!e( "n the other side of the de&olished building stood the his na&e* fla&es and s&oke s irling around her* and her face turned to hi&( )he a! she stood* atching hi&* not &o'ing* not sho ing a single sign she had Fust blo n up a building hi& and as eerie( )he cal& creeped hi& out* &aking hi& think so&ething o&an to &ake her see& so dead( She turned her back on ail of &ust ha'e happened to this

groaned* rolled o'er to his back*

alked a a!( Julian started after her* to de&and ans ers* but the lonel!

sirens in the distance pre'ented hi&( De turned in the direction of the sound* glanced back* and fro ned( She as no here in sight(

27

Jaden Sinclair

PPPP Julian paced in his hotel roo&( Dis &ind ho ble orked o'erti&eAthoughts of the o&an

up the building* $ucian and $ucan* and e'en the hat she as( Do the hell did she kno

ar %&brose &entioned had a

chased through his head( #'er!thing changed once he sa his &ind as to o&an beco&e a 'a&pire and a guardianJ

a guardianO ith no doubt in his na&eJ %nd ho

#'en though he had a lot on his &ind* he couldn@t stop thinking about $ucan* not after hat he sa tonight( De as sure $ucian didn@t understand* or didn@t belie'e* ho i&portant his son as( Shit* Julian hadn@t co&pletel! understood until tonight( /f a

Guardian follo ed hi& hile he hunted for 3en+o* so&ething i&portant as happening( De rubbed his face* tr!ing to block out the unease and the fatigue( $ucan as born a 'a&pire* as all &alesO ith rare e?ceptionsO ere of a 'a&pireat a nor&al rate* the ould* fast in his first ould gro as $ucan blood&ate union( >hereas blood&ates of a hu&an union gre fe&alesOalso blood&atesOof 'a&pire union couple of !ears* and then e'er!thing ph!sical to catch up ith all the &ales* &uch blood until he there

ould co&e to a stand still for their &inds to feed* though he ouldn@t need

ith their bodies( )he accelerated gro th could be difficult* and $ucan* as ould ha'e to be taught earl! ho as closer to his teens( "nce the! reached their teens* the! gre hen the ti&e ca&e for hi& to go ho&e* ould appear ten !ears old or older( )hen again* if

&ore nor&all!( 8ecause of that* Julian kne as a da&n good chance $ucan

he as the 0rophet* ho kne if his gro th ould be nor&al for a 'a&pire( >hen the phone in his roo& rang* the loud sound ga'e hi& a start( %fter all the crap tonight* he asn@t at all surprised that he as a bundle of ner'es( Desitant about picking as snooping around the haunted it up* he hoped like hell it arehouse that ble because she spoke( asn@t the police since he

up( Julian picked up the recei'er but said nothing( De didn@t ha'e to

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not GDello* Julian(H De closed his e!es at the e&otionless tone of a heard her soft laugh* it pissed hi& off( G/@'e been

21

o&an( G>ho are !ouJH >hen he

atching !ou*H she said instead of ans ering* sighing into the phone like hat !ou@re hunting* but do !ouJH about hi&*H she hispered( G"pen !our ider( / can@t keep sa'ing

she as tired( G/ kno

G3en+o Ferrari*H he snapped back( GDe kno s about !ou* Fust as !ou kno !our ass(H )he phone line ent dead( Julian rushed to the door( De e?pected so&eone to be standing there and braced for battle( /nstead* an en'elope as taped to the door( 0eering around* he snatched it off and ent back inside( >ith the door closed and locked* Julian sat do n on the bed( Fro ning* he flipped the en'elope o'er* ripped it open* and read the short letter inside( %ulian, #atch your back. )ou are being hunted. 8en1o knows that you are searching for him, and he is now looking for you. 5e careful. Ambrose. Do De the fuck did he kno these thingsJ Julian shook his head and rubbed his e!es( as starting to feel he as in a! o'er his head( door( You ha'e a &essage* Julian( Ne?t ti&e* open !our e!es

as tired* but &ore i&portantl!* he

De as supposed to be the hunter* not the hunted( Julian undressed* &ade sure the G.o Not .isturbH sign as on the door and adFusted the drapes to ensure no sunlight ould hit hi& hile he slept( De cra led into the bed* so

22

Jaden Sinclair

tired he couldn@t fall asleep( )he letter bothered hi&* the phone call bothered hi&* hell* the hole da&n trip bothered hi&( 8ringing his hand to his face again to rub his tired e!es* he stopped touched the s&all spot but didn@t think it as hen he sa as a speck of dried blood on his &iddle finger( )he blood he touched in the buildingJ De et enough to pick upAhe rong( Finger to his lips* he sucked the blood( >ithin seconds* his e!es closed* and his bod! drifted off into a sleep that brought a &e&or!* the t!pe of &e&or! that onl! occurred hen one tastes or drinks of their blood&ate( e experienced her pain like it was his own. The cuts on her wrists were deep. er

blood dripped to the floor, hot and thick, with internal pressure so intense it made %ulian want to scream. e saw her pale hands shaking as blood poured from her wrists, felt her small sense of relief, yet feared the outcome. "'erina3& a man$s voice echoed in %ulian:s head. ".et me die,& she whispered, her voice stirring his blood. ",rink this.& ;ore pain radiated from her into him. his forehead while he suffered with her. "#e need to close these.& ",enver, please. #ait a little longer.& " old on, 'erina. 'omeone will find the notes and assist us.& Julian gripped the sheets on the bed tightl! in his fists( Dearing her pleas tore at hi&( De anted to hold her* to take her pain a a!* and to co&fort her( She as so eak he could tell she needed &uch &ore than the bleedings she as getting( >aking Cuickl! ith pain in the pit of his sto&ach* he suffered the urge to thro up* and s eat co'ered his bod!( Julian found it hard to get his heart rate and his breathing is breathing hitched, and sweat formed on

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

23

under control( Fangs e?tended* the urge to feed as strong as it &i?ed ith the ach! need to fuck( G>hat the hell as thatJH he asked hi&self* rubbing his face ith his hands( Julian dropped back do n on the pillo ( )he clock read three in the afternoon( Dis bod! as still drained of energ! despite the sleep he@d had( De couldn@t shake loose the hose na&e as Serina and get her out of the hell in hich she feeling of pain and desperation and his o'er hel&ing surge of protecti'eness( Julian needed to find the girl li'ed( PPPP She sat on the ground* legs dra n up to her chest* coat fanned out around her she aited out the da! in an old building she found in the oods( )he ruin to offer her in the hile

asn@t &uch

a! of protection fro& the sun* !et she did find one spot in a shaded

corner out of the bright ra!s( Gun in hand* she tapped the butt on her forehead* calling herself du&b o'er and o'er again( She should ne'er ha'e let hi& see her* shouldn@t ha'e talked to hi&* and she sure as hell shouldn@t ha'e called hi&( )hree rules brokenAnot fucking good( )he phone bu++ed in her pocket( She brought her head up* retrie'ed it fro& her pocket* and flipped it open( She read the te?t &essage( G-all in(H She didn@tM she closed the phone and put it back( 3eleasing a sigh* she rested her head back against the pulled off one glo'e* and reached out to touch a sunbea&( Der skin burnt and bubbled* but she didn@t pull a a! despite the pain( She needed pain* the onl! a! to re&ind herself she as indeed ali'e and not an e&pt! shell( )he da&n phone bu++ed again( She pulled her hand back* holding it up in front of her* atching it heal( )he healing didn@t hold her attention for long( )he tattoo on the inside of her rist did( all*

22 % red* broken heart hat she as and

Jaden Sinclair ith a knife stuck in the &iddle and a large J re&inded her of

h!( She had it done a &onth after she Foined the Guardians as a

re&inder of the sacrifice she &ade* of hat she lost so long ago( "* know this is a difficult decision,& Ambrose told her. "5ut it$s one you need to make right now. #e don$t have much time.& "%ulian isn$t doing very well in his training, is he-& "No. * have a strong hunch that his feelings for you have a lot to do with it.& " is father hates me.& " is father hates anyone that is different.& "*$m not +ust different/ *$m a freak.& e turned her around to face him, and she closed her eyes. 'he couldn$t bear to have him look at her, not with all the changes that seemed to go through her body lately. ")ou are strong.& is voice lowered, his hands grabbed her shoulders. "'pecial. e touched the side of *$ve always seen the potential in you, even when you have not.&

her face with the back of his hand. "* want you to be happy, * really do, but * also want you to think hard and carefully about this. e$s a Noble, and if he breaks with his family for you then we will have more to deal with in the future.& 'he turned back around, facing the mirror, staring at herself. " e$s not going to suffer because of me,& she whispered. "Then you know what you have to do.& ")es. #alk away from him and everything else *$ve come to love in my life.& She clenched her hand and rested her head back on her knees to alone( Der phone kept bu++ing* but she ignored it( She didn@t ant to hear the 'oice de&anding to kno in her pain and re&e&ber h! she beca&e ho she as( ait out the da!

ant to check in* didn@t

here she as( %ll she anted as to sit there

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G/ re&e&ber*H she hispered( G.o !ouJH

2=

2<

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter F%ur
.en'er Ferrari glanced up at his father as he cli&bed the stairs( Standing on the second floor of the arehouse* 3en+o stared do n at the 'a&pire captured a eek ago* eak* drained of blood and precious energ!( Dis .N% as in the s!ste& for later use(

Dis father e?peri&ented on hi&* taking blood sa&ple after blood sa&ple* hoping to find so&ething in the poor bastard@s blood to help his sister( So far* nothing* no &ore so than an! of the others he had &urdered( Dis father belie'ed there 'a&pire blood that could cure her and refused to accept didn@t* Serina ould die( G/ ha'e her read! to go(H .en'er said* approaching his father( .en'er* a &an close to his thirties* &atched 3en+o in si+e( 8oth &en stood si? feet tall( 3en+o acted and dressed like a &ilitar! &an al a!sAhis hair bu++ed short* his clothes pressed and 'er! clean( De held hi&self in a posture re&iniscent of a general standing before his troops( Dis appearance de&anded respect fro& the people around hi&* and so&eti&es his fist follo ed if that silent de&and asn@t ans ered correctl!( .en'er didn@t dress like his father or act like hi&* a disappoint&ent in his father@s e!es( De ore )-shirts and Feans* and his thick blonde hair hung to his shoulders( .en'er &issed nothing* but orked da&n hard at &aking his father think he did( )he! as abnor&all! strong( Do ere packed and read! to go( )he latest 'icti&* still in the cage* hen a short ti&e ago* he a&a+ed .en'er* as ell as as barel! ali'e* read! to die his father captured the& still as so&ething in the ould help( /f he hat reall!

h! an! ould trust hi&* allo ing hi& close enough to use a

)aser* e'en a nor&al one( Dis father &odified the 'oltage to o'erco&e their strength and the ires connected to the darts ere longer than as legal for a ci'ilian to possess( "nce

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not the 'icti&s

2:

ere debilitated* a bash to the head brought the& do n long enough to be

restrained( 8eing a sneak! bastard as 3en+o@s specialt!( GYou go ahead and get her set up(H 3en+o said in his harsh 'oice( G/ ha'e a fe things to finish up here(H .en'er nodded and turned a a!* lea'ing in a hurr!( De kne things ere( )he sick bastard burn to dust hen the sun rose( .en'er didn@t hat those unfinished atch hi& as going to torture the &an do n there and

ant to hear the screa&s of terror* pain* arehouse*

and death( De kne he couldn@t handle the night&ares again( De slid into the 'an and started it up( Not once did he look back at the the guards follo ing the&* or think about the horrors about to go on inside( %lthough cruel* he couldn@t allo hi&self to d ell on it( )urning the radio on* he skidded out of the dri'e in hopes of dro ning out an! noise co&ing fro& the arehouse( GGod* e need help*H .en'er &u&bled to hi&self( De glanced back at his sister and as a eakness* s&iled( She as sleeping at last* but turning back to gi'e the road his attention tears filled his e!es( $ike al a!s* in his head he heard his father !elling that cr!ing though he didn@t push back the tears( No* he let the& fall( Dis sister as d!ing* and there asn@t a da&n thing he could do about it* not hile their father insisted she needed a cure instead of a 'a&pire to bleed her as nature intended( )he! all kne fro& the &o&ent Serina Serina as born hat she as and hat she as going to need( .en'er@s aunt as a blood&ate ith the legendar! birth&ark of a fang( ould produce e?tra blood to feed the ould orld fe kne about* but his aunt as no longer the the change in her

)he sa&e si&ple birth&ark told ho protect her ith his life( Dis sister

&!thical hunters( % 'a&pireB Der blood told hi& about it( %fter the da! his sister husband and battled

ould feed hi& and nourish hi& as he

as born into a

as born e'er!thing changed( 3en+o

lo'ing father .en'er had al a!s kno n( %nna Ferrari also sa

ith hi& at e'er! turn o'er the destin! of their daughter( .en'er

2;

Jaden Sinclair

spent &an! nights listening to his &other cr!ing( So&eti&es* he ent to her and held her( %nna died before she father( % eek ago* .en'er and 3en+o set up their ne spot* an old far&house* appearing to be abandoned a long ti&e ago( >hile .en'er took care of his sister and set up the lab* his father constructed a ne to the ne there cage ith a trap door in the roof abo'e( #ach ti&e he sa it* he got sick in the pit of his sto&ach* and the thought of facing it had .en'er dreading going location( De couldn@t get it out of his head that another as going to die* and ould co&e to asn@t a da&n thing he could do about it( )he one thing to keep hi& follo ing his as the s&all hope that so&eone found the notes he left and as able to see Serina gro up or help her daughter ith her fate* or protect her* the Fob left to .en'er( .en'er beca&e the co&panion for his sister* not his

cra+! father that back(

help the& soon( De didn@t kno ho &uch longer Serina as going to last* and he feared ith her death* his father ould be pushed o'er the edge of sanit! and ne'er co&e

PPPP Julian found the&B %fter &onths and &onths of searching for the fa&il!* Julian finall! found here the! ere hiding( )his ti&e he arri'ed hen the! ere setting up as s&art* fast* ca&p rather than after the! left( Do he got so luck!* he couldn@t tell* but his luck ran out ith a nice si+e lu&p to the back of his head( Dell* he al a!s thought he &an and could spot a trap( 8ut this ti&e* nada on all of it( De under-esti&ated 3en+o* let the alk up too close* and ne'er suspected the )aser e'en he couldn@t dodge( )he proof >hat the fuck did the &an hit hi& ith an! a!J Julian had done &an! things in his life( De Cuick thinking* light pla!bo! ga&es hen he as ell kno n for his sense of hu&or* as !ounger* and his fighting( De could pounded in his ears thanks to the clubbing he took to his skull(

take on an! &an or 'a&pire and fi? Fust about an!thing( )he one thing Julian couldn@t do

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

29

as li'e in s&all spaces* and ith the sla&&ing of a steel door* the! ere forcing hi& to do Fust that* claustrophobia or not( De gri&aced ith a s&all a&ount of pain hen he opened his e!es( Yes* he as in a ith s&all cage like the one he sa in the arehouse a fe &onths ago( % s&all iron cot

a thin* rotted &attress that had to ha'e s&elled better a long ti&e ago left hi& enough roo& at the side to pace back and forth* but onl! as long as the length of the cot( )he bars eren@t 'er! tall* either* onl! about three inches abo'e his head( Not &uch roo& for a 'a&pire like hi& to do &uch( Yet the one thing that &ade hi& the &ost ner'ous trap door abo'e hi&( >ith a crank of a pulle!* his life could be o'er( Julian ran his hands through his long hair and sighed( De stood in the fucking cage aiting to see hat as going to happen ne?t and s ore as he banged on the bars( For the hundredth ti&e he tested his strength against iron bars that didn@t budge at all( )he! ere &ade to hold a strong 'a&pire( GShitBH GS earing on@t help(H % &an alked into the dark far&house( %t about the sa&e height as Julian* he appeared built like hi&* too( De carried blankets and pillo s and looked at Julian ithout an! e&otion in his blue e!es( G/t ne'er does(H G%nd ho the fuck are !ouJH G)he onl! one shado s( G/s that soJH Julian snarled* letting the &an see his e?tended fangs( G%nd ho hell are !ou going to help &eJ You going to let &e goJH G/ hear !ou can eat food(H De handed Julian a s&all piece of bread cloth( GYou &ight ant to eat so&ething(H Julian looked do n at the package ith a disgusted e?pression( GSure !ou can afford to gi'e that a a!JH GNo(H De sighed( GM! father keeps tight control on all the food(H rapped in so&e the ho can help !ou no *H he stated before he alked out of the as the

=7

Jaden Sinclair Julian glanced at the bread and took one step back* placing his hands on his hips(

%gain he asked a Cuestion( G%re !ou going to tell &e ho the hell !ou areJH De s&iled for the first ti&e( G.en'er Ferrari(H G%hB )he son(H Julian sat do n* leaning back on the bars* linking his fingers together on his sto&ach( GNot Cuite hat / e?pected(H "ne e!ebro shot up( GDeard of &eJH G8een follo ing !ou(H Julian gna ed on the bread( G"r &ore like follo ing your breadcru&bs(H .en'er s&iled( G/ as hoping so&eone found the&(H Julian s&iled his char&ing s&ile and put his long legs up against the bars* crossing the& at the ankle( 0utting his hands behind his head* he aited for .en'er to continue( GYou@re not like the others*H .en'er re&arked( Neeping his ga+e on Julian* he alked to a desk( GYou@re different(H GYou &ean / don@t beg for &! lifeJH he finished ith a s&ile( GYou@re &ore laid back(H Julian held his hands up ith a grin on his face( G%ll / got is ti&e* bab!(H G)i&e is on my side(H 3en+o Ferrari alked in* sneering at Julian as he alked past the cage and ith a disgusted e?pression asked* GFeed it !etJH .en'er straightened his back at his father@s harsh ords( GNot !et(H 3en+o alked to a fridge and took out a cold bag of blood( De alked o'er to the cage and pitched it at Julian( Julian let it hit the floor* ne'er taking his ga+e fro& 3en+o( GDa'e !ou done !our other task !etJH G/ Fust got here*H .en'er ans ered( GGet it done(H 3en+o glared back at Julian before flashing .en'er the sa&e hard e?pression( GYour sister needs to be taken care of too(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

=1

3en+o glared at Julian* hate and disgust in his e!es( De turned his back on both &en( Julian atched 3en+o alk out ith the confidence of a &an accusto&ed to getting things done his a! ith his orders follo ed ithout Cuestion( GYou had better drink that*H .en'er said hile he orked to set up a bed( G/f he sees !ou@re not eating* he@ll be pissed(H G/@d rather go hungr! or drink a fucking &ilkshake than drink cold blood*H Julian grunted( .en'er stopped hat he as doing to stare at Julian( De shook his head( G)hose ith a casual things out there don@t care about te&perature as long as it@s blood(H G>hat thingsJH Julian sat up* hiding his intense interest in the subFect tone( GNothing(H .en'er shook his head( G/ can ar& it up for !ou(H GNo* thanks(H Julian du&ped the blood out( .en'er laughed half-heartedl! along hile he continued setting up the bed( De stacked ere stacked ho as ith the bed* .en'er set up a tra! and la!ers of &attresses together( % soft fur co'er lined the top( Se'eral pillo s ith t o &ore thick blankets( Finished

buckets( De brought out his tools* lining things up to bleed a blood&ate* one 'er!* 'er! sick( Julian stood( GYour sister@s a blood&ate* isn@t sheJH /t a Cuestion* one that stopped .en'er fro& his Julian finished(

as &ore of a state&ent than

ork( G%nd she@s in prett! bad shape*H orr!

.en'er turned around( De stared at Julian* and his e!es sho ed the pain and he held back( GYes(H GShe@s sick(H Julian ent on( G)errible pain runs in her 'eins ith her blood(H GYes(H .en'er is d!ing(H GShe is(H Julian told hi& Fust as softl!( GYou bleed herJH

hispered* ob'ious pain creating a tre&ble in his 'oice( G/ think she

=2 .en'er ent back to his ork( GYes(H GDo oftenJH Julian couldn@t hide his interest(

Jaden Sinclair

G)oo da&n &uch(H .en'er sighed( G/t isn@t helping her an! longer(H G%nd it don@t allo on@t* either( She needs a 'a&pire to take her pain a a!( She ill die if !ou hat she as created for(H hen he had e'er!thing in place( De a'oided e!e contact aiting( De tried to sho hile he

.en'er stood

alked to the door( G/@& doing e'er!thing / can(H Julian sat at the edge of his cot* in his bod! surfaced no e&otion on his face or hich Cuickl! hen .en'er ca&e back( De orked hard at hiding the lust

hen .en'er returned* carr!ing a pale blonde-haired burden in his ar&s( Julian hich &eant his e!es ould change to &etallic

had to close his e!es and take se'eral deep breaths to tr! to get control of hi&self( Dis cock hardened* his incisors lengthened* G%re !ou all rightJH .en'er asked( Julian kept his e!es closed and tried like hell to hide a thick erection pressing against the front of his pants as he nodded( G/ s&ell blood(H De sighed* letting the last ord linger in the air( GFresh* pure blood(H Julian kne he shared fro& that tin! lick of blood his search as finall! o'er and the &e&or! as hers( )he realit! s&elled s eet in the air( De sil'er( #'en though he didn@t kno her* his bod! did(

had found his blood&ate* although he didn@t dare e?pose his kno ledge( De asn@t in the best position to take care of her hile he sat in a cage( G/ need to bleed her*H .en'er responded( Julian sensed .en'er@s ga+e on hi&* and he 'isibl! fought not to look at the o&an( /nstead* he nodded an ackno ledge&ent and kept his e!es closed until he heard her 'oice( G.en'er* please*H his sister begged* sounding eak( .en'er ent back to his sister and laid both of her ar&s out to the sides* &aking sure the buckets ent under her rist( 0icking up his knife* .en'er &ade deep cuts(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

=3

G>hat@s her na&e*H Julian asked his 'oice rough* &o'ing to a &ore co&fortable position on the cot* along ith rearranging his da&n dick( G>hat is your na&eJH GJulian Marino*H Julian ans ered* hanging his head( G/@'e heard of !ou*H .en'er ans ered( GYou are so&ething of a hunter(H G>hat is !our sister@s na&eJH he de&anded( .en'er alked back o'er to the cage* and Julian tensed( GSerina*H .en'er ans ered( GDer na&e is Serina(H GDer pain is 'er! deep(H Julian groaned( >ith the o ner of the blood he tasted so close* the hunger ca&e on stronger than e'er( GShe suffers(H GYes* it isAshe does suffer(H .en'er ent back to his sister* and Julian took a ith a good a&ount of chance to glance up( .en'er took a s&all cup and filled it up G.o hatJH Julian gro led( G.rink this(H Julian slo l! lifted his head( De kne fangs ere bared ith ne found hunger( .en'er didn@t flinch* Fust held out the cup to Julian( G/ test e'er!one he captures(H G)est the& for hatJH .en'er aited a fe &o&ents before he spoke( Dis blue-e!ed ga+e bore into Julian@s( G/@& searching for the one that can help &! sister( .rink(H %n! 'a&pire could help her* but not Fust an! could be her chosen( Julian took the cup fro& .en'er( De brought it up to his nose and inhaled the s eet scent( .en'er atched hile Julian put the cup to his lips and drank or &ore like gulped it do n( G.en'erBH Serina called out eakl!( .en'er ent back to his sister( Julian atched hi& help her to bring her cuts to her ithin &outh to close( $ike 'a&pires* blood&ates had a healing agent in the sali'a* and his e!es ere bright &etallic sil'er* since his

blood( G/ as going to ait and do this later* but / think no is a good enough ti&e(H

=2

Jaden Sinclair ent

seconds the cuts healed( %fter he had her cleaned up and tucked into the bed* he back to Julian ho handed hi& a clean cup(

GYou are the one*H .en'er said( G/ can tell that her blood affects !ou unlike it did the others ho drank it* and !ou care about her( )he! didn@tOFust the&sel'es(H Julian glared at .en'er* appeared dangerous hich hich caused .en'er to take a step back( Julian figured he as da&n good( )his gu! needed to kno or see ho

dangerous he as at the &o&ent and understand he asn@t pla!ing( GFeed her*H Julian told hi& in a thick* harsh 'oice( .en'er took &ore steps a a! fro& the cage( De placed the cup on the table* but his ga+e ne'er left Julian( GFeed her*H Julian told hi& again( GFeed her &! food* too* / don@t care( Just feed her(H G>hat about !ouJH .en'er asked( G>hat about &eJH #ach ti&e Julian spoke his tone dropped* beco&ing thicker and harder( #'en his &ood changed( De So&ething as on edge and couldn@t shake the feeling( hat( Dis senses ere too as about to happen* though he had no idea

Fu&bled ith the need her blood stirred to boiling ithin hi&( GYou are going to need to eat so&ething*H .en'er ent on( Julian rolled his head and shoulders( GJust bring &e her blood(H G8utAH G8ring &e her bloodBH Julian shouted* Fu&ping to his feet and sla&&ing his hands on the bars of his cage( .en'er Fu&p gotten his point across( PPPP She follo ed hi&* follo ed Julian and atched hile he as knocked out and ith fear ritten all o'er his face( Julian kne he had

dragged into the old far&house* doing nothing to help hi&( /nstead she hunted for a place

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not to hide fro& the rising sun and shouldn@t do( Standing under a thick co'er of trees* she skin perfect angle to keep her e!es on the house( SCuatting do n* she ait out the da!* thinking about

== hat she should or

atched the last ra!s of the sunset( Der as the

as hot* and she felt so&e pain* but she didn@t &o'e( >here she stood

atched ten breeds guards* the sa&e breeds guardians killed on ere supposed to be her pri&ar! pre!( /nstead* here

a regular basis( 3en+o Ferrari@s creations

she follo ed Julian and killed the breeds she encountered( She needed to find e'er!one kne trouble* a about the 'a&pire race( Yet there she

those things ere breeding and put a stop to it before their underground ar surfaced and as bailing his ass out of &ore as a great hunter( De asn@t onder to her( %fter all* she had been told he

displa!ing an! great hunting traits at the &o&ent( )he breeds are a nast! bunch of &utant hu&an 'a&pires &eant to destro! an!thing and e'er!thing the! ca&e in contact ith* especiall! a true 'a&pire( )he! cared for the hell a &an like 3en+o Ferrari h!* since he nothing but blood and death* and she had no clue ho hated 'a&pires( %t the arehouse she found a night&are of blood* gore* and proof of torture to the hell could so&eone turn a hu&an into a 'a&pires she had ne'er thought possible( )he file she found on those turned fro& hu&an to breeds re'ealed shocking nu&bers( Do 'a&pireJ /t as a Cuestion she ere born that as* as da&ned deter&ined to ans er* pri&aril! because it a!* not created( Du&ans belie'ing the! could turn into a the hell did those du&b pricks think the! asOso&ething that ne'er happened before or thought

as able to keep the& under control( Shit* the! hadn@t e'en figured the

as supposed to be i&possible to do it( ,nlike the &!th* one didn@t turn into a 'a&pire b! a bite( You fedJ #'en 'a&pire b! a s&all bite pissed her off( Do hat she

possibleOdidn@t happen b! a bite to the neck or the &!th of a hu&an being turned(

