The Key (#1 of Anna Kippling Series) Paranormal romance by A.D. Duling (9 page)

The medicine had started to kick in and she
slumped back into her pillow too exhausted to argue.

Corrine grabbed her tray of food off the
nightstand and sat it in her lap. “You need to eat to as well
before you go anywhere.”She scolded her. Anna smiled and gave her a
salute. “Good girl!” she teased back.

“If she can travel in the morning, we will
have to go mother.” he insisted.

She nodded and put the lid back on the
medicine bottle. “I know son.” She replied and walked over to the
door. She opened it and looked back at him. “I will tell your
father and we will start getting things packed.”

“
Thank you mother, I will
be down in a few minutes to help.”

She smiled and nodded. “Take your time…”

Chapter 13

A
nna opened her eyes; the room was dark. She bolted upright,
“Hayden!” she called out.

“Anna.” His hand touched hers and she
jerked. “It’s ok, it’s me.” He assured her and lit the lamp.

She rubbed her throat, he noticed and
reached over and poured her a glass of water. He handed it to her
and she gulped it down. The cool liquid soothed her dry throat.

“How long have I been asleep?” she asked
him, handing him back the glass.

“You’ve been asleep for almost three hours.”
He answered her.

She reached down and rubbed her grumbling
stomach, “Man! I’m already hungry again!”

He laughed, “You only ate soup Anna, that
doesn’t hold up long!” he reached over to the nightstand and
removed a cloth napkin from on top of a plate. A sandwich sat
underneath. She sat up and he handed her the plate. She picked up
one of the halves and took a bite. “What happened with the
imposter?” she asked him between chews.

“She is sitting in a very wet and cold jail
cell.” He answered bitterly.

“Where is my book?” she asked him and took
another bite of the sandwich.

He grabbed it off of the nightstand and
handed it to her. She took it giving him an “I feel so stupid”
look.

She put her sandwich down and opened the
book. “Where is the Empress?” she asked it.

She still resides in the
east tower of the Chancellor’s castle
.
It answered.

“
How do we get to his
castle?”

Go west towards the city of Heron;
continue on through the Forests of Darkness and you will find his
castle hidden there.
It wrote.

She closed the book and looked over at
Hayden, “Can you get us there?”

He nodded.

“Good, I think we should definitely leave in
the morning!”

He stood up. “Do you feel up to it?” he
asked her. She nodded. He stretched, “Well as much as I would love
to stay, I really need to go and sleep in a bed!”

She laughed.

He walked over to the door, “I’ve already
packed and have asked a friend to join us. When you’ve finished
eating, you’re more than welcome to take a bath. There are clothes
on the chair for you.” He told her.

She laughed, “Are you implying that I
stink?” she jested.

He grinned. “I am and you do!” He teased
back and then went to bed.

Hayden was right, she did stink! She took a
bath and enjoyed it immensely! Her wounds burned a little at first,
but the warmth of the water felt too good on her stiff body; that
she stopped caring! She buttoned up her shirt and tucked it into
her trousers, cinching the belt to keep them up. She ran a brush
through her hair and tied it up. She tidied up her mess and went
downstairs.

Everyone was already up and eating
breakfast. Sitting next to Hayden was a tiny blonde girl. He
noticed her walk into the room and stood up.

“Anna, I would like to introduce my friend
Valencia, who we call Val!” He gestured towards the girl.

“Don’t worry Anna, I’m a lot older than I
look and tougher too.” the girl spoke.

Anna shook her head, “I didn’t say…”

“Val can read minds, Anna.” Hayden
interrupted.

Anna smiled embarrassedly. “Oh…”

“Don’t worry Anna, I won’t do it all the
time!” the girl jokingly assured her.

Anna laughed, “Good! Sometimes my thoughts
get away from me!”

Val smiled, “I like you too, Anna
Kippling.”

Anna laughed again, “Hey! I thought you said
you wouldn’t?”

Val grinned, “I said not all the time.” She
stood up. “I have something to give you Anna.” and she pointed over
to an object lying at the end of the table. She walked over to it
and un-wrapped it revealing a sword.

