A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 67



She couldn't believe that someone could have taken her out of the motel room and transported her here without waking her. Nevertheless, here she was.Which brought her back to her original question.

Where was she?

After eating a bowl of cereal and sliced peaches, she went through the house once again, trying every door and window, but to no avail. In the living room, she picked up an iron poker, turned her face away, and swung the poker at the window. The glass should have shattered, but nothing happened.

She stood there for several minutes and then, resigned to the fact that there was no way out, she went into the library, found a copy ofWutheringHeights , and curled up in a chair. She spent the rest of the morning reading the bittersweet love story of Cathy and Heathcliff .

After lunch, she went upstairs, laid out her paint brushes, set up a canvas, and spent the rest of the afternoon painting the view out her bedroom window.

It was only when the sun began to set that fear once again began to make itself known.

She wasn't surprised when Dominic appeared in the doorway. He wore a long black cloak over a black shirt and black trousers. His feet were encased in soft black leather boots. Though she had refused to admit it, she had known, on some deep level of awareness, that this was his house.

He inclined his head in her direction. "Good evening. I trust you found everything you needed."

"Yes." Her fingers clenched around the brush. It was hard to speak past the lump of fear in her throat. "Thank you." Though why she should thank him was beyond her. He had brought her here without her consent, after all.

He took a step into the room.
She took a step back.

He lifted one brow. "Are you afraid of me now?"
"How did I get here? Why am I here?" "I brought you here because I wanted you here." "Why didn't I wake up?"

"Because I did not wish you to."

The fear in her throat moved downward and congealed in her stomach. She started to ask another question, but before she could form the words, he was standing in front of her, only inches away. She gasped, startled. She hadn't seen him move.

"I will not hurt you, my best beloved one."
"Where are we?"