Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Airy Voices (Part 1)
    Airy Voices (Part 1)
    Airy Voices (Part 1)
    Ebook157 pages1 hour

    Airy Voices (Part 1)

    By Irene Kueh

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    How much can Velutina Grace endure? Her father is a suspect in her mother's death and her brother is charged with murder of a family friend.
    Velutina relies on Bulbosa, the alien-looking air plant, for comfort and her FBI cousin Marshall Maxwell to make her family whole again.

    When Bulbosa speaks to Velutina, she believes she is a freak. To save her sanity, Marshall calls upon an old friend, Elrenia Kitrusen, who hears not one but three Voices. Elrenia drops everything and rushes to Velutina's side. The two of them go on a treacherous journey to expose the truth behind Velutina's mother's death.

    Can Bulbosa and the Voices protect Velutina and Elrenia from nameless foes who stops at nothing to make sure the truth stays buried?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIrene Kueh
    Release dateDec 2, 2018
    ISBN9780463034071
    Airy Voices (Part 1)
    Author

    Irene Kueh

    Since I can only mention one name on ebooks published by Smashwords, I use my name but all the children books are actually written by Irene Kueh & Kathy Kesner. We are good friends who started writing children books "From Land And Sea" (with Lane & Shelby) series. I also started a new adventure with Brendon Aaron Wynd and Jemma Anne Wynd in our newest children book: One Fun Day In The Australian Bush (One Fun Day series).

    Read more from Irene Kueh

    Related to Airy Voices (Part 1)

    Related ebooks

    Thrillers For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Every Moment

      Jul 14, 2022

      Every Moment
      5 min read

    • Article

      Loving MARSHALL

      Feb 10, 2022

      Loving MARSHALL
      5 min read

    • Article

      Deer Crossing

      Dec 24, 2021

      Deer Crossing
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Eulogy

      Jul 13, 2022

      The Eulogy
      7 min read

    • Article

      Secrets Of The Seamstress

      Apr 20, 2022

      Secrets Of The Seamstress
      8 min read

    • Article

      For The LOVE Of BOOKS

      Sep 1, 2019

      Houshang Moradi Kermani is one of Iran’s most famous writers. This story is from The Tales of Majid, a collection of stories about a boy named Majid who is raised by his grandmother, Bibi, in the rural Iran of sixty years ago. MASH ASSADOLLAH WAS th

      7 min read

    • Article

      Past And Present

      Nov 26, 2020

      Past And Present
      6 min read

    • Article

      Secrets Of The Seamstress

      Apr 20, 2022

      Secrets Of The Seamstress
      8 min read

    • Article

      At the Garden Gate

      Mar 25, 2023

      At the Garden Gate
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Family Plot

      May 7, 2020

      The Family Plot
      10 min read

    • Article

      Family Matters

      May 15, 2020

      Family Matters
      5 min read

    • Article

      Love And The LAND GIRL

      May 19, 2021

      Love And The LAND GIRL
      9 min read

    • Article

      What have i Done ?

      Dec 28, 2023

      What have i Done ?
      6 min read

    • Article

      Love And The LAND GIRL

      May 5, 2021

      Love And The LAND GIRL
      9 min read

    • Article

      Lol

      Jun 7, 2023

      Lol
      3 min read

    • Article

      Keeping Mum

      Sep 3, 2020

      Keeping Mum
      5 min read

    • Article

      Small Acts Of Kindness

      Jan 17, 2023

      Small Acts Of Kindness
      2 min read

    • Article

      Love And The LAND GIRL

      May 26, 2021

      Love And The LAND GIRL
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Spirit Of Australia

      Dec 29, 2021

      The Spirit Of Australia
      8 min read

    • Article

      A Father’s Touch

      Jan 30, 2021

      A Father’s Touch
      5 min read

    • Article

      Out Of The Ashes

      Aug 9, 2023

      Out Of The Ashes
      10 min read

    • Article

      Out Of The Ashes

      Aug 9, 2023

      Out Of The Ashes
      10 min read

    • Article

      #Ahhhmazing

      Jan 26, 2022

      #Ahhhmazing
      1 min read

    • Article

      Delayed Reactions

      Feb 1, 2023

      Delayed Reactions
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Currency of Tears

