The Sentinel by Holly Martin Read Free Book Online Page A

looked like he was going to argue but at a glare from Eli he marched off down the hill, disappearing through the trees. Eli watched him go then turned back to me.
    ‘I’m sorry, Eve.’ Eli’s voice was gentle. ‘I know humans have emotional attachments to their family. It’s not something we Guardians are familiar with. If it’s any consolation they died fighting to protect you.’
    This was no consolation to me at all. I didn’t want anyone to die for me. Though Mason’s reaction to my tears had dried them up. I wasn’t going to cry here in front of my Guardians, I would wait till I was alone to grieve for my family.
    There was silence as Seth stroked my back comfortingly.
    ‘You were never supposed to find out like this.’ Eli glared at Seth for a moment. ‘However, maybe your best friend telling you is better than a member of the Oraculum who you’ve never met. Maybe Cain thought so to, that’s why he gave Seth use of his house tonight. I’m sure you have loads more questions. For now, we have a safe house we can take you to. It’ll be your new home. We can’t stay here as we aren’t allowed to enter the house and we need to keep you safe now the Putarians are choosing to attack. There will be Guardians outside, front and back and your personal guard will stay in the house with you.’ He gestured to the other Guardians standing with him. ‘Quinn will also be there. I know he wants to talk to you when you get back, but maybe we’ll save that for tomorrow as well.’
    Quinn. A shape shifter. I shuddered at the thought of this strange man sleeping on my bed.
    ‘Quinn loves you,’ Seth said softly. ‘He has spent every night for the past seventeen years watching over you, watching you grow. You know he would never hurt you. He’s the only family you have now.’
    I conceded this, reluctantly. Seth was right, as weird as it was that my dog was a man, he had never done anything to hurt me.
    ‘The car is just on the other side of the trees. Are you ok to walk?’ asked Eli.
    I straightened defiantly. I wasn’t going to be carried.
    ‘Very well then.’
    He started walking and I fell in by his side. The other Guardians fell in around me, forming a loose diamond as we walked. Seth grabbed his bike and walked at my other side.
    I glanced back at the house as the lights turned off and the door slammed shut. I looked at Seth. ‘Sensors?’
    He grinned. ‘Cain has powers too.’
    As Seth started his engine, I automatically climbed on behind him. I could see Eli was not happy with this arrangement but he didn’t say anything.
    The Guardians got in the car and Seth took off with them following close behind.
    ‘Are you trying to give Eli a heart attack,’ Seth said. ‘It was a big operation tonight from the Putarians, it wasn’t just a random attack. It was planned. That policeman was in the area because they knew you would have to flee from the house. Eli thinks that the fire wasn’t meant to kill you but to draw you out in the open. There may be more of them.’
    I wrapped my arms around him tighter and felt his heart quicken in response. ‘I’m safe with you.’
    ‘Yes you are, I won’t ever let anything happen to you.’
    I thought back to what he had told me before about him dying to save me. Just thinking of that now crippled me.
    ‘I’m not going to lose you either, I refuse to let it happen,’ I said determinedly, into his ear.
    ‘Seriously? I tell you that you’re going to save the world, that there are people out there that want to kill you, and you’re worried about me, that’s ridiculous. Evie you do make me laugh.’
    I pulled away from him. ‘How can you be so reasonable about this, you’re going to die.’
    ‘We’re all going to die Evie, it’s just I’ve known how I’m going to die all my life. Dying to save anyone is pretty noble, but dying to save you, my best friend is absolutely the best way to go. Plus when I die, I know that you’ll be going on to save the world,