Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance (38 page)

Laura sipped her after dinner tea very slowly; when she

looked up—she caught Jessup watching her with worried

eyes. He hadn't seemed to enjoy the evening at all, and it

was no surprise to Laura when he stood and announced that

it was time that they get back.

"Yes, it has been an enjoyable evening but Jessup is right,

it's getting late." Laura made a move to rise but was suddenly

hit with a wave of nausea and dizziness. The room was

spinning and the next thing she knew Jessup was at her side,

easing her back into the chair.

"I guess I might have eaten too much," she muttered.

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"Maybe," Jessup growled.

"Let me take a look at her." Max was there, taking her

pulse and checking for fever.

"I think it's just simple exhaustion. Someone in your

delicate condition tires easily," he announced a few moments

later.

"Well Laura must stay the night here," Brody was insisting.

"She cannot possibly make the trip home in this condition,

right Max?"

"I agree. It would be in your best interest, as well as your

child's . . . if you stay here and rest tonight."

"Oh no ... I will be fine." Laura tried to rise again but was

held back by Max's hand.

"If you will give us a few minutes, I will try and talk some

sense into her." She heard Jessup tell the others.

When they were gone, he kneeled beside her. "They are

probably right you know. It couldn't hurt for you to get some

proper rest in a fine bed for a change."

"What's wrong Jessup? I can tell something's been

bothering you all night," Laura asked, still half dazed.

Jessup lowered his voice to a whisper. "Oh, it's probably

nothing, it just seems a little strange that I've never heard of

this Max guy and I grew up around here."

"Is that all?" Laura was a little unsure that this should

warrant such concern.

"I just don't know. Something doesn't seem right ... that's

all," Jessup continued to speak in low tones.

"Maybe I should go ahead and go back with you then?"

Laura started to rise, but

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Jessup held her back.

"No, I think you will be okay here for the night ... just

watch your back. There's something about that doctor I just

don't trust...." Jessup paused, then took out a pen and paper

and scribbled a number, handing the paper to Laura. "Call me

tomorrow when you are ready to leave and I will pick you up

at the docks." He smiled reassuringly.

The sound of Brody and the doctor entering the room

brought their conversation to a halt.

"So ... has the fair Laura decided to accept our offer of

some rest and relaxation?" Brody asked upon entering the

room.

"Yes, thank you so much, Mr. Cornell." Laura smiled.

"I will arrange for someone to meet the boat at the docks

tomorrow afternoon," Jessup told them as he was preparing

to leave.

"Take care, Laura. I'll see you tomorrow," Jessup called

over his shoulder.

While the two men saw Jessup off, a young girl in a maid's

uniform appeared. "Take you to your room now, miss?"

Laura's head felt much clearer now and she had little

trouble rising to follow the young girl. She was led up the

winding staircase and down several halls until they finally

came to a door that was standing open.

If not exactly feminine, the room was still very lovely.

Decorated in brown and tan earth tones, and done in a

southwestern theme. No doubt they had probably thought it

would help her to feel more at home.

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Laid out on the large four-poster bed was a beautiful pink

nightgown. This struck Laura as slightly odd. How had they

known for sure that she would be staying? The thought

stayed with her only briefly. They must have just prepared

the room on the chance they she would, Laura decided.

Picking up the garment, Laura turned to the girl and

asked: "Who does it belong to?"

"Miss Jeanette, ma'am. Though most of her clothes won't

fit you in your condition." The girl smiled slyly as she pointed

to Laura's stomach. "Her night clothes probably will."

"Thanks. That was very considerate of Miss Jeanette."

"Would you like me to prepare a bath?"

Laura shook her head. "No, maybe in the morning. I'm

much too tired tonight. I feel as if I will collapse where I

stand."

"Yes Miss. If you should need anything, just push the

button next to the bed, it rings to the kitchen and someone

will be up to help you."

"Thank you...." Laura waited for the girl to provide her

name.

"I'm Mattie," the girl informed her with a shy smile.

"Thank you, Mattie."

"I will be back in the morning with your breakfast and to

prepare your bath," Mattie told her before leaving the room

and shutting the door behind her.

There were two doors in the room. One led to a large walk

in closet and the other to a bathroom. Laura freshened up

and got into the nightdress. Almost as soon as she hit the

heavenly soft bed, she drifted off to sleep.

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Laura slept soundly for hours but awoke sometime around

dawn. Struggling to open her eyes she wondered what had

disturbed her. A blast of cool air brought her to full alertness.

A strong wind was blowing through the open window and into

the bedroom.

She was sure the window hadn't been open the night

before. Forcing herself to leave the warmth of her bed, she

went to the window and slid it shut.

Was it possible one of the servants had come in earlier and

opened it? That was a strange thing to do so early in the

morning. Were they even up and about yet?

Deciding to peek out into the hall, Laura went to the door.

She tried to turn the handle, but it refused to budge. She

twisted it back and forth a few times before her terrified mind

could accept the fact that she was locked in the room.