=<

Jaden Sinclair She rolled her e!es up at the sk! and grinned* sliding her sunglasses do n her nose a

fraction to stare up at the blinding light as it disappearing into darkness* the onl! ti&e she got to look at the sun( ,nlike a true blood&ate* she as left unable to enFo! the ar&th of the sun( % pure blood&ate could e?perience it until she bonded* but her father@s side conde&ned her to dark as surel! as if she ere full 'a&pire( G"h* he@s going to o e &e(H She s&iled* pushing her glasses up( Standing* she pulled an arro finished product into the special bo she took fro& a holster at her hip( >hen it ca&e to in'enting gadgets* Shado arro s and bo click ith her finger and the hole thing unfolded as the best( De &ade the special ith the arro read! to shoot( )he Fust for her( >hen folded* it fit in the holster at her hip like a gun( "ne designed especiall! for her* turned out to be her fro& under her coat and retrie'ed an e?plosi'e tip fro& her belt( She scre ed the tip on and inserted the

bo * one of &an! things Shado fa'orite eapon( ) o t el'e inch kni'es

ere tucked into each boot* t in auto&atic guns at her hips

and one sling blade cuffed at her rist( She as read! to go do n* take a fe breeds out* and if the &ood hit right* get Julian out of his dile&&a(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

=:

C!a$ter Five
Julian la! on his cot stud!ing the trap door abo'e* aiting( Dis bod! told hi& it as

still da!light( De should be sleeping or Fust getting up* !et his &ind hadn@t let hi& rest all da!( De kept thinking about Serina and her pain and couldn@t get the taste of her blood out of his &ind( De anted &ore of the sa'or! s eetness( )he aro&a and her taste ere all he could think of( De anted her but asn@t sure ho he as going to get her( De needed another drink fro& her* needed to taste her again* hold her* to fuck her( Julian took a deep breath and s&ell her blood* like this( Der faint hisper startled hi&( GYou@re not asleep(H Ah3 let her er voice( So s eet* so innocent and so into?icating* Julian closed his e!es and ords flo o'er hi&( Dis cock instantl! hardened* &aking hi& hunger to feel her restled anted to touch her* to ith the urges( De could

hich fueled the need deep inside his soul and bod!( "ne thing Julian

hadn@t e?pected to happen and ne'er drea&ed of as finding his blood&ate in a situation

skin ne?t to his* to sink his teeth into her neck* and drink( Julian took another deep breath and turned o'er on his side to face her( De &aintained cal&ness in his tone* but it as da&n hard( G>h! aren@t !ou sleepingJH G/ don@t sleep &uch(H She sighed* and Julian reali+ed ho strength she as( GNot an!&ore(H De rested his head in his hand* re&inding hi&self to go slo hat do !ou doJH She pushed herself to a sitting position( >hen she ca&e into 'ie * he caught his breath( She as the &ost beautiful o&an he had seen in a 'er! long ti&e( Der blonde and speak soft( GSo* drained of energ! and

=; hair as cut short* touching her shoulders* !et it

Jaden Sinclair as dull( $ack of sleep created dark anted her ne?t to hi&*

circles under her e!es* and her skin

as pale because of &alnutrition( #'en though she

as in 'er! bad shape* Julian had a raging hunger for her( De She s&iled at hi&* a eak gesture( G/ &erel! e?ist(H De felt her pain and her hunger( GYou need to eat*H he said lot &ore than hat !ou ha'e been(H Serina lo ered her e!es* and it see&ed like she

anted to care for her* hold her* take her pain a a!* and sa'or each breath she took( ith a gentle s&ile( G%

as fighting to hold herself up*

another sign of her bad health( GYou kno *H her blue e!es looked back up and &es&eri+ed hi&* G!ou are the first one / ha'e e'er spoken to(H GFirst one* hatJH he asked in the softest tone he could &uster( GIa&pire(H She sighed* dropping back do n on the bed( G/ ha'en@t spoken to the ones before( )he! ere dead or d!ing before / got a chance to speak to the&* and the ones outside ha'e been ordered to sta! a a!(H Julian stood up* taking hold of the bars* his interest too peaked for hi& to hold back( G>hat othersJH G)he ones he &akes*H she hispered( GDe has been turning hu&ans* &aking the& ith a 'a&pire( "nl! !our true &ate* a ork for hi&(H She beca&e eaker and her 'oice rasp!( Julian licked his lips( GYou need to be 'a&pire* can take !our pain a a!(H G0ain and hunger are all / kno (H She shook her head( GNothing can take that a a!(H She glanced at the clock ne?t to her bed( G)i&e is not on our side( )he sun ill be do n soon(H She turned back to hi&( #!es blue as the night sk! e?posed ho deep her pain la!* the true pain she suffered and had kept fro& her brother( G>hat@s !our na&eJH she asked hi&( De grinned( GJulian(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Serina s&iled na&e(H GSleep*H he hispered( G/@ll be here hen !ou ake up(H G/ can@t sleep(H She s&iled Julian eakl!

=9

ith a sigh( G/ like that na&e(H Der breathing increased( GStrong

ith a shake of her head( G/@& too hungr!(H She ith rest* but pain(

sighed( G%l a!s hungr! and al a!s hurting(H atched Serina fall into a deep sleep that had nothing to do ith e'er!thing to do eakness( She didn@t sleep as &uch as passed out fro& ra

De stopped hi&self fro& calling out to her and returned to the cot hen he heard a hea'! door sCueak open( 0lacing his hands behind his head* his e!es opened to s&all slits( .en'er alked into the roo& ith a s&all bo l of soup in his hand and headed to Serina( Quietl!* he put the bo l do n and sat ne?t to her on the bed* touching her forehead and checking for her pulse( GShe needs &ore food*H Julian said* causing the &an to Fu&p and his head snap in his direction( G% lot &ore than hat !ou are gi'ing her(H G)hought !ou gu!s slept during the da!(H Julian rose up on his elbo s* one e!ebro &! o n bed to this(H GGood point(H .en'er fro ned( G% bedJ No coffinJH Julian snorted( GYou need to get out &ore(H De nodded to ard .en'er( G>h! aren@t !ou feeding her &oreJH GM! father rations all the food*H .en'er &ur&ured* peering do n at his sister* concern all o'er his face( GDe doesn@t think she needs &ore than hat e do(H G>ell* he@s .en'er rong*H Julian snapped* not concealing his anger( GDe@s fucking killing thisJH he hissed( G/@& her( She@s star'ing and in pain so intense she passes out fro& it(H alked o'er to the cage( G.on@t !ou think / kno doing e'er!thing / can to get her the help she needs( >e@re prisoners* in case !ou ha'en@t arched &ockingl!( G,s guys are not in cages* usuall!(H De ga'e hi& a s&ile* &aking sure he sa his fangs descending( G/ prefer

<7

Jaden Sinclair

noticed(H .en'er pushed a hand through his hair and turned his back to Serina( G)he others ne'er talked this &uch* so his sister( >hen he glanced back o'er his shoulder* Julian flashed hi& a s&ile* sho ing &ore of the fangs( G#'er thought /@& not scared of !our father or of his bullshit ga&esJH GYou should be(H .en'er turned serious* his e!es &eeting Julian@s( GDe@ll kill !ou once he finds out !ou@re useless(H Julian chuckled( G/@& ne'er useless(H De reclined again and linked his fingers o'er his chest( G/@& a &an of &an! talents(H Dis hu&or left hen he heard Serina &oan in her sleep( Julian stood and gripped the bars( G8ring her o'er here*H De spoke softl!* not able to hide his need( G>h!JH Julian sighed and rolled his e!es( G8ecause / &aFor relief !our fucking bleeding doesn@t pro'ide(H .en'er took a back step* his e!es still on Julian( GDo do / kno / can trust !ouJH Julian flashed hi& a heated glare* sure his e!es GYou don@t(H Dis 'oice ere bright b! the a! the &an kept backing up( De also ga'e hi& a icked s&ile to let .en'er see ho sharp his fangs ere( as lo * deadl! as he lo ered his head* keeping his ga+e fi?ed ouldn@t ha'e gi'en &e so&e of her blood alread! if on .en'er( G8ut then again* !ou ant to help her* and she needs so&e h! don@t !ou do &e a fa'or and shut the hell up(H De glared back at Julian( GYou &ight li'e longer that a!(H De turned and ent back o'er to

!ou didn@t trust &e Fust a little* big brother*H he said ith a snarl( G>hat are !ou going to doJH .en'er asked hen he alked back o'er to Serina( Julian cocked his head to one side( G>ant &e to be bluntJH .en'er picked her up and carried her li&p for& o'er to Julian( GYeah(H Julian took her ar& gentl!( De rubbed his thu&b across her rist* caressing the silk!* s ollen flesh* and his cock sprang to life( )he blood in her s!ste& ti&e she ould start dro ning( Dell* he as shocked that she as 'er! high( /n no asn@t ha'ing breathing

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

<1

proble&s alread!( De rubbed her rist o'er his lips* inhaling her scent( G/@& going to take do n her s elling better than !our bleedings ill e'er do(H G>hat ill happen to her thenJH Julian s&iled* enFo!ing ho unco&fortable .en'er see&ed to be hen he sa his fangs( GShe@ll sleep better(H De licked the pulse on her .en'er inced see ho e!es hile he drank( ",addy, please3& 'erina begged, crying on the floor at his feet. "*t hurts so much.& %ulian saw a much younger and healthier 'erina in a nice house. 8en1o sat in a chair, a drink in his hand. *n the other hand the man held onto a photo of a woman who looked a lot like 'erina. "* won$t lose you like * did her,& 8en1o said. e brought his glass up to his lips and finished off the li<uid. ")ou are not going3& he barked, pushing her away with his foot when he stood up. "9inal3& ")ou can$t expect her to suffer3& ,enver growled. 8en1o backhanded ,enver hard, almost knocking him to the ground. "* decide, not you.& Julian@s e!es snapped open* and his senses flooding hi& e'en the suffering she ent on high alert ith her &e&ories rist and looked back at .en'er(

G%nd start the healing she needs(H Along with starting our bond( hen Julian sank his fangs deep into her ar&( Julian couldn@t let hi& hard his se?ual hunger hit hi&( De pulled his ga+e fro& .en'er and closed his

ith pain and sadness( Julian heard* s&elled* and picked up e'er!thing* as going through right then( )he first drop of her blood and

e'er!thing in hi& changed( Julian closed the ounds* kissed her rist* and al&ost s&iled at the sound of her sigh before he let go of her(

<2 GYour father is on his a! back*H Julian said

Jaden Sinclair ith an edge( Julian also picked up

3en+o( )hrough his daughter@s blood* Julian

as going to be able to track the &an( G0ut

her back in bed* but bring her back hen he lea'es(H PPPP .en'er placed Serina back in her bed* sat do n ne?t to her* and stared at Julian ith a stunned e?pression( De couldn@t belie'e Dell* he couldn@t belie'e hat he Fust sa and didn@t kno hat to sa!( a change( hat he@d let Julian do( Stud!ing his sister* he sa

She appeared to be at peace and rested ithout a sound( #'en the s elling that had been a constant in her bod! as do n* but not gone( G8etter act nor&al*H Julian told hi& ith his o n sigh hen he la! back do n on the cot( G"ther ise he is going to kno so&ething@s up(H .en'er &anaged to get hi&self together G>ellJH 3en+o de&anded( .en'er didn@t look upM he kept his e!es on his sister( GShe@s sleeping(H 3en+o grunted( G%nd hi&JH GQuiet*H .en'er ans ered( GGet &e &! blood !etJ@ .en'er stood up and faced hi&( G/ Fust got here(H 3en+o ga'e hi& a disgusted look as he .en'er aited until 3en+o alked o'er to his desk here he unlocked a dra er* took out so&e folders* and locked it back up( GGet it to &e in t o &inutes(H as out of sight and unable to hear before he let out the as near that &an the long could he keep going breath he had been holding and shook his head( )he longer he harder it beca&e to keep a straight face around hi&( Do before the hate he held back ca&e to the surfaceJ hen 3en+o alked in( De peered o'er at Julian* ho acted as if he slept ith half-closed e!es* and alked o'er to Serina(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

<3

G) o &inutes isn@t enough ti&e to get blood of &ine to hi&(H Julian sat back up ith a big s&ile on his face( GNeedles tend to break before the! reach &! 'eins(H G)his isn@t a ga&e(H .en'er stared in the direction his father had Fust gone( G/f he finds out hat !ou Fust did* he ill pull the s itch and fr! !ou* then kill &e(H G.eep fried Julian(H De tapped his finger on his lips( GD&&* that doesn@t sound too appealing to &e*H Julian said ith a hint of hu&or( G/@& not Foking here(H Julian stood up fast( Dis hand gripped the bars so tightl! his knuckles turned ant helpJH .en'er handed a speci&en dish and knife to Julian( De and let blood pour into the dish( >hen it handed the dish back* but kept hold of the knife( G/ don@t ant &! sister to die*H .en'er finall! ans ered* tugging on the knife( G>ell* let &e gi'e !ou so&ething to think about* big brother*H Julian snarled* gi'ing up the knife( GYour sister is d!ing( She isn@t eating enough for a blood&ate* and she isn@t being bled ell enough* either( You t o assholes are keeping her in constant agon!(H G/ ho (H GYou can@t help her an!&ore(H Julian also sat do n( G"nl! one person can help her no (H .en'er didn@t ask the Cuestion on the tip of this tongue( /nstead* he got up and alked a a! in the direction his father had gone ith the de&anded blood sa&ple( GDe is al&ost perfectBH 3en+o said* peering into the &icroscope and sounding like a child ho had Fust gotten a present he longed for( ant to help her*H .en'er stated* sitting do n on a chair hard( G8ut / don@t kno atched Julian cut his rist as full enough* Julian closed his ound and hite* GNeither a& /*H he gro led( G>h! did !ou send out those god da&ned notes if !ou didn@t

<2 GDo soJH .en'er orked at keeping his 'oice le'el* but he

Jaden Sinclair as scared inside( this one

>hene'er his father sounded like that nothing good could co&e of it( De kne as right for his sister and didn@t ant his father to kill hi& like the others( G/ think if

e transfuse so&e of his blood into Serina* it Fust &ight help her(H 3en+o ent back to &ore

s&iled* rubbing his hands together( G)ransfer bloodJ She has too &uch in her bod! no (H .en'er Cuickl! ork on the co&puter* dropping an! argu&ent( GSo* !ou@re going to keep hi&JH GFor no (H 3en+o stared at his son( GDe &ight ser'e &! purpose for a fe da!s(H De stood up( GNeep hi& fed( Dis blood is going to sa'e her(H .en'er nodded( G>here are !ou goingJH G.on@t !ou orr! about that*H 3en+o snapped( GNeep hi& in the cage and keep !our sister co&fortable( /@'e got so&ething reCuiring &! personal attentionAso&ething !our cousin 3age has pointed out(H .en'er said nothing &ore( 0ushing his father got hi& nothing but anger* and an!thing that brought 3age out asn@t going to be good( .en'er stood up and bo l to her* he a ake and standing* .en'er sat do n ent to ork at fi?ing a thin broth for Serina( >hen he took a as also ith an ob'ious hunger of his o n* one .en'er didn@t as surprised to find her a ake and sitting up in bed( Julian atching her

think had an!thing to do ith feeding( ith his back to the cage and helped his sister drink her soup* ishing like hell he had &ore to gi'e her( GMore*H Serina de&anded( G>e don@t ha'e &ore right no *H .en'er soothed* brushing hair fro& her e!es( G.en'er* please*H she begged* al&ost cr!ing( G/@& so hungr!(H GShe needs a lot &ore food* &an*H Julian put in( GFeed her(H .en'er sighed* hanging his head do n( G/ don@t ha'e an!&ore*H he told Julian through gritted teeth( G/ don@t e'en kno ho the hell / a& going to feed us(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Serina started to cr!( She screa&ed and dropped* holding her sto&ach( G$et &e out* .en'er*H Julian !elled* rattling the bars on his cage( G/ can@t*H .en'er !elled back* taking Serina into his ar&s( G)hen bring her here*H Julian de&anded( G/ can help(H

<=

>hen Serina nodded* he helped her up* half-carr!ing* half- alking her o'er to Julian( Julian reached through the bars and pulled .en'er closer for better access to Serina( )aking her it possible( Serina passed out and still Julian drank* glaring at .en'er pull her a a!( G$et go*H .en'er de&anded( Julian sucked hard one &ore ti&e before closing the cage( G/t@s started* .en'er*H Julian said in a lo * dangerous 'oice( G%nd nothing !ou or !our father do is going to stop it(H Dis sil'er e!es pierced .en'er* causing hi& to take another step back( G"nl! / can help her no (H G>hat are !ou talking aboutJH .en'er hispered( G>hat ha'e !ou done to herJH Julian@s lip ent up in hat .en'er thought as a s&all grin* but it asn@t like an! he had e'er seenM that s&ile as &ore &alice than hu&or( GSo&ething !ou can@t stop and !our father can@t control(H .en'er fro ned* not understanding( G>hat did !ou doJH Julian rattled his cage* and .en'er shi'ered at the sight of his sil'er e!es and fangs* G"ur bonding has begun( Your sister is &! blood&ate( Der pain is going to get a lot orse and her hunger a lot larger( You can@t keep &e in this fucking cage*H Julian gro led* lo ering his head* but his e!es glared up at hi&( GGet read!* big brother( Dell is about to be let loose(H ounds( De licked his lips* his head going back like he as sa'oring hat he@d Fust drank( .en'er backed a a! fro& the hen he &ade a &o'e to rist* he sank his fangs into her( She cried out* but .en'er suspected hat .en'er thought as asn@t a cr! of pain( Julian drank hard taking &ore than

<<

Jaden Sinclair

PPPP She as a arrior* a fighter ho atched 'a&pire breeds alk around the building( ere fro& a safe &ore of the as

For &onths she@d studied the&* and she could pick up

hat the!

distance b! the rank s&ell in the air( )hese things stunk( ,p close one sa al&ost foa&( )he! talked and appeared like the! didn@t gi'e a da&n hile the! patrolled around the house( % fe reason* she didn@t gi'e a shit( She hat

differences* one being the! had bloodshot red e!es* and the! drooled so &uch it

ent on around the& ith

began to push one another as if bored

the patrol and a fight ould break the &onoton!( Ma!be the! ere hungr!( >hate'er the asn@t there to &ake friendsM she as here to kill as &an! of the& as she could( 0lain and si&ple( G)i&e to pla!*H she &u&bled to herself( She ran do n the hill at full speed* stopped in front of an unsuspecting &ale and stuck her ar& out three feet a a! fro& hi&( % thick* cabled* sharp* spring steal knife shot out fro& inside her slee'e* hitting the gu! so hard and fast in the chest the blade the ent all a! through hi&( >ith a hard pull of her ar&* the blade sprang back and tucked ent do n ithout &aking a sound* Fust the a!

inside her coat slee'e( She t irled around* e?tending her ar& again at the sa&e ti&e and hit another in the throat( ) o breeds )urning* she black* a corner she liked it* but she still had a couple &ore to deal ith( alked silentl! around the side to the back ould be in indo ( )hough painted as close and he as peeling a a! fro& the glass* letting her see inside( Julian* caged* hen their &ate atched so&eone* but she couldn@t see ho* and it didn@t &atterM

paced the floor in a state onl! a &ale couldn@t get to her( De it couldn@t &atter(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

<:

She closed her e!es for a &o&ent* pushing back &e&ories* re&inding herself ho rong it as for her to be here on so &an! le'els* but she couldn@t lea'e hi& like that( /f she did* he as dead( Der e!es* open behind her sunglasses* stared into his e!es( De stared at her* his &outh open a bit( She &o'ed not one inch* but he stopped his pacing( She stilled at the sound of a lo * hateful 'oice( G$ook hat / found(H )urning* she faced a snarling breed standing behind her( GM! dinner(H De licked his lips and s&iled at her( %s he s ung ide* hissing* she straightened and back flipped* kicking hi& in the chin( Dis bod! bent back ard gi'ing her the chance to charge up to hi&( She took his ar&* t isted it straight out* hit hi& hard on the elbo * snapping the Foint( De screa&ed in pain* but the screa& as short li'ed( /n a flash* she grabbed his chin and t isted his neck* breaking it and killing hi&( She turned and indo and tu&bled to the floor( She stood straight and tall* pulled her auto&atic fro& its holster* and ai&ed it right at Julian( )i&e see&ed to still for all of the& in one si&ple &o&ent as the gun pointed right at his forehead( ith a hard sho'e* his bod! ent through the

<;

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter Si5
.en'er Fu&ped out of the a!* taking co'er as the indo busted* glass pieces indo * indo ere face to face* he

shattering all o'er the place( "ne of the breeds follo ed* crashing through the landing on floor* and Julian stared at the e?tending hi& the sa&e courtes!( o&an( )he last ti&e the! pointed a gun at her* read! to kill( /n a re'ersal* she stood in front of a broken

G.en'er let &e the fuck out(H Julian de&anded* keeping his e!es on the o&an( She fired her eapon( )he bullet sliced through the lock on his cage door* and in the blink of an e!e she as gone( .en'er asked( G.en'erBH Julian !elled( De ran to his backpack and slung it on( GYou need to get the fuck out of here(H 8efore .en'er could sa! an!thing* Julian pointed at the broken indo ( )he girl stood there again* sho ing the& all a bottle pushed .en'er aside and picked up Serina( G3unBH Julian !elled at hi&* sho'ing Serina against .en'er@s chest* forcing hi& to take her in his ar&s( .en'er clutched Serina to hi& and raced for the door broken indo here the o&an hile Julian lunged for the as about to toss her ho&e&ade bo&b( Dis spring ere dead on the ith a rag sticking out( Julian ent to Serina ho sat up in her bed tre&bling( G>hat@s going onJH she

forced her to take a step back instead of tossing the thing( 8efore he could blink* she as gone and out of sight* gi'ing Julian the chance to di'e through( 8reeds ground* and the o&an as no here to be seen until Julian rolled back to his feet and

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not turned his head( % fist landing on his Fa knees( GFirst lesson* Julian* ne'er turn !our back on an ene&!(H greeted hi&* hard enough he

<9 ent do n to his

>ith a curse on his lips* Julian lurched up and ran after her( De had Cuestions that needed ans ers( De anted to kno h! the hell she sucker punched hi&* and hat lessons as she talking aboutJ De chased her to the tree line* at the sa&e ti&e he fu&bled around in his pack to dig his gun out( 3ight before she reached the trees* he took a shot* halting her* not gi'ing her the chance to disappear( GStopBH Julian !elled* breathing hard* orking to keep the gun stead!* and alk up to her at the sa&e ti&e( GYou going to shoot &e in the back* JulianJH she asked ith no e&otion in her 'oice( De stopped behind her* pressing the barrel to the back of her head( G>ho the hell are !ouJH he de&anded( She &o'ed fast* spinning around and t isting Julian@s fro& his hand( Delpless* he rist until the gun dropped rist co&bined ith atched it fall into her other hand before she landed one hell

of a knee kick to his side( )he air gushed out of hi&( 0ain fro& his Julian flipped to the ground(

the loss of breath fro& the knee in his side had Julian gasping( She t isted his ar&* and GNe?t lesson(H She sla&&ed her foot do n on his chest and eFected the clip fro& his gun( She cocked it and the bullet in the cha&ber bounced out( GNe'er gi'e a arning shot(H She alked o'er hi&* or &ore across his chest* to go back into the clearing around the far&house( GYou@'e got t o &inutes* Julian( >ant to spend the& here or helping the&JH >hen she turned back to face hi&* she brought so&ething out fro& a holster( % touch of her glo'ed hand and the thing opened up into a bo arro on the end( ith an e?plosi'e tipped

:7

Jaden Sinclair G"h* fuckBH Julian scra&bled to his feet and ran in the direction .en'er had gone

ith Serina( Julian took a chance and stopped to glance back at her( )here her he Fust couldn@t place( G>ho is thatJH .en'er asked* co&ing up ne?t to Julian( De supported Serina* on her feet but leaning against her brother* and she looked about to drop( G/ ha'e no idea*H Julian ans ered* his e!es fi?ed on Serina@s( G8ut / don@t think ha'e ti&e to stand around tr!ing to figure it out(H De touched Serina@s face hands( GYou all rightJH She nodded( G>hat@s going onJH $ike Ktalk@ atching a three di&ensional &o'ie in slo ith her bo and let the arro &otion* the o&an he Fust had a to ards ith took ai& loose( )he golden tip fle e ith both as so&ething about

the far&house( -ontact( 5oom3 % blast of hot air hit* knocking the three to the ground Se'eral &o&ents stop( G>hat the hell he &ade it to his feet( G/@& taking a guess here(H Julian coughed( GSo&eone besides &e is pissed off at !our father(H De shook his head again* looking around for her* but as al a!s* she gone fro& sight( GNo hat do e doJH .en'er &u&bled( as as thatJH .en'er !elled* struggling to stand up and s a!ing hen hen the building e?ploded( ent b! before Julian opened his e!es( -oughing* he brushed the dust

and debris fro& his face and bod! and shook his head to get the ringing in his ears to

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G/ kno

:1

hat / a& going to do*H Julian told hi&( De cra led o'er to Serina and

knelt* brushing the fallout fro& the e?plosion fro& her clothes( )hen he scooped her up* a&a+ed at ho light she laid in his ar&s( G/f !ou are going to do hat / think* then !ou ha'e to do t o things for &e*H .en'er said and s allo ed hard( GYou@re not going to lea'e &e to deal ith hi& ithout it(H Julian fro ned( G%nd hat ould that beJH De lo ered Serina back to the ground* grabbed his bag to dig out another gun and a clip( De sho'ed the clip in and cocked it* aiting for .en'er to ans er hi&( .en'er dug into his pockets* tossing ke!s to Julian and pointed( G)ruck@s o'er that a!(H De also handed hi& a &ap( G)he &ap has spots &arked should be safe( "ur father doesn@t kno spot on the &ap* Gthis place here the t o of !ou da!s( 8ut !ou are about the&* and this one house*H he pointed to a

ill be safe for the t o of !ou for a fe

going to ha'e to sta! on the &o'e( 3e&e&ber that(H Julian nodded* took the &ap* and stuffed it in his bag( De tossed the ke!s up in the air before sho'ing the& in his pocket( G%nd the otherJH .en'er sighed( GMake it look like !ou o'ertook &e(H De laughed hen Julian@s head snapped up( G/f he thinks / let !ou go ithout a fight* he@ll kill &e(H G>h! are !ou sta!ingJH G/ need to detour hi& fro& !ou as &uch as possible( No hit &e(H Julian s&iled follo ed b! a chuckle( GNo proble&(H $ike lightning his fist ca&e out and hit .en'er* knocking hi& out cold( De do n hard* and Julian knelt do n to &ake sure the blo .en'er as still ali'e* Julian turned and picked up Serina( .en'er@s truck ha'e as hidden about a &ile a a! fro& the far&house( )he alk should ore hi& out since he carried another person* but he had a fresh outlook on life( ent didn@t kill the gu!( Satisfied

