The Guardians of the Forest: Book Two by Kelly Napoli

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  Kiethara’s day continued like this, following the established pattern. She felt bad, for the other three were having a hard time staying put in their places. But surprise was an element they needed, one they could not afford to lose. Not even for the greatest discomfort.

  Those three were not her only company. Tinya visited her often, in a completely different world…

  Kiethara was climbing a mountain.

  At least, that’s what she thought it was. The only thing she could truly make out was the sheer, stone cliff to which she was clinging. Everything above her was obscured by fog. Everything below her was crystal clear. But not altogether pleasant.

  She reached above her, groping for something to hold on to. She caught a jagged outcropping of rock just in time, almost losing her balance. Somehow, she knew that if she did, the world would shatter around her. The thought did not bother her.

  Are you ready? Tinya whispered.

  Kiethara considered chiding the voice for breaking her concentration, but the annoyance that should have been there was missing. Then, pausing in her climb, she considered the question.

  It seemed…so familiar. She felt that Tinya, or someone, had asked her this before. Was she ready? Prepared? Kiethara pursed her lips at the wave of déjà vu.

  Well? she demanded.

  Kiethara shrugged and pulled herself up another foot. She did not remember what she was supposed to be ready for.

  Tinya’s anger at her ignorance and lack of interest was so strong that it shook Kiethara. The potent emotion was like a slap in the face, sparking her own emotion and memory.

  Are you ready…Ready for Gandador? Ready for the fight? Ready for…

  This.

  At the sound of Tinya’s voice, Kiethara was thrown off the cliff face. She had been right. As she fell, the images around her shattered like glass, breaking into rugged pieces.

  Right before she hit the ground, she heard the voice whisper:

  Are you ready for the end?