by Erin Wade
When Kristaal escorted Sable upstairs to shower, Lori called Liz Crain and gave her the bad news.
“I’ll be there first thing in the morning,” Liz said. “Maybe I can help somehow.”
##
“It’s been ten days since the fire,” Lori told the doctor when he stopped by to check on Eden one afternoon. “She isn’t improving. If anything, she’s getting worse.”
“I can’t keep her on drugs forever,” the doctor said. “She should begin to get over the shock of losing her wife. When she finishes the sedatives I’ve prescribed, I won’t give her anymore.”
Lori nodded. “I’ll be here for her.”
“How are you holding up?”
Lori sighed. “A lot of people loved Darke. I’m one of them, but my job now is to take care of the living. Liz relieves me on the weekends, but there’s no place I’d rather be than here with Eden.”
The doctor turned to Sable, who was seated nearby. “How much longer will you stay?”
“As long as she needs us,” Sable answered. “But my presence seems to upset her. She mistakes me for my daughter and is devastated when she realizes who I am.”
“I’m sure that’s hard on both of you,” he said. “She is fortunate to be surrounded by a loving family. Your presence is reassuring for her.”
##
Eden curled into the fetal position. She was waiting to die. Without Darke, her life was an empty world filled with misery. Everything reminded her of the dark beauty she had loved above all else. In sleep, she could summon Darke into her dreams. Awake, the world was cold and unforgiving.
The poet who wrote that nonsense about it being “better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all” was a fool. Surely he’d never known true love. Nothing hurt as much as losing the person who made your life worth living.
Eden ranted and screamed, railing against an unjust God and anything else she could curse for Darke’s death. She refused food and water.
She tried not to listen to the voices in her room. She just wanted them to go away and let her die alone.
“I must put her on an IV,” the doctor told Sable. “She’s starving to death. She’s been like this for over a month. I can’t let it continue. I recommend hospitalization.”
“No,” Eden growled. She sat up in the bed and bared her teeth at the people in her room. “Get out! Get out!”
Sable studied the face of the once beautiful young woman. Eden’s eyes were sunken in their sockets. Her high cheekbones were covered with tightly stretched sallow skin. Her beautiful blonde hair that Darke had loved so much was a tangled mass of matted knots.
Sable knew what she would do if Darke were in such deep depression. Her motherly instincts kicked in. She grabbed Eden’s arm and pulled her from the bed. Too weak to stand, Eden crumbled to the floor, mewling like an injured animal.
Sable pulled her to her feet and wrapped her arm around Eden’s waist, providing support for her to walk. “We’re going to take a shower,” Sable said.
“I don’t want—”
“I don’t care what you want,” Sable hissed. “You’re my daughter now, and you’ll do as I say.”
Eden sagged against her mother-in-law and was surprised at Sable’s strength. “You’re so like Darke,” Eden mumbled.
The shower exhausted Eden. Sable carried her back to the bed and tucked her in without dressing her. “Let her rest for a couple of hours. Then I’ll feed her and get her a clean gown.”
“I’ll sit with her,” Liz said as she settled into a comfortable chair and pulled out her laptop. “I can work on our research paper while she sleeps. She did most of the research for it. It seems only fair that she should help me finish it.” Liz’s expression was troubled, and Sable knew the woman was concerned for her student.
“She’ll finish it,” Sable said. “My daughters aren’t quitters.”
##
“Please leave me alone,” Eden whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. “Go away.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Sable said as she dressed Eden. “If you’re too weak or lazy to dress yourself, I’ll dress you. You’re just a skeleton. I bet you don’t weigh eighty pounds.” She fluffed up the pillows and placed them behind Eden.
“You will eat, Eden.” Sable placed a tray of chicken noodle soup and crackers across Eden’s lap. “Must I feed you?”
“No,” Eden snapped.
As she ate her soup, Eden watched Sable. Just like my wife, she thought. My wife. The thought of Darke shot an arrow of pain between her eyes, and tears began to run down her cheeks.