Free* ali'e* and in his ar&s he held the o&an ho ould &ake hi& co&plete(

:2 %n an?ious feeling hit hi&( De couldn@t rela? and take care of her(

Jaden Sinclair ait to get her to a safe place so he could

Dolding Serina tight* he tugged off the bushes and tree li&bs co'ering the four-door truck and unlocked the back door( >ith special care* he placed Serina across the seat and touched her blonde hair* a&a+ed that after all this ti&e he had found her( % bag ith clothes and &one! la! on the floorboard in the front( "b'iousl!* .en'er here his as prepared to take his sister and run if gi'en the opportunit!( De dro'e to cell( De dug the phone out* intending to gi'e $ucian a Cuick call to update hi& on as going on* but the phone rang( Nu&ber unkno n* her( Julian didn@t ans er the phone ith a nor&al hello( De figured since she put a gun in his face and used hi& like a punching bag* he as finished being polite( GDo the hell did !ou get &! nu&ber* and h! the fuck are !ou follo ing &eJH G8ecause it see&s so&eone needs to be around to sa'e !our ass*H she ans ered( Julian ground his teeth* checked on Serina in the backseat before taking a fe a a! fro& the truck( G/ don@t need an! help*H he snapped( She laughed* but it Julian heard the hollo discussions( Mocker! either( Julian closed his e!es and rubbed his face( 8eing tired and talking to her* hoe'er she as* as frustrating as hell( GSo if /@& such a disappoint&ent to atch* go a a!(H G/f / go a a!* !ou@ll die(H De heard the coldness in her 'oice( G-lock@s ticking* Julian( You better get a &o'e on(H asn@t in hu&or( GYes* !our skills as a great hunter are sound of &ocker!( De used it hen he dealt ith -orbin in so&e of their ith others he hunted do n* pheno&enal( /t@s a onder !ou@re still ali'e(H asn@t unheard of steps hich could &ean the caller hat as

o n truck as parked and took the bags ith his o n clothing* &ore &one!* and an e?tra

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

:3

)he line ent dead* and Julian as pissed( )he! ere pla!ing a cat and &ouse ga&e* ith hi& unsure Julian kne hich one he as( De pocketed the phone* sho'ed the last bag into the asn@t on his side( )he sun as front seat* and checked on Serina( she needed to be bled again* but ti&e due to co&e up in a fe hours* and before it did* he had to find the place .en'er told hi& about on the &ap( De needed to get so&e food and be in the house soon* or the ter& fried %ulian as going to be &ore than a s&art-ass re&ark( PPPP She stood under the tree* pissed( Der lip atching hi& toss his bags into the truck* apparentl! as angr!( %nger ould

ent up in a Cuick s&irk( /t@s good that Julian

ensure his sur'i'al* because if he let his guard do n* he as a goner( Der phone bu++ed in her hand* and not taking her e!es off Julian e'er!thing before getting into the truck* she pulled it out( %nother te?t( 4heck in or *$m coming out to bring you in. She sighed* atching Julian pull a a!( * shouldn$t be doing this* she told herself( aiting Follo ing Julian and his blood&ate could not possibl! turn out ell( )urning a a!* she pressed the nu&ber and brought the phone up to her ear* hile it rang( G>here the fuck are !ouJH a &ale 'oice snarled on the other end( GDunting*H she ans ered( G8le up another one of Ferrari@s hideouts(H GYou need to co&e in(H She said nothing be in hile she alked( She thought about the trouble she as going to ith hen the! disco'ered hat she as reall! doing* and it had nothing to do hile he checked

hunting e'en though she found pre! along the a!( G/ can@t*H she said after a fe silent &o&ents( G/@ll check in later(H 8efore &ore could be said* she disconnected and stuffed the phone back into her pocket( >ithin

:2 seconds* she propert!( PPPP as lost in the night and the thick

Jaden Sinclair oods at the back of the old far& house

Julian pulled into a s&all con'enience store around three in the &orning( "ne of those s&all stores open for t ent!-four hours a da! about thirt! &iles a a! fro& their destination* according to .en'er@s &ap( Julian planned to sta! at the house until Serina@s health i&pro'ed* before &o'ing on to the ne?t place( )he &ind* but there as no a! in hell he father soon to be breathing do n their necks( %s e?hausted as he as* Julian couldn@t think about hi&self( Serina@s needs had to ere alone* and as pale and co&e first( She needed to eat* sleep* and he needed to take her blood count do n( De pulled into the deserted parking lot* sur'e!ed the area to be sure the! cli&bing o'er the seat to the back to Serina( /n a deep sleep* her skin bloated( %nother feeding and adapt to his life st!le( %s it happened* she ord ho&e kept co&ing to his ith her as going to take Serina to $ucian@s* not

as needed and soon before her bod! &orphed to purge itself as going to need to soak in a tub to help as

rela? her bod! and ease the cra&ps* and she needed to eat( >hen the change co&plete* like hi&* she ould be unable to tolerate sunlight( GYou a akeJH he

hispered* brushing so&e hair fro& her closed e!es( Julian ith a

grinned( De finall! had her* and she as real( Serina took a deep breath and let it slip out slo l!( G8arel!*H she ans ered eak s&ile( G/ can@t &ake &! e!es open( Julian touched her forehead before leaning do n to gi'e her a soft kiss* a kiss &eant to co&fort her( G)hen don@t( /@& going to go into this store and pick up so&e food for !ou( You sta! in the truck* rest* and don@t get up( / don@t ant an!one to see !ou(H She nodded( GNo proble&( / don@t ha'e the strength to &o'e &uch an! a!(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

:=

Julian kissed her on the cheek before he slid out of the truck( De closed and locked the doors* &aking sure that the! ere secure( ) ent! &inutes later* he ca&e back ith four bags full of food( ) ice he thought he together( De sure didn@t understand ho at a ti&e( GYou@re back fast(H Serina sat up* !a ning behind the dri'er seat( Julian s&iled( G)hought / hold !ou o'er for a fe G-orbin sa!s /@& a shitt! cook(H Serina laughed( )he s eet sound cal&ed hi& and &ade Julian e'er!thing and e'er!one so he could focus all his attention on her( G/t can@t be orse than .en'er@s( /t@s not possible* and ho@s -orbinJH G-orbin is((( ell* he@s a pain in &! ass* but he can cook like a drea&(H De ga'e her a bright* tooth filled grin( G-orbin li'es ith &! budd!* $ucian* and his ife( De sort of takes care of things and bo!* can he fi? a steak(H Julian rubbed his hands together( GMe on the other hand*H he shrugged( G>e@ll Fust ha'e to see(H Julian put the truck in gear and pulled out of the parking lot( G%fter all* it has been a an!one but &!self(H /n another hour* Julian pulled up to the house .en'er prepared as a hiding place( % s&all house one bedroo& up in a loft* another in the base&ent* ith a bathroo& off each* and a s&all kitchen ith an adFoining li'ing roo&( )he sparsel! furnished li'ing roo& ere s&all ith a all( )o Julian it as hea'en* the perfect had one sofa to sit on plus a table ith t o chairs( #'en the bathroo&s sink* toilet* and a tub pushed up against the hile since /@'e had to cook for ant to forget ould never get out of there* but / think / ha'e enough to da!s if !ou don@t &ind &! cooking(H De started the truck( hen he unlocked the door and slid ould drop the&* but &anaged to keep it all

-orbin &anaged to bring in &ore than t o bags

place to hold up for a fe da!s and get Serina@s health back here it needed to be( Julian carried Serina into the house and sat her do n on the sofa( De brought in the bags of food* but stopped in the kitchen* not putting the food a a! or starting to prepare

:<

Jaden Sinclair

so&ething to eat( /nstead* he stood at the counter thinking about ho he as going to ask Serina about her birth&ark( G/s so&ething rongJH she asked fro& the other roo&( Julian rubbed his face before turning around( De crossed his ar&s and &et her ga+e ith his( G/ need to see !our birth&ark(H G>h!JH G8ecause it tells &e ho high !our blood count is(H G/ don@t understand(H She turned on the sofa* leaning against the back* her blue e!es sho ing her confusion( Julian pushed a a! fro& the counter* birth&ark tells &e ho is* and /@ll e?plain it better(H She still fro ned( Julian sat do n ne?t to her( De she had so&e color in her cheeks( G/t@s(((u&(((/ can@t sho !ou*H she finall! got out( Julian fro ned( De didn@t understand sleeping a fe !our blood is(H )he &ark to the hu&an e!e appeared to be nothing &ore than an ordinar! birth&ark* but to a 'a&pire@s e!e it as a ther&o&eter( )he color changed fro& a bro nish red to as rising( "nce a dark red( )he brighter the red the &ore it indicated her blood count ti&es hen / do it( / ha'e to hat as rong( GSerina* / need to kno ( ill be hat the le'el of ,ntil !our health i&pro'es* /@& going to ha'e to take blood fro& !ou* and !ou atch the &ark to kno aited( )hough ner'ous and sh!* ent to her* and knelt* face to face( GYour &e here it bad !our blood count is(H De licked his lips( GSho

'a&pire fed fro& a blood&ate there is no going back to the old bleeding &ethod( /t all beca&e his responsibilit! to keep her blood count do n* or she could dro n and die( )he &ark could be an! here on the bod!* and the a! Serina beha'ed* Julian thought hers &ust be in a &ore inti&ate spot than he first thought(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

::

She sCuir&ed in her seat( /nstead of ans ering hi&* she sho'ed her ar& at hi&( GDere( Just do hat !ou need to do(H De took her hand but onl! to kiss her rist( G"ka!* hat@s rongJH She blushed and a'erted her e!es( G/ don@t ant to sho !ou*H she ans ered( G>h! notJH Serina licked her lips* and her cheeks blushed a brighter red( G8ecause of at(H De sat back against the sofa* his fingers still linked &e 'er! curious(H G/@& hungr!(H She sCuir&ed in the seat again( G>hen can e eatJH 0icking up her ar&* Julian rubbed his thu&b across her rist( Dis &outh Guilt hit ent dr! at the thought of sinking his teeth into the delicate flesh and drinking of her s eet nectar( hen he ga+ed into her blue e!esAe!es that held so&e hope( G/ need to kno * Serina*H he told her in a soft* gentle 'oice( G/ need to kno ho high !our blood is(H She pulled her ar& back* licked her lips* and nodded* but didn@t &eet his e!es( Julian e?pected her to pull her s eatpants do n* since &ost all of the birth&arks ere usuall! on hips or at least belo the aist( >hen Serina unbuttoned her top and pulled it o'er her left shoulder and do n to a lace bra* his gut clenched( )he bra strap dropped off a crea&! shoulder and carefull! Serina parted her breasts* co'ering her &ounds the best she could and still sho Julian( )he fang birth&ark as on her left breast on the inside facing the right* and it as dark red in color( Dis hand shook hen he touched the &ark* and his fangs lengthened( G/t@s bad*H he hole lot &ore( hispered( >ith great regret* he pulled her clothing back together( G/@& going to take so&e fro& !our ar& no * but after !ou eat /@& going to ha'e to take a "ka!JH She ans ered hi& ith a sh! nod( Julian brought her rist up to his lips and sank his teeth( Serina sucked her breath in* but ne'er took her e!es fro& hi&( She bit her lip hard ith hers( G%nd no !ou ha'e here it@s

:; at the sa&e &o&ent he started to drink( #ach s allo s allo hard as steel( Julian anted her and

Jaden Sinclair brought hi& pleasure* and each asn@t read! for that part of

had hi& fighting to hang on to his control( Dis bod! tensed* and his cock turned anted her bad* but she

the bond( De kept telling hi&self her health ca&e first* not his lust or needs( Serina needed to be nourished to o'erco&e her father@s star'ation tactics( She needed rest to get her strength back( %fter that* ith luck* e'er!thing else ould co&e in ti&e( >ith great regret* he closed the ounds and let her rist go* licking his lips( Julian did gi'e in to one thing though( De leaned to ard her and kissed Serina on the lips( G>hat as that forJH she asked so softl! he asn@t sure he heard her( Julian s&iled( GNo reason(H De kissed her one &ore ti&e( G/@& going to fi? !ou so&ething to eat(H >hile he still had the illpo er to do so* Julian left her on the sofa( Not asting an! ti&e* he put e'er!thing a a! breakfast sound to !ouJH G0erfect(H She sighed( GYour ish is &! co&&and( "ne large breakfast co&ing right up(H #ggs* hash bro ns* sausages* toast* &ilk* Fuice* and a large steak filet G% feast fit for a Cueen(H Julian &otioned ere piled high on her plate( For hi&self he Fust fi?ed a rare steak and had so&e eggs to go ith it( ith his hand for her to ha'e a seat at the hite table( GNo / e?pect !ou to eat e'er!thing* and later on if !ou are still hungr!* /@ll fi? !ou &! special blueberr! pancakes(H Julian s&iled brightl!* sho ing his sparkling teeth( GNot e'en -orbin kno s ho the recipe for shit(H G)ell &e about $ucian*H she asked interesting(H Julian chuckled* picked up his napkin* and iped her lips( De atched her hand close around the glass of &ilk( De e'en atched her drink and s allo * pleased to see she as ith a &outh full of eggs( GDe sounds to &ake those* and $ucian can@t get &e to gi'e up hile fi?ing Serina so&e real food( GDo does a kick ass

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not eating like she should be( %ll blood&ates ate huge a&ounts of food* since the 'a&pire the! and satisfied their urges( on food and feed fro& hu&ans* it as their blood&ates hich

:9 as reCuired

ere bonded to fed fro& the&( #'en though a 'a&pire could li'e ho ga'e the& the best nutrition

G$ucian is &! best friend or closer than thatM he@s &ore like a brother to &e( >e ha'e al a!s been close* and e@'e been through &an! things together(H Julian stood up and took the gallon Fug of &ilk fro& the fridge( De ca&e back and poured her another glassful* sitting the Fug on the table instead of putting it back( GDe@s bonded and has a son( ,se to be a hunter like &e* but Cuit once his blood&ate beca&e pregnant(H GYou think of the& like !our fa&il!*H she stated( G/ can see it in !our e!es(H G"nl! fa&il! / ha'e(H De reached for ard and caressed her cheek( G,ntil no (H She blushed and put a big piece of steak into her &outh( G>hat happens no JH Der blue e!es held such trust Julian couldn@t ait for the& to hold lo'e for hi&( GNo e sta! here a fe da!s*H he ans ered* sitting back in his seat and cutting his o n steak( G/@& going to ork on getting !ou ell(H G%nd after thatJH She as e'er!thing he hoped a blood&ate ould be( G>e ha'e to sta! on the &o'e( ill &eet $ucian* his /@& not going to lie to !ou( )his is going to be rough( Your father is going to be do n our throats( 8ut hen it@s safe* / pro&ise /@ll take !ou ho&e* and !ou ho ife )e&pest* and -orbin* ill cook for !ou like there is no to&orro (H Serina ould be best if e sleep do n in the base&ent( .on@t

s&iled* lo ering her e!es( G#at up( /@& going to need to take &ore blood fro& !ou before e rest for the da!* and / think it G>hat about the truckJH G/@ll hide it* and hile /@& doing that* !ou soak in the tub(H De s&iled again( Just ith her &ade hi& happ! and rela?ed* but he couldn@t let his being in the sa&e roo& ant an!one to kno so&eone is sta!ing here(H

;7 guard do n( G.on@t orr! about a thing( You rest* and

Jaden Sinclair hen !ou get hungr!* let &e

kno * or Fust co&e up here and eat( You@re no longer on a set a&ount of food(H Julian finished his food and ent out to hide the truck( >hen he ca&e back* the as pleased she@d taken his ent back up to the other ent kitchen as clean* and Serina as not in the upstairs bath( De ent do n to the base&ent and heard her in the tub in the second bathroo&( Julian bathroo& ad'ice to sta! do nstairs and also for the soak in the tub( De back do n to the base&ent* Serina

here he took a Cuick sho er and then dressed in s eatpants( >hen he

as alread! in the bed and sleeping( /n order to see

the &ark on her breast and being gentle* he opened the button do n front of the nightshirt she changed into( Still a dark red* it needed to be a lighter color( De picked up her ar& and lo'ingl! sank his teeth into her dra ing as &uch blood into his &outh as he could* Julian doing Fust that at the ne?t feeding( >hen her &ark lightened up* Julian closed the ound* fi?ed her shirt* and tucked the co'ers around her( De alked around the bed to the other side* unable to take his e!es off her* his bod! tense* anting and begging for so&e kind of release( De pushed it all aside hen he slid under the co'ers ne?t to her( >ith a sigh* Julian pulled her into his ar&s* closed his e!es* and let sleep take hi&( rist( 0ulling on the 'ein* as at her as and planned on ished like hell he

throat instead( De could bring do n the count so &uch Cuicker if he

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

;1

C!a$ter Seven
Julian stood at the sto'e* histling* flipping pancakes ith skill( .o n in the

base&ent Serina still slept( De figured it had been a long ti&e since she had a full bell! and such a peaceful sleep* but he orried about her( /f she didn@t ake soon* he ouldn@t be able to ork on taking a large a&ount of her blood* and if he couldn@t do that* she as going to be hurting big ti&e again soon( Julian had so &uch to think about bet his last dollar she didn@t kno hat he ith hi& and Serina on their o n( Do long as ould it going to be before the purging startedJ De didn@t look for ard to the e'ent( De

an!thing about it* either( Der father had onl! told her as clean and

anted her to kno ( >ith Fust the idea of the process co&ing an! ti&e* Julian

had prepared the bathroo& before starting their &eal* &aking sure the tub read! for ater at a &o&ent@s notice if need be(

De turned the burner off after he had a large stack read! for her on a plate sitting ne?t to the hot burner for ar&th( De as Fust about to call out to her hen Serina ca&e as a &ess* the dark circles ere still pro&inent* and the old night shirt she up the base&ent stairs and looked stunning( Der blonde hair around her e!es though starting to fade slept in hard against the +ipper of his Feans( GDungr!JH he asked* turning his back on her* taking the plate of pancakes fro& on top of the sto'e( De hoped to hide the proof of his o n selfish need( G%l a!s*H she ans ered and sighed( Julian glanced o'er his shoulder atching her sit do n at the table( G)he hunger ill go a a! in a fe da!s*H he told her* sitting the plate on the table in front of her( G0ancakes like / pro&ised(H

as se?less* and she stirred his desires to a point Julian had an erection pressing

;2 She s&iled( G"h* the! s&ell great(H

Jaden Sinclair

GYeah* &ake sure !ou tell -orbin / &ade the& too(H De chuckled( G/t cra+!(H

ill dri'e hi&

Julian said nothing hen she stacked fi'e on her plate* poured so&e s!rup* and ent to to n on the&( /n the ti&e it took her* he sat do n and hid his condition .espite his disco&fort* he enFo!ed ho the food hile he ate Fust t o( G)his is hea'en*H she &u&bled ith a &outh full( G3e&ind &e to repa! !ou ith &! &other@s coconut pie(H G"h* / lo'e pies(H Julian licked his lips( G8est part of an! &eal is the dessert* / think(H De poured her a large glass of orange Fuice and sat back betterJH Serina nodded( G%fter a great night of sleeping* different person(H G.on@t forget about &! feedings*H he stated( G)hose helped* too( She iped her &outh and sat back in her chair( G.id / drea& it* or did !ou bite &! rist againJH G/t asn@t a drea&( G%nd did !ou look at &! &arkJH Julian cocked his head to one side( G>ould it bother !ou if / hadJH GYes*H she hispered( Julian opened his &outh* but an!thing he &ight ha'e said as forgotten b! the sudden loss of color in her face( GShitBH Julian gro led* kno ing hat as rong( Serina Fu&ped up out of her chair and ran into the bathroo&( Julian follo ed Fust in ti&e to see Serina 'o&it her breakfast and a large a&ount of blood into the toilet( G>hat@s(((happening(((to &eJH she cried( ith a full sto&ach* / feel like a hile she ate( GFeeling she stuffed her &outh ith the table( ith a &assi'e a&ount of

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Julian ent o'er to the tub* checked the ater te&perature* and et a

;3 ashcloth

hich he placed on the back of her neck( >hile she huddled o'er the toilet* he rubbed her shoulders to help ease the tension in the knotted &uscles there( GYour bod! is purging itself( /t happens as ondering hen it as going to hit !ou(H G/ don@t understand*H she panted( G/t@s a &eta&orphous* !our bod!@s G>hat((( hat are !ou doingJH G)he ater helps ith the cra&ps* and / ha'e a bath aiting for !ou(H De began to ork on the buttons of her shirt( GYou don@t e?pect &e to get in there ith !ouJH De could hear the panic in her 'oice and see it in her e!es( She looked so lost and helpless* Julian@s hand fro+e in the act of unbuttoning her shirt( GYou can keep !our clothes on(H Julian bent do n to help her to her feet* but Serina started to shake( G/-/ can@t get in there ith !ou*H she hispered( G"ka!(H Julian picked her up and lo ered her into the ater being careful not to hurt her( G/@ll sit on the side* and !ou can soak(H Der scent and hearing the beat of her heart caused his fangs to throb( De her throat rose up in hi& to the point he could barel! push it aside for the pain( G8etterJH De had to clear his throat and lo er his e!es( )he Julian as sure his e!es had alread! changed to sil'er( Serina rested her head on his ar&( )he s&all contact &ade Julian bite his lo er lip and fight for control( a! his bod! reacted* anted to sink his teeth into her* to drink his fill* and dro n in her essence( Dis desire to drink fro& a! of preparing itself for the de&ands of being a bonded blood&ate*H he told her* tugging his shirt o'er his head( G-all it a fresh start(H hen !our blood&ate starts to feed fro& !ou(H De continued rubbing her neck hile he leaned around her and flushed the toilet( G/

;2 GYes*H she sighed( GGood(H Seconds ticked b!* and Julian thought he up to an e?plosion

Jaden Sinclair

as going to die fro& the tension building

ithin his bod!( )hinking it &ight be better for both of the&* he

prepared to lea'e hen out of no here* she started to laugh( G>hat@s so funn!JH he asked( G/@& in a bathtub in &! night shirt(H She laughed( GGod* / &ust look a ful(H Julian found so&e relief for hi&self in being able to laugh ith her( GYou don@t look bad(H De brushed so&e et hair fro& her forehead( GYou look great(H Serina shook her head and sobered( GJulian(H GYeah(H She laughed again( G/@& hungr! again(H Julian laughed at that( G"ka!( $et &e go get !ou a change of clothes* and dress* /@ll fi? !ou so&e &ore pancakes(H Julian ent do n to their roo& and dug into her bag( De ca&e out ith so&e ith a pair of s eatpants and a shirt along ar& socks( >hen he rushed back up to her* hile !ou

Serina still soaked in the tub* so he left the clothes on top of the s&all sink( >hile she finished up* he ent to fi? her a fresh batch of pancakes( De grinned at her hen she ca&e out* enFo!ing ho so&e color ca&e into her face( She didn@t see& so orn out* but she didn@t appear 'er! health!* either( G>hatJH she asked( She s&iled and ran her fingers through her et hair( GYou@re starting to look better*H he told her( Serina took the seat and giggled hen Julian kissed her on the cheek( G/@& starting to feel &uch better(H Julian sat do n across fro& her and pleasant e?pression on her face( GJulian* can / ask !ou so&ethingJH atched hile she ate &ore( De lo'ed the

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

;=

Julian linked his fingers o'er his chest and sat back in his chair( G%sk an!thing !ou like(H Der cheeks flushed* and her e!es lo ered( % fe &o&ents passed before her e!es rose again( G%re !ou al a!s going to be taking blood fro& &! ristJH Julian@s ga+e &et her right in the e!es( GNo* in order for &e to take a great deal and bring !our blood count do n* /@& going to ha'e to take fro& !our neck( >h!@d !ou askJH She took a deep breath* and it see&ed like she braced herself for the real Cuestion she anted to ask( G>ill it beLH She blushed and started again( G/s it going to be intense like hen !ou do it fro& &! ristJH Dol! shitB Julian had to force hi&self not to Fu&p on her right then and there( $ucian told hi& true blood&ates got 'er! aroused during feedings and &ost of the ti&e the first fe occasions De feeding(H GSo-u&-are !ou going to-u&LH she bit her lo er lip before she fi?ed her blue-e!ed ga+e on hi&( G>hat is going to happen thenJH Julian tried ithout success to hide his s&ile( GNothing hat she ill happen that !ou don@t little she ant to happen(H De kne kne about his orld( G>h! ha'en@t !ou tried toO!ou kno (H She blushed again and giggled( G%nd stop s&iling like that(H Julian picked up her hand and rubbed her hat !ou@re health! enough(H rist ith his thu&b( G/ ant to* if that@s ait until !ou are ondered about( /@& d!ing to finish our bond* but / can as tr!ing to ask* and it a&a+ed hi& ho ere the strongest( )he a! Serina blushed and didn@t look at hi& &eant as raging ith each she felt so&ething hen he fed fro& her rist( orked hard* da&n hard at appearing and acting cal&* but inside he e are full! bonded it ill get &ore intense hot( GYes and each ti&e until

;<

Jaden Sinclair G/-/ don@t kno an!thing(H She s allo ed hard( G%nd /@& a bit scared(H G.on@t orr! about that right no (H De brought her hand up* kissing it( G>e hate'er pace !ou feel co&fortable ill

finish the bond at

ith(H De nodded to her plate(

GNo finish !our food and /@& going to get so&e ste on for lunch( Julian stood back up to get her lunch started( "ne thing -orbin al a!s talked about as ho a rich ste could i&pro'e a blood&ate( >hile he orked* Serina ent o'er to as the sofa and lounged about* not taking long before she fell asleep( Julian co'ered her ith a thick Cuilt draped o'er the back of the sofa and then he ouldn@t disturb Serina( G$ucian* !ou are not going to belie'e hat@s going on(H G>here the hell are !ouJH $ucian de&anded( G/@'e been cut &! balls off(H Julian chuckled( GGood for her( You need to sta! there(H G)his better be good* because if it isn@t /@& going to kick !our ass ho&e(H G/ found her(H Julian let the si&ple state&ent hang in the air* aiting for the response fro& $ucian( /t asn@t long in co&ing( GNo shit(H G3en+o Ferrari@s daughter is &! blood&ate(H GSon-of-a-bitchBH $ucian gro led( GDo is sheJH G8ad shape* but /@& Fucker as star'ing her(H GSo hen are !ou co&ing ho&eJH orking on her( / need to get her blood count do n and lots of that /@'e gotten her a a! fro& her father( food in her* but she@s going to be fine no hen !ou get aiting to hear fro& !our sorr! ass for da!s no ( / as about to go out hunting for !ou until )e&pest threatened to ent to his bag for his cell( /t ti&e he called $ucian and filled hi& in on hat as going on( De alked up to the loft so

