Guardian Read Online Free PDF

shrugged.
    “No,” Vegan said. “Sounds like normal life.”
    “There’s nothing normal about the life you all lead.”
    Winter slipped a couple more bags off Nikki’s arm and handed them to a reluctant Glimmer. “The Creator chose to take us in. And though we don’t know our eternal fate, we do know he’s given us all the tools we need to live victoriously now.”
    “But you don’t know your future? How can you stand it? I mean, for most humans the whole idea of eternity—eternal life—is pretty abstract. But for you …”
    “You have to know the nature of the one you serve. We have no promise of tomorrow. But we know the character of the One. Our ability to do what we do is rooted in our faith in him.”
    Nikki looked down. Strappy sandals encased her feet. She wiggled her toes. “I’ve never had faith in anything except what is tangible. I doubt I ever will.”
    Vegan took the last of Nikki’s purchases, leaving her hands free to rub the creases on her arms. “You will.”
    “I don’t think the Throne will have much tolerance for me. I’ve made a huge mess of things so far.”
    Awkward silence. They all knew she was referring to Mace and Raven.
    Glimmer pointed across the parking lot. “Let’s go bowling.”
    Vegan turned to her. “Did you just say bowling? That was random.”
    “We can’t, Glimmer.” Winter looked at her watch. “Will is expecting us.”
    “Not for another hour or so. Come on. This is our last night on solid ground for who knows how long.”
    Vegan smiled, nodded, and waited for Winter to decide. After a long pause, Winter headed toward the bowling alley. “Fine,” she sighed. “Do you think we should let Will know?”
    “No,” Glimmer replied. “He already told us to keep Nikki close. We’re doing that.”
    He’d also reminded them that because she was a Seer, evil was drawn to her. Just what she needed to feel comfortable and safe.
    Five minutes later, they were standing at the counter inside the bowling alley. “I’ve got two lanes available at the far end,” the attendant said, pointing to one side. “Men’s league takes most of the other lanes.” He motioned behind him. Yep, the place was brimming with guys.
    Winter pulled out her money and paid for their shoes. All three of the Halfling girls chose sixteen-pound balls. Glimmer was frustrated because all of the heavier ones had large holes to match. “What is with this? Does everyone have fingers this fat?”
    “You can use my ball,” Vegan said, picking up a brightly colored green, brown, and neon orange globe.
    “Uh, no thanks. It’s ugly.”
    Vegan feigned shock and cradled the ball against her chest. “It’s not ugly. It unique.”
    “Uniquely ugly,” Glimmer said.
    As soon as they started playing, Nikki noticed the amount of attention the Halfings had drawn from the men’s league. In all honesty, Nikki’d never seen a girl lob a bowling ball the way these three could either. A few of the men made comments as they passed to go to the restroom. Without so much as a word, the girls deliberately—Nikki was sure it was deliberate—started getting fewer and fewer strikes.
    Nikki thought back to the bow and arrows resting in the corner of their cabin. “Glimmer, while we were shopping, Winter told me the bow and arrow is yours.”
    “Yes?”
    “I just … I’ve never seen it before. Is it new?”
    Glimmer’s chin dropped a degree. “Uh, no. It’s not new. I’ve had it with me all along.”
    “What?”
    Winter leaned over and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Nikki, Glimmer had them on her back when you first met us at the guys’ Victorian house.”
    Nikki was sure she would have remembered that. “I didn’t see anything.”
    Winter smiled. “But you saw it in our cabin? That’s good.”
    “Or crazy,” Nikki said.
    Glimmer reached over her shoulder as if pulling something from a backpack. “Hold out your hands.”
    Nikki obeyed and watched as Glimmer’s fingers clasped around