Unlocking Adeline (Skeleton Key) Read Online Free PDF

key to see the sorcerer of Wren, she could save yer mom.”
    I’m having trouble keeping up. “And that’s why Mom suddenly got better? You got what you wanted from the sorcerer .”
    “Yes. But I also lost something, too. I lost ye.” His words throw me off guard. Shock me, even.
    “Dad, how did you lose me?” He shakes his head. Lowering his eyes back to the ground.
    “I was seen. He saw me.” We both look to the man standing in our living room.
    “Him.” I confirm to my father.
    “Lockelan MacCowen. The first Prince of Wren. I recognized those eyes right away. Ye look just like yer father.”
    “And?” Lockelan takes a lethal step forward.
    My dad cowers, unable to make eye contact with either of us, but he answers. “Because ye bear the crescent moon in yer vision. I saw it that night. Yer family is bonded to mine.”
    “And please, do remind me what happens when a family goes unbounded, Richard?” His anger rising.
    “They are unable to make Court. If the chosen are unable to wed with the bonded family, then that lineage suffers. Wren is without their next King and Queen. There is no sound government to rule. The whole entire land suffers.”
    I gasp at that. I look from Lockelan, who is staring down at my father as if his looks can kill, and my dad, who is unable to lift his eyes to meet his fate. What does all this mean? For my dad? For me? For Lockelan and his family? “Dad, what have you done?”
    “Yer father abandoned his village is what he has done. He was a warrior in his time. The best. He was given the supreme privilege to travel through realms to gather information and supplies to better our lands. Until he never returned.” Turning to my father. “Love, was it? Love for a woman who holds not a single ounce of Wren blood in her? What did ye think of when ye knew the damage ye would cause by never returning? What did ye think of yer betrothed when ye never returned?”
    Wait, what? “Wait, you were married before Mom?”
    “NO! No. I was betrothed. Engaged. It was an arranged marriage. It was not for love.”
    “And so since ye were not in love, ye risked an entire Kingdom!” Lockelan bellows out, ready to attack.
    I jump in front of my dad, blocking him. “Don’t hurt my dad,” I beg, but he quickly dismisses me.
    “Ye left a woman bereaved for a husband. And ye left a village with no future queen. No possible heir.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Lockelan. I know what I did was wrong.”
    “Richard McAllister, I am here to claim what is rightfully ours by the power of Wren. As presented, ye birthed a daughter, first known princess of the McAllister family. This is our right to take ownership of her and suit her with the chosen son of Wren.”
    Oh, hell no . This is where I draw the line. “I’m not anyone’s property! You can’t just take me. Dad! Tell him!” I turn to my father, who refuses to make eye contact with me. “Dad, tell him!”
    “Lockelan, please don’t do this. I’m sorry for what I have done. But please, Adeline is not bred for life in Wren. She is not one of us.”
    Lockelan steps closer, grabbing for my wrist. I am not as quick, so he latches on tightly. He turns my wrist, almost snapping it. “Tell me she is not one of us. She is half of ye. Tell me the birthmark of the crescent moon on her wrist is not telling enough for ye?” My eyes go wide. I throw my eyes to my wrist at the faded birthmark. What? It can’t be.
    “Please! Don’t take her. She is my only daughter!” My dad begs, trying to stand but is pushed back down to the couch.
    “Ye chose this path. Ye chose to return. Ye should have given the key to yer daughter when it came for her. But ye are a selfish man, Richard. Ye have wasted a lot of my time. And now it is our right to claim what is ours.” He turns and faces me. “It’s time. Say goodbye.”
    I take a few shaky steps back. “You’re nuts. I’m not leaving with you. I don’t care about some old ancient promise. You can