Her Guardians Lost (Her Guardians Trilogy #2) Read Free

and he was having a hard time trying to find the words. I knew we had to talk, but I thought it best to save him from his pain for now.
    “Look, you don’t have to say anything. Maybe this isn’t the place anyway. What’s been happening since the shooting?”
    Michael exhaled and patted my hand. I knew I had saved him from an awkward situation.
    “Before I go on, there’s something I should tell you.”
    “Okay.”
    “The other angels have been gathering. I just spoke to Luana. She was protecting a girl in America. Unfortunately, that girl is now dead.”
    For some reason, I felt a huge loss. I also wondered why I had survived and others had perished. It didn’t seem fair.
    “I’m so sorry to hear that. I feel so bad.”
    “Why? None of this is your fault. You were born this way. You certainly didn’t bring it on yourself.”
    “How do you know that, though?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “How do you know I didn’t volunteer for this?” The minute I said it, I knew that’s exactly what I had done. I still didn’t know who I was, but something inside me told me it was true.
    “I don’t know.”
    “I do know. Charisma told me I offered to help,” I said.
    “Oh.” Michael’s face crinkled a little.
    “Bits are coming back to me. Stephen has earned his seat back now. He sacrificed his own life to save mine.” I could see by the look on his face that Michael already knew this.
    “Yes, and I’m really happy for him. Did she say anything else?”
    I tried to think back to our encounter. Things were still a little fuzzy. Something was telling me I needed to tell Michael something, but I couldn’t remember what.
    Sensing my frustration, Michael squeezed my hand a little. “Don’t worry about it now. It will come back to you.”
    “Thank you for being here for me.”
    He smiled, stroking my hair. “Don’t mention it. As long as it takes.”
    I was beyond confused. “But you only have three weeks.” The words seemed to fly out of my mouth before I could stop them.
    “What?”
    “You have three weeks to make a decision. I remember now. I knew there was something important I had to say. You can go sooner, but you only have twenty-one days.”
    Michael looked off into space. “It will only be eighteen days now.”
    I was shocked. “I’ve been out for three days?!”
    “Yes. The doctor couldn’t understand why you were unconscious for so long.”
    “I wanted it.” A sadness fell over me, remembering how I had felt when I realised my best friend was evil, Lisa-Marie was dead, and Stephen had gone home.
    “I’m sorry, Cassie. I know you’re hurting.”
    Michael’s sympathetic half-smile was endearing. It instantly eased me. Just having him near me made me feel so much better.
    “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.” I offered Michael a smile and he exhaled again.
    “So what was it you wanted to tell me?” he asked
    “Michael!” a voice shouted from the distance.
    We both shot our heads up in the direction of the voice. My breath nearly caught. “Stephen?” My smile was wide as my heart began racing.
    Suddenly, his face changed. It was as if he was trying to study me, trying to figure out what I was thinking.
    “This was what I wanted to tell you.” Michael’s panicked gaze settled on my face.
    “I don’t understand.” I searched his eyes, then peered over at Stephen. His smile was there, but there was something different about him. Something strange.
    “This is Simeon…Stephen’s twin.”
    “Nice to finally meet you.” Simeon extended his hand, but I was still in shock. He was a replica of Stephen. He even sounded like Stephen.
    He dropped his hand. “I’m sorry. This must be a shock to you. I just assumed you already knew.”
    “I was in the middle of telling her when you came in.” He turned his face to me. “I’m sorry, Cassie.”
    Somehow, I found my voice. “It’s okay. I’m sorry, Simeon. You just look so much like him.” I offered him a smile, but I