I walked up the gravel drive to the front steps. Just as I reached the top, the door opened, and Mrs. Fennel stepped out of the shadows and into the dimly lit front doorway. I gasped and drew back. She smiled.
"We expected you sooner," she said.
Ava came up to stand a foot or so behind her.
I took another step back, glanced at the car, and considered running back to it.
"There's no need for you to run away, Lorelei. No one is going to hurt you," Mrs. Fennel said softly.
"Even though you've done a lot that could hurt us," Ava added.
"Now, stop," Mrs. Fennel said. "You know what your father told you."
Ava smirked. "We won't hurt you, but that doesn't mean we'll leave him alone," she said, nodding toward the rental car.
"There's no need to threaten her," Mrs. Fennel said. "I know my girl. Come on in, Lorelei. You want to know so much, and you've come so far."
