The Key (#1 of Anna Kippling Series) Paranormal romance by A.D. Duling Read Free Page A

filled a glass and turned around, “Why
wouldn’t we?”
    She pointed to a lamp on a nearby table,
“Why is it you have plumbing, but no electricity?”
    “What is electricity?” He asked and handed
her the glass.
    “ Well… it is a current of
power that gives you light.” She tried to explain, but knew she
failed miserably.
    He smiled, “We do not use electricity for
lighting, what we use is this.” He walked over to the lamp and
picked it up. He carried it back over to the table and sat it down
in front of her. He lifted the lid, “What we use is this.”
    She looked down inside; instead of oil and a
wick there sat a tiny orb of light.
    “It’s actually is a stone; when it becomes
dark it glows.” He explained.
    She grinned, “That is very neat! How does it
do that?”
    Karina walked over to the large fireplace
and opened the door to the oven built inside of it. Using her
apron, she reached in and pulled out a loaf of bread. She then
closed the oven door and carried it over to the table.
    “Tomorrow he can tell you all about it dear,
but right now you must eat and then off to bed, it’s late and you
need your rest.”
    She grabbed a bowl from a shelf and walked
back to the hearth where a stove sat and scooped out a large
spoonful of the stew from the pot sitting on top; and poured it
into her bowl.She carried it over and sat it down in front of Anna;
the aroma made her stomach growl! Karina laughed!
    “I see that you stomach is approving!” She
went over to the hutch and opened a drawer to get out a spoon for
her; she walked over and handed her the spoon.
    “I will leave you now and shall return
tomorrow.” The General spoke up behind her.
    Anna had almost forgotten he was there and
turned in her seat to acknowledge him. He gave her another polite
bow and left them. She turned back and took a bite of the stew, it
was delicious! It did not take her very long to eat; in fact she
practically gobbled it up!
    “Would you like some more Anna?” Nathan
asked her.
    She looked up at him, suddenly embarrassed
by her messy eating. “I’m sorry! I must have looked like a beast,
but it was so delicious and I was so hungry!” She apologized.
    He laughed, “Don’t be, it is
understandable!”
    She yawned. Karina walked over and gently
squeezed her shoulders, “Come Anna, let’s get you to bed.”
    She said goodnight to Nathan and followed
Karina upstairs. She was taken to a room at the end of the small
hallway. Inside, Karina walked over to the wardrobe closet and
pulled out a nightgown for her.Anna walked over to a small
bookshelf against the wall and slid her fingers along the book
binds.
    “Your grandmother loved to read.” Karina
spoke from behind her.
    Anna looked at her, “Karina, about my
grandmother…” she went to explain, but the woman interrupted
her.
    “I know… I think I knew when I saw you here
instead of her.” She softly spoke and hugged her.
    “Now get some rest! We have so much more to
talk about tomorrow!” Karina kissed her cheek and handed her the
nightgown. Anna changed; crawled into bed and sleep followed
quickly after.

Chapter 3
     
    T he sweet fragrance coming from downstairs woke Anna up. She
sat up in bed and stretched; at the foot of her bed laid a dress
and some undergarments with a note sitting on top. She picked it up
and read it : The wash room is
across the hall, there are fresh towels in there for
you .
    She grabbed the dress and headed over to it;
she was relieved when she found a bath and even more relieved that
there was a toilet! After a quick bath (who could soak with such a
scrumptious fragrance teasing at you!) and an even quicker
dressing; she went downstairs for breakfast!
    She found Karina, Nathan and the General
sitting at the table in deep conversation. Karina was the first to
notice her and quickly stood up; ending the conversation.
    “Good morning Anna, please join us for
breakfast.” She invited.
    Anna walked over to them; the General looked
up at