Chapter 47. Unity (3)

Mrs. Andrews led Aria to a low couch. Ares and Garsam sat on the bed after pushing Sinbad in. Aria held her mother's hand and asked, "What happened?"

Her mom was silent for a minute, as if gauging what she should or should not say. "I can't tell you much for your own safety, dear, but... I was invited here against my will. I can leave easily, but they know I won't."

Aria asked in confusion, "Why?"

"Because they have your father."

Aria gasped, "Dad? He's here?"

"No, not here. I don't know where they took him. I have to work for them to guarantee his safety. I did come close to finding him once, then they threatened me with you kids' lives."

She sighed again and hugged Aria. "I have been worried sick, thinking they had taken you all too."

"We're fine," Aria said, with a bit of guilt. She couldn't bring herself to tell her mom that Sue was sick.

"Where have you been?" Her mom asked.

Aria told her everything from their moving to Clea