~ 6 Days to the Ancient Rites ~

Valerie’s POV

The scent of ginger and garlic filled the air as I stirred the pot slowly, trying to focus on the bubbling stew and not the storm rising in my chest.

“You’re putting too much salt again, aren’t you?” mom teased from behind me, nudging my hip gently with hers as she passed.

I rolled my eyes. “I haven’t added any yet.” She chuckled and kept slicing vegetables like she had no ...