Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy #1)(28)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“The Gerard is the Guardian who the Essence picks to be her partner; he leads with the Essence,” Monty explained.

“How does she pick one?”

“It’s not really a choice, or not the way you would think of a choice. It just happens. Your mom described it as love at first sight, times a million, an irresistible pull to be with this person. It becomes clear to everyone during a ceremony.”

“How are the Guardians selected?” Liam asked.

“Usually, young men show signs of being Guardians even before the Essence is revealed. The signs are incredible strength, athleticism, agility, and other traits that only certain elders can see,” Monty said, as though his mind was far away. I was pretty sure he was lost in memories.

“Are you a Guardian?” I sensed that Monty had a personal knowledge of what it meant to be a guardian.

“I was for your mother, but once she died, the status disappeared,” Monty said sadly.

I tried to understand how it all worked. “Will you be a Guardian for the new Essence?”

“No. My time on the Guard is up; I even started aging again once Emma died.”

“Aging?” Liam and I asked together.

“The Guardians age with their Essence. It’s not that you don’t age at all, but you age extremely slowly once you are at your prime age,” he explained.

“Prime age?” I asked, confused.

“Usually somewhere between twenty-five and forty.”

“Wait, so is that why you still look like you’re twenty-five?” Liam asked.

“I was an extremely young Guardian when Emma had her ceremony. I was only fifteen.”

I had so many other questions, but sensed that Monty didn’t want to talk anymore. Luckily, Liam picked up on that, too. We walked along silently, Liam and I giving each other nervous glances every once in a while. It didn’t seem out of the ordinary that Liam was with us; somehow, it only seemed appropriate that Liam would risk his life to find Charlotte, too.

We passed several villages, and with each one, Monty tensed. Monty had explained that our clothes would instantly give us away as outsiders. I asked him what he meant, and he told me to think twelfth century Robin Hood. I thought he had to be joking, but the one time we saw other people walking, I realized he was right. They weren’t wearing tights or anything, but everything was so old fashioned. Later, as we neared a village, we saw two men on horseback dressed more formally, wearing something resembling a uniform. It was clear that they had spotted us, and we all got nervous. I felt sick to my stomach, afraid that we had failed before we really even got started. Monty reached for his sword, but the two men continued past us without a second look.

“I’m sure they saw us. If they are not apprehending us, it only means their orders were to report back to Bellgard, the capital, where Charlotte is likely being held,” Monty whispered. “We need to hurry. We need to get to Percy before dark.”

“Percy?” Liam and I asked simultaneously.

“Yes, the only hope we have of saving Charlotte,” Monty said somberly.

Chapter Fifteen

Charlotte

I woke out of a deep sleep when I heard the heavy door opening. “Hello, Charlotte. Did you sleep soundly?” Tara asked, walking into the room.

“Yes, thank you.” I slowly sat up on the edge of the bed. Surprisingly, I remembered where I was.

“How would you like to wear your hair?” Tara inquired, after opening the curtains and lighting a sconce. Only the faintest amount of sunlight streamed in through the window, and I realized I must have slept for several hours.

“My hair?” I ran my fingers through the still-damp strands.

“Do you prefer to wear it up?”

“Yes,” I said automatically, and glanced around for my hair band.

“Oh, we have some better material.” Tara managed to transform my wet hair into a beautiful updo as I sat in front of the mirror. I wasn’t sure what I was getting ready for. I remembered Blake saying I was going to meet my Guard, but I had no idea what to expect, or even worse, what was expected of me. I had never before wanted a set of instructions so badly.

“Wow.” I was shocked by what I saw when I peered at my reflection. With the dress and the hair, I looked so different; I wondered if my family would even recognize me. I also wondered what Calvin would think.

“You look wonderful, and you are due in the Great Hall in a few moments,” Tara said, putting a pair of delicate pink slippers in front of me. I slipped them on slowly. They weren’t sneakers, but they were comfortable enough.

“Will you be coming?” I asked hopefully. I liked Tara, and I was getting really comfortable around her.

“No, but of course if you need anything, you can have me sent for,” she said gently, as she opened the door. I almost told her that I wanted her with me as a friend, not a servant, but I decided to keep that thought to myself in case it upset her. At least she was calling me Charlotte.

I followed Tara out of the room and felt the panic set in, much worse than the panic I had felt on the way back to Charleston. The familiar tightening in my chest returned with the dizziness, and I had to steady myself against the stone wall.

“Charlotte, are you well?” Tara asked, alarmed.

“Yes, I’m just nervous.” I tried to sound reassuring because I knew I was probably frightening her.

“Do you need to lie down again?”

“No, we might as well get this over with.” I tried to get a hold of myself.

I took a deep breath, and we descended the stairs. I noticed nothing of my surroundings as I followed Tara. I only paid attention to the steps I was taking, trying to forget where I was. She suddenly stopped in front of an imposing set of heavy wooden doors.

“This is the Great Hall. Are you ready?” I nodded, a pit in my stomach painfully churning as she opened the door.

Taking a step into the room, I was taken aback. A large screen obscured my view, and I couldn’t tell what was beyond it. Tara had called this room the Great Hall, so I could only assume there was much more to it. I must have entered through a back doorway. A man dressed in a black uniform hurried around the screen and came back with Blake. Blake took my hand and walked me over to a seat still behind the screen before disappearing back into the other part of the room.

“Gentleman,” Blake said suddenly, presumably addressing a group. “Tonight, we meet for a joyous occasion.” He paused dramatically. “We assumed that it would be years before a new Essence was born to us. We have been preparing for a continuation of the Dark Age, taking all necessary precautions. Several of you have served on the Guard with me for years; yet many of you have only been at Bellgard for a year or less. Now the time has come to explain why you were brought here to train. Men, you have all showed signs of becoming the next generation of Guardians.” A hush broke out through the room. Based on the excited voices that followed, I could tell that there was a crowd. My stomach really started to hurt.