Secrets - [Guardian Trilogy 01] by Liz Schulte Page A

possible. No one could have been outside my window; the very idea was absurd.
     
    I stood up with determination and walked over to the window to prove myself wrong and find the true source of the hand-like object in the picture. I pulled the gauzy white curtains to the side and started to open the window—a face appeared before me.
     
    Holy shit! Breathe, Liv, breathe . I backed away unable to scream or do anything but shake. This isn’t possible. It's not happening. I glanced around the room for a weapon of some sort. I found nothing. My eyes darted back to the window and I waited for my attacker to come in. This time there was nothing there. Did he fall? I crept up to the window, half expecting to be grabbed and half preparing to see a mangled body on the sidewalk below. But there was nothing. Nothing at all.
     
                “Olivia, get a grip,” I said aloud as I ran my fingers through my hair. A knot of worry settled into my stomach. I'm losing my mind. With trembling hands, I lifted the photo once more to make sure I hadn’t imagined that either.
     
    I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was still there. Unfortunately, that was a double edged sword. My relief was quickly followed by dread. Sure, maybe I wasn’t crazy—I just had some freak skulking outside my ninth story apartment!He was there and gone so fast I couldn’t even describe what he looked like. The only feature I remembered were eyes that were filled with hate and looked like polished silver. But he’s not there now. Whoever it was is long gone—you saw that for yourself. My lecture didn’t really calm me, but I pulled my curtains shut and turned off the light, regardless. I climbed into bed and tried to force myself to sleep, though I don’t know who I was trying to fool. I was scared out of my mind, but my pride and my ego wouldn't let me call anyone, not even Juliet, so late. I wouldn't let my imagination control me. I was stronger than that. I finally drifted off to sleep just as the sun was rising, as I felt a small amount of safety creeping in with the light. I awoke a couple hours later to knocking on my door. I pulled myself out of bed and stumbled over to answer it. Juliet was there, looking pretty and chipper.
     
    “What on earth are you doing here?”
     
    “It’s nearly 9:00. We have to go. We'll be late for church. Why aren’t you ready?” She took a closer look at the dark circles under my eyes. “Are you sick?”
     
    “No, just tired. I forgot about today. Give me five.”
     

Six
     

     
     
     
    I had to go to the gallery, but I was wavering. Normally, I had no problem deciding what to do. My mind was always in consensus with itself, but not this time. Half of me wanted to stay away from the girl because I didn’t want to kill her. I would do it if I had to, but it wasn’t something I would enjoy. I had the sneaking suspicion I might even feel badly afterwards. The other half of me was curious. It wanted to meet her. Figure out who and what she was. I sighed and thumbed through my address book, looking for someone who would be an acceptable date. Someone pretty enough to keep the girl intimidated and away from me. The goal was no interaction. That was the compromise I made with myself. If I didn’t talk to her, there was no harm in going and observing. I could remain detached. She’d probably be less interesting this time anyway, and I’d laugh about working myself up over nothing. I found just the girl I was looking for. Candi Shelton. She was beautiful enough to intimidate the photographer, dumb enough not to get it, and pliable enough to do as I told her. I drove over to Candi’s house to let her know she would be my date tonight. Refusing in person was not a feat many could accomplish.
     
    As Candi dressed, I looked around her apartment. It was frilly and a little tacky for my tastes. Her bookshelf was covered with pictures of herself. I wasn’t even sure she owned a book. Fashion