Read Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance Online
Authors: Lorraine Kennedy
subside. She graciously accepted the cup of tea Blanca held
out to her.
"Thank you." Laura smiled.
Blanca settled down to the business at hand. "I have
drawn you a map of the holding cells beneath the palace."
The old woman handed Laura a paper with a crudely sketched
map.
Pointing to an area on the map, Blanca continued with her
instruction. "There is a tunnel connecting the slaughterhouse
to the cells beneath the palace."
Laura shuddered, imagining what the tunnel's purpose
could be.
Blanca smiled darkly, confirming the girl's fears. "Wait until
well after you have retired to your room before attempting
this. The slaughterhouse isn't watched at night, it's a back
way into the cells."
"But what about guards?" Laura interrupted.
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"There is only one guard to the palace from the tunnel.
Since there is little need for guards in
Coba
', they have grown
careless. The young man who works there at night is called
Javier. He is courting one of the chambermaids of the palace.
They often slip away to be alone after the palace has settled
in for the night." Blanca gave her a scheming smile.
"In this room," Blanca indicated on the map, "there is a
master key to the cells. Since your grandfather is the only
prisoner, he should not be hard to find."
"But then what?" Laura lifted her hands in a gesture of
helplessness.
"Just to the north of the palace is the Temple of Prophecy.
That is our gateway between worlds. Meet me there and I will
take you through."
"What if you are discovered to have aided in our escape?
What will they do to you?" Laura doubted the wisdom of
Blanca's plan.
"Believe me, it's the only way. In any case, I'm an old
woman and my time in this life is nearing its end. I might as
well do what I can to help my people with what time I have
left."
"But are you not defying your people by helping us?" Laura
was confused.
Blanca shook her head. "I'm only saving them from their
own self destruction. The spirits will never allow them to
defeat the Wolves, no matter their devious plan. If we are to
return to the Kingdom of Light, it must be with the blessing of
the spirits and a war will never accomplish this." Blanca shook
her head sadly.
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"Remember ... you must not let Dark Claw sense your
hope or he will be alerted to our plan," Blanca cautioned.
"How can I ever repay you for your kindness?"
"Your son will rule someday, it is almost a certainty. Teach
him that compassionate leaders are the strongest and wisest
leaders."
She left the old woman, promising to be at the temple
when the moon was in its zenith.
Laura took her time returning to the palace. She was
riddled with guilt that Blanca should have to take such a risk
for them, but the old woman was their only chance for
escape, and Laura desperately wanted to be free of Dark
Claw. The man was evil in its purest form. It was hard for her
to comprehend that he could be Blanca's grandson.
She had to consider the fact that Blanca could be setting
her up, but somehow Laura knew this was not the case. Even
if she had doubted Blanca, there really was no other
alternative. It was obvious they would need an ally to escape.
On pins and needles, Laura paced her bedchamber the rest
of the day, looking to the evening with a mixture of dread and
anticipation. She dreaded the ordeal that she would be forced
to endure tonight at her presentation, but once that was over,
she could prepare to leave.
Once again, Carlotta bathed her and brought her clothing.
Laura's eyes widened at the sight of the gown she was to
wear. The shimmering silver silk was like rippling moonlight
sewn with golden thread. The Roman style cut draped over
one shoulder and fell loosely to the floor. She was given
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by Lorraine Kennedy
matching silk slippers to go with the gown, and crowning her
head was a wreath of white flowers.
Laura had to admit that whatever these people were, they
did have a taste for luxury. There were no mirrors for her to
inspect Carlotta's work, but the young girl stepped back to
gaze at Laura in awe.
She was the image of exotic beauty—beauty that Laura
herself wouldn't have recognized even if there had been a
mirror to peer into.
Laura was then led to the opposite end of the palace, to
what she assumed was a large ballroom. The room was lit by
at least a hundred candles and decorated with an array of
tropical flower arrangements.
She was deposited next to Dark Claw and informed she
would stand in line with him to receive the guests. Repulsed
by his closeness, Laura was sure she would never be able to
tolerate his nearness long enough for all the people to arrive.
Laura struggled to bring a smile to her face as the people
took her hand and kissed it, some of them bowing as if she
were already royalty. Poor lost souls, Laura thought. They
would pay with their blood for Dark Claw's malevolent nature.
Finally it was done and a string quartet began playing a
soft melody. Dark Claw took her by the hand and led her out
into the midst of dancing couples.
"I trust my bride has had an adventurous couple of days."
His dark smile chilled Laura.
Had she been followed after all?
Did he know?
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"Yes, you have a very interesting city here." Laura
pretended to be caught up in the dance.
"Ah yes!
Coba
' is beautiful ... but
Coyopa
' is the very
essence of splendor." Dark Claw's eyes glowed with an
obsession that Laura could not begin to understand.
"You cannot really believe that it's any better than what
you already have?" Laura didn't bother to hide her doubt.
Dark Claw brought his fingers up to lace them through her
long hair. "On the contrary, dear princess ... it's only your
beauty that can compare to that of The Kingdom of Light, and
I shall possess both ... while Gray Eagle lies in his grave."
