Bound (The Guardians) Read Free Page B

“boss” and childhood friend, Blade. Until I was seven, I lived in Poridos City in an upper class apartment. Blade and I became friends when I was only six, my mother and Blade’s mother coming together for a design project. Being the same ages, our mother’s pushed us together to play whilst they worked. We became instant buds.
    When I turned seven however, we had to declare bankruptcy and make several living downgrades, eventually landing in Pekkin. I was heartbroken. Not that I was leaving Poridos. I was getting further away from Blade. But we sent letters and as we got older, visited each other for sleepovers. Somehow, through all that, our friendship remained strong.
    He’s the reason my life doesn’t completely suck.
    Finishing Touches is an interior décor business owned by his mother, Kyla. I’m employed to help out; Blade’s hours had to be cut back when he got accepted to study music at the prestigious Bendoc Chamber of Arts.
    I have to admit that things are different between us now. Not necessarily in a good way either. He’s slowly started making new friends at school, including with the ladies. I’m not surprised. Blade is eighteen and a real cutie. He’s got short black hair, glasses that suit him to a tee and a gentle smile. He’s sweet and funny and brightens any room he enters.
    I’ve always had a thing for him. Not that I would say it to his face. But, sometimes I wonder if my feelings are still real or if they’re simply lingering residue from years gone by. I mean, I tell myself I like him. I then block out any other possible offers from nice looking gents. Yet I know that he doesn’t think of me that way. So admitting any feelings would only make things awkward and complicated. I’d rather not lose my one true friend over something like that.
    ‘Where’s Kyla?’ I ask, walking in.
    Blade replies, ‘Ma has a meeting with the arcade manager. Well she says that. But I swear it’s a date. Those two have been making eyes at each other for weeks. Bler.’
    I rest my drink on the counter and pass by him into the back room, putting my bag and scooter down. He calls to me, ‘Are you going to tell me?’
    ‘Tell you what?’
    Blade calls, ‘The reason why you’re so upset.’
    I re-emerge and give him a faint smile. I’m always shocked at how quickly he can pick up when I’m troubled.
    ‘It’s nothing,’ I lie, returning to my drink at the counter.
    Blade folds his arms. ‘Mellea Kelisa-bey Wendorn: you tell me right now.’
    ‘Don’t full name me,’ I say with a frown. Blade stands waiting. I finally admit, ‘It’s my parents. They had another fight this morning, more Guardian stuff. I really wish one of them would tell me what happened before I was born. All I know is Da had a brush with them and has never been able to get over it. What did they do to him? It kills me not to know.’
    Blade frowns.
    ‘We’ve been over this, Mellea. You can’t make him spill if he doesn’t want to. You’ll have to hang in there. I’m sure he’ll tell you when the time comes.’ Blade walks around the back of the counter. He stands near me, taking out the store’s electronic tablet. He taps on the screen. ‘Although I’m not surprised your parents are bugging you again, I honestly thought you were upset about this…’ He presses play on movie file.
    It’s a clip from the local news station. The presenter woman behind a long desk speaks seriously into the camera. ‘Another three people have been reported missing yesterday as the disappearance of citizens across the Centreland and Stray Islands of the Coasts continues to rise. So far, no official comment has been made from the Guardian’s Lord Neros or Lady Lethia on the matter, however extra Concords have been deployed around the Poridos area for added protection.’
    Blade turns the screen off and stares into my eyes.
    I add, ‘Not only Concords, Sentry officers too. They were lurking around this morning. They freak me