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Awakened Guardian

By: arisamorak



I want to thank everyone for their comments and concerns. They are much needed. I had a friend edit this, so I hope it's grammar and spelling is better. And I added some details, like you asked cia. Please enjoy. 

> ^ 

I ran through the darkened hallway. I had to find it, him. Otherwise I was going to die at the hands of the monsters who had murdered my father. 

I took a right when I felt the air shift slightly, indicating a hallway. And ran into a dead-end. Damn it were had my father said to find it again, that stupid passage. I just hope he will wake up to fulfill his promise to protect us and that his curse won't stop him. 

My mind turned back automatically reviewing all I had learned that day so long ago. My father telling me about our guardian, the creature sworn to protect us, even though he would not awaken till he fulfilled his twin brother's oath.

The curse the twin administered to his brother could not be lifted till the heir was found, the successor to both their guardian-ships. That meant someone who would be guarded by both sides of the family. 

At first I thought this was bogus, but he started telling me about a passage that led to his sleeping form. Only the rightful born of each generation learned where it was so the guardian would stay safe to protect us when the rightful heir finally came. 

Along with this knowledge, they also got the key to opening its resting place. The family crest was on a pure silver ring. The family crest was two wolves howling towards each other under the brightness of a pure full silver moon. 

My father told me that the guardian probably won't wake up, but to go there and shut myself in case of danger. Danger exactly like this, my father could see the future sometimes and he foresaw this.

But it was too late to save him, just me, the son who was the heir. I was not too much of a weakling and I took martial arts, but I am small. Instead of sixteen, I look like I'm almost, and that is stretching it, fourteen. I am short and underdeveloped at my age. 

My father said that I was a true Bach, our family name. It means small in Welsh, though our first names are Celtic in origin. 

On top of my height, I am as blind as a newborn pup. I was born this way and the hundreds of doctors my father had checking me said there was no hope I would ever see.

But I don't mind because I like being blind, I learn a lot of things because people think I don't know what is going on around me. Oh, but I do, I know everything that goes on around me, even if I am not in the same room. 

My hearing, sense of smell, and sense of touch are hundreds of times greater than the average humans. But that didn't save my family. 

I had four brothers who were all older than me. But they died along with my father even though they won't inherit the main family business. The main family rule is that the smallest and so far it has always been the youngest always inherits the family business. 

Somewhere along the way the older and bigger children started building businesses for their children so they would have something to pass on to the children who are not born with the right to inherit. 

The older children didn't resent the younger ones or the rule. They were given money to go through college so that they can get their own money. When they started building businesses for their kids, the family leaders started holding them for the younger kids.

My brothers had strong names all of them, yet they were the first to go. My second oldest brother was twenty-one and, before he died, engaged to the sweetest girl in the world. 

If I survive I don't know how I am going to tell her about his death. His name is Calhoun, which meant warrior. His name rings true because he was the last of my brothers to fall. Before they killed him, he took with him the ones who killed my father and two of my brothers. 

The next was Crevan which meant fox. When everybody was little, I was just a baby so I don't remember but everybody else does, he was always getting into trouble but never getting punished for it. 

Our mother used to say he could talk his way out of anything. But that was before I was born, mama died having me. He was the second to last to go. He was twenty-seven.

As I was lost in my memories, my body automatically stopped twelve steps into the hallway. I had learned on the many trips here with my father to count steps so I could find the door. I thought about the rest of my brothers as I started searching for the indent marking the way in.

The oldest of my brothers was Conan. It meant wise. He was always helping people and giving out sound advice. He is the one I will probably miss the most because he didn't't tease me about my size. 

He knew what I was going through. When he was a child he was very small and sickly. My father had once thought he would be the heir but them I came along. 

He was actually happy about not being the heir and helped me learn my duties. He was thirty. The last of my brothers was Cade. This meant pure. He was only seventeen when they got him. 

He was the most innocent person on the planet. They enjoyed killing him because he cried out the most during his torture. He had hurt the most, but I will repay their deaths in full.

I came out of my memories with a start, I had to escape them first, I thought. My hand finally found the indent in the wall at the dead-end hall. 

I took off my ring thanking the gods that my father had given it to me on my twelfth birthday instead of sixteenth otherwise I wouldn't't be able to do what I am doing now. 

And my family's murders would be able to because they would have gotten the ring. The ring slid right into the indent and almost immediately I felt the warmth of the blue and silver glow of magic that illuminated it. My father had described it to me when he had taken me here first. 

An otherwise invisible passageway opened under the ring. I could feel the vibrations as the door opened with only a small noise that only I could hear and a silent rush of air that brought the smell of magic with it. 

