Page 6 of Awakened By the Guardian

Anguish cut off her breath. She did know, but she was the problem.

It was humiliating to admit, even to her best friend. Hell, she barely wanted to admit it to herself. Sex was a normal, natural part of life, but she couldn’t enjoy it. She could never feel the pleasure, and so she could never truly give it to him either. Not the way he wanted. So she had to break her best friend’s heart.

“I do see you,” she said, her words choked with tears. “But you have to let me go.”

He didn’t want to. His jaw clenched so hard that she feared for his teeth, but his fingers opened one after the other. And that was what she loved about Gary. He listened.

She’d gotten her leg onto the floor and enough leverage to push herself out his arms. And so now it was time to crush him—and herself. “I can’t be with you.”

“Why not?”

“Because you deserve better.”

He dropped back onto the couch. “What?”

He obviously thought she was lying, that this was about his legs. The idea crushed her. “This has nothing to do with you.”

“With what then?” he said, his brow arched.

She couldn’t speak. The one time she’d told anyone about her problem had been a nightmare. Her last boyfriend. He’d pretended to be understanding, but he’d never looked at her the same way. She’d loved him, but she was broken. He couldn’t get past it. A week later, he’d ended the relationship. She’d moved here to start over. Now Gary was going to ditch her too. As well he should.

“Gary, I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry?” he repeated. “Bullshit. I thought you were different. I thought you saw me.” He was gripping the back of the couch, his arms bulging as he levered himself as high as his damaged frame would allow. If he had use of his legs, he would be towering over her from his six foot height and she’d be terrified. His face was flushed, his eyes narrow, and his arms…

Wow, he really had big, strong arms, thick with muscles that looked like they could carry mountains. Or break them.

“Calm down,” she began, but that only made him more furious.

“Don’t lie to me!”

She jolted backwards, startled and afraid. He’d never acted like this before. Hell, she couldn’t remember him ever raising his voice in anger. Which meant something else was going on. Something bad.

“Gary, listen to me. You look like you’ve got a fever, and you’re not acting right.” She ran around the couch, headed for her phone. This could be like last time when he was really sick but didn’t feel it. “I’m calling 911.”

“Come back here! Marggggggh⁠—”

What starting as her name quickly descended into an animalistic growl. The hair all over Margaret’s body shot upright, but her focus was on her phone as she fumbled to dial. Even so, she couldn’t help looking up. Gary was her best friend, and he was in serious trouble. And he…

She screamed.

CHAPTER 3

If he’d had the breath Gary would have screamed too, but the flash-flow of lava started in his head then rolled lightning-fast down the rest of his body.

His back arched, and strength pulsed through his arms, which levered him upright. He felt his body lift off the couch, and then the pain hit. Bursts through his mind and body. His mouth—agony. Arms throbbing. Legs on fire.

Hard to breathe. Hard to move.

Another scream. A high-pitched wail of terror.

He looked at Margaret. Her eyes bulged, and her skin was white. Her mouth opened in a scream he didn’t process. There was only agony.

New sounds filled his ears: An animal yowl harsh with pain and terror. A crash. Furniture? Fabric ripped. But he could only focus Margaret’s fear.

What nightmare weapon had hit him? What was attacking them? He didn’t know, but he would stand between it and Margaret. He twisted, intending to do just that. His agony was lessening, but his mind was still sluggish. It was hard to focus on anything but the bursts of stabbing pain in his hips and legs. Unpredictable. Unrelenting. He convulsed.

He gathered his strength, which was an impossible task, but he did it. And yet, he didn’t see any threat, just his loft and destroyed furniture at his feet. At his… Wait. What the hell was he seeing?