and switched on the TV. Dark red blood splattered across the screen causing Jeff to change the channel quickly. “Sorry, you won’t feel like watching any horror movies. I’ll find a comedy of some sort.”
Overcome, Brenna rushed over to him and threw her arms around his neck and burst into tears. Her chest heaved in and out as she let out long hard sobs. Jeff stroked her hair and whispered, “It’ll all be okay.”
After Brenna’s tears ran dry, she lay on the bed watching a movie that would usually have her in stitches laughing. The smart jokes and clever comments didn’t even raise a smile. Jeff had gone outside once the wind had died down to retrieve some supplies. Now he burst back into the room holding a stack of cushions and a bright red chili bin. He placed the cushions by the bed and arranged them in a row making a makeshift bed.
“You sure you don’t mind staying in here tonight?”
“It’s no problem. I don’t feel much like being alone either,” Jeff said as he lifted the lid off of the chili bin revealing cans of drink and filled rolls. She didn’t know whether she could eat but thought that she should, considering she hadn’t eaten a thing all day and was beginning to feel queasy from taking the aspirin. “Besides, these rooms are much nicer than my living quarters downstairs. Jeff handed her a ham roll and a can of lemonade.
She devoured half of the roll in one bite. Swallowing was hard because she had such a dry mouth so she ripped open the lemonade. Fizz sprayed out of the can hitting Brenna in the face as she brought the tin to her lips. The cold liquid felt like heaven as it washed the food down her parched throat.
“Thanks. You’re too kind, Jeff,” Brenna said as she took another bite of the roll.
“Well somebody needs to look after you.”
“I can look after myself, well usually.”
“Everybody needs help sometimes. Don’t worry about your friend. She’ll be okay. She seemed pretty tough when I last saw her.” Jeff smiled.
The wind picked up again and battered the motel making Brenna jump with every gust. Jeff found the remote and lowered the volume on the blaring television so they could sleep. They both decided to keep it on, neither one of them wanting to be in the dark. An hour went by, and Brenna’s eyelids were getting harder to keep open. Sleep overcame her as she snuggled into the fluffy pillows, dreading what tomorrow had in store for them all.
Chapter Nine
Darkwoods 1645
Rowena lay in bed with aching bones. Rest had been elusive the night before, with more tossing and turning happening than actual sleep. The image of Isabel standing before the judge refused to leave her mind; the horrible chanting haunted her thoughts. Rowena had been proud of Isabel for not hiding the fact she was a witch, but that pride was overridden with fear.
A knock on the door shattered the silence breaking her thoughts. She cleared her dry throat. “Who is it?”
“It’s Jonathon.” His deep voice gave Rowena a slither of comfort. Being alone in the huge room with the wardrobe full of plundered dresses made her feel more than uneasy. “Breakfast is ready.”
“Oh, thank you, Jonathon. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Right. See you soon.”
Rowena jumped out of bed when she heard him walk away, then she headed toward the washstand. She washed her face and combed her hair, leaving it to hang loosely around her hips. Then she went over to the wardrobe and noticed all the clothing had been removed and replaced with new gowns. Perhaps Jonathon had them replaced. Confused, she chose a simple gray gown, and pulled on a pair of button-up leather boots and headed for the dining room.
Jonathon appeared to be having a serious conversation with Ronan and didn’t notice Rowena enter the room. Their heads were so close they were nearly touching and their faces were long. Ronan was taking notes down on parchment paper as Jonathon talked. Rowena pulled a chair out from the table making a grating noise that caught their attention. Jonathon rose from his chair and rushed to Rowena, taking the chair from her and motioned for her to sit. Always the gentleman.
“Thank you.” Rowena smiled briefly. Jonathon chose a chair next to her and looked into her eyes. A look of concern marred his face as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. The warmth from his