The Search by Michele PW

Author:Michele PW [PW, Michele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“Oh, Becca,” Eleanor said, a regretful tone in her voice. “I didn’t know you two knew each other. I’m afraid that isn’t Mia, though. That’s Edie.”

Edie? Then I noticed Mia’s outfit—one of those old-fashioned dresses with little blue flowers. Slowly, I sank back down in my chair, my brain whirling.

Mia is here. At the Church of the Forgotten. That had to mean I was right … that everything did lead back to the Church after all.

But why in the world would Mia have joined a cult?

“What a surprise, you knowing Edie,” Margot said.

“Well, we both live in Redemption,” I mumbled. “Redemption is a small town. A lot of people know one another.”

“Of course,” Margot said. From the corner of my eye, I saw Gertrude studying me, a thoughtful expression on her face.

The meal seemed to take forever, even though it was only a bowl of a relatively bland vegetable stew, bread, and cheese. All I could think about was cornering Mia and asking her all the questions that were swirling around in my head.

Finally, it was over, and I wove my way through the crowd of people to where Mia had been sitting. But she wasn’t there. I jerked my head around and saw her back just as she was about to disappear out the door, her short, black hair standing out from all the other women with pinned-up buns.

“Mia … I mean Edie,” I yelled, hurrying toward her. I could see the tension between her shoulders, and her steps seemed to speed up. “Edie!”

Finally, she paused and half-turned toward me as I rushed to her. Her expression was blank. “I’m afraid I don’t remember who you are.”

I stopped dead. “You what? You don’t remember me?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m Edie now. A brand-new person with a totally fresh start. I’d appreciate if you’d remember that.”

I took another step toward her. “Edie, wait. Why are you doing this?”

Mia glared at me. “Becca, stop this. I don’t want to talk to you. Leave me alone.” Her voice was low, and she quickly turned away.

I opened my mouth to try one more time, but something caught my eye. I turned and saw Eleanor standing in the corner, watching us, an unreadable expression on her face. I suddenly felt hot, then cold. Had I just blown my cover?

“Becca!” It was Lucinda, beckoning me. Apparently, my kitchen duty wasn’t over. I was to help with the dishes.

Mia was going to have to wait.

***

As it turned out, it would be much longer than I’d hoped before I would get the chance to talk to Mia again.

It didn’t help that she did everything she could to avoid me. Nor did I want to make it too obvious that I wanted to talk to her. Every time I thought about Eleanor watching us, I felt ill. She already knew too much. I must be more careful.

It also didn’t help that I was always exhausted. Aiden had warned me that they would probably try to break me

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