Earth Child (Romance Novels of The Fae Realm) Read Online Free PDF Page A

am.”
                “9 am,” I repeated and with a quick kiss on the forehead he grabbed his bag and left.
                “Night Mr. and Mrs. Kassabrov!”  Sam yelled from the foyer followed by the sound of the front door closing.  Now I was alone again, with my wandering thoughts.  For a while I just sat there.  Not really sure what I wanted to do next.  It was still early.  Maybe I would read for a while.  Sam would never forgive me if I was tired and grumpy on our hike tomorrow from staying up all night to read.  So that idea was discarded.  I didn’t want to be tired and grumpy.  I loved the being outdoors.  Being in the woods, among the shade of the trees, the smell of the earth and the sound of the water as it rushed down stream were like home to me.  The buzz of the insects and the melody of the songbirds were comforting. Sometimes I felt more peace among the trees than I did in my own room.
                Leaning over I picked up a pair of pajama pants from where I had dropped them this morning followed by the tank top that lay underneath.  Sitting here thinking was going to give me a headache.  I resolved to go to bed.  Changing swiftly I crawled under the covers, but not before I set my alarm and switched off the light.  Then I started the difficult task of trying to get into a comfortable position.  From where I was laying I could see the first of the stars starting to make their appearance.  I closed my eyes and thought of my mother, the one I dreamed about.  She reminded me of the forest.  I opened my eyes and looked up at the heavens.
                “Earth, help me find a pillow of moss on which I can rest my head,” I began softly.  I’m not sure where the words came from.  Like the face in my dream they were just there, “Fire, burn bright through the darkness.  Your warmth and light bring me peace. Water, run swift across the rocks.  You quench my thirst and wash clean my weary soul.  Air, blow gently and calm.  Bring me the scent of sweet growing things.  Ease my troubled mind and watch over me while I sleep.”   The stars seemed to shine brighter, and my mind was finally calm.  For the first time I could remember I immediately fell deeply asleep.
     
    *          *          *          *
     
                Watching from behind the protection of the trees Cerus saw Alexa embrace the young man in her room.  White hot jealousy rushed through him and despite his desire to stay hidden he stood from his crouch.  The movement was small, but it was enough to make him visible to the other watcher in the woods.  His smile was menacing as he slowly moved deeper into the growth.  Cerus’ presence confirmed that the girl he had been watching for the past few days was the one they were looking for.  Silently he turned and calmly walked away.  He had much to report to the council.

Chapter 2
Hiking Eagle's Nest
     
                The next morning I was a little disoriented.    Early morning sunlight was streaming through the window.  The birds were still singing for their breakfast.  I rolled over to look at my alarm clock.  6:45 am.  In shock I pulled myself to a sitting position and reached over to shut off the alarm.  It was set to go off in just over an hour.  Surprisingly I wasn’t the least bit tired.  I was actually looking forward to the day.  Just imagining the shock on Sam’s face when he comes to pick me up and I am sitting on the porch ready to go instead of tired and grumpy was enough to put a smile on my face.  With a little jump in my step I begin to gather together my hiking gear.
                It took a little digging before I found my backpack shoved into the far corner.  With a little more digging I unearthed a windbreaker and some bug spray that I stuffed into the bag.  As an afterthought I threw in a little first-aid kit.  Next I went over to my