Eighteen Summers Read Online Free PDF Page A

pounding madly.
    Jesus... How does he know?
    I suddenly panic at the possible implications.
    I try to make a run for it, towards the kitchen door, but he moves fast and blocks me catching me at the waist with ease. He gently moves me back and they surround me in the small living room. I'm so scared and threatened by their obviously strange interest in me. My heart is belting away rapidly ten to the dozen.
    “My Dad's upstairs. If you don't leave, I'll scream.” I desperately try to brazen it out.
    “ No he's not. We happen to know you're alone,” Gabriel replies gently.
    “ What do you want with me?” I ask hesitantly looking at them in awe. I've never seen such beautiful faces in my life.
    “ To take you back with us, to your real home.” Nico moves a little closer. He dips his head and stares at me again. I take a moment to process the information because I am mesmerised by his eyes and don't understand this weird situation at all.
    “ But I am home,” I protest weakly, confused.
    “ No, Calista Isadora, I assure you, you are not.”
    My mind screams out NO! It just can't be... those names... they're from my dream. I try to calm myself. Somehow I know that this is not him. It's not the man who tortured me. His voice is different. It's kind. I take a gulp and breathe in his scent.
    This is really strange... I can't smell blood at all.
    He smells beautiful. Light and earthy, like my torturer did, but at the same time slightly different. I fix my eyes on Nico's. They're golden brown, like mine. Then I turn and look at the other three. They all have my unusual colour eyes.
    Shit... what the hell is this?
    “I'm not going anywhere!” I protest more forcefully. Severina snorts with laughter.
    “ Nico, come on, pick her up and we can go,” She says in an impatient, sulky voice.
    “ Have some respect, please. We are conducting a civilised meeting,” Nico admonishes her in an authoritative manner, whilst continuing to look into my eyes. He adopts a softer tone to address me further. “This may be difficult for you to digest initially, but you are not Candace Roberts,” he pauses for a moment to let this part sink in. I stare unblinking, my head reeling with his words. “You were adopted at the age of eight months. You are in fact of noble birth. We are your real family and we have come to reclaim you. As you are now eighteen summers old, it is the chosen time for your return. All will be revealed in due course... Calista, My Lady, you know deep inside that you don't belong here and what I speak is the truth, don't you?” He places his hand on my arm gently.
    “ But what about my Mum and Dad?” I just can't bear it. My whole world has been turned upside down in an instant, because somehow, I do know that what he is saying is true.
    He speaks to me kindly, his face close to mine. His eyes seem to hook me in. Calming me and reassuring me that all is well. I feel a deep sense of connection enter my soul as I stare into his golden brown depths.
    “Gabriel has written a long and detailed letter of explanation for Georgina and Phillip, which we will leave for their return. Do not concern yourself. It will all be fine after their initial shock. We will follow up with them in a day or two, I promise you. We have told them that you are 'visiting' us for a short while, and that you will be safe and very well cared for and they should not worry unduly. And of course you may see them again, if that is your wish. I can arrange that, but later, after you have settled in with us.”
    He takes my arm and leads me towards the door. I don't know why, but I believe him completely and do not try to resist him. I know it's all true. I don't look anything like my parents. I've always felt something was not quite right with our relationship and that I'm not like them in nature, but I couldn't put my finger on why before now.
    I stop for a moment.
    “ Wait, I need to bring my things with me. Some clothes, my iPod and phone... and