Read Online Aerenden: The Child Returns (Ærenden) by Kristen Taber - Free Book Online

all. I wish I could. It would make
this world easier for me to understand.”
    “Why?”
    “Because
there’s too much to learn.” She let go of his hand. Lifting her palms to her
face, she rubbed away more tears. “It would be so much easier if I didn’t have
to learn how to read you. If I could sense your emotions, I would know more
about what’s happening.”
    “That
would be true if you were a mind reader, but you’re not. You don’t know what’s
happening. You guess. You guessed right more often than not on Earth because
you were familiar with your environment. You don’t know anything about this
world and being able to read my emotions could lead to bad guesses, which could
get you hurt, or worse. I can’t have that. It’s my job to protect you and I
won’t let anything happen to you.”
    “What if I promise not to
guess?” she asked. “I can—”
    “You
can’t,” he said, then took her hand in his again when she looked away. “It’s
second nature to you, and until you learn to control your power, you’ll fall back
on that habit.” He brought his fingers to her chin and guided her eyes back to
his. “I’m sorry I found this humorous. I shouldn’t have. It was difficult for
me to learn to live in a new world with stifled powers, and I’m sure it’s not
any easier for you. It will get better though.”
    “Are
you certain?”
    “Absolutely.”
He withdrew his hands and stood, reclaiming his seat on the log. “I think it’s
time for bed. Starting tomorrow, I’ll answer all your questions, so ask me
instead of wondering, okay?”
    Meaghan
nodded and stretched out on the blanket. Silence descended over the forest,
interrupted only by the passing song of a few crickets and the occasional
curious hoot from a distant owl. She turned onto her stomach, propping her head
up on her fists to look up at Nick. “Will you answer one question for me
tonight?” she asked.
    “Sure.”
    “What
did you mean when you said it’s your ‘job’ to protect me?”
    He
leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “I guess the simplest way to
explain is I’m part of a special group of people with a rare combination of
powers. Our powers are designed to protect. Some of us are assigned to protect
specific people and others are assigned groups of people.”
    “And
you’re assigned to me?”
    “Yes.
Shortly after you were born, I began training for that purpose. Vivian
protected you when you were on Earth and now it’s my job.”
    Meaghan
yawned and flopped onto her back. “Why was I on Earth?”
    “That’s
your third question and I only promised to answer one. I’ll explain it all in
time, but not tonight. You need to sleep.”
    “One
more question,” she said, then pushed forward when he did not object. “Does
your group of people have a name?”
    “Guardians,”
he replied. “We’re called Guardians.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    D AWN CAME too soon. Meaghan
watched the sun push a crimson curtain through the sky, then waited a few extra
minutes before she turned on her side to search for Nick. He stood over her, studying
the forest with an intensity that left her wondering if the shadows blanketing
his face had little to do with the disappearing night. Her sleep had been
plagued with dreams of her parents and she had woken several times with tears
soaking her cheeks. Nick had stirred beside her each time, drawing an arm
around her body to offer comfort, and she doubted he had slept any better than
she had.
    His
eyes drifted from the trees to meet her gaze. Understanding passed between them
before he sat down next to her, taking her hand with the movement.
    “Is
it time to go?” she asked, sitting up.
    He
nodded, squeezing her hand before standing and pulling her up with him. “I
found some fruit for breakfast. It’s over by the log. Why don’t you go eat
while I fold the blanket?”
    She
did as he asked, and soon they found their way deep into the forest.  The
leaves overhead formed a canopy