The sun was still high in the sky when Josie found herself standing outside the steps leading up to the library’s entrance. It was the end of summer; late afternoon, but not yet dark, and though she’d been walking around for the better part of an hour, there was still plenty of daylight left.

  Fists clenched at her sides, she considered her options: denial was good. She’d held steadfast to denial for years, pretending not to feel the prickle at the back of her neck, pretending not to know what crept through the dark, that she was among the few that could stop them.

  Or she could face it head on, tell the Guild once and for all to go fuck themselves. After all, what gave them the right to dictate what she did with her one, precious life? Why did they dog her every step, haunt her every moment, trespass on her future without care?

  Incredulous anger pumped through her, blurring the edges of her thoughts until she was striding purposefully up the front steps. It took all her resistance not to kick open the door. As it was, she slammed both palms into the front so that the glass set into the wood trembled, and the door handle slammed into the opposite wall.

  Despite the violence of her entrance, the strange man appeared unbothered, sitting behind the desk right where she’d left him when Josie turned towards it.

  “Is there something you needed after all, Ms. Powers?” said the man, his tone every bit as cool as his neutral expression.

  So, there would be no more pretending. He was one of them after all, part of the Guild.

  “You heard about the dead body, then?” the man lifted his brows.

  “Yes,” said Josie through gritted teeth, “I heard about the fucking body.”

  “You know what this means, don’t you?”

  Bristling, Josie took a step towards him. “Oh, I don’t know. Southern California’s a dangerous place.”

  “Don’t be purposefully obtuse.”

  “Purposefully ob– Hey, you listen to me! I didn’t move here to hunt…” She cast a furtive look around, but the room was as empty as it had been when she’d walked in. “I moved here to go to college, ok, mister Guardian? I’m just a college student, whatever else the Guild might have told you.”

  “And what do you think brought you here, Ms. Powers?” asked the man.

  The condescendingly patient look on his face threatened to send her crawling up the walls.

  “An extremely lax GPA requirement?”

  Meeting her eyes, the man reached below his desk and pulled out a pile of… brochures? Josie recognized them as the very same paraphernalia that’d arrived in her mailbox in L.A., when she’d been applying to colleges all over Southern California to no avail. Sunsweet had been the last option, and the only place to accept her enrollment application.

  “We’ve been waiting for you for some time. Ms Powers,” said the man. “We’ve been patient, but matters have… Ah, simply put, we have no more time, or patience, to spare. You must return to your destiny.”

  Josie’s gaze flickered from the brochures to the man’s face and back again, realisation dawning cold and ugly. “You… You… Arranged for this?”

  “Not me exactly,” said the Guardian. “But the Guild is responsible for your enrollment next door, yes.”

  Josie’s chest heaved, the air burning in her lungs. Disbelief was a cloud, calling her back, but it was empty and pointless. They’d always known where she was. They’d never given up. The time she thought she’d escaped had been nothing more than a mirage, a dream, and now she was being shaken awake.

  “You can’t make me do this.” said Josie, quiet but firm. “I won’t.”

  “You’re the Blade,” the man reminded her. “This isn’t a job you can just quit.”

  “Yes it is!” Josie knew she was shouting, but she couldn’t stop herself. Delirious panic made her dizzy. “Yes, it is a job I can quit! I never asked to be the Blade, to give up my entire youth – my future – to fight vampires and demons! Why won’t you people just leave me alone!?”

  “Because you are the Blade!” the man shouted back, exasperation in every syllable. “And the world needs you!”

  “No.” Josie took a step back, and another. “I’m not the Blade. I’m just a college student.”

  And she ran, letting the door of the library slam, hard, behind her.

  Upstairs, partially hidden behind one of the towering bookshelves in the back, Andrew used the burst of noise to slip, unseen, out of the upstairs exit.

  ***

  The Guardian caught up with Josie a block or so away, easily keeping pace with her hurried stride.

  “The boy that was killed,” he said, wasting no time in diving back into their argument. “He may rise again.”

