Chapter17: Proclamation

In the distance, streaks of lightening lit up the darkening sky and a harsh wind ripped through the valley. Trees rattled in response, creating a symphony of shaking leaves and groaning branches. A thick, supercharged air settled over the village as overhead black clouds raced with ferocity across the sky and ate up the last bits of daylight.

Jaxx’s hair whipped in the wind, encircling her face before she brushed it aside and pinned it up. Her eyes surveyed the horizon from her perch on the front porch, in awe at the sudden onslaught of weather bearing down from the mountains. It had been such a beautiful day and now it looked to be a turbulent night in store. She wondered if it was a sign, but quickly shook the thought from her head.

The door opened behind her, and she craned her head to the side to see her mother, wrapped in a woolen shawl, step out. Helene’s hair caught the wind and sailed around her sculpted face, giving her an almost ethereal look about her.