The Chronicles of Winterset: Oracle by K.G. Reuss Read Free Book Online Page B

listen, Ana. We all know how Courtney and Sasha are. They’re jealous and cruel. That being said, I think I have the perfect solution!”
    “What’s that?” I asked slowly, wondering what scheme Mel had cooking in her pretty little head.
    “It’s obvious she thinks you’re after Kellin, right?”
    “Obviously,” I agreed, exasperated.
    “So get a boyfriend!”
    “Uh, I can’t even get a date to homecoming, Mel. How the hell am I supposed to just acquire a boyfriend?”
    “That’s where I come in! I talked to Chad, and he said he has a friend named Brandon who is in the market for someone to hang out with. You could be that someone!”
    “Mel, I appreciate where you’re coming from on this, but maybe it’s not something I should be pursuing right now,” I answered, my voice tiny as I thought about what would happen when I went out on a date with someone and accidently lit him on fire. I could see the headlines in the newspapers:
    Crazed Teenager Sets Date on Fire While Reaching for Popcorn
    I winced at the thought.
    “Maybe it’s exactly what you need right now, Ana,” Mel cut in before I could let my tragic thoughts wander further. “Think about it—they all think you want their men. Get one of your own and problem solved!”
    I sighed and picked at a piece of lint on my sweater, wondering how bad it could possibly be to try. Maybe it would take my mind off all the strange things happening to me.
    Or maybe it would make things worse.
    “No, I don’t think so,” I responded softly, the terror from the flames still fresh in my mind. “I think right now I really just want to be left alone, Mel. I want some time to sort through things. Maybe in a couple of weeks if I’m feeling better, you can set something up for me.”
    “Ana, what’s going on?” Mel asked, the concern evident in her voice. “Just a few days ago, you were all about dating and homecoming, and now you’re acting all weird. If it’s Courtney and Sasha, then let’s do something about it.”
    “It’s . . . it’s not them. Not really, anyway. I’ve just not been feeling well these past few days. I think I really need to relax and not stress. I’ve been having bizarre dreams, and I’m tired, Mel. I promise everything is OK. I think I just want some time to myself right now.”
    “OK,” Mel answered slowly. “I’m not going to push you. But I know you aren’t telling me everything, so I’m just going to say this, you know where to find me when you’re ready to talk.”
    “Thanks, Mel,” I smiled sadly at her intuitive nature. She knew me so well.
    We hung up shortly afterward, and I rolled over in my bed, terrified of what might happen when I closed my eyes.
    I wasn’t disappointed.
    He’s nearby. I can feel him. The air crackles whenever he’s too close to me.
    I take a small, quiet step to the large, heavy, wooden door and push my hand against it, making it slowly creak open. He’s standing there, his back to me, shrouded in his long, black cloak as he stares out over the balcony to the dark city below.
    This place, it’s his home. The walls are made from coarse dark stone, and the candelabra holds the stubs of barely there candles, their flames dying as the cold night wears on. His bed is messy, but I know he hasn’t been sleeping in it. He’s been busy doing things that make my stomach twist into knots.
    He’s whispering, upset. The electricity in the air magnifies, and I can feel the hairs on my arms stand on end.
    Without warning, he reaches out and overturns a table laden with scrolls and various other trinkets. The sudden movement causes me to take a frightened step back.
    He continues to trash the room, the air thick with his anger. He moves swiftly, and my eyes are barely able to follow his movements as he rips apart pillows and shatters the delicate stoneware on a nearby table.
    When he runs out of things to break, he falls to his knees, buries his hidden face in his hands, and sobs. I want to go