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

her and smiled. “Good morning Anna, I trust you had a restful
sleep?”
    She smiled and nodded. Karina sat down a
plate of food in front of her as she sat down “It’s been a long
time since I had eggs and bacon for breakfast!” She picked up her
fork and took a bite of the eggs. “Delicious!” she praised after
she swallowed.
    Karina buttered a piece of toasted bread and
put it on her plate, “Thank you! Would you like a glass of milk,
Anna?” She asked. Anna nodded and she poured her some. She took
another bite and Karina sat the glass of milk in front of her. She
walked around the table and sat back down.
    Anna finished chewing and took a drink of
her milk; she noticed the uncomfortable exchange of looks between
the General and Nathan.
    “Is everything alright?” She asked.
    Nathan smiled, “Yes, everything is just
fine! He assured her. “It’s just that the General would like you to
meet a friend of his after breakfast, is all.”
    “ Who…?” She looked to the
General.
    He smiled, “It’s a very old friend of mine
and he is very excited to meet you!”
    She smiled back and finished her breakfast;
Karina took her plate and carried it over to the sink.
    The General stood up, “We really should get
going; we are due there within the half hour.”
    Nathan stood up and walked with him over to
the front door. Anna stood up and took her glass over to the sink.
“I will see you later then, Karina?” She asked the woman who still
had her back to her.
    Karina turned around and smiled, “Of
course!” and gave Anna a hug. She returned the hug and then walked
over to join the two men waiting at the door. The General opened it
and stepped outside first; suddenly Nathan slammed the door and
bolted it! The door handle jiggled and banging quickly followed on
the other side.
    Anna stood stunned; He grabbed her hand and
pulled her back towards the kitchen. Karina was already waiting by
the hutch; she reached down and pushed aside the rug. Underneath
was a door.
    “You have to trust us Anna and do everything
we tell you! This is a trap and we need to get you out of here!” He
quickly explained.
    The woman stuffed a letter in her pocket,
“We are not who we say we are, but please understand we were forced
to do this!”
    Nathan lifted the door, “ This tunnel leads
to the alley a few yards down; when you get out, there will be a
man on a horse waiting there for you.” He instructed and helped her
down the steps.
    A loud thump came from the other side of the
locked door.
    Karina handed her down a bag, “Here take
this, it has your things in it; give that letter to Harmon, it
explains everything.” She pleaded. Anna nodded; the sound of
splintering wood came from behind them.
    “Go!” He yelled to her and slammed the door
above her; leaving her in total darkness.
    The door crashed down from above and
footsteps followed. She heard Karina scream and quickly started
crawling away down the tunnel. When the top of her head hit against
the dirt wall she quickly started to feel around above her for a
door. When she felt it, she pushed hard up on it and sent it flying
open. The bright light above blinded her.
    “Give me your hand!” A voice yelled from
above.
    She blindly reached up and a hand grab hers;
pulling her up. She blinked her eyes until they adjusted and the
man in front of her became visible. His face was partially covered
with only his eyes showing. They were a deep shade of grey; she had
never seen grey eyes before!
    A horse snorted beside them and nudged the
man’s shoulder. He quickly mounted the horse and reached his hand
down to her. “Hurry climb on!” he yelled and she clumsily grabbed
his hand allowing him to pull her up behind him.
    “Put your arms around my waist and hold on
tight!” He yelled back to her. She did as instructed and gripped
tighter to his jacket when the horse jolted forward.
    “Stop!” ordered a voice behind them. “By
order of the Chancellor, I order you to stop!” A