Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited Read Free Page B

engagement.” He sighed dramatically as he feigned disappointment.
    Reece stared at the expression on his face amusingly. “Seems pretty bad, Levi. Go on; I hope I can handle this.”
    “It appears that your good friend, Simone, has departed from the palace abruptly. Apparently, the note she left for her maiden has forced Catherine and Lillian to leave as well. They both left first thing this morning in order to be supportive of her.”
    Reece rolled her eyes and let out a laugh of disbelief. “Well, there went my maid of honor,” she said sarcastically.
    Levi grinned. “It will be difficult, but I am sure you will find a way past this dreadful news.”
    “We’ll see. Hopefully my newfound depression won’t be a distraction for Queen Galleta as she is trying to read my mind in the meeting this morning.”
    “Indeed, that may be a problem.” Levi teased.
    When they finished their breakfast, they walked to Navarre’s office to meet with the queen. Upon entering the room, Reece saw that Navarre and an older woman were sitting on a sofa in the corner of his office, engaged in quiet conversation.
    Navarre stood and greeted the young couple as they entered the room. “Your Excellency,” he said as they approached where Queen Galleta sat formally on the sofa, “allow me to introduce you to Miss Reece Bryant.”
    Queen Galleta was much older than Reece had imagined. Her coronet of hair was silver, and her skin was pale, thin, and wrinkled; but she sat very straight, and her topaz eyes glowed. “Good morning, Miss Bryant,” the queen said with an endearing smile, “How do you do?”
    “I’m very well, thank you; and please, call me Reece.”
    They sat on sofas arranged around the fireplace in Navarre’s office. “Reece, I’m sure Levi made you aware of the fact that I knew Paul Xylander.” Queen Galleta stated simply, “If you don’t mind, I would like to use my abilities to see what’s happened.”
    This is it! Reece thought as she inhaled, struggling to stay focused. “Go ahead,” Reece answered, not knowing what to expect. Levi softly squeezed her hand, which brought Reece’s attention to him. When she looked at him, he gave her a reassuring smile that helped ease the extremely awkward situation.
    “Very interesting,” said Galleta. She eyed Levi. “It appears that you are carrying a copy of this genetic imprint within your mind.”
    A copy? How is THAT possible? Reece thought in total confusion.
    “Were you able to see the location of the stone?” Levi asked, with concern in his voice.
    “I’m not able to see the location of the stone; I can only see what transpired between both of you.” Galleta turned to Navarre. “The information is protected within both of their minds.” She looked back at Levi and Reece. “The information has been so well-guarded from any kind of a psychic intrusion that I am unable to see exactly why it is that this unique occurrence took place.” She smiled warmly at Reece. “I was, however, able to read both Reece and Levi’s emotions at the time the information was transferred into Levi’s mind, and it appears that Reece formed a strong attachment with Levi at that particular moment.”
    Reece felt the heat rush to her cheeks as she glanced subtly at Levi, but her embarrassment faded when she observed that he was still watching Galleta, waiting for more answers.
    “Paul created a fail-safe,” Galleta continued, “and because of this, the only other people who could ever possibly be able to see the location of the stone, without harm to the Key, would be the Pemdai. They were the only individuals he could trust with the stone, and also with the protection of his ancestral line.”
    Levi looked at Navarre and then placed his arm securely around Reece’s shoulders. “It is interesting how it all happened. One minute my mind was otherwise engaged,” he glanced knowingly at Reece, and then looked back at Galleta, “and from out of nowhere, I was seeing images;