FIA
The car slowed as we approached the estate. My stomach tightened. Shopping bags rustled behind us as the sentinel navigated the final turn toward the gates.
Something felt different. Movement near the entrance caught my eye. There were more people. Even more activity than usual.
"Is that..." I leaned forward in my seat.
A car sat parked near the main entrance. I hadn't been in Skollrend long. But the catas has a theme to them. A look to them. So this one did not look like one of ours. The trunk stood open, and someone directed staff members who carried luggage toward the house.
"Looks like we have guests," Maren said.
The sentinel pulled up and stopped. He got out first and opened our door. I stepped onto the gravel and straightened. The late afternoon sun warmed my face. My muscles ached from walking in heels all day. My mind still replayed the confrontation with Hazel like a song I couldn't turn off.
Maren climbed out beside me. Our shopping bags piled high in the trunk.
