Chapter Two
Amy sat on her childhood bed with her feet up over the headboard. She rested her toes on the stupid unicorn poster still taped to the wall. On a Saturday, just after lunch, she had nothing to do except brood over her lack of a job and the indignity of moving back in with her mother after four years of freedom at college.
“Why did I think this poster was cute?” she muttered, frowning at the stupid grin on the unicorn’s face. “Even irony can’t cover this amount of glitter.” She tilted her head. “I should take this thing down.” She’d removed a few of the other posters she’d loved as a young teen. The tape spots on the walls were better than the pictures. She couldn’t handle the boy band she’d obsessed over just a few years ago staring down at her while she tried to sleep. And the silly inspirational posters she’d put up in fifth grade just made her roll her eyes. Those went in the trash. She’d carefully salvaged the small poster of the Sentries she’d had on the back of her door and pressed it between the pages of her old diary. She’d had an awful crush on Bruno Day a few years ago, not that she’d ever really admitted it to herself. Too embarrassing. The photos of her and her dad, though… She’d left those up. She missed him too much to ever take them down.
Maybe I can get a bulletin board for the pics of my dad. And I can repaint this place in a nice, soothing green. Or maybe cream. The pink walls hurt her eyes. She snorted. She’d never had time to redecorate when she’d come home for visits in college. Now she was stuck with her little girl’s room until she managed to secure a reasonable income and move out. She thought about the student loans looming over her head. Getting my own apartment could take a very long time. Ugh.
She tilted her head the other direction as her hand absently went to the delicate chain around her neck. She wrapped her fingers around the silver ring dangling between her breasts. She couldn’t bring herself to put it on her finger. It belonged to her best friend, Saige, who’d given it to Amy to keep her safe. Amy frowned, thinking about Saige and her new guy, Sentry Isaac Dawn. Never in a million years did she think Saige would hook up with one of the mysterious Sentries, let alone elope with him. And never in another million years did she think the ring meant for Saige would be in her possession. The entire situation made her feel weird. Wrong. It wasn’t her ring. She shouldn’t be wearing it around her neck, and definitely wouldn’t ever put it on her finger.
“I need to give this back to her,” Amy said under her breath, for maybe the thousandth time. The last time she’d tried to return it, Saige wouldn’t take it back. She knew why. Saige knew that Amy still had nightmares about her father dying in an embassy on the other side of the world, and she didn’t have the heart to tell her best friend that one little ring wasn’t going to help her sleep any better. She squeezed the metal tightly. The weird buzz it emanated felt as strange as ever, but she’d gotten used to it over the past few weeks. She didn’t jump anymore when she pressed her fingertips to it. Let it go, she told herself, and then her thoughts strayed to her father’s death.
“Dad did his duty,” she murmured, nodding. She’d do her duty, too, and give Saige back the ring that was supposed to be on her finger. Her best friend was a Sentry now. She had responsibilities, and this ring was a symbol of those things. If there was one thing Amy understood, it was duty. “As soon as she answers her phone again, I’ll insist on giving it back to her.”
For some reason, her best friend hadn’t responded to her texts lately. Oh, she knew Saige had told her she’d be out of range for a while, but that was weeks ago. Surely Saige should’ve come home from her honeymoon by now, right? Just because they’d eloped didn’t—
Squeals from the living room cut into her train of thought. She looked at her closed door, confused. She let the ring fall, then tucked it under her pajama shirt. What on Earth? She stood up when the squeals got louder instead of quieter. Her mom had friends over for lunch, and while they sometimes got a bit raucous, they’d never been that loud before. What could have them so riled up on a Saturday? The knock on her door startled her.
“Amy?”
She padded over to the door. “Mom? What’s going on?”
Her mother stood in the hallway, visibly unsettled. She stared at Amy, a hint of excitement in the normally calm brown of her eyes. “You have a visitor.”