      Sep 9, 2019

      The Currency of Tears
      7 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Airy Voices (Part 1)

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Airy Voices (Part 1) - Irene Kueh

      Airy Voices

      by:

      Irene Kueh

      Cover by:

      Rosie Harman

      Copyright © 2018 Irene Kueh

      Smashwords Edition

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

      ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

      ‡ ONE ‡

      The sun barely rose above the horizon. On the freeway, a car drove over the median. A semi couldn't stop in time and rammed the car head on. The car rolled over and crashed into the guardrail. The driver was pronounced dead on the scene. The paramedics fought to keep the passenger alive.

      ※ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ※

      An old rotary phone ringtone blaring in the middle of the night. Marshall Maxwell stretched his arm toward the end table and grabbed his cell phone. His hand rubbed against the water bottle and it tipped over.

      Without looking at the Caller ID, he groggily answered, Hello…

      Marshall, there's been an accident, cried an urgent male voice.

      Marshall sat up. His grandfather started rambling. Marshall couldn't understand a word he was saying.

      Grandpa, slow down, said Marshall. Are you all right?

      NO, his grandfather blasted. No, I'm fine. It's your Aunt Tilly…

      Is she—

      His grandfather cut him off. His voice cracked. She didn't make it, he screeched.

      Marshall leapt from his bed. His throat went dry. What… How? he asked.

      Velutina is in critical condition, his grandfather said.

      Marshall's chest tightened. He had never heard his grandfather cry before. Where are you now? he asked.

      We're at home, said his grandfather. Your father is coming. Please come along, Marshall.

      I will, Grandpa said Marshall. I'll call Dad.

      Yes, you do that, said his grandfather.

      I love you, Grandpa, said Marshall.

      I love you too, Marshall, his grandfather said. See you soon, he added and hung up.

      The veins in Marshall's temple throbbed as he called his father.

      Marshall, did you hear about your Aunt Tilly? said his father.

      Yes, said Marshall. I just talked to Grandpa. What happened?

      Tilly somehow lost control of her car and went over the median, said his father. "A semi hit her, and she rolled into the guardrail.

      Marshall's stomach twisted in knots. Grandpa mentioned Velutina, he said. Who else was there?

      Just the two of them, said his father.

      When are you leaving? asked Marshall.

      Soon, came the answer. Your mother is calling the pilot right now.

      Wait for me, said Marshall. I'll meet you at the hangar.

      ※ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ※

      At the hospital, Houston Grace, Velutina's father, paced back and forth.

      Houston, called out Marshall.

      Houston rushed toward him. His eyes were blood red. Marshall hugged him. Houston broke down.

      I'm so sorry, said Marshall.

      Marshall family came over and each gave him a hug.

      How's Velutina? asked Marshall's grandmother.

      Houston wiped his eyes with his wet sleeve. Marshall's heart went out to him.

      She's in and out of consciousness, said Houston. The doctors are still working on her. He faced the family. I should have gone with them.

      Was Aunt Tilly sick? asked Marshall.

      No said Houston. We had just come back from vacation. Everyone was well. I flew out to New York early this morning. Tilly planned to fly to Tennessee but Velutina wanted to see the country before going to college. Houston closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. I didn't know about the accident until I landed. I wish I had gone with them.

      Marshall hated to ask the next question, but the FBI in his blood took charge. Was Aunty Tilly drinking? he asked. He held his breath and waited for a lashing.

      Houston stared at Marshall. Slowly, he shook his head. She was sober for two years, he whispered.

      Marshall swallowed hard. I'm sorry for asking that, he said.

      Matilda Grace used to drink a lot. She tried to stop but fell off the wagon multiple times.

      She had been so good the last couple of years, said Houston.

      Marshall changed the topic. Is there any problem with the car? he asked.

