Fearless by Marianne Curley Page A

Mela’s hands. It sure would be good to have someone close I can trust.
    But I still need to be careful, because I haven’t known Mela long enough to make that kind of judgement yet. I will learn more about her when I tell her that I know herson. All I need is the right moment. There’s just something I’m sensing, as if she’s evaluating me as much as I’m evaluating her, but for what reason I can’t put my finger on yet. ‘How did you end up living in the palace, Mela?’
    She makes a distasteful hissing sound as she draws in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. ‘It’s a long story.’
    â€˜Gee, I’m so busy I don’t think I have the time to hear it.’
    She laughs. Thank goodness she gets my humour. ‘Whatever his reason, King Luca wanted me, and what he wants he goes after relentlessly. When I died, he fought my Guardian Angel for my soul and he won. His was the first face I saw when I started breathing again.’
    â€˜It’s usually a Death Watcher’s job to fight your Guardian for your soul. Do you know why he brought you to Skade himself? What his plans are?’
    She shrugs. ‘No idea. He has never mentioned my death or resuscitation.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, Mela.’
    She frowns. ‘Dear girl, what are you apologising for? You had nothing to do with my early life, the choices I made, or what happened when I died.’
    I brace myself. ‘I think you’re here because of me.’
    â€˜I don’t understand.’
    â€˜I’m almost positive you’re part of Luca’s grand plan to make me live here.’
    â€˜What makes you think this?’
    Her frown deepens as she stares at me. She’s clearly confused. She doesn’t have any idea. Maybe my hunch is wrong, but Luca wanted Mela for a reason, and I rememberZavier telling me how much planning went into my abductions.
    â€˜I’m a Guardian Angel,’ I explain, ‘for a boy my age.’
    â€˜What are you saying, Ebony?’
    â€˜I know your son, Jordan. I’m his Guardian.’
    She gasps and looks round for somewhere to sit. I lead her to the sofa. She sinks into it and looks up at me. ‘You know Jordan?’
    â€˜Yeah. I do.’
    â€˜Is he well?’
    I close my eyes against the last image I have of him, chained to a cave wall. I had asked him to pass my message of love to Nathaneal. ‘The last time we spoke,’ I tell Mela with a smile, ‘he was arguing with me.’
    She laughs a little. ‘Still stubborn, I see.’
    â€˜Uh-huh.’
    â€˜I worried so much about him – where he was, who was looking after him. I had no family. His father was in prison and Jordan was only nine when I –’
    â€˜Jordan told me how he found you.’
    Her eyes pierce mine. ‘He remembers?’
    â€˜Clearly. And sadly I wasn’t around to protect him because at that time I didn’t know who I was. I wish it had been different.’
    She gets to her feet, takes my hand and folds her other over the top. ‘That wasn’t your fault. I’m grateful for any light you’ve brought to his life.’
    I’m so moved by her graciousness that I drop her hand and embrace her, and the Guardian bond stretches and weaves into a net that wraps around us.
    A shrieking scream through the closed window breaks the moment and we both turn to look.
    â€˜Over there.’ Mela points and I follow her outstretched arm to see an angel kicking a human soul one-third his size. Another angel, a female, pulls the soul up by his armpits and holds him while the first angel punches the soul in the stomach, following it up with a slug to the soul’s jaw. Meanwhile, angels and souls alike open a space around them, enjoying the show.
    â€˜Why doesn’t someone stop that beating?’ I ask, anxious for the soul, now bent over double on the ground as the female angel prepares to kick her