Page 29 of Wings of Death

I march across the room to his desk. “Why did your guards stop me from entering just now?” I risk a glance at Amaros, who frowns.

“I don’t know. But you’re in here now, aren’t you?”

I eye him for a moment. Is he lying to me?

He shuffles some papers on his desk and sets them aside. “I assume thereisa reason you are here?”

I nod. “There’s been another watcher attack.”

He gets to his feet and moves around the desk to me, his face laced with concern. “Are you all right? What happened?”

He’s acting strange again, and a part of me feels he knows more about it than he’s letting on.

“I’m fine. Kyle’s fine. Finlay is there now, but I need to be there with Kyle. I am his guardian, and clearly I am the most suited to watch over him.”

“Absolutely not,” Amaros says.

I slowly turn to Amaros, who looks a little embarrassed for speaking up, and Mikel, too, appears surprised by his outburst.

My father clears his throat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I told you I needed you to remain here. It isn’t safe.”

I throw my arms up in the air. “It isn’t any safer here, is it? Watchers have attacked the castle, too. So what difference does it make? At least there I can do my job and guardian over Kyle.”

He scratches his head and looks at Amaros. “What do you think?”

Amaros focuses his gaze on me. “I think it’s a bad idea. She should remain here where I can—wherewecan watch her.”

I glare at him. Unbelievable. Where he can watch me? That’s what he meant to say.

“No,” I say, “Kyle needs me.”

Something silent passes between Amaros and Mikel, and my father sighs.

“Perhaps Kyle would be better off with another guardian,” he says. “I never considered the fact that you are my daughter to impede your guardianship. But if you are being targeted…”

My heart feels like it’s about to leap out of my chest. I take several deep breaths as I stare at my father. “Kyle ismyhuman. I amhisguardian, and no one is going to take that away from me.”

I could swear Amaros is smirking. My father closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths while he considers what to do next. I hold my breath as I await his next words.

“Zarla, you can return to Earth,for now. But if this situation continues or gets worse, I will revoke your guardianship. Mark my words.”

I let out a long breath and steady myself against my father’s desk.

Amaros steps forward. “My King, I don’t think it’s a good idea?—”

My father raises a hand to stop him. “My decision is final.”

A small smile spreads across my lips as Amaros glares at me. “Thank you.” I turn to leave before adding, “And it might be a good idea to consider that trip to Galespo before there’s yet another attack.”

I don’t bother closing the door on my way out, leaving it to Rimel and Yimel. Amaros is probably just looking out for me, but I don’t need him to. I can do that for myself. And I’m getting sick of these attacks and the lack of action on our part. We need to get to the bottom of it. Why can’t my father see that?

I reach the fifth floor and stop outside my mother’s quarters, using the key my father gave me to unlock the door. My mind turns a million miles an hour as I prepare myself for what I will see or find in there. I take several deep breaths before gently pushing the door open.

Stale air hits my nose, and without a further thought, I step inside. There are two large windows along the far wall that overlook the castle grounds, and I cross the room and open them wide to allow the fresh air to flow in. I sit on the window ledge and look around the room, taking it all in.

A beautiful turquoise blue covers the walls, with an intricate gold detailing of vines and leaves. A four-poster bed sits against the wall in the middle of the room. The bedding is a pretty pale-pink with flowers, and is perfectly made. There’s a book sitting on her nightstand, and I cross the room and glide my fingers over the worn cover, tracing through the thin coat of dust. It’s a romance book.

My heart warms at learning something about her. I pick it up and blow the dust off the cover, and sneeze as it tickles my nose. I flick through the pages, deciding that I’m going to read it sometime. After I place it back down, I move across the room to her wardrobe. I open the double doors, and my mouth practically hits the floor.

---