Everwild (The Healer Series, #1) by Kayla Jo Page A

Circle, and being sarcastic was not the way to go.
    “It’s great to meet you, finally, Willow,”
Millicent said in a soft voice. She wore a dress of white linen
just as Willow’s sisters preferred, and sadness overcame her. She
almost forgot why she was here and how she almost died. It seemed
like a dream that only a few short hours ago, Hekate had nearly
claimed her life. “We have much to discuss. But first, how are you
feeling?”
    Willow took a second to analyze herself. She
cleared her throat before speaking. It came out scratchy from lack
of use. “Better. I can finally move my body now. There’s no
pain.”
    “So, it’s true then,” Millicent said looking
at Declan in awe. He was standing at the end of the bed with his
arms crossed watching the conversation with avid interest. “You’re
a Healer?”
    “Um…I don’t really know,” Willow said
half-truthfully. “Hekate says I am, but, right now all I need to do
is help my sisters.”
    “Where are they?”
    “In a box of souls. Hekate keeps the box…”
she trailed off, a swell of anxiety and fear curled through her
stomach at the dawning realization of how dangerous her situation
was. Reality set in like a rock as her heart sank. Hekate almost
killed her. How could she possibly hope to have a fighting chance
against her? She wouldn’t give the box up willingly. Would she have
to fight Hekate? How could she save her sisters when she felt so
powerless?
    Millicent’s features grew sad. “Hekate has
betrayed us all.”
    “Indeed she has,” a deep voice bellowed in
the doorway. Willow turned her head around Millicent to see Emerson
Aldridge filling the frame with his commanding presence. He looked
weary and disheveled as he was covered in ash and soot from the
neck down. His clothes were tattered and ripped, but he still
radiated power. He turned his stormy gaze upon Willow and she
shrunk inwardly as he briefly nodded, regarding her as if she were
a fly on the wall. “Welcome to our home, Willow. I’m afraid we
don’t have much time. You must meet me in the living room in
fifteen minutes. We’re having a meeting. Millie, I trust you clean
her up and give her some clothes.” He turned to leave, leaving
Willow stunned. What did he mean they didn’t have much time? She
was safe here, wasn’t she? The Emerald Circle would protect her.
What was going on? Did they manage to kill Hekate? Was it over?
    Declan followed his father out of the door
leaving Willow with Millicent. With a flick of her hands, faded
jeans and a dark green T-shirt appeared. “It’s not exactly stylish,
but you should probably dress casual. We don’t know what to expect.
I’ll show you to the bathroom where you can take a quick shower,”
she started moving away from Willow still holding the clothes in
her hands.
    Willow staggered out of the bed, her legs
felt wobbly and unstable, but she kept her balance and followed
Millicent to the bathroom. She left her to shower, and Willow took
a brief moment assess herself. Her dress was ruined. Rips and
strips of fabric hung everywhere, leaving her stomach mostly
exposed. Willow’s cheeks heated with embarrassment as she realized
she had been half naked in front of Declan. Her eyes looked worn
and tired, and her hair was dampened from sweat and covered in dust
and dirt. It stuck out wildly, but still held the curls and natural
spirals. She had dirt on her nose, neck, arms and legs. She looked
like a hot mess.
    Willow quickly shrugged out of the dress,
anxious to feel the soothing water against her skin. The shower did
her wonders. Although she was only in for ten minutes, the grim and
grease of the night was washed away in the warm, calming water.
    Once dressed, Willow made her way to the main
living room. The Aldridge mansion was huge and elegant. A grand
spiraling staircase led to the upstairs bedrooms, hardwood floors
and intricate furniture filled each room. Everything was put into
place so perfectly and clean it almost looked