Guardian Of Fate (Fate Series) Read Online Free PDF

voice, "I assure you, it would have been memorable."
    My body shook from the meaning of his words. I was sure that he had me under some kind of spell, because I didn't realize he'd actually moved in closer. Wiping a stray tear from my cheek with his thumb, his fingers rested softly against the side of my head. His touch was so light, I would have considered it a mere caress, if not for the burning sensation it left when he pulled it away. My hand immediately flew to the spot he had touched, and I stared at him in astonishment.
    "I should apologize for being so forward as to touch you," he said, "but I'm afraid I'd do it again if given the opportunity." Standing up, he continued, "I hope your mother is well. Maybe we'll see each other again."
    I felt as if I were in some crazy trance that I couldn't shake, so it took me a minute to process what he said. As he started to walk away, I stood up and called, "I thought you were just passing through?"
    I heard him laugh, and then he stopped and turned around. The smile was still on his face when he told me, "I was, but I'm starting to like what I see here, so maybe I'll stick around for a bit longer." The shocked expression I wore was starting to feel like a permanent facial feature tonight. It remained in place as I watched him turn back around and walk into the night.
    ***
    I drove to my mom's house in a daze, somehow managing to pull into the driveway twenty minutes later without getting into an accident. Sitting in my car, I looked at my childhood home and was comforted knowing that despite everything that changed in my life, it had remained the same as when I was a little girl. The light, russet-colored Colonial sat regally at the end of the cul-de-sac amidst its quiet, suburban neighbors. The lawns were well manicured, some of the older owners having to resort to lawn care services that came on a weekly basis.
    Mom's zinnias, hydrangeas, and shrub roses were still in full, multi-hued bloom. Summer weather in the Midwest was famous for starting pretty late, but it also lasted longer, sometimes even into October. Indian Summer was always a favorite time of mine with its warm, sunny days so close to the long, cold winter months. Mom was not one of those that needed help with the maintenance of the yard yet, and she still took great pleasure tending her flower garden. Growing up, I remember Mom would spend hours at it. She had a flair for placement and color coordination, mingling flowers with lawn ornaments and lights, resulting in a beautifully inviting as well as pleasantly surprising landscape.
    The porch lamp was on, lighting up "The Cosgroves" plaque that hung below the address. There was only one Cosgrove left in our house, but to her, it would always be home to all of us: Mom, Dad, and me. Seeing the light on was a good indication that she was home.
    I had a key to the house, but since it was late, I didn't want to scare her by just walking in, so I knocked on the door. I didn't have to wait long before she answered, dressed in her blue, satiny pantsuit pajamas and matching robe. Seeing her ready for bed surprised me. I hadn't called too long ago, and I knew that she slept with her cell charging on the nightstand next to her bed. She always kept it on in case of a possible emergency, namely from me, which is why I was so confused. Why hadn't she answered or at least called me back?
    "Cassie, is everything all right?" she asked, opening the door wide for me to enter.
    "I was just going to ask you the same thing, Mom. Where have you been? I tried calling you a couple of times, and left you messages to call me back right away."
    Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at me in complete confusion. "What are you talking about? My phone hasn't rung all night. I've been home reading; I didn't get any calls from you." She walked over to the coffee table in front of the sofa. On it were her phone, a book, her reading glasses, and a glass of red wine. She picked up her phone and opened