Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne (old books to read .TXT) 📗

in order to disappear, it hadn’t been an option. Even now, there were still things left unsaid. It was too dangerous to broach her other discoveries in this location, and continuing to keep secrets only gnawed at her shame more.

“Okay, I know that wasn’t one of my best decisions—” she began.

“You’re damn right it wasn’t,” Tess scolded. “Do you think we’d just let you disappear and not come looking for you?”

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter now.” Ashley reached over, grasping Tess’s hand, stilling the gentle tinkling sound of Tess’s spoon as it trembled in her hands against the glass. “Forgive me?”

“Don’t do it again. No matter what you think you need to do, or protect us from, never cut us off like that. We’re meant to be friends, to have each other’s back, not turn and run when things get hard. Surely you know we would have stood by you, supported you? Thank goodness for Conrad. I mean, really Ashley, how could you?” Tess’s manicured nail rose, wiping a tear from her cheek. Ashley lowered her gaze, unable to look any longer at the hurt clearly evident in her friend’s expression.

“I really am sorry. I thought it would be easier for you if I just vanished. It was stupid, I know that, but I was scared and the thought of being consumed by blood lust and putting any of you in danger…” Ashley shook her head, before allowing her gaze to fall on her watch. “Hey, since we’ve finished in time, shall we go pick up my bike?” Her grief morphed to a smile as she heard Tess chuckle.

“Smooth! You may have well have shouted, hey look, a distraction!”

“But, my bike,” she whined, pouting playfully before unleashing her best puppy dog eyes.

“Alright, but I’m still cross with you.”

Leaving the dessert parlour with a quick thank-you to their server, Ashley and Tess made their way to the second-hand store. Ashley felt her grin broadening more with every step. By the time the antique bell rang above the door, she was beaming.

Hesitating for a moment as the door closed, she took time to once again soak in the unique atmosphere of this curio shop. Dark shelves filled with bric-a-brac towered over antique furniture. This store carried everything, from old vases and wooden chests, to much loved furniture and toys, not to mention the more unusual items—things which seemed to hold an air of magic or mystery. The entire store possessed its own heady aroma, a mixture of wood, dust and incense. The olde-worlde feel was further enhanced by the bespoke wall-mounted lamps, designed to resemble old-fashioned oil lamps in both look and lighting effect. The overcrowded stock in the store meant the tightly packed wares could sometimes cast an eerie shadow, or make someone think they could see movement where there was none.

“Today’s the day then?” The elderly lady, recognising her visitor, hobbled from around the counter, using its sturdiness for balance as they approached through the only uncluttered pathway, which led from the door directly towards the old-fashioned cash register.

“Good afternoon, Mrs Huston,” Ashley greeted, fishing in her purse before producing the remaining notes. “Thank you so much for holding it so long for me.”

“Of course, dear, and like I’ve said before, do call me Ethel. My Mabel would never forgive me if I had let it go to someone else.” Her trembling hand reached out, finding the silver bell on the counter top and gave it three soft taps to send its summons into the air. “Are you feeling better? She told me you’ve not been in work for the last week or so. Missing you something rotten, she is. She says having a youngster there keeps them young.”

“I had a temperature so they wouldn’t let me work,” Ashley explained.

“Where is that boy?” Ethel chuntered, chiming the bell three more times. “Honestly, these last weeks, getting that grandson of mine to do anything has been like pulling teeth.”

“What is it, Gran?”

Ashley, thinking she recognised the voice, turned to see Will near the door into the rear area. He gave her an energetic smile as he realised who the customers were. She couldn’t believe he was here. She had known his gran owned a shop, but she hadn’t even considered these two were related. They looked so different to one another.

“Fetch young Ashley her bike, would you?”

“Sure thing.” He pushed his hand through his golden hair before disappearing through the bead curtain into the back, causing it to rattle.

“Oh goodness me, you’re that Huston? I never realised,” Tess blurted, before she could help herself.

“What do you mean, love?”

“The Holistic Hustons.”

“Now, there’s a name I’ve not heard for a turn or two. Seems like a long time ago now.” The old lady’s features seemed to mist over, a smile tickling her lips.

“My mother used to sing your praises. She wondered what happened to you. I never realised Will—”

“I became too old, love, and our son never took an interest in the family business, he was born without the gift, you see. It ended with me, I’m afraid. Besides, my boy was all into antiquities and curios.” She gestured to her surroundings as if to make her point. “After he passed, we hung up our crystals, so to speak, to keep his dream alive.”

“Sorry it took so long,” called Will from the back. “You know, I heard you talk about paying off a bike, I just hadn’t put two and two together.” Ashley felt her heart begin to race as she set sight on the object of her desire. It was the most magnificent thing she had seen. Its midnight blue frame glistened, and its small engine shone, as if it had been recently polished.

“Yeah, thoughts of this guy have got me through many a tough week. Speaking of tough weeks, we’ve hardly seen you lately. Is everything okay?” she asked, her fingers tracing the frame affectionately, learning its every contour.

“You know me, I sometimes get busy. I got involved in a project group,