Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance (37 page)

Rosa backed away until she had disappeared into the

blackness of the swamp.

Laura took flight and screamed when she ran into Bellea

who had been standing in the dark.

"It was a ghost," Laura blurted out.

The old woman's cackle didn't set her at ease, but raked

across her nerves.

Striking a match, Bellea lit an oil lamp. The shack was

filled with a warm gold glow.

"You have de sight somethin' powerful."

Laura shook her head, not understanding what the old

woman was saying.

313

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

"The dead walk among us, but it be only those with de

sight dat can see 'em."

"She said I was in danger."

"Yes, you be dat all right."

"What did she mean?"

Bellea put the lamp down on the kitchen table and wearily

lowered herself into her wooden rocker.

"She be meaning dat you should trust no one."

"Why can't they just leave me and my baby alone?" Laura

cried out in fear and frustration.

"Yes, it be yer baby." Bellea nodded, "But dat baby also

belongs to him ... and de wolves and all of de earth." The

woman's knowing eyes studied Laura.

Laura shook her head in denial. "No, he is mine."

"He does not know 'bout de baby?"

"No, I never told him," Laura admitted.

"Dat white man, Brody is smitten wit ya, dat what Jessup

told me." Bellea could not hide her smile, or her concern.

In the couple of months Laura had been living in the

swamp, she had ventured out with Jessup on only a few

occasions, and had twice had the opportunity to meet one of

Jessup's business acquaintances.

Brody Cornell and Jessup had struck up a deal to go into a

business venture together, and since Jessup's return to

Louisiana, it had done very well. The swamp charters were a

smash with the tourists and Jessup was happy to be working

for himself instead of Duccini.

Even in her advancing pregnancy, Brody had made no

secret of the fact that he found Laura to be attractive and she

314

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

herself had to admit, the handsome Brody had more than his

share of charm. In his mid-thirties, he was the image of a

southern gentleman.

The contrast of his fair hair and blue eyes to Justin's dark

appearance brought a gentle reassurance to Laura's mind.

She and Jessup had been invited to a dinner party at

Cypress Manor. The estate had been in the Cornell family for

generations.

When the invitation had first been extended to her through

Jessup, Laura had adamantly refused, thinking it was far too

risky to come out into the open so soon. But Jessup had

insisted, sure that she had been hidden away far too long. To

impress this on her, he had presented her with a beautiful

silver evening gown for the occasion. It had been tailored to

hide her advancing pregnancy well.

The promise of fine food and gentle company was just too

much for Laura to pass up and she had finally agreed to

attend the dinner party with Jessup on Saturday night. At the

very least, it would keep her mind off of Justin—if only for a

little while.

After bidding Bellea goodnight, Laura was finally able to

fall asleep with visions of impending doom pushed aside by

the promise of a glittering evening in that far away place

called civilization.

The remaining days until Saturday passed uneventfully and

Laura was able to push Rosa's warnings to the back of her

mind. Though somewhere deep inside of her, Rosa's voice still

intruded on her thoughts, like the eerie foghorn of a ship lost

315

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

in the mist. With some effort, Laura was able to keep it from

penetrating into her conscious thoughts.

Shortly after midday, Laura heard Jessup's boat. As had

been arranged, Laura would get ready at Jessup's place and

from there they would make the trip to Cypress

Manor. Gathering her things, Laura tried to ignore Bellea's

disapproving gaze.

The old woman obviously didn't want Laura to go, but as

she had come to realize over the weeks she had spent with

Bellea, it was only concern for Laura's safety that prompted

the woman's disapproval.

"Dem Cornells are a no good bunch," Bellea muttered.

"I'm sure that everything will be fine," Laura tried to

reassure her.

"Funny how they's never asked Jessup to de big house

before now."

Jessup had been standing at the open door, watching the

exchange with some curiosity. He now knelt next to Bellea

"I'll take real good care of her, Aunty Bellea," he smiled.

Bellea frowned. "Be sure to, boy. I be having some bad

feelings."

Laura gave old Bellea a hug and followed Jessup out of the

cabin. It was not until they had been on the water for a few

minutes that Jessup spoke.

Aunt Bellea has never cared for the people of the big

house, as she calls them," he explained.

"Yeah, I gathered that much." Laura smiled.

316

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

"See ... her Grandmother Cynthia was born and raised on

the Cypress Plantation, and of course ... she told Bellea some

harrowing stories of the Cornells."

"You mean she was a slave?'

"Of course ... wasn't much else she could have been back

then, I guess." Jessup's smile was dark.

"Wow, I bet she would have had some stories to tell!"

"Well, it's those stories is why Bellea doesn't like the

Cornells much. I've tried to explain to her that was

generations ago, but she won't hear a word of it."

"What are the stories?"

Jessup shrugged. "Don't know. Bellea has never been very

specific about it, only that they were no good and I should not

have any business with them."

Laura's nerves jangled, sure there was more to this story,

but she reasoned with herself that it was only natural that the

descendants of slaves would hold a grudge against the family.

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.

317

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

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 shower. 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.

318

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

"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.

[Back to Table of Contents]

319

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

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!" 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.

320

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

The inside of Cypress Hall was even more striking than the

exterior. The arts and culture of the Creole were 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." 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 back 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 that 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 was hostility. She quickly brushed the thought

aside as being another part of her overactive imagination.

321

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

A 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 Le Strange."

"How nice to meet you." She smiled.

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.