“I miss her so much,” she sobbed.
Sable almost relented but persevered. “Eat all of it.”
##
In the days that followed, Sable made Eden eat three meals a day. As soon as she had regained a semblance of strength, Sable walked her around the estate grounds.
While others shied away from speaking about Darke, Sable encouraged Eden to discuss her daughter.
Sable shared her feelings with Kristaal one night as they lay in bed. “The hardest thing about losing a loved one is that others pretend they never existed. Everyone ceases to talk about them or share stories about them. I know they are afraid the mention of a lost one will upset those who loved them, but the truth is, we want to talk about them.
“We want to talk about how wonderful they were and how much we loved them. I want to know the things Eden and Darke shared, their good times and their bad times. Eden wants to talk about Darke. It helps.”
“I think this is as therapeutic for you as it is for Eden,” Kristaal said as she wrapped her arms around her wife and held her until she fell asleep.
##
The visit from Chief Canton confirmed their worst fears. Shards of bone had been found in the charred ruins of the warehouse, but everything had been destroyed by the intense heat from the fire.
“They found canine bones and human bones,” Canton said, reciting the report he had received, “but not enough to assemble one full skeleton. Only fragments survived the heat.”
Chapter 43
“Eden Daye will rue the moment she was conceived,” Mother Winthrop raged. “I warned Carter to stay away from her and Darke Knight.”
Tears ran down the woman’s face as she planned her revenge. “At least Knight is no longer a threat to our kind. Soon, Daye will join her.”
“You know the duchess and Kristaal are staying with Eden.” Vorax’s deep voice rattled the windows.
“Sable will have to return home sooner or later,” Mother Winthrop said, scowling. “She’s been away too long. Even Raven can’t hold together two kingdoms.”
##
“Don’t you need to return to school?” Eden asked Liz as they strolled in the garden one sunny afternoon.
“I’m on sabbatical,” Liz informed her. “I’ve taken off a year to complete the research you and I are working on.”
“Liz, I’m sorry I’ve let you down.” Eden bowed her head. “My heart is no longer in the research. It would be wrong to put my name on it.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Liz said, nibbling her lower lip. “I’ve located a man who swears he can change into a wolf at will.”
Eden looked at her mentor. “Where?”
“Montana,” Liz said. A flicker of hope, excitement, came to life within her. “His psychiatrist sent me a video of him changing from a man to something covered with facial hair and hairy arms. His face convulsed, and he seemed to change his nose to a snout like a dog or wolf.”
“Probably a carnival trick.” Eden was through with werewolves and monsters.
Liz inhaled deeply and switched gears. “I read the case file on your sister and father.” She had to find something to interest the girl.
Eden’s cheeks burned as she swung around to face Liz. “I don’t want to discuss that.”
“Eden, please.” Liz placed a comforting hand on Eden’s arm. “I only want to help.”
Eden look
ed away. Liz was so different from Darke. She recalled Darke’s response to her refusal of her help after Sharon was murdered. “I’m happy to help, sir,” Darke had said, “but I won’t babysit some spoiled brat with a death wish.”
Eden couldn’t suppress her chuckle. Darke had called her a spoiled brat. I probably was at that time. I think that’s the moment I fell in love with her.
“Eden? Eden!” Liz shook her.
“Liz, I’m sorry. I drifted away for a second.”
“As I was saying, I thought you might like a change of scenery.” Liz glanced at Eden’s face. “We’d have to go to Montana to meet this … um, werewolf.”
Eden stared at Liz for a long time. “Sure. What have I got to lose?” I’ve already lost everything.
##
Sable watched her daughter-in-law. She understood why Darke had been so infatuated with the blonde beauty. She would be an easy woman to love, Sable thought. She was glad to see the color returning to Eden’s cheeks and a hint of light had returned to her green eyes. Her full, pink lips smiled on occasion.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Sable asked.
