The Guardian King

~ Phoenix * Cloaked in darkness, I crept through the night as the bitter wind stung my face, but in no way detoured me from my mission. Winter approached its end. Snow disappeared, but the warmth of spring had yet to take hold. At one o’clock in the morning, there weren’t many pedestrians moving about London. Only those drunkenly making their way home and those moving from one pub to the next. * I ceased my quiet footsteps and narrowed my eyes, willing my enhanced vision to hone in on my prey. My target, fearful of being followed, stopped in the middle of the street and looked around, but I was too well concealed to be spotted. Despite my skill and distance, my prey seemed to sense my presence. That explained why not one of my hunters had succeeded in ridding the world of its existence. This one was smart, which was rare for the depraved. * Not a breath escaped me as I watched and waited. The creature resumed down the nearly vacant street and disappeared around the corner… expecting me to follow. I chuckled softly. I was no ordinary tracker. I was not the average hunter. Not for nothing, I was king. I effortlessly climbed the fire escape of the nearest building. Once aloft, my exceptional strength and stamina propelled me forward from one rooftop to the next, as though it were nothing more than a game of hopscotch. * With a final thud, I’d reached the building my target hid within the shadows of. I stilled and inhaled deeply. Not many could discern the subtle differences between the scent of human and depraved, but I could. I launched myself over the side of the old brick building, grabbing the edge and sliding down the wall, thanking The Creator for my enhanced agility along the way down. * In a silent crouch, I landed a few feet behind my prey. As I stood tall, it turned towards me in a panic, holding up it’s hands defensively in a last ditch effort to appear human. “Take what you want,” it pleaded in its fake feminine voice, “Please, just don’t hurt me.” I chuckled mockingly. “Save your breath. You know I’m here for you.” It’s demeanor immediately shifted as it shrugged. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.” “That’s kinda the point. You are no girl. You’re an abomination.” “Funny, I was just thinking the same about you, guardian.” * The depraved chose its disguise well. To the untrained eye, a beautiful dark-haired woman, no taller than five and a half feet, stood before me. She would have looked harmless, she would have looked innocent… IF she were human. “Tell me who you’ve been infecting and I will make your demise swift,” I stated. “You think you scare me?” it sneered. “I’ve evaded others like you for years. What makes you so special?” * The depraved withdrew a hidden blade from behind its back. Even by supernatural standards, it was fast. The blade whipped through the air, but its speed was no match for my reflexes. I snatched the creature’s human-like wrist, paralyzing it instantly. I unsheathed my own concealed blade, blessed by heaven and created for the same purpose as myself; ridding the world of the depraved. “What makes me special?” I repeated the question. “I am the guardian king.” With a firm grip on the leather hilt, I quickly spun, slashing my blade across its chest. The holy power of my weapon vaporized the depraved into nothing more than smoke and ash. * “Damn,” I muttered, brushing the remnants off my favorite leather jacket. It had been a while since I’d been in the field. I’d forgotten how messy the job can be, especially from close contact kills. I was still brushing ash off my clothes, when my phone vibrated from within my pocket. “Phyn,” I answered. “Majesty, something has come up.” “What is it? I told you I’d be hunting all night.” “It’s important. An unknown has been discovered.” I stilled at my advisor’s words and clenched the phone tightly as I uttered, “That is not possible.” “Our people have confirmed it, Nic.” * I let out a frustrated breath, already on the move, as I said, “I need a portal.” “Where are you?” he needed to know. “Near Old Compton.” “I’ll meet you at The Blue Griffin.” “Phyneas?” “Yup?” “Bring clothes.” A sharp laugh resonated through the line as he said, “You never could resist a close kill.” I disconnected and made my way to one of the few bars in the area still open. * Minutes later, I pulled the antique door and crossed the threshold to one of the oldest pubs in London. As I did upon entering every building, I scanned my surroundings. Booze and tobacco smoke accosted my senses. The dimly lit bar held very few patrons, all of which were too inebriated to notice my presence. * Phyneas awaited me in the farthest corner booth, closest to the bathrooms. At my approach, he picked up the bag from the seat beside him and dropped it onto the table with a soft thud. “Happy hunting?” he inquired. “You could say that.” I grabbed the black duffel bag and entered the men’s room, where I made quick work of shedding my ash covered clothes. * Freshly changed, I shook out my dark wavy hair and exited the stall to find Phyneas ready and waiting. “What do you know?” I