Laura's fury flashed in her eyes. "Is it only him that you
hate ... or all of them?"
"Mostly him." Dark Claw's grip tightened. "He was just
handed what should have been mine by birth."
Laura could no longer control her tongue. "It would seem
to me that he is the descendant of the original ruler. You are
a descendant of an exile."
Dark Cloud's face twisted in anger. "You know nothing," he
spit out. "One of those exiled was the king's eldest son, and
heir to the throne, but instead ... the kingdom passed to
Night Blossom's son. Well, I'm here to reclaim what rightfully
belongs to my family."
"So you are telling me this ancestor of yours committed
treason against his own father." Laura shook her head in
disgust.
Dark Claw leaned down until his lips were close to her
ears. "If I were you, little princess, I'd watch what I say. I can
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always have you executed after the birth of your child," he
whispered harshly.
Laura bit back the retort that had been lying on her
tongue. She must not lead him to think her behavior was too
suspicious.
After the dance ended, Dark Claw led her to a banquet
table. Though the thought of food sent waves of nausea to
her stomach, she forced down a few bites for the sake of her
child.
After they had dined, Laura found that she would be forced
to dance with several of the more influential men of the city.
She was quite surprised that they were not only civil, but
some of them were very charming. It was difficult for Laura to
cast them in the same light as the killers who had caused so
much chaos in Wyoming.
No matter what they appeared to be now, they were
responsible for Justin's death! Laura never let that thought
slip far from her mind.
She was required to endure another dance with Dark Claw
as the evening ended, but did so with a sigh of relief. Soon
she could put her plan into action.
Laura didn't have to pretend exhaustion when returning to
her chambers, but discovered that she was still too wound up
for rest. Instead, she found a shawl and made her way to the
palace gardens.
The night was quiet and the moon was gradually making
its ascent, though it would still be a few hours before she
dared proceed with her plan. Laura chose a path she knew
would take her to a bench surrounded by tall rosebushes.
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There, she could sit quietly and ponder her strategy without
fear of intrusion.
The slightest of breezes stirred the jungle, making its way
into the city. Laura wondered what the world—the world she
had grown up in—would think of all this—of the
Baalam
, the
Sungmanitu
, and the city of
Coba
'? Would
they descend on this city like vultures, dissecting these
people to see how they could possibly exist?
Laura shuddered, not even the Jaguar people deserved
that. It reminded her of the government's endeavors against
her own people. But it would happen if the world were to
discover what lay beyond the thin veil of the world's ancient
cities. If these kingdoms existed, what could be seen beyond
other ancient ruins, mountains, and seas?
A shuffling sound behind her gave her a start.
"I see that you very much enjoy our gardens." Dark Claw
stood next to the bench where Laura had been sitting.
"They are lovely." She tore her eyes from him to again
look at the moon, letting him know that she didn't wish to be
disturbed.
"Soon enough my little princess, you will share my bed.
Why not do so tonight?" He spoke softly, but each word was
tinted with savage lust.
Laura glared at him. "You have got to be out of your mind!
Do you think I will ever willingly go to your bed?"
He clasped his clawed hand around her arm, dragging her
up to him. "I know you will freely come to my bed, and you
will give your husband the satisfaction that is his due. If you
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ever fail me in this ... I will kill that old grandfather of yours,"
he hissed.
His mouth covered hers in a painful, searing kiss. One
hand reached up to caress her breast. Cringing, Laura tried to
pull away, but his hold was like steel.
A low, snarling growl caught his attention. The sound had
come from behind the roses. Releasing her, he peered down
at Laura as if somehow she had been the perpetrator. His
eyes strayed to the bushes in confusion, and he sniffed the
air. Deciding that whatever it had been posed no threat, Dark
Claw turned back to Laura.
"Have no fear, my love ... I will not force myself on you
this night. You will invite me into your yielding body when you
are truly mine." His words rang in her ears long after he had
stalked away angrily.
Laura said a silent prayer of thanks that Dark Claw had
arrogantly chosen to conquer her will, instead of her body.
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The small charter jet circled above an area of dense, green
foliage. Justin peered out the window at the little Mexican
village below them. Barely visible through the jungle was the
runway where they would land.
Their guide hadn't been wrong! Justin had little doubt of
what the runway's purpose was. At one time, the drug
trafficking out of this area of Mexico had been incredible. He
was thankful that these problems had been unable to reach
his own people.
A few moments later the plane began its descent, hitting
the coarse runway with a thud, causing Kenny to reach down
and rub his stomach with one hand, his face had turned a
pale green.
Laura's friend still had the appearance of someone who
was not sure if they were awake or dreaming.
Turning, Kenny spoke to their guide in fluent Spanish—this
being the main reason Justin had brought him along. He
would never have risked the other man's life if it hadn't been
absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, Justin didn't know a
word of Spanish. He had contemplated asking Kenny to stay
with the plane while he made the trek into the jungle, but
chances were the boy would not have listened.
It had already been arranged that a jeep would be waiting
to take them to
Coba
'. Their guide had been completely