Read Online The Guardian Lineage by Seth Z. Herman - Free Book Online Page B

intimidating. “Watch your back, pal. Something might happen if you’re not careful.” The kid spit at Mike’s feet, pieces of nut mixed with saliva. Then he grabbed his girl and walked away.
    Mike inhaled. Very slowly. How often had Sensei Jon taught him about controlling his emotions, his anger… that technique had just saved this kid Zachariah from an enormous beatdown.
    â€œI cannot believe that guy,” Aaron seethed after the crowd of people started moving again. “Who does he think he is, anyway?”
    â€œThat’s Zachariah Zucker.” A girl came up from behind. She wore jeans and a white blouse. A knapsack was slung over her shoulder, and dirty blonde hair fell past her neck. “Steph,” she said as she extended a hand to Mike.
    Mike took her hand, then winced. Steph’s grip was surprisingly strong.
    â€œDo you always do that?”
    Steph smiled. “Only on first encounters.” She held his gaze for a second.
    Mike had a strong urge to say, “Uh, sorry, I’m taken,” but he figured that’d be too rude, even if the girl was clearly flirting with him. Like, who tried to break a guy’s hand the first time they shook? He wasn’t that arrogant when it came to his looks, but he could tell when a girl was coming on to him.
    Okay, fine, maybe I am that arrogant. Sue me.
    â€œZachariah’s in my Pyro class,” Steph said. “I don’t know who his girlfriend is, although they seem to be perfect for each other.”
    â€œAnnabella Frost,” Aaron said. “She’s a Cryo major, she’s with me in Math class. If Zachariah’s as stupid as she is, they are perfect for each other.”
    â€œSucked to be in History today, huh,” Steph said as they bounded up the stairs. “Don’t listen to Stockton. He doesn’t determine who you are.”
    â€œThank you, Oprah,” Aaron muttered from behind, probably a little louder than he meant to. The three guys broke into laughter, and even Steph smiled a bit, although her cheeks were red.
    â€œDon’t mind him, he’s socially challenged,” Mike said, throwing a thumb backwards. “What’s your major,” he asked, thinking he hadn’t noticed her in class.
    â€œMedicine, although I somehow got stuck in Pyro and Sparring for the first week. Been trying to transfer out since I got here. Seems there’s some politics involved.”
    â€œHow so?”
    Steph looked away. “Whatever, it’s fine.”
    Okaaaay , Mike thought. On a scale of one to the most awkward first conversation ever… Although, maybe she was pretty cute. Not that it was relevant to him, of course.
    â€œWhere are you from?” Mike asked.
    Steph sidestepped two students who were pushing and shoving on the stairwell. “Uh, moved around a lot.”
    â€œReally? Me too, where were you last?”
    At first Steph didn’t say anything, as if she was weighing whether to tell him or not. Then, “New York City.”
    â€œYeah? I was in Queens, for about a year or so. Love the city.”
    â€œMm hmm.” Steph stopped walking and looked at the ground, arms wrapped around her books, head tilted slightly. They were standing in the middle of the Greeting Hall, underneath the giant chandelier. “Listen, I’m over this way.” Steph motioned towards the girl’s staircase and smiled in a mischievous kind of way. “See you ‘round, kay?”
    â€œUm, yeah, sure,” Mike said, not really sure what to make of this three-second rendezvous.
    Steph winked. “Later, gorgeous.”
    And with that, she turned and left.
    Mike stared straight ahead, a slight grin spreading on his face. See? Reasons to be arrogant. What did I tell you?
    â€œWay to go, Romeo!” Julius Brutus said from behind.
    â€œWow, gorgeous?” Aaron added. “That’s incredibly generous. I would’ve classified you as