  Josie cut him a sideways glare, “And? Why should I care?” But she did care. A deep current of unease wound through her, and guilt was swimming in it. “Besides,” she added with a sigh, “They wouldn’t have left him in the gym if they intended to turn him. Vampires usually keep their projects close.”

  “Unless the vampire in question intended to set a predator in a field of easy prey,” argued the Guardian.

  “Why the hell would they do that?”

  The man stopped and, despite herself, Josie stopped too. They stood together on the empty sidewalk, the early summer evening sun haloing the man’s sandy hair with threads of gold.

  “A Black Portal lies beneath this city,” said the man, his face serious. “You know what that is, don’t you?”

  Of course she knew what it was. When she’d had the title of Blade thrust upon her, Josie had been obligated to learn about the shadow world alongside their own, the one she was protecting the mortals from ever having to acknowledge, to see.

  “Yeah,” she sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Yeah, I know what it is.”

  A Black Portal was a center of energy that manifested in certain areas. It not only made magic easier to wield, but also attracted Otherlanders – that is, anything that came from the Under realm. It was thought to be a thinning of veils, a geographical location where stepping between realms was made easier, especially during certain astrological events.

  Los Angeles hadn’t had one – the Otherlander population wasn’t exactly booming, allowing enough down time for Josie’s job to be more security than hunter. Enough time for her to grow lax on her training, and inadvertently get her Guardian maimed to the point that he quit the Guild. That failure still stung, reminding her of why she’d given up being the Blade in the first place.

  “Then you know how serious the world’s need for you is,” said the man, his voice soft, as if he could convince her any other way than brute force.

  “I can’t,” she returned, shaking her head stubbornly. “Things that go bump in the night aren't my problem anymore.”

  “Protecting mortal kind from Otherlander’s never stopped being your problem!” hissed the Guardian. “You’re the Blade! In all the world, there are only a handful of chosen that can–”

  Josie had heard this speech before. She knew it by heart, so she cut him off before he could shove it any further down her throat. “Protect the world from the devastation of evil Otherlanders. Only one, chosen, with the skills and power to overcome the monsters that crawl out from the Underworld. Blah, blah, blah. Been there, done that, and I’m moving on. I’ve moved on.”

  “Ms. Powers,” said the Guardian, an imploring note to his tone. “I’ve been sent here to look after you, to prepare you–”

  “Prepare me for what?!” snapped Josie. What are you going to prepare me for, Guardian? Are you going to prepare me to lose my friends? To spend my life fighting for survival? To watch everyone I care about die, and probably right in front of me?” She paused, but not long enough to give him a chance to respond. Cocking her head, she asked, rather pointedly, “Did you know I got my first Guardian’s arm ripped off?”

  The thinning of the man’s lips told him that he had heard. She barked a humorless laugh, wondering if he’d been sent to Sunsweet against her will, if he’d begged for a different charge.

  “Look,” said Josie. “I’m not your girl, okay? Tell them to send you to San Francisco, or something. I heard the chick that fights vamps up there is excellent.”

  “Ms. Powers –”

  And this time there was a strain to the way he said her name. Her name, which she hadn’t given him, which he’d already known. Irritation flickered through her. “My answer won’t change, no matter how many times you say my name. I’m retired.”

  “Blades don’t retire–”

  “Then I’ll be the first.”

  She started to walk away again, still with her arms over her chest, quietly beginning to seethe. What gave them the right? She was twenty-two for fuck’s sake! Hadn’t she given enough to the cause?

  Josie swung around again, propelled by that thought. “You know what?” And she jerked the teddy bear backpack from around her shoulders, yanking the zipper open – a little too roughly, she felt kind of bad – to delve her hand inside. She pulled out the stake that Andrew had returned to her and thrust it, blunt end first, in the Guardian’s direction.

  “Here. Why don’t you kill them all?”

  He didn’t take it. Didn’t even give it more than a cursory glance before returning his intent focus to Josie’s face, meeting her unwavering gaze with one of his own.

