Page 40 of Hallows End
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 youreally?”
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 wecanlift 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.”
I frown in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“You must stand with her. You will be afraid. You will want to step back, but it’s imperative that you don’t.”
“Agatha.” Astrid’s voice is hard. “That’s enough.”
“He has to know,” Agatha insists, but Astrid shakes her head.
“It’s their path to take, sister. Enough.”
Agatha’s eyes are full of worry as she stands from the table. “Protect my daughter.” It’s the last thing she says before leaving the room.