Bound (The Guardians) Read Online Free PDF Page A

father’s voice rushes into my head. Corruption, blood and slavery … I quickly feel like I’m in danger. My Da would not like me talking to him like this, I need to get away.
    Leo reaches down the top of his body suit and I quickly shield my head. When I look back at him, I realise he hasn’t pulled out a gun. He has a phone. I put my arms down. I feel stupid. Before when I thought he was a rich boy I was calm. Now I’m suddenly ducking like he is going to have me thrown in jail.
    Leo lifts the phone to his ear. He waits for an answer. After a moment of silence he says, ‘Yes, it is me. Yes. I am south east of the Northern River. Understood.’ With that he hangs up. ‘My personal officers of Sentry will be here soon,’ Leo tells me. ‘You should continue on your way.’
    The blond makes his way over to the closest tree. He leans against it and slides down to the ground. He sits uncomfortably, one leg out straight and the other tucked up a little from the pain.
    ‘No, I’ll stay… I guess.’
    As I sit down near him, my hands feel clammy. I’m agonisingly aware that I’m sitting next to a Guardian. Yet abandoning him still feels wrong, he’s hurt. I don’t know how long his Sentry officers will take to arrive. Surely there’s no harm in waiting with him, just for a bit.
    ‘What is your name?’ Leo unexpectedly asks.
    ‘Mellea Wendorn,’ I say. I have no idea why I felt a need to throw in my last name. In fact I should have used a fake name. Geez I’m a moron.
    Leo mumbles, ‘That is a very strange name. I do not really care for it.’
    ‘Excuse me?’
    He quickly asks again, ‘Where do you live?’
    ‘Pekkin,’ I reply and then cringe. Man! I did it again. Why must I always tell the truth?
    Leo puffs and glances away. ‘I have never heard of that place. It must be small and insignificant. I only travel to places worth my time.’
    I grit my teeth and twist the other way, irritated. This guy doesn’t feel like royalty, he’s an arrogant jerk. Facing the other direction completely, I sit with my hands in my lap. ‘If you are going to make fun of me, and where I live, then let’s simply sit here in silence until your “personal officers” arrive.’
    Leo says, ‘I was not trying to upset you.’
    ‘Well you did,’ I snap back. My nerves have started to disappear. Or rather, they’re covered by frustration.
    ‘You do realise who you are speaking to? Most people would be falling all over themselves to sit in private with me, a Successor, like this. I am a person of esteemed power. I am a descendant of the Guardian legacy.’
    I roll my eyes. ‘Well my apologies for not kissing your feet, Oh Great One.’
    ‘Why aren’t you like the other women?’
    I rapidly turn back to him. ‘What?’
    ‘Well, we have been speaking intimately for quite a few moments. Yet you have not tried to submit your suitability as a possible bride to me. Most girls do the moment they figure out I am a Successor, and an available one at that.’
    I reply, ‘When you got shot, did you hit your head really hard or something? I can’t believe you would suggest I ask you to unite with me. That’s so weird. We’ve been talking for five minutes. Plus, I thought unitings were about love. You make it sound like a job.’
    ‘It is a job,’ Leo says straight-faced.
    I mumble, ‘Yeah well, being united to you would be, wouldn’t it? If you’re fishing around for me to “submit my suitability” as a lame joke you will get off on, forget it.’
    Silence creeps its way in. I remain with my head facing away. Perhaps my father was wrong about the Guardians. They’re not evil. They’re simply up themselves. It’s really no wonder that Leo’s single. He’s handsome, but he’s a jerk.
    Leo abruptly makes a painful sound behind me. I quickly flick around. I see him, holding his belly. He looks weak, his eyes are fluttering.
    Unexpectedly he topples from his seated position over to his side.
    He hits hard. He doesn’t