Laura swallowed hard to remove the lump that had formed in her throat. She was determined not to let them get to her.
Laura shrugged her shoulders, trying to convince herself as much as Kenny that it didn’t matter. "He will be announcing his engagement to her tonight."
A hard glint entered Kenny’s eyes. "Like hell he will!"
Kenny started in the direction in which the couple was dancing. It was only Laura’s hand on his arm that stopped him.
"Let him. I will not be here much longer anyway."
"What happened between you two?" Kenny asked
Laura shrugged her shoulders. "I think this has been arranged for a long time. I guess we were just not meant to be."
Kenny didn’t miss the note of sadness in her last statement, but understanding seemed to slowly seep into his eyes.
"He thinks you and Dark Claw were lovers," Kenny informed her.
Laura looked startled. All the sudden Justin’s behavior made sense. "Why would he think that?"
"He saw you with Dark Claw before you escaped."
The memory of Dark Claw forcing himself on her in the garden jumped to the front of her mind, bringing with it revulsion.
Laura realized that Justin might never believe the child she carried was his. With resignation, Laura knew that leaving was her only choice, for the sake of her son.
If Justin thought that she had been a willing party to Dark Claw’s embraces, how could he ever believe her about the child?
"So, let him think what he will." Her eyes sparked defiance.
"You can’t leave, Laura," Kenny told her. "It’s too dangerous."
"Don’t worry, I have a plan, but you must never tell him about the baby." Laura really didn't have a plan, but she didn’t want Kenny to worry.
She could tell that Kenny wasn’t falling for it. "No matter what, you are still safer here for right now, we all are."
"I know what I'm doing, and no matter what, tell Grandpa that I love him."
Laura noticed that Kenny’s attention had wavered and she followed his gaze across the room to where his eyes rested on a pretty blond girl who was motioning to him.
"Who is that?" Laura smiled.
"Her name is Yvette. I made her acquaintance a few days ago while riding," he spoke to Laura but his eyes never left, Yvette.
"She sure doesn’t look Sungmanitu," Laura stated.
"She isn’t." Kenny looked back to Laura. "You could say her people are of the same nature, but they originate in Europe."
Laura remembered Ben telling her that all sorts of people resided in Coyopa’.
"I should go talk with her." Kenny’s smile was apologetic.
"Of course." Laura reached out and touched Kenny’s arm reassuringly.
Kenny started away, but stopped and looked back at Laura. "Don’t do anything ... yet."
Laura smiled but said nothing. She could give him no such promise.
"You don’t appear to be enjoying yourself."
Laura stiffened at the dark amusement in his voice.
"Of course I am." Laura smiled "It’s not everyday that a girl gets to be surrounded by werewolves."
Justin’s eyes held a dangerous glint. "You are treading on dangerous ground, Laura."
His fingers dug into her arm painfully as he led her out on the dance floor.
"I don’t want to dance." Laura tried to pull her arm free but only succeeded in causing herself more pain.
"Don’t make a scene," he hissed.
Laura stiffened as his arms encircled her and they began to move to the music. Before Laura realized what he was doing he had led her through the large double doors which led to the gardens.
When they were out of sight of the other guests he pulled her closer--holding her so tightly she almost couldn’t breathe.
"You ignored my orders," his voice was harsh.
"Did you seriously think I wouldn't?"
"You will be punished severely for disobeying me. The first thing you must learn is, here ... my word is law."
Justin’s fingers entwined in Laura’s hair, pulling her head back and he buried his face in her neck. Laura gasped at the sharp sting of his teeth on her flesh--her heart filling with terror.
Justin released her suddenly, backing away. He gazed at her with his yellow wolf’s eyes. Laura was trembling with a mixture of fear and rage.
"If I let your open defiance go unpunished, I will lose the respect of my people, and that will threaten my position. You are confined to your rooms until you learn to obey me. After this night you will see no one but Anna," he finished with a growl and strode away, leaving her alone with the night.
Laura’s anger evaporated and was replaced once again with sadness. She had truly traded one captor for another. There was no longer any doubt in her mind; if she was going to escape it would have to be tonight.
"Laura," a soft voice called to her from out of the darkness. A little unnerved, Laura strained to see what lay beyond the reach of the lights.
She could hear a shuffle of feet and she sensed movement but still she could see nothing.
"Don’t fear me child, I have come to warn you."
The vaguely familiar voice drew Laura closer.
Cloaked in darkness, Laura could barely make out Two-Bears’ form. Gripped with her people’s natural fear of the dead, Laura began to back away, but tripping she was sent sprawling to the hard stone floor.
She looked up to find Two-Bears looming above her. "At this moment, he is coming for you--many will die. The woman, Tasha is a traitor, she has led them here to destroy you."
Choking back a sob, Laura closed her eyes--reminding herself that it wasn’t real. He was only a phantom like Rosa and her grandmother.
When she opened her eyes Two-Bears was gone.
Laura was flooded with fear. Her stomach felt as if it was in knots. Dark Claw was coming--there would be a war. She would have to warn Justin.
