Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (read aloud .txt) 📕

“Not only that, Ariana’s still training as the Young Guardian.”
"What's so bad about that?"
"It'll complicate things if you interfered."
Mark sighed. He knew how Ariana Sister was the Young Guardian of the Dream Realm. What he never knew was that she had to go through training to do it.
“I promise, Shannon. I won’t interfere.” He supplied, hoping the lie was good enough. “I just want out of Hill View.”
"Listen, I'll send Landry for you, but you have to keep yourself secret. Understood?" Shannon warned.
"Oh." Mark was depressed and excited at the same time.
Ariana was there, with Luna at the System. He couldn't show himself, and that's what depressed him.
"Cheer up, Mark." Shannon supplied, sensing his depression with Empathy from miles away. "You'll be so busy with your own Junior Detective training that you won't have time for anything else. I'll make sure of that!"
"Sure, whatever you say, Shannon." Mark replied. "When can I expect him?"
"It takes three days to get to Michigan from California." Shannon told him. "Expect Landry late at night, sometime this weekend, alright?"
Mark grinned. "Sure thing. I'll be ready."
"Fine. See you then." Shannon hung up the telephone.
As soon as he did the same, he grinned at it. He fingered the new necklace he'd found around his neck that morning. It was a locket with her picture inside it. He could feel her warm magic flowing as he closed his eyes and touched it. The locket itself told him Ariana Sister still had some feelings for him.
Somehow, he'd see Ariana again. Even if he had to go against Shannon's orders.

Chapter Thirty-Five:
Tests and More Tests

Another week flew by. Derrick had long left on a case in Florida, and Luna was too busy with Shadow to notice her sister was both lovesick and homesick.
Ariana practiced her new magic until she was blue in the face, but she still had her mind on the trio of young gentlemen in her life. She missed Aaron and Mark the most, and couldn’t help wondering where they each were. She was constantly in a daze, trying to find them with her mind. Shannon and her sisters could tell she was distracted.
Ariana, Shannon, and Mary Ellen were sitting at a table in the Computer Lab. Mary Ellen was trying to test her sister on some tougher magic, but Ariana simply wasn’t in the mood for paying attention. Shannon, who was practicing telepathy, had to read her cousin’s mind to see what was on it.
She didn’t like what she saw, and spoke up. “You need to keep your mind on your lessons, Ariana,” She commanded lightly. “Not on boys. Now, pay attention.”
Mary Ellen felt a little sorry for her younger sister, but kept it to herself.
Ariana felt guilty about her wandering thoughts, and mumbled a low, “Sorry Shan,” before continuing her practice session.
For the next few weeks, Ariana had all four of her sisters’ help in the series of tests and practices. Along with magic, she was quizzed in academic subjects as well. Derrick helped her whenever he came back from a case. Chips reviewed her in computer technology. All the System’s agents aided her, and even Shannon suggested she train to be a Senior Detective soon.
It may have taken a while, but her mother assured Ariana it would be for the better. Knowledge has more power then all the magic in both worlds combined. She caught on quickly, even volunteering to take all five Ancient Mystic Tests at once – no one knew what to expect from her!
Inside however, Ariana was still feeling heartbroken. She barely saw Derrick, so her thoughts turned to Mark.
Where was he right now? What was he doing? Did he forget about her already?
Ariana was beginning to tire of the nonsense. She loved both Derrick and Mark dearly, and didn’t want to hurt either one. They were both too fragile to her.
One night, Ariana was coming back from her last class, and she could tell she would again be alone: Luna was out with Shadow for the evening.
She sleepily punched in her numerical code into the panel when she heard footsteps behind her.
She looked over her shoulder more than once, seeing nothing but the end of the corridor. Her eyes blurred, she was so tired.
Her ears were alert in no time, and she heard the footsteps again. They were getting closer and closer.
Ariana's heart pumped and she held her breath in order not to scream out loud. She stood still, listening with attentive ears.
Finally, as quickly as they had started, they stopped.
When she turned around this time, she was face to face with none other than Mark Grey!
“Mark! You scared me!” Ariana replied, her heart beating a little faster. Not because of fear, she noted. Her heart always fluttered around him. “What are you doing here?”
“I didn’t mean to scare you, Ariana, but I just had to see you again.” Mark told her, whispering. “May I come in for a few?”
Ariana swallowed hard. “Sure. Close your eyes while I key us in.” She punched her code and quickly, she let them inside, shutting the door. “Have a seat.”
Mark found the balcony instead, and decided to look out at the night sky. Ariana followed.
“Like the view?” She asked, standing next to him made her pulse race.
He hung over the rail and looked up at the stars. “Beautiful.” He turned to meet her tender eyes. “But not half as beautiful as you.”
Ariana blushed, not knowing what to say. She didn’t have a chance to reply when Mark embraced her in a long, soothing kiss.
Oddly enough, she liked it, and kissed him back.
That’s when Derrick came into her thoughts, making her push him away.
“I’m sorry, Mark.” Ariana replied, turning away from his hurt eyes with tears brimming in her own. “I have Derrick, remember?”
“Yes, I remember.” Mark said solemnly. “I – I apologize, too. I shouldn’t have done it, but I couldn’t help my feelings for you. I missed you so much; I had to see you again.” He rubbed her arms from behind her back.
Ariana turned, tears in her eyes. “Oh, Mark, I’m so confused.” She sobbed into his chest. “I do love you, but I also love Derrick.”
Mark led her to the bed and sat her down. He grabbed a tissue for her, and waited while she dried her eyes. Softly, he regretted. “I shouldn’t have come.”
Ariana looked at him, her eyes puffy, but fine. “Oh, no Mark. I didn’t say that.”
“I just confused things more for you.” Mark said. “I just wanted to see you again, and here I am, complicating things for you.”
Ariana sighed. “You can stay, but I’ll have to ask Luna to take you to Shannon’s office to settle in.”
“Why can’t you?” Mark asked. He really wanted her to spend some time with him.
He remembered Shannon's previous orders to keep himself secret. If she knew he reunited with Ariana, he'd be in deep trouble.
“I still have a lot of tests to take. That’s why my sisters, mother, and I are here.” Ariana told him. She finally noticed the necklace and smiled. “I’m glad you’re wearing it, Mark.”
“For me, it’s a token of love, not just of friendship.” Mark replied, kissing her again. This time, she didn’t protest. They parted. “I love you Ariana, and wish you’d be able to love me back someday.”
They kissed again.