asked. “Jacksonville, Florida. Female, early twenties. Don’t have an I.D. yet.” “Roderick better have a damn good explanation when we get there,” I said. “Unknowns shouldn’t exist. If this one has been confirmed, I want to know how and why.” My advisor nodded in acknowledgment. * In the floor length mirror on the bathroom wall, we peered into our reflections. My golden eyes made contact with his hazel ones as I said, “Open it.” With his middle finger, Phyneas tapped the glass, instantly creating a ripple effect and transforming the once smooth surface into a portal. Without hesitation, I stepped through. * The portal’s icy effect caused me to involuntarily shiver. My black boots hit tiled floor and I blinked several times, taking in the sight of my surroundings. Seconds later, Phyneas appeared beside me. We stood in an empty locker room, the looks of which for the use of nurses and doctors in a human hospital. “No welcoming party?” I questioned. “Roderick likely assumed we would be coming through the front.” “Shortsighted for a governor. Call him. I want answers now.” My advisor did as I asked. * A moment later, he returned the phone to his pocket and said, “Upstairs, fourth floor.” “Did he not know I was coming?” I asked agitatedly when we left the locker room. “He didn’t think you’d get here so quickly. He wanted the chance to gather more intel before you arrived.” “He’s nervous,” I concluded. “As he should be. An unknown guardian, living within his own jurisdiction. No doubt he’s afraid you’ll revoke his position.” “I just might.” * Phyneas followed close on my heels as I moved briskly through the bright-white, sterilized hallways of the human healing house. We’d just entered the main lobby, when a strange new sensation came over me. A pull of some kind, within my gut, the likes of which I’d never felt before. Somehow I knew… fate had called me there. * I stopped short, put a hand on my advisor, and said, “Do you feel that?” “Feel what?” I inhaled deeply, but only antiseptic lingered in the air. “I’m not certain. I cannot put it into words.” “That can’t be good, coming from you,” Phyneas pointed out. * As we arrived on the fourth floor, the strange pull intensified and migrated to my chest. I willed myself to ignore the bizarre feeling, focusing instead on the man I’d just located. In the intensive care unit, directly outside a private room, stood one of my governors in a hushed conversation with another one of ours. * “Roderick!” I barked. With a tense expression, his head whipped in my direction. He’d appeared as though he’d been standing guard. Good. At least he’d done something right. The humans shouldn’t be any more involved than they already were. “Your Majesty,” he greeted, “my apologies for not greeting you upon arrival.” My eyeline went clear past the top of his head. But being six feet five inches tall, looking down at people was nothing new. * “Forget that,” I said with a dismissive wave of my hand. “Just tell me what you’ve got.” Roderick visibly relaxed, before he answered, “Hospital admitted a Jane Doe a couple hours ago. She’d been found badly beaten in a parking lot. The humans tested her blood for drugs and alcohol. That’s when our alert was triggered.” “What’s her explanation for not being registered?” I asked. “She’s not currently in the position to offer any explanations, Your Majesty, seeing as she’s still unconscious.” I uttered no reply and unceremoniously moved passed him, pushing the door open. I would be getting answers one way or another. * My position did not come about by birth. I did not inherit the title of king. I earned my right to rule. In the guardian world, the ruler was dictated by a series of grueling challenges. From the age of nine, I’d trained for the trials, pushing my capabilities to the extreme. After over a decade, my dedication paid off when I emerged from The King Trials victoriously. However, despite my arduous and extensive training, nothing had prepared me for what I experienced the moment I stepped foot into that hospital room. * The very blood within my veins froze from sight of the bed-bound figure, connected by wires to human machinery. For the second time, I attempted to capture a scent, but could only identify cleaning chemicals. My people filed in behind me, though I hardly noticed their presence as I remained transfixed by the being on the bed. “Majesty?” Phyneas asked in concern, no doubt picking up on the sudden shift in my countenance. I didn’t answer. I was too concerned with making sense of the strange feeling within my chest. * I moved to the other side of the room, but no matter where I stood, I could not get a clear view of her face. What few features weren’t concealed by the human contraption currently breathing for her, were masked by the bruises and swelling from her extensive injuries. The sight brought forth an inexplicable surge of anger. I couldn’t smell, see, or hear anything from the mysterious woman. Only touch remained, but I held back the urge to lay a hand on the unknown. * Breaking through the haze, I readdressed my governor, “Who found her?” “Everett caught the red flag from the