Free The Key (#1 of Anna Kippling Series) Paranormal romance by A.D. Duling by A.D.Duling

the last thing I would expect
you to be feeling right now; especially after how sourly I handled
this recent incident!”
    The Empress shook her head. “You handled
that very bravely and with quick wit, my dear. I don’t see how that
went sour?”
    Anna sat up a little more and grimaced; the
Empress quickly stood up and helped her get comfortable. She
thanked her and the Empress sat back down. “Your highness, what
worries me most is just how capable I am in saving your life.”
    “Anna you are stronger than you think you
are.”
    “I’ve been hearing that a lot and I sure
hope so.”
    The Empress leaned forward in her seat,
“Anna, I was told about your book and about it being able to answer
any question you ask it. Is this really true?”
    Anna nodded.
    “May I see it?” the Empress asked.
    Anna nodded again and looked to the
nightstand, it was not there. “You know… I actually don’t know
where it is right now, we will have to ask Hayden when he comes
back.”
    “Perhaps it is in the drawer!” She suggested
and opened the drawer. She roughly pushed the items around as she
looked.
    Anna watched in astonishment! The Empress
noticed her expression and quickly composed herself. She gently
shut the drawer and returned to her chair.
    “Excuse my behavior, but please understand
my excitement over this! Anything that could help change the
outcome of my future is very important!” She explained herself.
    Anna nodded. “I understand. I’m sure Hayden
knows exactly where it is. If you could go and ask him, I am sure
we will find it right away.” she suggested.
    “Yes, of course!” She stood up and walked
over to the door.
    “Oh, wait your highness…You may need this.”
Anna reached up and undid the clasp to her necklace and pulled the
pendent out from inside her nightgown.
    The Empress reached over and snatched it out
of her hand; revealing a tattoo of a crow on the inside of her
forearm.
    “Where did you get this?” She asked, almost
in a growl.
    Anna blinked, surprised again by the woman’s
actions and her unusual tattoo. “It was my Grandmothers.” She
answered her.
    She looked at the bottom, “Where is the key
that opens this?”
    Anna was taken back on how familiar the
Empress was with the pendant. “I think Hayden might have it.” She
answered again.
    “ Of course, I will go to
him!” The Empress shot out and quickly left the room clutching the
pendant.
    Anna felt uneasy about
what had just happened. She always saw royalty as being refined;
this “Empress” was far from that. And the tattoo she saw… someone
as elegant as an Empress would not have such a mark! That’s because this woman is not the Empress! You
idiot! The words shot in her mind and she
quickly threw the covers off. She turned her body and slid her legs
over the side.
    Every bit of that movement hurt! But she
continued her climb out of bed and rushed over to the door. She was
already panting by the time she reached the stairs. She could hear
voices below and leaning against the rail, she hurried down!
    The imposter had her back to her when she
reached the bottom. She was still talking to Hayden and Harmon.
Anna stumbled over and tackled her to the floor! Both men jumped
back, surprised by her attack. The woman fought underneath her, but
Anna kept her arms wrapped a tight as she could around the
woman.
    “ This is not the Empress!”
She screamed up at them. Hayden quickly grabbed the woman’s arm and
pulled her up; Harmon helped Anna.
    “ How dare you!” The woman
shrieked, but Hayden still held on.
    Corrine rushed into the room, “Anna what are
you doing?!”
    “ Pull the sleeve back on
her right arm.” She told Hayden.
    He did as she asked, revealing the crow
tattoo. Corrine shook her head; “The Empress is my friend and she
does not have a tattoo!” she confirmed.
    The woman laughed sinisterly; “Such a smart
girl! Such a brave one too!” she spat. “Here to save the Empress!”
she hissed.
    Anna walked over