REALM'S END (BOOK OF FEY 1) Read Online Free

Meredith mock bowed to the young woman. “If you want this branch, fine, then go fetch me the other one. Now!”
         Gwenth shrunk back, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she was reminded once again of how Meredith seemed always to tower over her during their many disagreements. Glad that she had a moment to regain her courage, she carried the saved branch and trudged back to the house, where she leaned the branch against the stone wall, under the grass eave of the cottage.  Steeling herself against her rising sense of fear she forced herself to pick up the other branch and carry it back down to where Meredith stood impatiently waiting.
         Meredith sniffed huffily as she took the proffered stick and looked it over. “I can’t see any difference between this stick and the other one. If you want that particular bit of wood take it, but you better put it somewhere safe,” Meredith said angrily. “I fear that if you leave it out under the eave it may accidently end up in the fire.” Meredith reached out and snaked her long fingers around Gwenth’s wrist. Jerking the girl hard, she dragged her in close. Her grip was strong and she held Gwenth fast.
         “Stop it. You’re hurting me,” Gwenth cried out trying to pull away.
         Meredith only laughed and drew Gwenth in close enough to whisper to her. Meredith’s black pupils seemed to fill the space between them, her eyes swirling with images of death. Gwenth found herself being forced to return Meredith’s hard stare. “Now you listen to me, I’m tired of your disrespect,” Meredith said, giving Gwenth a teeth rattling shake.  “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be more careful with the laundry in the future. If not, I will break that pretty stick of yours over your back.” Meredith hissed.  Meredith released Gwenth from her grip and pushed the girl away. “Now, I’m going for a walk, you can finish the laundry by yourself,” Meredith said. Casually she brushed off her skirt, as she turned and walked away toward the cliff.
         Gwenth stood for a long time staring after Meredith. Her step-mother frightened her deeply. She shuttered with awareness. She was sure there had been something there, some frightening thing when Meredith held her close. Something she had seen in her eyes. Finally, she shook her head, letting go of the lost image. Sighing, yet again, she picked up the stick and began to stir the laundry filled pot.
     
     
     
     

Shape shifting
     
                                                                                                                           
                  As her steps carried her further from the cottage, Meredith let her mind wonder over the last six months. Never had she expected to be away from her own home for so long, nor had she expected things to become so embroiled with her charge and the girl’s father. Meredith walked along the hill side until she came to a fork in the trail; here the trail wound its way down towards the sea or up and away toward the headlands.  Meredith stopped and stared at a patch of dark water that lay far out to sea. Finally, she turned away and followed the trail upward. Nothing had unfolded as she had hoped. The child was asleep to her true nature and the man whom she now called husband; well that was a fine mess as well, wasn’t it. A long sigh escaped her downturned mouth. She tried to shake off the troubling feelings. She needed to clear her head, to clear out the confusion.  She made her way slowly over the undulating ground toward the beach head. Here, set back from the edge of the cliff stood an old stone wall partially exposed, rising out of the rocky soil.
    On the wall two crows stood cawing as she walked up.
    “Never mind, I was not too rough on her,” Meredith said, addressing the first crow. The