Guardian Read Online Free PDF Page A

protect and serve everyone. Only those that grasped the deep reverence that our world is an often unfriendly and dark place.
    As I searched for an empty seat on the crowded subway train, I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. A young man vacated his seat and waved me forth, just as I was about to give up and grasp the clammy, cold, germ-infested pole as the train lurched forward.
    “Here, have a seat,” he said, his eyes fiery gold as they bored into mine. He seemed inhuman, a shimmer not present around his slim figure. His distressed jeans hugged his frame in a rather sensual way, and a red V-neck tee hung from his muscular, broad shoulders. He was strikingly handsome despite the weathered look of his face that had seen a bit too much sun.
    “Hey, thanks.” I sat down, withdrawing my cell phone from the pocket of my pants, pulling my gaze away from the stranger who had sacrificed his seat for me. He stood in front of me, hand tightly grasping the silver pole as the train lurched forward. A text message flashed across my screen from Trey, pulling my thoughts back to the one I longed for.
    “Lady Milligan…May I have the privilege of seeing you this evening? It would be an honor. How about the rooftop of the Empire State Building at eight? I’ve heard this is a great place to win a woman’s heart. I would love the chance to win yours.”
    A smile spread across my face as his words washed over me. I have to admit, his invitation was a bit cheesy, but I didn’t care a bit. Infatuation had a tight grasp on the heart of this girl. The Empire State Building? How original. I shook my head, rereading his message over and over again. My cheeks blushed as I thought about the kiss we had just shared. I felt so comfortable around him…so uninhibited and free.
    As the train came to a halt, a mass of people exited the open doors as an even bigger horde of individuals climbed on board, making the subway car extremely crowded and stuffy. I felt his leg brush against my knee as he made room for the others. I glanced up at him, and he turned to face me, a crooked smile written across his face. His eyes were even more golden this time; it was enough to cause an uneasy shiver to course through my body. His glare was unnatural and somewhat vile in nature.
    “I’m Aaron,” he said above the loudspeaker and the voices that echoed around us.
    I was at a loss for words, my voice unable to rise above the lump in my throat. My hesitation seemed to heighten his curiosity.
    “And you are?”
    “I’m-m sorry. I was just listening for my stop.” I wasn’t really, of course. I knew where I was going, but he certainly didn’t need to know that. “Macy. My name’s Macy,” I stuttered.
    “Where you headed, Macy?” he asked coyly.
    “To meet a friend. Uptown. You?”
    “Same.”
    I felt the train begin to slow. Now was the time to step off. I prayed he wouldn’t follow me.
    “This is my stop. See ya,” I said, keeping my voice calm and collected. I pushed forward, trying desperately to get off of the train as quickly as possible, but a woman with a baby stroller was holding up traffic. His face was only a foot from mine, which caused my eyes to fall into his again. I saw them: flames dancing within the depths of his irises. Forbidden darkness coursing through his glare. The image caused my stomach to hit the floor as I recounted the nightmare I had encountered years ago as a young girl. Watching my mother standing within the fire of our burning apartment building filled my thoughts. His sheer presence scared me. It was if he knew me, of me…from the inside out.
    “It was nice to meet you, Macy.” His voice was icy and foreboding as it carried over the heavy voices of those around us.
    I pressed forward, choosing not to answer him, my elbow jabbing a young woman in the ribs. Her look was sour as she glared at me.
    “S-sorry,” I said quickly.
    Once I made it safely out onto the edge of the subway platform, I spun around to