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

I’m so sorry!” She apologized and
helped him up.
    He laughed, “Don’t be, nothing broken!” He
grabbed her hand and shook it, “I’ve been expecting you Anna
Kippling!” He shook it vigorously; shaking her whole body along
with it.
    “You have?” She asked surprised. “Wait! How
do you know who I am?” she asked right after.
    “I know when each visitor is due to visit!”
He let go of her hand and pulled out his watch; “And you are right
on schedule!” He looked at it. “Well… maybe just a few minutes
late, but you did panic up there for a bit!” he chuckled.
    He put his watch away and walked away,”
Follow me! I’ve already pulled your book and it’s waiting for you
on my desk!” He yelled back to her. For a little man he walked very
fast and she almost had to jog to keep up!
    “My book?” she asked him.
    “Yes, you’re book! You are definitely going
want that, because you certainly have a lot of questions to ask!”
he answered back.
    They came to an opening with a large desk
sitting in the center of it. He walked over and sat down in the
large leather chair behind it. He motioned for her to take a seat
across from him and she did so.
    “Anna, everyone has a book… however the duty
of it depends entirely on its owner’s needs!” He explained; “You
need answers.
    He reached down and grabbed a tiny white
book off the top of one of the many stacks that covered his
desk.
    “Ah! Here it is! He handed it to her. “I’m
sure you will find what you need inside.” He said.
    She noticed a lock on it, “Where is the key
that opens it?” she asked him.
    He smiled, “You have it of course!”
    She went to shake her head; but stopped
remembering her grandmother’s key.
    He interrupted her thoughts; “Your friend is
calling for you Anna. He is very worried and I’ve kept you long
enough anyway!” He stood up and walked around the desk; holding his
arm out to her.
    She tucked the book inside her pocket and
took his arm. He quickly led her back to the entrance and shook her
hand again; “It was very nice to meet you Anna Kippling, good luck
on your journey!” He then turned around and headed back.
    “Wait, how do I get past the ice?” she
called out to him.
    “Just reach your hand out!” He hollered
back.
    She turned to the bubble door and reached
her hand through; the tingling came again and then the gentle tug.
Her body passed through the bubble and the water surrounded her
again.
    She took a breath and tried not to panic
making the transition easier this time around. She could see the
light of the surface above her; as she neared, it grew brighter and
blinded her.
    The grip on her hand became tighter and then
suddenly she was being pulled out and dragged onto the cave floor.
Hayden pounded on her back and she coughed up the water.
    “You were under there for a long time! I
kept pounding on the ice trying to break it!” he stammered. He ran
over to the horse, grabbed a blanket and came back. He wrapped it
around her, which she was thankful for since she was now shivering
uncontrollably. He pulled her close to him and started rubbing her
arms, trying to get the warmth back into her.
    “You disappeared, I thought you had drowned
and then suddenly the ice was gone and I saw your hand!” he went
on.
    She buried her head into his chest, slowly
warming. He pulled her closer; “I pulled you out thinking you had
drowned, yet you were still alive!” he said astonished.
    She leaned her head back to look at him, “I
was drowning, but then I heard a voice and it told me to breathe
and I could!”
    He shook his head, “I think you’re in shock;
just try to relax so we can get you warmed up.”
    “No! I’m not Hayden!” She reached inside her
pocket and pulled out the tiny book.
    He looked at it, “What is this?”
    “There was this glass building down there…
it was like a library, but the books it held belong to people! Then
there was this little man and he knew I was coming…. he