  “Guardian’s guard,” he said, “Blades hunt. Blades kill. It is the way. It has always been the way.”

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  A long silence stretched between them, Josie stubbornly holding the stake out. She thought, I could do this all night, with my God’s given superior strength and all, but she said nothing.

  Finally, the man sighed. It was starting to get dark, the sky burning blue and pink behind his head. He glanced up at the drifting clouds, and then returned his focus to Josie, his serious expression tightening around the edges.

  “It’s getting worse. There have been an inordinate amount of supernatural occurrences taking place here since before the summer, increasing–” He cut himself off, wiped a hand down his face. When his fingers slipped away, he looked more tired than before.

  Josie’s heart gave a twinge of sympathy, and she lowered her arm, letting the stake hang there at her side.

  “Something’s coming,” continued the Guardian. “Something… I don’t know what, but I can feel it.”

  Guardian’s, like Blades, seemed to have a sort of sixth sense for danger and magic. Apprehension chilled Josie’s blood, but she made no reply.

  “In addition–I’ve been doing some research. Astrologically speaking, though the entries are vague… Something big is headed our way. Something evil.”

  Josie snorted. “You sound straight out of a comic book.”

  She had some sympathy for his situation, but denial was a comfort she would not soon abandon and, looking around, she couldn’t help but laugh a little. It was a warm, beautiful night, the soft breeze moving through the silhouettes of the tall, thin palm trees lining the street. She gestured around at the very air, the beautiful houses with their neat lawns. One of them even had a tire swing hanging from a tree. “I don’t see any evil around here, do you?”

  ***

  Deep underground, in a cavern lit by hundreds of weeping candles, a vampire kneeled before a pool of dark water.

  “He will rise,” hissed the Otherlander.

  The surface of which rippled despite the lack of air flow. His voice was deep, rumbling, and hollow, like a rotting tree. Other vampires, packed into the cavern, swayed toward him, some carrying torches. The hems of their long coats swept the packed dirt floor, their hungry gaze fixed to the water, as his gaze was fixed.

  All of them served the Oldest, all of them bending at his will, and they had been waiting for a very long time.

  “He will rise!”

  The vampire’s voice rose, ricocheting off the stone walls. Dust broke from the earthen ceiling, raining down on his head. His gaze found his master across the room, half absorbed by the shadows. “He will rise!” He called again, wide, fleshy lips splitting over sharp teeth. “And the realm of mortals will bleed!”

  ***

  Josie tried not to think about the Guardian and his cryptic messages while she got ready to go out. She ignored the pang of guilt as she pinned up her long, pale hair, dusted glitter over the freckles on her nose, and retrieved a pair of purple leather pants from the back of her closet, quickly tying up the front laces. But even as she wiggled into the black velvet bustier rescued from a plastic hanger, slipped on a pair of high heeled boots, and snapped bat-shaped hair clips into her hair, she couldn’t help but think of his serious expression.

  “Where are you off to tonight?” Gillian asked when Josie came down the stairs to find her singing to Fleetwood Mac in the kitchen.

  “Cups & Coins,” said Josie, tossing a few loose strands of hair off her shoulder as she grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl on the counter and worked open the peel. “I haven’t been yet, figured I’d check it out.”

  She’d passed the spot more than once, usually during the day when it was closed, and had made a mental note to check it out at some point. She’d heard that they did live shows sometimes, which sounded cool and kind of reminded her of her old neighborhood back in L.A.

  A fierce pang of homesickness seized her suddenly, gripping her heart with violent force. She took a bite of banana to mask it as her mom said, “Don’t stay out too late, okay? I don’t want you getting kidnapped and molested.”

  Josie snorted, then took another bite. Dangerous mortal men were the least of her concerns. If what the Guardian said was true and Sunsweet came with a Black Portal roosting underneath it, then the supernatural threat roaming the streets far outweighed anything a mortal could do.

  “I’m serious, Josie!” said her mom, playfully smacking her with the dish towel she had thrown over one shoulder.

  “I’ll be safe, mom, promise.”

