Page 15 of Guarded By Death

Pierce shoves his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans, balancing on his heels in a nervous manner. "Don't be mad, okay?" he pleads, refusing to continue until I nod. "I actually haven't let you out of my sight since the bar." My stomach does a flip at his confession.

I shake my head. "I don't understand. You've been around me since last night? Like at my mom's house? I know you left the medicine and all but how haven't I seen you?" A million questions run through my mind as I realize this is the fastest but slowest week of my life. How much has changed in the past couple of days? It's all a blur. I'm a little worried that he was in my house the very night I met him while I was unaware, my facial expression gives that away I'm sure.

He senses my fears. "No, Scarlett. I wasn't like watching you sleeping or anything," he lets out a small laugh, "I don't have to be next to you to feel your mood. I can sense when you're scared, or happy. Really any emotion you have I can pick up on. I say I haven't taken my eyes off of you but in truth, I haven't broken the bond between us since that night." I jumble his words around and once again, I am clueless.

"The bond?" I question.

He sits down next to me. "When I take someone's soul, I get tethered to them for a few moments as I bring them to the... Crossroads we will call it. I know when they're scared or happy and at peace. It's just something I do." He shrugs. "But, with you, I didn't want to break that bond since you may still be in danger. It's a good thing I didn't, considering you almost got yourself killed tonight." His glare makes me bite my lip.

"So, you've been stalking me?"

His eyes roll, "I was going to keep my distance Scar, but I can sense the energy shifting around you. Something dark is coming, I can feel it..." he looks at me with thoughtful eyes, "but I won't let a damn thing happen to you." There's so much conviction behind his voice that my hands quit trembling.

Nine

The bond?

Taking a deep breath, I try to muster up questions to ask him, and although I have about a trillion of them, I'm drawing a blank. The one thing that keeps running through my mind is, why me? I'm nothing special.

Pierce watches me with a grim expression, "Now there's been two attempts. I need to practice sorting through and understanding your emotions while we're bonded. I wish he would have just left you alone but he's escalated, that's why I needed to talk to you. You needed to be aware. I'm just thankful we have the bond now and I hope you don't want to break it anytime soon, it will make my life a lot easier."

I look to my feet. "So, is that why I feel like you know how I'm feeling all the time? Like when I'm upset about something, you'll know?"

He nods. "Yes, I know when your mood shifts. That's why I showed up in the bathroom. That one wasn't an instinct of you dying.” He looks to his hands. “I could feel your fear in my veins, it seeped through me and led me to you."

"Oh."

He leans in closer to me. "I can also sense your emotions when I'm close to you, you react to me." A sly smile rises on his face and I blush a deep crimson. He brings his thumb to my cheek. "I'll keep you safe, Scar." He promises. The sweet moment is interrupted by worry for the people I love.

"What about my mom and Liv? You can't be a million places at once and you shouldn't have to be!" I cry, feeling guilty for how much I need him to protect me. I don't like to feel helpless; I like helping people. I don't want to be taken care of; I appreciate the sentiment, but this is out of my control completely. I couldn't protect myself or my family even if I wanted to.

My breathing becomes uncontrolled, ragged. Ever since my father’s passing, panic attacks have plagued my body. Pierce leans in close, placing both of his hands on my face, "I need you to breathe, Scar." He gently demands, I watch his movements as he takes in deep breaths. Following his motions, I begin to slightly calm.

He sees that I'm okay and he leans back in his seat, "I've checked on your mom and Liv multiple times tonight." He admits and it makes me happy. I know I should be freaking out but knowing my best friend and mother are safe sends much-needed warmth through my rigid bones.

"Your mom invited that guy over tonight," he says, trying to change the serious subject I assume.

It weirds me out that he would know that, but I try to ignore it. "Good! I’m happy for her, she needs someone in her life. She hasn't dated since my dad..." I trail off but regain composure. "I just hope he's a good guy," I say with a small shrug.

"Oh, he is," Pierce states.

I tilt my head. "Did you meet him?" I ask.

"No, no... I think I mentioned some of what I can do earlier. But I can tell good from the bad. Sorry, I know you get freaked out by me. I honestly forget that you don't know everything about this world." His eyes continue to dart around the backyard.

"No, it's okay," I lie, but I'm insanely curious about all the secrets there are to know about Pierce.

He places his warm hand on my knee. "Look Scar, I know you don't know me. You have no reason to trust me. I have thrown your world upside down by acting like this is all normal. But I need you to listen to me, okay?" When I nod, he takes in a quick breath. "I know Zack invited you to that party tomorrow... I heard him earlier when he walked back to his friends, saying that it was cool you were busy tonight since he's pretty sure you're going tomorrow." He speaks slowly and I wonder how he heard them when we were so far away, but I let it go. "Can you please not go?" he asks with hope brimming in his eyes.

I try to decipher why he's asking this of me, "Your reason?"

"Well, simply… I don't trust him, and you can't be around bad people right now," he deadpans.

"Is that why you were so rude to him? You think he's bad?" I laugh hysterically. "Zack’s so kind to me. He would never hurt me, Pierce. You don't know him," I say, defending my friend.

"First off, I wasn't rude to him. Second, he's just trying to get you in bed." Pierce stands, his fist clenched.

My jaw drops to the floor. What a bold thing to say! I mean why would he care, he's just doing what he thinks is right by saving someone who is 'innocent' as he says, so why would it matter if Zack likes me. Not that I plan on being with Zack, but still it hardly seems like it's his place to say that.

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