At that moment, Luna barged in. She gasped when she saw Mark.
“Mark! What are you doing here?” She made it sound like a mortal sin for him to be at the System.
“I came to visit, but only made things worse.” Mark didn’t look away from Ariana’s glance.
“I’ll say.” Luna said. “Wait until Derrick finds out – he’ll freak!”
Ariana stood and faced her sister. “Please, don’t tell him. He can’t know about Mark being here. Not yet.”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Luna folded her arms.
Ariana started to tear up again. “He just can’t, okay? Promise me you won’t tell him.”
Luna saw her sister was serious, and realized how much this meant to her. She hugged her, whispering in Ariana’s ear. “I promise.”
“Thank you, Luna.” Ariana whispered back.
The girls stepped back. “Well, what should we do about him?” Luna asked.
“I was hoping you’d like to take him to Shannon’s office.” Ariana replied. “You know, get him secretly settled.”
She noticed her twin was finally wearing her Dream Locket around her neck. She kept silent.
Luna hesitated. She was hoping Ariana would do it, but understood, so she nodded. “Come on, Mark. I’ll show you to the Boss’ office.”
Mark kissed both girls on the cheek. “You won’t regret this, you know.”
“I hope not.” Ariana muttered, watching as the two of them left.
She sighed.
Now that Mark was here, it was going to be harder to concentrate on her studies.
She just wished Sabrina didn’t interfere.

II

Derrick was in the middle of studying for a test when he felt it.
He felt Ariana's love like a shot, only he had a feeling it wasn't only for him. He thought back to earlier that day, when he'd detected a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She'd barely looked at him as they'd said goodbye, and he was sorry he didn't say anything about it sooner.
He'd run into Shane "Shadow" earlier in the week, when he first arrived. Shadow had told him what to expect, and both Earthly Protectors were belated to be with their loves again.
Only this time, he could feel her heart torn in two. Could she still hold feelings for her best friend? Was Aaron the one he had to compete against for her heart? He grasped his Pendant, hoping his own intuition was wrong about that.
He didn't want to chance losing her for anything in the world. Especially after they'd gone through so much together over the last four years.
Shaking his head, Derrick looked back to his homework and decided it was a lost cause. Time to take a walk back down to Paradise Peak. Somehow, he needed to think. 
Chapter Thirty-Six
Luna’s Secret Companion

Luna led Mark to Shannon’s office in silence. She saw something shiny around his neck. Luna reached for it, handling it. Mark noticed and looked at her suspiciously.
“Ariana gave that to me.” Mark replied.
Well, duh. A voice not her own purred in her head.
Was she hearing things?
Luna looked into his eyes, ignoring the voice. “I know.”
“She told you?” Mark asked.
“No. I found out on my own.” Luna told him.
Liar, you just guessed, and you know it. It was the voice again. This time, it was more outspoken, getting braver with each time it spoke.
“Oh, okay.” Mark was nervous, not knowing what to say. Was it because she looked so much like Ariana?
Boy, is this one a loser? The voice rang, as Luna read his thoughts.
Whoever’s there, I’ll deal with you in a minute. Luna thought back sharply.
Whatever you say, Grand Magus. The voice was serious and silenced.
“Are you okay, Lu?” Mark’s voice was concerned for her silence.
Luna turned to him and nodded. “Sure, Mark. We’re almost there, anyway.”
“Good.” Mark said, preoccupied.
They arrived at Shannon’s office, and Luna told her cousin what had to be done with him.
Shannon agreed, and Luna left, in a daze. She headed back to Fourth-Floor without stopping.
All right, you cheeky voice. Come out and confess – who are you? Luna’s thoughts rang out strongly, and the voice was more than eager to give her opinion.
The name is Kitten's