Beasthood (The Hidden Blood Series) Read Online Free Page B

understood. And she did, more than Jaz knew. She felt a twinge of guilt in her heart. “I have a suggestion- well it is more of a request,” her aunt began cheerily to lighten the mood. It caused Jaz to glance to her side at her aunt who was sitting upright with a perfect posture. She was slumped, almost lying down on the sofa. She knew how bad she looked but she couldn’t seem to will herself to care. She did really, but today just wasn’t a good day.
    This sudden change in conversation, however, had given her heart a tiny lift. She gazed at her aunt inquiringly as Erica announced, “How would you like to take a break from all this,” waving her arms around her to symbolize ‘Jaz’s Life’ before adding, “and come with me on a trip?”
    Jaz raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You want to take me like… on a holiday?”
                  Her aunt was beaming now. She had achieved what she wanted. She knew her niece would come with her. Jaz trusted her and it made Erica proud to see it. “Yes. Just for a week or two. I’m a well known member of a spa resort up north. They will treat you like a princess. There are loads of activities and you will be pampered and looked after. Trust me, when you come back you will feel a hell-of-a lot better.”
                  Jaz stared at the floor, considering it.
    It sounded like a great offer, and not something that came along everyday.
    Her aunt had been a rock to her even in the short time she’d known her. She was a breath of fresh air –an escape- from her life. 
    She wondered if it would be okay to ask if Lisa and Ellie could come.
    No, that’d be really rude. I can call them everyday. I’ve got loads of free minutes.
    “ Is that a yes?” her aunt inquired though from the wideness of her own smile, she knew it was.
    Jaz glanced up at her dad curiously when she’d noticed how tightly clenched his fists were. She gazed up at his face. He wasn’t looking at her. He was glaring at his sister. Jaz was shocked by the look in his eyes. He wasn’t just furious, he was anxious. She knew that because when he realized she was watching him, it was the first emotion to spread over his face.
    She stared at him a moment longer, before she glanced at her mum. Rachel looked as if she’d been shot with a pellet gun. Her eyes were watery as she glanced from Aunt Erica to her daughter.
    So I guess they have more reconciling to do than I had first imagined, Jaz thought with disappointment. “As long as it’s okay with mum and dad?” Jaz half-asked, half-answered. Her aunt swiveled round to look at them. Jaz noticed her father’s feet shift awkwardly.
                  She frowned, trying to understand her parents’ reactions until her aunt distracted her. “So? What d’ya think? Would you mind terribly if I steal your daughter for a week or two? Two might be better don’t you think? It will give her a break, change her surroundings.” Her brother eyed her unsurely. “Oh come on John. Can we put our differences aside? I’m only trying to help.”
                  He kept silent. Jaz wished he’d say something. She watched her father intensely, willing him to just apologize and get over whatever it was that he couldn’t seem to forget.
                  After a brief moment he sighed and said, “Very well.”
                  Jaz smiled, though it wasn’t as big as it could have been. She wasn’t the same smiley, bubbly person she had been a year ago. That would take time.
    Her aunt grinned with delight and triumph. She turned to her niece and announced. “Well that’s settled then. You pack your bags; we’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning!”
                  Jaz was surprised at how short notice that was but didn’t really mind. She was just relieved to be able to get away. It would only be for two weeks anyway.

~ Chapter 4- Find~
     
    Monday 26 th April, 20 10 , 7:05 a.m. - Arik’s