Read Online The Turning Tides (Marina's Tales) by Derrolyn Anderson - Free Book Online Page A

. “But I think you know better than to judge a book by its cover. Things are not always what they appear to be.”
    I nodded, “That’s for sure.”
    “I didn’t call you here for a reading,” she explained, “It’s– it’s just too hard. The forces surrounding you are powerful… and dangerous. I was reading for Evie last week and I kept seeing you instead. I called you here to warn you”
    “Warn me about what?”
    “The evil eye is upon you.”
    I raised my eyebrows, “Evil eye?”
    “Il malo occhio– envy and greed. Someone wants something that you possess.” She drew a deep breath, “Two enemies are closing in on you. One man and one woman… They will both prey on the weakness of the ones you love. One is in your very own house… the other, even more dangerous, is under Evelyn’s protection.”
    “Why didn’t you warn her?” I asked in alarm.
    She frowned, “She is blinded by the faith she has in another. So you see… I couldn’t very well have her deliver this message.”
    “What should I do?” I asked her.
    “That,” she sighed, “I cannot tell you.” She rose, signaling she had said all she had to say.
    I stood, holding out my hand, “Thanks for the warning.”
    She took it with a squeeze, “You be careful. Your aunt Evie worries about you more than you can imagine.”
    “I know,” I forced a smile, “Thank you... Rosa.”
    She nodded, escorting me back out the front door. I took a deep breath and stepped outside.
    “Marina–”
    I turned back, “Yes?”
    “ You must learn to have faith in what you cannot see.”
    “Uh… okay,” I replied, not sure what she meant by that.
    When I slipped behind the wheel I found Evie powdering her nose with a jeweled compact, “Did she tell you anything new?”
    “Oh, it was very enlightening,” I kept my face expressionless.
    To Evie’s credit, she refrained from asking me . “Good,” she smiled, “Now let’s go get you some boots.”
    The rest of the day sped by in a blur, a nd I found myself preoccupied with the fortune teller’s words. Yuri was under Evie’s protection, and Doctor Permala was under my own roof… But what were they after? I shuddered when I thought of Yuri’s dark eyes.
    After trailing around behind Evie for the day I was tired, and when I finally got home Dad was asleep, his face more peaceful than I’d seen it in a long time. Doctor Permala was mixing up some kind of concoction at the kitchen counter, grinding something into a paste with a stone pestle. She looked up and gestured for me to be quiet, pointing to my father.
    I approached her, peering across the counter. The air smelled of ginger and licorice, and I recognized some fresh spears of Aloe Vera on a plate. “What are you making?” I whispered.
    She looked to my father nervously, “I’m making some healing tonics and salves.”
    I frowned, “Did you learn that in medical school?”
    “No . ” S he spoke softly, “I learnt it from my Grandmother.”
    “Oh,” I raised my eyebrows at her, looking over her ingredients. Abby would certainly love this, I thought. I retreated to my room and reached for the phone.
    “Ethan?”
    “How’s your dad doing?” he asked.
    I told him how Evie’s doctor had taken over the house, and how she had officiously denied him coffee. “Can you believe that?” I asked indignantly.
    “What kind of monster is she?” he teased me . “I think you need to come home right away. I’ll make you all the coffee you can drink.”
    “Tempting,” I smiled . “I miss you.”
    “Then come home now,” his voice was husky, pleading.
    “Can you come up tomorrow?”
    “I can come up right this minute,” he said.
    “To meet my dad,” I added.
    He paused , “Do you think he’s up to it?”
    “I think so.”
    “What if he doesn’t like me?” he asked .
    “You have nothing to worry about,” I said firmly. I meant it.
    “I hope so,” his voice was faint.
    “So we’ll see you tomorrow?”
    “Absolutely.