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

;:

Julian rubbed his face* ga+ing o'er the railing at Serina( G/ can@t* not right no (H De &o'ed a a!* to ard the indo ( G/ think /@& being follo ed b! a guardian* and she@s blo n up a fe of Ferrari@s places* so / think he &ight be a little pissed(H G%nd toss in the fact !ou ha'e his daughter*H $ucian finished( GGot !ou(H G/ don@t ant this ar landing on !our doorstep(H G/ understand* but !ou on(H Julian heard Serina stirring belo ( GGot to go(H G)ake care of !ourself* Julian(H )he line ent dead* and Julian ent back do n to check the ste ( %fter she oke* it ould be ti&e to feed fro& her( GNice napJH he asked( GGuess so( /@& al a!s falling asleep after / eat(H G.on@t orr! about it( Your bod! needs the ti&e to heal* and after / turn the heat do n so&e on the ste * /@& going toLH GFeed*H she finished for hi&( >hen he fro ned at her* she Fust shrugged( De ent to the sofa and sat do n ne?t to her( G%re !ou unco&fortable ith itJH Serina shook her head( G/ think /@& &ore unco&fortable going to feel( / don@t kno !ou 'er! feels like e@'e kno n each other all our li'es* but e ha'en@t(H De touched her face* a&a+ed at ho to e?plain* but it has to do to push us together( >e G3ead!JH soft her skin as* like the finest silk( G/t@s hard ere born to be a ith the natural bond bet een us( You ith the idea of hat /@& ell* and here !ou are taking care of &e( /t al&ost atch !our back( /@'e ne'er heard of a guardian follo ing hose side she@s an!thing the! eren@t supposed to kill( >hoe'er she is* !ou don@t kno

'a&pire@s blood&ate( Your bod! kno s hat /@'e done for !ou* so it@s sort of like tr!ing on@t do an!thing !ou don@t ant to do* but / need to take !our count do n(H She nodded in agree&ent and e'en let Julian bring her across his lap(

;; Serina nodded* and Julian &o&ent( rapped one ar& around her

Jaden Sinclair aist( Dis other hand &o'ed

up to hold her neck( She see&ed so fragile* like a china doll that could break at an! Julian brushed his lips o'er her throat* tilting her head at an angle* &aking sure he as gentle !et fir&( ,sing the tip of his tongue* he licked at the arter! pulsing he assu&ed as both e?cite&ent and fear( Dis gu&s throbbed ith hat ith an ache &atching the

Cuick gro th of his cock pressing against his Feans( Fangs e?tended to their full lengthM all Julian had to do as open his &outh and bite do n( De sank into her flesh and &oaned ith the first hot drop of her hone! s eet blood touching his tongue( Sucking harder* he pulled in as &uch as his &outh could take( >ith each strong pull* Serina@s tenseness eased( She leaned against his chest and sCuir&ed on his lap* digging the fingers of one hand into his shoulder( Der breathing increased* the fingers of her other hand dug into his side* and she pressed herself against hi&( GJulian*H she hi&pered( Julian &o'ed his hand do n fro& her neck and cupped one of her breasts( Serina &oaned and dropped her head back as &uch as his hold on her throat hi&( Julian needed to feel her bare skin( 8ut her da&n shirt couldn@t see& to get his hand under it( G.o so&ething( )ouch &e*H she hispered( De ripped her shirt off her shoulder and closed his hand o'er her bare breast( Julian &oaned against her neck and sCuee+ed harder* lo'ing the sounds co&ing fro& her lips hile he touched and fed* but her sCuir&ing dro'e hi& insane( Julian gro led lo * his hand &o'ing fro& her breast to inside her s eatpants before she could 'oice a reFection( -upping her puss!* he gro led again at the heat and da&pness he disco'ered( ) o fingers slid deep inside her* and he al&ost ca&e in his ould let her( De a!* and he sCuee+ed the flesh and brushed his thu&b across her hard nipple* but it asn@t enough for as in the

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

;9

Feans fro& the tightness greeting his probing( De fed deepl! fro& her neck and fucked her ith his hand( Serina didn@t see& to &ind* either* boldl! &o'ing on his lap to face hi&( Do did ithout breaking his hold* Julian had no idea* but he lo'ed the position( )he ar& around her aist flipped up to hold the back of her head* and he pulled e'en harder at the 'ein hile Serina rode his hand( De could taste her pleasure s eetening her ound( De &o'ed his head back* blood* fueling Julian to take things e'en further* but a pro&ise as a pro&ise( Julian reluctantl! pulled back and closed the resting it on the sofa( G/f gro led( Serina rapped her ar&s around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder( She tugged at his shirt until her lips touched his bare shoulder* and the hole ti&e she &o'ed her hips on his hand* riding hi& ith tin! gasps( G/@& not sure if / ant to stop*H she hispered against his neck( Julian stopped all &o'e&ents and pulled back to see her e!es( GYou sureJH Serina also pulled back and e'en though she looked scared and uncertain* she took hold of her shirt and pulled it o'er her head* tossing it on the floor( Julian re&o'ed his hand fro& her pants* took hold of her face and kissed her( De &o'ed his lips o'er hers* sipping and nipping on the botto& one before plunging his tongue deep inside her &outh( Sliding his hands fro& her face do n to her backside and inside her s eats* he cupped her ass to bring her closer against his aching cock( Fingers ran deep into his hair* scraping his scalp* and inciting his hunger &ore( )he! both rushed to get the other@s clothing off( She tugged and pulled on his shirt* getting it open* but not off do n her hips( Julian broke the kiss* but Fust so he could take a fe deep breaths ith the hopes of getting under so&e kind of control before his &outh as back on hers( Standing Serina in hile he tried to keep her on his lap and still pull the s eats e don@t stop no * /@& not going to be able to stop later*H he she

97 front of hi&* he stood( No the! la!( a! in hell he

Jaden Sinclair as going to take her for their first ti&e on a here

sofa( De Ferked her s eats do n her legs and picked her up* lea'ing her clothes

Julian clutched her to hi&* naked and in his ar&s* and &ade for the stairs going up to the loft* kissing her &outh* do n her throat* and kissing her breasts( "nce the! &ade it to the bed* he licked fro& her bell! up to bet een her breasts to her chin as he laid her do n( Sa'oring each and e'er! &o&ent* Julian bent o'er and kissed her on her flat sto&ach( 8raced ith a hand on the either side of her* he gra+ed her bod! ith his &outh* orking his a! up to her breasts and flicking his tongue o'er each hard nipple( )o dra out each bit of pleasure* he sucked one nipple into his &outh* pulling on the nub ith his teeth* popped it out* and &o'ed to gi'e the ne?t one the sa&e a&ount of attention( GYou are so beautiful*H he orked open the snap of his Feans( "nce his Feans ere off* he returned to kissing her breasts* licking his atching her a! around the underside to a perk! nipple* hile he sucked the nipple in and bit it hispered( Julian stood up* thro ing his shirt off* and

gentl!( Serina closed her e!es and arched her back up to hi&( #'er!thing he did to her felt so good* see&ed so right to hi&( Mo'ing to the other nipple* he did the sa&e thing( ) eaking both nipples to hard points* he rubbed his face o'er the&( De lo'ed the feel of her skin( De also lo'ed the taste( GGod* !ou are so soft*H he &u&bled G/@& ne'er going to let !ou go(H Julian took his ti&e kissing his a! do n her bod!* stopping for a second at her bell! button* licking around it( Dearing her soft &oan hen he pushed his tongue into the tin! hole* he couldn@t ait to hear her screa&s of pleasure( G>hat@s happening to &eJH she &oaned( Julian s&iled at her fists* clenching and unclenching in the blankets( G0leasure(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

91

Julian continued his Fourne! do n ard( /nstead of di'ing into the treasure a aiting hi&* Julian &o'ed to her hip( De picked up her leg and sat back on his knees* scooting her to the &iddle( >hen he kissed the side of her knee and up her thigh* his fangs lengthened* and the desire to feed fro& her again s ept o'er hi&( Julian spread her legs ide and ad&ired the pale blond curls( Dis cock t itched hen he s&elled her arousal and sa the de present on her curls( $eaning do n* he took a deep* slo anted so&ething* but didn@t kno breath* inhaling her scent* and then he let it out( Serina &o'ed her hips hen the heat of his breath touched the etness( De could tell she hat that so&ething as or ho to ask for it( Julian@s hunger ca&e to a point here he couldn@t control it( De licked her fro& back to front( >hen the tip of his tongue touched her hard clit* Serina had her first orgas&( She shook* held her breath and both hands fisted into his hair* tugging on the strands as he closed his lips on her clit and sucked hard( She &o'ed her grip to the sheet and bit her lip hen he glanced up* and ith a one last pull he released her clit( G%l&ost read!*H Julian said against her pel'ic bone* rubbing the pal& of his hand against her et &ound( GFor hatJH she asked tr!ing to catch her breath( GFor &e*H he ans ered( Julian pushed his fingers into her tightness* closed his e!es and groaned( 0utting his hardness in there as going to be a special treat for hi&( De began a gentle in and out orked to stretch her* Julian &otion* using his thu&b to bu&p into her clit( >hile he a Cuick ride for hi&( De had could gi'e hi&(

kissed his a! back up her bod!( >ith his o n bod! so tense* he kne it as going to be aited too long for the release no one other than his o&an and this o&an alone blood&ate could gi'e hi&* so long for the pleasure this

92

Jaden Sinclair Julian kissed her deep and re&o'ed his hand( De took hold of his hard cock and

rubbed it up and do n the slit* dra ing out the s&all( De braced &ost of his ith his hips( Julian e'er entered in his life( >ith a groan* he closed his e!es* put all of his his slo &o'e&ent inside her tight puss!( De didn@t

etness* lubricating hi&self for the as so

entrance( Der bod! coated his to &ake the first entr! s&ooth and gentle( She eight on one ar& and spread her lips ide

hile he pushed

atched the head of his dick push inside the narro est opening he@d eight on his elbo s* and continued ant to go fast* didn@t ant it to be

o'er before it began* !et his o n orgas& as so close( Julian entered her slo l!* feeling her bod! stretch to the &a? for hi&( De could tell he caused her pain b! the a! she pushed against his chest( >hen Julian touched the barrier proclai&ing her innocence* he be gentle* but the thing hurt her* eas!( G)his is going to hurt*H he &oaned* closing his e!es( G/ can@t help it(H Julian pushed hard* breaking through( Serina cried out* but bit her lo er lip to stop( Der nails dug deep into his ar&s hile he forced his a! in( )ears ca&e to her e!es* and he sa ho she fought a strong urge to push hi& off( G/ can@t( / can@t( / can@t*H he groaned( Julian gripped the sheet under her pillo ( De tried like hell to fight his bod! and go slo * but his bod! on( Dis hips started to &o'e in short and fast thrusts( Dis fangs* long and sharp* aited to sink into her soft neck and drink again* a desire he couldn@t ignore( )hrusting into her* strong and deep* Julian@s fangs sank back into her neck( De drank hard and fast* &atching the pull of his &outh ith the thrust of his hips( ouldn@t gi'e( ) ice he tried to push as lost( De tried to ouldn@t be ith less force so as not to

anted to be gentle and bring her the least a&ount of pain* but it

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Dis orgas& erupted fro& hi&( Julian reared back in pure ecstas!* !elling close the ound on her neck( >ith a Cuick lick to the blood that &ade a slo rist( Serina

93 ith each trail do n

spurt of his seed that filled Serina( % fe seconds passed before he re&e&bered he hadn@t her throat* he closed his &outh on the ound and sucked one last ti&e before closing it( Still buried inside her* he bit into his o n as al&ost asleep* but not Cuite* gi'ing Julian enough ti&e to do the one last thing he needed to do in order to seal their bond( 8lood* rich and thick poured out* and Julian held Serina@s head up to it( G.rink fro& &! bod!( )ake &! life into !ours like / ha'e taken !ours into &ine(H Julian &oaned hen her lips closed on the cut* and she began to suck( % rush of ra se?ual desire hit* and Julian@s cock beca&e stiff as stone inside her* but he didn@t &o'e( GYessssss*H he hissed* closing his e!es at the pleasure her drinking ga'e hi&( De couldn@t stop his hips fro& rotating or the tin! orgas& fro& slipping past his control( G8e &! blood&ate*H he groaned one last ti&e before dropping on the bed and falling asleep(

92

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter Eig!t
"'he$s not here.& "#here did she go-& %ulian stood in the middle of the den, his hands on his hips waiting for the birthday girl to show. er absence on her birthday made a red flag go up. e didn$t know what had happened. 6ne moment he was there playing cards with her, he got called off to see his father, and she disappeared. All in that order. "*$m sorry,& the maid said with sadness in her old eyes. "'he +ust ran upstairs, changed her dress, and left.& %ulian rushed past the woman and took the stairs two at a time. foot of her bed, packing her things. "#hat$s going on-& %ulian asked. "'he$s gone. #on$t be coming back,& Ambrose told him. "#hy-& ,esperation curdled in his gut like a rotten fish. "#hat$s wrong-& The suitcase closed, the packing finished, and %ulian sensed more than +ust clothes were being packed away. "*f you see her again, ask her.& out, leaving him standing there. Julian sat up in bed breathing hard( S eat co'ered his bod! as if he@d Fust gone a round ith so&e gu! in a bo?ing ring and lost( De slipped out of bed and &ade his a! e patted %ulian on the shoulder before he walked e ran into her bedroom, slamming the door into the wall. The man who owned the house stood at the

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not to the bathroo&( Still dark outside and his

9= atch told hi& he had slept for Fust o'er an

hour( )he s&all house s&elled so good ith the ste si&&ering in the kitchen( "nce in the bathroo&* he turned the ater on to splash his face and looked at hi&self in the &irror( Julian Fu&ped s&iling at her( GDe!* !ou oka!JH GYeah( Just thought of so&ething is all(H Dis e!es roa&ed o'er her bod!( GYou look good in &! shirt(H Serina blushed( G)hanks(H GYou oka!JH 8lue e!es sparkled ith a ne found life( GNe'er felt better and 'er! hungr!(H Julian crossed his ar&s o'er his chest and leaned against the sink( G>ell* / as going to take a Cuick sho er in this s&all tub( >ant to Foin &eJH She bit her lip and lo ered her head* but her e!es hispered( )he shirt ent o'er her head* and then ith a sh! s&ile* she alked past hi& into the sho er( Julian@s bod! sprang to life( Quickl! turning in her direction* he follo ed her into the tub and stood at her back( >ater cascaded o'er her bod! and onto his hands( De couldn@t see& to get enough of touching her( Der hands Julian needed( Dis &outh trailed do n her back* follo ing a lone drop of do n* kneeling behind her backside ater( De licked his a! ith his hands spla!ed on her sides( >ith the ent into the ater* and she arched her back into hi&( )he sign ere still on hi&( GYes*H she hen Serina touched his bare back( De turned around*

ulti&ate gentleness* he turned her around* kissing her bod! as she &o'ed( "nce she faced hi&* Julian rose and picked her up( Der legs rapped around his aist( 0ressing her back against the all* Julian lo ered her onto his aching hardness(

9< % perfect fit and she &atched his hunger hen he &o'ed strokes in such a slo

Jaden Sinclair ithin her( Dard* po erful ith passion

&otion it brought tin! gasps and &oans fro& her lips( "'er and

o'er again he &o'ed* bouncing her hard on his cock* and still she &o'ed perfection(

and desire in e'er! g!ration( Serina urged hi& on like no other( She &atched hi& to Near the end* Julian sank his teeth into her( Serina cried out* her bod! shaking pleasure hen her orgas& hit( Julian closed his e!es* letting his o n pleasure hi& hile he drank( Dis ar&s tightened around her bod! hile his head rested on the tiles( De fought to get his bod! under control and orked to find the energ! to release hi&self fro& her( G/ can@t lose !ou(H Julian breathed out( G/f / lose !ou* &! heart is gone(H Serina@s ar&s tightened around his neck( G/@& not going an! here(H PPPP )he! sat at the table* Serina eating another large &eal* .en'er ga'e hi&* tr!ing to decide needed to deter&ine G.o hated to lea'e* because he enFo!ed hi&self ith Serina* it hile Julian studied the &ap as ti&e to &o'e on( De as ne'er far fro& ith

ash o'er

hat their ne?t destination should be( %lthough he

here the ne?t place should be( .en'er@s ad'ice

his &ind( )he! needed a hiding place difficult to find( e ha'e to lea'eJH Serina asked hile taking her dishes to the sink( >hen she as done* she ca&e back and curled up in his lap( Julian &o'ed back into a &ore co&fortable position( Not e'en fort!-eight hours since the! bonded and alread! she as a different o&an( GYes* e do( / don@t ant !our father finding !ou no that *$ve found !ou and !ou are slo l! returning to good health(H De kissed her* his lips lingering ith the tip of his tongue brushing against hers( G>e@re going to ha'e to sta! on the &o'e for a hile(H G/f !ou sa! so(H She sighed* resting her head on his shoulder( G/ like this place(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G/@ll &ake sure to build !ou one of !our o n(H )hat &ade her grin( GSo hen are e packing it upJH Serina got off his lap* and chair and finished her &ilk(

9:

ith regret* Julian let her go( She sat back do n in her

G/ think e can start packing to&orro night(H De looked back do n at the &ap ith a fro n( G/@& Fust tr!ing to figure out located(H G>ooded spots*H she said( Julian snapped his head up* and she s&iled( G)he spots he has &arked are close to a a!(H GDo @d !ou kno thatJH She shrugged( G8ecause a fe hen he for&ed this plan* / helped( >e sort of backtracked e all hid out in( )hought it as the best plan places .ad had been at and a fe oods( )he houses ill be surrounded b! trees and stuff* hidden here the houses !our brother has set up are

since he doesn@t go back to an! of the places he@s been before(H G/t is(H Julian sat back and crossed his ar&s o'er his chest( G>hat happened to hi&J Your father* / &ean(H She shrugged again* sat back in her chair* and lo ered her head( 3ight off Julian could tell she as unco&fortable to pr!(H GYou@re not pr!ing*H she replied( G%nd !ou do ha'e a right to kno the happ! all around fa&il!* for the &ost part( .en'er told &e things as born(H >hen Julian opened his &outh* she like that( )he! things started to change then(H Serina stood back up and refilled her glass ith &ilk* but she didn@t co&e back to the table( /nstead* she leaned back on the counter( GM! &other@s sister &! parents both kne as a blood&ate* so hat &! birth&ark &eant( M! %unt died ha'ing a bab!* and it hat !ou@re ere getting !ourself into(H Serina took a deep breath and let it out 'er! slo l!( G)he! ith the Cuestion( GSorr!( .idn@t &ean

ere great* until /

ent on before he could speak( GNo* not

ere thrilled to ha'e &e* until / as born ith the birth&ark( .en'er said

9;

Jaden Sinclair

asn@t until &uch later that / found out &! father lo'ed her* and to be close to her after she &arried* he &arried &! &other( )he! ere t ins(H GSounds cold*H Julian grunted( GGuess once &! &other found out* it GSo hat@d she doJH Serina shrugged again( GShe did the best she could( .en'er said it ground* sa!ing it as after / as born that our &other changed to ard dad* not doing e'er!thing he said( She held her as an honor to ha'e a blood&ate for a daughter* but he didn@t the ans er* but ant to asn@t hear it( / guess she didn@t see& like her sister an! longer(H GDo @d !our &other dieJ@ Julian had a gut feeling he kne sure if Serina did( She hugged herself and* and her bod! language changed( )he hurt and pain had nothing to do ith her blood count rising but e'er!thing to do ith a father@s betra!al( G)he t o of the& ere in a car crash* and &! &other didn@t &ake it(H Der 'oice shook* and tears( De the back( G/ kno he had so&ething to do ith it*H she cried* her hands fisting in his shirt and as Fust so&ething about his e!es hen e ent to her face buried in his chest( G)here hen her blue e!es turned up to look at hi&* Julian sa her ent to her and took her into his ar&s* tr!ing to co&fort her b! patting her on as too late(H She chuckled( GShe alread! had .en'er and their fa&ilies didn@t belie'e in di'orce(H

the hospital to see the&( % coldness that / Fust couldn@t put a finger on then( De &ourned &! aunt* not &! &other( / still don@t understand ho he could li'e ith hi&self( Do can so&eone go on ith blood on their handsJH G)here are so&e people out there that Fust don@t gi'e a shit hat the! do or ho the! do it to get hat the! ant*H Julian told her* rubbing her back( GYour father is one of those people( /f he lo'ed !our aunt then !ou being born a blood&ate si&pl! pushed hi& o'er the edge(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not She shook her head( G/ don@t think / can e'er forgi'e hi& for &! fa&il!* e'er!thing( De turned into a &onster( 0retended that

99 hat he@s done to &e* hat / a& is nothing

&ore than a sickness( %nd hat has &e feeling so asha&ed is that /@& the cause of it all(H G.on@t be asha&ed of an!thing*H he tightened his hold on her( GNone of this is on !our shoulders( /t@s his sickness* not !ours or .en'er@s* or e'en &ine for that &atter(H )ears flo ed fro& her e!es( GDe killed &! &other because her sister died* then he tried to kill &e(H She &oaned into his chest* fisting his shirt( GDe as supposed to care for &e and lo'e &e no &atter hat( Not hate &e because of hat / a& born to be(H G/ don@t kno (H Julian sighed( GSo&eti&es fathers can si&pl! be dicks(H )hat state&ent had her laughing slightl!( )i&e see&ed to stand still ith Serina in his ar&s and hi& thinking about hat the future &ight ha'e in store for the&( GDe!(H Julian hooked his finger under her chin* &aking her look at hi&( GSince this is our last night here* ho about !ou &ake that pie !ou pro&ised and / check in ith $ucian(H De s&iled at her( G.!ing to see if !ou cook better than &e(H She laughed* nodded* and stood up( Julian stood up also* ga'e her a Cuick kiss* and then ent do n to the bedroo& for the phone he@d left there( 8efore he &ade his call* he sat do n on the side of the bed* rubbing his face and shaking his head( De had been in lo'e asn@t sure ho to take hat Serina had Fust told hi&( Der father ith her aunt* ho happened to be a blood&ate and to ans er her fate

took a 'a&pire husband instead of hi&( Da'ing this infor&ation about 3en+o e?plained so&e about his &oti'ation( De belie'ed he as sa'ing his child fro& the sa&e fate his &ake belie'e ife* the aunt* had hen $ucian suffered( Do &uch &ore t isted could one person beJ De flipped the phone open and dialed $ucian( GDe!* budd!*H he said ans ered( GDo @re things goingJH $ucian asked(

177 GGoing to be &o'ing to&orro three or four nights at a ti&e( / don@t to ait a hile before / take her there(H night*H Julian said( G/ thinking

Jaden Sinclair e ill sta! about

ant 3en+o co&ing to !our doorstep* so /@& going

G/@'e been doing so&e in'estigating into hi& for !ou*H $ucian said( GFound so&e background on his ife( She as aRH G) in*H Julian finished for hi&( GSerina Fust filled &e in on a fe fa&il! secrets(H G)hen !ou understand(H $ucian sighed on the other end( G/ think this gu! is a fe gallons sh! of a full barrel( De@s launched a &assi'e search for his daughter and put the ord out there he ants Serina backM cost is no proble&( 3en+o is illing to pa! a good chunk of change for infor&ation leading to her return(H GFuck(H Julian groaned( G)hat is so&ething us to hide in(H G/ &apped out here !ou@re at*H $ucian ent on( G)here is a great place about a hundred and fift! &iles fro& !ou here !ou can ca&p and sta! for a good &onth* / think( %ll !ou need is ca&ping eCuip&ent( )ra'el t ent! &iles east fro& !our location no * then thirt! &iles north( You@ll find a great out of the pick up e'er!thing !ou &ight need(H GYeah* sounds like a good plan(H )ense* Julian GGoing to cost if !ou ant &e to sta! out there a &onth(H $ucian laughed( G/@ll do n(H G)hanks* e@ll talk later(H Julian hung up the phone and tossed it on the nightstand( -a&pingJ De shook his head at the thought but kne thro so ill( 3en+o off their trail* at least for a little ould it occur to hi& the! hile( De getting better nor it as so&ething that could ouldn@t kno Serina as ilderness ith her ire so&e &ore &one! to !our card( You Fust keep !our head iped the s eat fro& his face( a! place to shop here !ou can e don@t need( /f people are tr!ing to cash in on a re ard* it@s going to be harder than hell to find a location re&ote enough for

ould ca&p out in the

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

171

>hen he got back upstairs* the scent of food filled the tin! house* and Julian@s &outh atered( >hether it as fro& the &eat cooking in the skillet that caused it or the o&an ith four different doing the cooking* he didn@t kno ( Serina stood in front of the sto'e food as the last thing on his &ind at the &o&ent( PPPP Serina changed her clothes hile Julian ent do n to &ake his call( Shorts* bagg! hich

things cooking( De could s&ell fr!ing potatoes and peppers* but looking at Serina* the

shirt* and no shoes as the best a! to be hen one cooked in a ar& kitchen( %nd since the! didn@t ha'e hat she needed to &ake a coconut pie she put together an apple* as in the o'en( She heard Julian co&e back upstairs* could al&ost feel his e!es on her cooked* and a thrill ent through her( She couldn@t get o'er ho feeling in such a short a&ount of ti&e e'en though she still tired easil!( GDungr!JH she called out* flipping the ha&burger pepper steaks( Julian ca&e up behind her( >rapping his ar&s around her aist* he pulled her back into his hard bod!* and buried his face in her neck( -hills ran up and do n her spine hen his lips brushed the colu&n of her neck here it &et her shoulder( G%l a!s*H he ans ered* his 'oice sounding ra ( G>ell* / ha'eLH Serina didn@t finish( Julian slid his hands under her shirt and up* cupping both of her breasts( De sCuee+ed the &ounds* pinching her nipples bet een his fingers( G/@ll burn lunch*H she hispered( G/@& alread! burning*H he told her( Serina shi'ered G)urn the sto'e off(H Der hands began to shake* hell* her hole bod! tre&bled* but Serina did hat he as asked and turned the heat off under the food( Dis hands left her breasts* and Serina te&pted to protest o'er the loss but didn@t hen his hands slid inside her shorts( hen he licked her shoulder( hile she as &uch better she