  Still, she ran back upstairs to grab a stake before heading out.

  It wasn’t a far walk into the business district, where all the shops, cafes, and restaurants lined the street, blinking with happy after-dark light. She could have taken a bus, but her anxious energy wouldn’t allow for the act of sitting still for too long, and so she had walked the whole way, out of the dark suburban streets and into Sunsweet’s nightlife.

  Across the street, Josie could see the sign for the nightclub, and with her superior hearing, she could even hear the dance music that poured out of the door and through the dark windows. Fighting a grin, Josie nudged the walk button with her elbow and waited as cars drove past and a knot of people waiting to cross gathered at her back.

  This was just what she needed, she thought, as she watched other twenty-somethings streaming out of the club, a night to remind herself that she wasn’t beholden to anyone, that her life was her own, and that she was only twenty-two, too young by half for the weight of the world to be resting on her shoulders.

  It was as this thought was finishing that she felt it: a prickle at the back of her neck, the fine hairs on her arms lifting in warning, as if the air had become static.

  Stiffening, Josie took a subtle look around, but there was no one on either side of her that triggered her unease, just an old man in a cardigan and a teenage boy wearing a gigantic pair of headphones. She could hear the Sum 41 coming through the oversized ear covers.

  The WALK sign lit up across the street and Josie fell back, letting the crowd surge around her until she felt… Someone had not moved on with the others. Someone lingered behind her, and when Josie moved to join the crowd, the heels of her boots striking the road, she felt that someone follow.

  Once across, Josie made a sharp right turn, leading her pursuer away from the main thoroughfare of Sunsweet’s business district, back in the direction of a city park and a cemetery. Without trying, she could hear the soft thunk of his following steps, the wind as it caressed the palm trees lining the sidewalk, the music coming from someone’s car radio as they passed a pick-up truck with the door half open.

  As she passed a few houses with bright yellow windows, Josie wished that she’d taken the time to get to know the layout of the city better. She had only a vague idea of where she was going, and when she spotted an alleyway up ahead, Josie quickened her pace.

  Her pursuer quickened theirs, as well.

  Shit, she thought, her heart beginning to pick up speed, too. Shit, shit, shit.

  The mouth of the alley loomed up ahead. There was a house on either side, both dark, and the cars lining the street outside were dark, too. That was good; the less people around to witness her take out whatever was following her, the better.

  Josie put on a final burst of speed, no longer caring if her pursuer knew that he’d been found out. She tore through the darkness at a speed no mortal could match, taking in every possible advantage and disadvantage: the dumpster overflowing with trash, which she could hide behind, an old rolling desk chair, and a pile of poorly cut wood, both of which could be used as makeshift weapons – either by her, or a would-be attacker.

  Finally, at the end of the alley, Josie jerked her head left and right. The streetlights were out and the houses were silent, and she could hear someone’s heavy footsteps as they ran to catch up with her.

  So, with little choice left, Josie threw herself at the back of the right house, seized the edge of the roof, and hauled herself up and over, then crouched, ignoring the burn in her palms from where the roof tiles had scratched her.

  She didn’t have long to wait. Seconds later, a man burst into view, his long arms hanging at his sides as he searched the alleyway for her. A mortal would have seen only darkness, outlined by a distant flare of traffic light as a car drove by, but Josie was no ordinary mortal. With the gifts of the Blade, she could see the sharp planes of the man’s face, his short cropped hair, the hem of his long coat, and the curl of a full, pretty mouth when he frowned.

  Slowly, Josie rose from her crouch, glaring down at the top of the man’s head. He hadn’t thought to look up, and so he didn’t see her when she leapt down from above and kicked him in the chest.

  “Ah!”

  The man shouted in surprise as he hit the ground, but when he looked up to find Josie towering over him, a stake in one hand, he only chuckled, reaching up to massage the area she’d struck. “Uh, wow, you are strong.” He shifted and began to sit up, but froze again when Josie hefted the stake higher.

  “Woah–!” The stranger held up his hands but didn’t move any further. “I know what you’re thinking…” His gaze slid to the stake, then back to Josie as he added, “But I don’t bite.”

