Beyond: Snillotia Trilogy Book One by Donna Wagner (books you have to read TXT) 📕

They were staring at the man, adoringly. Tim tried his question again, as he hadn’t really gotten answer earlier. He looked at the man. “Okay, so we’re in your house, but who are you and why should I trust you?”

The man smiled again, though it seemed almost condescending to Tim. “I’m Ronnoc, of course,” he pointed towards the other two people in the room, “And this is my wife, Arat, and my son, Retep.”

He introduced himself and his family as if Tim would recognize their names. Tim.

“Let’s see,” Ronnoc continued, as did Anna, “Maybe my full name will help? (I don’t think we’re safe.) Ronnoc Rellim. No? I see my sister spoke so highly of me. (He’s your—) I am your uncle.”

As Ronnoc said uncle, Anna’s voice in Tim’s head also said it, jarring him for a moment. “Oh yeah, Uncle Ron. I’ve heard about you,” Tim managed to get out, stalling.

While looking at Ronnoc, Tim spoke with Anna. Why aren’t we safe?

My parents heard rumors about Ronnoc. He’s your mom’s older brother. He and your mom never got along, not that my parents knew of anyway. When he disappeared before the uprising, your grandparents told everyone he was killed fighting for our side. But there were rumors—

“So, you and my mom didn’t get along, huh? Was she an annoying little sister?”

Something flashed in Ronnoc’s eyes. “Why, I loved your mother!” He wiped at his eyes, as if he were wiping away tears, “I was so saddened to hear what happened.”

We have to think of a way to talk to our grandparents and your parents alone.

Anna nodded in response. Tim wasn’t the only one who noticed. Grandpa Mit was still watching him closely and seemed to realize he and Anna were communicating telepathically. Tim decided to let him in on the secret by trying out another power he suspected he had. Grandpa Mit, please don’t react. A lot has happened and I want to explain. Can I trust Ronnoc?

No.

Tim acted quickly. “So, uh, Uncle Ron, Anna and I are pretty hungry. It’s been awhile since we’ve eaten, being on the run and all. Can we get something to eat?”

“Yes, of course! It’s almost time for dinner, anyway! Arat, I will help you with our meal. Retep, please show our new guests where they can freshen up, in the meantime. I’ve just realized how dirty you both are! I do apologize for not offering to let you clean up sooner!”

Anna realized Tim had changed the way they looked again. There was a light layer of dirt over her skin. She knew it wasn’t really there, but now she wanted nothing more than to take a shower.

Grandpa Mit cleared his throat. “Why don’t we all freshen up a bit before we eat?” he asked the others.

“Very well, then! I will leave you to it!” Ronnoc said and nodded at his son as he left the room with his wife.

When Ronnoc was gone, Grandpa Cire and Grandma Aras seemed to come out of a trance.

“Retep, my boy! Have you met your cousin, Tim?” Grandpa Cire asked.

Retep looked at Tim and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Tim politely shook his hand and looked at his newfound cousin. Retep was shorter than Tim was, though not shorter than Tim was appearing to be. He seemed to be around the same age as Tim was now as well. Unlike Tim, however, he was very skinny and seemed to have no strength to him at all. His handshake was very weak and half-hearted. “Retep is such a good boy! He’s been just wonderful to us since we’ve been here!” Grandpa Aras exclaimed.

“Hello, Retep! I’m Anna.” Anna said, holding out her hand, and introducing herself as it didn’t seem like anyone else was going to.

Retep froze, in what looked like horror. He stared at Anna’s hand as he started backing away. “You can clean up in there!” he yelled, his voice cracking in the end, as he pointed at a door at the top of the stairs. Then he turned and ran in the opposite direction.

Grandma Aras smiled and shook her head. “Such a shy boy!”

Grandpa Mit took charge and ushered them all into the closest bedroom. “Mit! What are you doing? I thought we were going to freshen up before dinner?” Grandma An questioned.

“We have more important things to discuss with our grandchildren, An, and we needed to do so in private.”

Grandma An suddenly looked serious. She let out a quick nervous laugh. “That’s right. I do forget myself when Arat is around. Her power lingers as well.”

Grandma Aras reached out and touched everyone gently on the arm, one by one. “Arat can make you forget about anything important- well not exactly. It’s like there’s a fog around anything that’s not relaxing and happy. It’s quite a dangerous power, if it’s being used in the wrong way. The last two weeks we have been here have been, let’s say interesting. We haven’t figured out if Ronnoc is telling her to do it, or if she can’t help it. She doesn’t say much. Aras’ healing power can clear the effects, but sadly it affects us the most,” Grandpa Cire explained, sadly, “We missed our son so much- we really did think he was dead! Arat’s power is more powerful if the person really wants to forget about anything bad. We’re grateful Ronnoc is alive, but he still didn’t explain where he’s been all these years. We tried to ask when he first brought us here, but that’s when he introduced us to his wife.”

Grandpa Mit looked at Tim, expectantly. “I believe you should let us know what’s going on, Tim. You know more than we do right now, I think.”

Tim nodded, then caught the expression on Anna’s face and saw her clutching her mother’s hand. I’m sorry, Anna. It’ll be okay. I promise.

Tim took Anna’s hand from Einna’s and led Anna over to the bed. He gestured at her to sit down. As she did, her