172 G"hBH Serina &oaned( She closed her e!es back against hi& G%ll /

Jaden Sinclair

hile he pushed her shorts past her hips( Julian slid her o'er to

the sink on her left* and her shorts dropped to her ankles( Serina &oaned and pressed hen he touched her clit( 0leasure hit* racing do n her spine* and all Serina could do as hold onto the sink ith her head do n and ride the ride( ant to do is la! !ou do n and kiss each inch of !our bod!(H De pressed harder on her clit and another one of his fingers teased the slit of her puss!( G8ut e'er! ti&e / get &! hands on !ou / lose &! control(H Serina &oaned hen the finger teasing her slid deep inside her puss!( /t felt so good* and ith each stroke of his finger* tightness in her bell! increased( G$ose control*H Serina panted( She rotated her hips and pressed her ass back against hi&( G.on@t Fust tease &e(H Serina heard his +ipper open and shi'ered ith anticipation( >hen the heated tip of stretched and full she felt hen his cock nudged at her entrance fro& behind* she pressed back* urging hi& on( She gasped at the sensual in'asion and lo'ed ho panted* hanging her head and tr!ing orgas& reach( G/ can feel !ou tightening up on &e*H he said* his 'oice deep and s&ooth( G%re !ou closeJH Serina nodded( Julian chuckled in her ear and rotated his hips( G/ ant to hear !our ans er(H GYesBH she ans ered in a rush( Julian licked her ear before sucking on her neck( G.o !ou ant &e to go harderJH %gain she nodded( as Fust a breath a a!* and their bodies beca&e one( Serina pushed back ith each slo * hard thrust he ga'e her( She ith her bod! to get Julian to Cuicken his pace( Der ith the slo pace Julian set* it lingered Fust out of

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G)ell &e hat !ou

173

ant*H he purred* scraping his sharp teeth on her neck* sending as hard to

chills do n her spine( G/LH Serina had to gulp air into her lungs( >hat he did felt so good it think* let alone tr! to talk( G/(((H GYesJH De hissed the ord and &ore chills hit her( G/(((/ ant !ou to &o'e faster*H she got out( G/s that allJH Serina could hear the hu&or in his 'oice( G%nd(((and to touch &e(H Dis ar& ent around and under her shirt to her chest( De clutched one breast and sCuee+ed hardAso hard in fact Serina al&ost ca&e fro& the pressure alone( She bit her lip to stop the cr! fro& slipping out hen he began to roll her nipple bet een his fingers* and the hole ti&e he didn@t &iss a beat ith his slo * agoni+ing thrusts( G/s there an!thing elseJH G8ite &e(H Serina didn@t stop the begging sound( She straightened and arched back* her ar&s co&ing up to fist into his hair( GMake &e screa&(H Julian pushed Serina back o'er the sink* his bod! follo ing( De kept hold of her breast* sCuee+ing it hard* and his hips rolling it bet een t o fingers( Serina orgas& erupted* and she screa&ed* holding onto the sink( She rode it out hile Julian kept sla&&ing into her GJulianBH she screa&ed( Julian bit her at the sa&e ti&e her cli&a? broke o'er her( Serina cried out and stiffened in his ar&s( Der hole bod! contracted and released around hi&* the &ost onderful feeling she@d e'er e?perienced( Julian &oaned* &uffled b! his fangs in her neck* sucking her blood into his &outh( ith brutal strength( % second orgas& began to o'er hel& her* one so &uch &ore po erful than the first( ent fro& the soft thrusts to a pounding force* rocking her against the sink( Dis &o'ed his other hand around and took hold of her clit*

172 Der

Jaden Sinclair hole bod!* sensiti'e as hell* felt e'er!thing* the con'ulsing of his cock deep ar& seed filling her( %ll brought on a third* &uch s&aller orgas& on

inside her and his

top of the one she Fust had( >hen it as o'er* she had difficult! standing( Julian appeared to be ha'ing the sa&e proble&( >ith his ar&s still around her* the! fell to the floor* breathing hard* and stick! ith s eat( She as so lost in the sensations running around inside of her she didn@t e'en notice hen he stopped feeding( G/ don@t think / can &o'e(H She panted* l!ing on her back his ar&( GMe* either(H Julian struggled to catch his breath too( G8ut one of us is going to ha'e to get the pie out in a fe (H Julian laughed* G"ka!(H She hich had her laughing too( G/@ll finish the food*H he said* rolling orked to get her breathing back to nor&al* and still* she couldn@t o'er and kissing her( GYou go take a bath(H &o'e( She as 'er! sensiti'e bet een her legs( G8ut / can@t &o'e !et(H Julian sighed* ne'er losing his s&ile( GMe* either(H ith her head resting on

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

17=

C!a$ter Nine
)he! had e'er!thing packed and in the truck* e?cept for the bedroo&( Serina decided if the! ere going to be ca&ping for a &onth* the blankets in the house should go also* ould hold ith Julian fore'er( )he house &ight not ha'e been and Julian agreed( )he!@d spent Fust a couple of da!s at the house* but she dear the &e&ories she shared there &uch* but for her* it had been a paradise( G>hat@s thisJH Serina touched a piece of paper Julian had been dra ing on( G/t@s beautiful(H G% necklace that / plan on car'ing for !ou* if / can find so&e i'or!(H De erased a couple of line and ble it clean( G%nd if / can get the design the a! / ant( /t@s been a long ti&e since /@'e &ade one of these(H G%nd ho as the luck! girl to get the last oneJH she s&iled( Julian grinned slightl!* G%n old friend(H De got a Cuick flash of a little girl running in a &a+e before hi&* giggling( Julian* for a fe seconds had a sense of freedo&* al&ost s&elling the green la n and the flo ers in the &a+e hile he chased after her( GJulianJH Serina nudged hi&( GSo&ething rongJ You spaced out on &e(H Julian looked up fro& the dra ing( GSorr!(H Serina rapped her ar&s around hi&( GSo ho long do / ha'e to ait for itJH Julian grinned at her( G/ ha'e to find the i'or! first(H De folded the paper and kissed her on the cheek( G-o&e on( >e better get going( $ucian said it@s a good t o-hour dri'e to the store(H )he s&all store had nothing but ca&ping eCuip&ent( .o n the road about t ent! &iles as another store here he could get food(

17<

Jaden Sinclair )he! bought an!thing and e'er!thing the! could think of for ca&ping* blo up

&attress* coolers* cooking gear* and fishing stuff( Julian e'en bought a ho&e&ade stall !ou could take a sho er in and another to use for a toilet( )he tent he got as larger than the! needed* ith three roo&s* but it as full! loaded* and as tall enough for hi& to stand in( De also got ith another Cuick stop at the food store filling chairs and a cooking grill he could light inside the tent if it rained( )he truck bed figure out ho ans er( -a&pers a'oided the area on the &ountain he as sending the& to because of no cell phone reception* and it o'erhead as called the .ark Mountains( )he sun ne'er shined there* so it as ould al a!s be in shado s( %s he@d been pro&ised* the sun slo l! started to rise hen Julian turned onto the path leading up to the ca&psite* but he protected fro& the sun( G>o BH Serina hispered( G)he .ark Mountains( /&pressi'e(H Julian chuckled( G.ark t ent!-four-se'en(H She nodded* turning in her seat to face hi& can e eatJH Julian busted out laughing and couldn@t stop( /n a fe brought light to his dark da!s together* she alread! as orld and hearing her talk about food brought hi& Fo!( De ith a big s&ile on her face( GSo* hen the rear seat* Julian as sure the! had e'er!thing the! could e'er need( De Fust needed to to ca&p and sta! out of the sun( % Cuick call to $ucian pro'ided an

happ! that his blood&ate asked for hat she needed and no longer suffered( GGrab so&e chips in the back*H he told her( G%fter e set up ca&p e can cook(H )he road as bu&p!* hich took longer to get to the spot than $ucian told hi&( as high in the as a Julian thanked God the!@d &ade it to the .ark Mountains since the sun

sk! before the! stopped( )he one and onl! place a 'a&pire and his blood&ate could go and sta! out during the da!ti&e and not get burned to death( .ark &ountains

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not hea'en for the& in a place al&ost forgotten( )ired* hungr!* he

17: as so 'er! read! to Fust

sit back* rela? for a fe da!s* and think about nothingRa plan he liked( %fter thirt! bouncing &inutes* Julian pulled the truck to a spot ith ob'ious signs of being a ca&psite that hadn@t been used in !ears( "ld logs ere ne?t to a fire pit that clearl! hadn@t been used in a 'er! long ti&e( 8rush gre thick in a spot perfect for the tent* hich as the first thing Julian orked on( GYou look tired*H Serina said fro& hich she sat on the log( Julian straightened and stretched his back long night(H G>ant an! helpJH she asked( GNa (H De turned back to the tent and knelt do n( GYou Fust sit there and fi? so&ething for dinner(H 8! the ti&e he had the tent set up* it grilled ha& and cheese sand iches* as al&ost se'en in the &orning( Serina fi?ed hich tasted deliciousA&ust be all the fresh air( ith a groan( GYeah* / a&( 8een a 'er!

)he! disappeared in no ti&e at all( %fter their &eal* the! cra led into their sleeping bags and fell asleep hen their heads hit the pillo s( PPPP GMorning(H Julian s&iled at Serina hen she ca&e out of the tent( G/ ha'e scra&bled eggs ith sausage and hash bro ns cooking if !ou@re hungr!(H Serina giggled( G$ike !ou need to ask that Cuestion(H Julian laughed and put o'er half of the food on a plate* stared do n at the food* thinking( 8eing able to do so&e of the things she hungr! and sleep anted to do as nice( %ble to eat hen hen needed* but the &ost i&portant thing as so&eone took care of hich he handed to her( She took it* pushed so&e hair behind her ear and sat do n but didn@t start eating( /nstead* she

17;

Jaden Sinclair

her( %lthough her father tried to drill it in her head that 'a&pires ere e'il* she didn@t see or feel it in Julian( >hat Serina felt as rela?ed* and if she asn@t &istaken* lo'ed( G/f !ou@re as hungr! as / think !ou are* then &! cooking &ust be first thought*H Julian said fro& the other side of the fire( Serina took a deep breath( G/@& starting to onder ho long this is going to last(H G>e can sta! up here for as long as !ou ant(H Shaking her head* she told hi&* G)hat@s not hat / &ean(H Julian poured coffee into a tin cup and placed the pot back on the fire before taking a seat in one of the lounge chairs( G/ kno e!es to the fire( G/ don@t kno up( G8ut / do kno safe(H G/ as !oung hen &! &other died(H Serina placed her plate do n on the ground* as so obsessed ith &! as linked her fingers together* and crossed her legs ith her hands resting on her knee( G8ut / re&e&ber &! &other cried a lot* and &! father !elled( De aunt* and GJulian* / look like her and that hen / got older* / found a photo of her(H She licked her lips* sitting for ard( as enough for hi& to be obsessed ith &e like he ho long /@& going to hide hat !ou &ean(H De took a sip* lo ering his e are going to ha'e to hide out(H De glanced ith !ou until !ou no longer need &e to re&ain orse than hat /

her( %fter &! &other died* he tried like hell to drill it into &! brain that &! &other asn@t &! &other but &! aunt as( De isn@t going to let &e go(H GNeither a& /(H Julian nodded to ard the food on the ground( G#at !our breakfast( You need to get stronger(H G/@& scared* Julian*H she hispered( "ne single tear slipped fro& her e!e and tra'eled do n her cheek( Julian knelt before her* holding her face in his hands* before that single teardrop &ade it to her chin( GDe!*H he spoke in a soft* gentle 'oice( G/@& not going to let hi& hurt !ou again(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Serina fell into his ar&s* hugging Julian tightl!( She closed her e!es ar&s rapped around her( )he strength and ar&th of hi& Serina the securit! she needed(

179 hen his strong

ashed o'er her* gi'ing

G/ don@t kno if /@& strong enough to fight hi&*H she &u&bled into his shoulder( GYou on@t be if !ou don@t eat(H )hat si&ple state&ent &ade her laugh( She pulled out of his e&brace( Julian nodded* ga'e her a Cuick kiss* and handed her the plate( She took it and sat back do n in her chair( Serina ate a fe bites hile Julian ent to ork at setting up the table ne?t to the tent( GDo do !ou think .en'er is doingJH GYou@re brother is s&art*H Julian ans ered( GDe can take care of hi&self( De has for !ears(H GM! father beat hi& once*H she stated( GFor nothing &ore than standing his ground after our &other died( .ad burned all the photos of her and found a fe De got so &ad( /@d ne'er seen hi& that angr! before( / think it sa G"ka!* enough about &e( )ell &e so&ething about !ou(H G%bout &e(H Julian sighed* finished sit on a log( G>hat do !ou ant to kno JH She bit her lip and thought for a fe one Cuestion nagging at her* if he !ou ha'e a first lo'eJH PPPP Julian@s &ind started to drift at the Cuestion( .id he ha'e a first lo'eJ -ould he call -arissa the firstJ &inutes( Serina ondered if she asked hi& the a! to find out( G"ka!( .id ould ans er( "nl! one hat he as doing* and ca&e o'er to the fire( Serina ne'er lost her serene feeling hile she atched hi& build the fire back up and then .en'er sa'ed( as the first ti&e / e'er

the cra+! side of hi&(H She took a deep breath* shook her head* and forced a s&ile(

117

Jaden Sinclair

"* miss you so much&. "* feel so alone at times,& she whispered, tears coming to her eyes. ")ou$re not alone/ you know that.& ")es, * am.& 'he looked up at him, and the tears fell. 6ne in each eye reflected in the bright moonlight. "6ne day you$ll find your bloodmate and be complete, forgetting all about me.& "*$ll never forget you. Ever.& "*$m not the one for you, %ulian.& 'he turned, walked away, and he simply let her leave. GJulian(H Julian snapped out of his &e&or!( Serina fro ned at hi&( GSorr!( Guess / spaced out(H G/-/ didn@t &ean to pr!*H she said softl!( Dis head snapped up( GYou@re not pr!ing( /t@s FustLH De took a deep breath* letting it out slo l!* G/ ha'en@t spoken about her reall! to an!one but $ucian in !ears*H he finished in a hisper( GSo* tell &e about her(H She leaned for ard* eager to hear the stor!* but Julian asn@t sure he could tell it( G/ don@t kno hat to tell(H De sighed* staring off in the distance( Suddenl! he could see -arissa@s face clearl!* the sad s&ile that she ga'e hi& that last da!* a s&ile that spoke so &uch &ore than the ords she said to hi&( G>h! notJH Serina asked to dra hi& back( G)he culture hen / as !ounger is so &uch different than no ( Fa&ilies held high ere to &arr! to blood&ates fro& hopes and e?pectations for the first-born( First sons other Noble fa&ilies and second borns ere cast off(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not GSounds cruel(H She hugged herself* but didn@t &o'e fro& her seat(

111

G/t as( "ur #lders used the cast off sons to for& a protection unit for our kind( )he! called the& the Guardians( )rained killers( 0rotectors of the race and outcasts of the Nobles(H GNoblesJH she fro ned( G)he high societ!( )he! think the!@re better than an!one else* and can do no rong( GSo hat do the! ha'e to do ith !ou telling &e about !our first lo'eJH she asked( G/@& getting to it( / M! father as e?pected to &ake a contract ith the #lders to apprentice( anted &e to one da! be an #lder* so / spent a lot of ti&e at one of their anted &e to learn fro& and e'entuall!

houses( %&brose .@%bigne is the #lder he

replace( )he first ti&e / ent b! a special in'itation to a part!( De dre a deep breath( G/t as a birthda! part! for %&brose@s daughter* or adopted daughter* -arissa(H G)hat@s her na&eJH G/ ha'en@t seen her in !ears*H Julian ithout a ord(H ")ou$re going to be thirteen in a few days and haven$t told me what you want yet, or what you wanted to talk to me about.& %ulian smiled at the girl sitting on the floor across from him playing cards. 'he blushed, and %ulian couldn$t resist taking hold of a lock from her hair and tugging it. "6r why you keep wearing those sunglasses all the time.& 'he turned away from him yet again. "* can$t,& she answered. &*$m sorry.& "* really don$t understand what$s going on around here,& he groaned. "Everyone$s keeping secrets, even you.& 'he shook her head and thick strands of hair covered her face, but %ulian could sense the change in her. e could always read 4arissa like an open book, until now. is eyes landed on the necklace he gave her so long ago, the one he made for her out of ivory beads. hispered* nodding( GShe Fust up and left

112 "%ulian, can * ask you something-&

Jaden Sinclair

")ou can ask me anything,& he answered moving his eyes up to her face. ")ou know that.& ",o you feel the change with us-& she asked in a whisper. "Things are not the same, * think.& The <uestion was so <uiet it took %ulian a few seconds to comprehend what she asked. %ulian lowered his cards. 'he was so different from the other girls of their kind. alf(breed, he heard his father call her once. 9reak of nature and it pissed him off to hear anyone talk that way about her. e nodded. ")es.& 'he stood, leaving him on the floor. 'he moved so fast to the far corner she bounced against the wall. "* don$t want to lose you as my friend, but * fear *$m doing +ust that.& %ulian went to his feet. e opened his mouth to say something but the sound of a throat clearing interrupted him. "%ulian, your father is downstairs,& a servant said. %ulian frowned. *f his father came all the way out here, either something was wrong, or he was here to take him home. e nodded at the servant before telling 4arissa, "#hen * come back, we$ll finish this conversation.& 8ut he ne'er got the chance to finish it( >hen he ca&e back she be seen again( GDe!(H Serina touched his ar&* and Julian Fu&ped( GYou oka!JH G-arissa as one of &! childhood friends( / first &et her hen she as &a!be fi'e or si?( / re&e&ber hearing her cr!ing for her &other( She@s the one / ga'e a necklace to(H De shook his head and rapped an ar& around Serina@s shoulders( G>e clicked( / used to look for ard to the su&&ers hen / ould head there to be ith her(H GYou t o beca&e close friendsJH Serina rested her head on his chest* hugging hi&( as gone* ne'er to

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

113

GIer! close( >e gre up together( /@d Fust started to figure out / had sort of fallen for her the da! she disappeared(H De sighed* resting his chin on her head( G>hat happened to herJH G/ don@t kno (H "#here is she-& %ulian panted from running up the stairs and back to 4arissa$s room. e made his bed with his father and was ready to lie in it. #hat he wasn$t ready for was to see Ambrose standing in her room, packing things into a bag. "'he$s gone.& Ambrose answered, not looking at him. "* can see she isn$t here.& #orry rose up in him. "#here- And why is the party cancelled-& Ambrose stopped and turned to %ulian. "'he$s not coming back, %ulian. *$m sorry.& GShe Fust left*H Julian finished ith a sigh* pushing the &e&or! a a!( G/ ne'er had a chance to sa! good-b!e or hat / as going to tell her(H GYou fell in lo'e ith herJH Serina@s 'oice so filled ith tenderness it hurt Julian to be telling her about another o&an* but the reassuring hug she ga'e hi& told hi& she ith her(H De grinned( G8ut e ere kids* so / think it

asn@t Fealous* Fust anting to kno &ore about hi&( GYeah* / think / fell in lo'e as &ore like a crush than an!thing else(H GSo did !ou e'er tr! to find herJH G.ro'e &!self nuts searching for her( %fter a &!self as a hunter( )here anted(H G>ell* &a!be one da! !ou ill see her again(H Julian kissed her* grateful for her co&passion though he didn@t think he@d e'er see -arissa again* not after that long a ti&e( as no a! in hell / hile* / ga'e up and started to train as going to be the #lder &! father

112

Jaden Sinclair

PPPP 8! nightfall* rain started to fall( )he t o of the& rested in the tent* listening to the drops hitting the thin roof( >ithout a top of Julian( She kissed hi& deepl!* stretching out on top of hi&( Der hands cock* his neck to his chest( Julian sucked in his breath his cock at the sa&e ti&e( $o er she tra'eled* until her hot breath cascaded o'er the sensiti'e length of his cock( Serina glanced at hi&* enFo!ing the &i?ed e&otions crossing his face and the he held onto the sheet( #'er so slo l!* she slipped his cock into the heated depths of her &outh( She &oaned her pleasure at his sharp intake of breath( ,p and do n and in and out* hard* slo torturous strokes* sure to dri'e hi& cra+! ith need( For the first ti&e Serina anted to do so&ething like this* and she anted nothing &ore than to share it ith hi&( Serina popped his cock fro& her &outh( G$o'e &e* Julian*H she told hi&( G$o'e &e tonight like there on@t be a to&orro (H Julian sat up and pulled her up to hi&( De kissed her deep* pushing his tongue into her &outh and flipped her onto her back( Dis hand and ripped the& off ith one hard !ank( Der hands and legs ent to ork at pushing his Feans do n his legs but not the ti&e for off( % fe'er hit both of the& that none but the other could break( Julian rose up on his hands* tented o'er her( De &o'ed his hips so the head of his cock nudged at her et entrance( 8eing gentle* he pushed his cock into her* forcing her tight bod! to stretch to acco&&odate his si+e( ent to the aistline of her panties a! orked to free his hile her &outh took his &oans of pleasure( Der &outh left his and tra'eled do n hen she sucked on a nipple* stroking ord* Serina &ade a bold &o'e and rolled o'er on

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

11=

Serina pulled up on his ar&s to kiss hi&( Mouth open in silent pleasure* legs bent at the knees and pressed against his ar&s* her bod! cur'ed up ard to kiss his chest( Julian took his ti&e lo'ing her* &o'ing in her bod!* stroking the fire ne heights( De dro'e her to ne ithin her to places* brought out uniCue sensations* and found

sensiti'e spots that brought tears to her e!es( Dis e!es changed in color( )he! shined the bright &etallic sil'er* his incisors lengthened* but Julian didn@t drink fro& her( De Fust lo'ed her* like an! &an G/ ne'er !ou* Serina(H Serina held onto hi& tighter than he did her( G/ lo'e !ou(H She sighed( GSo &uch(H PPPP Julian oke fro& a drea&* one that started in content&ent and ended in distress( "n ould lo'e his o&an( )he! ca&e together ith panting breath( Dugging each other tight* the! rode out the s eet* tortuous pleasure to the end( ant to let !ou go*H Julian hispered* bur!ing his face into her hair( G/ lo'e

his ar&* Serina slept* deep and undisturbed( Mo'ing the slightest a&ount possible so he ouldn@t ake her* he sat up and cra led to the front roo& of the tent( .rea&s of his past kept co&ing to hi&* 'isions of a carefree ti&e hen he pla!ed ith his childhood friend( %gain* he had the drea& of chasing a little girl in a hedge &a+e( De could see the hite of her lace dress and hear her s eet laughter( "9ind me, %ulian,& the little girl giggled. "4ome out, come out where ever you are,& %ulian called out, laughing. "9orever friends,& she whispered, reaching her tiny hand out to him. "pening his e!es* he felt a chill race do n his spine( G>h!* -arissaJH he hispered( G>h! did !ou lea'eJH

11< Julian dressed and left the tent

Jaden Sinclair hen the rain stopped( De built the fire back up and

fi?ed a pot of coffee( >atching the fla&e* he thought about things fro& his past( Julian closed his e!es hen another flashback hit hi&( "* can$t dance.& 4arissa giggled. "'ure you can. .et me show you. *$m going to lead and you follow.& waist. ",on$t look at your feet though or you$re going to mess up.& "%ulian,& she sighed. "This is a waste of time.& "Trust me.& e started to move, swaying slowly, nothing fancy, +ust a slight swaying. "'ee. )ou can do it.& Never losing eye contact with her, he started to move around the room. The steps got faster, and soon, she was laughing along with him. They danced around the room, picking up speed. e laughed. "'ee, you can dance.& "6h !od3& 9lushed and smiling, she ended up wrapping her arms around his neck. %ulian picked her up and swung her around the room, taking pleasure from the sounds of her en+oyment. 4arissa$s laughter was like the sun he never saw, warm and vibrant. 4oming out here each summer, spending time with her was life as he had never known it could be. Not once did he think that she wouldn$t be there for him. 'he was his best friend and over time, he reali1ed, she was becoming something much more. e stopped swinging her, but couldn$t stop the smile, which made his cheeks ache. %ulian brushed hair from her face. "Told you, you could dance.& 'he cocked her head to one side. Thick hair fell over her shoulder, but the sparkle in her eyes shone bright. ")ou$re a good teacher.& "* don$t want this summer to end,& he whispered. "* don$t want to go back to my father$s life.& e placed her left hand on his shoulder, took hold of her right one, and placed his right one on her

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not ",on$t say that, %ulian.&

11:

'he tried to pull away, but he didn$t let go. They were young, she was close to thirteen, and he was close to eighteen, but something about letting her go didn$t feel right. "*t$s the truth.& is ga1e settled on her lips, and for the first time since their friendship started, he wanted to kiss her. 'he licked her lips and shied away from him. "*$ve got something to tell you. 'omething important.& #hen her eyes met his again, fear swept over him. At first, he thought he was going to lose her. "Tonight, before the party.& 4arissa pulled out of his arms, %ulian let her go with regret. "#e need to talk.& "Ah, there you two are3& Ambrose came into the room, grinning. "4arissa, * have something special for you.& 'he walked to the doorway, but glanced over her shoulder at %ulian, giving him a sad smile. e frowned, not understanding what was going on. Julian shook off the past and sipped his coffee( Dis ga+e fi?ed on the fire* &e&ories still fresh in his &ind( %lthough he a dead end( No he as ith the

ould lo'e to ha'e ans ers to his

Cuestions* he couldn@t bring the past up( De ent do n that road before* and it led hi& to ith Serina* and she needed and deser'ed all of hi&( -arissa as his past* and she alked a a! fro& an!thing that &ight ha'e been( Yet* e'en though it hurt* a s&all part of his heart belonged to her* no &atter ho &uch he &ight hate it( GMa!be one da! our paths will cross again*H he &u&bled( GMa!be(H

11;

