Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig Read Free Book Online

gifts had she given or received?—and here she lay, still wishing she hadn’t survived that tormented water. Back in the States a month, but even now she still didn’t want to be home. Where things were normal. She didn’t want to go on as if nothing happened. Didn’t want to face her friends. Her family. Her niece and nephews. Her father. Anybody.
    She watched light invade darkness until it eventually overtook her. Out there, beyond the curtains and small balcony, the world continued as if no tragedy had ever taken place. As if she didn’t matter. She was insignificant. The emptiness of the word mirrored the emptiness within her.
    A knock at the door made her blink.
    “Danielle, I’m coming in,” Alexandra called, softly but firmly.
    Soon came the creak of the heavy oak door, a click of the lock, then soft padding over the wood floor … then stifled steps as Alexandra walked on the handcrafted Persian rug. The lower portion of the bed near Dani’s feet sunk down under the weight of her sister. Warmpressure rested on her ankle.
    What? Was her sister going to once again tell Dani that she knew she was hurting? That while Alexandra had never been …
violated
—her sister was apparently unable to even say the word
rape
—she understood the depression, yet she didn’t want to watch her waste away?
    “You might want to get dressed,” Alexandra said, a surprising strength in her words. “Because in five minutes, I’m sending someone up. He dropped by, brought flowers.”
    He?
Dani whipped around, disbelief and shock overtaking her empty mood.
    Alexandra pushed off the bed, a triumphant expression on her face. “Five minutes. If you don’t want Chief Petty Officer Metcalfe to see you with hair tangled, clothes wrinkled, and bad breath, I’d suggest you clean up.”
    Panic beat a wild rhythm in her chest. “No.”
    Already at the door, Alexandra didn’t hesitate.
    “Alexandra Norah! Don’t—”
    The door closed.
    Dani darted to it, her head spinning. She braced against the wall, waiting until the hazy darkness faded. She caught her breath—just in time to hear Alexandra speaking in a singsong voice and telling the guest it’d be just a few minutes.
    Slapping her hand against the elaborate paper lining the wall, she groaned. Anger morphed into rage. She spun, staring at the bed. If he came up here … he could …
    No. She squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t stay here with him. If she hurried, she could head this off. Get rid of him before he ever made it to her door.
    Fury pushed her to the closet. She stared at the twenty-by-twenty space with its tufted, round bench and chandelier. Row upon row of color-organized clothes hung in obscene order. Cedar drawers. Shoes lined one wall. Gowns another.
    Had she really been this spoiled? Why was it just now hitting her? Shirking the annoyance, she tugged a pair of jeans from a drawer. She then stuffed her legs into them, surprised at how they hung off her hips. Six months in captivity did a lot for a girl wanting to lose a few pounds. Nothing a belt wouldn’t fix. She strapped one on and flung on a sweater. In the bathroom, she snatched the brush from the marble vanity, raised it—and froze.
    There in the full-length mirror hovered a phantom. A girl sheno longer knew. A girl with shattered dreams and faded bruises who looked like a bad makeup job. A girl who once believed in happily ever after. Who was a bit naive but every bit as stubborn and determined.
    Oh, God …
    Laughter from somewhere in the house broke into her awareness.
    Dani jerked the bristles through her hair and tied back her long brown strands. She hurried to the door, whipped it open—and stood before a man.
    Her heart hitched. She gulped the fear, her gaze diving to the floor.
Friend not foe. Friend not foe
. She pushed her gaze back to his.
    A slow smile spread over his face, lighting his bluish eyes. He gave a curt nod. “I don’t know if you remember—”
    Dani eased past him, then