human’s.” Roderick replied as he gestured to the guardian standing beside him. “I mean, who called the ambulance that brought her here? Locate the human who found her in the parking lot. I want to talk to that person.” The two bowed without a word and retreated to carry out my command. * Phyneas moved closer to me and whispered, “What do you sense, Nic?” “I can’t say until I’m certain. Heal her.” He approached the bedside and placed his hands on the girl’s arm. Protectiveness flared up inside me, by which I was utterly confused. If I should feel protective over anyone in this situation, it should be Phyneas. He was far more than merely my advisor. He’d been my best friend since long before my reign. Whereas the girl was an unknown; potentially very dangerous. * I tamped down my irrational reaction as Phyn looked at me and said, “She’s in rough shape. Even with my ability, it will take a while for her to regain consciousness.” He removed the breathing machine from her face, as thanks to him it was no longer needed. “Find every doctor and nurse tending to her,” I ordered. “Make them forget. Erase her from the system. They should believe this room to be empty.” “I’m on it.” He promptly left the room. * Once alone, I returned my attention to the unknown. Phyneas’ healing ability already began to take effect. The room’s overhead lights were off. The only illumination came from the lamp near the bedside, but with my enhanced vision it was enough to see the swelling on her face begin to recede. * Without the breathing machine, I finally caught a decent view of the girl’s face. My hunch proved correct as the pull grew stronger. A simple touch would likely confirm my suspicions, but again… I hesitated. Instead, I took a seat in the chair farthest from the bed and dove into my own mind. * Twenty-four years. That is how long I’d been searching. I’d scoured the earth in search of the missing piece of my destiny. And somehow, this mysterious being dropped into my lap as if she fell from heaven. As a guardian, it was impossible not to believe in signs from The Creator, but this one was not the least bit subtle. God’s intentions were unmistakable as the pull strengthened by the mere sound of her breathing. * Time trickled away, until a deep inhale echoed within the room and caused my heart rate to quicken. Suddenly, brilliant blue eyes locked on mine. I’d intended to be gone before she awoke. She surprised me when out of nowhere she opened her eyes and found mine watching her from my darkened corner seat. * Seconds passed, before I slowly got to my feet. I waited for her to speak. When she didn’t, I cautiously approached the bed. My hands were secure within my pockets in an effort to avoid frightening her. I knew what my subjects said about me; that my gaze was intense and unsettling. However, she seemed unfazed by it. Perhaps this was another sign she belonged to me. I suspected she believed my presence was a dream. Good. I didn’t want this to be our first meeting. I should’ve left immediately, but I couldn’t help myself… * Withdrawing one hand from my pocket, I slowly reached for hers. The instant our fingers linked, the contact created a gentle hum and I breathed a deep sigh of contentedness. Our connection could no longer be denied. An energy surged through us unlike any I’d felt before. One I knew wasn’t attainable with anyone else on the planet. * She looked from my face to our intertwined hands, tilting her head in curiosity. Her abilities were dormant. Therefore, I hadn’t expected her to feel the bond that had yet to be fully awakened. But judging by her reaction to me… was it possible? * “You feel it too?” I whispered. She slowly nodded. Unprepared for the intensity of our connection, I jerked my hand away, regretting it instantly as hurt reflected within her face. I exhaled with remorse and put my hand on her cheek. “Rest, mon ange,” I spoke softly. “Our time will come. You have a journey to make first.” She closed her eyes in relief, leaning into my hand and soaking up the current from my touch. “I’ll be seeing you soon.” I forced myself to resist the pull as well as the overwhelming urge to remain by her side. There was work to do. * The moment I stepped into the hallway Phyneas returned. “Everything’s been taken care of,” he reported. “Good. I have a new task for you.” I gestured for him to follow as I made my way down the corridor. “I’m at your service as always,” he answered loyally. “Get the best seekers on this case. Find out everything about what happened to her, down to the last detail. I want a file on her identity in my hands within twenty-four hours. Find out where she came from and how she went over two decades without detection.” “Of course, Majesty.” I stopped and put a hand on his chest, gaining his full attention. “I mean it, Phyn. This takes priority.” “I’ve never seen you like this. What is it about this girl that’s got your number?” I couldn’t speak the words to just anyone, but I trusted no one more than Phyneas. “Who is she, Nic?” I lowered my voice and answered, “She is my queen.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~