"Then Jessup will know the truth if that little tidbit leaks out."
Brody shrugged his shoulders. "Jessup was called away to Colorado on business. When he returns, he will be told that you and a friend of mine had a whirlwind romance and decided to get married right away."
"He will never believe that."
"It makes no difference. If he returns in time for the wedding, he will be invited and if you value his and your grandfather’s life, you will be the ideal picture of the blushing bride."
Laura turned away furious at herself for her inability to find a way out of the trap they had set for her. Not only would she have to endure Dark Claw, but she would have to go through the charade of a wedding and reception, pretending to be happy. It was Dark Claw’s way of humiliating her and showing her that he would have the ultimate power of her life.
* * * *
The sheer curtains danced with a hot evening breeze, but it did little to cool the room where Laura had been kept a prisoner. In its special spot, hung the wedding gown she would wear tomorrow morning. Laura gazed upon the beautiful dress but instead of seeing the white satin and lace, she saw an ugly black executioner’s robe. Would she not be going to her death when she put that gown on the next morning? She would be signing over her life and that of her son.
How could she speak the words that would bind her to that monster, when her heart belonged only to one man? Her child moved within her and her tears came once again as she remembered the man who had held her so close and touched her as gently as a feather and in the process, had placed within her the tiny baby who would one day grow up to be a great man to his people.
She and Justin’s love had been destined to be, but the same fate that had brought her to him had taken him away. Laura’s bitter tears fell relentlessly. The sadness and heartbreak of the past few months descended on her in that moment and tore her heart to shreds.
No matter what else happened, she knew she could never go through with this marriage. She would kill Dark Claw herself if need be, but as long as she lived, she would never allow him to control her son.
In her hand Laura held a knife that had been carelessly brought to her during dinner, and Mattie had just as carelessly failed to see that it was not returned with her dinner tray. The silver blade glistened in the dim light of the room. Turning it over and over in her hand, Laura contemplated how she would plunge it into Dark Claw’s heart at just the right moment.
She would have to be swift and precise, for they would surely kill her as soon as they saw the knife. Laura’s heart was heavy as she thought of the baby within her that she would never hold and who would never have a chance at life. They would turn her child into a monster if he were to be born, and to live and witness that was more than Laura could bear.
Returning the knife to its hiding place beneath her pillow, Laura drifted into a troubled sleep, but even in slumber she would find no peace. She was haunted by the wail of an abandoned baby and by Rosa’s sorrowful eyes.
The morning dawned bright and full of birdsong, but to Laura it was merely a painful reminder of the life she would soon be giving up.
Surprising even herself, Laura ate a hearty breakfast and appeared docile while Mattie prepared her for the ceremony. Though her heart beat fiercely within, on the outside she appeared to be as calm as if she was drugged. A small ray of hope beamed within her, maybe ... just maybe she could escape before they killed her. And with Dark Claw dead they might not have any further need of her child and would pursue her no longer. But ... that was only if she could kill him and escape.
Staring at herself in the mirror she was sure she would come off as a radiant bride in the white gown and orange blossom headpiece. Mattie left the room to find some lip gloss and Laura took advantage of the few moments to slip the knife in the garter they had given her to wear. It secured the knife perfectly. Laura smiled as she thought of the look on Dark Claw’s face when his bride produced a knife and cut him to ribbons.
At last the time had come and Laura was led down the stairs and to a waiting car which would take her to the small church on the other side of the island. It was here that her unsuspecting bridegroom awaited her arrival. A smile played on Laura’s lips. In his arrogance Dark Claw would never think that his unwilling bride would be the one to rid the earth of his evil.
Laura’s spirits rose when they arrived and she saw that the crowd was very small. That made sense. They wouldn't want a scene if she were to refuse. Laura suspected that most of the cat people would be fooled into thinking that this match was one of her own choosing. They were not all as evil as Dark Claw. Blanca was proof of that and she seriously doubted that if they knew the truth, that Dark Claw would have their backing.
At the door of the church, Brody waited to lead her down the aisle. When her eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the church, Laura could make out Dark Claw near the altar, his smile malicious and victorious.
Laura held his gaze, never letting her eyes leave his and she saw a flicker of uncertainty as he became aware of the hatred and fury that burned within her.
Giving no resistance, Laura let Dark Claw take her arm and lead her in front of the altar. Searching for just the right opportunity, Laura paid no mind to the words the preacher spoke, and when it came her turn to say her "I do", she did so automatically.
Feeling the blade beneath the satin, with stealthy movements she slipped her hand beneath the dress.
"Should any man object to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace." The preacher’s voice echoed loudly through the church.
They were still kneeling at the altar and Laura had managed to get her hand on the knife without being seen, but the next voice she heard startled her to the point that she lost her grip on the knife and it clanked to the floor beneath her billowing skirts.
