Page 195 of Dark Night of the Soul

“Well, this is mysterious,” I said.

Silence. Like this was a recon op, and I hadn’t been briefed.

As we drove, I realized something. It was the first time I’d stepped foot outside the villa in weeks.

He was right. I did need a change of scenery.

It was a short drive. Too normal for what my life had become. Normal. I’d forgotten what that felt like. Ludwig pulled into a public lot near the river and parked between a family van and a muddy hatchback like we were another group out for a walk.

We all got out at once. Ulrich first, scanning without looking like he was scanning.

Ludwig locking the car and drifting a few steps ahead.

Kincade closing my door and pausing like he was deciding how much space to give me.

Professional. All of them.

Then we moved toward the Isar on foot, following the paved path until it narrowed into a riverside trail. A few minutes later Kincade guided us off the main flow and down a shortcut through the trees, closer to the bank. Close enough that the sound of the water covered voices, close enough that my boots found damp earth instead of concrete.

Ludwig peeled off to the left. Ulrich to the right. Kincade right next to me.

Silas stood near a bench like he’d been assigned to it, hands loose at his sides, his one good eye watching everything. Ophelia was there, too. Arms folded, face tight with that I’m-trying-not-to-cry expression. And sitting on the bench—

My steps stalled.

My mother.

For a second my brain refused it, like the world had glitched. Then my chest went hot and hollow all at once.

I turned on Kincade, stunned. “What is this?”

“You said you wanted to talk to your mother.”

“So you… brought her here?” My eyes burned hot. I blinked.

“It’s the safest place to meet. She doesn’t know where we are, so if she’s questioned, she can’t tell anyone.”

That was the technical answer.

My throat closed. I couldn’t speak. Gratitude and shock and something that felt like breaking.

His hand pressed the small of my back as he leaned closer. “Go talk to her.”

I managed to glance up at him, trying to figure out what to say.

“I’ll be right here,” he said. “Waiting.”

I jammed my hands in my pockets to keep them from shaking and forced my feet to move forward. As I approached, Silas gave me one quick nod, then stepped back as if to give us more space. Before I even reached the bench, Ophelia was moving.

She grabbed me in a fierce hug, squeezing me so tight I could hardly breathe. I hugged her back and since this whole nightmare began, something loosened in my chest.

Then she pulled back, held me at arm’s length and looked me over. Her gaze landed on my hair for a long moment, but there was no judgment. Only acceptance. Then her gaze moved over my face, like she wasn’t entirely certain she was looking at the real me.

“God, Anna. We’ve been so worried.”

Words froze in my throat.

“When Silas said he wanted us to come with him…” She hiccupped a breath. “I didn’t know if it was a cruel joke or not.”