Val pointed to the handle, “Your family’s
name has been etched onto the handle and each of the jewels
represents something. This was Hayden’s doing, so I will let him
explain.” She stepped aside.

Hayden walked over and pointed to the first
jewel, there were four of them. “The emerald I picked to match the
color of your eyes, it also represents your presence.”

“
This diamond represents
the light you have brought to Tatania.” He explained on.

He pointed to the third stone, “The onyx
represents your strength and perhaps now even your stubbornness.”
He teased a little.

She gave him a playful glare. “The fourth
stone; the sapphire, represents your love, Anna.”

She admired it and ran her hand down the
body of the sword.

“
I cannot thank you both
enough for such a beautiful gift!”

Val handed the sheath to him and he sheathed
it for her. “I had this forged and Hayden contributed the stones,
but this gift was not from us.” Her new friend responded.

Anna looked from one to the other. “Then who
did?” she inquired. Hayden looked past her. She turned and found a
couple standing behind her. She knew instantly who they were; the
woman looked almost like her mother!

Her Great- Grandparents walked over to her.
It was hard to imagine the great part, since they looked to young.
They looked as old as her parents!

“I was beginning to think you did not
exist.” She told them.

Her Great- Grandmother walked over and
hugged her. “When we heard you were here, we could not wait to meet
you!” She exclaimed and kissed her cheek.

“There is something I must tell you about
grandma.” She somberly spoke.

The woman shook her head and hugged her
again. “You don’t have to say anything…we already know.”

“Can I get a hug from this beautiful young
lady too?”Her Great- Grandfather interrupted to lighten the
mood.

The woman laughed and let go of Anna, “Of
course you can!” She wiped at a few loose tears and stepped aside
to let her husband have a turn.

He wrapped his arms around Anna and gave her
a gentle squeeze. “I hope you are feeling much better, my dear. We
heard about what happened to you the other night.” He softly spoke
in her ear.

“Still a little sore, but I’ll survive.” She
hugged him back.

“Of course you will, it’s in your blood!” he
teasingly bragged and released her.

“Do I call you Great-Grandpa?” she asked
him.

He laughed and shook his head. “No Way! You
will get my lady friends thinking I am old!” he teased. His wife
smacked his arm and he gave her a wounded look.

“
How about we take off the
great so your grandfather won’t feel so old!” she playfully
suggested.

“That sounds great to me!” Anna played
along.

“Now wait a minute! I happen to like the
great part! It makes me feel… superior!” he teased.

“Gerald you are great at many things, but
you are far from superior!” she playfully shot back.

“
Alright woman, I
surrender!” he laughed.

“And I thought Hayden was bad!” Anna added
in.

“Did I hear my name?” Hayden called
over.

The women laughed and walked over to the
table together and joined them. Her grandfather sat down and
started talking with Harmon. Corrine brought Anna a plate of
breakfast. “You’re not going anywhere until you’ve eaten every
bite!” she sternly teased. Anna smiled and picked up her fork in
compliance.

Her Great- Grandmother noticed the pendant
necklace around her neck. “You’re wearing her necklace!”

Anna nodded and chewed. “Yes and we just
discovered the key inside it!” She shared.

The woman shook her head, “I was not aware
of that, but I do know something about the pendant that you will
like! May I see it?” she asked.

Anna reached up and undid the clasp and
handed the necklace to the woman. Her Great- Grandmother put it on
and held the pendant in her hand. She rubbed the stone. “Conceal
me.” She said and disappeared!

“Reveal me.” Words followed and she
reappeared.

“Amazing!” declared Corrine, who walked in
just in time to see.

“Yes it is!” Anna agreed as the woman handed
the necklace back.

“Do you have the matching bracelet too?” she
asked.

Anna reached under her sleeve and slipped it
off of her wrist.

“Now I’m excited to see what this does!” And
she handed her the bracelet.

“With this bracelet you can go back in time,
but only a matter of minutes.” She slipped the bracelet on and
demonstrated above the stone, “You rub your finger over the stone
as well and say: “Give me time.” And there you go!” She took it off
and handed it back to her.