Amy stared at her, confused. “No one even knows I moved back in with you, yet, except for Saige, and she’s still off on her honeymoon.” She hadn’t told her high school friends about moving home, and her college friends had scattered back to their respective hometowns. Well, except for Saige, she reminded herself. Saige didn’t have a hometown. And no one I know would make my mom’s friends squeal like that.
“Someone knows you’re here,” her mother said, stepping back. She smoothed her shoulder length brown hair, looking uncharacteristically flustered. Amy’s mom never fidgeted.
Amy scowled, not sure she wanted to meet whoever had tracked her down. “I was in the middle of something.” She gestured to her bed.
Her mom raised her eyebrows, then looked over Amy’s shoulder at the rumpled covers. “That’s too bad.” Another round of squeals came from the living room. “Come on, before they eat him alive.” She reached out and grabbed Amy’s elbow.
“Him? Him who?” Amy asked, trying to wiggle out of her mother’s hold. Her mother’s fingers clamped around her arm like a pair of pliers.
“You never told me you know Sentry Bruno Day,” her mother said instead of answering Amy’s question. She towed her down the hall of their ranch house to the kitchen, which connected to the dining room. The living room lay just beyond the dining area. The agitated sounds of three women talking over each other came from the living room.
“Wait, what?” Amy asked, confused. “I don’t know Bruno Day.” She yanked her arm away, not caring that she might have left some flesh behind. She scowled at her mother.
“You don’t know him?” her mother asked. “Because he’s here, and he’s asking for you.”
Aghast, Amy stopped dead just as they reached the kitchen. Bruno Day? Here? Oh. My. God. Her stomach did a hard roll as she contemplated meeting the guy she’d been daydreaming about since high school. “No. That’s impossible. I still have my pajamas on,” she said, as if what she wore had anything to do with, well, anything. She tried to smooth out the wrinkles in her cotton superhero print pajamas. When that didn’t work, she rubbed at the finger shaped dents her mother had left in her arm. “Are you sure it’s him? Why would he be here?” she asked, even as she felt the smooth, cool surface of the silver ring swing between her breasts. She knew why he was here. Isaac must have convinced his brother to come get the ring from her.
Her mother rolled her eyes. “I have television, you know. And a smart phone. Everyone knows who he is, Amy.” She reached out again, but Amy dodged her hands.
“Mom! I can’t talk to him like this!” Amy hissed. She waved at herself, feeling panicky. She couldn’t meet Bruno Day for the first time dressed like a reject from a slumber party gone wrong. He’d never take her seriously. He’d take one look at her stupid outfit and wonder if maybe she belonged in kindergarten. Or a nursery school, she thought, dismayed.
“You look fine. A little rumpled, maybe.” Her mom smoothed the collar of her pajama top.
Amy swatted at her hands, and then froze. In that moment, she didn’t care what her mother tried to smooth down. She was too busy staring at the larger-than-life Sentry who’d quietly stepped into the kitchen. She gaped. Sentry Bruno Day looked her up and down with an inscrutable expression on his face. His eyes flicked down to her hips, then back up again to her face. The silver specks in his blue irises glittered distractingly. He didn’t smile.
Shit, shit, shit. That man could scare a gorilla into running away. Amy swallowed the hard lump in her throat, then straightened her spine. She had no intention of apologizing for her outfit to a guy who’d arrived at her house unannounced, no matter how much he made her insides quiver with longing. Or how powerful he is.
“Amy Roderick?” he said, moving closer. Her mother’s friends crowded behind him, like spectators at a daytime talk show.
Amy avoided the women’s avid looks. She’d be damned if she’d make eye contact with them. “Uh, yeah. Hey,” she stuttered like an idiot, giving Bruno a goofy little wave as her gaze skittered down his body. The man was just too fine, and in person, he looked even better than he did on screen. She flushed, thinking of the desktop background on her laptop. His face featured prominently on the display. She needed to change that photo, pronto. “I mean, yeah. That’s me.”
