Black Rose (Rose Kisses #1)

13

Isaline Winter

You've got your mother's eyes.

The words replayed over and over again in my head as I followed silently behind the man. We'd left the town square, as he'd called it, and ventured further into Braven. I didn't know where he was taking me and while common sense said to never talk to strangers—let alone follow them into the fucking woods—I felt that I could trust him. It was still unclear about what kind of connection he had to my mother but I was desperate to find out, so I followed obediently.

We came to a stop in front of modestly sized home just a few minutes outside of the town square. It was clear that the home was well loved and well cared for, the white paint chipping away to reveal what could've been the home's original color. It was completely lit and I could smell something absolutely mouthwatering cooking up inside.

"Mind the toys," he said as pushed open the door. I wanted to ask him what he meant by that but as soon as he was opened the door, four little bodies threw themselves at his body and wrestled themselves into a big group hug.

"Papa!" the children squealed excitedly.

"Hello, little ones," he laughed heartily. He kissed the tops of each of their heads and then placed them down in a single file line before them. "We have a visitor."

Four heads turned towards me almost immediately and while they were all significantly smaller and weaker than I was, I felt strongly intimidated by the curiosity and slight hostility shining brightly in their brown eyes.

"Who are you?" the youngest of the bunch asked. She was a beautiful little girl with the curliest hair I'd ever seen and gorgeous brown skin. She had on a yellow sundress with white flowers and from the matching flower crown on her head, I could tell that she ran the show around here.

"I'm Isa," I smiled lightly. "What's your name?"

"I'm Evangeline," she said. "Evangeline Alondra. But everyone calls me Angel."

Alondra. I tried not to let the shock show on my face as I bent down to her level, "That's a beautiful name, Angel. How old are you?"

"Thank you," she grinned cheekily. "I'm five."

"You are very well spoken for someone your age," I complimented.

Her grin widened. "I know! Momma says when I grow up, I'm gonna be the smartest girl in the world!"

"I don't doubt it," I said.

"Angel, why don't you introduce Miss Isa to the rest of the family while I go talk to nana, okay?" the man said as he began to walk into the home.

"Okay!" Evangeline shouted. "Isa, these are my brothers. Brothers, this is Isa. Everyone say 'hi'."

She gestured to the boys standing quietly beside her. I was envious of all of their beautiful brown skin and their big, brown eyes. There was an air of innocence that surrounded all of them like a soft cloud, drawing me in and making me feel at peace in their presence.

"I'm Malakai," the boy closest to Evangeline introduced shyly. He had a mop of curly in his little head that was in need of a trimming and scar through his lips.