Wolf Dance

by Wolfdance(Lit)

  Laura relished the warmth of the hot water, taking a few moments just to relax. It was at times when she was most relaxed that her thoughts drifted to her grandfather and Kenny. Laura hoped they were getting along okay, but with Justin there, she was sure they were safe and sound. If only she could have relied on Justin herself, to not only protect her, but to love her as well. Maybe that had been just too much to expect?

  Her chest tightened involuntarily, and she felt as if her heart was breaking anew. If she could only manage to banish him from her heart and mind, then maybe some day she could find some happiness again.

  A light tap at the door brought Laura back to the present. "Hey girl, if you don’t get a move on we are going to be late."

  "Okay, I’ll be ready soon," Laura called out as she reluctantly left the tub.

  As she did whenever her thoughts got too sad to bear, Laura let her emotions turn to anger. He had, after all, dumped her for that conniving wench, Tasha.

  * * * *

  "How far is it to Cypress Manor?" Laura asked him as she was climbing in the old truck, feeling awkward and out of place.

  "Not too far. Once we reach Black Lake, a boat will be waiting to take us over," he explained.

  Laura looked startled.

  "I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you that the estate is on Cypress Island, which is about smack dab in the middle of Black Lake. Unlike many of the old families around here, the Cornells still own their whole estate. The Island was once known as the Cypress Plantation," Jessup filled her in on some of the Cornell’s history.

  "So how did they manage to hold onto so much of the family’s interests after the Civil War?" Laura was curious. She knew many of the families of the Old South had lost most everything.

  Jessup shrugged his shoulders. "I don’t know if anyone has ever bothered to ask, but I believe the old man that owned the plantation back then had many investments in the North and retained much of his wealth."

  Jessup parked near the docks where a large, brightly lit yacht was awaiting their arrival. Laura had never even seen such a luxurious boat, let alone traveled in one.

  "Nice, huh?" Jessup smiled. "Nothing compared to the vessels docked in New Orleans, but quite fine for these parts."

  Laura nodded. In the distance she could already see the lights of Cypress Island and knew there would be little point in going below deck. The ride would only take a few moments.

  The rippling black water glistened silver beneath the moonlight. Without realizing it, Laura began to think of her situation and the future. At the present, her life seemed to be as dark and forbidden as the lake.

  Chapter Twenty–Eight

  The majestic Grecian style house was common for this part of the country, but no less imposing. The grounds were immaculately landscaped and well lit. There were statues of nymphs and other mystical creatures in the shrubbery and flowers.

  Laura stopped, catching her breath. A large golden statue of a mermaid had caught her attention. The hauntingly beautiful creature poured water from an oyster shell into a large pond lit with golden light. "Wow, this could as well be a palace, rather than a house!" she exclaimed.

  Jessup laughed. "I’ve never been here, but I would have to agree with you. It's something else, but what I would expect from the Cornells."

  They were met at the door by a severe looking butler with cold, gray eyes and white hair.

  "Yes ... can I help you?" he asked in a hard-formal voice.

  Jessup smiled, trying to show good humor even under the man’s scrutiny.

  "I’m Clyde Jessup, and this is Laura Ellison. Mr. Cornell is expecting us."

  The butler stepped aside so that they could enter. "Come with me, please."

  He led them to a sitting room and asked them to wait there while he let Mr. Cornell know of their arrival.

  The inside of Cypress Hall was even more striking than the exterior. The arts and culture of New Orleans was evident wherever one looked.

  A few moments later Brody made an appearance. He was strikingly handsome in his black silk dinner jacket. If Laura had feared having overdressed for the occasion, she no longer thought so. It was evidently expected.

  He nodded to Jessup. "Good of you to come, Jessup, and to bring the lovely Laura as well. How grand." He smiled at Laura, taking her hand.

  Laura returned his smile. She could not help but be flattered by his charm. "Thank you, Mr. Cornell."

  "The other guests arrived earlier today, and are now taking drinks out on the veranda while we wait for dinner. Would you care to join us?"

  "Of course," Laura accepted his arm and he led them into the large hall and through another room, which Laura assumed was the Morning Room, and out onto a veranda. It was as gorgeous as the rest of the house.

  There were only a few guests besides Jeannette, whom Brody had introduced as his mother. The petite elderly woman was flighty and by all rights almost appeared not even present some of the time.

  Brody introduced a Latin couple as friends and business associates who were in town temporarily. Antonio and Maria said little, but watched Laura with open curiosity and what Laura thought, hostility. Laura quickly brushed the thought aside as being another part of her overactive imagination.

  Another younger man with a distinct Creole accent took Laura’s hand and smiled warmly when Brody introduced them.

  "Laura ... Jessup, this is our very own local Doctor, meet Max LeStrange."

  "How nice to meet you." She smiled in return.

  Jessup shook the man’s hand, but his good humor of earlier seemed to have vanished. Laura was given no time to ponder this change in her friend because the butler interrupted them to announced that dinner was about to be served.

  The meal was abundant and lavish. Laura was sure she had never before seen a dinner menu quite like it. There was shrimp, catfish and wild rice, along with an assortment of desserts.

  The rest of the evening passed in a flurry of chatter and champagne. Laura had to admit, that at first she had felt terribly uncomfortable, but as the evening progressed she had managed let her guard down.

  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 be getting 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.

  "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," Jessu
p continued to speak in low tones.

  "Maybe I should go ahead and go back with you then?" Laura started to rise, but 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 Cajun 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.

  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, miss?"

  Laura shook her head. "No, 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 night dress. Almost as soon as she hit the heavenly soft bed, she drifted off to sleep.

  Laura slept soundly for hours but awoke sometime around dawn. Struggling to open her eyes she wondered what had awoken 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?

  Laura 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 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 yet, that she had been locked in her room, play along and see what they had planned for her. In the mean time, 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 which appeared to be either an oversized office or a study. There, both Brody and the doctor were waiting for her.

  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 fiancé 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 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.

  "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 kn
owing 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 herself 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.

  "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.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  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 naiveté.

  "Dear sweet Laura, did you really think we would be that stupid? There are no boats here. We have to radio the mainland for it."

  For the past couple of days, a seamstress had come to her room and Laura had been forced to endure fittings for a wedding gown. Flabbergasted, Laura had raved at Brody.

  "You can’t be serious. We do not have to go through the farce of a wedding, do we? It's pointless."

  "It's what your fiancé has requested. The ceremony will take place at the small church on the island, and the reception here."