Allegiant (42 page)

“
Did she do it?” a third
person asks.

The first voice floods with relief.
“Yes!”

How many people are here? I could have sworn
I was alone when I went to sleep. Should I be afraid? I concentrate
and pry one eye open and follow with the other. My vision is
blurry, and I blink the haze away. Three faces hover over me, none
of which are familiar, and my adrenaline spikes. Who are these
people and what do they want? I try to lift my head, try to sit up,
but my body feels stiff and won’t cooperate. From what I can tell,
I’m lying in a bed that is foreign to me. Where am I?

“
Emma? Are you okay? Talk
to me.”

I meet the worried gaze of the guy who holds
my hand. He’s handsome, despite his disheveled dark hair and five
o’clock shadow. His complexion is slightly pale and his hazel eyes
look worn and tired, as if he’s recently been sick.

“
How do you know my name?”
I rasp. My throat feels drier than the desert at high noon. He
looks at me with utter confusion. “Who are you?” I ask.

“
Let me try,” a voice on my
left says.

I turn my head to see another male, about my
age I’d guess, with light brown hair that falls over his forehead
and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He, too, looks distraught and
attempts a nervous smile as he takes my other hand in his. “Do you
know who I am?” he tentatively asks.

I have no memory of this person. I shake my
head against the pillow. “I don’t. Should I?”

His face falls at my response.

I hear a heavy sigh from the end of the bed,
so I lift my head, successfully this time, to find the third person
in the room. He focuses his eyes on me; they’re an interesting
shade of blue mixed with brown. “Let’s try something.” He moves
from the bed to stand closer to me. “Do you want to sit up?”

I nod and both of the men who hold my hands
help me. One props a pillow behind my back while the other reaches
for a glass of water sitting on the bedside table. He hands it to
me and I gladly take it, swallowing half the water in one gulp. I
regard the three of them over the rim of my glass as logic tells me
I should be scared to be surrounded by strangers. Oddly, I’m
not.

“
Do you remember my name?”
the one with the interesting blue-brown eyes asks me.

I search my brain as the three of them look
at me expectantly. I want to remember for them, but I can’t. I
frown and shake my head no.

He leans forward, placing both hands against
the bed, as he asks, “What’s the last memory you have?”

I think back. My mind is foggy is some areas
and crystal clear in others. “Falling asleep in my apartment.”

The three of them regard each other, sending
silent messages between them that I don’t understand. I look down
and notice a unique bracelet on my wrist. I don’t typically wear
jewelry. “What is this?” I ask and hold out my hand.

Interesting-eyes asks another question. “Do
you know what a Guardian is?”

I give him a blank look as I questioningly
state the obvious. “Someone who guards things?”

Everyone around me looks dumbfounded and let
down. I wish I could cooperate more, but who are these people? An
uneasy feeling starts to build in my chest the more I come to and
take in my surroundings. Last night, I was in my apartment at
school; now, I’m in a tropically decorated bedroom surrounded by
strange men. Someone needs to start giving me answers.

“
What happened?” I
ask.

All three sets of eyes dart to one another
as if debating whether to share knowledge that I don’t have. It
makes me angry. “Tell me!”

The one who’s been asking questions looks
defeated. “Erasure,” he says.

His answer makes no sense and it frustrates
me. “What is that?”

He draws a heavy breath. “Your memory has
been erased.”

Look for the final book in The Guardian
Trilogy:

Reborn

Coming early 2014!

###

Sara Mack is a Michigan
native who grew up with her nose in books. She is a wife and a
hockey mom on top of being trapped in an office – which now has a
window! – forty hours a week.
Her spare
time is spent one-clicking on Amazon and devouring books on her
Kindle, cleaning up after her kids and two elderly cats, attempting
to keep her flower garden alive, and, of course, writing. She has
an unnatural affinity for dark chocolate, iced tea, and
bacon.