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter Ten
% eek ent b! and soon another( Julian lo'ed the ti&e he spent ith Serina( )he! as in

talked* Foked* got to kno each other so &uch better and &ade lo'eAa lot( Julian She started to run a fe'er* and she

paradise and didn@t ant it to stop( >hen Serina got sick* his content&ent turned to fear( as again pale and tired( Serina didn@t see& to her in the need bled as &uch as before and didn@t ant to eat &uch( Julian kne she asn@t health! enough to reduce the nu&ber of feedings in so short a ti&e( >hen he sa oods thro ing up* it as the last stra ( De packed up the ca&p and headed back for as easier( /f Julian ent to one* it ould orried

to n( %lthough he hated to lea'e* he had to take her so&e place to recei'e &edical attention( For a blood&ate* going to a doctor cause one big panic( >hen he carried her to the truck* she barel! stirred( >hile he dro'e* he and the! ere right back to about her condition( /f he didn@t kno better* he ould think she suffered a &aFor relapse* here the! started( )hat thought alone scared the shit out of hi&* e'en though he@d ne'er heard of a blood&ate relapsing once bonded( )he &o&ent he as out of the dead +one* he brought out his cell phone and called $ucian( Since $ucian had spent so&e ti&e up here* he &ight kno of a doctor the! could trust( >ith his blood&ate* Julian ouldn@t trust &an! people( G.a&n* Julian*H $ucian@s 'oice ca&e o'er the phone in anger( GYou can@t fucking call &eJ /@'e been sitting here ondering hat the hell is going on(H GDello* $ucian* !es* /@& fine* thanks for asking*H Julian said dr!l!( GJulian* !ou@'e been M/% for three eeks* and in that ti&e so&e shit has happened*H $ucian snapped( GGuardians are getting killed* and %&brose has been calling here al&ost e'er! da!( 3en+o is lea'ing &essages for !ou(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G>hat@s the &essageJH he asked* looking at Serina( She still slept* blanket ith her head resting on the seat( $ucian took a deep breath( GMore attacks that ill die unless !ou gi'e back

119 rapped up in a

hat !ou@'e taken( ith the other

Julian* blood&ates are &issing* and guardians are being killed along

e@re sure 3en+o and his breeds are responsible for( De@s co&e out in the

open* killing e'en &ore than before to get his daughter back( %&brose called &e last night Fust to tell &e four #lders are dead(H GShit*H Julian gro led( G#lders are supposed to be i&possible to get at since the! are protected b! the Guardians( Do the hell is he doing itJH G)he breeds* their nu&bers are gro ing drasticall!(H G.a&n it* Serina is Fust an e?cuse or he this all along( De ouldn@t ha'e the&( De as going to do as killing her* $ucian* and she@s sick again(H $ucian groaned on the

other end( G/ need a doctor / can trust( You sta!ed here* kno of an!JH GYeah*H $ucian ans ered( G)here is a clinic about t ent! &iles past the hospital( .octor /'! is ho !ou can take Serina to( She@s a blood&ate* li'es on the pre&ises* and she sta!s open all night for e&ergencies( Just tell her / sent !ou(H G)hanks(H Julian sighed ith relief( G%nd call &e back hen !ou get her there( / kno of another place !ou can go* and as so pale( G/ can@t lose her* then e can figure out hat the fuck e are going to do(H G/@ll call !ou back(H De glanced at SerinaM her face $ucian(H GYou on@t(H Julian hung up the phone and tried to focus on dri'ing the least bu&p! route to the clinic( )hirt! &inutes later* he pulled up in front of the building and carried Serina to the front door( $uck! for the&* the lobb! as e&pt!( Julian ent straight to the reception desk( G/ need .octor /'!* please(H

127 )he pupils of the lad! behind the desk opened the door for hi&( G8ring her this a!(H )he o&an led hi& to a roo&

Jaden Sinclair idened( She pushed her chair back and

here he placed Serina on an e?a& table* and the!

pushed hi& out* shocking hi& at ho fast things &o'ed after that( G>hatA/ ant to sta! ith herBH GMr( Marino(H %nother o&an ca&e do n the hall* tugging a long hite Facket on( She looked !oung* too !oung to be a doctor( G/@& .octor 8ridget /'!(H She e?tended her hand to hi&( GMr( .eluca called &e to tell &e !ou blood&ate* so !ou can rela?(H 8ridget /'! GSo ho as a short o&an ith a strong handshake( She had a'! bro n hair* big bro n e!es* and a kind of face that put Julian at ease( about !ou tell &e real Cuick hat@s been going onJH She crossed her ar&s o'er her chest( Julian took a deep breath( G/@& not sure( >e@'e been ca&ping* and she got sick(H De ran his hand in hair( GShe hasn@t been 'er! health!* at least not been doing so ell until no (H )he doctor s&iled and touched hi& on the shoulder( G>h! don@t !ou and /@ll check her out* get so&e blood* and run a fe Julian re&ained out in the hall a!* pacing in sta!ed inside Julian didn@t kno tests to see if hat@s going on ith her( >e@ll ha'e the ans er for !ou soon(H orr! hile both the doctor and nurse ith Serina( De couldn@t lose her* not after finall! finding her( /f he did* hat he &ight do or if he could resu&e his life ithout his blood&ate( all( ait out here* e can deter&ine hen e &et* but she@s ould be co&ing( /@& also a

Dell* he didn@t think he could e?ist ithout her* and deep do n he didn@t ant to( De sat so&e and paced so&e &ore ne'er taking his e!es off the clock on the )en &inutes see&ed like ten !ears* and still he didn@t kno a thing( De Ferked cell phone ent off* re&inding hi& he@d pro&ised to call $ucian( GShit* $ucian* / forgot all about calling !ou*H he apologi+ed( hen his

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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GDello* Julian(H % cold &ale 'oice spoke fro& the other end* one chilling Julian to the bone( G)hat is !our na&e* rightJH Julian ca&e to his feet( G>ho is thisJH )he gu! laughed( G.on@t !ou kno J No* / suppose not( >h! kno ho / got this nu&ber first or is ho / a& &ore i&portantJH G>hat do !ou antJH )he laughing on the other end stopped( GDe@s hunting !ou* Julian* and he on@t stop until he has her back and !ou@re dead( )he ga&e has changed along that(H )he phone disconnected* and Julian sa red( 3en+o( /t had to be* !et it didn@t sound like hi& or act like hi&( %nd Julian kne for a fact it asn@t .en'er( So ho the fuck Fust called hi&J Julian rubbed his face and called $ucian( G>e@'e got proble&s*H he said $ucian ans ered( G/@& not sure* but / think 3en+o Fust called &e(H G>hatJH $ucian snapped( GYeah and he said if / don@t gi'e Serina back &ore of us G/ don@t kno (H $ucian sighed( Julian opened his &outh but stopped hen the doctor ca&e in( Fear hit again( G/@ll call !ou back(H De hung up before $ucian could sa! an!thing else( G>hat@s rongJH GYou &ight ant to sit do n(H She indicated ith a a'e of her hand for hi& to take a seat( $o ering into the chair and s allo ing hard* &an! things raced through his &ind* one being that Serina &ight be d!ing( Der health co&e( asn@t up to here it needed to be( eak as the! %fter so &an! !ears* of being kept &alnourished* Serina as about as ill die(H Julian couldn@t suppress the anger in his 'oice( GDo the hell did that prick get &! nu&berJH hen ith the rules( )he longer !ou keep her a a! fro& hi& the &ore he@s going to kill !our kind( )hink about ould !ou care ho / ant to &ight beJ %ll of !our attention is on the girl(H De laughed again( G.on@t !ou

122

Jaden Sinclair GMr( Marino* rela?(H )he doctor put a co&forting hand on his shoulder( GYour

blood&ate isn@t d!ing* if that@s hat !ou fear(H G>hat@s rongJH De sat for ard in the chair( G/ &ean* she Fust started to get sick and pale( >ouldn@t eat and doing a lot of sleeping(H GMr( Marino(H She held her hands up to silence hi&( GShe@s pregnant(H Julian slu&ped back in his chair in total shock( G>h- hat did !ou sa!JH GYour blood&ate is pregnant*H she repeated( Julian shook his head and stood back up( GNo( She can@t be( She@s too is so lo in blood&ates( /t hardl! e'er happens an!&ore(H G/ assure !ou* Mr( Marino* it is possible(H .octor /'! said( GShe is still eak and ill need rest* and !ou ill ha'e to &ake sure she eats ell( )his isn@t going to be eas!( )he ith a large dose of &ultiple birth ill be 'er! difficult( You ill need to &ake sure hen the ti&e co&es that she is in a hospital(H .r( /'! stood back up( G/ ga'e her a shot flu* so / think !our ca&ping trip is o'er(H De nodded* but couldn@t sa! an!thing( % bab!J De as going to ha'e a bab!( /t as &ore difficult for blood&ates to ha'e children ithout co&plications than it as for the& to concei'e( Serina said herself that her aunt had bled to death during deli'er!( >hat ould happen hen she as to gi'e birthJ De didn@t ant to think about Serina d!ing* but as po erless to keep it fro& his thoughts( Scared shitless* he couldn@t shake the fear to be happ! o'er the ne s( G.oes she kno JH he asked( )he doctor shook her head( GShe@s still sleeping( / ha'e a pri'ate roo& in the back* and e@re &o'ing her there( She has a fe'er* and / ant to get her hooked up to an /I to gi'e her antibiotics and fluids( / fe'er breaks(H ould like to keep her for the night or at least until her 'ita&ins(H She placed her hand on his ar&* bringing a halt to his pacing( GShe also has the eak to gi'e birth(H De shook his head and paced around( G)his can@t be possible( )he conception rate

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Julian nodded( GYeah* that ould be for the best(H

123

She ga'e hi& a kind s&ile and patted his ar& before turning and lea'ing hi& alone again( "nce the door closed* Julian dropped back do n into the chair* bent o'er* and buried his face in his hands( "ut of no here* he started to cr!( #'er!thing ca&e crashing do n on his head( )he b! a guardian* and finding Serina( She his gut told hi& the light rong around herJ Do childbirthJ Dis phone ent off again( Julian sniffed back the tears and cleared his throat* checking to see ho called before he ans ered( $ucian( GNot a good ti&e* &an(H Julian said into the phone( G%n #lder is &issing and fi'e guardians are dead*H $ucian said( G%nd this ti&e 3en+o left a calling card(H $ucian sighed( GJulian* there is Fust one #lder left(H PPPP 3en+o alked around the bleeding old &an chained to a table( /n the corner* ten of aiting( )en as all one of these old things ith a nod to the as starting to fade( Do ar 3en+o started* being follo ed as no doubt about that* but as nothing as his light* there

could he act like there

could he s&ile each &orning kno ing she could die in

his ne l! created breeds stood snarling* GYou

could feed* and 3en+o still had hundreds* none of hich had the strength of one old &an( on@t get enough fro& hi& to charge the&*H .en'er said snarling breeds( GDe@s alread! eak and has lost a lot of blood(H 3en+o glared at his son( G>hen / .en'er* Serina* and his ife( 3age atch ant an opinion fro& !ou* /@ll ask for it(H De caught a &o'e&ent fro& his first-born son* 3age( 3age as a great secret he@d kept fro& as .en'er@s brother and his cousin( %lesha* his hile another &an raised his son had sickened hat the! called the&sel'es* s eet* soft %lesha had gi'en hi& the son ho as perfect for hat he anted( )he idea of standing b! to 3en+o* but after %l!na@s death* he fi?ed that( 8lood&ates*

122

Jaden Sinclair

had a high chance of bleeding to death gi'ing life to a 'a&pire* and %lesha had died doing so( )he 'a&pire ould ne'er kno as concei'ed( )hat ho took his %lesha fro& hi& as one secret 3en+o as re'ealed 3age as the first one to die( 3age ould 3en+o had to Kpersuade@ %lesha to take hi& into her bed the night he ould take to his gra'e* Fust like he as indeed his father* not that 'a&pire filth( as indeed different* one of the 'er! fe

ait until his death bed to tell 3age that he Shortl! after the birth* it &ales born of a 'a&pire father

ho did not recei'e the 'a&pire gene( )hat 'a&pire

bastard* ho e'er* Cuickl! suspected %lesha of cheating on hi& and beat her for it( De also &ade sure 3age@s life as hell( So 3en+o si&pl! took hi& out( De Fust didn@t suspect that %lesha ould die also* birthing the 'a&pire@s child she carried hen her &ate died* ar lea'ing 3en+o alone( De s ore his 'engeance that da! and began taking 'a&pires and blood&ates in s&all enough Cuantities not to be noticed( %ll that changed to open hen one of those bastards took Serina( GShe@s dead(H 3age said to 3en+o* glancing at .en'er( G8ut the child li'es(H 3age thick hair as si? foot-four and built like a god in 3en+o@s e!es( Dis ar&s and legs ere ith &uscles and e'er!thing the &an ore stretched to look painted on( Dis blonde as kept short* and his blue e!es ere the coldest thing 3en+o had e'er seen( /t here .en'er as a great

&ade 3en+o proud to ha'e this &an as his son*

disappoint&ent( %l!na had done hi& rong hen she ga'e birth to such a eak child( )o this da!* he held no regrets for helping her along the a! to her death( 3en+o tore his e!es fro& 3age and back to the old &an on the table( >hat he needed as Serina( She had the blood he &others( G8ut the child is night(H G/ told !ou to breed her the nor&al a!* not inse&inateBH 3en+o spit out in anger( eak(H 3age ent on( G/ don@t think it@s going to sur'i'e the anted( /n order for hi& to get stronger breeds* he needed the fe&ale t in gene( 3age carried half of the gene* as did Serina fro& their

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not GYou can@t keep doing this*H .en'er butted in( G.en'er does ha'e a point*H 3age said* turning fro& .en'er to 3en+o and around the table until the old &an brought &e so far* successfull! breed(H De shrugged( G/@ll fuck an!one !ou ant* but ith

12=

alking

as bet een the&( G>e do need Fust one girl to hat !ou@'e

eEre getting no &ore than one or t o children fro& the e?peri&ents(

You need a fe&ale capable of carr!ing the& to full ter&* and it on@t &atter if / fuck her or not( You@re not going to get the ar&! !ou ant since the fe&ales tend to die during the childbirth and so&eti&es the child itself( So this isn@t going to lifted in a sneer( G"ther than turning the&(H G>hat / need is Serina*H 3en+o gro led in anger( GYou can@t breed !our o n daughter to her cousin*H .en'er out b! forcing the& into a pregnanc! that@s killing the&(H 3en+o glared at .en'er a &o&ent before gi'ing his full attention to 3age( GNeep this one ali'e as long as !ou can(H De indicated the &an on the table( G/ ant as &an! breeds charged ith his blood as e can get(H GGod da&n it* .adBH .en'er rushed up behind hi&( 3en+o turned and backhanded hi&( 8efore .en'er could right hi&self* his father@s hand grabbed hi& around the throat( GNe'er &istake hat / ant in this life* bo!*H he spat in .en'er@s face( G/f / ha'e to bring do n e'er! one of those fuckers to get !our sister back* / !ou@re &! son* / t in(H PPPP on@t cut !ou do n if !ou get in &! ill( %nd if !ou think because a!* think again(H De sho'ed ent on( GFor -hrist@s iping the& all sake* .ad( You@re supposed to be finding a cure for the blood&ates* not ork( >hich &eans* !ou need to figure out an alternati'e &ethod to get !our breeds(H )he corner of his &outh

.en'er a a!( GFa&il! &eans shit to &e right no (H De told 3age again* GGet &e a

12<

Jaden Sinclair .i&itri de Fia&&etta pushed open the thick double doors to the office of %&brose

.@%bigne( De didn@t bother knocking or checking to see if he &ight be disturbing an!thing( So intent on speaking to %&brose* %&brose dark chestnut desk( G>e ha'e a &aFor proble&*H .i&itri huffed at %&brose( GNo* e ha'e t o(H %&brose held up t o fingers( %&brose .@%bigne appeared to be an old &an in his se'enties or eighties fact* he hen* in as t o hundred !ears old( % second generation #lder* brought in b! his father orked out* keeping in the best shape he could( De kept up ere still sharp* and he sa ith as certain .i&itri didn@t e'en notice Shado * their eapon@s e?pert* standing in the corner until he stood in front of the

hen he as on his deathbed( %lthough he appeared old* he as not eak( %&brose still got out in the ring and all the &odern technolog! too( Dis gra! e!es this orld than so&e of the other #lders( G>hat@d !ou &ean t oJH .i&itri fro ned( GShe hasn@t checked in* &ate*H Shado said fro& the corner( Shado * a cast out fro& his ho&e in %ustralia* still had a 'er! thick accent spoke( De as a third born son* ho in his father@s opinion ant to &arr! and bring great honor to his fa&il!( So* like &an! others* he guardian* but beca&e head of the techno depart&ent instead( De their co&puters and a god hen it ca&e to creating and building ne G.a&n*H .i&itri gro led under his breath( GDo longJH G@8out a &onth or &ore(H G%nd !ou are Fust no telling usJH .i&itri@s 'oice rose along ith his te&per( GDo the hell do e kno she isn@t dead tooJH Shado snorted( G-ause she@s too blood! good* and it ould break &e heart(H G/ kno about the other proble&*H %&brose said in a cal& 'oice( G/@& the last(H eapons( hen he as useless since he didn@t as to be a as the brains behind &ore things in

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

12:

G>e@'e got to do so&ething(H .i&itri stated( G)he Guardians are gone( )here are onl! three left* and one is out of contact( >e need to open up the house and &o'e !ou there along ith the bo!(H GDe@s right*H Shado into hiding too(H %&brose sat back in his chair* and his gra! e!es ent to the one photo on his desk( % picture of a little girl in pon!tails* s&iling brightl!* his adopted daughter( G)his goes be!ond an!thing e thought at first(H De spoke in a hisper* keeping his e!es on the picture( G/t@s not a ar but re'enge(H G%&broseJH .i&itri fro ned( %&brose took a deep breath* letting it out slo l!( G>e &o'e the bo! after to do so&ething / pro&ised &!self / 3ights is going into effect(H )he Manorial 3ights as an old custo& that de&anded fa&ilies gi'e up not onl! hat ould their third born son* but so&eti&es the second( /n the old da!s* the cast off child could either end up a ser'ant to the old gods or a trainee for a guardian( "ne ne'er kne the old a!s no longer e?isted( /f the rights .i&itri ere enforced* each one brought in as ell as Shado ( De the child ould beco&e until the elders Fudged the&( %s it presentl! stood* the religion of take up the role of a guardian* hich ere &uch needed( %&brose kne Shado G/f ould re&e&ber the la as also a third born son* sent a a! to ne'er sa his ho&e or fa&il! again( histled( G)hat@s a bit harsh* &ate(H e are going to hold an! hope of fighting our ene&! and letting that bo! gro * ould ne'er do hile / e ha'e the house set up( / ant the underground housing read! for ne guests( /@& going to ha'e as ali'e( )he Manorial said* pushing off the all( G>e need to regroup and get the ord out for the blood&ates left to get bo! to safet! before the! strike( Need to get the

e need the protection(H %&brose nodded( GM! decision is &ade(H De stood and looked at both &en( G%nd !ou t o let &e orr! about her( She@ll call in soonM she al a!s does(H

12;

Jaden Sinclair .i&itri nodded( G>e@ll get the house read! and send out the notices to all the

fa&ilies(H De added in a hisper* G8! God* help us( >e need it(H

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

129

C!a$ter Eleven
%t si? in the &orning* Julian rushed do n the hall to catch the doctor before she ent belo to her li'ing Cuarters( G.oc* he!* docBH he !elled* catching sight of her hidden panel in the GShe@s burning up(H )ogether the! ear( Julian ent back to the roo&( .octor /'! ent right o'er to Serina( She touched Serina@s forehead* and took a ther&o&eter out of her pocket to put in Serina@s aited* his ner'es screa&ing for the beeping sound of the ther&o&eter telling hispered as she the& it had a final te&perature( >hen it did beep* he Ferked( G"ne hundred and three degrees( Girl* !ou are 'er! sick*H she brushed Serina@s forehead( Julian shook his head and ran one hand through his hair( G/ don@t understand an! of this( She as fine t o da!s ago( No she@s burning up and on@t ake up(H GShe has a nast! flu*H the doctor ans ered( G>e Fust ha'e to do n(H She ait it out and cool her alked around to the other side of the bed and checked the /I in Serina@s e can do right no ( Just going to ha'e to ait it ith a hen she opened a door behind a all( De skidded to a stop and s allo ed hard to catch his breath(

ar&( G/ can@t gi'e her a stronger dose of antibiotics because of the bab!* so !ou are going to ha'e to cool her do n( )hat@s all out(H >hen the doctor left hi& alone* Julian stripped Serina and sponged her do n cool* et cloth( Der bod! get a a! fro& it( )he roo& Serina as set up like one in a hospital* including the bed( Julian figured he and a!( De@d bet she had hidden a fe eren@t the first ones .oc /'! helped this as so hot each ti&e he touched her she &oaned and tried to

137

Jaden Sinclair

others Fust like the& ho needed &edical attention and their lo'ed ones( )here as a sofa hen he first ca&e* but it got pushed out to bring in a fold up bed for hi&( )he! also had a s&all bathroo& the sun( %ll da! long* he cooled her off ith a ashcloth until he thought her fe'er as lo enough he could get so&e rest( Julian didn@t ant to get sick also( De needed to keep his ith a sho er* both roo&s ith blackout curtains to protect the& fro&

its about hi& in case her father snuck up on the&( %t one in the afternoon he stopped and laid do n for a Cuick nap( 8eing up for close to t ent!-four hours as definitel! taking its toll on hi&( A soft humming was what he heard when he went out to the backyard looking for her. e was late, due to his father, but %ulian refused to let that ruin his summer here. e missed her, plain and simple. =nder the moonlight, 4arissa spun around in a circle. er loose yellow dress swirled out around her legs, her eyes were closed, and her long hair fanned out. %ulian was only sixteen and 4arissa eleven, but he could already tell that she was going to be a very beautiful woman one day. ")ou keep spinning and you$re going to get sick,& he said, halting her movement. %ulian couldn$t stop the grin from spreading over his face when her face lit up. "%ulian3& 'he rushed to him, +umped into his arms, and hugged him tight. Julian Ferked a ake hen so&ething dropped on the floor( G"h* sorr!*H the nurse fro& last night said* bending o'er to pick up a lid to a tra!( G)he doctor anted &e to bring !ou both so&ething to eat* and the lid fell(H Julian rubbed his face and sat up( G.on@t GDo @s she doingJH orr! about it(H De groaned* stretching(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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GStill has a fe'er(H She took the bag of fluid fro& the pole and replaced it( G8ut it@s co&ing do n( "ne hundred and one(H Julian ent o'er to the bed and touched Serina@s forehead( G/ think /@& going to put her under the sho er(H )he nurse nodded( G/t couldn@t hurt(H G-an !ou sta! ith herJ / ant to get a change of clothes for both of us(H GSure(H She s&iled( G%nd take the back door( No one ill see !ou that a!(H Julian bent o'er the bed and kissed Serina on the forehead( G/@& going to be right back(H %s soon as Julian !et the feeling he alked out into the night* he sensed he asn@t alone and stopped( Sur'e!ing the surrounding area* he didn@t see an!thing or an!one to rouse his suspicions* asn@t alone ouldn@t go a a!( De &ade it to his truck before as the o&an he hadn@t seen in s inging around Cuickl!( Standing about si? feet a a! eeks( She stood all in black dark sunglasses co'ering her e!es( Silence drifted bet een the t o of the&* and it didn@t take a rocket scientist to kno she studied hi&( Julian needed to kno She as &ello h! she as there( hen she spoke and sounded detached( GDello* Julian(H as prett! sure she grinned at hi&( GYou hen she re&o'ed it fro& inside(

ith the hood of her long trench coat o'er her head and

G>ho are !ou* and hat the fuck do !ou antJH Julian de&anded(H De couldn@t see her face clearl!* but Julian can@t sta! here( You need to lea'e if !ou Julian stiffened* e?pecting to see a ant to li'e(H She reached inside her coat* and

eapon in her hand

/nstead* she pulled out a bro n en'elope and tossed it to hi&( GYou ha'e a ne threat(H Julian glanced do n at the en'elope but didn@t &o'e to pick it up( G>h! should / trust !ouJH

132

Jaden Sinclair G8ecause if / anted !ou dead* !ou ould ha'e been bleeding back in that alle! a!

ith the touch(H

hore &onths ago(H She turned and called back o'er her shoulder* G/@ll be in ent for the en'elope( 3ipping it open* he found photos inside* ith an old &an chained to a &etal table o&an as the first( %nother ith a blood&ate &ark on a

Julian let her go and 3en+o and .en'er along

shot sho ed a roo& full of ne born babies and a

bed and a large pool of blood la! bet een her legs and on the floor( )he last one as of a gu! ho as large enough to be a 'a&pire* but at the sa&e ti&e* he rese&bled Serina( Julian sho'ed the& back in the en'elope to stud! later* grabbed the bag clothes* and ent back inside( >hen he reached the roo&* Julian Serina alone( )he hairs on the back of his neck stood up( .octor /'! burst into the roo&( Julian al&ost pulled his gun fro& its holster before he sa ho it as( GYou need to go*H she huffed* Gno (H >hile she rushed around the roo&* sho'ing things into a bag she had in her hand* he asked* G>hat@s rongJH She tossed the bag at Julian* bent o'er Serina* took the /I pouches fro& the pole and tucked the& up against Serina@s side before rapping her up in a thick blanket( G8reeds*H she ans ered( GFi'e Fust sho ed up isn@t one of us* either(H G>ait a &inute(H De grabbed her ar&* stopping all of her &o'e&ents( GDo the hell do !ou kno about the breedsJH GFro& a girl grasp( G/ ho ca&e here a fe hours before !ou*H she ans ered( GShe told &e hen !ou sho ed up( She Fust ca&e back about the& and that the Guardians are recruiting doctors(H /'! !anked her ar& out of his as closing the clinic to help the& and told &e the!@re on the a!(H ith this gu! that isn@t a breed* but he sure as hell ith so&e as surprised to find

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Julian didn@t kno

133

hat to sa!( De stood back hile she finished rapping Serina in eighed nothing( Julian took the bag the doctor ho &oaned

the blanket and picked her up as if she

handed hi& along ith his o n and follo ed her through the clinic to ard the back door( G)his girl(H De stopped the doctor and dropped the bags to take Serina hen the! bounced her( )he front door crashed open( .oc /'! snatched up the bags and ran through the back door* lea'ing hi& to follo ( G.id she ha'e a long coatJH he !elled as he chased after her( /'! opened the door to Julian@s truck* tossed the bags inside and told hi&* as he Fu&ped in ith Serina* G/t looks like !ou ha'e !our o n guardian* Mr( Marino( -ount !our blessings and pra! she is al a!s looking out for !ou(H She closed the door for hi&( G/ ha'e gi'en !ou enough &edicine( Gi'e !our blood&ate one shot a da!* into the /I catheter* hang the bags as soon as !ou can* and change the& hen the!@re e&pt! the a! !ou sa the nurse do( /@'e alread! &easured e'er!thing out for !ou and keep doing hat !ou ha'e for her fe'er( /t should break soon( %nd good luck(H Julian nodded( G)hanks(H Julian started the truck and pulled out glanced in the rear'ie disappeared( )rue to her ass &other ith the heels spitting dirt behind the&( De &irror and let out a sigh of relief to see the doctor had ord* fi'e breeds ca&e rushing out into the night and one large

ho looked to be in charge of the&( Julian didn@t get the best look* but

enough to recogni+e hi& as the gu! fro& the photo he@d been gi'en( PPPP Not kno ing ho long he@d been dri'ing or here he as going* Julian kne he had to pull o'er( Skidding to a halt on the side of the road* he sat back* kno ing he had Fust