      Not that I know of, said Houston. It doesn't make any sense. I drove it before we left for vacation and it ran fine. Houston sat down and buried his head in his head. Oh Tilly…

      Before Marshall could say another word, his father placed his hand on his shoulder. Marshall stepped away.

      I didn't mean to be harsh, Dad, said Marshall.

      I know, said his father. You're doing your job.

      Marshall straightened. Was he? For goodness sake, Marshall, he chewed himself out. You're with family.

      Marshall scanned the surroundings. Houston was a mess. His father held his mother close. His grandparents were sobbing. They lost a daughter. And their granddaughter was fighting for her life. The waiting room was filled with sadness and tears. Marshall fought hard not to break down. But deep inside, his spirit was already broken. The light of hope had gone dim and seemed so far away.

      I wish you were still here, Aunt Tilly, he whispered to himself.

      ‡ TWO ‡

      The doctor talked to the family and Houston howled like an injured animal. Marshall stood a few feet away. His chest hurt, like a dagger jabbing at his heart. He still couldn't believe Aunt Tilly was gone. He liked her. No, he loved her, and she loved him. Although the doctors managed to stop the bleeding, Velutina was not out of the woods yet. She was still unconscious.

      Marshall, his mother whispered.

      Marshall turned to his mother and saw a couple in suits heading their way. They looked like cops. Marshall approached them.

      Good evening, said Marshall. I'm Marshall Maxwell with the FBI. Matilda Grace is my aunt.

      The couple straightened at the mention of FBI.

      I'm sorry for your loss, said the female in suit. I'm Detective Kaylan. This is my partner, Justin. We need to talk to Mr. Grace.

      Can this wait? asked Marshall.

      Kaylan glanced at her partner. Justin shrugged. She cleared his throat. We don't mean to be rude, but we have routine questions, she said. I'm sure you understand that.

      I do, said Marshall. Can you tell me what you found out?

      Again, the detectives glanced at each other. They seemed to be uncomfortable talking to him.

      Marshall glanced over his shoulder. Was my aunt drunk? he whispered.

      Immediately, Kaylan shook her head. There wasn't an ounce of alcohol in her blood, she whispered back.

      So, what happened? asked Marshall.

      We're still working on it, said Justin. That's why we need to talk to Mr. Grace.

      Marshall let out a sigh. Houston has gone through a lot today, he said. I'll bring him in tomorrow to speak with you.

      Kaylan and Justin looked at Marshall's family.

      He's a mess right now, said Marshall. I'm not sure you can get anything out of him.

      All right, said Kaylan. We'll see you in the morning.

      Thank you, said Marshall.

      Kaylan nodded once. Let's go, she said to her partner.

      Marshall walked back toward his family.

      What did they tell you? asked his father.

      Nothing, said Marshall. They want to talk to Houston in the morning.

      Why? asked his mother.

      Protocol, said Marshall.

      Marshall's mother shook her head. I can't believe this, she said.

      They're doing their job, Andreana, said his father.

      Thanks, Dad, said Marshall to himself. Not everyone in his family thought highly of his profession. They thought he could do better, especially his mother. He knew she worried about him, but he loved his job. Not everyone could say that.

      I'm going to check on Velutina, said Marshall.

      Houston was holding his daughter's hand when Marshall walked in.

      How is she? asked Marshall.

      She's still with us, said Houston.

      Go home, Houston, said Marshall.

      Houston shook his head. I can't leave her, he said.

      I'll stay here, said Marshall. Get some sleep. You have a lot to do in the morning.

      Houston's eyes started to water. Marshall wished he could take back his words. Marshall's father came to the rescue.

      Come, Houston, said his father. I'll drive you home.

      Houston kissed Velutina's hand and stood. A tear rolled down his cheek. I can't leave, he said.

      I'll call if anything changes, said Marshall.

      Houston nodded and left the room. Marshall turned to his cousin. A crimson bandage wrapped around her head. Bloody scars and scrapes caked on her face. The terrifying sight stabbed at his chest. Aunt Tilly entered his mind. He couldn't fathom the idea that he'd never see her

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1