The Guardian (Mended Souls Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

family.”
    Lucas turned away from the man’s pain and rubbed at his bristly chin. The Boss allowed them to enter the bodies of the living as long as they didn’t change anything, but he’d kill for a shave. A frisson of electricity jolted his body as soon as the thought passed through his mind. He grunted and rode out the pain, his gaze on the now glowing cross hanging from the mirror.
    “I didn’t mean it literally, sheesh.”
    He rolled down the window and breathed in the moist loamy smell created by the timed sprinkler systems doing their job to keep the city green.
    “What’s your name, monk? We might as well try and get along. At least until the Boss decides I’ve done enough.”
    The guy snorted. “Done enough for what?” He tapped the back of the seat. “You think he’s going to grant you a second chance or something? Oh, wait, I know. He’ll bring you back as the injured dog. That would be fitting, wouldn’t it?” He chuckled but there was no humor in the sound. “After all, it’s because of drivers like you that I don’t have my family.”
    Yeah, there was that.
    The ambulance returned. With his new sense of perception, Lucas saw Scott sitting beside the woman from the lab in the rear of the vehicle. Their attention was centered on the animal laying tranquilized on the stretcher. A paramedic was checking vitals and setting a saline drip to stabilize the dog until they could get it to a veterinarian hospital.
    “I don’t get what He expects me to do. We aren’t allowed to interfere, so why bring us down here?” His hand clenched the steering wheel as the ambulance sped past, carrying Scott away.
    “You’ll know when the time is right.” The monk shifted restlessly. “Quit whining.”
    And on that pleasant note, Lucas started the car and shifted into gear. “You going to tell me how to get there, or do I need to guess?”
    The monk’s voice rattled like a snake. “One day, pretty-boy, you and I are going to seriously clash, and your ass will be mine.”
    “I didn’t know you cared.” Lucas grinned at the hiss from the backseat and pulled out onto the street, leaving the patrol cars behind. The sight of their flashing lights washed the smile from his lips. It had galled him to sit back and do nothing when that asshole escaped after wounding the mutt. The malevolence seeping from the man’s mind had been disturbing. He’d seen his share of bullies and they all had the same thing in common—the will to hurt others weaker than themselves.
    Natalya had fallen victim to their abuse more than once. He and Scott had made it their mission to protect her, especially as she grew older and the attention turned sexual in nature. Scott swore if anyone ever touched his little sister he’d kill them. Guess he didn’t need to worry on that score any more.
    Frustrated, Lucas drove his foot down hard on the gas pedal. The car screeched around the corner. A homeless man scurried out of the way, the headlights reflecting the whites of his eyes. The burn in Lucas’ stomach turned into a raging inferno that rose up his esophagus and choked his breath. He slammed on the brakes, his heart triple-timing in his chest. A cold sweat broke out all over his body and turned his skin clammy.
    “What the fuck, man?” The monk slammed his hand against the back of the seat, rattling Lucas’s already jangled nerves.
    Hadn’t he learned anything from the accident? He could have killed that guy. His head fell forward and rested on top of the steering wheel, his breathing harsh in the strained silence.
    Forgive me. Please—forgive me.
    A soft breeze flowed through the open window, its warmth a blessing. Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes. He sniffed them back and sat up, his gaze meeting the accusing glare in the mirror.
    “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” His voice was little more than a croak.
    “Hmpf,” the monk snorted. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you.” He shook his head in disgust.