Connect with Sara and The Guardian
Trilogy:

On Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Mack/377965205649175

On Twitter:

http://twitter.com/smackwrites

Blog and Email:

http://smackwrites.blogspot.com

[email protected]

Check out Spotify for the Allegiant
playlist:

http://open.spotify.com/user/smackwrites/playlist/59c59dpcIYfsZwMoTRK3Uc

and Café Press for Guardian & Allegiant
merch!

http://www.cafepress.com/IndieFriends

Book 3 of The Guardian
Trilogy

Prologue

Do you dream in color or black and
white?

The last few nights have brought me
brilliant, prismatic dreams. I’ve never dreamt like this before. My
hope is that the odd images will continue and reveal the missing
pieces of my past. I need to know what I’ve been told is true by
seeing it for myself with my mind’s eye. It will be easier for me
to accept my new reality through my memories because right now
things are just…

Unbelievable.

Garrett says the blast from The Allegiant’s
hand should have killed me. He owes my survival to the charm I wear
around my wrist; a bracelet given to me by someone I don’t
remember. I play with it now, turning it around and around, as the
airplane descends. After three days of living with complete
strangers in a foreign place, I’m almost home. The familiarity of
it beckons me. I keep telling myself I’ll be able to think clearly
– remember more – surrounded by what I know.

As the wheels of the plane touch down,
relief courses through my body. I’m here; I made it. I can pick up
where my life left off and things will make sense again.

I hope.

*****

My phone chimes.
Welcome back! Check your email.

I read the cryptic text from Matt as Dane
lounges on my couch flipping channels. He hasn’t said much since
our neighbor’s arrival, and I can tell he’s trying to relax but
failing miserably. I feel bad for him and want to make it better.
Why does his being upset bother me? He’s practically a
stranger.

“
Who’s on the
phone?”

Dane’s question breaks my train of thought.
“Um, Matt,” I say quickly as I redirect my attention and open my
email. “He sent me a message.”

His note is the first in my inbox.

Em –

Glad to hear you’re back! Attached to this
are the forms required for the internship you asked about. My dad
signed off on everything. I would have sent them sooner, but I
didn’t know when you would be back in the States. I hope you’re
still thinking about working for us – I don’t make a great
receptionist and Sheila is about to explode! Let me know your
decision when you get a chance.

We’ll have to get together soon!

Matt

My memory reels back to my last day at
Western. I recall the overwhelming need to move back home, but
don’t remember what set it off. I re-live the conversation with my
advisor, Mrs. Andrews. I remember talking to Matt about interning
at his dad’s veterinary clinic in lieu of classes; I remember
falling asleep content with my plans for the future. And then I
remember waking up with my world turned upside down.

I read over Matt’s email again and a calm
feeling settles over me. I still like this idea a lot. Moving back
home sounds amazing.

I hear a knock on the door then see it crack
open. “Are you busy?” It’s Garrett.

Dane sighs and turns off of the television.
“Do we have a choice?”

Garrett and James enter my apartment, and I
push Matt’s message to the side for now. I readjust myself in the
living room chair as Garrett takes a seat opposite Dane. James
chooses to stand, leaning against the wall. It’s times like this
that I really need a dining table.

“
Do you want to sit?” I ask
James and start to unfold my legs.

He shakes his head. “Standing doesn’t bother
me.” He gives me a small smile. “I’m still getting used to being
human.”

Oh. Right.

“
Now that things have
calmed down, we need to have a serious discussion,” Garrett
says.

Dane frowns. “About what?”

“
For one, the likelihood of
Kellan’s return. He’s not going to easily forgive what
happened.”

Dane scowls as I recall who Kellan is. He’s
the one who nearly killed me, but somehow took my memories
instead.

Garrett takes a heavy breath. “Obviously,
we’ve lost all ties to the Intermediate. We have no idea what’s
taking place. We can only assume Kellan returned with Lucas after
he blasted Emma given that humanity isn’t in chaos. Kellan needs
Lucas to maintain order; two of the four Allegiant are dead. He’s
probably forcing Lucas to carry on as usual and biding his time
until he can devise his revenge.”