Laura found him submerged in conversation with Tasha. He turned his cold eyes on her when she tapped him on the shoulder.
"I must speak with you."
"Later," he told her.
"Now ... it’s urgent." Laura was determined not to let him stall her.
"Will you excuse me?" He smiled tenderly at Tasha. Laura had to wonder how much of those feelings for Tasha were real, and how much of it was show.
"Don’t be too long, Justin. I will be completely lost without you," she told him in a honey sweet voice, while her eyes flashed warnings at Laura.
Justin took Laura by the arm and led her out of the ballroom. They walked quietly until reaching what Laura assumed was a study. The furnishings were Tudor and the books lining the shelves looked to be just as old.
Laura had no time to wonder at the contrast between the Justin of her world and the Justin of this world, or which one was the real man.
"You are trying my patience, Laura." Justin was seething.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Laura’s emotions burst forward.
"I don’t even know who you are," Laura stated. "You are not the same man who walked with me under the moonlight, and you are certainly not the same man that took me for a ride on his bike."
Justin looked away, but his voice softened.
"In some ways you are right. I cannot be that person here."
"If Coyopa’ turns men to monsters, why not just let the Baalam have it?"
Justin shot her a look of distrust. "Do you say that on behalf of your lover?"
Laura shook her head and turned away.
"If it were not for Coyopa’ and the Sungmanitu, man would destroy the Earth Mother," he explained in a soft voice. "We are the guardians of mankind."
"Dark Claw is on his way," Laura told him without turning around.
"How do you know that?" Justin demanded.
"Two-Bears."
"Do you expect me to believe that?" he asked in disgust.
Laura shrugged her shoulders. "Believe what you will. He has come
to me more than once. He said that Dark Claw was coming for me and that many would die."
Justin’s disbelief seemed to be slowly dissipating. "Is that all you were told?"
Laura slowly nodded, wondering if she should tell Justin about Tasha, but quickly decided against it. He would just think it was jealousy.
Justin took a deep breath. At that moment he appeared more tired than Laura ever remembered. She found that she was consumed with the need to reach out and comfort him, but the feeling quickly faded at his next words.
"Go to your room and lock the doors. Do not open them again until I come for you."
Laura left the room with no intention of following his orders. She had to locate Kenny and her grandfather and insist that they come with her when she left.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Busby and Kenny followed Laura to her room and she quickly shut and locked the door behind them.
"What’s this about?" Kenny was impatient with her for dragging him away from Yvette.
"The Baalam will be attacking Coyopa’ soon. If we are to have any hope of escape, we will have to go now."
"Don’t be foolish, Laura. Without the protection of the Sungmanitu, we are as good as dead," Kenny told her.
"I will be the cause of so much death and suffering if I stay here, I could not live with that."
"Think of the child," Grandpa told her.
"I am," Laura told them simply.
Kenny shook his head. "I cannot leave these people to fight the Baalam alone, and I will not let you and Grandpa go without me."
"Oh don’t be ridiculous, Kenny!" Laura exclaimed. "There is nothing you could possibly do to add to their defense."
"Never the less, it is a matter of honor."
"This is true, Laura." Grandpa’s voice was raspy and his eyes weary. Laura knew that the events of the last few months were just too much for him. How could she expect him to go on the run with her?
Laura sighed. There was no other way, she would have to appear to be resigned to her situation and make an escape on her own. In her heart she knew that her grandfather was safer here-- in the outside world they would have no defense.
* * * *
It had been no easy feat to convince Kenny and her grandfather that she had accepted her position for the time being, but finally they had left.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Laura sat down to write them a note. No matter what, she could not disappear and not leave some kind of word for them. She did this, even though she knew it would give her less time to put distance between herself and Coyopa’.
Leaving the note on her bed, Laura slipped out of the room and silently made her way from the castle to the stables. In the darkness Laura led Starlight from the stables. Somewhere in the night she caught the sound of a scream. Soon the city was full of screams of terror.
It had started. Laura closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for the loved ones that she would leave behind. Guilt scratched at her heart--it was only her desperation to keep her child from Dark Claw that kept her going.
Laura searched her memory for the path which would take her to the cave and the doorway to her own world. She rode for what seemed like hours--the stars and a crescent moon were all there was for guidance. She dared not breathe easy until Coyopa’ was far behind her.
Suddenly Laura had an alarming thought. She knew there was more than one entrance into Coyopa’, but just what if the Baalam had used the cave? The chance that they had was pretty slim. Justin had told her that it was a secret entrance and very few knew about it. She was counting on the accuracy of his words.
Laura fought her way through the thick brush until finally reaching the mouth of the cave. The expanse of darkness within, threatened to swallow all that dared enter. Laura let Starlight’s ropes go, knowing she would find her way back to the castle. Swallowing hard, she peered into the stretch of darkness within. Touching the crystal which hung on her neck, she stepped in. Almost instantaneously the black interior enveloped her.
