Of Glass and Ashes by T.M. Franklin

Author:T.M. Franklin [T.M. FRANKLIN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: T.M. Franklin
Published: 2023-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Eight

Ford chose an Indian restaurant he liked with amazing Vindaloo and a quiet booth in the back where the three of them could talk freely. He waited while the waiter brought water, and they placed their orders, all the while itching to find out exactly what Ember Farrow had been keeping from him.

He’d known there’d been something. Ford loved it when his gut was right.

Once the waiter walked away, both he and Rose turned expectantly to Ember, who shifted nervously in her seat.

“Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Before I tell you this, I have to know that I can trust you.” She glanced at Rose. “I mean, I know I can trust you, but—“ She licked her lips and turned to Ford. “I have to know that this stays between us. No one else can know about this, Agent Ford. I can’t even believe I’m about to tell you.”

“It’s hard to agree to that without knowing what we’re talking about,” Ford said.

“I know.” Ember squeezed her eyes shut, frustration forcing her mouth into a grimace. “But this is something I’ve never told another soul. Something that’s been a secret in my family for generations.” She faced him squarely then, her eyes intent, and he could see the shimmer of flame behind them. “I’m putting my trust in you, Agent Ford. So, I’m asking if you can do the same for me.”

He stared at her for a beat, weighing his options. It was something he’d never agree to in any other circumstance, and Ford had made many deals with many informants over the years. Still, his gut told him what it had been telling him all along—that although Ember Farrow was hiding something, she was also innocent. He didn’t believe she’d stolen the Slippers, but he did believe that she knew something that could help him find the thief.

In the end, he followed his instincts.

“You can trust me,” he said. “This stays between us.”

Ember held his gaze, her eyes narrowing as if she could see into his soul and judge if he was telling the truth. The hair stood up on the back of his neck and he felt his face heat, his palms go sweaty at her unwavering attention. It was like she could see too much…like he was revealing things he’d rather keep hidden, and he felt laid bare before her.

It was not a comfortable feeling.

Still, he didn’t look away. He needed her to believe he was sincere.

Finally, she drew in another deep breath and nodded. “Okay, then,” she said. “You’ve heard the story before, in many different forms, but this is the version I know to be true. It all started a long time ago in a little village in France.” She paused, as if knowing this was the point of no return and continued.

“On the surface, it’s pretty much what you’ve seen in the movies. A young girl, mistreated by her stepmother. A godmother who really wanted to help her, and really was a fairy, by the way.

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