I slid the ring out of the indent and on to my finger. Then I ducked into the passage with it already closing behind me the minute the ring left its place in the wall. 

Sometimes I wished I could see the light around the ring, but at least I felt its warmth. It made me feel a little better. The passageway was dark but I wasn't't worried I just waited till the doorway finished closing. Then I heard the rush of power as the silver and blue lights lit up the hallway. 

Each one placed five feet apart and interchanging. They went all the way down the thirty feet of hallway. Then the path split into two different directions. The lights went down both hallways and continued on. 

Then each hallway split again though this time it was three different pathways. And again the lights continued on down the pathways. But again I wasn't worried I knew which way to go even in the dark.

My father had explained to me in very good detail about every aspect of this place. So it didn't matter that I was blind, I knew what was there at least. I loved this place; it made me feel at home. 

I walked down the pathway, clean and free of cobwebs thanks to me and my father. We thought that since our very lives lived down here we should keep it clean. I got to the end and without stopping turned right at the flow of magic that only those with the ring could feel. 

The hard steel ground cushioned by a thick soft carpet. The walls painted a glossy white. I bet it was beautiful, like heaven. Again I came to the end of the hall and again without stopping I chose the hall third from the right. 

These halls were only about fifteen feet in length. So it only took me a few minutes to reach the door at the end. Unlike the other doors, walls, and floors; this door was of three-inch thick wood. The door had a door knob and a lock above it.

I took a silver chain from around my neck. On it was a silver key with a handle shaped like a howling wolf. I loved tracing it with my fingertips. This had been given to me the day of my birth. 

After all with my mother dead trying to have me, I would be the last and the smallest of the group. My father would be happy; he was finally with my mother. 

I took a deep breath, reached my hand out to the door and feeling along the edge till I hit the doorknob. I carefully fit the key into the keyhole and turned. 

This would be the first time I was in this room. My father had saved this till my sixteenth birthday, today. 

But, he's gone now so it is just me. I opened the door and stepped in. The minute I opened the door, I heard lights flare. Then I heard the breathing, it was even and deep, signifying sleep.

I closed the door behind me and the minute it clicked shut, the breathing got quicker. It was awake, I thought hysterically! But father said it would be asleep. That it was under a curse. 

Then I remembered what else he said. 

"Listen, son The Guardian is a powerful thing with power matched only by its twin brother," he had said softly, "But that brother also had to stop The Guardian from becoming all-powerful and protecting the wrong heirs, so he cursed it to a never-ending sleep till both sides of the line had a shared successor." 

I can't be the successor, I can't be. Then I laughed of course I am not that's just the door sealing shut. 

But as I continued on it didn't't change in fact it grew louder each step I took closer. I stopped walking and it quickened even more. I hated my increased hearing for the first time.

Then a voice drifted through the darkness. "Why did you stop little one," it said in a deep voice that was husky from disuse. 

And for the first time I answered. I had never talked in my entire life, I hadn't't needed to. 

"Because I can't see, the rest of the way," but because of me never talking before it came out less than a whisper.

Somehow it heard me and answered, "There is plenty of light." 

"I am blind though."

It gave a little cough, and then burst into full-blown coughing. 

I jumped and said "You're not supposed to be awake."

"Yes, I know," it answered, "But you woke me up." 

There was a slight scraping noise from behind me that had dread seeping through my heart.

How had they gotten open the Guardian's Lair? Did my father tell them, he wouldn't't would he? No, my father barely told me about it let alone them. They must have found out some other way. But the question was, how? 

"Shit, how the hell did they found out," came out of my mouth without me meaning to. 

"You can hear them?" it suddenly asked. 

"Yes, remember I am blind; my other senses are hundreds of times stronger than normal humans." I answered back in my underused voice, but with a little annoyance making it even more husky sounding. 

"That explains it them," it said almost to himself. 

"Little one what is your name, your full name please," it asked after a pause as they listened to the approaching people. My name, I thought, I haven't been called by my real name in a while.

"My name............," I wondered out loud. 

"Your real name," it emphasized. 

"Killian Damon," I said in a whisper. 

"It means blind demon." 

"Father used to call me Kane, a shortened version of my name." 

Then I turned and pulled a short stiletto out of its sheath at my side. 

"Don't," it said softly. "That is my job." 

I turned my head toward its voice. It had sounded odd. Then he said something really strange. 

"What is my name, Damon?" 

I didn't't hear his question at first; I was too caught up in being called by Damon. Every person who had ever known my true name, which had only been my mother, father and brothers, had always called me Killian, and that was when we were not in public. 

Names had power they thought, so they never called me by my real name, guess they were right. But, they always called me blind and some had even laughed at the Demon, Damon part.

