Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
The house was obviously sturdily built.
Before I can knock on the door, it opens, and both Astrid and Hilda smile out at me.
“Welcome,” Hilda says kindly. “We’re so happy you could join us.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” I reply and, upon their gesture, walk into the cottage. To my surprise, another woman is standing in the living room.
She looks just like Lucy.
“I’m sorry, we haven’t met.”
The two aunts share a look, and then Astrid lays her hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t realize you were a medium, Jonas.”
I frown down at her and then look back at the third woman, who’s now smiling at me. “I’m not.”
“Fascinating,” Hilda says. “Well, that’s Agatha, Lucy’s late mother. And I’d say that it’s because of her intense love for her daughter and her curiosity about you that she’s showing herself to you.”
“She doesn’t look like a ghost to me.”
All three of them laugh, and I’m surprised by just how human Agatha looks. I certainly can’t see through her. She’s as real as I am.
“Come.” Astrid gestures for me to follow them into the kitchen, where the table is already set for dinner. “I hope you like lobster rolls and coleslaw.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever tried it, so this is a day of new things.” I smile as I sit in the chair. Before long, our plates are full, and we’re talking as though we’re old friends.
Agatha also sits at the table, watching me with shrewd green eyes.
“You all have the same eyes,” I say without thinking. “All six of you. It must be a strong family trait.”
“All the daughters throughout the centuries have them,” Astrid confirms. “It’s a piece of our magic.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“You’re so charming,” Hilda replies with a coy smile. “And I can see why you’ve taken a shine to our Luciana. She’s quite lovely and smart. Her business is flourishing, and with no magical help from us.”
“No, she wouldn’t need the help of magic for that,” I agree. “I was struck by how wonderful her shop was the first time I went in. I’m a healer, and I hadn’t seen the likes of the tinctures and salves she has in a very long time. It was refreshing.”
Agatha smiles, almost beaming with pride as the aunts nod in agreement.
“I use her carrot eye cream,” Astrid says. “I don’t love the smell, but I think it’s really helped the crow’s feet.”
“Jonas.” Hilda kindly changes the subject from skincare. “How are you holding up?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You’ve been through so much,” she continues. Breena is so much like her mother—her voice and mannerisms are Hilda’s. “I suspect it might have broken a weaker man. How are you really?”
I sip the tea they served with dinner, thinking it over. They’ll know and call me on it if I give them the standard: I’m just fine, thanks for asking.
As they should.
“I can honestly say that this is the first time in more than three hundred years that I have hope.” I turn to Agatha. “And that’s because of your daughter and her friends and family, who have so selflessly and graciously offered to help me.”
“Is it also because you’re in love with our niece?” Astrid asks.
“Without a doubt,” I agree, not even thinking to hide the fact that I’m irrevocably in love with Lucy. “She is…everything.”
“And if we can’t lift the curse?” Astrid demands, her voice strong but not rising. “What will you do then, Jonas?”
“Return to Hallows End without her.” The words leave a rancid taste on my tongue. “I will always do what’s best for her. But it’s my greatest hope that we can lift the curse and that I can be with Lucy.”
“How sweet,” Hilda says and glances at Agatha, whose eyes are now narrowed. “May I ask if you were born here and who your parents were?”
“Of course.” I tell them, and when I say my parents’ names, their faces turn ashen, and they share a glance. “What is it?”
“Xander’s ancestors,” Hilda says.
“Yes. He and I discovered that just the other day. It’s fascinating. Of course, he told me that any mention of my name was not there.”
“They lived next door to this very house,” Astrid continues, and I nod.
“I remember. Of course, the building is long gone. How did you know that?”
“We’ve made it our business to know everything about the witch lineage in this area,” Hilda replies. “We’re historians of a sort.”
“Nosy,” Astrid adds with a wink. “We’re just nosy, really. Well, that’s fascinating. I’m sure Xander was surprised.”
“We both were.”
“You must protect my daughter.” Agatha speaks for the first time, startling us all.
“You can speak.” I blink in surprise. She hadn’t uttered a word before this.
“Danger is coming,” she continues. “And unless your love for her is pure and true, you won’t be able to help her. She will be lost, trapped between worlds.”