saw her being dragged and thrown in one of those horrible black carriages. I swear the dress in that room is Isabel’s.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea they took their clothing.”
“Well, they do,” Rowena drew away from his arms, “my dress would be up there too, you know.”
“Thank the Goddess it’s not.”
Rowena’s eyes widened. “You’re a witch too.”
They were interrupted by Polly entering through a door behind them. Jonathon winked at Rowena.
“Gwyn, it looks like you have been crying,” Polly’s voice was high with concern.
“No, it’s nothing I just had something in my eye. From the ride.”
“I’ll fetch you a damp cloth. I’ll meet you in the dining room, breakfast is served.” Polly shoved her hands into her grubby apron and scurried away. Jonathon motioned for Rowena to follow him as he walked toward the double doors.
Sun spilled onto a large oval table from ornate French doors that looked over a giant garden. Five bowls of porridge had been set and in the middle of the table a plethora of bread, fruit, and pastries. Jonathon pulled out a chair for Rowena. She tasted the porridge as Jonathon took a seat across from her. The porridge was hot and sticky and stuck to the top of Rowena’s mouth in a big clump.
A tall woman with squinty eyes on a pinched-up face entered the room. Her silver hair was pulled back so tightly it looked like it was painted on. She stared straight at Rowena and walked out again without uttering a word or showing any sign of emotion. Jonathon leaned in close to Rowena.
“That’s Miss Stenchen. She owns this place.”
“Friendly.” Rowena dropped her spoon into the porridge and opted for an apple and a pastry instead.
Polly entered the room with a damp cloth, which she passed to Rowena.
“Oh, thank you, Polly.” Polly took a seat next to Rowena.
“How do you like the porridge?” Polly asked.
“Oh.” Rowena lifted the spoon which was almost standing up in the porridge.
“I cooked it,” Polly said as she jammed a spoonful into her mouth.
“It's lovely,” Rowena said as she forced more of the sticky substance into her mouth. She heard Jonathon laugh.
The sound of the double doors bursting open startled Rowena and almost made her choke on the thick stodge. A tall muscular man with long black hair entered the room. Rowena gasped and rubbed her eyes. Standing by his side, was a white wolf. The man’s dark eyes stared straight at Rowena. His mouth curled into a sly smile. He appeared to be happy to see her.
Chapter Six
Oakwoods Now
Brenna’s dream ended when a harsh banging roused her from sleep. She looked around the glowing motel room at the television, which was flashing a message demanding more money. The alarm clock next to the bed told her the time was seven-thirty in the morning. Too early for her liking.
She slid out of bed with a groan and made her way across the worn carpet. Sunlight poured in when she opened the door leading to the balcony and peered around the corner, looking for the source of the banging sound that woke her up. Nobody in sight, the sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky and the office appeared locked up. Puzzled, Brenna shut the door and went into the small bathroom that could have done with a clean, hopped into the shower hoping to wash away any lingering creepiness from the night before.
She dressed in a pair of faded jeans with a black t-shirt, grabbed her handbag and headed out the door with the box Maggie had given her, along with the wooden box from her Grandmother cradled under one arm. She fumbled with her car keys as she walked down the creaky steps and past the dark office.
Brenna couldn’t stop thinking about the dream she was having before she was awoken by the mysterious banging. The man in her dream seemed familiar to her, she was sure she had seen those dark eyes, that long black hair, and dark skin before. And that wolf. That was something else. Suddenly it hit her; he was the man she had seen standing in the desolate car park on the way to Oakwoods. Chills ran down her spine. She didn’t know what was going on but figured she might find out more when she reached her inherited cottage.
As she drove, her mind ticked over the last couple of days. How could she be experiencing such weird events and not be losing her mind? Perhaps she