Chapter 8: Part 1

Lunch was brought to her room with a folded note on a silver tray. "Dress for dinner," whatever that meant. Amy wasn't sure if she was a prisoner or not, no matter what Hypo Man said. She decided to test the waters.

With her K9 companion at her side, she made her way down the long hallway. Incredible western artwork was displayed on the walls. She wasn't familiar with the artists but she knew expensive art when she saw it. The staircase was beautiful and reminded her of Tara from Gone With the Wind, although she didn't feel like Scarlet. She didn't see anyone as she walked out the front door. The grounds were endless and she could see a path on the right side of the house. She walked through the pine trees, loving the smell. Pine needles softly crunched under her shoes. It was obvious the trail was well used. In the distance she heard a noise. Through the trees, about thirty feet away, she saw another hybrid wolf running even with her and Al. Piercing eyes followed and Amy could tell there was intelligence behind that look just as there was with Al. Al remained by her side and didn't seem concerned with their companion. Amy decided to ignore the hybrid and just appreciate the beauty. Amy never suspected that the northern mountains of Arizona were so enchanting. When she thought of Arizona, she thought of desert and heat. A chill was in the air and she was glad for her light jacket. It was hot in Phoenix when she left this morning, but here, a slight breeze stirred the trees and she could tell the seasons would soon change. Within another few months the pine trees would probably be surrounded by snow, and then the area's real beauty would shine. Amy knew she wouldn't see it, but maybe someday she could take a winter vacation in this part of the country.

With an hour to spare before dinner, Amy turned back. She didn't see anyone watching her as she moved along the path but felt it. She returned to her room and combed through her suitcase for something to wear for the requested "dress" dinner. She only had one dress, but she felt she might feel safer in slacks. As she removed a blouse from the suitcase, a set of large teeth gently grasped her hand. Amy looked into the black wolf eyes. She then glanced back down at her fingers. Al removed her teeth. Amy reached for the blouse again and the teeth were back. She put her hand to the other side of the suitcase and grabbed the dress. The hybrid walked to the closed door and lay in front of it again.

Chills went down Amy's spine. That damn dog understood what was going on around her. She entered the bathroom, closing the door and shutting out the strange dog. Brian, and even Henry, would think she had lost her mind.

After Amy showered, dressed, and added makeup, she left the room. Al led the way and Amy followed her to the dining room. The room itself was breathtaking. Three place settings were laid out at the end of the massive table. Amy giggled. It would be funny if they were seated at opposite ends of the table.

"I see you are finding humor in our hospitality, Miss Cox."

Amy jumped and turned towards the steely voice. Neither the television news picture nor her drug induced memory did him justice. He was not just beautiful, he was breathtaking. Marcus Lincoln was tall, maybe six-foot-three. He had dark brown, closely cropped hair and a chiseled face. If he didn't have man written all over him, Amy would think he was an angel, though a fallen one. She wasn't sure why his eyes caused her body to melt. She had to remember to breathe. Her heartbeat accelerated and she was aware of Mr. Lincoln like she had never been aware of any man in her life. Amy was never tongue-tied, but she could think of nothing to say.

Marcus approached the table and pulled out an ornate chair for her. He seated himself in the matching chair next to hers. His movements were precise, his obvious anger kept in check. Ivan entered the room and took the seat across from her. He didn't appear to be in the best of moods either. Amy was beginning to think the men in this house were too temperamental for their own good.

"So, what did you find funny Miss Cox?" Marcus asked with a lifted eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, but now I don't remember, Mr. Lincoln. My mind tends to jump from one thing to another and even my close friends have trouble following my thoughts."

"Why don't you call me Marcus? You are my guest and it will feel much more comfortable if we use first names." The angry undertone remained in his voice.

She chose to ignore it. "I agree, Marcus, please call me Amy, and Ivan, you must also call me Amy."

"I believe I will continue to call you Miss Cox," Ivan hesitated. "The servants will be confused if I call you by your given name."

Marcus laughed, his voice losing some of its edge. "Ivan is as much a part of my family as someone related by blood, but he forever holds his servant class over my head. Please forgive him his strict adherence to what he believes is proper etiquette. It took many years for him to join me for dinner. I finally beat him in a game of chess and won the right to his biting conversational skills at my table each night. I probably should have let him win."

Ivan actually smiled while looking at her "Excuse my abrupt behavior. Sitting in this formal dining room in this uncomfortable suit brings out the worst in me. Marcus won the game just to make me suffer through wearing a monkey suit every night."

Marcus laughed again. "If I had not outlined the victory winnings precisely, Ivan would come to the dinner table naked and I would suffer through the rest of my years trying to eat while directing my gaze from his naked self. Most women can't resist him, but I'm afraid my nightly dinner would be ruined."

Definitely not gay, Amy thought. If he needed to look away from Ivan's naked form to eat his food, he didn't have a homosexual bone in his body. Amy was glad Ivan was well clothed at the moment, because even the thought of him naked caused heat to rise in her cheeks, though if she chose a man to see naked, it would be Marcus Lincoln. Her blush became even more pronounced.

"I believe Ivan, we have embarrassed our guest. I apologize' this is probably not the dinner conversation you are used to."

Amy laughed and the room became more comfortable. Al was lying about four feet away but rose from her carpeted spot and exited the room. Since coming here, it was the first time the dog left her side and Amy felt an instant loss.

"Al is causing quite a problem with our guest," said Ivan, "Miss Cox has her trailing around beside her with every move she makes. Pregnant or not, something needs to be done."

"Your dog is wonderful and I appreciate the company. A gentler creature could never be found. I would keep her if I could. What could you do but chain her up or place her in a pen? That would be cruel."

This time both Marcus and Ivan laughed together, but then Marcus pulled the laugh and a chilling look came to his face.

"Al saved your life, Amy. You have a companion that would willingly die for you and might need to die as a consequence of the problems you created."

Ivan dropped his wine glass. Amy stared into Marcus' cold deadly eyes. She jumped up from the table, thinking of nothing but escape. He had her arms secured so quickly that Amy could not follow his movements. "Please sit down and let's discuss the problem rationally. You are in no danger at this moment. I give you free passage to leave whenever you wish, but we have to get some rules in place before you do." His voice was now a husky whisper but the firm holds he had on her arms belied his words.

Ivan was staring at Marcus like he had lost his mind. He abruptly stood and exited the room muttering to himself, "Of all the fucking stupid...not in five hundred years, God save me."