Dark Talez Book 1 Red

Selfish

Randon and I walked into my parents mansion to find my entire family setting in the parlor. My eyes immediately went to baby Kyron. I walked over to my sister in law who immediately held her arms out transferring him to me. This child brought a calmness to my heart that I desperately needed at the moment.

"His christening is later this week , you're brother and I hope that you will stay to attend.” Janine smiled at me. My eyes went to my brother who Janine tried to discreetly elbow in the ribs making me stifle a snicker.

“Oh! Yes, we would love for you to attend if you'd like, though I’m sure you're eager to get back home to New York.” He looked coldly at me.

.

“I was thinking of staying a bit longer. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I purred at Kyron who smiled at me, though it was probably just gas his smile made my entire day brighter.

On the other hand at my omission of staying longer, my brothers eyes grew wide while Janine beamed.

“Oh, that's just great. We are so happy you have decided to visit a bit longer, and get to know you're nephew.

“Yeah, so she can make him grow attached to her and then rip his heart out when she runs away again, no thanks.” Eric snapped standing up from his seat and taking baby Kyron from my arms.

I stood there stunned but knowing that I deserved every word my brother had said to me. I had left him behind without so much as a goodbye.

"Can everyone take a seat? We will get started with the reading of the will!” Randon’s voice rang out through the room. I sat next to Janine as my brother stood in the corner sulking. My mother sat with my father on her chaise lounge chair while she sniffled and wiped her crocodile tears.

Randon sat at the bar with his briefcase opened in front of him. He cleared his throat and began.

“This is the reading of the last will of Abigail Grace Turner. All affairs are legal and binding and have been set in stone by Mrs. Turner herself. " Randon began as he looked at everyone in the room as if daring us to contest her wishes.

“First and foremost Mrs. Turner has left a letter she wishes for me to read to all of you. " Randon cleared his throat and continued.

To my dearest family,

If you are hearing this letter then that means I have moved on to the afterlife to join my beloved. Don't cry for me, for I am reveling in the glory that is perfect eternity. I hope that each of you finds a love in you're lifetime as I did in mine. I hope for you all to learn compassion, forgiveness, and love for all things in this world as I have. Sometimes things aren't always as they appear. Blessed Be, my beautiful family.

Love Nana

"Randon, can we move this a long a bit faster please? My wife needs to rest she is tired from her grief over losing her mother.” My father piped up angering me to no end. How dare he disrespect Nana like that?

Randon Continued,

I, Abigail Grace Turner, hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my lawyer Randon Black to act as the Executor of this my last will and testament. In the event that Randon shall predecease me or chooses not to act for any reason, I nominate and appoint his associate Prudence Black to act in his place.

I have made this will during a time in my life were my mind is clear and am free from any medication or substances. These are my final wishes and shall be distributed as follows…

I leave my mansion and the 5 acres of land on which it sits, to my grandson Eric Hartley to live in with his family, his children, and their children after them. The mansion at 592 Grimm Hollow road, shall remain in the family and go to the firstborn of every generation after him. I also leave to Eric and his beautiful wife Janine, the sum of 500,000 dollars.”

“Oh Eric darling how sweet of Nana to think of you and you're little family.” My mother smiled at my brother and simply nodded his head at her.

To my one and only daughter, Isabella Hartley

How I have always wished that we could have had a closer relationship. You and I were always so different yet I loved you no less. You became full of greed and worried about nothing but you're status in Grimm Hollow for far to long, my daughter. Therefore I shall only be leaving you the sum of 500,000 dollars. I hope that you do with this something productive and selfless. It's time you start putting others before yourself. I have advised my attorney that once he sees a proper change in you're heart he shall release 500,000 more I have sat aside for you. Please take this opportunity to reflect on you’re life and your actions. I love you Isabella.

We all jumped as my mother threw her wine glass to the floor and jumped up from the chaise lounge.

“What? Is this a joke? There must be some kind of mistake. How dare she say such things about me, and she calls herself my mother.” my mother yelled at no one in particular as streams of tears ran down her face. But I knew just as well as everyone else that those tears weren't for my Nana, they were for the fortune she thought she would be left in the will.

"Mrs. Hartley please remain quiet and seated during the reading.” Randon admonished her.

"Come, dear, it's not over yet.” My father took my mother by the shoulders and sat her down as she tried to compose herself.

“Lastly, My dearest Granddaughter Katya Hartley, How you have spent you're entire life learning the ways of you're ancestors by my side, putting others before you, and loving with your whole heart. You are one of a kind and are so special, Never forget that. My wishes are for you to stay in Mystic Hills and carry on my work. You shall not transfer nor sign over any property to anyone else. It shall remain in you're name until you are able to leave it to you're child, or grandchild.

Katya, I leave you my property in Mystic Hills along with the 29 acres it says upon, all the possessions inside the residence, and the rest of my assets in the sum of 300,000,000 dollars as well as a safety deposit box at Grimm Hollow Bank and Trust to which my attorney has the key. I love you Katya, and I am with you always.”

Now that the reading was over and after I picked my jaw up off the floor I noticed my mother approach me. I stood up to face her.

“Katya, Randon has the papers for you to sign the estate and it's contents to you're father and me.”

