Guardian by Heather Burch Read Free Book Online Page B

deck, and vice versa. Nikki’d slid out of her sandals when Will called her over. Good thing; the movement of the boat coupled with her sweat and the heel of her shoes could have been a deadly combination.
    “Are you ready to begin?” Will asked. He didn’t seem to be sweating at all. An angel thing, she guessed.
    “Begin what? You’ve been working with me for the last two hours.” He’d asked to see some of her blocks and strikes, and had recognized the style immediately, even tweaking her form. Sensei Coble would be proud.
    “It’s time to begin the most important lesson you will ever learn.”
    “Ever, huh?” She brushed her arm across a slick forehead. “That’s a pretty long time.”
    “I walked the earth when only wood and mud-fashioned houses existed. I’ve seen her lands crumble into the sea while others emerged from the depths. I’ve witnessed every war and every victory there has been, and I can tell you, without a doubt, this is the most important lesson you will have the privilege to learn. Ever.”
    Wow. What was it about angels and the monologues? It was staggering, though. To think Will, a heavenly angel and guardian to the male Halflings, had roamed the earth for all of recorded time. And to do that without ever dropping a bit of sweat—go figure. The Halflings were capable of sweating, at least. Nikki had to corral her concentration to keep from glancing behind her, where Mace and Raven worked with their shirts off. Really nice view out here on the ocean.
    “Are you ready?” Will said.
    It seemed too good an opportunity to pass up. “May I ask a question first?”
    “Certainly.” He gestured with the palm of his massive hand.
    Her eyes narrowed. “Remember, a heavenly angel can’t lie.”
    His eyes narrowed in response to hers, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s hardly necessary to remind me. Lying isn’t a part of my makeup. Go ahead.”
    “Why are we on this boat? Besides the heavenly angels showing up and telling you we needed to come.”
    “You mean the conversation you were listening to?”
    “Uh, yeah.”
    “You need—”
    “And don’t say I need training. I know that’s part of it, but there’s more.”
    “Your perception is growing. Good.” His intake of air seemed to suck the oxygen from everywhere around her—quite a feat when you’re continually slammed by fresh gusts of wind. Will’s gaze traveled across the deck, and Nikki was sure he was going to refuse to answer. But then he began to smile, and she glanced behind her to see what he was smiling at.
    Mace and Raven were at the far end of the boat, one on one side of a horizontal post, one on the other. They moved in tandem over some giant lever, while their muscles flexed and released. A sheen of sweat covered their skin.
    “My Lost Boys needed to learn how to work as a team again.”
    His Lost Boys. His … sons. So that was it. The confines of a ship would bridge the gulf between Mace and Raven. It made perfect sense, really. And Will’s plan seemed to be working. “Pretty smart, aren’t you?” Nikki said, her attention divvied between the boys and Will’s pride as he watched them.
    “I’m experienced, but that should never be confused with natural intelligence.”
    “Whatever. Sounds like splitting hairs to me.” Nikki rocked back on her heels. “You’re without a doubt one of the best fathers I’ve ever known.”
    Will’s eyes darted to hers, his face falling into concern.
    “What?” She wanted to step back, but with the railing so close there was nowhere to go.
    “I’m not their father,” Will said, and it seemed as though speaking the words was almost … painful.
    She gestured with an upturned palm. “I know you’re not their real father, but as you know from all your time on earth, an adoptive dad can be much more of a father than a biological one.”
    Wide fingers fidgeting, shoulders jerking slightly, a tiny head shake. It was weird to see a heavenly angel so …