Kerka's Book Read Online Free

and began pulling the curtains against the draft. Slipping my Kalis stick under a large throw pillow, I snuggled under the Scottish plaid blanket on the sofa, as I waited for Aunt Tuula to speak. I held my mug in both hands to warm them. I hadn’t told Aunt Tuula that I had been to Aventurine already, because … well, I wasn’t sure why; it just wasn’t something I wanted to talk about with anyone but Birdie. I wondered if I should have said something, and if it was too late to speak now.
    â€œThere, that’s better.” Aunt Tuula sank into one of the chairs and picked up her mug.
    â€œWill
you
help me with my Kalis training, Aunt Tuula?” I couldn’t hold back any longer, and I didn’t give her time to answer but plunged ahead, making my case. “Aiti died before she taught us the last basic Kalis dance move. I know it’s the hardest, and I wantto make sure I learn it correctly. I promise that I’ll work hard and practice every day, even if I have to give up soccer.”
    â€œI have no doubt,” Aunt Tuula said. “Your determination to survive and succeed will serve you well in the challenges that lie ahead.”
    I shifted uneasily and set my mug on the coffee table. The words of praise had an undertone of something not quite right.
    â€œBut you are still underprepared.” Aunt Tuula rested her elbows on her knees. She suddenly seemed worried to me. “Turning thirteen is a big step for every girl, the moment when she crosses the threshold between childhood and early womanhood.”
    This was not what I wanted to hear. I knew I couldn’t stop time, but I was determined to put off growing up as long as possible.
    â€œWhen Rona turned thirteen, your mother told her more about our family and our special heritage.” Aunt Tuula paused again to clear a catch in her throat. “Britta told me years ago that if anything happened to her, I was to tell you the same things on the eve of your thirteenth birthday.”
    â€œThat’s today.” I had to catch my lip in my teeth to keep it from trembling.
    â€œYes, it is,” Aunt Tuula said gently. “Listen,Kerka. The things your ancestors learned can guide you through the trials that lie ahead. I already told you about Great-Great-Grandmother Elsa and the elf. But there is more to know.”
    I put my head on the large sofa pillow and fell asleep to the soothing sound of my aunt’s voice, holding on to my Kalis stick.

Part Two
Hurricane

3
Into Aventurine
    I didn’t want to wake up, but the ground was hard despite the dry leaves.
    Leaves?
    My eyes snapped open. The light was dim, and I was lying in a forest clearing, staring into the soft brown eyes of a squirrel.
Where am I?
I thought for all of two seconds before I knew the answer: I was back in Aventurine!
    The squirrel sat on its haunches, chewing a nut and staring back at me.
    â€œHello,” I said to the squirrel. I didn’t remember ever seeing a squirrel the last time I was here.
    The squirrel scampered away when I sat up. I looked around and quickly recognized where I was: the center of the Willowood, where the Willowood Fairies live. The circular clearing in the middle of thewillow trees was filled with mist, and a soft light was coming from one side, as if the sun was just rising. Last time, Birdie and I had all sorts of crazy adventures just trying to reach the Willowood. Already being here had to be a good thing. The queen of the Willowood Fairies could tell me what my mission was, and I could get started right away.
    I stood up to start looking for Queen Patchouli or any of the fairies, and I noticed my backpack on the ground. Last time I came, a special map was in my backpack when I arrived. I picked up my backpack and opened it. Except for my orange Kalis stick, which was tucked inside, the canvas bag was empty: no schoolbooks and no map tied with red string.
    I’m not sure how Zally’s magical map