Reluctant Guardian Read Online Free PDF Page A

about. A thread of nervousness tickles his mind, but he pushes it away. Jill is smart. He doesn't need to worry about her. She isn't usually so secretive, but... whatever.
    He's too tired to think about it.
    Â 

CHAPTER SEVEN
    ~A Way Out~
    Alisa
    Â 
    Emotionally drained and totally exhausted, I fall onto my bed in Idir Shaol . How is it even possible for a spirit to be so weary? I could sleep forever. Unfortunately, that is not an option. Instead, I lie in my Hansel and Gretel cottage and stare at the swirling blue ceiling. It looks like Earth's sky, and as serene as it's supposed to be, it doesn't help me feel any better.
    I face the wall and try not to think about my terrible, hopeless situation. Raphael told me I would feel this way when I returned from my funeral, that I would be worn-out, restless, and unable to feel at peace, that I would need rest. But all thoughts of rest and relaxation fly away the moment my roommates come through the door.
    â€œYeah, he's leaving. I can't believe it! I'm so jealous.” Shana exclaims, all excited, gesturing wildly as she speaks. “Oh man. What a dream!”
    I sit up. “Who's leaving?”
    â€œAnthony Wiser. He's going to Earth.” She plops on her bed and opens her manual.
    My mind begins to spin. Someone is leaving this place. He's going back to Earth. For good? “To be born again?”
    â€œMan, what an idiot,” Deedre mumbles as she drops down on her bed. “There's no such thing as reincarnation, stupid. Not like people think.”
    â€œHe's going to be a guardian,” Shana says, closing her book and studying me with a serious expression.
    With narrow eyes, slitted and cold, Deedre watches me, her mouth turning into a sardonic grin. “You don't even know what that means, do you?” For some reason, this gives her undeniable pleasure.
    â€œOh shush, Dee,” Shana says before turning back to me. “Anthony finished his courses and now gets the chance to pay back his debt. He gets to be a guardian. You know, to help someone on Earth. If he succeeds, he'll get to live in Elysium.”
    â€œElysium?” I've never heard of it, but if that's where Gram lives, move me in!
    â€œYeah,” Shana answers. “You know. Heaven? Paradise?”
    â€œThat place you couldn't get into?” Deedre sneers.
    I ignore her. I don't care what they call it as long as I get live there too. “Can anyone be a guardian?” Hope blossoms in my chest.
    â€œNo.” Cinder states with finality. These are the first words I've heard her utter. Her total lack of enthusiasm makes me wonder if she is one of those unfortunate souls missing out.
    â€œWell,” Shana says, “It all depends on your situation, but I bet if you talk to Raphael he'll tell you if you qualify. We could go now if you want.”
    A moment later, we stand in the airy hallway outside Raphael's office. Bright light shines through the high windows, reflecting brilliant color off the marble tile. If Idir Shaol is this beautiful—and it is slowly growing on me—how much more wonderful will Elysium be? I can’t wait to get there, and I am willing to do anything and everything to make that happen.
    I take a deep breath and knock. The door opens.
    â€œWell, hello girls. What can I do for you?” Raphael waits with his hands clasped before him, his feet bare. Once again, I'm shocked by his overpowering brightness, his beauty, and the love he radiates.
    â€œAlisa wants to know if she can be a guardian,” Shana says before I can even open my mouth.
    I glance at her with an irritated frown. She shrugs and keeps smiling.
    â€œIs that so?” His face searches mine, and it feels like he can see right through me. “Come in, Alisa, and we'll discuss it. He shuts the door on Shana, and I am on my own.
    Raphael shows me to a chair and from the look on his face, I'm sure he'll tell me I don't qualify. I mean really, who wants someone who