LITMIR.BIZ

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just doing his job,” I said a tersely. Why did I feel the need to defend Jackson?

       Maybe because he chose you after everyone else didn’t. Including Cooper.

      “You aren’t his Prognatum anymore, you know that, right? Just because he was your Guard when you were alive doesn’t mean—”

      “How’s Ally?” I said changing the subject. I didn’t need him to go on a diatribe about Jackson and my relationship. Platonic or otherwise.

      He pulled his hand through his dirty blond locks, nodding. “She’s doing great. You should come by the place soon so you and Ally can get better acquainted. She’d love that.”

      “I’d like that, too.” I felt an overwhelming excitement. Ally wanted to get to know me better; Just then Jackson appeared at my side. “Not until her probation is over,” he growled, glaring at Cooper over my head.

      “What’s the harm?” Cooper said, his expression hard.

      Jackson moved to my side. “They have the rest of their immortal lives to get to know each other. I need to get Mags ready so Felix can promote her to where she truly belongs.”

      “Whose fault was it that she isn’t already in her proper place?” I could see Cooper’s anger growing.

      “Enough!” I put my hands up between them, exasperated. “Jackson. She’s my family. And she wants to talk to me. I’d like to try and mend what I can.”

      “The Maggie I knew never asked for permission.” Cooper’s voice was low, but I knew he wanted Jackson to hear.

      Jackson fixed Cooper with a glare, but said nothing. “You knew her for what, a week?”

      Cooper continued as if Jackson had never spoken. “You can talk to her now if you want. She uses her phone to communicate with me when we are on this Realm.”

      I hesitated.

      Cooper disappeared from my side and reappeared at the end of the row Ally occupied.

      “I should—”

      “I know.” Jackson’s hand rested on my shoulder. “You should talk to her. I know it would make you happy.”

      “She’s my family,” I repeated, wishing he could understand. “The only one I have.”

      His jaw tightened but he kept his gaze toward the students. “Not the only one,” he murmured.

      I didn’t need to get into that conversation just yet.

      “I’ll be quick.” I said and transported to the aisle behind Ally, walking the rest of the way to make sure I didn’t just pop in like Cooper insisted on doing. It was a freeing feeling to transport like that on the Living Realm. As a Collector, I’d only been able to transport from the After to the Living, now my transportation was limitless on the Living Realm because of my new status. Yet, the closer I got to her the more my legs felt like lead. It was the first real face to face meeting since her birthday. I knew she wouldn’t attack me in front of the other humans, but I was worried nonetheless.

      She glanced up at me, her brilliant green eyes peeking out underneath a set of thick eyelashes, then she looked pointedly down to her phone and turned away in her seat. Krystal, who was sitting next to her, stiffened.

      I glanced at Cooper, but he bobbed his head encouragingly.

      I watched Ally open a blank text message screen and type. “Hey.”

      “Hi,” I replied, feeling stupid. I knew in my non-corporeal form that the humans couldn’t see me but I still remained vigilant when they were all around me.

      Two more Guard appeared behind Cooper and I turned to see another set behind me.

       Did they think I was going to hurt her?

      Ally groaned.

      “I bet you are sick of the attention, huh?” I said, still feeling a little awkward.

      Ally furiously shook her head as her fingers flew over the keys “You have no idea. They still think I can’t defend myself. What’s the point of being a Prognatum if I need 24 hour Guard duty?”

      I knelt down next to her chair. “They know you can defend yourself. I think they are just worried about—”

      “You?” she typed.

      I winced. “I forgot how straightforward you are.”

      Ally blew out a breath. “I’m not—” she said frustratedly, and a boy in front of her looked over as if his life depended on her next words, but instead she turned in her seat and continued typing. “I’m not worried about u. What happened with my father was—”Her fingers stopped. For a split second her facade broke before her fingers flurried over the keyboard once again. “Not ur fault. He would have done the same to me if u didn’t stop him.”

      No, he couldn’t. The soul-sucking thing was my deranged super power, which not even Felix understood. “I don’t think so,” I said weakly. We listened while the valedictorian gave her speech, our conversation at a standstill. I knew David would have done anything to get me to transform, including damning his own daughter’s soul to who knows where, but that wasn’t encouraging. She’d pretty much figured it out on her own but I didn’t want to be the one to say it. I stood up. “I bet you are happy to get out of here.”

      Her shoulders relaxed. “U have no idea. Cooper tried to explain what happened with Seth & Krystal, but I still don’t get it.”

      “You were made for a better life,” I said, feeling the truth and a familiarity with the words. “There is so much more out there than Seth and Krystal. It’s just one experience that will make you stronger.”

      “I guess. I’m going to miss Heather and Marie tho.”

      We both looked toward the bleachers and saw Marie frantically waving at Ally.

      Ally waved before texting again. “I was a nightmare to her.”

      And it was my fault she had to stay away from her home. If only I’d caught onto David’s plan sooner, maybe we would have had one up on the Shadowed.

      “David Greene.” The name echoed across the field.

      I leaned forward, and nearly grabbed the chair before realizing where I was. Guard could become corporeal in the Living Realm but I wasn’t dressed to fit in. The fading in and out of visibility among the humans had been a tricky skill to learn under my new status but today wasn’t the day to challenge that. I adjusted my stance, shoving my hands into my pockets trying to keep myself upright.

      The principal hesitated and found Ally among the students. He nodded to her before continuing. “David was a bastion of this community. I would like us all to share a moment of silence for his recent and sudden passing.”

      Just when I thought we were getting somewhere. His words cut through my soul like a blade as the events of Ally’s birthday flashed before my eyes. My surging power churned within me. I attempted to swallow it down.

      Not here, please not here.

      The moment of silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity and I kept my hands fisted for fear of the essence coming out. Jackson appeared at my side and relief flooded through me.

      He reached out and tentatively touched my arm. “You’re fine. Stay right here. That night is over.” His whispered words soothed me as I focused on staying in that moment.

      Suddenly I became aware of my surroundings, as Cooper rushed to my other side. “What’s wrong?” he asked, but I couldn’t answer.

      Ally cleared her throat and I managed to peek down at her phone whilst still maintaining my calm.

      “R U OK?” she typed.

      “Yes,” I breathed

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