Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,46
dangerous the situation was. “Those men are not the only ones.”
“We need to figure out why Ainsley was targeted, and why Blake’s followers are suddenly coming out of hiding. They’ve laid dormant for years.” Liam moved to standing.
“I can try to go undercover. Find out what I can.” I didn’t want to leave Ainsley, but I had no other ideas.
“Absolutely not!” Charlotte jumped out of her seat. “You are far too recognizable. They could kill you.”
Liam put an arm around her. “Relax, he isn’t going to do that because he won’t want to leave Ainsley.”
“You aren’t ditching me.” Ainsley gave me a stern look. “You promised you wouldn’t.”
“You are determined to go home. I’m trying to find the quickest way to make that happen.”
“There are other ways.” Liam looked toward the doorway. “I need to call the Guard together.”
“The giant Guard.” Charlotte laughed.
“The Guard? My guess is that has something to do with Guardians and James’ glowing sword?” I looked directly at James. “Don’t forget explaining all of that to me was part of the deal.” Unsurprisingly, Ainsley still wanted answers to her questions.
“How about I do the honors?” Liam suggested. “I was the most out of the loop when I found out, so I think I can explain it in the simplest terms.”
“Be my guest.” Talking still hurt my ribs a little, so I had no problem letting Liam explain this part.
He pulled a chair over right next to the one Charlotte was in. They both sat down. “Right now you are in Energo.”
“But the city is Bellgard?” Ainsley shifted on the couch.
“Yes.” Liam nodded. “Energo is run by the Essence.”
“And that’s Charlotte?” Ainsley looked at her.
“Yes. That’s Charlotte.” Liam took Charlotte’s hand. “And I’m her Gerard.”
“And what do those terms mean? Essence and Gerard?”
“The Essence is like a queen, except it’s not just a title. Charlotte has all sorts of supernatural abilities that help her keep things in order,” Liam explained proudly.
“What kind of abilities?”
“I can manipulate the elements.” Charlotte explained. “It sounds cooler than it is.”
“That sounds unbelievable. Literally unbelievable.”
“Show her something.” I crossed my arms.
“Sure. I’ll be right back.” Charlotte dashed out of the room and returned with a glass half full with water. “You see this?”
“It’s a glass of water.” Ainsley rested her hands in her lap.
“Exactly.” Charlotte put it down on the table. She appeared to focus on it, and moments later the glass shattered, but the water remained in the shape of the glass.
“Wait, that’s ice?” Ainsley hobbled off the couch to look at the remains of the glass. “You just froze the water?”
“Yes. I can do things like that.”
“Can you too?” Ainsley looked at Liam.
He shook his head. “Nope, but I’m connected to Charlotte. I have the enhanced strength necessary to protect her.”
“Cool. A world run by a super powerful woman.”
“That’s a great way to describe it.” Charlotte grinned. “Liam is strong as he explained, and as my Gerard, he is the leader of my Guard. The Guard is the group of men tasked with protecting me.”
“So still some sexism.”
“Yes. You can’t have it all, right? It isn’t my choice or anything. A greater power decides who’s on the Guard, but we don’t have to go into all that today.”
“I’m the one who’s supposed to be explaining this.” Liam jumped back in. “An Essence is supposed to have ten Guardians, but Charlotte ended up short changed.”
“They are all great, so no complaints.” Charlotte smiled.
“No complaints?” I raised an eyebrow. “You complain about it constantly.”
“Ok, I do. But that’s only to annoy you guys.”
Ainsley laughed. “James was right about one thing.”
“Oh yeah?” This I had to hear.
“I like Charlotte. You told me I would.” Ainsley seemed content and more relaxed.
Charlotte smiled. “I knew you had a soft spot for me, James.”
“You two are eerily alike. It scares me a little.” I looked over at Ainsley. She rubbed her eyes. “Do you think we can save the rest of the meeting for tomorrow? Call the rest of the Guard then?”
“Yes. We’ll put out extra security.”
“Do you still want someone to look at your ankle, Ainsley?” Charlotte asked.
“Not tonight. It already feels better. I think if I stay off it, it might just heal.”
Charlotte smiled, and I knew she had something to do with Ainsley’s ankle feeling better. “Let’s get you set up then.”
“Set up? Like in a room?”
Charlotte nodded. “Ready?”
“I promise you will be safe here.” I looked her right in the eyes. “And I will see you first thing in the morning.”
“Where are