Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2083

"Andrew, wait!" Just as Andrew was about to leave, Rowan rushed forward and threw her arms around him.

When he turned, her soft fragrance and warm body pressed into his chest. She held him tightly, tiptoeing as she lifted her face, eyes shimmering.

She grumbled, "You rascal, I'm leaving now! I don't know what you're planning to do here, but please take care of yourself. I'll listen to you and wait for you in Blumedale. Just promise me you'll make it there safely."

Her heart pounded as she spoke quickly. Then, with a sudden burst of courage, she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his in a brief, tender kiss. Her cheeks burned crimson as she spun away and darted off.

In a flash, Rowan vaulted over the McDaniel family estate wall and disappeared into the night.

Andrew touched his lips, still feeling the lingering warmth and softness. He sighed at how fast and boldly she moved.

Shaking off the odd feeling building in his chest, he focused and slipped into the McDaniel family chapel. Inside, he found nothing but pictures of the McDaniel family's ancestors. He had not expected much anyway. After a quick search, he returned the same way.

Eric was already waiting in the room. As Andrew entered silently, he said with relief, "I thought something had happened to you. I was about to go looking."

Andrew asked, "I didn't find anything. What about you?"

Eric shook his head. "Even less. The people up front are just guests, drunk and useless. They're just a bunch of freeloaders here for the ceremony. Some of them probably sense something's off, but with the McDaniels sealing everything tight and not a single Crimson Flame Cult figure in sight, no one dares to act rashly."

Andrew's head throbbed. The estate was massive, and searching inch by inch was impossible. Unless he were the patriarch himself, with the entire family bowing at his feet, he would never cover it all.

Eric scowled. "The Crimson Flame Cult is so tricky. It's like they vanished off the face of the earth. Maybe this is still a ploy and they're not even here, just like the stunt they pulled at the Majestic Hotel in Goldridge."

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