THE GUARDIANS PAPERBACK

A loud crack overhead was the only warning. Ava’s head snapped up, and she caught a glimpse of black and blue before a thick branch fell toward her. She threw out a hand—more reflex than out of any real need—and the branch shifted its trajectory, landing several feet away on the spongy forest floor.

“You’ll have to do better than that,” she said quietly, well aware he could hear her.

She continued down the path, every sense on alert. The call of a crow in the distance obscured the faint crunch and splinter of debris underfoot.

Is that—

A rustle of movement to her left had her ducking behind a tree trunk, peeking around the edge into the thick forest. She caught the faint whooshing sound behind her and spun just in time to stop the large rock hurtling toward her. She smiled, bouncing the rock up and down a bit in the air, testing the limits of her telekinetic ability.

Show off, she heard whispered through the trees.

With a smirk, she sent the rock shooting back through the forest in the direction of the voice, laughing at the surprised yelp in response.

“Come on!” she shouted. “You going to hide in the trees all day or fight like a man?”

Ava stood with her feet braced apart and head thrown back, listening intently. For a long moment, only the quiet sounds of the forest met her ears. She closed her eyes, focusing on her enhanced hearing, listening deeper . . . farther.

There.

The faint in-and-out of breathing grew louder as she focused on it, and she opened her eyes, turning in the direction of the sound. Pushing her eyesight beyond normal human levels, she spotted him hiding behind a tree—a peek of denim, a glimpse of pale blue cotton.

She ducked behind her own tree, heart pounding as she considered her next move. There was no way she could catch him. She wasn’t fast enough. She could try to throw something, though.

She glanced around frantically for something—pinecones were useless, the scattered sticks too small. A boulder several feet away was too big—she wasn’t sure she could even lift it, let alone force it between the trees.

She’d need to try something else.

Ava took a deep breath and closed her eyes, focusing her mind as Caleb had taught her. She pictured the tree where she saw him hiding and tried to will her body to shift to that very spot.

Visualize your body . . . your very cells dissolving, dissipating into the air. See them coming together where you want them to be.

Easier said than done.

You’ll feel yourself growing lighter, almost floating, and before you even realize what’s happening, it’s like you’re there . . . but you’re not.

Ava frowned. Caleb didn’t always make much sense.

She forced herself to breathe slowly and evenly, blocking out the sounds around her and focusing on her own heartbeat. She pictured herself floating, coming apart in the air. A tingle worked its way across her skin, now easily recognizable as her Race power coming to life. Her pulse quickened. Maybe she could do this.

Strong arms imprisoned her—one across her neck, another at her waist—not tight enough to cut off the air supply, but she was definitely immobile.

Ava cursed under her breath.

“So what now?” a low voice growled in her ear. “You going to try and push me? Throw some rocks at my back?” His arm tightened slightly, making her gasp. “I’ve got you right where I want you.”