Guardian Read Online Free PDF Page B

7:24 p.m. I’m so late! It would take me thirty minutes just to get to the Empire State Building from our apartment.
    “Macy, are you dressed, honey?” Mom said casually.
    “No, give me just a minute.”
    Jumping up from my bed I pulled a deep, cosmic blue maxi dress out from underneath a pile of wrinkled tops. It would highlight the depths of my pale, icy blue eyes. I pulled it over my head and looked at my reflection in the mirror that hung on the back of my bedroom door. Smoothing out the wrinkles, I twirled around once before pulling my hair up into a loose bun. Dabbing my lips with gloss and slipping a simple diamond drop around my neck completed my look.
    “As perfect as I’ll ever be,” I mouthed quietly to myself.
    Pulling my bedroom door open, I stepped out into the hallway, running smack dab into my father.
    “Where are you off to in such a hurry, princess?”
    My heart was racing, but I did my best to remain calm and collected. “Off to dinner with Aria. What are your plans tonight, Dad?”
    “Nothing quite as fun and enjoyable as you, apparently. Have a great time. Tell her hello for me…” His voice trailed off as he sped down the hallway and into his office, closing the door behind him.
    Walking out into the living room, I found my mother curled up within a pile of blankets, Larkin, our orange Tabby, lying on the arm of the chair beside her.
    “Well, I’m off,” I said aloud, smoothing out my dress.
    Mom removed her reading glasses, biting the earpiece between her front teeth. A beautiful smile radiated across her face as she motioned for me to sit beside her on the couch.
    “You look gorgeous, Mac. Dinner with Aria, huh?” The hushed sense of curiosity flowed aimlessly about in the room, and I hesitated before answering her.
    My eyes fell to the floor as I walked over, taking a seat beside her. I felt the touch of her hand encircle my shoulder. Raising my eyes to hers, I knew that hiding behind a wicked lie was no longer optional.
    “Actually…no. I’m meeting…”
    “Trey, right?” she said, finishing my sentence.
    “Are you mad?”
    Mom sighed, placing her glasses in her lap and turning directly towards me. “No, I’m not angry with you. What I am concerned about is that you’re keeping secrets. You’re a grown woman now, Macy. Your father and I can’t live your life for you, but we can lend you our advice. Whether you take that advice or not is your choice.”
    I watched as the hesitation grew on her face.
    “Just remember who you are, Mac. The vow that you have taken requires a life of many expectations and rights of faithfulness. You can’t live a lie, because you are watching over another spirit. One that needs your grace to keep them from being swallowed up aimlessly within the confines of life. Don’t let your own life swallow you whole, okay?”
    I reached out for Mom’s hand and nodded my head yes . She interlaced her fingers with mine, the warmth of her hand extremely comforting. The sound of my phone rang loudly out into the quiet stillness of the room. Glancing down, I saw Trey’s name pop up on the screen.
    “You better get that. You don’t want to keep your prince waiting now, do you?”
    I stood up, putting the phone to my ear and letting my hand fall from my mother’s.
    “Hey! I’m on my way.” I felt a smile rise across my lips. Looking over my shoulder, I mouthed the words, “ Thanks, Mom, ” as I walked out the front door. My stomach twirled and danced about, causing my nerves to surface.
    “Can’t wait to see you, Macy. I have something magical planned for us this evening,” he said, his voice raspy and undeniably sexy.
    “Well, I can’t wait. I’ll be there as quick as I can. Promise.”
    Stuffing the phone back into my purse, I hailed a cab instead of walking. It would cost me, but I couldn’t keep him waiting. Nor could I wait to see his face once more.
     
    *****
     
    The wind was crisp and cool on the rooftop of one of the most miraculous