Guardian Read Online Free PDF Page B

nothing but air. She rested her hands over Nikki’s, then released the grip, and Nikki felt something drop into her grasp. Shocked, Nikki stared down at the arrow. “Where’d it come from?”
    Glimmer’s warm fingers brushed hers as she took the arrow back and rested it on her shoulder. “They’re a spiritual gift. Like our wings, so they aren’t visible unless you look through the eyes of your spirit. Oops, my turn.” Glimmer hopped up and headed to the lane to get her ball.
    Nikki pulled in a breath and looked hard; crisscrossing Glimmer’s back was the bow and a quiver full of arrows.
    She was the only Halfling who carried a weapon—at least as far as Nikki knew. Glimmer lined up to throw her bowling ball—a plain gray one she’d found on the last rack of choices. Arms locked in place, eyes zeroed in on the target. Nikki’d never seen Glimmer shoot her bow, but sensed she must be a deadly force.
    A shiver ran the length of Nikki’s spine. Just before releasing the ball, Glimmer glanced to her left toward the men’s league and all those eyes watching her with interest. She huffed out a sigh and tossed the ball half-heartedly at the pins.
    Thwack. Two pins remained.
    She dropped onto the seat beside Winter. “I’m bored with this. Let’s go home.”
    “We’re in the middle of a game, Glimmer. Besides, bowling was your idea.”
    Glimmer rolled her large, golden eyes. “We’re not in the middle of a game. We’re just trying not to draw attention.”
    “At least I have a shot at winning now,” Nikki added. Huh. Being pinned by three female stares was pretty unpleasant. Okay then. She faked a yawn. “Actually, I’m kind of tired myself. I wouldn’t mind leaving.”
    Glimmer flashed a quick, appreciative smile. It was slight, barely a quirking of the cheeks, but it was nice to get that look rather than the nasty ones she was used to.
    Vegan shrugged. “Fine with me.”
    Winter nodded. “Okay, let’s go back and torture Nikki. We’ll make her try on all her outfits.”
    A few minutes later, they were making their way to the marina with packages in tow. No talking, no chatter. It seemed the bowling alley—or, specifically, having to stop the real competition so they’d seem “normal”—had stolen the night’s joy. Which Nikki hated, because she’d actually had a good time at the mall, being ordered around by three girls determined to turn her into Cool and Comfortable Barbie instead of the Overdressed and Awkward version Krissy always seemed to create.
    They rounded the corner and entered the marina parking lot. Lights twinkled on the water, where boats of varying size rose and fell with the gentle swells. The sound of waves breaking against wood filled her ears. Nikki paused. Beyond the marina a dark, rippled world stretched forever. A new world, one she’d never experienced. “Wow,” she mumbled.
    Her companions stopped and glanced back at her. “What’s wrong?” Winter said.
    Nikki brushed a hand through the air. “It’s beautiful. I’ll fall asleep tonight being rocked by the ocean.”
    “A bit overwhelmed, are we?” Winter smiled. The others remained silent, taking in the marina and the variety of motorand sailboats.
    Am I overwhelmed? After a few moments' thought, Nikki shook her head. “No. Teenagers with wings are overwhelming. Being chased by hell hounds is overwhelming. Finding your name in a computer at a laboratory that may well be trying to bring about the end of the world, now that’s—”
    “Overwhelming,” all three girls answered.
    “This is …” Masts pointed to the sky as if directing attention to the blanket of stars above. If she had a canvas, she could capture it in paint. “Magical.”
    They stayed quiet for several moments, letting the coastal breeze lift their hair and travel over their skin. Nikki closed her eyes and tilted her head back, drawing salty air into her lungs. The smells of the ocean seemed even more intense, but it only added to her