Guardian

By Shayne Carmichael

For his entire life, Bryan had been aware of his guardian. He'd never seen the man, yet Demarcus had paid for everything. Demarcus, however, has evaded every attempt Bryan has made to meet him. Bryan is about to find answers, for better or worse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arian Derwydd Books, LLC
• Release date: Jul 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781955467766

Shayne Carmichael

She writes, she makes shiny things.

Book preview

For his entire life, Bryan had been aware of his guardian. He'd never seen the man, yet Demarcus had paid for everything. Demarcus, however, has evaded every attempt Bryan has made to meet him. Bryan is about to find answers, for better or worse.

(This title was previously published but has been revised.)

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This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Arian Derwydd Books, LLC

https://arianderwyddbooks.com/

Guardian

Copyright © 2023 by Shayne Carmichael

ISBN: 978-1-955467-76-6

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

Chapter One

After carefully setting down the hand-written sheets of music, Bryan opened and read the note accompanying his birthday present from his guardian. The letter explained the composition had been a personal gift from Tchaikovsky to an old friend and was a relatively unknown piece of work.

From the details his guardian included, Bryan had the odd impression his guardian had written from personal experience. But then each time his guardian had sent him a gift, he’d also given a detailed history of the present as well. This one was so intimately detailed that it made Bryan wonder if Tchaikovsky old friend had been Demarcus. It wasn’t the first time in his life Bryan had had a similar feeling. He couldn’t explain any part of what he thought. His guardian, Demarcus St. Ives, was a mysterious and unknown figure in his life. It had been that way since Bryan was two years old.

For never having met you, your guardian knows what you like. Kennedy, his roommate, looked over the music as he ate a slice of the cake that had been sent with Bryan’s present. Umm, Bavarian cream. You’ve got to try a piece, Bryan.

I will in a minute. Reverently, he touched the sheet of music as he studied the notes. It was a very complex piece of music. He had no doubt he’d master it, but it would take some time.

Bryan, snap out of it. Get over here and eat some cake. After cutting him a piece, Kennedy thrust the plate into Bryan’s face.

All right, all right. Laughing, Bryan took the plate and grabbed one of the forks from the table.

So when do we meet this mysterious guardian of yours anyway? I’d think he’d want to see where his money is going. Kennedy took sips of his coffee in between eating cake.

Bryan made a face. I’m not sure if I’ll ever meet him. I haven’t tried since last spring right before I graduated. The guards at the gate kept telling me he wasn’t seeing anybody every time I tried.

Kennedy leveled a knowing look on him. Don’t tell me you’ve given up? There’s a mystery to solve here. With a fake maniacal laugh, Kennedy waved his fork at Bryan.

No, I haven’t given up. I’ll meet him one or another.

You never know. He might have a very good reason not to let you see him. Maybe he’s hideously deformed. Or a serial killer. Or…

Before Kennedy’s imagination could come up with anymore, Bryan held up his hand in front of Kennedy’s face. Or maybe you’re crazy.

Well, you have to admit it’s really weird that you’ve never meet your guardian, yet he pays for everything.

Bryan just shrugged. He really didn’t want to get into the oddity of his own situation. The two of them had known each other since middle school, and Kennedy pretty much knew everything about Bryan. Except for the odd dreams and feelings Bryan had because of his guardian, something he’d never spoken about to a living soul.

Kennedy finished off his piece of cake then tossed the paper plate into the trash. I’m off. Sure you don’t want to come with?

"Nah, you go ahead. I don’t feel like going