The Guardian (Callista Ryan Series) by Alexandra Weiss Page A

weight of his decision.
                  “I know, little one,” Emeric replied coolly, peeling her fingers from his chest. “But your place is no longer in this forest. You must go now.”
                  “Please, no,” the girl whimpered, even as he gently pushed her away from him.
                  A movement from the red-haired woman stole Callie’s attention. She had sprung into action, confidently traversing the room until she had reached the girl. Without sympathy, she clutched the girl’s wrist and began to drag her over to the door, even as the girl pulled against her with terrified shrieks.
                  Callie noticed with some surprise that Alex now stood, blocking the doorway. The woman stopped in front of him, and Callie took in the expression on his face. It was nearly indescribable, it bespoke so much. Most present was anger. But behind that, there was sadness. Disbelief. Bitterness. Callie felt her heart sink at the sight. Even behind the chilling amount of hatred he was exuding, he seemed vulnerable.
                  Finally, Emeric said one quiet word which commanded that Alex let them pass. “Alexander.”
                  Alex started, and didn’t move for a moment. But then, slowly, he took a reluctant step sideways, a heartbroken goodbye in his eyes. Callie wondered if the girl was about to die.
                  The red-haired woman leapt from the doorway, and Callie watched as she towed the girl through the air, undaunted by the fact that the girl didn’t even open her wings, still crying and struggling against the woman’s hold. They disappeared soon after, and Callie shuddered when she thought about what would happen next.
                  She planted her hands firmly on the windowsill, hoisting herself up onto the edge of it. She turned around, lifting herself more effectively as she slid onto it backwards. “What is she doing here?” she heard Emeric’s calm voice ask.
                  A warm pair of arms wrapped around her, drawing her through the window easily. She turned around once on her feet and saw that it was Alex. She stepped away from the window, into the room.
                  “What are you doing here, Callista?” Emeric asked, and she saw that he was looking at her unhappily.
                  “I—“ Callie began, but Alex cut her off.
                  “I brought her. We couldn’t leave her alone at the house.”
                  “Hey, thanks,” Callie said, sparing him a dirty look. “We all know you can’t leave the human alone. She’ll just jump out the window again, right?”
                  Alex lifted an eyebrow, as though to say It’s happened before . Callie sighed and shook her head, turning back to Emeric. He was no longer focused on her, however. He stared out into the forest, after the vanished girl, with a disconsolate gaze.
                  “Who was she?” Callie asked, uncomfortable with the somber mood in the room.
                  Emeric eyed her distantly. “We couldn’t allow her to be here, anymore. It was for her own sake,” he said, as though making an excuse. She wondered why he felt the need to justify his actions.
                  “Alright,” she said, holding up her hands in a placating fashion when she noted the fever behind his eyes. She wasn’t sure what to say; she had only known this man for the past few hours, and they hadn’t met under the best circumstances. Was she now supposed to comfort him?
                  She heard a shuffle of footfalls behind her, and realized that Alex was standing near to her now. Perhaps it was because he had saved her life today, but she was able to relax a little knowing he was there. She waited for someone to answer her question, and watched as the heat slowly drained from behind