We walked for what felt like forever, deeper and deeper into the woods. The night air smelled of damp leaves and pine, and the only sound was the steady crunch of our footsteps. I did not realize how far we had gone until the trees opened up into a small clearing.
A cottage sat there like something out of a storybook, tucked beneath tall cedar trees. Soft yellow light glowed from the windows and thin white smoke curled from the chimney. The air carried the warm scent of cinnamon and something baking. My stomach turned with sudden hunger, but also nervousness. I did not know who we were here to meet, only that she was someone important to Ansel.
Before we could knock, the door opened. A woman stepped out, holding a folded towel like she had been in the middle of housework. She was around