“I’m as okay as I’ll ever be,” Eden answered honestly. “It will be a change of scenery, and maybe I can be of some help to Liz. I know you and Kristaal need to get back to your village.”
Sable shrugged. “We’re okay. We want to be here for you as long as you need us. Maybe you would like to visit Moldova?”
Eden knitted her brow. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. I … I’ll be fine.”
“We’re just a phone call away,” Kristaal assured Eden as she loaded their luggage into the airport limo.
##
“Lease car ordered. I’ve got travelers’ checks and cash.” Liz ticked off the things they would need in Montana. “Hiking boots and compass.”
“Good Lord.” Eden laughed. “We’re going to Montana, not on an expedition.”
“Bob said the man lives in the mountains, and we may have to go to him. He’s extremely leery of people.”
“Bob?” Eden teased. “Bob who?”
“Dr. Bob Brandt,” Liz said as a pink glow spread across her cheeks. “He’s the one treating the man.”
“Do we know the man’s name?”
“Wink Gordova.”
“Gordova?” Eden mulled the information. “Where’s he from?”
“Montana, I suppose.” Liz shrugged. “I just assumed.”
“Researchers never assume anything,” Eden said, wrinkling her nose. “I recall a certain psych professor drilling that into me.”
Liz laughed. “This is going to be fun.”
I’ll do my best not to be Debbie Downer , Eden thought.
Chapter 44
“Bob is picking us up at baggage claim,” Liz informed Eden. “He’ll have a sign that says—”
“Hi, I’m Bob?” Eden read the placard held by a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard.
“You must be Eden.” The man’s smile was warm, and his eyes were kind. “And you must be Liz.” He held out his hand, and Liz caught it between both of hers.
“Thank you so much for picking us up today,” Liz said. “Here comes our luggage now.”
They settled into Bob’s jeep. “We have a two-hour drive to Bear Creek. I thought I’d drop you off at your hotel, give you a chance to freshen up, then pick you up at six for dinner. If that’s okay with you.”
Liz smiled. “That sounds perfect.”
Bob pointed out sights along the way. He and Liz settled into an easy rapport and seemed to find something humorous in everything.
Eden nodded in the back seat and soon found herself in Darke’s arms. Sleep had become Eden’s lifeline to the woman she loved. Darke haunted her dreams and dominated her waking thoughts.
The jeep slowed to a stop, jostling Eden. She looked around her. Bear Creek was like something straight out of a Wild West movie. The paved road gave way to wooden sidewalks, and dust seemed to cover everything.
“I have an appointment with Wink in the morning,” Bob was saying as he put the jeep into park and killed the engine. “He doesn’t always manifest the characteristics of a werewolf, but you might get lucky.”
Werewolves? Eden thought. The only way to kill them is to behead them or burn them. I must be going insane . There’s no such thing as a werewolf. I can’t believe I thought Darke was a werewolf. It doesn’t matter. I would love her no matter what .
“We’re here, dear,” Liz said, pulling Eden from her thoughts.
Bob unloaded their luggage and escorted the women into the hotel, conveniently located across the street from his office. “They’ll get you settled,” he said as he set their bags in the hotel lobby. “I have a little emergency involving one of my patients. I’ll see you at six sharp.”
##
“He seems nice,” Eden commented as they unpacked.
“He’s not only nice,” Liz said, beaming, “he’s brilliant.”
“Why is he practicing in a hole-in-the-wall like Bear Creek?”
“He has devoted his life to treating patients with lycanthropy,” Liz mumbled. “Much like me.”
“Have you ever seen a werewolf?” Eden asked.
“No, but I know they exist.” Liz turned her back to Eden. “I’m certain of it.”
“I was too,” Eden whispered, “once upon a time.”
##
“I hope you like home cooking,” Bob said. He pulled out both their chairs and waited for them to be seated.
They placed their orders and waited until the waitress walked away to resume talking.
“How old is Wink?” Eden asked.
