“It was a mutual decision, one that wasn’t made easily,” Grim continues, his voice calm.
I flick off the burner on the stove, no longer in the mood for hot chocolate. “So, let me get this straight. You three were charged to be my guardians and thought the best way to do that was to dis-a-fucking-ppear from my life. Only, this idiot almost gets himself killed and somehow ends up bleeding to death on my bedroom floor.”
My statement doesn’t really require an answer, but Gunnar gives me a resounding, “Yes,” with a head nod included just in case I don’t get the verbal reply.
“I wish I drank, ‘cause I could use something right now.” I glance up to the ceiling, asking for patience. “Okay, let’s come back to that idiocy in a minute. Tell me why I need guardians.” I plant my hands behind me on the counter.
“Well…” Calix looks at the others. “Well, you see, you could think of us like family.” He winces as he says “family”, and his palms flip up as if he’s at a loss for words.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fucking hell, so you guys are like my dads or brothers or some shit?” I can’t even look at them. I’m going to have to accept the fact that I’m a twisted bitch.
Several noes resound through the room, some louder than others.
I peek up through my fingers. “I think I need to sit down.” I walk away then, expecting them to follow.
I drop into my cushy sofa, ignoring the fact that Calix had his hand up my shirt in this room less than twenty-four hours ago.
“Has anyone ever told you that you guys suck at this? I mean, really, who put you in charge of being my guardians? Seems kind of irresponsible.” I purse my lips to show my distaste.
“Guardians are appointed when a soul decides to be born on this plane,” Grim states, trying to rein in the conversation.
“Wait, so you’re saying I chose to be born here?”
“You did,” Calix answers.
“Well, that was stupid,” I scoff.
“No, it wasn’t, but when you were born here, it changed some things,” Grim supplies.
“Like what?” I tilt my head to the side and study him. He looks about the same age as I do. As a matter of fact, they all do. None of my monster friends age, so they probably don’t either.
“Well, once you were born, things shifted. We’re no longerjustyour guardians.” Gunnar takes a seat in one of the chairs.
“So, you have other charges—people you watch out for?” Suddenly, maybe this isn’t so bad, maybe they didn’t abandon me like my family did. They had more than just me to worry about.
“No,” Calix states, speaking up again.
My brow furrows. “Then what do you mean?” I’m getting angry again. “Just spit it out.”
“Once you were born, the connection between us changed. We all felt it.” Grim draws in a deep breath.
“And?” I prompt.
“Occasionally, the connection between a guardian and their ward can shift, forming a bond, if you will.” Grim’s face is almost blank. He’s speaking as if he’s reciting information from a textbook.
“So, what does thatmean?” I question again, casting my eyes over all three of them.
“It’s why we all agreed not to involve ourselves in your life,” Calix adds, while prowling around the edge of the room. He throws a narrow-eyed glance at Gunnar, who completely ignores him.
“Well, that’s just stupid.” I snort.
“Just fucking tell her!” Gunnar barks. His eyes are a little wild, and his chest is expanding with every breath.
“Is this the whole Berserker thing?” I ask Grim, jerking my thumb in Gunnar’s direction, indicating his outburst.
“Berserkers can be unstable,” Grim agrees easily.
“I am not unstable, you asshole, and you know it,” Gunnar spits.