Then his question registered in my head. What was his name, how the hell was I supposed to know that? 

"How would I know your name," I asked bewildered. 

"I have no name until you give me one," it answered. 

"You don't have a name, you must have everyone has a name, I told you my real name," I said. 

"Each person I protect in your family gives me a different name and once they are dead, I forget that name and return to slumber waiting for the next joint heir." 

Then I felt a chill, they had opened the outside door and left it open. Then the noise got louder. 

"Hurry, or else I won't be able to save you, without a name I am powerless and cannot even break my chains or get off this godforsaken wall." 

"A name............," I pondered out loud. 

I needed a name with power then if what he said was true. Remember, Dragoste, my mother used to say, saying something with love is more powerful than the greatest magical spell in the world. My mother was Romanian and the word Dragoste was in her original language Romanian.

Then it came to me, this is what I would call it. But wait, is it a male or female?

"What gender are you," I asked it. 

It was silent a moment and then gave a soft laugh. 

"Yes, it would be a bit embarrassing to have a name meant for another gender, I am fully and completely male, "it answered. 

Good, then the name I picked would be fine. 

"Then your name will be...... Dragoste, do you want a second name, a surname?" I asked after trying out his new name. 

"No surname, but what does Dragoste mean, I know it is not English, it sounds like it is a killing word," he asked with only a slight hesitation before asking. 

"Maybe someday I will tell you what it means, but for now you only need to know that it means something very important to me and no it is not even close to a killing word, though many have tried to say it was this thing's fault." 

There was a crash outside the door, and I swung my head towards the door as the flow of magic ceased because the barrier broke.

"Damon, repeat after me," he said in a rush. 

"I release thee unto my command; my pet, my lover and, my guardian, Dragoste the Protector. I release thee from the chains that once bound thee to thy wall of forgetfulness. With the key my heart and my love your burden I release thee to do my bidding. Come and be free with thee heart chained to thy heart." 

I stood there for about ten seconds just dumbfounded completely. Then he told to me repeat it and to hurry. So, I just closed my eyes and wished it was over. 

I do have to say I think I am going to change the release spell, big time; my ancestors must have been into guys. So I said the words and the minute the last word was out of my mouth there was a loud banging behind me. The intruders had finally breached this sacred place.

All of a sudden something pushed me against the back wall; at least I think it was the back wall. A strange thing happened then, for a few seconds, the time it took to push me back, I could see. 

It was a bit dark and fuzzy around the edges. But there were enough lights to help me see in front of me. I saw for the first time in my entire life. The person in front of me who I had set free, the Guardian was the first, the only thing I saw. 

He was beautiful, at least I think so. The people who had killed my family seemed horrified by him and started screaming monster. He had long silver hair with black locks in front of his ears. 

I hope those were his ears, they did not look human. They were tall and they looked like a cat's and were white with black tips. 

His face was gorgeous with claw like markings on his cheeks from his ears going under his eyes and stopping at the end of his eye almost to his nose. There was one down the center of his forehead that ended between his eyes. And one that came up his chin and ended under his mouth. The markings were a metallic blue.

There was another marking, different from the others but the same color on his naked chest. Wait naked chest, oh shit, he's butt naked. That is when I noticed that he was really tall, well at least to me he was about six feet probably more. 

But my eyesight was fading already because he wasn't touching me anymore. Soon it was dark in my world again. Dragoste, I said in my mind trying out my pet's new name. He is actually protecting me, someone other than my father and brothers wanted to protect me. 

He had even stopped me from pulling the Death's Divinity, the sword my father gave e and taught me how to use when I was merely eight. 

And it is a sword; it merely is heavy to carry all the time and annoyingly it seems that you're not allowed to carry around weapons like that without a permit.

So my father had a spell put on it by a witch who spell-bound weapons. She made it shrink when I am not using it to a dagger. 

Or if I can't even bring the dagger in, my father's money does not always work, I have a spell put on my hand that I can carry death's divinity there and if I need it I just say the releasing spell. 

Otherwise I would just carry around the dagger. Its scabbard keeps its powers in check and I am the only one who can wield it. It was created to protect me. And I am very good at it; I have done it for eight years. 

Something grabbed me and wrenched me against them, shaking my out of my thoughts. I felt something cold and metallic press against my right temple. 

"Stop or you won't have anything left to protect," Said a rather pathetic voice trying to sound menacing from behind me.

All of a sudden everything was quiet, the fighting had stopped. I stood still testing the air around me with my nose. 

I stopped because I recognized the scent of the person who held me.