132 escaped so&ething big( De called $ucian( >hile he Serina@s still hot forehead(

Jaden Sinclair aited for an ans er* he touched

G$ucian(H Julian sighed* closing his e!es( G/ need a place to go* &an(H GJulianB Shit(H $ucian cursed( G>hat@s going onJH G/ don@t kno *H Julian groaned( G/@& being follo ed b! breeds and ha'e a guardian on &! ass(H G% guardianJH )he disbelief could be heard in $ucian@s 'oice( G%re !ou sureJH GShe sure as hell looks like one(H Julian ga+e settled on Serina( G/ need a safe place to sta! for a long ti&e( Serina@s sick* and $ucian !ou are not going to belie'e this(H GFor so&e reason* if it co&es fro& !ou these da!s* / can belie'e an!thing(H GShe@s pregnant(H G"ka!* that@s one / didn@t see co&ing(H G/@& scared* &an*H Julian hispered and rested his forehead on the steering heel( G/ think this ti&e /@& in a! o'er &! head(H GShit* Julian(H $ucian sighed again( GYou can@t keep running and hiding Dell* )e&pest kept &e on edge the hole nine &onths of her pregnanc!(H G/ can@t let her father get his hands on her again(H De greater risk( GGod* hat if / can@t protect her*H he groaned( GJulian* !ou are one of the best hunters and trackers / kno *H $ucian told hi&* his 'oice e'en and cal&( GYou can protect her( /@& going to send !ou to a place to sta! for a hile( %&brose sent the location o'er to &e* and / ant !ou to go there(H G%&broseJH Dis head snapped up( G>hat is he doing tr!ing to send !ou an! hereJH GDe ants &e to take $ucan and hide* but shut-up and listen( You take the place and sta! there ith !our blood&ate( You need the place &ore than e do(H G/f $ucan is in danger* !ou need to go(H as tired* and the longer he a!* it as an e'en as on the run* the &ore e?hausted he beca&e( >ith a bab! on the ith a pregnant blood&ate* especiall! one that@s so eak( She@s going to need &edical attention(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G.a&n it* Julian*

13= e

e@re fine*H $ucian snapped( G%&brose Fust told &e in case

needed to lea'e( )he place is stocked so !ou don@t e'en need to go to to n for an!thing( Just sta! there until close to ti&e the bab! is due* and then co&e here( /@ll ha'e a doctor aiting to help ith the deli'er!(H Julian rubbed his face and nodded* e'en though $ucian couldn@t see it( G"ka!(H De sounded tired to his o n ears and directions and /@ll go(H Danging up* he the running as aited for $ucian to send hi& the directions to the house on his phone* taking the ti&e to close his e!es* roll his head* and rub the back of his neck( %ll earing his ass do n( Guilt also hit( Guilt t ice o'er for taking the safe house and the protection fro& $ucian and his fa&il! for hi&self and guilt o'er Serina getting pregnant( So &an! things could go rong right no * ha'ing a child in the &iddle of itAhe@d ne'er forgi'e hi&self if so&ething happened to her or the bab!( Julian rigged up the /I pouches so the! dripped as the! ere supposed to and started dri'ing( So tired he kept rubbing his e!es* he dro'e all night and rolled the indo do n to let cool air hit hi& in the face( De started s eating hen he could see the dark sk! turn pink in the rear'ie &irror( .a!light as co&ing( Dis heart pounded* and he floored the truck( /f he didn@t find this house soon* the! ere both going to die( $ike Julian told .en'er in % s&all sigh of relief slipped past his lips the left* Julian continued to floor it( % fe bounced on the dri'e to ard ground( )he placed had faded peeling hat see&ed like a lifeti&e ago* fried a orn out dri'e( 0eeling to hile the truck Julian didn@t sound appealing( Fried Serina as e'en a orse thought( hen he sa ti&es* he glanced at Serina ondered if he looked as bad as he felt( GSend the

hat appeared to be an old far&house read! to fall to the hite paint* shutters hung fro& their hinges* and

o'ergro n brush as e'er! here( /t see&ed &ore a &ansion to Julian ith the protection it offered the&( De headed straight for an attached garage and skidding to a stop right

13< before crashing into the arped ood at the back

Jaden Sinclair all( 8efore the truck shut off* he as

out and tugging at the rusted door( Just as he got it to &o'e the sun blinded hi&( Julian !elled but &anaged to get that e?tra boost of energ! he needed to !ank the door do n( >hen it hit the floor* he fell back and landed on the ground* s&oke co&ing off his bod!( )he right side of his face and both hands throbbed fro& e?posure( GSon-of-a-bitch(H Julian groaned* and closed his e!es* aiting for the pain to subside( >hen he opened his e!es* &ore light ca&e into the garage* urging hi& to get up and &o'e* no &atter ho &uch he hurt( -li&bing to his feet* bu&ping into the truck* s a!ing back and forth* he &ade his bod! burned ith fe'er( Managing* despite the struggle* to get her out of the truck* he headed for the side door leading into the house( Julian hated to think about it* but he needed to feed( )he longer he ent ithout* the &ore difficult it as to carr! Serina( ,suall! so light in his ar&s* she see&ed like a ton of bricks( 8et een the sunburn he Fust recei'ed and his need for blood* Julian eakened &ore ith each step( )he inside as &uch nicer than the outside* but that no one had li'ed here in !ears alked into a large li'ing roo& here as apparent( Julian b!passed the kitchen and a! to the passenger side for Serina( Still unconscious* her

sheets co'ered all the furniture( De put Serina on a sofa and staggered back into the kitchen ith hopes he ould find blood in the refrigerator( GFuck*H Julian s ore hen he touched the handle( De hurt e'er! here and as near to passing out at an! &o&ent( De had to bite his lip ith the pain of opening the door* but once he did* sighed ith relief* not gi'ing a da&n if the blood inside as cold( )aking out one bag* he bu&ped the door closed and sank to the floor( %fter a fe tries* he as able to get the top off( "nce he &anaged* he took one deep drink( )he blood asn@t Serina@s* but it still ga'e hi& hat he needed(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

13:

>ar&th spread throughout his bod! and soon the burns on his flesh started to tingle ith healing( Julian finished the bag and left it in the sink( )hough still feet* he &anaged to &ake it back to Serina( Julian hated seeing her sleep so &uch and reali+ed he &issed her shining blue e!es follo ing hi& around( )he three da!s she@d been sick* he found !ou could &iss so&eone* e'en though the! ere right in the sa&e roo& ith !ou( )ouching her forehead* he found her still hot( Still light-headed hi&self* there asn@t &uch he could do( Julian stood up* intending to go after the bags and scout around for a roo& for the& to use* but onl! &ade it to the entr! hall before he collapsed* his e?hausted and ailing bod! forcing hi& to rest( %lthough he tried* Julian couldn@t force his e!es to open or his bod! to &o'e( >ith fresh blood in his s!ste& and his burns needing ti&e to heal* his bod! Julian@s help( as going to do hate'er it took to take care of itself ith or ithout obbl! on his

13;

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter T"elve
G/ think / gro led at 3age( 3age hated his ,ncle 3en+o Yet* latel!* 3en+o !oung or old* irritating( 3age kne 3age dead( G/ ha'e so&ething / think &ight interest !ou(H 3age tossed a file folder on 3en+o@s desk* causing the &an to stop hat he as doing and glance up at 3age( 3en+o took a deep breath* let it out slo l! and sat back in his chair his hand( 3age atched the old &an@s e!es light up &edical records fro& the clinic( G/@& sending .en'er to the e also ha'e one s&all glitch(H 3en+o tossed the file on the desk and fi?ed his ga+e on 3age( GGlitches don@t interest &e( )hat*H he pointed to the file* Ginterests &e(H arehouse to get things read!*H 3age stated( De kept his face and 'oice de'oid of all e&otion including his hatred and conte&pt for 3en+o( G8ut ith the file in hen he opened and read Serina@s so&ething about his uncle he as sure .en'er didn@t( De as fairl! ould be certain 3en+o had no clue he as a are of it* either( 3en+o raped his &other* %lesha* and as the result* but he had no proof( "nce he did get the proof* 3en+o ith a passion unlike an!thing he e'er felt for an! as other( 3age 'alued fa&il! and blood as &uch as he could ha'e feelings to ard an!thing( as causing e'en that s&all a&ount of lo!alt! to run thin( 3age or feel &uch in the not the kind of &an to sho a! of softer e&otions for an!one* as clear hen / told !ou to co&e back ith her or not at all*H 3en+o

o&an or &an* so being chastised b! the old &an had fast beco&e

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not 3age stood to his full si?-four height and crossed his ar&s o'er his chest

139 ith his

ga+e lo ered do n on the old &an( G"h* but / think this one &ight( % guardian is follo ing the&* and / ould bet it@s the sa&e one ho took out !our little far& house(H 3en+o s&irked and re-opened the file( G-an !ou track the&JH 3age thought of ho still inside her(H 3en+o grinned( G)hat@s &! bo!(H )hat state&ent alone &ade 3age boil inside hen he left the office( PPPP De as i&pressed ith the house once he oke up fro& his healing sleep and had indo s ere tinted* continuing hat he as doing &eant betra!ing his brother and sister( G/@ll track the& and bring !our little girl to !ou*H 3age ans ered( G>ith the bab!

Serina settled( )he place looked like a du&p on the outside* but pro'ided protection fro& the sun on the inside( You couldn@t tell fro& the outside that the seeing in clearl!( /nside* !ou could see out and enFo! the 'ie burning sunlight ca&e through( For four da!s* Julian breaking Serina@s fe'er and co&ing to ter&s De as about to take her to a hospital ould hile not one speck of as going to be a

orked on cleaning the house*

ith the fact that he

father( Dell* he didn@t e'en kno ho he as going to tell her once she oke up( hen the fe'er finall! broke( "n the fourth ent upstairs to her bedroo&( .oing a pure sunshine in da!* he pra!ed she balancing trick ake up and eat so&ething( >ith a tra! of broth and so&e

Fuice* Fust in case* Julian left the kitchen and the blue e!es of Serina(

ith the tra!* Julian opened the bedroo& door and sa

GYou@re a akeBH Julian couldn@t stop the s&ile of delight fro& spreading on his face( >hen she tried to &o'e* Julian put the tra! do n on a dresser and rushed to her side( G)ake it eas!( You@re prett! eak because !ou ha'en@t eaten an!thing in a fe da!s(H

127 G>here are prop her up better( G% fe eJH Der 'oice sounded ra fro& lack of use( GDo

Jaden Sinclair long ha'e / been

out of itJH Julian helped her sit up* placing a couple pillo s behind her back and head to da!s(H Julian took a deep breath and brushed the hair fro& her e!es( G>e@re

so&eplace safe(H G8ut !our e!es don@t tell &e it@s all that safe(H Julian stood back up and retrie'ed the tra!( 0laced it o'er her lap* he sat back do n on the side of the bed( G)hings ha'e changed no (H She fro ned( GDo JH Julian spooned so&e of the broth and raised it up to her lips( Stalling* he fed her a fe on &ore s allo s before ans ering her( G>ell* besides the flu* so&ething else is going ith !ou(H De took another deep breath before continuing( G,&(((let@s see* ho here to begin(H strea&( / can ithout shocking !ou(H De chuckled* rubbed his face* and groaned( G.a&n

tell !ou this

this is hardM / don@t kno

GJust tell &e*H she hispered( Julian nodded( G"ka!(H De took another deep breath* letting it out in a slo G>ell(((u&* !ou@re pregnant(H De /f it Fust stared at hi&( GSerina* did !ou hear &eJ / said !ou@re pregnant(H as possible for her to pale further* she did( She sputtered for ords and fro ned at hi&( G%re !ou sureJH She finall! hispered( Julian couldn@t help his chuckle( GYeah* prett! sure( >hen !ou started to get a fe'er* / found a clinic that happened to ha'e a doctor told &e(H Serina@s shock as apparent( She touched her forehead( G% bab!(H Der tone as so Cuiet that Julian al&ost didn@t hear her( GYeah* a bab!*H he said tenderl!( GNind of &ind blo ing(H ho is a blood&ate( She@s the one ho aited for so&e kind of reaction fro& her* but Serina

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

121

She lo ered her head( G/t@s dangerous* Julian(H >hen her blue e!es ca&e back up* Julian sa ho frightened she as( G/ could die(H GYou@re not going to die*H Julian reassured her( G>hen the ti&e co&es to ha'e the bab!* a doctor is going to be there* so !ou don@t ha'e to orr!( >hat / ant !ou to do is finish !our broth( rest and eat( $et &e do all the orr!ing( / hear stress isn@t good for a &other or her bab!(H % 'er! s&all s&ile touched her lips* but didn@t sta! for long( GNo You need to get !our strength built back up* and !ou@re eating for t o no (H Serina took the spoon fro& his hands and tried to feed herself* but didn@t see& to ha'e the strength( Julian ended up feeding her an! a!( G/@& sorr! if / orried !ou*H she said hen she as finished ith her food( G"h* / think / can forgi'e !ou(H Serina giggled( Julian had stood up and called out to hi&( GJulianJH GDu&JH GDo are !ou going to feed no JH she asked( Julian kne G.on@t that he could still feed fro& Serina* but he didn@t ant to chance it( as orr! about that(H De cast her a lo'ing look o'er his shoulder( G)he place as about to lea'e ith the tra! hen she

full! stocked* and there@s blood stored in the fridge( /@ll be fine(H GSo no &ore feeding fro& &eJH She sounded disappointed* and it broke his heart( Julian set the tra! back do n and ent to her( De kissed the side of her cheek( $ingering for a ti&e* taking her faint scent into his lungs and relishing the si&ple fact that she on her shoulder before lifting his head to ans er( G/@ll drink fro& !ou* it Fust on@t be 'er! &uch or as often*H he said* his 'oice lo ( G)he bab! is going to need the nutrition fro& !ou no * and that@s &ore i&portant(H She tried to s&ile but couldn@t( /nstead* she nodded( as still ali'e* he rested his forehead

122

Jaden Sinclair GNo *H Julian stood back up and tried to be cheerful* G/ a& going to take these

dishes back do nstairs( /

ant !ou to get so&e sleep* and /@ll co&e back up to check on

!ou and bring !ou &ore broth for lunch(H %fter he left the roo&* Julian started to shake* frightened for her and the bab!( Serina as right( She could die gi'ing birth Fust as her aunt had( For the rest of the night he all* he stopped dinner* he had to things and orried( 8! the third eek* she as strong enough to take a bath* dress* and get out of the ork* but it bedroo&( )hings started to go back to so&e kind of nor&al life for the&( >ith Serina on the sofa* laughing and teasing hi&* he tried to get the da&n tele'ision to see&ed to onl! ant to ork in spurts( 8efore long* an entire &onth passed* and Serina appeared on the road to the good health she enFo!ed before her bout fe &ore roo&s* and together the! that no &atter ith the flu( >ith Julian* she cooked* cleaned out a orked on the tele'ision( Quickl! it beca&e a realit! as not going to ork for an! length of ti&e( as reading hen ithout a arning* Serina hate'er he orked on things around the house* a radio he found* the hich he had a hard ti&e figuring out( )hroughout it tele'ision* and e'en the plu&bing*

as doing to check on Serina repeatedl!( >hen he took her eeks( Serina ate and sleptM Julian fi?ed

ake her* but she didn@t ha'e an! trouble going back to sleep after she

ate( )he si&ple routine lasted o'er the ne?t t o

hat the! did* the tele'ision

$uckil! for the&* the! found a roo& ith a lot of books in bo?es( Going on their second &onth* Julian snatched the book out of his hands* tossed it on the floor* and straddled his lap( She kissed his neck* tugging his shirt fro& his Feans* and rubbed all o'er hi&( De pushed up into a &ore co&fortable position* to allo roo& for his cock that rapped around her sprung to attention the instant Serina cra led onto his lap( Dis ar&s shared her bod!(

ar& bod! and pulled her closer( )oo long a ti&e had passed since he tasted her blood or

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not GMake lo'e to &e*H she said in his ear( PPPP

123

Serina didn@t ait for hi& to gi'e her an ans er( She ent right to ork on his shirt* pulling it o'er his head and kissing her his Feans( Dearing his Cuick intake Not hen she pulled at his Feans and freed his cock thrilled her( ith the se?ual burn* Serina opened her anting to tease hi& for too long and deal a! do n his chest* until she got to the snap of

&outh and took in as &uch of his cock as she could( Julian groaned and arched under her* and Serina lo'ed it( She sucked hi& hard* dra ing out each stroke ith her &outh for as long as she could( Der o n etness trickling do n her thighs* and her core throbbed ith the need for Julian( She@d found a book* sho ing her &an! different se?ual positions and describing ho to do the&( Serina studied the details* disco'ering that out put into practice* hile she read* her desire to tr! hat she learned on Julian beca&e stronger b! the &inute( "ne of those things she ith &ore e?pertise than the single ti&e she had tried it before( )he anted to gi'e hi& so&ething back* to rock his orld out of

book said a &an got intense pleasure fro& his o&an suckling hi&* and after Julian took such great care of her* she its e'er!da! sa&eness( >ith a popping sound* she let go of hi& and snatched his Feans do n his legs before cra ling back onto his lap( Der &outh trailed up his chest until she reached his lips( Serina kissed and rubbed against his bod!* straddling hi&* teasing the tip of his cock ith the heated slickness of her puss!( GShit* Serina(H Julian sighed against her lips( GYou@re killing &e here(H She took hold of his cock and let the head push into her( G)hen let@s die together(H $o ering herself do n* taking hi& in* her e!es closed ith his cock stretching her to the &a?( God* she lo'ed the feel of hi& in her bod!* hile his ar&s held onto her like his

122

Jaden Sinclair

life depended on her being there for hi&( No one else had e'er &ade her feel as secure as Julian did( >hen she opened her e!es* Julian@s e!es hands on his shoulders and his on her aist( GJulian(H She unbuttoned t o of the buttons on her shirt and pulled it off her shoulder( G8ite &e(H /nstead* Julian bucked under her( Dis &outh gra+ed her neck* licking and kissing hile the! &o'ed together* but he didn@t bite( G0lease(H She &oaned softl!* picking up the pace( G/ need it(H GSerina-/-/LH Julian stuttered against her neck( She scraped his scalp ith her nails and pulled his hair( Julian hissed* and Serina picked up the pace( G/f !ou don@t drink fro& &e* / s ear /@& going to &ake life in this houseOH She didn@t finish her threat( Julian@s fangs broke the skin on her throat* and she screa&ed out in pleasure( GYes* harder*H she &oaned* thrusting her hips faster( Julian pulled on her throat* and ith each pull* her orgas& cli&bed closer and closer( )hinking he his cock( Moans turned into pants* accelerating into a screa&( Serina tightened her hold on Julian as if her life depended on it( )he pleasure fro& her orgas& and the sucking fro& his feeding created the &ost e?Cuisite feelings inside of her( Der pleasure* so co&plete* flo ed out of her and ashed o'er his flesh held inside her* triggering Julian@s release( Julian@s seed gushed into her bod!* ar&ing her and sending her into another cli&a?( Serina collapsed onto his chest* breathing hard( G/ ant that all the ti&e(H Julian chuckled( G/ don@t ant to drink fro& !ou each ti&e(H She rose up* &eeting his e!es( G/ do*H she hispered* kissing his chin( G/ ant !ou to feed fro& &e each ti&e e co&e together(H ould pull a a!* Serina held his head tighter to her neck and sla&&ed onto ere sil'er( >hen his &outh opened* she as ho she &o'ed on hi&* her sa his fangs* and her neck tingled( Slo and eas!* that

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

12=

Julian sighed* touching her face( G/ can@t( )he bab! needs the blood in !our bod! &ore than / do right no (H De ga'e her a soft s&ile( G8ut as for the other* /@& &ore than happ! to acco&&odate !ou an! ti&e !ou ant(H She giggled and rested her head on his chest* sighing Dappier* / think* than e'er(H De tightened his hold on her and kissed the top of her head( G%nd /@& going to do e'er!thing / can to keep !ou that a!(H % fe &inutes ent b! before she asked the Cuestion she asn@t Cuite read! to hear the ans er to( GDo long can e sta! hereJH Julian took a deep breath( G/ don@t kno (H PPPP She stood out in the dark atching the&* or &ore like ell ith her( De atched their shado s hen he rapped his ar&s around her( G/@& happ!* Julian( Dappier than / think /@'e been in a 'er!* 'er! long ti&e(

through the tinted glass( )he! &ade lo'e* and Julian held his blood&ate close to his heart( Just like he should* but it didn@t sit as too rela?ed* his guard do n* ith a stupid grin on his hile he stood up and that Fust asn@t going to get the Fob done( )he girl got off his lap and left hi& sitting there* no doubt face( Julian bent o'er and slid his Feans back up his legs and o'er his hips* before she pulled out the phone and dialed his nu&ber( Der e!es ne'er left hi& and searched for the phone( GDelloJH he grunted hen he ans ered( GDello* Julian*H she said in her usual cold tone( She continued to stare at hi& sofa( She blood&ate asn@t in hearing( G>hat the hell do !ou antJH he snapped( G%nd h! do !ou keep calling &eJH hile he turned and lo ered hi&self back do n to the hile he looked around* &aking sure his atched* lacking an! co&passion

12<

Jaden Sinclair G)he ga&e has changed( % ne pla!er has hit the field( %re !ou read! for hi&JH G>hat@re !ou talking about no JH GDo &uch about !our ene&! do !ou kno JH She breathed deep( GDe@s changed the

rules* !et !ou@re still pla!ing b! the old ones( /f !ou ant to keep her ali'e* and !ourself* !ou need to change !our tactics( 8e the killer !ou kno !ou can be or atch her die( )he choice is !ours(H She grinned into the shado s( Julian rushed to the Fust hat she ere going to die( >hen a thick curtain co'ered the fro& the house but not far( She needed her the &ost( PPPP )he &onths fle &uch in si+e Julian b! for Julian( Sno orried the child started to fall* and Serina@s bell! increased so orried as close to indo * she turned her back and alked a a! hen he as ne'er far a a! fro& hi&( Not no ( Not indo * but she didn@t &o'e( She sa the panic* and that as anted fro& hi&( 0anic( Julian needed to al a!s sta! on his guard* or the! hen he stood up to pace( G%nd co'er the indo s( % person can see e'er!thing the t o of !ou do(H She disconnected the call and stepped back

ould be too large for birth( %lthough he

about &o'ing her* he kne place birth( G%re !ou sure packed their things(

the! had been in the house for too long( Serina

her eighth &onth* looked like she could go an! ti&e* and Julian needed to get her to a here the! had a doctor( )he! also needed a ne location to hide once she ga'e hile the!

e can@t sta! here until after the bab! is bornJH she asked

Julian planned on ha'ing the& in the truck and on the road no later than to&orro night( Dis gut elco&e( as screa&ing that the! needed to lea'e( )he! had o'ersta!ed their

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not G/ don@t think it is safe to sta! here an! longer(H De reassured her G8esides* / think it is past ti&e for !ou to &eet $ucian and )e&pest(H

12: ith a s&ile(

G%nd !ou are d!ing to see ho $ucan turned out* / bet*H she said ith a giggle( GYeah(H De sighed and stopped packing( G/ bet he looks at least ten b! no (H >hen Serina@s face paled( GYou oka!JH De stood up and helped her to sit do n on the edge of the bed( GJust di++! again(H She touched her forehead( G)he bab! starts &o'ing around so &uch / start feeling like /@& going to pass out(H Julian reached out and touched her large bell!( GSure is &o'ing around a lot(H De s&irked( GMakes &e onder if there are t o in there(H Serina slapped his hand( G.on@t sa! that( "ne is enough(H Julian kissed her cheek( G>h! don@t !ou lie do n and take a nap( / can finish this stuff later on* and / bet !ou ould like so&ething to eat an! a!(H Serina nodded( GSounds like a plan to &e(H Julian left her resting( >alking do n the stairs* he couldn@t stop s&iling until he turned a corner and ent cold* his Fa clenched( )he guardian* clad fro& head to foot in a long trench coat and a hood* stood in the li'ing roo&( .ark sunglasses co'ered her e!es and the hood co'ered her face enough he asn@t able to &ake out her features an! better than he e'er had( )he coat* buttoned fro& her aist up in front* left the rest to flo freel! hile sho ing off so&e 'er! dangerous eapons( )he! stared at each other* sa!ing nothing until the guardian broke the silence( -ocking her head to one side* the corner of her lips turned up in be a s&ile( GScared of &e* JulianJH she asked( Julian s allo ed hard( GNo(H G$iar(H She chuckled( G/ can s&ell !our fear(H G>hat@re !ou doing hereJH De spit out the Cuestion* glancing o'er his shoulder to be sure Serina asn@t co&ing do n after all( hat he thought &ight

12;

Jaden Sinclair G)he!@re co&ing* Julian*H she said( G%re !ou going to take her and run or stand and

fightJH De fro ned at her( GQuick* !ou better pick(H She pushed the side of her coat open and reached behind her* bringing out an auto&atic handgun( G)i&e@s up( >hat@s it going to beJH Julian didn@t ans er her* but turned and ran back up the stairs for Serina( GSerinaBH he !elled* rushing into the bedroo&( Serina Fu&ped nearl! to her feet( G>hat@s rongJH G>e ha'e to go*H he said* helping her up( G3ight no BH )he! both Ferked at the sound of gunfire and breaking glass( GShitB Sta! behind &e(H >ith each step do n the stairs* the! heard fighting belo * grunts* and &ore shooting( Julian didn@t kno ho &an! ere in the house or ho &an! the guardian could take do n before she as o'er hel&ed( De had to get Serina to the truck( )he! al&ost &ade it to the side door of the garage hen so&eone kicked open the ith door( Serina screa&ed* and Julian put her behind his bod! as a si? foot-four gu! &ore breeds alked into the house like the! o ned the place( G3age*H Serina hispered behind hi&( Julian heard the terror in her 'oice* but didn@t get the chance to fight( 3age raised a gun and shot Julian in the chest( Serina screa&ed* as a nu&bness ashed through his bod!( De asn@t d!ing* but he &ight as ell be( PPPP She tossed the last of the breeds out the indo and s ung around hen Serina

screa&ed( Julian fell to the ground* a dart stuck in his chest* paral!+ed* knocked out cold( G)ake hi& to the 'an*H the big bo! said* grabbing Serina( G/@'e got her(H >hen he turned to lea'e his e!es connected ith hers( She straightened and alked to ard hi&( )he bastard laughed* turned his back on her and left(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not She raced after hi&* but skidded to a stop sla&&ing the air fro& his lungs( GGood one*H he grunted( She strolled around the corner* facing hi&* sa!ing nothing( G%h* the silent t!pe( / lo'e to break !ou gu!s(H De Still she said nothing* onl! stood her ground* her( De chuckled( GYou@re not like the others*H he hispered( GNeither are !ou*H she stated( G.oes she kno !ou are her brother tooJH