She had been delivered right into the hands of her

enemies—and Laura was sure they were enemies now. They

could have no other reason to lock her in her room, other

than to prevent her leaving.

Had Jessup been in on this and known from the beginning?

Had he had second thoughts last night and that is why he had

seemed reluctant to let her stay?

She refused to believe that Jessup had anything to do with

this. She absolutely couldn't conceive that her friend would do

something like this. He had been deceived, the same as she

had been. Hadn't Bellea been against her coming here?

Laura found the number that Jessup had given her the

night before and lifted the receiver on the phone that stood

next to the bed. There was no dial tone. Of course there

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wouldn't be, that would make it too easy for her to call for

help. She should have realized that.

The only thing left to do was wait for the maid to return

and demand that she speak with Brody. She knew that even

if she managed to get past Mattie, she would never be

allowed to leave the island.

Her only chance seemed to be to get out of this room and

to a phone that worked. Laura settled back in her bed and

waited for what seemed hours. She had already decided what

her strategy would be. She would pretend not to know that

she had been locked in her room, play along and see what

they had planned for her. In the meantime, she would look

for her chance to use one of the other phones in the house.

Finally she heard commotion at the door and Laura closed

her eyes pretending to have been dozing.

"How are you this morning, Miss Laura?" The girl brought

over a tray laden with food.

"Still very tired."

"While you are having your breakfast, I will prepare your

bath. Mr. Brody would like to speak with you as soon as you

are done," Mattie informed her.

Laura nibbled at the food, but ingested very little of it. She

already suspected that her tea had been drugged the

previous night, and she didn't want to take any more chances

of losing control of her senses in this situation.

Once Laura was ready, Mattie led her to the first floor and

to a large room that appeared to be either an oversized office

or a study. Both Brody and the doctor were waiting for her.

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Brody rose from where he sat behind a large oak desk. "I

trust you slept well, Miss Ellison." He smiled benignly.

"Very well, thank you." Laura forced her own smile.

Brody waited while Laura took a seat in front of his desk

before returning to his own chair. "Max and I have been

discussing your position and we have decided it would be best

if you stay here with us for a while."

"Well ... how very considerate of you, but of course I must

decline. I have been doing very well with my current living

arrangements."

"Unfortunately, Miss Ellison ... this isn't a matter of

choice." The doctor spoke for the first time. "We are being

paid very well by your fiance to keep you and your child safe.

You will stay here."

"You cannot possibly get away with this. Jessup knows that

I'm here." Laura glared at the two of them.

"Oh but we can, Laura," Brody told her. "You see ... as far

as Jessup is concerned, he will believe that you returned to

the west, in order to care for your grandfather who took a

sudden illness."

"Jessup will never believe that."

"For his sake, you better hope he does. I would really hate

to have to dispose of him, which is exactly what will happen if

he comes here looking for you," Brody informed her

Laura stood. "I demand that you return me to the

mainland now." Her eyes flashed defiance.

"That is impossible." Max gently took her arm and sat her

back down.

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"You have your wedding to prepare for. In two weeks time,

Dark Claw will arrive and you will be married to him."

"You are insane. You cannot possibly think you can force

me to marry that lunatic."

Max smiled coldly. "On the contrary, Miss Ellison ... you

will go through with this marriage of your own free will. Dark

Claw has your grandfather and he will be killed unless you

do."

"I don't believe you. My grandfather is with Gray Eagle."

Laura spit out her words, more furious than she had ever

been in her life, and more frightened.

Max's eyes lit up with amusement. "Are you so sure of

that?"

And of course she was not. She had left
Coyopa
' before

knowing the outcome of the attack. Riddled with guilt, Laura

lowered her eyes in defeat, realizing it was very possible that

Dark Claw had taken her grandfather hostage when it was

discovered that she was gone.

How could she call their bluff without risking her

grandfather's life? How would she ever live with herself if they

did have him?

Laura collapsed against the back of the chair knowing she

was defeated. She let her tears flow freely. "He's just a little

baby, why can't you just leave us alone?"

"Yes, we know he is a baby, and we promise to take good

care of both of you," Max told her as if he was attempting

some kindness, but the chill never left his voice.

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"No matter what you do ... this child will always be Gray

Eagle's son and you will never be able to turn him into a

monster like Dark Claw. I know that for sure."

"As it is told ... he will rule both
Coba
' and
Coyopa
'. The

only father he will ever know will be Dark Claw. It's certain

that Dark Claw will rule beside him." Max's voice was full of

vision and victory.

Laura could do nothing but shake her head. They were

insane, all of them. It would do no good to try and reason

with them.

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For Laura, the days passed in an endless wave of misery.

She was trapped with no way out. They were watching her

too closely to even get close to one of the phones, but she

wouldn't have used it in any case. How could she be

responsible for Jessup heading straight to his death by

coming to her rescue? One afternoon she had managed to slip

away long enough to make it down to the docks, only to find

no watercrafts of any kind.

When Max discovered her there, he laughed at her

naivete. "Dear sweet Laura, did you really think we would be