No one paid any mind to it though, only to the owner of the intrusive voice.
"I object!" Justin’s imposing figure blocked the entrance of the church and the anger that burned in his eyes spoke louder than the words he had just shouted.
Knowing that his life could very well depend on this marriage, the preacher finished as quickly as possible. "By the power given me by God and the State of Louisiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Dark Claw jumped up and painfully yanked Laura around with him. "She belongs to me now, Gray Eagle, and so does the child within her."
Justin took a step back as if he had just received a physical blow. "Is this true, is it his baby?" His eyes searched Laura’s face.
Laura shook her head, and her tears came unbidden. "This baby is yours, Justin, but he wants to steal him because he believes he will rule both cities."
Dark Claw shrugged and smiled. "It makes no difference. She and the child are mine now, by mortal law, and by the law of our own people."
Justin threw his head back and let out a vicious growl, sending shivers of fear even through Laura. His eyes took on that eerie yellow gleam and fangs seemed to sprout out instantly. Dark Claw shoved Laura out of the way and sprang to his hands and knees, already in transformation.
No one in the church seemed to be startled by this odd display, so Laura could only assume they were all of the cat people, but to her surprise no one made any move to interfere. That is except for the slight figure that moved within the shadows of the altar.
Blanca raised the gun with both hands and fired four rounds straight at Dark Claw. The half man, half cat figure fell to the ground before he knew what hit him. Blanca continued to hold the gun on him as tears streamed down her old and weathered face.
"I’m so sorry, baby boy," she whispered.
Laura was near to fainting, with a mixture of relief and horror. She was barely aware of Jessup leading her out of the church and offering her words of comfort. Justin was there, holding her close and whispering in her ear.
"I love you, sweet Laura, how could you ever have doubted that?"
The people within the building made no move to stop the
ir departure. Laura’s heart went out to Blanca who had to take the life of her own grandchild to save so many others. She wondered what would become of the old woman.
Chapter Thirty
Once again the nearly unbearable pain ripped through her groin, but Laura suffered through it with something akin to ecstasy. Each wave of pain brought her baby boy that much closer to her arms and Laura’s heart ached to hold him.
"You be close now girl, just hold in and push when I says push," Bellea told her.
Again she was overtaken by the searing pain and Laura pushed, rewarded this time when she felt the tiny body slip from her womb and cry out into the night. Several lights burned within the confines of Justin’s small cabin, and it surely wasn’t the grandest place for her child to enter the world, but it was perfect in her eyes.
She wanted little Justin to come into the world in the simplistic surroundings in which she and Justin’s love had blossomed.
Bellea placed the squirming infant in her arms and tears rolled down Laura’s cheeks. Never in her life had she felt such joy as she felt at that moment.
Justin knelt beside her and ran his fingers through her hair as he proudly gazed down at his son.
"I love you, Laura, and I never want to go through another day of my life without you."
Laura stared into his eyes and felt more than saw the truth of his words. She was too overcome with emotion to speak so she just took his hand in hers and squeezed it as tightly as she could.
"How’s my great-grandson doing?" Laura heard her grandpa’s voice from across the room. Grandpa Busby, Kenny, and his new wife Yvette stood in the doorway of the cabin. Laura motioned for them all to come over. A moment later Jessup followed them.
Laura’s whole world was inside this rundown little cabin. Her husband and son, along with the people she loved most in the world.
Thinking back on the events leading to this moment, Laura could not help but think that fate would have her way no matter what one did to stop it.
As it turned out, Dark Claw had never had Grandpa Busby within his reach. The Sungmanitu had easily held back the attack, but they had somehow found out she was gone. Dark Claw was clever and he had figured out that Laura would go to Jessup and of course sent his spies to Louisiana.
Justin had been beside himself with grief at Laura’s disappearance and forced to admit to himself that his love for Laura was more powerful than any false pride. He had searched for her relentlessly until the day Jessup had shown up and asked for his help in saving her.
Kenny had fallen in love and married Yvette. His young wife would give birth to their first child very soon. Laura’s heart was happy at the thought and she hoped that their two children would grow to be as close as she and Kenny had been.
What of the ancient prophesy? The fair lady fate came through on that as well, for at Dark Claw’s death his widow became Queen of Coba’ and her son would rule that city as well as the land of the Sungmanitu. The two people would once again be brought together.
From the far side of the cabin, Laura caught the misty image of Rosa watching them from the shadows. Laura smiled through her tears.
"Goodbye, baby Laura." The far away voice could be heard by only Laura. Somehow she knew that at least in this life, she would never see Rosa again. But the child deserved to rest in peace, she had looked after her baby sister and fulfilled her promise to her mother and father.
Out in the darkness of night the howling wolves welcomed with their song the new leader of the people and savior of the earth.
The End
Wolf Dance Page 24