"Snyder.........," I said in the most menacing voice anybody had ever heard. This was the first time I had ever talked in front of them. I could feel everybody staring at me. 

"So, the favorite can talk, surprise, surprise," He said in a mocking voice. 

"To bad, now I am going to have to kill you because you know too much." 

"That is what you think," came from my right, it was Dragoste. 

"No, he's mine," I told him. 

"What...?" he started but I didn't' let him finish. 

The idiot holding me didn't think to hold both my arms he was to busy pointing a gun to my head. I pulled Death's Divinity from its scabbard and said one sentence. 

"Let their Deaths be Divine." 

Divinity got warm and then became its true form. Snyder let go of me in surprise as I swung it around.

Then he yelled at his group to leave Dragoste and come after me. 

"No, I protect you, don't put yourself in danger idiot," Dragoste yelled at me. 

I ignored him and closed my sightless eyes. This was going to be easy. 

"Death, become my eyes, see what I will never be able to see," I started chanting, "See and then kill what is harming me, as is your duty to protect me from all who harm me." 

I finished and suddenly I was moving my eyes still closed. I felt every blow as it landed. 

They couldn't keep up with me; the sword had possessed me as it always does. It wouldn't stop till all threats had been eliminated. But, there were only four guys, so it was over fast. 

As I came to a rest in my original position, I fainted because my sword drains all my energy afterwords and I immediately fall asleep. The last thing I saw, yes saw was Dragoste. 

He was touching me by carrying me. He was smiling slightly down at me and before I succumbed to the darkness, he said something to me. 

Then I was out like a light.

Awakened Guardian Ch. 02



It's time, the darkness said. You're finally going to awaken.

I had a moment of confusion and then it came to me. 

"Really I am being freed...?" I asked hesitantly thinking the darkness was playing with me. 

Yes, it whispered, he has come and he needs your help, he is the most delicate of your jobs but also the most wise and strong of heart and soul. 

"How can he be both weak and strong...?" I asked again. 

We didn't say weak and it is easy to have strength but have delicacy at the same time. It is time you learned anyway, so protect him yet teach him at the same time.

"Why must I do this...?" I asked as usual since I only ask questions here, I can never answer. 

He is your destiny, came the simple answer. 

"That is what you said about the last one and you saw how that turned out." I yelled out at the darkness. 

You know you were never meant to have that one, we told you, but you just did not listen. This one is yours to have, to keep, to protect, to hold, and to love. Forever and in eternity, he is yours. 

Then suddenly there was a cold wind and the darkness trembled.

A light appeared in front of him. It was a small blue and silver light that steadily grew. It grew then the dark disappeared all together and I was in a silver and blue lit room filled with shadows. I blinked at the brightness; this was the first time I had been in any kind of light for at least three millennium. 

The brightness cleared and I could see around me. The first thing I saw was him. At least I think it was him, he looked pretty delicate to me. 

He had black hair and faded blue eyes. They looked like someone had washed them to many times. He had a celtic appearance; with high cheekbones, a nose that was small but a bit broad, and a high forehead. He was small and had a whipcord leanness. 

He was walking toward me and staring straight ahead as if nothing was going to stop him from his destination. But then he did stop and just stood there.

What is with his eyes, I thought absently. They were vacant and staring into space. Then I got irritated, he still was just standing there. 

"Why did you stop little one," I said in a kindest voice I could, at least I hope it was, so I wouldn't scare him. Then there was a soft voice, so soft if I didn't have hearing greater than any other person in the world I wouldn't't have heard him. 

"Because I can't see the rest of the way," he said. 

"There is plenty of light," I said looking around me at the room in confusion. There were some shadows, but there was plenty of light to see. Especially me, my brother had made sure to chain me to a wall and add lights all around me, so they could see me.

"I am blind though," the little voice said. Blind, I thought, that explained the eyes. Then I gave a little laugh. He being blind was obvious now. But, now I understand what the light said about being delicate, but still not about the strength this guy to have. Then I looked back at him and saw him give a little jump then ask. 

"You're not supposed to be awake." I blinked in surprise, and then I chuckled mentally. The little one scared.

"Yes, I know," I answered slowly and calmly, "But you woke me up." 

Then suddenly I heard a noise and it had come from outside the room.

About the same time I heard it; the little one had spun around and swore in his soft voice. It was sort of cute coming from him. "Shit, how the hell did they find out?" 

I was a bit surprised at that because he was blind. So, then how did he know that whoever was here was here? There was a slight huff from him and then he said in a voice that had a bit of annoyance, "Yes, I am blind; my other senses are hundreds of times stronger than normal humans." 

I smiled a bit at that, and then I blinked in surprise. I was smiling; I hadn't smiled this much since Sakura, the girl who had been my last love, had been with me.

