The Third Key (The Alaesha Legacy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

sure it was all right. You keep it since you seem to be better at protecting it than someone else I know." His eyes darkened as they shot briefly to Dana, who blushed and lowered her gaze.
    Edith stuffed the key back into her pocket and slapped her hands onto her hips. "What the hell is going on here?"
    She looked to Alex who had been unnaturally silent throughout the entire exchange. He just shrugged noncommittally and plopped onto the couch. "The girl has a good question. What's going on?"
    The daggers that nearly shot from Charles's eyes told Edith that he was not fond of Alex. That was another mystery she'd need to solve, but first she wanted to know about the piece of metal that seemed to have everyone on edge.
    "So? Dana? Want to clue me in here?"
    Dana shifted uncomfortably, looking to Charles for assistance. "All right then, story time it is." He settled onto the arm of the couch, as far away from Alex as he could get and patted the seat next to him. Edith ignored his offer and sank to the floor, crossing her legs and arms in front of her as she stared at the newcomer expectantly.
    "So what's so special about this stupid key then?"
    "Dana, get us a drink, would you?"
    As the cheerleader left the room, Charles leaned forward. "Well, before I tell either of you anything, you must swear to me that what I share here does not leave this room. Understood?"
    Alex bristled. "Why? What shady deals are you getting Dana involved in?"
    Charles's laugh echoed through the small room. "I'm the one involved in shady deals, eh? Right, mate. Good one. Edith, this is your home. I need your promise or I can't continue."
    Wondering what she managed to get herself into this time, Edith's curiosity got the best of her and she consented. Charles put his hands on his knees and closed his eyes. He mumbled in some gibberish language, then straightened and waved a hand through the air. A ring on his finger glowed a bright purple for a few seconds before the light exploded outward like a sound wave. Edith jumped as her ears popped and she looked around the room. Nothing appeared to have changed. Everything was exactly where it had been before but a strange feeling settled over her.
    Charles smiled at her. "Shall we get started then?"
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    "Wait, what did you just do?" Edith wasn't about to let Charles get away with something like that and not explain it. She was still blinking spots from her eyes from the bright flash of light.
    "What do you mean?" He took the half-full glass that Dana offered and took a sip, his eyes on Edith.
    "That whole chanting mumbo jumbo sonic boom thing. What was that?"
    His patient smile made Edith feel like a stupid child. "That, my dear girl, was a silencing spell. Once either of you leave this room, you will not be able to speak about what I'm about to share with you. No matter how hard you try, you simply will not be able to."
    "Spell? As in magic? That's crap. Magic doesn't exist." Alex had been silent up until that point, his sudden intrusion drawing everyone's attention.
    Charles shifted his stare to Alex. Dana had settled onto the couch between the boys and looked very uncomfortable as she shrank back to give Charles a clear view. Alex met the glare without flinching, but Charles just quirked his eyebrow before turning back to the girl on the floor.
    "Do you believe in magic, Edith?"
    Put on the spot, she stuttered a moment. "Uh, I guess so? I mean that sure looked like magic, so yeah, why not?"
    The older boy shot a triumphant smile Alex's way before returning his attention to Edith once more. "Now that we agree magic exists, I can explain the key. Despite what my darling Dana may say, I am not her cousin, though I have known her family for a very long time. Much longer than she has been around. In fact, I have been working with her family for centuries."
    Edith held up a hand to stop him. "Wait a minute. Centuries? You're maybe nineteen, twenty at most. Even if we pretend magic