Page 42 of The High Priestess

It takes a couple of seconds to realize the woman is Aunt Marina.

Instantly, I’m hit with a wave of emotions, and I quickly cover my mouth when a sob bursts from me.

Knight’s head snaps in my direction, and he slams on the brakes. “What’s wrong?”

I point to where Santiago is standing. “My aunt is here.”

He switches off the engine and starts to climb out of the golf cart while saying, “I’ll send her to you and keep Santiago busy so he doesn’t see you while you’re emotional. Drive to your house. I’ll meet you there.”

I nod, my eyes not leaving Aunt Marina.

My God. It’s so good to see a family member.

Knight walks away, and when he reaches them, he throws his arm around Santiago’s shoulders. While Knight pushes Santiago toward the entrance to the main building, he gestures in my direction.

When Aunt Marina hurries toward me, I quickly climb out of the cart and run to her. We slam hard into each other, and I grab her tightly. The sobs bursting from me make it near impossible to get a word out, and I can only whimper, “You’re…here.”

“Oh,agápi mou.”

Feeling her arms around me makes it harder for me to control my tears, but I can’t break down out here in the open.

I quickly pull back, and wiping the tears from my cheeks, I say, “Let’s go to my house where we’ll have privacy.”

“Okay.”

Clenching my jaw in an attempt to rein in my emotions, I hurry to the driver's side and climb into the cart. Once Aunt Marina is sitting beside me, I start the engine and steer the cart around the side of the main building.

She reaches out to me and brushes her palm over my hair, then she sobs, “I was so worried when I couldn’t reach you.”

God.

I bring the golf cart to a screeching halt near the bridge where Knight is already waiting. Darting out of the vehicle, I hurry around the front.

Aunt Marina meets me mid-way, and she takes hold of my hand. She gives Knight a wary look when he walks ahead of us to open the front door.

When he goes inside the house, she whispers, “Who is that man?”

“My bodyguard. We’re safe with him,” I assure her.

“Oh…good.”

As soon as we step into the house, I shut the door behind us, then throw my arms around my beloved aunt.

Silent cries shudder from me, and I bury my face against her hair as I let go of the brutal grip I’ve had on my emotions.

“Ángele mou,” she whimpers as she starts to cry as well.

“T-they’re all g-gone,” I sputter through the sobs.

“Ana,” Aunt Marina whimpers Mom’s name. “Kiki and Eleni.Theé mou.”

She leans heavier into me, and when her legs give way, Knight moves fast to help me catch her.

My aunt starts to weep uncontrollably as he helps her to the nearest couch. With my own heartache ripping my heart to shreds, all I can do is follow them and sit down beside her.

The moment Knight lets go of her, she slumps against me, her cries taking merciless swings at my heart.

My tears start to dry up as she takes all my attention, and I focus on comforting her.

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