"That explains it then," I said softly, as I think what the future is going to unravel. Then I looked up and smiled at him. I didn't know his name I realized. "Little one what is your name, your full name please," I asked needing a name to my fate.

Besides the intruders were getting closer and he would want me to protect him. What a cute little blind one, he was. He didn't answer me at first; in fact he looked surprised for a second. You'd think no one had ever asked him his name. And apparently no one had I would learn later.

"My name............," came out softly as if he had to remember it first.

"Your real name, " I emphasized not wanting him to give me a fake one, it completely ruins the ritual. And it had happened once, that annoying brat. 

"Killian Damon, It means blind demon," he said in a whisper after a minute or two, "Father used to call me Kane, a shortened version of my name." 

Then he turned and pulled a short stiletto from its sheath at his waist. I wanted to laugh, how the hell was he going to take on a virtual mob with only a small knife. But he was going to try, and get himself killed, so I guess the ritual will be a little hurried.

"Don't," I said softly not wanting him to disobey. He turned and looked toward me, he must have followed the sound of my voice. He looked like he was going to argue, so I distracted him with a question. 

"What is my name, Damon?" I knew he would be confused about that, they all are. They think that everything is given a name at birth. 

What they don't know is that each time I get a successor I am reborn, I need a new name from each one. So that they are happiest with it. He wasn't answering, but I waited patiently even though the noise was getting closer. I'd say that they had gotten past the first row of doors already at least.

"How would I know your name," he asked finally with a confused look on his face and in his voice. 

"I have no name until you give me one." I answered. 

"You don't have a name, you must have everyone has a name, I told you my real name," he said with a small frown like I was being unfair. 

"Each person I protect in your family gives me a different name and once they are dead, I forget that name and return to slumber waiting for the next joint heir," I answered with a great deal of patience. Then I looked up and silently snarled at the door, we were out of time they were here.

"Hurry, or else I won't be able to save you, without a name I am powerless and cannot even break my chains or get off this godforsaken wall," I said in a hurry with anger riding me hard. 

"A name............," he pondered out loud. 

He thought for a few seconds before asking, "What gender are you." 

I was silent for a moment before I started to chuckle softly. 

"Yes, it would be a bit embarrassing to have a name meant for another gender, I am fully and completely male," I answered.

"Then your name will be...... Dragoste, do you want a second name, a surname?" he asked after trying out my new name. 

"No surname, but what does Dragoste mean, I know it is not English, it sounds like it is a killing word," I asked with only a slight hesitation before asking. 

"Maybe someday I will tell you what it means, but for now you only need to know that it means something very important to me and no it is not even close to a killing word, though many have tried to say it was this thing's fault," he answered softly and with great reverence. 

There was a crash outside the door, and I looked up and saw the knob turning. This was going to be the quickest ritual in history.

"Damon, repeat after me," I said in a rush. 

"I release thee unto my command, my pet, my lover and, my guardian, Dragoste the Protector. I release thee from the chains that once bound thee to thy wall of forgetfulness. With the key my heart and my love your burden I release thee to do my bidding. Come and be free with thee heart chained to thy heart." 

He stood there for a moment, probably embarrassed beyond all doubt, wait till he finds out that is exactly what it means. I told him to repeat it and to hurry again. 

He closed his sightless eyes and said it in a rush, a slight flush tinting his high cheekbones. The minute he finished saying it, the door behind him crashed open.

They had finally breached the lair of the guardian and I would be protecting the one finally meant to be mine. They were dead, no matter how much they begged. 

My strength returned in a rush and so to did my powers. I easily broke my chains and rushed forward, pushing Damon against the wall. 

The minute we touched my hand tingled where it had touched him and I saw an awareness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. 

I can see, flashed through my head. I could hear his mental voice, we are connected mentally and physically, he truly was the one I had waited for.

I shook my head, now was not the time to wonder about that, I went to launch myself at the men screaming at the sight of me. 

I know I look otherworldly, but Damon hadn't even looked scared, in fact he had looked at me for those few seconds with.....admiration? 

"Stop of you won't have anything left to protect," a snide voice said behind me. I spun and sure enough he had Damon by the throat with a gun to his head.

I froze and dropped the two I had bashed together by the heads. If he so much as touched a hair on his head I'll..............I thought with a snarl. But before I could move, Damon said something, only one word.

"Snyder.................," he said in the scariest voice I had ever heard. He pulled back his lips and snarled better that any dog I had ever seen do. 

But, something odd happened, instead of hitting him and telling him to be quiet like any bad guy would do, they all stopped and stared at him as if he had just grown ten feet and popped out wings. 

