Chloe's Guardian (The Nephilim Redemption Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

were such cute sandals. It’d be sad to just leave them there.”
    Kaitlyn was so cool about everything. Even Todd.
    Kaitlyn closed her suitcase, picked up her viola, and said, “I’m ready when you are.”
     
    ***
     
    Chloe and Kaitlyn got through security, bought the promised drink and book for Kaitlyn, and happily settled her in the gate seating. Chloe left her carryon with Kaitlyn to speed up her return through security.
    “When you see Todd, tell him I’m coming soon. We’ll finally get a chance to talk on the plane.”
    She was back on the road to Dunnottar in no time. And it felt right to be going. Her nerves tingled with excitement.
    They’d gone to the castle the day before because it once belonged to some dead ancestor on her dad’s side. Her friends planned the trip to keep her mind off Todd. But that was when they thought it was over between them. Now I know otherwise. We aren’t breaking up. She just knew it. And the thing was a sign. 
    It felt like only a few minutes had passed when she pulled into the parking lot about a quarter mile from the incline to the top of Dunnottar Castle. She jumped out of the car and set off for the ruin down the gravelly dirt road. Within a few steps, she broke into a trot, but Kaitlyn’s flip-flops were too small. They hurt between her toes on the way down the incline, then slipped sideways and let little pebbles under her feet going back up the uneven steps to the entryway of the castle. She finally just pulled them off.
    When she got to the top, she dashed to the side where she had jumped the day before. Old walls of ruined buildings kept other tourists from seeing her. She took baby steps toward the ledge and balanced there. She closed her eyes and thought hard, willing the thing to return. Nothing happened. She scanned the sky. Nothing but squawking gulls floated on invisible breezes. She bent her knees and stood up fast, like she was going to jump, letting her feet leave the ground by at least a half inch.
    A chunk of gravel knocked loose and skittered down the cliff making puffs of dust on its way. It needs to think I’m really going to jump again. She leaned forward, pressing her chin out. A deep breath. Just tilt far enough—
    A huge hand grabbed her arm and anchored her to land.
    “Be careful. It is a long way down.”
    Embarrassment shamed her first, that she was caught doing something no one would understand. But then she got miffed. What business was it of anyone’s what she did?
    She turned and found an incredibly tall Arab-looking guy holding her arm. Trying to shake him off did no good. His hand wouldn’t budge.
    “Can I have my arm back?” Her smile was forced, but she didn’t want to cause trouble.
    “Certainly. Once you come away from the edge. You could fall.”
    “I’m fine.”
    He steered her away from the edge anyway. His giant arm was like a crane, moving her whether she wanted to or not.
    “Thanks, but really, I don’t need anything. I’m fine.”
    “You looked as though you intended to jump. That wouldn’t be good.”
    “Well, that would be stupid.” She just wanted him to leave her alone. How could she find the thing with him there distracting her? What if he’s preventing it from coming back? “I’m just looking for my sandals. I left them here yesterday.” It was a lame excuse for being way out on the edge, but no other ideas came fast enough.
    “Are these your missing footwear?” He released her arm and held up his other hand. Her sandals dangled from his fingers.
    “How’d you—?” It didn’t matter. She just needed him to give them over and leave her alone. She grabbed them off his fingers and hopped around to put them on while he watched. He extended his arm for her to hold on, but she did it without his help. It was silent and awkward. “Well, thanks then,” she said once she stopped bouncing and straightened up. “Have a good day.”
    “No need to rush off.”
    “I just want to look at the scenery a