“But a word of caution, Anna; use it
wisely.” She warned her.

Anna nodded.

After breakfast they all made their way
outside.

“We will pray for your safety and look
forward to your return.” Her Great-Grandfather assured her and she
hugged them again.

Hayden climbed up onto Thunder and Val
mounted her own horse. Corrine walked over to Anna and hugged her.
“Be safe and take your medicine!” Anna hugged her back and climbed
up onto her horse. Harmon walked up behind his wife, “Try to bring
him back undamaged!” He gave her a wink. She grinned.

Hayden trotted over to his father and
reached down and tussled at his hair. Harmon reached up and slapped
away his hand, “Let me alone boy! You had better return home in one
piece, for your mother’s sake, you hear me!” he threatened.

Hayden nodded and smiled back, “I hear you!”
He replied. He then gave the horse a nudge and rode off. Anna and
Val gave their final waves and followed after him.

Corrine leaned against her husband. “I’m
already worried.”She spoke to him. Harmon wrapped his arm around
his wife. “So am I.”He agreed.

Chapter 14

Heron wasn’t far away from them, so it only
took two days to reach it. When they neared its walls the following
night; Hayden directed them away from the entrance and over to a
cluster of trees.

“We are going to have to sleep here
tonight.” He announced.

Anna looked over to the city. “Why out
here?” she asked him.

He climbed down. “After the news of the
Empress’s capture, Heron’s doors will not open to anyone during the
night.”

Val had already dismounted her horse and
started clearing an area to set up on. Anna climbed down and untied
her blanket from the saddle. Hayden took the horses over to a
nearby tree and fed and watered them for the night. He then grabbed
some things for them and carried it over. Anna found a nice spot
for herself and laid out her blanket. He handed her the medicine
and the jug of water.

“How am I going to mix it?” she asked and a
metal cup landed in her lap. “Oh…thanks.” She filled the cup almost
full of water and then added the medicine. She stirred it with her
finger and then drank it.

Suddenly a blanket shot out midair and
Hayden guided it down next to hers. She gave him a quizzical
look.

“Hey, this is only for your protection.” He
declared.

She laughed at his comment. “What about
Val?” she asked him and looked over at the girl who was already
snuggled under her blanket.

“I don’t cuddle.” her voice spoke out from
underneath.

Anna laughed again and looked back over at
Hayden; he shrugged his shoulders. “Well, there’s your answer.”

“Well, I don’t cuddle either.”

“You don’t?” He gave her a sad puppy dog
look and she laughed. He sat down and started pulling out their
food. “Hey Val… Are you going to come over here and join us for a
feast?” he yelled over to his friend.

“Too tired…” She answered without
moving.

“Suit yourself.” He replied and handed Anna
some jerky. She took it and ate it quickly.

“
Hungry?” he teased
her.

She smiled and finished chewing. “No just
very tired.”

“
Are you hurting a lot?”
He asked her.

She shook her head, “Not so much anymore,
just stiff.”

She took a drink of water and handed it to
him. She then lay down, “Goodnight!” She announced and closed her
eyes.

“
Oh…I guess I’ll clean
up!” He said.

Anna chuckled, “Thank you.” She said without
opening an eye.

She fell asleep to his playful grumbling and
the rustle of his cleaning up. Then what seemed only a minute
later, a voice called her name. She reluctantly opened her eyes and
looked over at Hayden; he was fast asleep. She closed her eyes and
returned to her slumber. Just as she was about to go over the
brink, the voice came again! Her eyes shot open and she sat up. She
looked over at her friends and could see both their chest rising,
apparently in deep sleep.

Anna….
The voice startled her and she looked around, but saw
nothing.
Anna…
the voice spoke to her again and she turned around. That was
when she saw the soft glowing light coming from a tree down the
hill from them. She stood up and walked towards it; when she was
almost to it, she stopped and hesitated. The glowing was coming
from a hole inside of the trunk. She looked around; no one was
around. She thought about the possibility of it being a trap and
pulled her book out.