Jameson entered the diner, his shoulders slumping; he was tired, and there was no trace of the girl. His heart ached, for he had made a promise but had not been able to keep it. Sitting at the counter, he picked up the menu in front of him. "It's nice to see you here, Jameson. It has been a while," Melissant said as she placed her cup down, filling it with coffee. Offering her a tired smile, he replied, "I've been working on a tough case. How about a piece of pie, and you tell me how things are with you? I was sorry to hear about your sister," he said.
"Thank you; we've been taking it day by day, and things have been great so far," Melissant said as she cut a piece of pie and placed the slice on the plate.
"Do you have another sibling?" Jameson asked, confused. Shaking her head, she grabbed the plate before turning to face Jameson and placing it down in front of him.
"I had a brother, but he passed away 17 years ago. She was my sister-in-law, but I considered her my sister. After her passing, I became the legal guardian of my niece. She moved here recently; sheâ€"" Melissant cut herself off as she stared off behind him. "That's her, actually," she said, prompting him to look over his shoulder while taking a bite of the pie.
"Raven," she called out.
His gaze settled on a girl approaching them, a gentle smile gracing her face. She carried a small crate brimming with items. Her black hair was braided down her back, complemented by a dress paired with boots and a cardigan, and a chain adorned her neck. She appeared young, but more than that, she seemed familiar. Setting the crate on the counter just inches from him, Raven returned the smile, locking eyes with her aunt.
"Have you been to the cabin again?" her aunt inquired.
"Yes, I had left a book there that I wanted to retrieve," she replied.
Aunt Mel introduced, "Raven, this is Mr. Jameson. Mr. Jameson, this is my niece, Raven Drewâ€"actually, Raven Graverose Drew." A breath caught in his throat as realization dawned. The woman seeking his help, the girl, bore an uncanny resemblance to her.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Jameson," Raven said, offering a smile as she extended her hand toward him. The necklace she wore featured a chain with a pendant adorned with a crystal that Jameson immediately recognized. He reached out, shaking her hand, unable to tear his gaze away. "It's nice to meet you as well." Raven then turned back to the crate, reaching in and drawing out flowers from it.
"Are these for the tables? Do you want some pie?" Melissant asked her niece, but Jameson's attention had drifted. His gaze settled on the book she had mentioned earlier; it was well-worn and lay on the counter; its cover held the name of 'Eliza Graverose Drew.'
"I have to go, Melisant," he interrupted, cutting her off mid-sentence as Melisant held the succulents and Raven took a bite of her pie.
"But you haven't finished your pie," she called after him, but Jameson had already left the money on the counter beside his half-eaten pie. For the past few weeks, he had been searching for her, trying to reach her before anyone else did, and all this time, she had been right here.
This was not good, but he could keep his end of the promise.
Bobby stepped out of the clinic, watching a distraught Jameson rush out of the diner.
"He knows," Bobby whispered, his eyes going back to the diner where the niece and aunt talked happily.
***
Jameson drove across town, turning onto the trail that led through the woods straight to the black glass house protected by black gates and stone walls.
"You have returned?" Michael inquired, staring at Jameson. Jameson stumbled down the steps, stopping directly in front of Michael and Oakley and brushing his hand over his bald head.
"What's wrong?" Michael pressed, his tone losing its calm as he sensed Jameson's distress.
"Where is Dorian?" Jameson demanded, disregarding Michael's question.
"Dorian is attending to some business for the coven. What's happening, Jameson?" Oakley interjected, stepping forward.
"Since the Graverose witch's death, I've been tirelessly searching for her daughter. I never expected to find her so quickly or that she'd been right under our noses all along," Jameson said in disbelief.
"The witch has been in this town the entire time," Michael exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes, she moved here following her mother's death. She's the last of the Graverose witches, and it seems others are looking for her as well. I've heard about Iver being in town which means they are coming for her; we must reach her before they do," Jameson explained.
"Where is she now?" Oakley inquired, gathering her belongings.
"She should be at Mel's diner; that's where I last saw her," Jameson said, leaning against the chair. Michael and Oakley didn't hesitate for a second as they made for the door.
"Wait!" he called out, halting them in their tracks.
"What?" Michael asked, eager to find the girl.
"Be cautious. She's not like the Graverose witches you're accustomed to; her mother warned me about her," Jameson cautioned.
"What do you mean?" Oakley inquired, puzzled.
"You'll understand once you meet her," Jameson replied softly as they departed to get the girl.