Guardians of the Akasha Read Online Free

get the first flight to Toronto after your mother’s party. Come stay at my parents’ lodge for a few days. You know they love you. Just think, there’s bound to be a cute ski instructor—or two—who could keep us occupied. Those boys have got nothing to do in summer.”
    “Thanks,” Keira laughed. “Please don’t tempt me. I already had to beg and plead to get these couple of weeks with you girls at the apartment, and I still have to tell my parents that I want to stay here permanently. There is no way they’d let me go off to Canada.”
    “Okay,” Alison said with resignation. “But you know what they say—all work and no play—”
    “Yes, yes,” Keira said. “Don’t worry, we’ll make a plan. I’ll come visit, sooner rather than later.”
    “Good, I’m keeping you to that,” Alison said. “Well, good luck for tomorrow. I’ve got to go.” She gave Keira a quick hug, walked to the front door and picked up the suitcase already waiting there. “I’ll call when I arrive at my parents’ place.”
    “Have fun,” Keira smiled and walked with Alison to the elevator in the hall outside of the apartment.
    “I intend to,” Alison said. She paused with her finger on the button and looked back at Keira. “Are you sure you’re all right? You look—I don’t know—like you’re on a different planet or something?”
    “Don’t worry!” Keira forced a laugh. “Give my love to your family and enjoy the holiday.”
    “Okay, okay!” Alison said. The elevator arrived and there was time for a last quick hug before Keira all but pushed her friend inside. Alison waved through the slowly closing doors. “Look after yourself, and remember to water the plants!” she shouted last minute instructions.
    “I will, stop worrying,” Keira laughed. She waited until the doors slid closed, then turned and slowly walked back into the apartment. She went to the kitchen and started washing the few breakfast dishes. She missed her friend already. She, Alison and Sammy, they were like the three Musketeers; inseparable at school and during holidays their parents let them spend together. Most of those holidays were spent with Sammy or Alison’s parents; her own mother couldn’t cope with the added burden of two more girls to supervise. Besides, Keira preferred getting away to her friends’ homes.
    She smiled, remembering the day in school when Alison had had her brilliant idea.
    “You want to travel the world, Keira, and I want to start my own magazine. You could write all the travel pieces for me!” Alison cried, her eyes glittering with excitement.
    “Woohoo!” Sammy agreed. “And once I’ve started my design label, you could feature my designs in your magazine. I’ll give you free clothes of course.”
    “Of course,” Alison laughed. “And you’ll design our wedding dresses too,” and she and Sammy got that dreamy look in their eyes, even though neither had a boyfriend and both swore they would never be tied down by a husband.
    Keira had pretended to play along. She had no intention of ever getting married or having children. It was difficult enough to hide her ‘curse’ from her friends. How would she ever hide it from a husband? Never mind having children; there was no way she was having kids and then finding out that this thing was hereditary. Not that her parents were in any way, shape, or form even slightly weird, but still.
    Keira sighed and dried her hands. She was as determined as ever to travel the world. She was eighteen years old and legally of age. She could pack up and go, if she wanted; but she would hate to leave on bad terms with her parents.
    The time to face the argument about her future was getting closer. Not today though; today she had to find the perfect gift. But what to buy for a woman who has everything?

Chapter 4
    Victoria’s immaculate, French-manicured fingernails tap-tapped an irritated rhythm on the table top. “What do you mean ‘get Rafael to babysit her?’” she