I stood there looking at the woman who gave birth to me. The woman who raised me. The woman who betrayed and lied to me. And as bad as it sounds I to

Randon cleared his voice bringing our attention to him.

“The estate, money, and land are non transferable aside from to an offspring of Katya. I'sorry but this will is iron clad and allowing Katya to sign anything over to you would be against the law, my code of ethics, and you're mothers wishes.” Random announced making me smile.

Before I knew it, my mothers hand connected with my cheek and my head whipped to the side from the force of her hit.

“You planned this you little b***h. You and my mother were always in cahoots with each other. Now your father and I are left to wallow in the shame that this town will put upon us.” She wined loudly.

“Mother, enough!” Eric's voice boomed through the room.

“This is Nana’s choice, not yours to make for her. Is half a million that little to you? Are you seriously that greedy? If anyone has brought shame to this family it is not my Nana, Now Act like a lady and back away from my sister.”

My mother and I both sat stunned as we looked at Eric who was giving my mother a death glare.

"She said,"

“That doesn't matter. She changed her mind and that's her right. Is half a million not good enough for you? Are you that greedy ma?” Eric repeated as his eyes watered with the tears he held back.

Without a word my mother huffed, turned on her heel, and with my father following her she left the room.

"Come, Katya, I'll take you home.” Randon took my hand and began leading me out of the room.

“Don’t forget Katya. Kyron’s christening is the day after tomorrow. Midnight, by the sacred river.” My brother called out to me.

I looked back smiling at him.

“I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

After getting into his car Randon and I sat off for Grimm Hollow Grocery so I could stock up on the essentials I would need for the week. I sat nervously and looked ahead at the small road that led us through the center of Grimm Hollow.

“What are you thinking about?” Randon’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Nothing really, just things with my mother and how bad they have become.” I answered honestly.

“I'm sorry for the way she acted. I don't understand her motives sometimes.” he replied sincerely.

Oh, I understand what motivates her, money. That's all she has ever cared about. After moving here my mother became a stranger to me. For so long I yearned for her love, and then I learned to survive without it.” Anger grew inside me as I spoke about her. I took a deep breath trying to calm my shaking hands.

“I know you're mother loves you, Red. She just doesn't show it how a mother should. I seen her face the day we realized you had left, she was hurt. She stayed in her room for days.” he explained but he only angered me more. I whipped my head toward him and glared at him.

“You expect me to feel sorry for her. After everything she has done? You seen it first hand. You were there and had a front row set to the fuckery that was my life.” I growled trying not to scream in the small enclosed space.

“I didn't mean to offend you Katya,” Randon turned his head toward me and taking one hand off the wheel he grabbed my hand holding it.

I turned my head away from him and looked out the window. I was angry but his touch helped to calm my beating heart. Finally, we turned into the grocery store parking lot and went to find a place to park the car.

Once inside Randon went off to find his own things while I filled my buggy. I was walking through the isles minding my own business when someone cleared there throat behind me.

"Look what the cat drug in. I heard you were back in town.”

I turned around and my eyes landed on a muscled chest covered in a red plaid shirt. My eyes went to his beard that covered half his face. His green eyes peered at me from beneath his messy caramel colored hair.

“Well if it isn't Austin McFarland?” I smiled as Austin pulled me into his hard chest hugging me tightly. I hugged him back and pulled away quickly. His embrace felt awkward, but I didn't want to be rude.

“I heard about Abbi, I'm so sorry Red.” Austin's eyes grew sad.

“Thanks Austin. I appreciate that. How's life treating you? " I asked changing the subject and forcing a smile on my face.

“Great. I'm running my parents company now. We have really grown in the last few years.” He proudly bragged.

"The lumber company? " I asked nit surprised. It was no secret Austin would one day take over his parents business.

"We employ a lot of the town. Keeping this place on the map. " he smiled widely. “If you ever sale Abby’s land I would be interested.” He threw in.

Austin's family had been trying g to get their hands on Nanas land for year's. They knew people would pay top dollar for the beautiful lumber that sat on it.

“That’s not gonna happen Austin. You should know better. " I told him with a warning hidden in my tone.

“I figured as much but it didn't hurt to ask. I'm glad your home Red. I've missed you around here. It's not been the same.” he smiled brightly.

“I missed you to. Say, have you seen Lucy around? " I asked.

Lucille Grant. My best friend growing up. She had always had a huge crush on Austin.

"She is a teacher at the middle school.” He informed me.

Austin and I chatted like old times before someone clearing their throat interrupted us. We turned our head to see Randon.

“Ready? " Randon asked glaring at Austin.

I ignored him and smiled,” I'll see you soon. We best get going.”

"Of course. " he smiled glancing at Randon before pulling me in for another hug. I could of swore I heard Randon growling behind me but decided I had heard things. Why would he growl? It was just ridiculous.

As Randon and I walks away with his hand on the small of my back Austin yelled.

"Tell Lilith hey for me, Randon. "

Lilith?

Randon was seeing Lilith Franklin. Jealousy flooded me at the thought. I knew I recognized that cheap perfume. For years the woman had tried to get with him and she had finally succeeded. Even when we were together she flirted with him endlessly. I shook my head and does up. I was ready to get home.