Chapter 174 The Order Of Septem

• He sat with us in the house for a while before the doorbell rang, its ringing slicing through the heavy silence like a blade. Jade moved to answer it, and moments later, a group of women stepped inside.
• They entered with an air of authority, their presence filling the room instantly. The first woman caught my attention with her striking appearance—Petra. Her long, silky hair, streaked with caramel highlights, framed her face flawlessly. She was African-American, with a polished elegance that spoke of special care. Everything about her—from her perfectly arched brows to her pristine nails—suggested that she spared no expense when it came to herself. In stark contrast to Jade’s natural, effortless beauty, Petra seemed like someone who viewed herself as a canvas, and the world her audience.
• Behind her was another woman, Agnes. Her appearance was a study in contrasts. She was white, thin, and clearly older, with short, curled bob hair that was a mix of more gray and less brown. The sides of her temples were shaved, giving her a striking, almost stylish look. But it was her eyes that truly held my attention—small, sea-green orbs so perfectly smooth and blended that they looked almost unreal. No veins or patterns marked their surface; they were like two flawless marbles, odd in their perfection.