A Fairy's Guardian (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 2

Many of you have probably heard the rumors of supernatural beings searching for their soul mates. However, this bond is not the only one that exists. In certain cases, if someone had grown up in a troubled environment and is now struggling as an adult, the gods and goddesses may bestow a second mate upon them, known as a Guardian.

Although I don't recall much about Guardians, I do know that their second mates are referred to as Fledglings. This type of bond is similar to that of a newly turned vampire and their sire. Fledglings are assigned a classification based on the personality traits they already possess. While Guardians are always dominant, a Fledgling's classification can vary between being submissive, dominant, or even a switch or neutral. The mark on their wrist reveals the designation chosen by the higher powers.

The pain radiating through my wrist was hot-sharp, deliberate, like a fire burning beneath my skin. My teeth bit down on the inside of my cheek hard as I forced myself to appear unfazed. If they saw, then questions would be asked and talking to people, just wasn't my thing. My nose flared slightly as the gods etched a new fate into my skin. Where were they before, when I begged for their help? They didn't care then so why now? The mark process only lasted a minute but it felt much longer than that. When the pain finally did ease, my bitterness to the situation remained.

"What is your name, fairy?" Quinn asked, voice sharp and rigid - oblivious to the bond that had just formed between his partner and me. "You understand the grave danger you're in, yes? Cooperation would be in your best interest"

"As much as I'd love to stick around and chat," I said quickly, already taking a step back, "I've got places to be-and a very long list of people to avoid. Anyway, great seeing you all but, I'm gonna make like a tree and leaf."

I pivoted and bolted, hoping the joke would land just long enough to buy me a head start. Spoiler alert, it didn't.

I didn't make it ten steps before the griffin tackled me, slamming me down hard onto the cobblestones. The breath whooshed from my lungs as my front hit the cold street.

"Did you really think you could outrun us?" he asked, disbelief dripping from every word as he easily pinned me with one hand.

"Easy Quinn, that one is mine. Let her up carefully so she can show us her wrist. We were meant to be here today." My newly assigned guardian approached with slow, steady steps, voice steady but with a hint of amusement. His eyes locked onto mine and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Quinn paused, looking at his friend with confusion. "Wait... for real?"

He didn't get an answer, just a knowing look before he sighed and hauled me upright, keeping one hand firmly on the back of my shirt. "You heard him. Show us your wrist. If Levi's right, we'll need to know your classification."

"He's wrong. I don't belong to anyone, and there is definitely nothing on my wrist," I said, flashing an innocent smile as I confidently held out my left arm-the one without the mark.

"See?"

With a nod of satisfaction, I tugged my sleeve back down, as if that settled everything.

Levi chuckled as he slowly, methodically rolled up his own sleeve, never breaking eye contact. A dark ruby-red marking shimmered on his right wrist, glowing against his pale skin.

"You have spirit. I'll give you that, little one," he said, voice calm but laced with quiet command. "I'm sure it would be so much easier if only fledglings got the mark, wouldn't it? Easier to ignore a direct order from the higher beings above."

He took a purposeful step forward, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"But the gods and goddesses are fair. If a fledgling gets the mark... so does their guardian. And you little fairy, will have to accept that."