Read Online The Guardian by Connie Hall - Free Book Online Page A

this guy.
    â€œAnd…” She waited, feeling the waffle expanding in her stomach like a balloon.
    â€œMy orders are to protect you until you come into your powers, and I’d like to have your cooperation in doing that.”
    She smiled, teeth gritted. “You think you can protect me? ”
    His confidence didn’t waver as he nodded.
    â€œYou’re only a warlock.” When she became Guardian, she could wipe the floor with him.
    â€œI know this is a stretch for you, but I’m not without powers, Rainwater. And I have the whole BOSP personnel at my disposal—if I need them, which I haven’t.”
    Fala saw the arrogant gleam in his eyes. Just what kind of supernatural army worked for BOSP? Looking at Winter’s ruthless expression, the commanding force hiding just below his surface, she decided she might have underestimated his influence and magic. And she wascertain he was going to make finding Tumseneha a real problem.
    She shifted the conversation back to him. “Were you driven from your coven?”
    He nodded. “Old history.” The cryptic veil in his eyes turned stony and signaled any amount of probing couldn’t break through the wall he’d built.
    A banishment could mean that he’d been cut off from family still living in the coven, and for a moment she almost felt sorry for him. “Do you have family?” she asked.
    He hesitated, his eyes reliving some painful memory as he rubbed the scar on his cheek. Then he said, “No. Nobody.”
    â€œSo how did you come to work for Uncle Sam?”
    â€œActually, my superiors approached me and asked me to head up the Washington BOSP office, so here I am.”
    â€œHow long have you worked for Uncle Sam?”
    â€œAlmost twelve years. My superiors gave me carte blanche to establish the Washington office, and I haven’t grown bored with the job yet.”
    â€œSo do you ride a dark horse or a white one?”
    â€œWhat do you think?” His tone deepened and grew as smooth as Egyptian cotton.
    She couldn’t concentrate when he used his voice like a weapon, and it oozed over her like warm coconut oil. She had to look down at her coffee cup before she said, “You’re definitely a dark-arts practitioner. Why else would Uncle Sam want you?”
    â€œYou don’t trust me, do you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œOkay, maybe I can earn your trust. I’ll start by telling you the truth. I’ve dabbled on both sides. Do you think less of me?” He intently studied her.
    â€œI have no idea what to think of you.” Why couldn’t she sense his spirit or his magic aura or anything through that icy facade? Something wasn’t right about him. The same instinct that had kept her alive this long warned her not to trust him. She said, “Tell your superiors I appreciate their concern, but I can take care of myself.”
    â€œYou need my help.”
    â€œI have the elders and my grandmother. I certainly don’t need you.”
    â€œI have my orders.” His eyes turned the color of molten steel, though his voice remained provocatively deep and mellow. “You can make this easy, or complicated. It’s up to you.”
    She pushed her plate away and grabbed her jacket. She felt lousy enough already that innocents had lost their lives. Adding another warlock to that list wasn’t an option, and she warned, “I’m telling you this once, and only once, stay out of my way.”
    She slid out of the booth, shoved her arms into her coat and walked out. She hurried through the door.
    Cold air hit her, and she sucked it in, her chest tight with emotion. He’d lied to her about the park case and protecting Senator Kent’s interests. He’d manipulated her into taking the case only to protect her, or so he’d said. What else had he lied about? She had to find out where Tumseneha was hiding on earth. It was definitely somewhere close