The Guardian (Mended Souls Book 1) by Jacquie Biggar Read Free Book Online

glide through the closed door. Lucas blinked hard and shook his head, stunned.
    “Don’t be so surprised. We angels have many gifts in our arsenal.” The rich baritone of the Lord’s voice resonated throughout the car. Lucas froze, his gaze going to the radio softly glowing even though the vehicle was still turned off.
    “You trying to give me a heart attack?” he demanded.
    “It’s a bit late for you to worry about your human body, I’d think,” the voice replied.
    Great, now he had a smart-assed car to deal with.
    You know better than that.
    Chastised, Lucas dropped his head. His attitude always managed to get him in trouble, especially in times of stress, and this whole situation definitely qualified in his top ten.
    “I meant no disrespect.”
    The lights flickered from the radio. “I understand, my son. It takes time to get a handle on this new world you inhabit. Just remember, we are not the enemy.”
    No, that honor was reserved for himself. He’d always been his own worst enemy.
    “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Your focus should be on helping others, not on needless self-pity.”
    Lucas’ cheeks heated. He opened his mouth to deny the condemnation, then let it slide shut. The man was right. It was too late to change what he’d done. All he could do was try and help those he’d hurt.
    The second story window slid open. A head peeked out before disappearing from view to be replaced by a set of pajama-clad legs. The child sat on the sill, then suddenly without warning lunged, stopping Lucas’ heart until the small arms grasped the nearby branch of an old oak tree.
    Without conscious thought, he flew to the base of the tree and prepared to catch the slight body if he should fall, but the boy was a monkey. He swung from branch to branch as if he’d been doing so all his life. When he got close to the ground, he let himself just hang there until his hands couldn’t take the weight any longer. He dropped to the grass with a soft grunt and sat there for a moment, then he stood, dusted the butt of his dinosaur pj’s, and searched until he found the pack he’d let go of in his descent. He shouldered it and turned to head down the driveway and that’s when Lucas saw the tears.
    Aw, shit.
    The kid was running away.
    Lucas needed to do something, like now.
    He picked up a fallen acorn, threw it toward the rose bushes he’d been admiring earlier and hoped it would freak the child out and send him back inside where he’d be safe. Instead the boy turned white, jumped like he’d been struck by lightning, and bolted down the street.
    Good job, moron.
    He ran, but the kid was fast, especially now with Lucas’ new, less than healthy body, and it wasn’t long before he lost sight of him. He slowed down for a minute, straining to catch the sound of retreating steps over his sawing breaths, but there was nothing. He swore and glanced back, but the car was silent. Obviously this was up to him to handle.
    He bundled his jacket around a sagging middle and continued down the road, stopping every so often to listen. Where did the kid go? There were numerous hiding spots; hedges, garbage cans, sheds, cars. It was the latter that kept Lucas searching. The kid was wearing dark clothing, he wouldn’t have a chance if a car came along at the wrong moment.
    Please. Show me a sign.
    The silent plea paid off. A faint crash and cry of pain gave him an answer. Lucas broke into a running walk, all the while praying for the child’s safety.
    Agony unlike anything he’d ever endured ripped through his body, driving him onto his hands and knees. The pain was so intense he barely felt the pebbles gouging his skin. The next wave when it came left him weak and shaking, on the edge of passing out. He breathed through the ache and fought to rise, worry for the child driving him forward. There was a sudden shift of air and he was on his feet and rocking, counterbalanced by a huge weight on his back. Stunned, Lucas twisted and his