"So, the favorite can talk, surprise, surprise," The one Damon called Snyder in a mocking voice. "To bad, now I am going to have to kill you because you know too much." 

The hell he is, I thought. "That is what you think." 

"No, he's mine," Damon told me. 

"What...?" I asked in a confused voice, him fight anything stronger and bigger than a kitten would be impossible. Even a cold would be too much for him. 

He pulled his stiletto out of its scabbard said one sentence, "Let their Deaths be Divine," and the dagger grew into a huge very powerful looking sword. 

Then the one called Snyder yelled at his team to leave me and go after Damon. 

Dammit, I am supposed to protect him not the other way around, I thought. 

"No, I am supposed to protect you, don't put yourself in danger idiot," I yelled at him. He ignored me and closed his sightless eyes. 

Then he said a spell, "Death, become my eyes, see what I will never be able to see, See and then kill what is harming me, as is your duty to protect me from all who harm me." 

I was shocked, he knew magic.

Not only that but the sword had possessed him, The energy from it was so powerful, you could see it and it was moving throughout Damon's body. 

It moved him for him, he became so fast that he was a blur and even I, with my powerful eyes, couldn't see him most of the time.

It was over in seconds, every person slaughtered that easily. When the sword had killed them, it stopped possessing him and I could see the energy leaking back into the sword. It shrunk when it finished and became the stiletto again.

Damon collapsed the minute the sword shrunk, I rushed forward catching him the minute he finished falling. I smiled slightly and looked down at him. 

His eyes were slowly closing. "I get it now, they said you were both delicate and you were strong, now I know what they meant," I told him as he fell asleep. 



Awakened Guardian Ch. 03



I picked Damon up and walked to my chained section of wall. I grabbed my things below it and turned towards the door. This place had been be-spelled in very deep and very powerful magic, the same as mine. So, only one person could do this, my twin brother.

He was probably trapped in his own darkness just like he had done to me. He had really wanted to keep us from getting the wrong master again, he also had thought he had his, but just like with me the wall is, unfortunately, never wrong. He lost her to. Fate has a habit of kicking us in the damn teeth.

I walked to the door, taking in the details around me. My mouth quirked up in a slight smirk, at least they imprisoned me in a gilded cage. I picked up the shrunken sword that had fallen when Damon had fainted.

Then I turned and walked out the open door, closing and locking it as I went. I walked down the long hallway staying on the same path. There was a door closed at the end , but when I went to push it, it swung open by itself. I walked out of the dark for the first time in centuries.

As I blinked around at the sunlight streaming through the big bay windows, I wondered where to go. I looked down at the tiny bundle in my arms. What a great time to faint little one, I thought with a slight smirk. I sniffed the air around me, taking in and reading the air currents.

I turned left and followed the faint trail of Damon's scent. Hopefully where ever he came from would have a bed because he needed to really sleep. The faint bruises under his eyes told of many a sleepless nights for him lately. I smiled slightly, it looks like the darkness was right. For Sakura, I had never felt this protective this fast.

I had to be quick. I don't know the exact spell my brother used. I wouldn't put it past him to be able to send me back to sleep if some little thing is not right. And it could be anything. The gift in my arms could be taken so many ways and so easily taken.

As I walked down the sunlight filled hallways, unconsciously following Damon's scent trail, I took a moment to truly study the little gift in my arms. He face was a smooth pale cream color that contrasted deeply with his ebony black hair and faded ice blue eyes.

His face was hairless, not even pretending to show beard growth. Which made me wonder how old he was and if I was drooling over a child. That would explain his size. Damon couldn't have been more than five feet six inches. And all that was lean. Not malnourished, but there was a natural petite look and whipcord strength to him.

I looked up when I realized his scent had faded some, and found that I had walked the entire hallway and was standing in front of a half ajar door. I cradled Damon to my chest with ease and reached out with one hand to finish pushing it open keeping my senses at the ready for anymore enemies. Inside was a pair of stairs that had his scent trailing down it, though faded after some time.

At the end of the stairs was another hallway and again following my nose I came to a room about four doors down. I opened the door and found my nose bathed in Damon's scent and not because he was in my arms. This was his room. I walked in, kicking the door shut behind me with the bottom of my foot. I set him down on the bed and smoothed his hair back.

There was no pretending, no denial, none.

He was mine.

Forever.

I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Even if he was an adult, if he didn't want me as his mate then that was fine. I would be whatever he wanted. Friend. Protector. Lover. Or even just a pet. As long as he needed me I would be there.

