Free The Torn Guardian by J.D. Wilde

cannot believe I did not notice it before. The same overwhelming sense of power I felt with Grace’s scythe is emitting from the hidden blade, and I realize I really need to start paying more attention to my surroundings.
    “What are you talking about?” Adira questions, so I answer. I tell her everything I told Grace. I again choose to not inform my sister about what would happen if one of them or I died because it is too early. I know neither Grace nor Adira trust the other one or me not to kill her, but everything else is included. The dragons, us being sisters, the whole deal. With a little bit of luck, I won’t have to tell them about being the anchor, and we can successfully save the world without them finding it out. Avoiding the additional fighting that will break out if they discover the truth is my current goal because I have a strong feeling there will be plenty of fighting between us regardless.

Chapter 9
     
    As I tell Adira why I am here, her expressions mimic the ones Grace gave me, but that’s not as bad as it appears. I can tell she thinks this is all crazy, but deep down, she believes me. That is what is most important. After I’m done explaining, I watch her as she deliberates and analyzes every word I said. I’m not worried because I know she, just like Grace, can sense I’m not lying.
    After Adira thinks about it, she actually relaxes a little. However her relaxed state of mind does not last long when I inform her we need to leave soon. Sethos will destroy everything if we don’t.
    “I cannot leave,” Adira declares. She refuses to leave the island claiming her people need her to protect them. She argues as their priestess she cannot simply go as she pleases.
    “If we don’t figure this out, they are as good as dead anyway,” Grace fires back, and I sigh. I wanted to avoid a large argument, but it does not look like I’m going to get my wish. Grace, however, does have a fair point when she remarks the island will be swarmed with those creatures sooner or later, and there is no way one priestess is going to be able to defeat them all by herself. “Whether you like it or not, you need our help,” Grace finishes.
    “I’m not abandoning my people to chase after something that may help. If you want me to take one step off this island, I need definitive proof that there is a fantastic reason I’m leaving,” Adira says with her teeth clenched as she stands up.
    Grace grabs my arm and stands up dragging me up with her. She lets go before I can find my footing, so I stumble a little but manage to not fall. I try to calm them and break up the fight, but neither Grace nor Adira are listening. Grace is right in front of Adira’s face, and this fight can turn physical very quickly if I do not interfere further. Both of their voices are rising, and their bodies become tenser. I reach to pull Grace back a little, but she pushes me off. I stammer back and nearly knock over the stone. I catch it and the stand before they come crashing down. Since the stone is in my hands, it begins to burn a bright white just like in the cave.
    I turn to see Grace and Adira looking at me. Grace has already seen this, but Adira looks like she has suffered a stroke. I put the stone back quickly because I fear I have done something wrong. The last thing I need is for Adira to think I am trying to offend her. I start to apologize and claim it was an accident when Adira falls to her hands and knees and bows her head.
    “I think we’ve lost her,” Grace says. “You broke her, Lux.”
    “I am not broken!” Adira exclaims. “She is the child of light!”
    “We just covered that,” Grace states clearly agitated and, to be honest, I am as well. Grace is correct. We literally covered this a few minutes ago.
    “The Viroca burns white in your presence. You are the vanquisher of evil as the prophecy foretells,” Adira explains. She goes to a stand behind her which has a drawer attached to it and pulls out a piece of