Reluctant Guardian Read Online Free PDF Page B

other errant words.
    Her eyes darken and she crosses her arms over her chest. “I see fire in your soul, Alisa, and that is a good thing... sometimes. But if you are to succeed, you'll need more than just fire. You'll need unwavering confidence. Your charge will rebel at every turn. He'll try to escape your influence. He... well, it doesn't matter. You're sure to fail.”
    â€œDoes this mean I can go?” I ask in surprise.
    She sighs and walks around her desk. “We discussed it and the vote was mostly in your favor.”
    She must have voted otherwise. Not a big surprise.
    Â 

CHAPTER EIGHT
    ~Learning in the Library~
    Alisa
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    I float all the way back to my cottage and can't wait to share the good news, especially with Deedre. I feel a tiny desire to rub it in just a bit. She got here before me after all, and now I'll be the first to leave. Take that!
    I open the door with all the drama I can muster and... no one is there. I stare at the empty, quiet room, deflated, but then a spark of excitement begins to glow inside me. This is the perfect time to visit the library! I have nothing else to do. Slamming the door behind me, I race toward downtown Idir Shaol . I pass a few buildings, not remembering what they are for, and easily find my favorite place in the entire world.
    The library.
    It looks just like it should. Red, glittery brick, tinted windows, cement steps leading inside. And there are people everywhere. Their voices carry easily as they visit, bustle about, or sit at desks, working at what looks like small, compact computers. I move slowly, completely absorbed and baffled by this strange, new experience.
    A group on carpeted risers sits before a movie screen in the corner of the large room. I make my way over, curious about what has captured their attention. They stare with determined focus, watching the film. The small-scale amphitheater seems cozy so I sit on the edge of a riser next to a friendly looking girl.
    â€œWhat's going on?” I whisper.
    â€œShh,” she says, glancing at me, and then turning back to the movie.
    â€œBut what are you watching?”
    â€œA training visual. Be quiet.”
    â€œFor what?” I ask.
    She turns and faces me fully, a frown pulling on her lips. “A training visual is instructional media on how to be a guardian.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œShh!” The group turns to stare at us. My mouth snaps shut, and I fight the instant desire to stand up and leave, but I'm curious, so I stay and watch. This is what I'll be doing after all. Being a guardian.
    An instant yearning for hot, buttery popcorn comes to me, but since they don't have hot, buttery popcorn here, I feel empty and deprived, hating myself for what I am missing on earth. There's no way to curb this craving, so I sit there, depressed that I'll never taste my favorite treat again.
    The video continues with a spirit guardian tagging along behind his charge, who is battling a desire to enter a bar. The guardian hovers behind him, whispering frantically into his ear. They stand on the street corner, the man's eyes glued to the door of the bar. He wears a leather jacket and seems about the same age as my dad. Probably in his late forties. His hands clench and unclench as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down.
    â€œHe's an alcoholic,” the girl next to me whispers. “He just finished AA.”
    â€œOh,” I whisper back. “So why is he at a bar?”
    The girl scowls at me like I'm an idiot. “That's the whole point. His guardian is trying to talk him out of going inside.”
    I have the feeling she wants to add a duh to the end of her sentence.
    The scene plays out and I lean forward, my toes clenched and my eyes straining even though the picture is crystal clear. I'm spellbound, holding my breath. Will the guy screw up months of success for just one drink? Will he throw all those torturous hours of AA away?
    Just when I'm sure he'll lose the battle, the