I looked down at him. He looked uncomfortable. I grinned to myself. I reached for his shirt and started unbuttoning it. As skin was revealed, I drooled like the animal I was. He had the same skin tone all over. That yummy looking pale cream that makes me want to lick it.

I pulled his arms out of the shirt and threw it behind me. Then I started on his shoes and socks. After I had removed those, I looked at his pants. He would be angry if I undressed him completely. But I wanted to see him all. And this might be my only chance to. I flicked the button to his jeans open and pulled down the zipper.

Then I stopped. He might be too young, I reminded myself.

I backed away from him and sighed under my breath. If I hadn't gotten such a cute thing, I would have put up more of a fight. I hate it when the darkness was right and it always is.

Looking around me, I decided to see what I could find out about my mate, his likes and dislikes would be a start.

***

Across space and time, a being awoke. His red eyes snapped open as he realized that his spell had been broken. Then he grinned showing fangs of epic proportions. Not quite. His spell was still in effect but based on the rules now instead. One of the twins was awake but, thank the dark gods, his Treasure was still to young.

The being stretched and jumped down from his altar where he had slept for so long. He popped bones and pulled muscles that hadn't moved in centuries. As he walked through his home suspended in the very fabric of time, he wondered why the guardian had even awoken. If his Treasure is to young he shouldn't even have registered on the guardian's radar. But whatever. He could still put him back to sleep and now his Treasure to.

He bit his forefinger and started weaving words in blood through the air. When he finished it glowed black for a few seconds and then the air opened as a time gate was opened. A few more words and the dimension gate opened and merged with the time gate. He stepped through weaving the gate closed behind him. Time to go put back asleep one of the few beings he had to worry about.

But first he had to go get his spell snake holder.

***

My ear twitched. Someone was in my room. But who? I breathed deeply but quietly not wanting to alert whoever it was. The most delicious smell I have ever had the pleasure of smelling wafted though my sinus cavity.

"Good morning sleepy-head," a voice to equal that smell said.

I froze, not sure of my surroundings.

And then it all flooded back through my mind. The guardian. The fight. Everything. My sword, flashed through my head, where's my sword.

"Obviously not going anywhere near you now," the yummy voice answered my silent question. The one that I had asked INSIDE MY HEAD. There was a laugh to my left.

"You can open your eyes now little one, I won't bite."

I heard a note of humor enter his voice at the end and the thought, what if I want you to flashed through my head. What was wrong with me, this was a male.

"Then I will be quite willing to oblige."

That clinched it. He could read my mind. I opened my sightless eyes and turned my head towards his voice. But before I could even ask that question, he answered.

"I can read your mind because you are my match. For every Guardian there is a Treasure. The Treasure is the being that completes, loves, and makes the darkness recede for the Guardian." As he finished speaking he reached over and put his palm on my forehead.

The darkness shrouding my eyes vanished in a second. I looked at him in shock, just now remembering what else had happened during the fight. When he touched me, I could see.

"Yup, little one," He said in quiet voice. I blinked up at his face in disbelief. He grinned, showing off canines a Cerberus would be proud of. They looked...dare I say it.... cute in his mouth. Like they belonged. Which was creepy, I shouldn't be thinking like that.

"Please continue to do so, it would be much appreciated."

He did it again, read my mind. "Can you please stop doing that," I asked, once again speaking. I glowered at him, he was making me speak. I haven't spoken in ages. And now all of a sudden here I am, a regular chatterbox. He just grinned unrepentant.

"Why did you wake up for me?" I had to ask.

He tilted his head to the side and looked at me with unreadable eyes. Then he sighed and answered.

"I woke up because you are mine. Mine to care for, to cherish, to protect and to love. You made the darkness recede, just like I do for you."

The darkness recede? What was he talking about? Then it came to me, my eyes. He made the darkness I live with everyday go away.

I pushed myself up, keeping contact with him. There was something scary in being able to see. I hadn't realized how much I relied on the darkness I lived in everyday.

I blinked when I let the rest of what he said to process. His to care for? To protect? To cherish? To...love? What the hell?

"Care to explain," I asked him. He had better have a good answer.

But he just tilted his head at me and got this sad look on his face. "I am your Guardian, so it is my duty and privilege to guard you," he said after a while.

"But I can be whatever you want me to be, so long as you allow me to take care to take of you." He finished with an self-loathing grin.

I blinked slowly as comprehension kicked in, I was surprisingly slow today. Whoever wakes up the Guardian...becomes the guardian's mate. Even if it was a male.

"Please don't think that, you don't have to do anything you don't want, I will be more than happy just to protect and care for you," he said in a quiet hurt-filled voice. It was faint, yes, but the hurt was still there. Strange how sad that made me feel.

I nodded.

