The New Life

Chapter Twenty-Six

26 VA Fanfic TNB Sequel_Chapter Twenty-Six

Chad's POV

The days following after Dawn spent almost a whole day with her creepy great-grandmother was uneventful. Dawn seem to always drift off, and keeps to herself. Worse still, she wore a bracelet given to her by her great-grandmother , which shields her thoughts. None of us, as her Royal Guardians, were pleased, especially Guardian Cast- Eddie, Derrick and Leo. They were the ones who were able to read her thoughts and feel her emotions.

The thing that had me really concerned was what I learned the first night we stayed over at Baia. Brad had entered my room, looking guilty and scared. I bolted upright, worried about Dawn's safety before I realized Brad wasn't supposed to be on guardian duty.

*FLASHBACK*

"Brad? You okay?" I asked, after calming and reassuring myself that Dawn is not in danger.

Brad just stood in front of me, head hung low, his hands fiddling nervously with the ends of his shirt.

I stood up. Something is not right. Trying to be as inconspicuous as I could, I reach out and grab my stake, hiding it from view. Then I cautiously approached Brad.

"Brad?" I called out, once again. My other hand reached out and turn the lights on.

Brad looked up at me the moment the lights flickered on. I stared in shock.

Tears. Tears were streaming down his face, which was plastered with a mask of confusion, guilt and fear. The stake in my hand was quickly stuffed into my jean pocket and I strode over to him.

"What's wrong? You can tell me, anything." I said. With my hands now free, they went up and rested themselves on his shoulders.

"You can't be mad at me. You can't rat out on me. Please. You have to believe everything I say. You guys are like my brothers, and Dawn is like my sister. I swear. I never wanted to hurt any of you after I got to know you guys. Really. Honestly." Brad mumbled through his tears.

I was confused.

"Hey, Brad. Man, calm down. Start from the top. What happened?"

"You remember when I said I was also from a private academy?" Brad asked.

I nodded.

"Guardian Alkeav was the head instructor of the academy I was sent to. He was really good to me. After awhile, when I started to get a hang of things, he took me under his wing. He taught me so many things. Even after I left to go back to St. Apostle's, we kept in contact." Brad revealed.

"Okay... So... You're telling me this because...?" I trailed off, unsure of his intentions.

"I'm sure the rest have the same feelings as I do. You, and Eddie are the ones closest to Dawn. You both are the ones we look for if we have questions or need help. It's like you both are the leaders of us. But Eddie is still a Promised Guardian, he is close with Guardian Hathaway and Guardian Belikov. You are close with Dawn." Brad emphazised.

I kept quiet, still not getting the point. Unfortunately, Brad seem to run out of things to say, or rather, took his time in rearranging his thoughts.

Finally, I couldn't take the silence.

"Brad, what's exactly are you trying to tell me?" I inquired, trying to put as much authority as I could into the question.

"I am still in contact with Guardian Alkaev even after I became Dawn's Royal Guardian." Brad said.

That sentence made my guards and defense go up within me. I could feel myself stiffened.