Meanmna: Book One of the Daearen Realms Read Free Page A

this? It looks like it’s moving. I’ve never seen anything like it.” I looked up to Celine, who had a strange look on her face.
    “I didn’t realize I h ad put that out. It’s not time yet.” Celine sighed and looked past me, shrugging her shoulders. “It's an amazonite crystal.”
    “Amazonite? I didn’t realize they could be translucent.” I looked down again and saw it was opaque, rather than the single shade of see-through green like before. Now there were different shades of green throughout and white swirls that looked like solid veins. I am losing my mind. I’m going to have to go three towns over so nobody sees me check into the crazy house.
    “No, you’re not,” said a voice that I’m pretty sure I only heard in my head. I put the amazonite down on the table and looked up.
    “You know? I think I’ll wait until next time for that candle. I don’t feel very good, and well, um, I . . . you know . . . I have to go.” I started for the door.
    “Why don’t you take the crystal?” Paige said. She was smiling as she stood in front of me with her little arm holding it up. “It should help you see things beyond your understanding.”
    She did not just say that. I didn’t want to start screaming and make a run for it, so I forced a smile and looked at Celine. “How much do I owe you?”
    Celine smiled a strained smile. “On the house,” she said. “It found you. It’s time.”
    I’m not going to ask what time it is, I’m sure it’s not time to get ill. I’m going to have to find a new magic store when I get out of the loony bin.
    No! I heard in my head, a little more forcefully this time. I took the crystal and ignored the buzz I felt.
    “Um, thanks. I guess I’ll see you soon.” I nervously grabbed the knob, opened the door, and headed to the street , looking in all directions.
    “I can’t wait to see you again!” shouted Paige. I smiled and waved to her, then I turned around and started walking. I’d love to see you again too, little girl, but it will be at least seventy-two hours before I get out of the nuthouse.
    “ No!” I heard the voice again—this time out loud and coming from behind me. I sprinted toward my car. I kept hitting the unlock button on the key fob, just to make sure the door would not be locked when I got there. I jerked the door open and, panting, got in as fast as I could. After a moment, I looked in the rear view mirror. Someone was sitting in my backseat staring at me. I think I screamed before I fainted.
     

Three
     
    I have to be dreaming again , I thought as I wiggled my toes in the grass. I raised my gaze and looked around. Yep, the same place, the same dream. The same green rolling hills and trees covered in strangely colored flowers. The sun was high in the sky and I felt its heat on my face. Looking toward the mountain range in the distance, I felt the urge again. There was something I was supposed to get to on the other side of the mountains, but I could never get any closer than this. I try every time I have this dream, but something felt different this time. Something sounded different too. There was water gurgling, splashing and lapping to my left. The compulsion to try to get to the mountain left me. I needed to see the water—it was calling me, and like a moth to a flame I ran to it, into the forest, ducking under trees, jumping over brush. The twinkling blue water called to me through the limbs and leaves ahead. My heart was pumping and I could hear the water, even over the erratic beating of my heart. I ran as fast as I could in the long flowing dress I’m always wearing in these dreams. I broke through the trees and skidded to a stop. On the shore was a man dressed in jeans and a band tee shirt, Phish maybe, but I couldn’t tell from where I was standing. Who the hell is he? What the hell is he doing here? What am I doing here?
    “Hello, Sarette.”
    I glanced around, looking for a weapon. Wait! This is a dream. Nobody can hurt me in a