The Guardians' Secret by A.M. McPherson

Author:A.M. McPherson [McPherson, A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A.M. McPherson

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Aiden

The sun shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows in Valentino’s office. It’s hard to differentiate if it’s her abilities or the light causing her to glow. The steady rhythm of her fingers rapping on her desk marks the seconds as they pass. I wait for her verdict on my future while eyeing my file in front of her.

She sighs, ceasing her tapping. “Do you know why I wanted to see you before class, Aiden?”

The pit in my stomach forms into a black hole, threatening to swallow me whole. “Yes. I know I screwed up the other day.”

“Screwed up? Is that how you’d describe it?” She shakes her head. “Let’s see. Out of control. Aggressive. And careless are some of the words I’d use.”

Each description is a blow to my chest. “I’d have to agree.”

“I knew you would.” She leans back in her chair. “You always own up to your mistakes.”

My legs rattle like a jackhammer, and sweat beads on my neck. “I know I was out of line, but…” Part of me wants to defend myself, to tell her it’s because I may already be the cursed one, but I can’t entertain that thought. “My anger got the better of me.”

“Do you remember what I said would happen if you lashed out like that again?”

“I do,” my voice cracks.

Valentino flips open my file; the stack of paperwork inside is inches thick. “Your behavior this semester is completely unbelievable, especially from someone who was our YAC champion last summer. From our top student in our first-year class. From you. Your file is full of nothing but your accomplishments and achievements. The person I saw the other day isn’t the one sitting in front of me. Someone who wouldn’t dare to risk his future over a silly rivalry with a classmate.”

My silent crying intensifies. I drop my head into my hands. “You’re right.” After spending years working, training, driving myself to be better than I was the day before—all to get into the Defender program—how could I risk my future like this?

A warm arm lays over my shoulders. I almost jump out of my skin. Valentino moved like a ghost and now sits in the blue cushioned chair next to me. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ve gone about this the right way,” she says with a small frown. “I didn’t mean to upset you even more.”

I sniffle and rub my nose. “What do you mean? I’m out, aren’t I?”

“No,” she answers, removing her arm. “I think if I were to do that, worse things could happen.”

My heart pounds against my ribcage partly in joy but mostly in fear.

“After I left you the other day, I did a lot of thinking. I was conflicted, but I wasn’t sure why. I’m a woman of my word, after all. I told you that if you displayed any erratic behavior again, you would be removed. That should’ve been it. But knowing what we discussed regarding the dean, and how the villains have an eye on you…” She swallows hard.

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