18

I narrowed my eyes at her. Something in her tone told me she and Violet had already started. “I guess I can talk to Night about it—”

“Wonderful!” she cut me off with a beaming smile. “Don’t worry about anything, honey. Violet and I have got this covered.”

“Right…” I’d have to accept that it was out of my hands for now, but I hoped they weren’t planning on filling every space in our home with baby things.

When we were done planting the new herbs, I left my mother to clean up. We’d talked so much that I hadn’t noticed how much time had passed. If I stayed to help clean up, I’d be late for my meeting with the elders.

Months ago, I’d done a memory walk ritual to learn more about my birth mother, Blossom. Now, I was finally going to hear what the elders had found out. I knocked on the door of the white cabin, and Elder Sage answered the door.

“You’re late,” he pointed out.

“Am I?” I raised a brow. “I think I’m right on time.”

He turned away from me, quiet disapproval evident in his stiff s