The Third Key (The Alaesha Legacy Book 1) by Samantha Warren Read Free Book Online Page A

answered her unasked question. "You've noticed, then? There's a reason this diner is one of the most popular places to eat. The food is excellent, no doubt about it, but people tend to come more for the atmosphere than anything. No human has been able to explain the phenomenon that happens when you walk through that door. Funny, really, how it's just a simple spell. See that carving above the door?"
    Edith looked and noticed the small wooden piece for the first time. It was an otter floating on his back, playing with a ball. She nodded.
    "It's been enchanted and its magic washes over this building. So when someone enters, they are immediately affected. And they have no idea why they're so willing to chat with strangers and share their meals. But they remember that feeling of happiness when they leave, and they want to experience that again, so they come back."
    "Why aren't we affected?"
    Charles took another bite and chewed it a bit before answering. "You were. Not as much as them, though.” He nodded at the other patrons. “You have the key. I assume that's what's protecting you a bit. I'm Alaeshan, and this spell is meant for humans only. Dana has a charm." The girl twirled a rose trinket on her necklace. Charles's intense stare settled on Alex. "Him, I have no idea why it's not affecting him. Maybe it has something to do with the magic that’s already been used on him. I really don't know."
    Edith narrowed her eyes at Alex. It did indeed seem strange that he seemed less affected than the others. He was merely poking at his food instead of actually eating it. When the attention turned to him, Alex remained quiet, but started stuffing his mouth with food.
    They all ate in silence for awhile longer until the waitress returned to take their plates. "Can I get you kids anything else?"
    "No thanks, Jen. We're good." Charles leaned to the side, reaching for his wallet. As he did, he glanced out the window briefly. "Bugger. Dana, get Edith and Alex in the back, quick." He rose, pulling a $50 bill from his billfold. He stuffed it in the waitress's hand and followed the other three behind the counter. Edith turned around just time to see Jen lock the door in the face of a man who had been just about to enter. He had hard, dark eyes that tried to bore holes through the waitress. His thin lips were pulled up into a snarl and a scar ran across one eyebrow.
    "What's going on?" She gripped Charles's elbow as they went through the double doors. The man was now pounding on the door, hollering unintelligibly. She could only presume it was aimed at Charles.
    "He's a Reformer. We need to get out of here quick. Before he finds out who you ladies are."
    Edith glanced back at the man with wide eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest. "What will he do if he does?"
    Charles glanced at her, but didn't answer. He stopped briefly to talk to the chef, who pointed toward the back. A nod and a slap on the back and they were on their way again, right into the massive freezer. They wound their way through the shelves full of meat and produce until they found the back. Much to Edith's surprise, there was another door, barely visible through all the ice caked on the wall. Charles gripped the icy handle and pulled. The door didn't budge. He pulled again, putting his weight into it and the ice crackled and snapped until it broke free with a sucking sound. A gust of stale air blew in through the gap. Behind the ice and metal was a small room barely big enough for the four of them. Charles fumbled around until he found the light switch, then he pulled the door shut behind them. An uncomfortable silence descended upon them. The only sounds were their breathing and the hum of the freezer fan.
    "So...." Edith shuffled a bit, trying not to touch the others and failing.
    Charles leaned against the wall. "Reformers are the bad guys. The ones who want to take over your world and  make it their own. He knows I'm the adviser to the Third Key. And he knew I would be