True of Blood (Witch Fairy Series) by Bonnie Lamer Read Free Book Online Page B

looks at his hands.  “I’m not dirty,” he whines.
     
    Aunt Barb gives him a stern look.  “When you have the ability to see germs without the use of a microscope, then you can decide if you’re dirty or not.  Until then, humor me and go wash up.”
     
    “Fine,” Zac grumbles as he gets up and heads off to the bathroom.  Aunt Barb smiles after him.  He is pretty cute as far as little brothers go.
     
    Twenty minutes later, the three of us are seated at the dinner table ready to eat and still no sign of Mom and Dad yet.  That’s strange, they never miss dinner.  They consider it family time.  It’s not until halfway through the barely edible stew that they finally show up and they both look worried.
     
    “Everything okay?” Aunt Barb asks. 
     
    Dad steals a glance at me before he answers.  “Everything’s fine right now,” he says.  Did he take a lesson from Mom in cryptic speak?
     
    Aunt Barb doesn’t look convinced but she lets it drop.  “I’m going to need to head into Denver as soon as the roads clear.  I believe I’ve had a breakthrough but I need the equipment in my lab there to confirm my findings.”
     
    “I believe the forecast said we’re supposed to have a warming spell in a day or two which should make the roads passable,” Dad says.  “Maybe Zac could go with you.  He’s been cooped up here for too long.”
     
    My Aunt Barb looks surprised but Zac gets excited immediately.  “Can I go, Aunt Barb?  Please!”
     
    Aunt Barb looks at my father who is trying hard not to let any emotion show on his face.  “Um, yes, I suppose so.”  She turns her attention back to Zac.  “I’m not sure how much fun you’ll have at my lab but maybe we can spend the night at my apartment in the city and do a little ice skating or something.”
     
    Zac’s eyes light up.  “Yeah, that would be great!”
     
    I catch my dad mouthing ‘thank you’ to Aunt Barb and she gives him a slight nod.  She obviously knows something is up but she’s going to ask him about in private, not in front of us.  I’m always amazed when they do things like that like I’m not going to pick up on what they’re doing.  I’m not blind or an imbecile.
     
    I decide to make some waves.  Turning to Aunt Barb, I say, “I would love to go into Denver and do some shopping.  Can I go, too?”
     
    Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dad shaking his head.  “Um, maybe I can take you on the next trip,” Aunt Barb says hesitantly and she’s starting to look frazzled.  She knows she’s in the middle of some sort of family issue but she’s not sure what it is or who’s side she should be on.
     
    Mom finally floats into the room and she looks almost haggard.  Aunt Barb gives her a questioning look and Mom shakes her head and looks pointedly at Zac.  So, I guess we’re keeping the craziness from him.  That’s probably a good idea.  No sense in sharing the family psychosis with the eight year old.
     
    Dinner seems to take forever.  When Zac has finally scraped his bowl clean and shoved the last of his third biscuit in his mouth, he asks, “Can I be excused?”
     
    “Yes,” Mom says with a smile.  As soon as he leaves the room, though, the smile disappears.  Turning to me, she asks, “Xandra, how are you feeling?”
     
    “My head hurts,” I answer around a spoon full of stew.
     
    Mom nods.  “I’m sure it does.  You should take some more Tylenol.  How are you feeling about everything else?”
     
    I look at her blankly.  “You mean the crazy nightmare I had this morning?  I’m choosing to ignore it.”
     
    “Xandra, honey, it wasn’t a nightmare.”
     
    Pushing my chair back from the table, I stand up.  “I have a lot of studying to do and I have to finish that Physics paper Dad assigned me.  I’ll do dishes later.”  I leave the room before any of them have a chance to say anything else.
     
    In my room, I boot up my computer.  While I’m waiting for