“Okay,” Valen replies with a kiss to the back of my hand.
The building looms in front of us like a nightmare ready to swallow me whole. We’ve been sitting in the parking lot for five minutes while I attempt to psych myself up. Valen hasn’t pushed, which I appreciate, but I can tell he wants me to face my fears head-on. He survived hundreds of years of captivity and beatings and torture. I can certainly walk through these doors and face my fears.
“Okay,” I breathe out. “Let’s do this.”
“Let us.” Valen opens his door and, using vampiric speed, opens mine before I can do it myself.
“Don’t let anyone see you do that,” I scold, looking around. When I find no one roaming the parking lot, I accept his extended hand.
Valen rolls his eyes like he couldn’t fathom someone catching him and his supernatural skills. I still wonder what his full potential is. I have a feeling there’s a lot he’s keeping from me, but I know in time he’ll open up.
The parking lot isn’t too full, so I’m hoping we can get in quickly. I think I’d pass away if I had to loiter in the lobby for too long.
My chest feels tight as the bells on the door announce our arrival. Valen reaches for my hand again as we enter, and I hold on to it with a deathgrip.
The lobby is quiet save for some instrumental music playing quietly over the speaker. A woman with brown hair starting to gray at the roots and temples flashes a warm smile our way. I see her name tag says Laura. “Hello, welcome to Sunshine Adoption Agency. Oh, you’re such a beautiful couple. Are you wanting to apply for adoption today?” she asks as she types on her computer while looking at us.
I sputter at the unexpected question. “No, I am nowhere near ready for children.”
Valen’s lips tilt up slightly, and I nudge him in the side. Who knows what thought just popped into his head.
“I’m here with a question.” I step up to the counter and cross my arms over the top of it while nervously rocking on my heels. “I was adopted through this agency twenty some years ago. My adoptive mom gave me your info to look further into my adoption. I’m sure you can’t tell me everything, but I was curious if you had any information you could give me about my biological parents?” Hope constricts my heart, and I plead with my eyes.
I’m not sure how this works and frankly I didn’t let myself Google the finer details because I knew it would send me spiraling.
“You’re right that we typically can’t give out personal information from the biological parents, since most want it to be a completely closed adoption.” I deflate at her words. “But each case is different, depending on the wishes of the bio parents. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Ava McGuire.” I hold my breath as she types it into the system.
Her fingers fly across the keyboard, and she hums along to the instrumental music. Finally, she looks up and asks, “Adopted by Linda and Larry McGuire?”
“They’re my adoptive parents, yes,” I answer. Nerves have my voice quivering and even my hands have a slight shake.
Spinning around in her chair, Laura walks into a back room I failed to notice when we first came in. It goes to show how distracted I am. Normally I’m more observant. Though I have to admit I haven’t felt like myself for a few months now. Ever since my life imploded and got tangled up in the paranormal, I find it hard to be my same old bubbly self. The fact that I’m not human is still jarring. I don’t feel any different, but I suppose I wouldn’t. I’ve always been a witch, I just didn’t know it.
Valen’s hand lands on my shoulder and he gently strokes in silent support.
“Found it.” Laura strides back over to us.
She places a manila folder on the counter and opens it to show a stack of papers. Riffling through, she must find exactly what she’s looking for. Readers from around her neck land on her nose, and she squints at the text.
“Hmm. Not too much I can tell you besides their names, but I’m sure you already expected that. Six-month-old baby left in our care with a letter in her blanket,” she reads off in a soft voice, tapping her bottom lip. “Oh, would you look at that.” She pauses to pull an envelope out from the bottom of the stack. “It’s for you. Looks like it was labeled to be sent out in a year if you hadn’t come to get it already.”
I accept the envelope with shaking hands and pocket it.
“That’s all I can do for you. I’m sorry you made the trip all this way and I can’t do more,” Laura apologizes.
“This is more than I could’ve hoped for. Thank you for your help.” I shake her hand.
“Good luck, dear. I hope you find what you’re looking for.” She offers a reassuring smile, the crow’s feet around her eyes wrinkling. Valen and I begin to head out when she calls forus. “If you change your mind about adopting, just let me know.” She winks and settles back down in her chair.
Stepping out, a breeze flutters my hair around me. It feels like a phantom spirit saying I’m on the right track. The letter burns a hole in my jeans, and I resist the urge to rip it open before we’ve even reached the car.
Once we settle in, Valen leans over to kiss my temple. “Are you okay?” He doesn’t turn on the car and lets me sit in my emotions.
“Shockingly, yes. Up until this point, I was filled with dread, but this letter makes me feel less so.” I pull it out and slide it between my fingers. “I’m going to open it?”
I’m not sure why it comes out as a question, but Valen gives me a reassuring nod, encouraging me to go for it.