"So, what happened to make you have so many enemies? And where is the rest of your family? How old are you? What is you favorite color? Food? Tell me about yourself," he started firing questions at me. I blinked as he stopped and coughed. Then I felt my eyes widen. He was blushing. The Guardian was blushing. I giggled a the picture he made. Then was disgusted with myself. Males don't giggle.

"Those men killed my family, they were led by my father's second in command, and wanted to take over the business," I started answering when he reached over pressed a finger to my lips.

"You don't have to answer unless you want to and you just have to think your answers, I can read them there."

"Yeah please stop doing that. It's kind of creepy and there is a little issue of privacy. I can answer you."

His brow furrowed and I could see the confusion in his face. "But you don't like to talk so I thought this would make you more comfortable. And I can choose what I read in your mind so I won't violate your privacy."

I looked at him in disbelief. Why would he care? Then I rolled my eyes at my stupidity. I was his mate, he would want to get on my good side.

"Actually I want to talk to you so it's fine," I blinked in shock as I realized that what I had just said was the truth. I wanted to talk to him. That had never happened before.

He smiled at me, some of the hurt that had been there faded from his face. "That makes me kind of happy."

I opened my mouth to answer him but before I could there was a loud rumble. My face flushed crimson when I realized that it was my stomach. I was starving. Dragoste laughed a bi and reached down to pick me up. I froze hen he did. Why had I let him pick me up? I forgot the thought when my stomach made another loud growl.

"Point me towards the kitchen," he told me.

Still slightly mortified at my stomach and that he was carrying me, I did. He walked through the door and kicked it shut behind him. "You know, if you don't want me to hold you just say so and I won't. The only reason I am is because you see when I touch you."

My eyebrows raised at that. The only reason he said. Hs he never heard of holding hands? I looked up at him. There was a slight bit of red on his face that told me he was lying. I smiled slightly to myself still looking at him. He really was beautiful.

His long silver hair was exotic looking. And had a glow to it that signified magic. The black locks in front of his ears contrasted with the silver and made it look even shinier. Hie ears were like a cat's, tall and erect, they were white with black tips.

His face was perfect. He had markings all over it. They're were claw like markings on his cheeks from his ears going under his eyes and stopping at the end of his eye almost to his nose. There was one that came down the center of his forehead and ended between his eyes. The last one came up his chin and ended under his mouth. The markings were a metallic ice blue.

The markings didn't look strange in his face either. His bone structure was sharp. He looked human just with sharper angles and points like a cat's. His eyes were a little odd but still looked beautiful. It had a slit pupil and had four different rings of color. The first ring was red, directly around the pupil. The next was a shade of purple that then faded to a ring of blue. The last ring, at the edge of his irises was black.

I couldn't see the mark on his chest though I remember here being one there. He was wearing a type of robe. I realized that it must be the one my father had said always sat on the ground below his chains.

"Damon open the door please," Dragoste's words interrupted my train of thought. I blinked and reached forward to turn the handle. While I was wondering in my mind, he had walked all the hallway and gotten to the kitchen door.

He walked through the door, not bothering to shut it behind him and sat e down in a seat at the bar. The minute he le go of me, my vision started fading. "Sorry, I need both hands to make you something to eat."

"It's okay."

"What do you want to eat?"

"Um...check the fridge for eggs. Can I have a omlet?"

"Sure."

"Can I ask you questions while you cook?"

"YES!" He said in a loud voice hat startled me. I heard clanging of metal. He was getting a pan.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

I nodded and then sniffed the air when I felt a cool rush of air. He had opened the fridge door because I could smell the different food in there now. The chocolate cake, the eggs, the milk, orange juice, some type of meat and many others. The air disappeared when I heard the click of the door shutting.

"You wanted to ask me some questions?"

"Y-yes, you said you forget your past...Treasures, you called them...the how come you know you had them?"

"No, you're my only Treasure. A Guardian only gets one. The others were just past Masters. Sorry, I didn't explain that well but I was pressed for time. The wall and the darkness only lets me remember things that would be beneficial to my Treasure, you. The only other master name I can remember is Sakura's because I had a lesson to learn with her. I remember any information I learn during that Master's time as long as it doesn't interrupt anything with you. I never remember names I am given, or any other information about any of my other Masters. The only thing I even really remember about Sakura is anything that had to do with the lesson I had to learn. I don't remember anything else about her."

He stopped talking then and I realized he had talked for some time. I let what he had said process. I smelled the eggs cooking. I leaned my forehead against the bar and closed my eyes. Talk about a lot to process. I don't think I could deal with being someone's Treasure. Running a business was one thing, being important personally to someone or something was a whole different level.