129 hen her senses picked hi& up at the

corner of the house( Nicking around the corner* she dro'e her foot into his sto&ach*

histled and a long s ord

as

tossed into his hand( G/ took three of !our clan and had the& screa&ing like babies(H aiting for hi& to bring the fight to

De fro+e and fro ned at her* his &outh opened slightl!( /nstead of attacking* he backed a a! slo l!( She let hi&* her ga+e ne'er once lea'ing hi&( G/@ll find !ou*H she said( More breeds closed in* and she kne chance of her taking the &an on ith the others read! to pounce( % grin* a sinister gesture tugged the corner of his lips( G/ look for ard to it(H De snapped his fingers* and the breeds ran to the aiting 'ans( %nger boiled o'er in her* causing her fangs to lengthen( GShit*H she gro led( She turned to lea'e SerinaB Serina as bleeding( She brought the blood up to her lips and licked it* closing her e!es* her senses picked up the trail that as all Serina( "pening her e!es* she stood and ran to ard Julian@s truck( /f hat she picked up fro& that little taste of blood as accurate* Serina as in danger* and her gut screa&ed that Julian as no better than dead( hen a scent in the air stopped her* a s&all a&ount of blood on the ground( Nneeling do n* she touched it ith her finger and sniffed it( there ould be no

1=7

Jaden Sinclair

C!a$ter T!irteen
Serina said nothing about hile she sat in the back seat of the 'an bet een t o of her orried &ore as back hat as going to happen to her( /f 3age

father@s breeds( Der cousin 3age sat in the front( )hough frightened* she hat happened to Julian than

and orking for her father* nothing good as going to co&e out of this for either of the&( G>here@s JulianJH she asked( 3age turned in his seat to face her( Dis blue e!es &atched hers in color* but his ere cold( G/n the other 'an*H he ans ered her( G>h- hat are !ou going to do to hi&JH Fearing the orst* she started to shake( No that she had a &o&ent to think about herself* she sto&ach( G/ guess it depends on ho !ou beha'e(H G3age* listenAo BH % sharp stabbing pain hit her( She cried out and doubled o'er* gasping for air( G.ri'e faster(H 3age said to the breed behind the heel( She asn@t sure ho fast the! dro'e* or here the! ere going( )he onl! thing ith each passing &ile( Serina could focus on Dours later* as the pain in her sto&ach that increased as a are of a lot of cra&ping in her

She as in labor* and it scared the hell out of her( ith the sk! turning gra!* the car turned into an old ce&eter!* and as forced to alk to ard a building she kne deep in her alked out of Serina@s heart dropped( )he car skidded to a stop* both breeds got out* and 3age !anked her fro& the back seat( She soul as another one of her father@s labs( 3age sho'ed her through the door into her .en'er@s ar&s* and 3en+o a back roo& ith a bright s&ile on his face(

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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G%h* there she isBH 3en+o clapped his hands together and then hugged Serina in a tight* bone crushing hug( G%nd !ou ha'e brought &e a present(H De touched her bell! hen she pushed a a! fro& his chest( G%nd the bastard Cuestion to 3age* keeping his e!es on her( G"h* / ha'e hi&*H 3age ans ered( G%nd / plan on gi'ing hi& a special ending Fust as !ou ordered(H 3en+o chuckled( GShe@s also in labor(H G)hen let@s get this sho on the road(H 3en+o rubbed his hands together( G$et@s get !ou into so&ething co&fortable for the birth of !our child(H G.ad* stop thisBH .en'er shouted( % breed !anked her a a! fro& her father and pushed her into the roo& 3en+o ca&e fro&( She shook hen she sa at all the eCuip&ent aiting for the birth of her child( G)here@s a go n in there for !ou( 0ut it on(H 3en+o said* right behind hi&( )he look on his face and the &ark on .en'er@s* e?plained clearl! h! .en'er as so sub&issi'e( She ould get no help fro& her brother( Serina took a step* but stopped as pain hit her hard( Screa&ing* she grabbed for so&ething to keep fro& falling( G/ need JulianBH she cried* tears co&ing to her e!es( GSo&ething@s rong(H Serina screa&ed again* doubling o'er in pain and a gush of blood ran do n the insides of her legs( She screa&ed* h!sterical ith fear that al&ost &ade her faint( G/@'e got to go dope our friend up again* keep hi& docile until .en'er long enough to sa!* G/@& sorr!(H PPPP %fter aiting out the da!* she atched ith no e&otion fro& a rooftop not far a a!( hi& do n to the ground( % sniff e can pla! ith hi& tonight*H 3age said* before he turned his back on Serina( %s he left* he stopped ne?t to alking in ith .en'er ho took herJH De directed the

)he! dragged Julian a a! fro& the building and thre

1=2 to the air confir&ed he hi& killing the&( as drugged* the onl!

Jaden Sinclair a! the! could treat hi& that a! ithout

G8eat hi& and bleed hi&*H the sa&e big bo! fro& the house ordered( -learl!* he as in charge( G3en+o ants hi& to suffer before the sun rises to kill hi&(H % breed ca&e up behind Julian ith a s itchblade( De pushed the button* the blade rist( )he breeds laughed and sprang for ard* and he picked up Julian@s ar&* slitting his

sniffed the air( )he! ripped his shirt* cut his back and chest( >hile he bled profusel!* the! beat and kicked hi&( Julian didn@t stand a chance of sa'ing hi&self in the state he as in* and it pissed her off( G)ie hi& do nBH the one in charged directed( G8ut don@t feed fro& hi&( 3en+o ants hi& to suffer* not die Cuickl! as a snack(H )he! staked Julian@s li&p bod! do n to the ground( )he largest breed grabbing a hand full of his hair and pulling his head up ard to snarl in his face( G>ho@s going to help !ou no JH 3eleasing her anger* she stood and let her bod! free fall do n to the ground( She landed 'oice( She rose up* s ung out to the left* her spring blade striking out at one breed( % s ing to the right* another sliced( Der bod! &o'ed in li&ber &otionM for ard* blade e?tended* slicing an ar&* bend back ard* another@s face as slashed( Der blade ca&e backM -arissa did a cart heel ithout her hands touching the ground( She landed on her feet ne?t to the last breed( She s ung her leg* knocking hi& do n and sto&ped hi& hard in the chest* crushing his ribs and dri'ing the Fagged frag&ents into his lungs( )he one in charge stood in front of her( She adFusted her sunglasses and rolled her shoulders( GGuess / found !ou(H ith a thud* kneeling ith her head do n( G/ a&*H she said in her e&otionless

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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G/ guess so(H De grinned and a spiked chain ca&e to ard her fast but so ine?pertl! handled she didn@t bother blocking it or &o'ing out of its it ent b!* knocking her sunglasses to the ground( G>ell* ell* ell* hat do e ha'e hereJ Such prett! e!es and so cold(H She &o'ed at his pace and thre one of her short blade knifes at his legs* i&paling his right( De screa&ed out in pain* dropping to the ground( GYou ha'e no idea ho cold / can be(H GYou bitchBH he spat( De !elled again* pulling the knife fro& his leg* and thre the ground( GNill herBH he ordered before li&ping a a!( "ne breed re&ained( De picked up the chain and s ung it once o'er his head and then to ard her( She caught it before it could do an! da&age( )he breed tried to !ank it free* but she Fu&ped up in the air* and hooked her legs around his neck( .ropping to the ground* she turned her hips and snapped his neck( ) o &ore ca&e running at her fro& out of no here( She had a split second to think* where the hell are they coming fromJ )he t o stood together( She dropped the chain* rotated her neck* and rolled her shoulders( Enough of this shit. Der hand inside her coat* she brought out her gun* shooting both of the breeds before the! could e'en blink( Going to Julian* she stooped to pick up her sunglasses( 0utting the& back on* she knelt do n ne?t to hi&( ,nconscious* his face as beaten* the slashes bled profusel!* and the bleeding had her orried( % 'a&pire needed blood to heal( She pulled her phone fro& her boot and dialed a nu&ber she ne'er thought she ouldO$ucian( G.on@t talk* listen(H She said in the phone* her stare on Julian( GYou are fort! &iles fro& the old ce&eter! on the ridge( -o&e no ( Julian needs !ou(S She hung up before $ucian had ti&e to ask an! Cuestions( She dug her blade out and slashed the ropes on his rists( it to a!( /t nicked her cheek hen

1=2

Jaden Sinclair GJulian(H She sighed and pulled the glo'e off her right hand( Der fingers shook hen

she touched his forehead( /t had been !ears since she had been this close to hi& or been able to touch hi& in an! a! other than their skir&ishes( Der finger &o'ed do n to the cut on his lip( GJulian( "pen !our e!es(H Slo l!* his e!es fluttered open* but the! didn@t focus( She slashed her o n rist and put it to his lips* atching the drops hit his &outh( GYou on@t forgi'e &e* but / ha'e to do this*H she hispered( G.rink*H she ordered hen his e!es drifted shut again( PPPP Julian drank hi&self( 'he watched him leave. 'he stood on the roof, watching the one man she knew without a doubt she loved walk away, knowing she would never see him again. The tears blurred her sight, but she never stopped watching while he tossed his bag in the trunk of the car. e was angry, but she knew in her soul what she was doing was right. Ambrose came out onto the roof and sat down next to her. "Are you sure this is what you want-& "#hat else is there for me- *$m not one or the other.& ")ou will change more as you get older. #e don$t know, yet, if your bloodmate traits will develop, but once you take this step, regardless of which path your body follows, you can never come back.& "* know,& she said, her voice soft and broken. "5ut it$s the best thing for him. * have to let him go.& e placed his arm over her shoulders, hugging her. "* don$t want you to have regrets.& hat as offered to hi&* not kno ing ho rist tighter or h! it as being gi'en(

Dis hands ca&e up* holding the

hile he sucked her life@s blood into

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

1==

Tears fell when she watched %ulian pull out of the drive. "* already have them,& she whispered. "* miss you already, %ulian ;arino, but * have to let you go.& Julian@s e!es opened* but he couldn@t see the person gi'ing hi& the precious liCuid and the &e&or! attached to it( Me&ories >hen his e!es focused* he sa ere shared bet een blood&ates b! the gi'ing as not to be shared nor the blood( ith a s ord in the &iddle* of blood* but his gut screa&ed that this &e&or!

a tattoo* a blood red heart

&aking it appear broken( De also sa a fanc! J in the &iddle( "#hat$s happening to me3& she cried out, staring at herself in the mirror. er long black hair, heart shaped face with full lips were the same, but what happened to her dark eyes. No longer were they grey. 'taring back at her7a stranger with shiny, metallic silver eyes stared back. *t scared the hell out of her. "Ambrose,& she gasped. "#hat$s happening to me-& "%ust as * feared might happen when you reached this stage in your life. )our vampire side is surfacing now with puberty as you move into being a woman.& "* can$t be a vampire. * can$t3 *$m a bloodmate3& ")ou$re neither one nor the other, 4arissa, but something in between.& "*$m a freak3 A freak3 No one will ever want me3& G#noughBH )he rist Ferked a a! fro& hi&( De anted &ore* needed &ore( 8efore he could sa! an!thing* he as !anked up b! his ar&s* his bod! screa&ing in agon!( GMo'eBH a fe&ale 'oice ordered( Julian struggled to keep to his feet* grateful shoulders to help hi&( )ogether the! hen she pulled his ar& o'er her here he didn@t alked a a! fro& the scene* to

1=<

Jaden Sinclair

kno ( Dis e!es still refused to focus and pain struck hi& in e'er! bone and &uscle( De couldn@t see* could barel! think( G/ ha'e to find her*H he said( G/ need to get her back(H G)here@s nothing !ou can do*H she snapped G0leaseBH PPPP She pushed hi& into the safet! of darkness( De turned and grabbed in a desperate atte&pt to keep her there( She t isted* and he &issed her shoulder* clutching like a dro ning &an holding to a stra at so&ething hanging fro& her neck( )he fragile link broke free as he fell( $anding hard on a rock floor face first* he rolling to his back* seeing a silhouette he@d co&e to recogni+e( G>ho are !ouJH he asked ith great difficult!( G>h! are !ou doing thisJH G>hen !ou figure out hi& in darkness( Julian struggled to breath thought the pain in his side and chest fro& the beating he endured and struggled against the eakness fro& the loss of blood( )he little a&ount of blood she ga'e hi& helped so&e* at least to start the healing* but not enough he kne e'en before he rolled to his sto&ach in a flailing effort to get to his feet( De@d need &ore blood if he as going to sa'e Serina* &ore if he as going to free hi&self fro& the cr!pt the guardian locked hi& in( -ra ling to reach the door* he pushed ithout the strength to open it* e?hausting hat little strength he had( SerinaB Dis first se&i-conscious thought( De had to find her and cra led up to the closed door( Julian groaned* holding hi&self* doubling o'er* dropping to his knees* and not fro& his o n pain( 6h my !od3 4ontractions3 'he$s in labor3 ho / a& then !ou@ll kno h! /@& doing this(H She turned* but stopped ith her back to hi&( G/@& sorr!* Julian(H She closed a door on hi&* encasing

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

1=:

Julian &oaned in agon!* feeling her pain( De sta!ed on his knees* hunched o'er* breathing though his pain and hers( 8oth hands fisted as he tried to breathe through it* and in one hand he felt so&ething t isted around his pal&( "pening his e!es and hand* he stared do n at so&ething he ouldn@t ha'e been able to see ithout his 'a&pire sight( Still in the darkness* he doubted( De had seen that ith +ig+agged lines necklace before* a 'er! long ti&e ago( % ho&e&ade i'or! necklace

car'ed on the ends* la! across his pal&* and a large C in fanc! riting right in the &iddle( De kne this necklace* kne it b! heart and kne his breathing co&ing in shallo ho &ade it( Di&B hat it all &eant hitting hi& Fro ning* not understanding an! of this* he touched the - ith the tip of his fingers* gasps* the kno ledge of Fust as hard as those fists that had beaten hi&( #'en as he shook his head* ignoring the proof of hat stared hi& right in the e!e* Julian refused to belie'e it( Not her( No fucking a!B G-arissaBH he !elled at the top of his lungs before slu&ping to the ground* tears flooding his e!es* but his battered bod! Cuickl! pulling hi& into a state of unconsciousness here he could heal and get his strength back( PPPP Serina screa&ed* gripping her brother@s hand ca&e* she ouldn@t be able to push( GYou ha'e got to hold on a bit longer*H .en'er hispered so no one but she could hear( GYou ha'e to hold on for Julian( De escaped the&(H G/ can@t do thisBH she panted* tr!ing to catch her breath( GSo&ething@s not right(H 3en+o alked in* his e?pression a &i?ture of disgust and anger( G)i&e is running out( / ant that bab!( No BH hen another contraction racked her hen the ti&e

bod! hard( %fter a full da! of labor* she Cuickl! tired* so &uch she feared

1=;

Jaden Sinclair She screa&ed again( .en'er@s e!es looked as if the! &ight pop out hen another

spurt of blood gushed out of her( De grabbed a to el but stopped* stunned( GShit* / see the head(H 3en+o pushed hi& out of the a!* pulling a chair up( GGood(H De placed her legs in the deli'er! table stirrups* &otioning to .en'er( .en'er positioned hi&self behind her* helping her to sit up hile she pushed( G/t@s ti&e( No * !ou push* girl( 0ush like !our life depends on itBH 3en+o !elled at her( %nother screa& ripped fro& her feel legs( G)hat@s it( Gi'e &e &ore*H her father ordered( G0ush harderBH GSo&ething@s rong*H she &oaned( G#'er!thing is fine(H 3en+o snapped( GYou Fust keep pushing( /t@s al&ost out(H %nother strong contraction hit* and another good a&ount of blood gushed out of her( GJulian*H she hispered* follo ed b! another screa&( .en'er stared do n at her hen a bab! slid out and into his father@s hands( G>hat is itJH Serina ask in a eak 'oice( GYou ga'e &e a girl*H 3en+o ans ered* bab!@s face( She bab! to cr!( GTi'a( -all her Ti'a*H she said( G.adJH .en'er asked* stud!ing his father( atched* feeling helpless hile 3en+o hurried to cut the cord and s addle the ith a blanket( De suctioned the nose and &outh clear and then sti&ulated the bab! earing a stupid grin hile he iped the as a strange sensation of hen the pain hit( She gripped her brother@s hands etness pouring out fro& bet een her hard* pushing( Four ti&es she pushed but didn@t feel like an!thing changed( >hat she did eakness and a

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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3en+o stared up at his son( De s&iled* and this strange cra+! e?pression lit up his face* changing to anno!ance hen Serina screa&ed out( )he bab! in 3en+o hands screa&ed and cried harder* pushing her hands out fro& the blanket and sCuir&ing( 3en+o clutched the tin! girl to his chest* running fro& the roo&( .en'er &o'ed to follo * but Serina@s hand stopped hi&( G%nother*H she said( .en'er took the place his father Fust 'acated and Fu&ped back fro& another flood of blood( G"h* shitBH he cried( Serina sat herself up( )he second bab! took onl! a fe .en'er@s &outh* telling Serina* G%nother girl(H G0aris*H she said in an e'en eaker 'oice( )he bab! started to cr! and screa&* and .en'er* staring sister said* GSerinaJH G)oo late( /t@s(((too late*H her 'oice as so eak she didn@t kno if her brother could hear her( GDold on( Julian ill be here as soon as the sun goes do n( / kno he ill( You Fust ha'e to hold on a bit longer(H G.on@t let Father(((keep(((Ti'a(H )he bab! in his ar&s cried harder( She see&ed to kno her &other as d!ing( G.en'er(((find(((Julian( )ell* hi&*H she started* G/(((lo'e(((hi&(H )ears run do n .en'er@s checks* G.on@t go*H he hispered( G.on@t lea'e &e too(H G/t(((doesn@t(((hurt(((an!(((&ore(H .en'er !ouBH G.en'er(H .en'er rushed back to Serina@s side and ent to his knees beside her( G$et(((&e(((see(((her(H alked o'er to the door( GJulianBH .en'er screa&ed* G>here the hell are ith a look of horror at his pushes before it slid into aiting hands( De &o'ed Cuickl! to cut the cord and cleared out the nose and

1<7

Jaden Sinclair .en'er held the bab! out for Serina( Mother and daughter see&ed to look at each

other( Serina s&iled and said eakl!* GShe@s perfect(H )oo eak to e'en reach out to touch her o n child* Serina sighed( GFind Julian*H Serina said in a eak hisper( GDe@ll protect her(H PPPP Serina as gone( Julian dropped to his knees and screa&ed at the top of his lungs(

8lood tears fell fro& his e!es* and his bod! shook ith the ne kind of pain* kno ing he had lost her( Serina* his blood&ate* as gone( De felt the loss throughout his bod! and screa&ed* lunging at the door in his &iser!( #?hausted* he dropped back do n on the floor to his knees and cried( >ith desperation* sorro * and pain all &i?ed together* it Struggling to stand back up on his o n t o feet and using as o'er for hi&( as o'er for hat little bit of strength he

pushed at the hea'! door( "ne and onl! one thought filled his &indAlife

hi&( $et the sun he could see lighting the Foints of the door take hi& and be done ith it( De attacked the door again* stu&bled out* and held his breath* prepared to die* but he didn@t burn( % strange red light of a sitting sun hit hi&* ar&ing his bod!* but not taking his life( De looked up at it and fell back do n to the ground* cr!ing at the inFustice( #'en God* it see&ed* planned on hi& sta!ing around longer and alone( De cra led a a! fro& the cr!pt -arissa thre hi& into( %s darkness fell around hi&* going on instinct onl!* it took se'eral tries before he had enough strength in his tortured bod! to stand( Dis gut and instinct screa&ed at hi& that this s&all a&ount of strength had to co&e fro& the blood the guardian ga'e hi&( >ithout it there as no a! he ould be able to stand* alk* or e'en li'e( #'er! inch of his bod! hurt* he felt the eakness fro& blood loss* and !et felt a strength building inside hi&( )he change had to do -arissa* the crosso'er the guardians carried in her blood and passed on to hi&( ith the blood he recei'ed fro& ent through* and the blood of the ancients she

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not Dalf of his being da&ned her for keeping hi& ali'e on to find Serina( Dis sorro told hi& the direction( >ith each step he took* blood tears &i?ed ith

1<1 hile the other half dro'e hi& ater tears fell freel!( %t the eakness as in his soul( De

a! he needed to go* and he staggered in that

door to the roo&* he stopped and al&ost dropped to the floor* not in eakness of bod! as strength see&ed to gain e'en as he pushed hi&self( )he didn@t control( Serina lie on a bed* &otionless( 8lood pooled at the foot of the bed and co'ered her legs( Der e!es ere closed ith the life gone fro& her bod!( De fell to his knees beside her* touching her forehead gentl! before he dropped his head on her chest and released his sorro ( -r!ing out his pain and loss* he dropped back fro& his knees* dragging her ith hi& to cradle in his lap( Sitting on the floor ith Serina@s li&p bod! in his ar&s* staring at nothing as ho $ucian and -orbin found hi&( GJulianJH $ucian ca&e o'er to hi& and knelt do n in front of hi&( GShe@s gone( / asn@t here like / pro&ised*H Julian said* his 'oice hollo ( G/ told her she ould be fine ha'ing the bab!(H Nneeling in front of Julian* -orbin spread a blanket on the floor( GJulian* let &e take her(H Julian turned his e!es on -orbin( De stared and shook his head( G/@& Fust going to rap her up in the blanket here( "ka!J $et &e take her(H 8et een $ucian and -orbin* the! got Serina@s bod! fro& Julian@s ar&s( -orbin laid her do n* and $ucian pulled Julian into his ar&s( Julian held tight* breaking do n in tears( GJulian(H .en'er appeared in the door a!* a bundle in his ar&s( G/-/Lcouldn@t find !ou( / didn@t kno here else to look so / ca&e back(H .en'er spoke in a shaking hisper* his shock e'ident( De shuddered* his ga+e free+ing on Serina@s bod!( GDe let her die( De Fust let her die(H )ears fell fro& his e!es( GDe took her bab! and left her to die(H ant to see hat as be!ond* but kne he had to( Julian pushed it open and lost

1<2 Julian sat up*

Jaden Sinclair iping the tears fro& his face( .uring a silent e?change bet een the ord* !et both spoke so &uch of their shared grief until the

t o &en* neither said a

bundle in .en'er@s ar&s sCualled( GShe had t ins* t o girls(H Mo'ing the co'er fro& the bab!@s face* he handed the bab! to Julian( GDe took the first and Fust left* lea'ing Serina to bleed to death e'er kno ing there 0aris( 0aris and Ti'a(H GYou look like !our &other*H Julian told the infant in his ar&s( $ittle 0aris stopped cr!ing( She !a ned before she closed her e!es to sleep( Julian s&iled* and ith fresh tears in his e!es* he kissed the top of her little red head( G"h* &! little one* hat a& / going to do no JH Julian sniffed back a fresh bout of ould lose it eeping and kept his ga+e on the tin! infant( /f he looked at Serina* he again( G>hat a& / going to doJH ithout ere t o(H .en'er touched the cr!ing bab!( GShe na&ed this one

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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E$il%gue
Julian stood in $ucian@s back!ard( $ucian and -orbin had built a funeral p!re a a! fro& the house for the burial cere&on! for his blood&ate( % bla+ing torch as in his hand* behind hi& his fa&il!* and on the platfor& his heart( #'en though he needed to do this* needed to put her to rest* he couldn@t( )o do this as to sa! his final good-b!e* )he ind picked up* and the air thickened( % stor& as co&ing( % s&all hand gripped his as $ucan ca&e up ne?t to hi&( )he bo! ten !ear old ith old isdo& in his e!es( GShe@s out there*H $ucan hispered( G>hoJH Dis face so&ber* $ucan told hi&* GYour soul(H Julian fro ned( GShe She ho is so&e of each* but a Julian nodded( De kne atches !ou( ill as hole of neither( Your pain is her pain* Fust like she ho it as( )he necklace as in his pocket( >hat he as the si+e of a

hurt for !ou* as !ou ill hurt for her( Your &ission isn@t co&plete* but it ill be(H going to do about -arissa as so&ething he couldn@t !et think about* not hat she &eant to hi&* his future* or the future of his children( $ucan took the torch ith no resistance fro& Julian( Julian kne atched the bo! deep do n he couldn@t light the fire( De couldn@t put to rest his blood&ate* but he ne'er thought a child ould be the one to do it for hi&( De alk up to the platfor& and place the torch ne?t to Serina@s bod!( >hen it G)hat &e&or! ent up in fla&es* $ucan ca&e back to Julian

and handed hi& a braided lock of blonde hair( ill al a!s sta! ith !ou* but there is so &uch &ore !et to be done(H $ucan turned back to the fire( G"ur destin! has !et to start(H

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Jaden Sinclair

PPPP She stood off to the side* the&sel'es( She suffered da! she died( G>e ill see each other again* Julian*H she said to herself( GSooner than !ou think(H She brought her phone out and dialed the nu&ber( >hen it connected* she said* GSo&ething@s happened( / don@t think the fa&il! is safe an! longer(H G/@& sending .i&itri( >e are going to &o'e the fa&il! in t o da!s(H She hung up the phone and looked at Julian one last ti&e before she turned and left her spot( >hile she alked a a!* she dialed another nu&ber( G/t@s ti&e(H atching the bod! of Julian@s blood&ate burn( %n old hen the! lost their blood&ate* a part of his pain* and she as going to feel it until the

custo&* one &an! 'a&pires practiced ith hi&* kne

Guardians 1: Forget Me Not

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%bout )he %uthor

Jaden Sinclair li'es in a s&all to n of Nansa ith her husband of fifteen !ears and t o bo!s that keep her hoping( 8et een sports* running the house hold it@s a onder at ti&es ho she is able to keep the flo of her riting going( 8ut she does( She has &an! series in the orks and out for !our enFo!&ent* and &ost kno her for the Shifter series( 8et een ere ol'es* 'a&pires* scifi* ne orlds or si&ple ro&ances* one ne'er reall! kno s hat ill co&e out ne?t(

%uthors >ebsite (Fadensinclair(co&

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Jaden Sinclair

Secret -ra'ings 0ublishing (secretcra'ingspublishing(co&