The Star Child (The Star Child Series) by Stephanie Keyes Read Free Book Online Page B

been sick and unable to attend, but he listened intently now, nodding in all the right places.
    “I’m sorry that no one was there for you, Kellen. I really wanted to be.” His eyes held disappointment for himself and I was sure for his son.
    After I’d plowed through three platefuls of eggs and ham, two lukewarm Pepsis, and some biscuits, my outlook seemed much brighter. My stomach full, I moved to a more comfortable divan and lay back against the fluffy cushions, content.
    “It’s nothing. Come on, Alistair, I’m used to this by now.” This was only partially true, but there was no point in upsetting him.
    “That doesn’t make it right.”
    “When has it ever been right, Alistair?”
    ***
    I stayed with Alistair for about a week, only delaying the inevitable. There was a house along the Irish coast that was waiting for me. And, as my dreams kept telling me, it was time to go home.
    On the last day of my visit, we ate a casual lunch before Alistair got up and went to his desk to retrieve Gran’s will. Since I was her sole heir and Alistair the executor of her estate, there was no need to include Stephen or Roger. Reading Gran’s will would make her departure more real to me, so I wasn’t looking forward to this.
    Alistair sat back in his seat with a sigh and arranged the papers in front of him. He locked his gaze with mine. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?” His smile seemed insincere and he appeared at that moment much older than his sixty-five years.
    Clearing my throat, I sat up straighter, nodding as I did so, unable to give any further consent. My left hand gripped the pillows until my knuckles turned white. My fingers throbbed in response.
    After some momentary shuffling of documents, Alistair went on to read the will in his brusque barrister-like manner. He discussed such things as property taxes and title transfer. These were terms that I vaguely understood, but I fought the urge to plug my fingers in my ears and shut my eyes the entire time. I’d never missed Gran more.
    It was simple, I thought, as I listened to Alistair run through all of the details. Gran had had very few expenses, and her estate paid those that did exist. Alistair had already taken care of this, so everything was fairly cut and dried.
    The land and the house had been given to me, although they were in trust until I reached twenty-four years of age. Until that time, Alistair would oversee everything and keep an eye on the funds for me. I didn’t have any plans to sell Gran’s home. It had been more of a home to me than my own had been; there would be nothing to gain by getting rid of it now. There was already more than enough money in my account to get by on.
    Everything in the house was mine now as well. I’d have the rather daunting task of sorting through Gran’s memories, something else that I was not looking forward to. It would only bring more painful reminders that I would never hear Gran’s voice again, see her face. Touching those things would be like ripping my heart out.
    Alistair handed everything over to me to review. Getting up from his chair, he went to find someone to witness my signature. After a few moments, they returned to the room and the young man went to wait in a corner until I was ready.
    Both gentlemen waited patiently as I read through each line of the paperwork, though the silence in the room was overwhelming as they waited for me to finish. Alistair didn't move from his seat until I looked up and handed the signed stack back to him.
    “What's next?” I expected some sort of red tape to deal with. Whether interference from Stephen or some government restrictions, I assumed that there would be more to do.
    “Well, Kellen, that’s about it. What’s next is up to you.” He handed me a large manila envelope and a set of keys.
    “What about Stephen? I’m still a minor, after all. What if he tries to force me to come back?”
    “I’ve started the paperwork that will make you an