Libra Ascending: An Epic Urban Fantasy Romance (Zodiac Guardians Book 1) by Tamar Sloan (adult books to read .TXT) 📗

brick and mortar on the outside, and polished dark wood on the inside. It made for a very cold and dark childhood.

The instant she rounds the corner, she nearly crashes right into Marie, who’s been waiting in the hall for her with arms crossed and hip swayed to one side.

“For your information, I don’t snore,” Marie says, eyes narrowed at her.

“I’m confused. Did you want me to cover for you or not?” Brielle never can keep the sarcasm from slipping out. It’s her defense mechanism against always telling the truth. “Because I’m pretty sure that without that comment, you’d be in massive trouble right now.”

Marie steps closer and lowers her voice. “What I don’t understand is how you always know these things. You shouldn’t have to cover for me. I know that no one told you about the wine because I didn’t even tell anyone, and I highly doubt a goody-two-shoes like you was out of bed after hours. So how do you always know?”

Brielle avoids the question. That’s her specialty. “So you want me not to cover for you from now on? Got it.” She walks around Marie, hoping to escape any further conversation.

But Marie’s hand shoots out and grips tightly around Brielle’s upper arm, locking her in place. “You’re a freak,” she hisses. “And if Sister Agatha accuses me again, of anything, I’ll make your life here a living hell.”

Brielle jerks her arm free of Marie’s clutches. She knows she needs to get back to her room and get ready for school...but that itch in the pit of her stomach is demanding to be scratched. She may have covered for Marie, but she can’t stand keeping this guilt completely to herself. Maybe if Marie confesses, the guilt will dissolve.

Lowering her own voice as well, Brielle whispers, “You’ll feel better if you tell Sister Agatha yourself.”

Marie looks at Brielle as if she thinks she’s insane.

“Seriously, I know you feel bad about it,” Brielle continues. “Tell her it was an accident. Tell her your boyfriend pressured you into it.” The more Brielle speaks, the less the guilt nags at her.

Marie gasps. “You really are stupid. Trying to steal a few sips of wine from Communion is one thing, but Sister Agatha would burn me at the stake for sneaking a boy in! I swear, if she ever finds out, you’ll be sorry!” And with that, Marie storms away down the hall toward the cafeteria.

Oddly enough, Brielle’s guilt is totally gone. She didn’t confess to the person to whom it mattered, but maybe just saying it out loud is the key.

Either way, she’s even more desperate now to be on her best behavior with the Pierces this afternoon. She hates this place. Marie just voiced what all the others think: she’s a freak.

She can’t ever let the Pierces find out about her visions. She wants a family. She wants a home.

And she’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

2

Tristan

“First day.” Tess’s bright voice spears through the fog of sleep blissfully wrapped around Tristan.

He rolls over, groaning. The fact she’s his adoptive mother means he didn’t inherit her morning cheer. “Which one is this, again?”

A new school every few months makes it hard to keep up. It seems like he just gets used to the bed in whatever place they’re in and he’s in a new one.

“Mirror Point, remember? In New York.” Tess enters his room, placing a stack of clean clothes on his dresser. “I reckon the name is a good omen. Mirrors, Geminis, both reflections of each other and all that.”

Footsteps thud past the open door. “You said that about Star Passe,” Zarius calls out as he continues to the kitchen.

Tristan hauls the covers over his head. “And Twin Buttes,” he mutters loud enough to be heard.

“Stop it, you two,” Tess admonishes, the smile apparent in her voice. “It’s important to be optimistic.”

Because they haven’t found anything that resembles a clue that other Zodiac Heirs exist. That any of them actually made it to Earth.

But Tristan doesn’t say it aloud. The last time he said something along those lines, the edges of Tess’s smile had wilted.

Over the years, Zarius has gotten frustrated, slamming suitcases shut as they packed to move to the next city or town. Tristan has become impatient, knowing they’re going to run out of time eventually.

But Tess has never lost hope. “Fate brought Zarius and I together so we could raise and love you. Fate will bring us the other Heirs,” she’s always said calmly.

But the recent flicker of light in her eyes had been far more concerning than the dead ends or stones that refuse to glow, no matter how many hands they put them in.

Tess is worried.

And that’s never happened before.

Tristan pushes himself to a sitting position, the covers falling to his waist. “Fate had better hurry up or I’m going to kick its ass.”

Tess grins. “I’ve seen your new moves, but I’d put my money on fate.” She heads to the door. “Breakfast in ten. You don’t want to be late.”

Tristan flops back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. This is one of the nicer places they’ve stayed at. The paint isn’t peeling. You can’t hear the neighbors through the walls. It’s actually a house and not an apartment. And it’s not because they can’t afford it. The pod Tristan arrived in was loaded with precious metals and gems. If they wanted, they could live off the radar the rest of their days.

But they can’t.

They have twelve other Zodiac Heirs to find, considering two are Gemini twins. The Universe depends on it.

So they move from one place to another, taking whatever accommodation is easy and convenient. Searching. Hoping.

So far failing.

The sweet smell of hot sugar has Tristan hauling himself out of bed. Tess always makes waffles on the first day of school. She says it’s so he can start on a positive note. Throwing on a shirt, Tristan heads for the stairs. First days no longer make him