Guardians Read Free Page B

already sniffing the dangling edge of the towel with great interest. “I know.” Her voice faltered. “I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
    She undid the cover and guided Aras’s fingers to the sleeping baby. When he first felt the soft, warm creature, he recoiled as if touching fire. Then a smile stole over his face. He brought his hand back and continued his gentle exploration of the tiny being, barely skimming her delicate skin as he traced the curve of her cheek, her pink ears, the soft dome of her head.
    â€œAnd you . . .” He turned to Esther and his hand rose to her face, cupping her chin. “You okay?”
    â€œI’m okay.” Then she swallowed. “But there’s something else.”
    The baby was starting to awaken; she squirmed a bit and let out a miniature yawn, showing pink gums. Esther took her partner’s hand and directed it to the features of the child’s face. Aras’s palm hovered over them.
    Then he stopped.
    After a moment, he went back and tapped her flattened nose, her bulging eyes. His fingers flickered over the rest of her body, checking her with a quick thoroughness that made Esther’s stomach clench. Tense and anxious, she was watching her partner, trying to read his thoughts.
    â€œIs it—” he started to say at last, but Esther cut him off.
    â€œYes,” she said. “She is.”
    There was a silence that seemed to extend for a lifetime. Wasn’t he going to say anything else? Esther wondered. She loved and depended on her partner, the blind boy who against all odds had led her and her friends to not just safety, but a new life in Mundreel. Theirs was a relationship based on mutual loyalty and respect. Yet for a moment her trust in him wavered and she hated herself for it.
    Aras held out his arms. With her heart pounding so hard it hurt, Esther handed the child over.
    With the utmost care, Aras gathered her up. Then he bent forward, brushing his lips against her soft forehead.
    â€œOur baby,” he said.
    Esther was so relieved, she only just realized how exhausted she was; her knees nearly buckled. But Aras was crouching low, showing the infant to Pilot.
    â€œThis our little girl,” he was saying. “And you got to do everything you can to make sure she safe. Got that?”
    His tail thumping as if in agreement, the dog nuzzled the baby.
    â€œNow,” Aras told Esther, “let’s go introduce Kai to his little sister.”
    Later that morning, the four dozed in one bed, with Pilot on the end as sentry. Two-year-old Kai had been delighted with the tiny creature and wanted to show her all his toys; yet soon, the excitement had tired him out. Her arms now around bothchildren, Esther slipped in and out of consciousness; it was a delicious feeling.
    Then she realized that next to her, Aras lay awake.
    â€œWhat if it was just us?” He spoke as if addressing the ceiling, his voice soft. “The three of us. Four, I mean.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œIf we found our own place. Away from here.”
    Esther was touched. She knew that before he had lost his sight, Aras had been a guide, making his living taking travelers to where they wanted to go. He considered no one place his home; he had been long accustomed to his freedom and felt even more restricted in the District than she. And he was a loner at heart, ill at ease among others. That he wanted to create a new home for his family was the most loving thing she could imagine.
    â€œIt’d be all right to go,” he added. “Everything run pretty good here.”
    It was true. Under her supervision, the garden was flourishing; there was more than enough to feed everyone. The clever drainage system in the greenhouse roof collected rainwater, which, after being strained and purified, was safe to drink. And down in the mall, most of the stores were still intact and stocked with all kinds of items, luxurious and