Ashland Hollows (A New Order Book 1) by Kristy Perkins

Author:Kristy Perkins [Perkins, Kristy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Nineteen

“Here.” The woman pointed to a photo that hung on the wall.

It was the only photo on the wall and the only decorative item around the room. Which meant it was more special than some random photo. A woman with white hair, standing right towards the front of it, drew my attention, and I stepped towards it, unable to help myself.

“She was an amazing witch but an excellent healer. She had a gift, your mother did,” the woman said sadly, her words choking in her throat.

I stared at the picture, my heart thrumming in my ears. Why was it even here, of all places? Why did Valencia have it in her possession? It seemed too personal to just be hanging up randomly. I looked at Valencia again. The prickling question of who she even was swept through my mind. There was something there, but I wasn’t sure what. Who is she really?

I didn’t look away from the photo. My eyes were unwavering on the woman who smiled back at me, stationary for life and the only other picture I could ever see of her. I understood, though. Constant reminders of Mom hurt, and it was bad enough that Dad had to deal with me looking just like her.

“Were you two roommates?” I asked, trying to put puzzle pieces together, but they just weren’t fitting.

“Something like that,” she said airily. “How did a Skeletal take her?”

She was prying for information. Not even caring about whatever had just happened to me. I whipped around to face her, squaring my shoulders, and narrowed my eyes. Her jaw set, a familiar-looking glint sparking in them, but I could exactly depict why. Instead of trying to argue with me or convince me to give up my secrets, the woman took a step back and turned away from me to approach her desk.

The desk was more of a table, round with four chairs. The surface was cluttered with paper, writing utensils, and books. She took the far back chair right in front of the wall to keep her face pointed at us. Curling her fingers together, she leaned on the table to us, eyes lingering on me for a long moment. I swear, something sparked in them, a desire to say something she didn’t seem able to.

I held my breath, hoping that she would release whatever secret lay on the tip of her tongue. I wanted to know so badly what she was keeping at arm’s length, but I also knew better than to pry.

“I know you’re going to do great,” she finally chirped, straightening as she held her head up. “You are your mother and father mixed, and they were a great team together.”

“Team?” Carli echoed, confusion in her voice.

The woman glanced at her, lips pursing for a moment, and amusement flashed in her eyes. “All healers have a soldier to accompany them outside of the base for protection. That’s how your,” she looked pointedly at me, “parents met. He was assigned to be her protector off base.

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