Free Tales of Aradia The Last Witch Volume 3 by L.A. Jones Page B

the whole concept of 'hidden race' is ridiculous at least
to anyone who doesn't know otherwise. Second, let's just say there
is something to be said for a criminal record."
    They both stared at her,
still confused.
    Aradia sighed before
clarifying. "Considering the amount of arrests Melina has gotten
over the years. It sheds a real negative light on her creditability
so needless to say anyone believing her after looking at her rap
sheet would have to be the most delusional person in the
world."
     
     
    In the end, Melina had ended
up at the one place she thought could help her but only as a last
resort. She went to Ross's office, and told him everything.
However, it was there where she got the biggest shock of them
all.
    "You knew!" Melina shrieked,
"You knew Aradia was a freak and you didn't..."
    "She is not a freak Melina.
She is my daughter and..."
    "So wait?" Melina paused,
"Are you a witch too?"
    Ross laughed, and shook his
head. "No. I am just as human as you are."
    "But then how..."
    "Aradia is adopted," Ross
explained.
    "So then she's not really
your daughter..."
    "Yes she is!" Ross stated
firmly, "My wife and I have raised her, cared for her, and loved
her for many years. She is our daughter in every sense of the word.
So what if we are not genetically related? That makes no
difference."
    "Look Melina," He added,
"Your behavior is perfectly understandable considering the
circumstances. I am not going to ask you accept everything and move
on. In fact, if you want to leave I will allow it."
    "However," he said as he
arose and walked towards the door. "Keep in mind that no matter
what you choose you and your sister will always have a place in our
family."
    With that last statement,
Ross left Melina sitting in his office looking thoughtful, and
quiet.

 
Chapter Twelve

    "Are you crazy?" Marietta
cried out, "We have got it made here! Three wonderful home cooked
meals a day, no beatings, I have friends at school, clean clothes,
and Cable TV. Plus, we get anything we want just by doing chores
around the house. Why the hell would we want to leave? Besides Mom
and Dad are..."
    "They are not your mom and
dad!" Melina shouted.
    "But they are the only ones
who really act like 'em!" Marietta argued. "I wish they were our
parents Linny. They are nice to us! They are kind to us! Do you
remember what the other homes were like? Why would you want to go
through that again?"
    Melina paused trying to
figure out a way to convince her sister.
    Finally, she sighed and
said, "Marietta, I need to tell you something..."
    An hour later, Melina had
told Marietta about going to Roy's house, him turning into a wolf
in front of her, and chasing her through the woods. She also told
Marietta about Aradia and Dax saving her, and then finding out that
Aradia was a witch and Dax was a vampire.
    Marietta had listened very
patiently, and quietly. However, the moment Melina had wrapped it
up Marietta had still said nothing. A few tense seconds passed with
Melina staring at her sister and expecting a reaction.
    Marietta was silent for a
bit longer until she finally threw her head back, and laughed.
"Werewolves, vampires, witches? Girl, you are seriously tripping!
You really believe that in Salem, there are real monsters living
out there in secret, and Aradia is one of them! You are out of your
damn mind!"
    "But Marietta," Melina
argued, "It is true I swear!"
    Marietta just kept laughing,
stood up, and walked out of their room.
    "Call me once you are off
the drugs," Marietta called out to her as she descended the
staircase earning a look from Liza who met her at the bottom of the
stairs.
     
    Regardless of no one
believing her, Aradia was still concerned with Melina knowing about
them. It was stressful enough with the consort deadline nearing,
and the care and keeping of the club. However, with Brenna's
abusive ex-husband now showing up intending to reclaim her by any
means necessary in addition to Melina's finding out the truth,
Aradia was at loss at how