Placing her hand on the cold-stone surface of the cave’s wall, Laura felt her way through the darkness. The cave should come out somewhere near Beaver Creek, unless ... by some chance the doorway wouldn't open for her.
Beaver Creek ... the name almost seemed like something out of a story book, and not a place that had ever been a real part of her life. How she longed to be back in that simple log cabin and in Justin’s arms. Not Justin, the ruler of Coyopa’, but just plain old Justin.
Laura fought back her tears and the memories of that simple and sweet love they had shared.
Cautiously, she navigated the cave’s slippery floor with slow, deliberate movements.
Laura froze. What was that noise?
The inaudible whisper came again, spurring Laura to action. Moving with greater haste, Laura nearly slipped several times, but no matter how fast she moved the whispers seemed to be getting closer.
Stopping to catch her breath, Laura listened. She could barely make out the words now.
"Noooooooo ... Laura."
The voice was familiar. Rosa was again warning her, but she had to go. No matter which side won, her child would be in jeopardy.
A sudden thought occurred to her. She was doing the same thing that Justin’s mother had done. She was running from Coyopa’ and the Sungmanitu.
Guilt for what she was doing to Justin tugged at her conscience, but would he really care? He had Tasha, after all. With a will born of desperation, she blocked out Rosa’s voice and her own guilt.
The same bizarre illumination that she remembered from Coba’ was suddenly there to light her way. She was close now and would soon be free of the Sungmanitu and the Baalam.
The thought didn’t bring her the relief she had hoped, instead her heart felt as if it had been weighted down with lead.
* * * *
The Bronco sat exactly where they had left it on their arrival. Laura quickly found the spare key inside the rear bumper which was held in place with a magnet. Inside, she checked for the wallet she had discreetly stashed beneath the passenger seat. Having anticipated her eventual need for escape, Laura had had the foresight to make sure she would have what she might need.
The engine turned over after having to crank it twice. Laura wasted no time in leaving Beaver Creek. Once she was on the main highway, she turned toward Rock Spring instead of Acton, which is where Justin would no doubt expect her to go.
Where would she go?
It would be suicide to go back to New Mexico. Dark Claw’s people would surely look for her there once they realized she was not in Coyopa’.
Jessup! Why hadn’t she thought of him before? She would go to Louisiana and ask him for help.
But the last time she had talked to Jessup’s sister, she had claimed no knowledge of her or Wyoming. Jessup hadn’t even been there. What if she drove all the way to Louisiana and he wasn’t even there?
There was only one solution. She would stop in Rock Springs and get some sleep, and in the morning she would phone Jessup’s sister again. She desperately needed a shower and a good night’s rest. She was sure that they wouldn't look for her in Rock Springs, at least not right away. By morning she would be more alert and able to plan with a clear head.
* * * *
Laura sat in a booth at Joe’s Café drinking her orange juice and eyeing the payphone near the entrance. The morning crowd was filtering out and the emptiness in the café lent a hollow feeling to the atmosphere.
What if he really didn’t remember her? Was it possible that once he was away from Beaver Creek, a cloud of amnesia had settled on him? Already she could feel the details of the Sungmanitu and the Baalam slipping from her mind. It was like the last occasion when she had left to return to New Mexico. The details slipped and before long it became more like a dream than reality. Laura shook her head. There was no way she could ever forget Justin, the evidence of his existence grew within her everyday.
Finally she was able to muster up enough nerve
to go to the payphone. Dropping in several quarters she dialed the number. Laura’s heart beat with desperate anxiety. The phone rang on and on and just as Laura was ready to hang up someone came on the other end.
"Hello," A tired female voice spoke into the receiver.
"Hi," Laura paused, suddenly unsure of what to say.
"Yes," The woman prodded.
"I’m looking for Clyde Jessup. Would he happen to be in?"
"He is living in Lafayette now. Can I tell him who called?" she asked with suspicion in her voice.
"I’m an old business acquaintance. I was on my way to Louisiana and thought I'd drop in on him," Laura told her, hoping she didn’t remember her from the last time she’d called. Jessup’s sister had probably come to the conclusion that Laura had been a nutcase on the previous occasion they had spoken. If she thought Laura to be the same person, she could count on not getting any information.
"Well he is listed in the phone book. Give him a call when you get into town," the woman told her before hanging up the phone.
At least Jessup was there. Laura’s world seemed just slightly brighter than it had moments before. All that was left to do was pick up a few clothes since she had left with nothing and fill up the Bronco. Laura reminded herself to find a map as well. She had never been to Louisiana in her life.
* * * *
Just as the setting sun was casting its fiery red light on the land of the Cajuns, Laura pulled into Lafayette, Louisiana. Three days after beginning her journey she was finally far enough away to feel like she might be safe.
Laura was able to obtain Jessup’s phone number and address from directory assistance, but had decided that she would go straight to his house, rather than call.
The shadows of the bayou were eating away the light. She hoped it wouldn't be long before she came to his residence. The thought of being lost in the dark swamps brought on an involuntary shiver.
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