The Key (#1 of Anna Kippling Series) Paranormal romance by A.D. Duling

  ANNA KIPPLING SERIES

  BOOK ONE

  THE KEY

  By:

  A.D. Duling

  For my husband who is my greatest supporter.

  For Christian, Isabella, Trey, Arwen, Evangeline & Sawyer…. my biggest fans…

  For those who influenced my life, either by good or bad interaction…I could not be the person I am today without that….Thank you.

  Text copyright © 2011 by A.D. Duling

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Chapter One

  The creak of the door’s hinges echoed through the empty house; where only shadows now dwelt. In only a week, the house already seemed to have lost the imprints of her grandmother. It appeared just as much in mourning as she was.

  Anna quietly followed her mother inside. Her mother switched on the lamp sitting atop the small table to their left. Light spilled into the room, illuminating the hallway ahead with walls filled with family photos. Her Grandmother loved pictures and hung them in any space she could find. When finally there was no more room, pictures were then put into frames and propped up all around the house for display. Anna had once asked her grandmother why she had hung so many up.

  “So I will never forget.” Her grandmother softly replied.

  A year later for her birthday, they gave her grandmother a scrapbook.

  “Now you have more room to save your memories, Grandma,”

  Her grandmother had loved it and even joined a scrapbooking club, she even persuaded Anna’s mother to join. It didn’t take very long before both women were addicted as well as professionals!Every week after that; she would come over and help her Grandmother work on it.

  Anna looked forward to the visits. She loved looking through the old pictures and especially loved the stories that came with them! With every new page, came a new and interesting story!

  Her Grandmother’s life was far from boring. Some of her stories were almost unbelievable! Her stories of her youth were even more cherished because there were no pictures to go with them.

  Her grandmother had vaguely mentioned once of the earlier photos of her perishing in a house fire.

  Sadly the earliest ones to date started with her wedding day and so Anna assumed this was why pictures had become very important to her grandmother.

  “Anna, grab those boxes for me please.” Her mother asked her.

  She grabbed them and walked over to the staircase. Through the doorway next to it; the large desk covered with her grandmother’s scrapbooking supplies caught her attention.Everything was left just as it was the last time Anna had worked on it with her. Her mother reached over and rubbed her shoulder. Anna gave her a weak smile and followed her mother up the stairs to her grandmother’s room.

  “Anna, start going through Grandma’s dresser and I’ll start in the closet.” She instructed her.

  Anna grabbed a box and carried it over to the dresser. She plopped down in front of it and opened the bottom drawer. She reached inside and pulled out a handful of clothing and neatly placed them into the box.When she grabbed the next pile, a small wooden box fell back into the drawer. She quickly placed the clothes into the cardboard box and reached back inside for the wooden box.

  She opened it and found an old metal key lying inside. She took it out.

  “Mom, look what I found!” she yelled out to her mother.

  Her mother popped her head out of the closet at her, “What did you find?”

  Anna held up the key up for her to see. Her mother came out and walked over to her; she gave her the key.

  “Hmm, I’ve never seen this before. Maybe it’s a skeleton key.”She handed it back to her.

  “What is a skeleton key?”

  “It’s a key that can open any door in a house.” She explained. “Why don’t you go give it a try?”

  Anna got up to her feet, “Yeah that would be neat!” She walked over to the bedroom door and tried it. “Well, it doesn’t work on this one!”

  Her mother headed back to the closet, “Well, maybe it goes to only one door then?” She suggested.

  Anna’s interest perked up again and she bolted out of the room to try another, her mother’s faint laughter echoed down the hall after her. Unfortunately the key did not work on any door that she tried! Feeling very disappointed she walked back to her grandmother’s bedroom and leaned against the door frame.

  Her mother popped her head out again, “Any luck?”

  She shook her head.

  “You tried all the doors?”

  She nodded.

  “Even the attic?” She asked.

  “I forgot about the attic!” she exclaimed and rushed back out.

  She opened the closet door and climbed the small staircase leading to the attic; the door was closed. She reached down and turned the knob and the door opened. She closed it again and inserted the key; she couldn’t even get it to turn.

  She sighed, once again disappointed and pulled on the key, but it was stuck!She tugged at it a little harder until finally it popped out, almost sending her tumbling down the stairs! Thankfully she managed to maneuver herself to fall back against the wall; at the same time flinging the key into the attic and sending the door flying open as well.

  She recovered herself and walked over to where her key now lay and picked it up. That was when she noticed a large trunk in the corner with a rather large old fashioned lock hanging from it.

  “I wonder…..” She spoke to herself and walked over to it.

  She knelt down and examined the lock; it appeared to be the right size.

  “Well, there is only one way to find out.”She said aloud and slipped the key inside the hole and turned. It turned with ease and the lock popped open.

