Meanmna: Book One of the Daearen Realms Read Online Free

crazy, but you are very likely to drive me crazy if you don’t stop and listen.” He took an overly dramatic deep breath. I almost said something, but he put his hand up to stop me. I hadn’t noticed before, but he had a slight accent I couldn’t place. God, that’s sexy. He took another deep breath and started again. “My name is Elwin. It’s a pleasure to meet you, finally. I’ve—”
    “What do you mean finally? You’ve been watching me? Are you some kind of stalker?”
    “I’ve been sent here by your family. I’m here to help you get ready for the journey to meet them.” He put his arm across the back of the seat and nonchalantly looked at me with a half-smile , acting as if he had uttered the most normal statement in the world.
    “Wait. What? My family?” I exploded. “I don’t know what kind of crazy crap this is, but my family is my mom, who is at home crying. Mathew is on a date with a girl whose name starts with an S, I think. And Mathew’s mom, Peggy, is . . . I haven’t any idea where she is or what she’s doing, but she would not have sent some hunky guy to prepare me. She’s never had a dating problem and she would have kept you for herself.” Did I really did just say that? I turned back around, started the car, and said, “It’s time for you to get out.”
    “Listen, we really need to talk. I can help you understand what’s been going on. I can help you understand who you really are. When you are ready to talk, I’ll find you.” He put his hand on the door handle and got out of the car. Wow! He’s tall and he’s smirking again. He had better not be reading my mind—it’s my crazy mind. He leaned down and looked at me through the window. “I know this is a shock, so please think about it. I’ll be seeing you around, Sarette Miller.” He shut the door and started walking away.
    I watched him in my rearview mirror until his outline started to go b lurry and he disappeared. I shook my head in disbelief. This is too much—much too much. I am going crazy.
    No, you are not. Goodnight, Sarette. I heard in my head.
    I headed back home with no coffee, no candle, and my last shred of sanity gone.
     

FOUR
     
    The dashboard clock said 8:05 when I pulled into the driveway. I put the car in park and gazed up at my house, wondering what, if anything, I should tell my mom. The kitchen lights were on. Mom was probably checking Facebook or re-tweeting some inspirational meme with an ocean photo and an unattributed motivational quote. She has to work early tomorrow so she should be calling it a night any minute. I can’t talk to her about what Elwin, the mystery man, just said. The topic of my dad would make for a day trip on an emotional rollercoaster. I learned a long time ago that if I wanted Mom to keep acting like Mom, I should not bring him up, ever. She gets so sad and tries to push through, but it takes so much out of her. It’s also hard on me to watch that.
    What if what Elwin said is actually true? Wouldn’t Mom like to know that she could see him, my dad, again? My dad! Okay, I needed to talk to her. Now! But, what the hell would I say? Hey, Mom! I totally disregarded what you said and went to the freaky bookstore in town. There, I came to believe that I am completely insane—like “bring-your-insurance-card-and-commit-me” insane. Of course, I’m only crazy if what this really hot guy—I mean, smoking hot guy—said isn’t true. My family, who has been watching me, would like to see me. Not my family as in you, but rather my dad’s family. Surprise! You know dad—the guy you met when you were finishing your dissertation? The guy you fell so completely in love with that you have never gotten over him? Wait, Mom. Please! Mom, don’t cry. You don’t need another bath. Come back!
    “ Ahhhh,” I said as I dropped my head on the steering wheel, accidentally hitting the loud and obnoxious car horn. I sat up and covered my mouth with my hands—like that helped. Mom was