The Guardian (Callista Ryan Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

attitude.
                  “We considered her to be a security threat,” he explained calmly. With intentional gravity, he persisted, “We could be inclined to think similarly of you, if you do not begin to cooperate.”
                  Callie bit the back of her tongue with her molars. The thought of doing anything for this monster was sickening. She had seen the brute strength, the icy adeptness with which he had torn through that girl’s flesh, watched the blood pour from her in rivulets. But the thought of Maggie, alone and uncared for at home, panicking at her absence, was enough to check Callie’s bitter refusal. And the threat of him doing the same to her was enough to make her consider his offer.
                  She didn’t respond, but this time, he took her silence to be a form of acceptance.
                  He nodded, as though they had come to an agreement. “Perception,” he explained, “is a form of subconscious exploration. Those who are capable can literally insert themselves into someone’s memories, and then learn to search through those memories as they would a filing cabinet. It is a tool which can come in quite handy, actually. Usually, it is an ability reserved solely for Guardians, and…ah, but wait. You don’t know about those, either, do you?”
                  He leaned back in his chair and sighed, as though realizing the magnitude of the task before him. She studied his silver eyes, wondering what sort of a psychopath lurked beneath them. Not only was he completely devoid of emotion, but he seemed to be insane as well. His ramblings made little sense to Callie.
                  He gestured briefly with his right hand, and suddenly the tiny woman appeared with a glass of water. She waited at his side as he stood and walked around behind Callie. Callie felt her heart speed as his hands touched her skin, though she knew that he was merely untying the ropes. Once her hands were freed, he leaned down and murmured in her ear.
                  “You will not try to escape again, I trust?”
                  She gritted her teeth together. “No,” she said, for it seemed to be the right answer.
                  “Good,” he replied, and resumed his seat. The woman handed Callie the glass of water, which she took gratefully. Her throat felt as though it were on fire. She took several desperate gulps, and then managed to draw a breath and return her attention to the conversation.
                  She saw the black-haired man watching her, and felt self-conscious. He nodded to the woman, who took the glass from Callie’s hands and disappeared once again.
                  “Guardians,” he said in a practiced voice, reciting what must have been an often told tale, “are a forgotten species. We exist now mainly in myths. Some call us angels, some have named us gods. We are a very old species, and yet we have managed to keep our existence secret over the years. As you would imagine, this has taken much effort and, yes, many deaths. Those privy to the knowledge of our existence must either be one of us, or must have something as precious to lose as we do by revealing us. Now, the cause for such secrecy should be obvious,” he said, gesturing to his wings with widespread arms. Callie swallowed nervously. “With all the suspicion which circulates around that which is…unusual, it is difficult to be so obviously different. In fact, our species went into hiding after a mass execution in the third century B.C.”
                  Callie blanched. “The third century…B.C.?” she asked.
                  He smiled with a slight nod. “Yes, it must be surprising. As I said, we are an ancient people. Today, however, our numbers are small. All of us exist here, actually.”
                  He was about to continue, but Callie drew a