“You have something that belongs to my brother,” he said calmly, as though he made a habit of dropping in on random people’s lives. His dark pants and boots looked completely out of place against her mother’s cheerful yellow walls. The deep blue sweater he wore highlighted the color of his eyes in a way that Amy didn’t like to admit made her body ache. His low voice held exactly the kind of timbre she liked best in a man. “A ring, I believe,” he elaborated.
Amy tore her eyes from the Sentry’s defined pectoral muscles and forced herself to act like a grownup. Sentry Day’s unsettling gaze bored holes in her skull. She summoned her voice. “Um, technically, it belongs to Saige, but she won’t take it back.” Amy was already drawing the silver chain out from around her neck. She looped it over her head, then held it out to him, ring dangling at the end. “Here. Maybe you can get her to wear it. I haven’t had any luck, so far.” She sensed her mother staring at her in shock, along with her friends, but Amy didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with Bruno and her mom and the gossip gaggle at the same time. She hadn’t told her mom anything about the ring.
Focus on the Sentry. You can explain everything later, she told herself. She had a funny feeling that this meeting was going to be the start of something significant. Like indigestion. Or the continuation of my hopeless crush.
Bruno stepped towards her. Amy had to crane her neck to look him in the eyes. Jesus, he’s tall, she thought, flustered. And really, really built. Damn. Her gaze strayed back to his ridiculously muscular chest. He stood so close now she could flatten the palm of her hand against him if she wanted to. I bet he’s warm. And strong. She curled the fingers of her free hand into a fist. No touching the famous guy in the kitchen.
“Thank you, Amy.” He reached for the ring and necklace, then undid the clasp and slid the ring off of the chain. He tucked it into his pocket. He held the chain out to her.
Amy took it back as she licked suddenly dry lips. “Is Saige okay?” she asked. Her mother cleared her throat, but Amy ignored her. “I texted, but she hasn’t responded. I know they’re on their honeymoon, but it’s been weeks.” Her worry prompted her to speak when all she really wanted to do was run back to her room and hide under the covers of her bed in mortification. Bruno Day had seen her in her pajamas. She’d never live down the horror.
Bruno looked at her steadily, not giving any indication that he even noticed the cartoon characters on her clothing, or the other women observing their discussion. “She’s fine. She’s with Isaac.” A hint of a smile crossed his face. “She’s learning how to fly a starship.”
That pushed a laugh out of Amy. “He’s letting her pilot a starship? He’s obviously never been in a car while she drives.”
Unexpectedly, Bruno grinned. “Isaac likes to jump out of airplanes. Saige’s driving won’t faze him.”
Amy shook her head. “I’d like to say that I’m surprised they hooked up, but I can’t. They deserve each other. I’ve never seen her so happy.”
Bruno nodded, then glanced down at his watch and frowned.
He needs to leave, Amy realized, strangely disappointed. For some reason, she felt less embarrassed now. Maybe because he is nicer than I expected.
“Amy? Aren’t you going to introduce us?” her mother asked, poking her in the shoulder.
Amy rolled her eyes. “You already know who he is, remember? Or you wouldn’t have let him in the house.”
Her mother frowned. “You have better manners than this, Amy.”
Amy flushed, and gave in. If she didn’t, her mother would never forgive her. She gestured to her mother. “Sentry Bruno Day, this is my mother, Mary Roderick.” She glanced at the three women standing just outside the kitchen. “And my mom’s friends.” She frowned at the women. They ignored her, eyes on the Sentry. Amy shook her head and continued her introduction. “Bruno, this is my mom.”
He flashed Amy another one of his inscrutable looks, then turned to her mom. “Mary Roderick, the wife of the diplomat?”
Amy’s mother nodded, smile fading. “Yes.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Bruno said, his expression going into that weird neutral expression that important leaders seemed to put on when meeting new people. “I’m sorry for your loss. I know your husband died eight years ago, but I also know that some kinds of pain linger.”
Amy grimaced. She remembered her father’s face going blank like that. And she also remembered his death. Neither were good memories. She hated the blank expression, but understood why it could be important. Her father’s last day alive … not so much. He’d died for nothing useful except to make evil men feel triumphant. Bruno glanced at her, a glimmer of understanding in his gaze. She dropped her eyes. She wasn’t about to say anything to him about her discomfort with his mentioning her father’s death.
