Zodiac Phoenix

Chapter twelve: answer

"I think I've met her before..." Kathryn murmured as they arrived as she and Tamie arrived back at the order.

"Really?" Tamie grew curious. "Where?"

"I don't know exactly I think I saw her talking to my Uncle Mark at his food stand... Probably a week before I left to join the order. She said her name was Annie."

"Did she give a last name or something?"

"No, just Annie, she was there with a little girl - the kid was the one I remember clearly! Weirdly enough the kid looks a lot like our magister. She approached me with big blue eyes and asked if she could pet Mochi... Of course, I allowed her, moments later Annie came over and we had a brief chat and then she took her kid and left..."

"Did you at least get the kids last name...?"

"No, she's a Libra though."

"Great... Now I have to worry about a fellow Libra with a lunatic for a mother." Tamie groaned. "We have to get back fast and inform the magister.

"My uncle might know them better... Sorry... It just kind of popped in my mind now."

"Ugh, it's fine... I saw her already so I can track... But could you also call your uncle? This is serious... Even if she's just a patron at his shop!"

"I'll text him."

****

Turns out she was a friend of a former co-worker that used to work there before he got married and moved away. Her uncle said that he would get in contact to ask for information.

She informed Edmund, Nick, Erisa, Goldmund, and Tamie about her findings. Wherein Tamie sent out several ghost clones to find her.

Meanwhile, Kathryn after apologising immensely for the inconvenience returned to her room and slumped to the floor.

"Why am I always a burden to those around me...? First mom and dad keep on and on about it now it's been confirmed..." She pulled her head onto her lap and groaned.

That's when her star gadget pinged and she opened it. It was from an unfamiliar signal...

'Hello my name is Alfred Bruce, I used to work with your uncle before I married. Regarding Annie, I never knew her that well I used to watch her daughter. And her deceased husband and I were good friends... But that's it... I originally was not going to text you but I do so out of worry for Gabrielle, please of you must make an arrest on her mother I beg of your magister to not do it in front of her, at least remove her from the place first, I know this is a big ask from someone who has given little to no good information about this whole thing and do know that if I see Annie again I will call immediately, but as someone whose parent was taken away like that it does some really bad things to a child.'

Kathryn sighed and passed the message on to Edmund.

That's when a box appeared out of nowhere apparently mail. Confused Kathryn checked her star-gadget and saw another added on text from Alfred.

'She asked me to take these to the dumpster for them to be burnt but I never really got the chance to. So hopefully these will be of use.'

Kathryn stared at the huge old box that sat in front of her with amazement.

Then she began digging.