Betrayed Read Online Free PDF Page A

forced myself to focus on my surrounding.
    Familiar faces leaped out from the throng.
    Most were children of Civilians, Nephilim with just enough powers to join the High Council but not the Cardinal Guardianship program. A few of them were first year Cardinal Guardian trainees. They were al sixteen-year olds fresh from Xenith with new powers who attended the academy in the evenings. Here, in the regular human high school, they stood out in their expensive, new outfits and looked a little lost. I stil thought making us attend regular high school to learn how to blend with humans was ridiculous.
    They waved shyly at us. I nodded and smiled back. The hero-worshipping gleam in their eyes was unnecessary. The other trainees and I did what we had to do to rescue my grandfather and destroy Coronis. Somehow we’d been elevated to legends. I doubted they’d stil think highly of me once they learned about Valafar. For now, only a select few knew he was my father.
    Stares fol owed us as we headed to my locker, then my math class. The gawking didn’t bother me now as much as it did when I was new.
    Then the draw had been my five-nine height, unusual, multi-colored red hair and the gypsy clothes and accessories, which I loved to wear. Bran’s startling gorgeous looks were the eye-magnet now. I hugged his arm tighter.
    Outside my Pre-calc class, we stayed by the wal and ignored the students scuttling past us.
    “What are you going to do about the presents?” he asked.
    That was the one subject I didn’t want to discuss. “What else can you tel me about mediums?”
    “That was it, but the Academy library might have books on them. Someone hid the presents from you,” Bran added.
    I sighed. “Probably Grampa. But that’s okay because I don’t want them anyway.”
    “You love presents. I remember you hopping around like a bunny during Christmas.”
    “Bunny?” I pushed him with my shoulder. “I know Valafar said they were Mom’s things and everything about her fascinates me, but he’s only using them to get to me. If I accept them, I’l only be drawn into his web.” Valafar sent me a gypsy dress, one of my mother’s, right after the battle on Coronis Isle. I was tempted to keep it, but logic prevailed and I burned it.
    Bran squinted, and I wondered if he was thinking about that first present too.
    I tugged at his arm. “You’re dying to say something. Out with it.”
    “Are you tel ing Sykes and the others about this?”
    Despite his question, I knew he had something else on his mind. “I don’t know.”
    “Then talk to your grandfather. I don’t mind being your confidant, but the more people who know what Valafar’s up to, the less chance he has of surprising us. Besides, you want to know why he’s concerned about your safety.”
    “No…yes…I don’t know.” I would never forgive him for kil ing my mother, but at the same time, I understood he thought he was avenging my murder. I couldn’t trust someone so evil. “I’l think about it.”
    The first bel rang, and the students in the hal way filed into their respective classrooms. I glanced inside mine. The teacher was already there.
    “I’ve got to go.”
    “I know. I’l see you at lunch.” He caressed my cheek then reached down and pressed a quick kiss on my lips. Be good, he added as he walked down the hal way.
    Aren’t I always?
    No. Tell Sykes to fix his car.
    I shook my head. Are you jealous of him?
    No. You’re mine. He’s merely a gnat I’d smash if I could get away with it.
    I grinned and watched him walk away. I loved everything about him. His graceful walk, the midnight black hair, cut short in the back and long in front.
    Those brooding emerald eyes that hinted at dark mysteries. He had the most beautiful lips in the entire world. Girls who passed him turned to check him out.
    Eyes forward. He’s taken.
    He must have heard me because he chuckled. Go to class, Sunshine. His psi energy brushed against mine, lingered, then he teleported.