“It’s kind of you to stop by,” Amy’s mother said, a note of questioning in her tone.
She’s trying to figure out what the hell is going on with the ring thing. And why there is a powerful Sentry standing in her little house. Amy pressed her lips together. She’d never told her mother about the nightmares she’d had after her father died because her mother had enough nightmares of her own. And, too, her mom knew her best friend Saige had married a Sentry, but she didn’t know that her daughter had kept a ring that didn’t belong to her. Amy hadn’t wanted to get into it with her. Now, she had no choice. She scowled at Bruno.
Bruno stepped back as he let go of her mother’s hand. “Is there somewhere we can talk, Amy?” he asked her unexpectedly. He didn’t answer her mother’s unspoken question.
Amy blinked, surprised. Talk? What could he possibly want to discuss with me? In private? She figured he’d be out of here the moment he’d retrieved his brother’s ring. “Um, sure.” Her thoughts about her father and the ring scattered. “My room is that way.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. She glanced at her mom and shrugged her shoulders. Who was she to question a Sentry? Her mother frowned at her, but didn’t say a word as Amy led Bruno through the kitchen and down to her room. She’s totally going to grill me for details later, but at least I no longer have an audience of her besties tallying mental points about my conversational skills.
“Here we are,” she said to Bruno, opening the door. She spared an unhappy glance at the posters still adorning her wall, and then her gaze caught on the pictures of her father. That helped alleviate some of her embarrassment, at least until Bruno spoke.
“Your room is very pink,” he said mildly, following her inside.
“Give me a break.” Amy flushed. “I was only twelve when I picked the color.” She looked at the frilly white curtains on the windows. “I haven’t had a chance to redecorate since I’ve been home.”
Bruno nodded as he took the door from her hands and shut it quietly. He leaned back against the jamb, looking strangely at ease.
Amy inhaled as nerves danced in her gut. “You’re sure Saige is okay?” She couldn’t imagine what else he’d want to talk about with her.
“She’s fine.” Bruno glanced past her, eyes stopping on the window on the far wall for a moment, then landing on her messy bed. “I have something for you.”
If Amy didn’t know any better, she’d swear he was nervous. She twisted her hands together, wishing she’d at least straightened the comforter over her mattress this morning. “Something for me? I don’t understand.” She walked to her bed and sat down. She was nervous. I’m wearing pajamas and having a talk with Sentry Bruno Day in my bedroom while a unicorn poster stares down at us. My life makes no sense.
Instead of replying, Bruno walked over to her window. “You have a nice view.” He twitched the curtain slightly open.
Amy snorted. “Trees and grass. That’s about it.” She shrugged. “Could be worse. At least it’s not a view of the Parkway.”
“You can see the sky, too,” he said, fingers pushing aside her lace curtains. He sighed. “There are indeed worse things to stare at all day.”
Amy frowned, sensing he wasn’t really talking about the view from her mother’s house. “Are you okay?” she asked tentatively.
Bruno’s arm fell, and he strode to the bed. He squatted in front of her. “Like I said, I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver ring.
“The ring? But I just gave that to you,” Amy said, confused.
He shook his head. “No. This isn’t Isaac’s ring. This is mine.” He reached for her left hand. Before she could protest, he slid it onto her ring finger. It fit perfectly.
Amy jerked her hand from his grasp as the buzz of the metal zipped into her finger bones. “What the hell?” She stared down at the ring. It was heavy and shiny, and a small etched pattern repeated around its circumference. She brought it closer, squinting. That’s Earth, she thought, bemused. The other ring, Saige’s ring, had a carving of a pine tree on it. This one felt heavier. Warmer. It feels like it belongs to me, which is completely bizarre.
“It will keep you safe,” Bruno said.