  “Yes!” She cried out.

  She lifted the lid up and looked inside. She found a small stack of journals atop some old clothing. She reached inside and pulled out a dress; it looked very dated, almost medieval.

  She laid it down next to the trunk and pulled out a couple more dresses similar in style, reuniting them with the first on the floor.She spotted a leather satchel and picked it up, it felt heavy.

  She untied the leather cord at the top and gently poured the contents out onto one of the dresses lying on the floor.Out fell a small dagger and a small handkerchief tied closed with a ribbon.

  She picked the dagger up first; its handle beautifully lined with jewels. She pulled it out of its sheath to admire it; the blade was silver and still very sharp. She returned it to its sleeve and sat it down.

  Anna then reached down and untied the ribbon around the handkerchief. She gently folded the sides open and found a beautiful bangle bracelet and a matching necklace lying inside. The stone each had adorned on them, she could not identify.

  She tried both of them on; they felt like ice against her skin. She reached inside the trunk and grabbed the top book from the stack. She turned to the first page and started to read.

  I will never be forgiven for the choice I have made, I hope one day to be welcomed again to my home land. But I will never regret leaving Tatania; I will never regret entering through the portal. That is where I found my Jacob. Earth
is a very fascinating world, not so very different from ours.I have fallen in love with this place and him; we are to be married in just a few short days…

  She stopped reading; it was clearly someone’s journal, but whose? Was it her grandmother’s? Jacob was her grandfather’s name, but what and where is this Tatania? She turned the page and read on:

  Mother wept, father couldn’t even bear to look at me. I left a letter for them; I hope it can at least give them some comfort. The councilmen have allowed me to leave. I can return, but only once a year; which is ten years of Earth time…

  Anna was getting more and more confused as she read along. Maybe this was a story? She skipped ahead a couple of pages and read some more:

  Caroline has grown into such a beautiful young girl; she has the spirit of Tatania in her veins. She is ten now and it is also time for my allowed visit to Tatania. I have told Jacob about my home. He has held my secret for these many years; I wish that he could come too. He would love it there so much! But I can only bring Caroline, only because she is partly Tatanian…

  Anna skipped ahead a few pages and read on:

  It was very hard to see mother and father; I look much older than they do. Father and I took a walk while mother visited with Caroline, they hit it off instantly. Father confided to me some very disturbing news, which he has carried on his conscience since I have been gone. Many years ago, there was a prophecy made by one of the great councilmen. He spoke about an evil man taking control of all the lands, Tatania one of them. But it was also prophesied that a girl not of this world could save them. This was why they did not fight my leaving, knowing I could be the one who delivered them the chosen one. So now I must bring Caroline before them…

  It ended there. Anna quickly reached inside the trunk and grabbed the next journal. She opened it, but all of the pages were blank. She grabbed the other two in the trunk, but the same; blank.

  “I don’t understand this, why are there no more entries?” She spoke aloud to herself.

  “Anna! Did it work? What are you doing up there?” called up her mother, startling her.

  She quickly gathered up everything and returned them back into the trunk.

  “Anna!” her mother called again.

  “I’m coming!” she yelled back and shut the lid.

  She stood up and quickly walked over to the door. It slammed shut suddenly; startling her! She looked around the room. The only window; behind her was shut. What had caused the door to slam shut like that? Trying not to allow the shadows reflecting through the glass on the walls scare her, she quickly reached down and grabbed the knob. But it would not turn!

  She frantically grabbed the knob and tried turning it in both directions, but still it would not turn!She went to call for her mother, but then remembered the key!

  “It could work!” She convinced herself and pulled it out. She inserted it into the keyhole and turned. Surprisingly, it turned with ease and she heard the lock click open. She quickly pulled the key out and pocketed it.She opened the door ready to race down the stairs; but instead she found a forest!She quickly slammed the door shut and stared at the knob; dumbfounded!

  What had just happened? Had she really seen what she thought she did? -She reached down, turned the knob and opened the door again. This time on the other side she only found the stairs leading down; she blinked and shook her head.

  “Anna!” her mother called up to her from the bottom, “What are you doing up there?”

  “Nothing and I’m coming!” She yelled out to her and ran down the stairs.

  Chapter 2

  Anna stayed clear of the attic for the remainder of the week. By Sunday; she had almost convinced herself that what she had seen up there in the attic was just a figment of her imagination. And the so called “Journal” had to be as well… it could have very well been the start of a story her grandmother was trying to write.

  But when Tuesday came around; her conviction had faltered. Curiosity had now taken over and once again she found herself standing before the attic door. Her parents had left early this morning, to head back to their own house to pack up there for the move into her grandmother’s house. The house had been left to them in her will.