  So, not a vampire, then.

  Josie gave the not-a-vampire a quick once over; he was handsome, she had to admit. Tall and broad, the sharp lines of his face lending him high, sharp cheekbones,a broad jaw. He had a short crop of jet black hair that was messier and thicker on top than on the sides, and he wore simple, though off-season clothing – dark jeans, a black top underneath a black duster.

  Josie’s lip curled, but she did lower the stake long enough to allow the not-vampire to get to his feet.

  “Why are you following me, asshole?”

  The man rubbed at his chest some more, frowning at her. He was even taller than she’d assumed, towering over her in a way that made her stomach flutter a little, though he kept his distance, eyeing her warily.

  “I thought you’d be bigger,” he grumbled to himself. “But fuck, you are strong.”

  Understanding crept at the edges of her mind. She thought of the librarian, his serious face flashing through her mind. Was this another Guardian? Had the Guild fired the last because he’d failed to entice her into hunting demons for them?

  Well, she had to admit – this one was a little nicer on the eyes. She wondered if they’d sent someone handsome on purpose, hoping to take advantage of a girl’s weakness for cute boys.

  Well, she thought irritably, not this girl.

  “What do you want?” She snapped.

  “The same thing you want, Blade,” said the stranger.

  So, another Guardian, then.

  “What is it you think I want, then?” She wondered distantly how many Guardian’s they’d send for her, how long it would take them to give up.

  “To kill them?” said the man, in a tone that suggested Josie was being dense.

  “Ohhh, so close!” snarked Josie. “They really should send you guys with some better lines.”

  That face again – a scrunch of his forehead as he surveyed her. It wasn’t disapproval, at least, but Josie didn’t like the bewilderment any more. It made her feel like she should explain herself, when what she wanted to do was go drink vodka sodas and dance.

  “I want to be left alone,” said Josie, stowing the stake back into her purse and crossing her arms. She started to pace a little, scowling at the toes of her boots as she said, “I want you people to stop following me around.”

  “Is that really what you want?”

  The knowing tone to his voice irked her, fueling the frustration that’d been brewing in her belly since her run-in with the Guardian at the library. She spun around, and the sight of him smirking smugly at her had her clenching her jaw. Annoyingly, it lent an arrogant attraction to his sculpted face. Josie buried the temptation to smack it off.

  “Do you think that’s even an option anymore?”

  He was all business now, his expression dark, almost broody as he added, “This city sits on top of Hell, and the demons are about to crack it open and wreak havoc on this realm.”

  “Wow, dramatic much?” Josie interrupted.

  He went on, as if she hadn’t spoken. “Are you telling me you’re planning on turning tail and running, Blade?” A lift of his dark brows.

  Bristling, Josie didn’t respond. She didn’t know how. And when she didn’t break the silence, it grew, until the stranger slipped his hand into his coat and pulled out a slim, dark box.

  “Here, at least take this.” He gave it a toss in her direction.

  Josie caught it, mid-air, asking, “What is it?” But when she looked up again, the man was gone.

  Dramatic indeed, she thought, snapping open the box lid.

  Nestled inside was a slim silver chain, and hanging off its end was the sign of Vette. Josie paused at seeing it. She’d never been a big fan of the Goddess’ symbol – a vertical line with two smaller, horizontal lines branching from the top, like an odd, slightly crooked capital letter ‘F.’ Still, she couldn’t deny the sing of magic that seemed to emulate from the heavy charm; like a soft, vibratic buzzing. It was said to give its wielder certain protections against vampires, working similarly to how mortals thought garlic and the cross worked. A genuine Goddess-blessed symbol could burn a vampire’s flesh.

  As she closed the lid of the box over the symbol and dropped it into her bag, Josie thought about what the not-librarian had said about something coming, some evil lurking in the shadows, waiting. And now a second Guardian, gifting her with Vette’s protection. The unease she’d been fighting grew, like ivy, climbing the walls of her resolve.