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“Are you happy to have that gift?” Kate asks.
“I figure we have these abilities for a reason. But sometimes I wish I didn’t.”
Kate nods. “I guess from now on I’ll see the stories that pop into my head in a totally new light.”
I nod because I know from experience what she means. At the same time, I’m relieved that Kate is now fully in the picture. I feel a deep connection to her, which has just been strengthened even more.
Chapter 7
Ilook at the last painting and consider the fastest way to get back into my great aunt’s secret room. I could bus to Mom’s house and use the hidden door in the wall there. But that would take time, which I don’t have.
I run my fingers lightly over the painting that I found at Mr. Brian’s house. The picture immediately begins to change, and this time it all happens much faster. The front of the house hinges open like a dollhouse. The walls shift, and suddenly I’m grabbed by an invisible force and pulled into the picture. I don’t even have time to take a breath before I find myself standing inside the hidden room.
My eyes are drawn to the wall of photos, magazine articles, newspaper clippings, and hand-written notes. I look at the photo of Chloe and wonder again where it was taken, how Frida acquired it, and what it means. Was my great aunt really hunting Chloe because she suspected her of being a goddess of destiny? That’s what the memo suggests – stuck to the edge of the photo with the words ‘goddess of destiny?’ written on it. The question mark means Frida was unsure but trying to find out. All these clues must have something to do with her searchfor the goddesses. But who are all these people? And what’s the significance of all these other texts? I read a few of them but find nothing that stands out. And nothing to help me with the reason I came here. Kate’s words are still echoing in my head. Frida was pursued by the Noctu. Did they ever openly attack her? What did they want from her? I know my great aunt died of cancer, so they can’t have killed her.
I let my eyes wander over the wall again. Then I turn my attention to the rest of the room. I go to a small cupboard and inspect it thoroughly. I search through its drawers, which are all empty, and run my hand over its dusty top, searching for some concealed clue. If Frida really was being tailed by the Noctu, as Kate suggested, then there had to be a reason. There must have been something about Frida that made them take an interest in her. Did she know something about the goddesses? Is that what it was about? I need some kind of clue to help me unlock this puzzle, and I feel sure Frida would have left me something. She didn’t lead me to this room for no reason.
I run my fingers around the sides of the cupboard and feel a slight bump in the surface. I manage to slide my fingernail under it and pull. A little door opens in the cupboard, and I peer inside, my heart pounding. I find a small box and bring it out. I carefully blow the dust off it and open it to find a pile of letters. I pick up the first one and draw the paper out of its envelope.
Dear Charles,
It meant so much to me to spend the day with you today. I felt so free and unencumbered in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. As you know, it took a while to persuade me to take a day off and spend it with you. But you were right. I need to distance myself from my work every now and then, push my problems out of my mind, and take a break from constantly thinking about our enemy and our calling. Just living for the presentmoment is not generally my style – which you’ve come to know about me. So I’m all the more grateful that you refused to give up.
I’ll always cherish my memories of our day by the sea and look fondly at the photo I took of you. And maybe you’ll hold your photo of me in your hand every now and then and think back to this day. You’re a wonderful person, who approaches life with the kind of ease, sprit, and thirst for freedom that I would wish for myself.
I must admit you’ve become an important part of my life. Every day, I look forward to seeing you, hearing your voice, and listening to your stories. You’ve become a dear friend and slowly made your way into my heart. I’ve never had the courage to openly express my feelings, because I know you have no inkling of them. But maybe someday I can bring myself to look you in the eye and tell you how I feel. Maybe I’ll even send this letter. Whatever happens, my heart belongs to you.
With deep affection,
Frida
My eyes wander over the lines several times, and I can’t believe what I’m reading. Was Frida in love with Charles?! I take out another letter and quickly read a few lines. Apparently, they’re all love letters. And she obviously never sent any of them. Did Charles never suspect anything in all those years? It makes me sad to think that my great aunt never found the courage to tell him how she felt. Maybe there was a chance for them to be happy together.
Ayden pops into my head, and my heart contracts painfully. But with us it’s different. We had our chance, and now it’s over and I have to go my own way without him.
I put the letters back in the box and decide to take them with me. I’m not sure if I’ll read them. I could learn more aboutCharles or maybe even the terrible thing that Frida is supposed to have done. It’s conceivable that she may have written about it in one of these letters. On the other hand, these words were meant for Charles, and it feels like I’m invading their privacy. Either way, I want to have the letters in my possession because they’re another link to Frida.
I look at myself in the mirror, and I’m stunned. “This dress is amazing,” I say, turning to look at myself in profile. It’s light blue with little Swarovski crystals glittering at the neckline and hem. It fits like a glove – narrow at the waist and swinging out around my legs. The décolleté is very flattering, but the really eye-catching feature is the open back.
“You look stunning,” Kate says happily. She’s wearing the red dress her mom picked out for her. She has great taste in clothes; I’ll give her that. The color brings out the sparkle in Kate’s eyes and flatters her figure. It’s a slightly wider cut, fits perfectly, and looks absolutely gorgeous on her.
“I still can’t believe we’re actually going,” I say, glancing at myself one last time in the mirror.
Kate spent the last few days persuading me until I finally agreed to go with her to the charity dinner. And I’m sure we’ll have fun. Part of me is actually pretty curious about the party. I’ve never been to anything like this before.
There’s a knock at the door, and Kate calls out, “Come in.” Her father sticks his head around the door. “Nearly ready?”
We nod. He looks at us and nods appreciatively. “You both look enchanting – like princesses,” he says with a wink.
He’s wearing a dark suit, highly polished shoes, and even his hair, which is normally a little unruly, has been tamed.
“As soon as the ladies are ready, we can go.”
Kate’s mom is already at the venue. She wanted to arrive early to run through the schedule again with the staff. This suits mejust fine because I’d rather not be stuck in a car with her.
The drive is comfortable and Kate’s dad chats with us and gives us some tips for the party. “If you want my advice: don’t miss out on the petit fours. They’re from a patisserie in Little Italy. Yeah, I know – what does French baking have to do with Italy? But they have specialties from all over the world. They’re amazing; I’m telling you. Those tiny things get snapped up fast, so make sure you try a few.”
“It’s lucky Mom can’t hear you,” Kate says with a wink. “Goading us to get to the good food before the guests;andthey’re fattening.”