  She licked her lips and swallowed; her mouth had suddenly become dry. She wanted to proceed… yet she couldn’t. A battle had now emerged in her head over her newly felt fear and the still strong curiosity that she could not be rid of!

  Finally…. what seemed like eternity, the seventeen year old did what any average teen would have done… she followed her curiosity!

  She opened the door and pushed on it, allowing it to slowly swing open. She hesitated for a moment in the doorway and looked around; the trunk sat in the corner waiting for her. The lock still lay next to it on the floor, where she had left it the few days before. She crossed the threshold and walked over to the trunk. She lifted its heavy lid and picked up the top journal. She flipped through the pages and found all the same entries she had read before.

  It could very well be just a story…. like she really, really wanted it to be! But with the journal and what she saw on the other side of that door; has only disproved that theory…even more.

  Anna knew the only way she was going to find out wither this was real or not; she was going to have to open that door again! She placed the journal back and picked up the wadded handkerchief holding the jewelry. She put them on and stood up; she missed her grandmother and wished she could be here to explain this. Perhaps wearing her jewelry would give her the strength and comfort to perform the task she was about to do.

  She turned back to the door and walked over to it. She shut it and wiggled the knob, it had locked again. She took her key out of her jeans pocket and inserted it into the lock. She turned until she heard the click again and pulled it out. She quickly stuck it back into her pocket and grabbed the door knob; with a trembling hand she turned it and opened the door. Once again she found the forest waiting on the other side.

  Cautiously she stepped to the edge of the door way and reached her arm out; it went through! She then reached over and touched the branch hanging in front of her; it was solid!

  “Ok, so this is real….”

  She scanned the forest as far as she could see and found nothing threatening; it actually appeared to look very pleasant! However, for safe measure, she returned to the trunk and grabbed the dagger. She stuffed it into the waist of her pants and returned to the doorway. If this was Tatania as she thought, she had some questions that needed answers!

  She stepped through; intrigued by the transition between the wood floor and dirt ground. She looked around again not sure on which way she should go. Ahead over to the right, she thought she saw a clearing and decided to head towards that direction.

  What if she got lost? The thought crept into her head and she quickly returned to the attic to look for something to use. She dug through a stack of boxes she found against a wall and found one full of ribbons. She could use these to mark her path as she went along; so she could easily find her way back! She grabbed a handful and stuffed them in her pocket.

  She ran back over to the doorway and tied one on the nearby branch. She then stepped out and shut the door behind her. As soon as she did the door disappeared! Panicked she reached out for the door and instantly felt the wood. Relieved, she ran her hand down until she felt the cold metal of the knob; turned it and opened the door. It reappeared!

  “Whew!” She said aloud and closed the door again. Once again it disappeared!

  “That is so cool!” She blurted.

  Feeling a new sense of confidence, Anna turned back and headed into the direction she had chosen; tying ribbons on branches along the way. When she reached the clearing, a beautiful sight awaited her! Spans of vibrant green hillsides and lush fields full of wild flowers lay beyond. A few yards off was a dirt road and she headed towards it.

  She followed it down for about a mile and spotted a wooden sign posted on the side of the road up ahead of her; Tatan
ia 12 miles.

  “Twelve miles….. Great! That’s just great!” She complained.

  She continued on, but wished now that she had thought to bring her bike. It was very hot out, with no clouds to soften the penetrating heat of the sun. She would feel a breeze once in a while, but it did very little to cool her off.

  She also had become very thirsty and wished she had thought to bring some water as well. She spotted a large rock ahead of her and walked over to it.

  She sat down and wiped her brow with the sleeve of her shirt. She shielded her eyes and looked up ahead; only the road and open fields waited for her. She knew she was making very slow progress and with no water, her pace was not going to pick up any faster. She also did not have a watch and had no idea what time it was! She took a guess by the position of the sun and figured it had to at least be after lunchtime. When she had ventured out, it was morning.

  “Well, I’m not going to get there any faster by sitting here.” She said aloud and stood back up.

  She wiped her face again with her sleeve and traveled on again. She hoped as the sun started to set it would start becoming cooler and sure enough it did! In fact after another mile or two the breeze picked up a lot and made the last few miles for her more bearable.

  The sky was nearly black by the time she saw the city, the moon was already showing his face or at least half his face. A tall wall bordered it, preventing her to see anything inside. As she got closer to the wooden doors of its entrance, a man in armor yelled down to her.

  “State your business here! His voice cracked; revealing his youth.

  She looked up at him, “My name is Anna Kippling….. I am here looking for family!” She yelled up.

  “Wait here.” He ordered and disappeared behind the wall.

  She waited a good while before one of the gates opened and the same armored man walked over to her.

  “You said you are a Kippling?” He asked. She nodded as he eyed her up and down. “Your clothing is strange; you are not from here are you?” he observed.