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The look he gave her was dark, intense, and vastly lonely "Because I was selfish enough to grab the opportunity Females have their pick of ly choose a Guardian But if she didn’t have a choice "

"Sean Morrissey, don’t tell me females in this Shiftertown don’t drool over you I see thehbor, and Rebecca I see how the unmated honeys eye you in the bar, and it makes me crazy jealous If you tell "

Sean’s answering blush confir," he said "But fe mated to a Guardian Guardians rarely mate or have cubs--their lives are about the sword and about death What fe"

So flickered in his eyes "Goddess, aren’t you a sweetheart? But I’ve become more a symbol than a man I can’t save lives, only take theood for?"

Andrea heard his bitterness, and her heart wrenched She i blue eyes in shock when he was handed the heavy sword His entire life changed, any plans and ambitions taken away A Guardian was a Guardian for life

"Guardians like you remind us on’t always be enslaved," she said in a low voice "In death, your sword frees us"

"You believe that, lass?"

"A Guardian released rateful to him for what he did Even if my mother couldn’t be with me and my stepdad, we knew she was safe in the Summerland"

"You were three years old, love Barely able to shift yet"

"I was still grateful" She touched his cheek, a rief, Sean; you don’t cause it"

"But the Shifters have made the sword more important than their lives That’s why Calluhting to stay alive"

"I’m not sure that’s true "

"Love, it’s why rew choked, eyes wet "Kenny was fighting to keep soht He chose to die rather than risk the Sword of the Guardian, and me How does a man live with that?"

"Goddess," Andrea whispered "Sean" She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down to her