Give Me Love Read Free

identical flat tones. They both look to each other.  
    Mikah can see the fear in her eyes, and he squeezes her hand slightly, just to let her know that he’s here for her no matter what.
    “Yes, she’s here and we’re trying to talk to her. However, it takes some time for the departed to adjust to what’s happened, and I’m afraid she hasn’t been much help.” Elizabeth begins to pace back and forth again in front of the bank of windows near the couches. “We also have to take into account the fact that your mother was not of sound mind prior to her death. We’re not sure if we will get any information from her at all. But we’re going to try.”
    There is a moment of silence while this news sinks in, and then Elizabeth stops pacing and speaks again. “Vivienne,” she says, “I’m wondering if you could help us?”  
    Vivienne looks to Elizabeth, a quizzical look on her face. “I’m not sure what help I can be,” she says finally.
    Mikah leans in a little, curious as to what his mother is asking.
    “I’m wondering if you would try talking to your mother, see if she will tell you what she knows about her death.”
    “Elizabeth, I—” Vivienne looks to Mikah, confusion on her face, and then back to Elizabeth. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”  
    Mikah looks to Vivienne, trying to read her reaction, but he can’t. Too many emotions are playing out on her features.
    “I think it might be the best chance we have to get her to talk.”  
    “I’m pretty sure that won’t work.” Vivienne’s heart is pounding, making it impossible to think straight. Nothing good can come from seeing Rebecca, at least not anything that won’t result in more heartache.  
    “Vivienne, we should at least try,” Elizabeth says.  
    Mikah moves to stand behind Vivienne and places his hand on the small of her back. He leans down and whispers in her ear, “You can do this.”  
    It’s strange how his words have calmed her almost instantly.  
    Vivienne smiles slightly, takes a deep breath and says, “Bring her here.”

FIVE
    Two heartbeats later, the door behind Zirah and Seraphina clicks again. Zirah and Seraphina part, allowing Vivienne a full view of the woman who has just entered the room.  
    Vivienne feels trepidation fly through her veins. She stands and takes a few steps toward the woman. Mikah is close behind her; she can hear the shifting and footsteps.  
    The woman is modestly dressed in a white nightgown-style, sleeveless dress and has long reddish-brown hair framing her heart-shaped face. Her green eyes stare wary at the scene laid out in front of her, but she is doing her best to pretend she’s not looking. Though the woman looks lost and confused, it doesn’t take but a few moments for Vivienne to recognize her.
      “Rebecca?” Vivienne says, and the woman, who is the focus of the entire room, jerks her head in Vivienne’s direction. Vivienne knows it’s her mother, but the woman before her appears much younger, as if she is about Vivienne’s age.
    The woman looks at Vivienne, her eyes squinting for a moment before widening as she realizes who she’s looking at. “Vivienne?” She takes a few steps toward Vivienne.  
    Vivienne takes a step back. She realizes now she wasn’t ready for this. Needing support and reassurance, she tears her gaze away from the her mother and turns to see Mikah right next to her. She feels oddly comforted by his look of confusion. Behind him, the same look is on the faces of her guardians and she can sense their tension.  
    Mikah isn’t entirely sure what to say or how to interpret what he is looking at. He’d expected an older woman.
    “Is that...?” Mikah says aloud.
    “Rebecca, Vivienne’s mother,” Elizabeth answers.
    Mikah hears a sharp intake of breath behind him and looks over his shoulder to see Red, who is white as a ghost. Mikah follows Red’s gaze back to the woman standing in front of them. She appears dazed, obviously in shock.