“Thirty-six,” Bob informed her.
“How long has he had this malady?”
“All his life. He says he realized he could turn into a wolf when he was five. He was playing monster and looked at himself in the mirror and realized the wolf looking back at him was him.”
“Is he dangerous?” Liz whispered.
Bob’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think so,” he said, stroking his chin. “He might be if provoked. He keeps to himself so he doesn’t run the chance of hurting someone.”
“Can he transform at will?” Eden asked.
Bob nodded. “I think he’s learning to, but I’m not sure he can. I know he’s tried with me recording him, and you saw the results. He doesn’t quite make it.”
For the first time in months Liz saw a light come on in Eden’s eyes. She was interested in Bob’s patient.
“What time will he be in your office tomorrow?” Eden asked. “May we ask him questions?”
“Nine,” Bob said. “And you may ask him questions as long as you don’t upset him.”
“Of course,” Eden replied.
##
“Liz, wake up!” Eden squealed as she bounced on her professor’s bed. “Let’s go to Bob’s office. I want to be there when Wink arrives.”
Liz laughed as she threw back the cover and put her feet on the floor. She was thrilled to see Eden interested in something. “Can I grab a cup of java on the way over?”
“That’s a given.” Eden’s lips curled into one of the most beautiful smiles Liz had ever seen.
They ordered an extra cup of coffee and carried it across the street to Bob. “I could get used to this,” he said with a grin and a chuckle. “Two beautiful women bringing me coffee every morning.”
Eden stood at the plate glass window and watched as a man bounded across the street. He couldn’t have been more than five feet tall and appeared to weigh about eighty pounds. “Is that Wink?”
“Yes. I forgot to mention that he’s a little on the small side.”
“He’s extremely handsome. He’ll probably turn into a Chihuahua.” Eden snickered.
Liz suppressed a giggle as Wink entered Bob’s office. The man stopped dead in his tracks and looked from Bob to Liz. Then his amber eyes settle on Eden. “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered.
“Wink, these are my two colleagues
I told you about,” Bob said. “Dr. Crain is world-renowned in the field of psychiatry, and Eden is her student. Eden is working on her master’s degree and heading for a doctorate. She’d like to write her thesis on you, if that’s okay.”
Wink’s nose twitched as he sniffed the air around him. “You smell good,” he said to Eden.
Eden held out her hand to him. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Gordova.”
“Oh, please, call me Wink.” If he’d had a tail, he would have been wagging it.
“Wink it is,” Eden purred. “Are you okay with me doing my thesis on you? I would keep you anonymous.”
“Yes, that’ll be fine.”
Eden smiled and gently freed her hand from Wink’s grip. “Oh, I’m sorry,” the flustered man muttered.
“Wink, why don’t you tell the ladies about yourself and what you hope to accomplish by working with us.”
Wink spent the next three hours describing his “disease,” as he called it, and ended with a plea for help. “I hope to either be cured of the syndrome or learn how to control the change. Sometimes I change unintentionally.”
“When does that happen?” Eden’s interest was obvious, and Wink loved being the center of her attention.
“Just yesterday I was walking in the woods, and a rabbit ran in front of me. He startled me. Before I knew what was happening, I dropped to all fours and ran him down. When I caught him in my mouth, I realized I had no hands to hold him, only paws. It was very upsetting.”
“Gordova is an unusual name. Are you a natural-born U.S citizen?” Eden asked, scribbling notes as they talked.
Wink’s eyes shifted from side to side, and he cowered like a trapped animal.
“The only reason I ask is because there are some European countries that have a number of people with this phenomenon. I believe it’s genetic.”
“My parents are Bulgarian,” Wink admitted. “I was two when they immigrated to the States, and we’re all legal.”
“Is that close to Moldova?
“Yes, it is.”
Eden’s mind went elsewhere as she recalled Darke’s trip to Moldova. She jerked, took a deep breath, and looked around her as if coming out of a trance.