“
We haven’t heard from
Thomas or Meg or any of the others either,” James says. “It’s
probable that they’re still captive.”

Who are Meg and Thomas again?

“
If only I could get a hold
of Jack,” Garrett mutters. “It would really help.”

“
Jack is?” I
ask.

“
My brother,” Garrett
answers. “My twin.”

Yes. I’d forgotten.

Dane leans forward. “So you’re worried about
Kellan coming back? I understand he’s pissed that your friends
killed his buddies, but shouldn’t he take it out on them?”

“
I’m afraid he will, but he
still has a score to settle with me,” Garrett says. “He didn’t get
to exact his punishment and now that you and Emma are
involved…we’re all at risk.”

James turns to Dane. “You know Kellan was
gunning for you.”

Dane sighs. “Yes, you’ve made that
clear.”

“
Why?” I ask. “What did
Dane do that was so wrong?”

Garrett nods toward the bracelet on my
wrist. “He placed that on you.”

“
So?”

Garrett shares a knowing look with James
that raises my suspicions. “That’s another thing we need to talk
about,” he says. “Do you remember me telling you about Madeline and
Ash? The people that showed up to help us?”

I nod.

“
James and I stopped to
speak with them briefly before coming here. We asked if they could
help us understand what happened, why the bracelet protected you in
some ways but not in others. They told us it was because you are
Lost.”

My face pinches. “I’m what?”

James moves closer. “All humans are supposed
to have a Guardian. I was yours.”

“
Yes, you told
me.”

“
When The Allegiant
restored my humanity my duty vanished. You no longer have a
Guardian.” He pauses and eyes Garrett. “Emma,” he says seriously,
“there’s no one in the Intermediate to assign you. You are
unprotected. You’re what we call Lost.”

I give him a wary look. “And that’s a bad
thing?”

“
For an ordinary human it’s
a very bad thing,” Garrett says. “But you’re better off. Until we
know how much protection the bracelet offers you, one of us will
need to be near you at all times.”

I hesitate trying to process the
information. “So, you’re saying I need a babysitter.”

Garrett shifts his weight to the edge of his
seat. “It’ll be more like having a bodyguard. We’ll need to know
your schedule, where you plan to be, and with who.”

This is really awkward and my expression
twists. Will I ever have privacy? “I do have some common sense; you
can’t spend all your time hovering over me.”

Garrett nods. “You’re
right. We’ll need to take shifts and the more help we have the
better. That’s why we –” He pauses. “I mean that’s why
I
would like Dane to help
as well.” He turns to look at him. “Will you consider
it?”

Dane doesn’t even think twice. “I’m in.”

What? These three can’t just integrate
themselves into my life! “Hold on a minute,” I protest. “You can’t
monitor my every move!”

James tries to reassure me. “It won’t be
that weird. Garrett and I will be right next door.”

Matt’s email flashes through my mind and I
snort. “Not for long. I’m moving after the semester ends.”

James face falls. “Where? Why?”

My eyes dart to Garrett and Dane and they
are equally surprised. “I got permission to take an internship
during the winter semester. I’ll be working for Matt’s dad and
living with my parents.”

I can’t help but notice the smile Dane tries
to hide. Clearly he’s pleased, but why?

James moves to crouch in front of me. “Emma,
I can’t follow you there. Your hometown is mine too; I can’t be
seen by people who knew me. You have to stay here.”

Ah. That’s why.

“
I’m sorry, but this
is
my
life,” I say
adamantly. “My decision. I’m moving.”

James opens his mouth to dispute me, but
Garrett interrupts. “It’s okay,” he says and directs his attention
to James. “We can make this work; we can move. Lucas gave me money,
and I believe he gave Emma some too.”