Free The Torn Guardian by J.D. Wilde Page A

paper before handing it to me. “The wise men and women found this with me when they found me as a baby.” She appears to think I should completely understand what she is talking about, but I don’t. I was never told by the dragons there was a prophecy. This little paper means nothing to me. I cannot tell this to Adira because Grace elbows me in the gut before I can utter a single word.
    “Yes, the great child of light. Are you ready to assist her?” Grace questions, and I want to roll my eyes so badly. She cannot seriously believe that is going to work.
    Adira starts speaking so quickly her words are blending together. Most of it isn’t comprehendible, but I do manage to hear her bring up how the prophecy has always been important to their beliefs and customs. Adira excuses herself stating she must speak to the wise men and women but will be back shortly. She runs swiftly exiting her hut, and I’m dumbfounded. It seriously worked. Grace smiles as soon as Adira is out of sight and says that for once she thinks the jungle people’s crazy religion is going to help her.
    “Grace, I have no idea what she is talking about with that prophecy,” I say with the same stumped expression on my face.
    “I know. I could tell by that stupid expression you were making, but she doesn’t need to know that,” Grace explains.
    “We need her to trust us,” I argue.
    “Exactly,” Grace retaliates, “Right now, she thinks your some high and mighty power sent to save everyone foretold by a bunch of old loons. She finds that more believable than your story.”
    “But my story is the truth,” I continue to fight. It might not have been the complete truth as some key details are missing, but it was more accurate than whatever prophecy Adira was talking about.
    “And deep down, just like me, she knows that. But that story isn’t going to be enough to get her to leave her people. This, you being the grand child of light, is, so let’s just go with it for now. Sooner or later she’ll figure it out. If she’s really our sister, she cannot be that stupid,” Grace says.
    I feel awful. I’m already lying to both of them by not telling them about how I’m the anchor. There are so many ways this can backfire, but Adira isn’t going to leave just because we are sisters and I’m asking nicely. The only way she is coming is if they deem me being the person in the prophecy more important than whatever is currently happening on the island.
    After several minutes, Adira enters the hut again and declares she will in fact be joining us. I still feel bad about lying, but my muscles relax because I’m relieved Adira has agreed to join us.
    The three of us exit the hut to leave the village together. Several of the villagers are outside, and they wish me and Adira well as we pass. They seem intent on ignoring Grace, but at least they aren’t being overly malicious. Because we are being wished well by nearly everyone in the village, Adira and I fall behind Grace. She is leaning against the entrance wall as she waits for us. I’m about to rush out of this crowd to join her when I see a small boy walk up to her. He extends his small hand out to her. Grace looks at him and gives a slight smile. She takes the boy’s offering, and he runs off as soon as she does.
    Adira has also noticed what just occurred and explains the boy lost his father last night. He heard about Grace’s crew tending to the bodies and wanted to thank her despite the majority of the village being against it. They might have appreciated Grace being kind to their dead, but Grace’s troops were probably the reason some of them died in the first place. I can’t blame them for not wanting to become best friends with her.
    “We ready?” Grace questions when Adira and I finally pull out of the crowd, “Are you done shaking everyone’s hand like we’ve already won?”
    “Are you going to be this irritating the entire time?” Adira immediately retorts. She places her hand