G.U.A.R.D. Book #1: Clandestine

-7-

    Together, the two of us scoured the crowd, trying to get a glimpse of Anthony. Nothing. Nada. And he didn't show up where Cindy and her admirer were talking, either. Finally, Winter and I met back in the same place we had last seen him.

"Well, that was successful," Winter declared as music from the orchestra heightened in volume.

"Hm," I said, troubled.

"Sooo, tell me again why you're so concerned?"

I ignored her teasing remark, and instead said, "Did you notice how weird he was acting when France was talking to us?"

"Nope. But you obviously did."

"Would you stop that? Look, he just... He was being weird when she was talking to us, okay? I'm just concerned."

"Okay... Maybe he needed a breath of fresh air. Could he be outside?"

"The gardens?"

She nodded.

"A bit cold, isn't it?"

My friend rolled her eyes and grabbed my arm. "Like there's anywhere else to look."

Winter towed me through the ballroom, waving at Jerry, who stood at the door. Once we had exited the room, we rushed to the backdoor. Cindy had us memorize the first floor way back, just in case we got lost down here. The rest of the mansion was too much to take in.

The cold air blew in our faces harshly. It was freezing! Goosebumps grew on my bare arms, and my tights did little to ward off the cold. Snow still covered the ground!

Looking around, I found myself on the familiar stone patio of the Red backyard. Stone steps led down to the large yard beyond, and that opened up to the snow-covered forest.

"I'm so cold," I whispered through chattering teeth. With numb fingers, I rubbed my arms.

Winter gasped and grabbed my arm (again), tugging me down to the ground. The stone railing of the patio hid us from the yard. I hit the ground and skid my knees painfully, most likely cutting open the tights.

"Winter!" I hissed.

"Shh!" She stuffed her hand over my mouth.

I made a face at the sudden gesture, but calmed when I heard voices drifting through the air. They sounded too far away to understand, or possibly the people were just talking too quietly, but I could tell they were young.

Winter took her hand off my lips and pointed upwards. I nodded, and we both inched ourselves up until we could see over the stone railing. Anthony stood in the grass below, talking to someone. He blocked the person from view. His voice was hushed, hence why I couldn't hear him, but by his relaxed stance, I could tell he was talking to someone he knew. And that's when he shifted weight to his other foot, letting the person's face come into view.

Bailey Kit.

Winter and I both gasped, ducking behind the stone railing in unison.

"What is she doing here?" Winter demanded in a whisper.

"And what is Anthony talking to her about?" I agreed.

"We have to get closer so we can hear."

"Closer? Are you kidding me? This place is bare for miles! Our only cover close enough to hear would be the forest—and that's on the other side of them!"

"Alright, alright, just be quiet then." She thought for a few moments. As she did, I looked over the railing again to see Anthony walking away from Bailey, looking to the ground so I couldn't see his expression. But he was walking straight towards the stone steps to the patio. I ducked back behind the railing.