Chapter 16: Anna's Arrival
The carriage came to a halt just outside the gates of Harrow's Reach. The night sky was thick with stars, and the town lay shrouded in darkness, save for the occasional flicker of lantern light from the homes. The journey had been long and tense, with Anna saying little and Harrow sensing her wariness from the moment she had uttered her threat. He respected her caution. It was only natural, given what she had endured and feared.
As Harrow stepped out of the carriage, the cool night air hit him, and he stretched his stiff limbs. "We've arrived," he announced, his voice calm but laced with purpose. "This is Harrow's Reach. It'll be your new home... for now."
Anna slowly followed him out of the carriage. Her legs felt weak, not from the journey but from the weight of uncertainty pressing on her chest. She was leaving behind her family, her old life—everything she'd known. And in its place was this town she had never heard of, led by a man whose motives she could only guess at.
Harrow gestured for Anna to follow as they moved through the quiet streets. The town, though small, seemed well-organized, and the few people who were still awake glanced their way before quickly turning back to their business. Harrow led her past the main square, a stone structure that seemed to serve as the heart of the town, and toward a block of houses on the far side. These homes were modest, but sturdy, and each was lit with a warm glow from within.
He stopped outside one particular building, its wooden door slightly ajar, as if expecting them. "You'll be staying here," Harrow said, opening the door wider and motioning for her to enter.
Anna hesitated for a moment, glancing at him warily before stepping inside. The room was surprisingly warm, the air carrying a faint scent of lavender. Inside, seated around a small table with a simple meal laid out, were two young women. Both looked up as Anna entered, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and caution.
Harrow stepped in behind her. "This is Anna," he said, his voice low but commanding. "She'll be staying with you from now on."
The two women rose to their feet. The first, a tall woman with piercing green eyes and long black hair, took a step forward. There was something regal in the way she carried herself, a quiet confidence that instantly put Anna on edge. "I'm Sylvia," she introduced herself, her gaze sweeping over Anna with silent appraisal. "I've been here for some time."
The second woman, who was smaller in stature but had an air of energy about her, smiled warmly. Her light brown hair fell in loose waves around her face, and her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I'm Lyra," she said with a friendly nod. "You're welcome here, Anna. We've all been in your shoes before."
Anna stared at the two women for a moment, unsure of how to respond. She felt out of place, and their apparent ease with each other only made her more self-conscious. She had lived most of her life in hiding, keeping her powers a secret from everyone—even her own family. And now, here she was, surrounded by others like her, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider.
Harrow stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Anna, Sylvia and Lyra are witches, just like you. You're among friends here. There's no need to hide who you are anymore."
Anna's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she nodded slightly. She couldn't yet trust them—not completely—but there was something in their demeanor that told her they understood her plight in a way no one else could.
Sylvia was the first to speak again. "We don't have to talk much tonight if you're not up for it," she said, her voice softer now, as if sensing Anna's inner turmoil. "But know that you're safe here."
Lyra, ever the more outgoing of the two, smiled brightly. "It took me a while to settle in too. But once you get used to this place, it's not so bad. We've got each other, and that's what matters."
Anna's defenses were still high, but something about Lyra's warmth made her feel a little less like a stranger. She managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly.
Harrow, satisfied that the introductions were made, turned to leave. "I'll leave you three to get acquainted. Tomorrow, we'll discuss your role here, Anna." His gaze lingered on her for a moment, almost as if he was trying to gauge her readiness for what lay ahead. Then, without another word, he stepped out and closed the door behind him.
For a moment, the room was silent, save for the crackling of the fire in the small hearth.
Sylvia broke the silence once more. "He's not as bad as he seems," she said, her eyes still on the door. "Harrow, I mean. He's ambitious, but he's fair. You'll come to see that soon enough."
Anna wasn't sure what to think of Harrow yet. He had saved her from a life of hiding, yes, but she knew there had to be something more to his interest in her powers. Still, she had no other options. She had thrown her lot in with him, and now she had to see where it led.
Lyra grinned, walking over to a small bed on the other side of the room. "Come on, let's get some rest. It's been a long day for you, and you'll need your energy tomorrow. Harrow doesn't take it easy on us, even though we're witches."
Anna moved slowly, her body still stiff from the journey, and sat down on the bed that had been prepared for her. It was simple but comfortable, more than she had expected. As she lay down, staring up at the wooden beams of the ceiling, she tried to make sense of everything that had happened in the last day.
She was no longer Anna the miner's daughter. She was a witch now, and her life—whatever it was going to become—had just taken a turn she could never have imagined.
As the firelight flickered softly in the corner, the weight of the day finally caught up with her, and exhaustion began to pull her into sleep. But even as her eyelids grew heavy, Anna's mind raced with questions: What did Harrow truly want from her? And what kind of life awaited her here, in the heart of Harrow's Reach?
Tomorrow, perhaps, she would begin to find out.
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Due to a category error, I can't get a contract on this novel, so please read the upcoming chapters on my other novel - "Harrow Reach : The Rise of a baron - Original ".
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