Amy stared at him. “Are you crazy? We hardly know each other.” She closed her fingers around the ring. “I look like I’m married.” She tried to make herself take it off, but she didn’t really want to. She had a feeling that this ring was not at all ordinary.
His face closed down. “All the better.” He stood up.
What the hell does that even mean? Amy made herself slide it off towards her knuckle. This ring wasn’t hers. It didn’t belong to her any more than the other one had.
“No.” Bruno’s hands stopped her from taking it off. He sat down next to her on the bed and gently pushed it back on. “Please don’t remove it. I’m giving this to you, to keep you safe. It’s a shield ring.”
Amy tried to ignore the heat flashing through her. His left thigh pressed along her right leg like a brand. “I’m in danger?” Last she’d heard, there had been no recent Spider incursions on Earth.
Bruno shook his head. “Not exactly.” He still hadn’t let go of her hand.
“You’re not making any sense,” she said, disgruntled. His hand warmed hers, and she felt the tips of her nipples harden. Jesus, just sitting next to him is making me all hot and bothered. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her.
“If any Spiders come near you, the energy in the ring will expand and form a shield, protecting you from their corrosive exoskeletons.” His thumb rubbed circles against her knuckles.
“Is that what that buzzy feeling is? The ring has some kind of energy cell?” Amy licked her lips. If he didn’t let go and move away, she wouldn’t be responsible for what she did next. Her gaze landed on his lips. They were full and soft looking.
“You can feel that?”
“Yes. Is that weird?” Amy asked. She met his gaze. They were sitting close enough that she could see the perfectly delineated silver shards that pierced his blue irises. They looked odd, but not cold. She liked them.
He nodded. “Yes. It is a bit unusual that you can sense the energy, but it’s nothing to be alarmed over. The rings are made from a specialized nano-alloy.” He slid his hand under hers and pressed their palms together. “Perhaps someone tinkered with your family’s DNA a long time ago. You can sense Sentry tech.”
Amy could hardly breathe. “What?”
Bruno smiled. “You could be part Sentry.”
“That makes no sense.” She leaned closer as his fingers tightened around hers. Is he going to kiss me? Her body heated up even more as his gaze darkened.
Bruno stared at her for a moment, and then he dropped her hand and stood up. “It is rare, but not impossible.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Would you consider yourself intuitive?”
Amy stared at him, disappointed. Her entire right side felt cold now that he was no longer pressed up against her. “Uh, no.” She’d thought he was going to kiss her, and he didn’t. Intuitive, she was not.
He shrugged. “You likely had a great-great grandparent somewhere who might have had some natural mutation, then. It’s not important.”
“Not important? I can feel your buzzy ring, and I don’t know what you’re doing here, Bruno,” she said. Amy didn’t want to piss him off, but seriously. He’d given off all the right vibes, and she was suddenly angry that it hadn’t amounted to anything. “What the hell?”
He stepped back. “I’m sorry.” He rubbed his eyes. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Join the club, she thought bitterly, but then she caught him staring at her again. “What? You don’t like my pjs?” She gripped the soft fabric. If she held on to herself tightly enough, she wouldn’t throw herself at him and beg for a freaking kiss, right? The metal of the ring bit into her finger, abruptly draining her anger. I’m overreacting, she realized. She took a deep breath. “Look—” she started, more mildly, but he interrupted her.
“On the contrary.” Bruno stepped closer and cupped her cheek. “I like them too much.” He leaned down. “I know you’re a serious and intelligent young woman, but the whimsy of your sleep clothes shows your sweetness, too.”
Amy froze, shocked by his words. His hand warmed hers, and he smelled like cinnamon. Heat flashed through her, but then Bruno stepped back again. He pivoted and headed for the door.
“Wait!”
He paused, looking back at her. His eyes burned blue fire, and Amy blinked, shaking her head. She was hallucinating now? She bit the inside of her cheek, hard, as she realized he was waiting for her to say something. The pain helped a little. “What am I supposed to do with this?” She brandished the ring.
“You’ll know if you ever need it,” he said cryptically, and then he opened her door and walked out of her room.