Read Online Guardian [New World Book 6] by C. L. Scholey - Free Book Online Page B

her. She could only shake her head in amazement at his prowess. Each day Roam returned successful, Jinx’s admiration grew and Taz seemed less tense. The two men, who at first circled each other as would vultures, loosened up until they could joke together. Their tentative friendship became stronger. Until one day something very odd occurred.
    Macey, delighted with Roam’s finding of a number of sleepers that would fit Ally, went to throw her arms around him. Roam stumbled back, as though pushed, and would have landed ass first into the cauldron if Taz hadn’t caught him. Both Roam, Macey and Taz were stunned. The rest of the cave dwellers looked at Roam quizzically.
    Roam’s mouth flapped like a beached fish until he smiled sheepishly and muttered: “Wow Macey, you seem to have an effect on me.”
    Taz took an openmouthed, stunned Macey out of the cave while whispering quietly to her. Roam’s look was that of a cross between happy and worried. Jinx understood none of it. What happened after Macey returned was even stranger. Roam went nowhere near her, and she did her best to keep her distance from him as if he had suddenly developed the plague. Taz once again seemed anxious, not with Roam, but for Roam.
    When Roam went out Jinx made it her mission to try and spend time with him. He wasn’t opposed to the company but seemed a bit uncomfortable around her. He was always attentive and respectful but there were times when he looked at her as though he wanted to pounce on her. Jinx was positive he’d never hurt her, but when he touched her she had the strangest feeling of wanting to throw herself into his embrace.
    “Where do you go when you’re gone overnight?” Jinx asked Roam.
    The two were collecting branches and sticks for the never ending need for firewood. Evening hours were closing in. Most of the day’s work was done. The skies looked threatening, but surprisingly enough, Jinx was looking forward to having Roam unable to take off at will when she questioned him. There wouldn’t be anywhere he could hide. The man was a master at tactical outmaneuvering.
    “I’ve been heading out in different directions. Looking for others as well as items.”
    “Have you seen anyone?”
    “No and yes. The bodies are thankfully few and far between, most are bones. Most of the bones are scattered.” Roam’s blue eyes clouded as he said this. Jinx had come across bodies, it was never easy.
    “Do you think Earth will ever be a safe place, free of all the natural disasters?” she asked.
    “I think after the rainy season you should come home with me.”
    “Why do you think your part of the world is safer than here?”
    Roam stopped. He took her hands into his own; Jinx felt her belly dance with butterflies. His warm moist hands were so powerful, his touch so gentle. The blue of his eyes were mesmerizing.
    “I think it’s time you saw something.”
    “What?” she whispered.
    Jinx couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was so handsome. For a moment she forgot what she had asked him. Roam put an arm around her shoulder and led her farther into the jungle. Deeper and deeper until Jinx stopped. The ground began to grow moist under her feet.
    “Where did the swamp come from?” she asked, startled; it hadn’t been here a few days ago. The farther she looked, the more water she saw.
    “It’s not swamp, Jinx.”
    Bewildered Jinx looked up at him. “I don’t understand.”
    “The water is rising. Your cave will be under water within a month.”
    Horrified, she opened her mouth to ask how he knew, but she knew he wasn’t lying. She was deluding herself into false security, had been for months. Places she once roamed were suddenly swamps.
    “What will we do?” she whispered.
    Roam cupped her face in his palm. Jinx was terrified, yet his touch was soothing. Soon her pounding heart settled.
    “I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” Roam promised.
    Without knowing how, she was in his arms, pressed against his chest.