Meanmna: Book One of the Daearen Realms Read Online Free Page B

said, ‘You are crazy. Check yourself into the loony bin immediately.’ I’m exaggerating and paraphrasing, of course. Things started getting really bad about a week ago. No more feelings of being watched. Instead, I knew— I absolutely knew there was something or someone by my side almost all the time—but I could not see anything or anyone. Tonight I went to Visions. Yes, I know you don’t like me to go there, but I had to go. That’s another thing or feeling that I can’t quite explain. I’m absolutely driven to that place. Today when I was there, I cut my hand on a crystal. Oh, let me show you.” I looked around for my purse. “Shoot! I must have left it in the car.” I started to get up.
    “ Sit. You can get it when you finish.” She waved her hands, motioning for me to continue.
    “ So, I met Celine’s niece, Paige.” What was that look? Mom’s heard that name before. “I was feeling really crazy because I kept hearing things and tried to make a hasty exit. Paige stopped me on the way out and she gave me the crystal that I had cut my hand on. Then I left, thinking of driving myself to the loony bin.” Should I tell her I freaked and fainted because there was a stranger in my car? No. I’m going to keep that detail to myself. Should I mention he showed up in my dream? How about my apparent newfound telepathic abilities? Not now. I cleared my throat and continued. “Outside the store, I met someone named Elwin.” Should I mention how sexy he was? I was blushing and decided not to say anything about that. “He said my family wants me to see them and he was here to prepare me for the journey.” I stopped talking and looked at her, waiting for her to respond.
    Mom pursed her lips and tilted her head a little to the left. “And then?”
    “ Well, then I freaked out.”
    “ Did he say anything else?” She was calm—a little too calm.
    “ He said that when I’m ready he can help me understand what’s been going on and who I really am.” I looked down and started picking at a frayed edge of my sweater.
    “ It’s not time yet,” mom mumbled under her breath.
    “ What?” I looked up.
    “ Nothing.” Mom paused for a moment and held her poker face. “Well, when you decide, he will know and find you.” She slid her chair back and stood up. “Why don’t you go get your purse? You can show me the crystal.”
    In a bit of a daze, I stood up. “Okay.” I tried to smile, gave up, and went outside to get my purse. Mathew’s truck was still gone. It must be one hot date with little Miss S. I walked around to the back passenger side, opened the door, and leaned into the backseat. It smelled like rain in my car and I wondered if that was what Elwin smelled like. I hurried back inside with my purse in one hand and my crystal in the other.
    When I returned to the kitchen, I found it empty. Mom was not there, but there was a note on the table:
    Sarette, I need to think. Let’s talk about this tomorrow after I get back from work. I love you. Try not to make any decisions tonight.
    I picked up the note, and sitting under it was a crystal that looked just like mine.

FIVE
     
    I threw my purse on my desk and placed both crystals on my nightstand, staring at them until I could finally break my gaze. Then, wiping away the beads of sweat gathering on my upper lip, I took off my heavy sweater, headed to my dresser, and changed into a tank top and boxer shorts. It might be winter in Michigan, but houses in Michigan are wrapped like mummies in winter to keep in as much heat as possible. Hot air rises, making my attic bedroom feel like the seventh level of hell.
    I lay down on my bed and stretched out, mentally and physically exhausted. I needed to sleep a dreamless sleep. I’ve only had two dreams that I can remember. The one where, up until today, I would walk to the mountain range in the distance. The second dream started within the last couple of years and is more of a nightmare. I’m standing at the