CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

My mind was chock-full of her whispers, and the knot in my head just wouldn't subside. My head just couldn't be put to rest. My brain was like a hornet's nest, full of schemes and mixed emotions. She was trying to come between me and Natalie, to ruin whatever chance we might have to be happy. And the worst part of this all: I know she could do it.

I sat in my chair, head in my hands, fingers clawing through my hair in frustration. My mind raged in a whirl of a series of angry thoughts mixed with fear. I could never let Arlys anywhere near Natalie. I could not let her destroy what little progress we had actually made.

But how could I lead Natalie away from such a vindictive and manipulative character as Arlys without entirely turning her off?

I almost remembered what she was like the night before, seeing me, really hearing me talk for the first time. Just for an instant there, it almost felt as if we were finally in tune with one another, finally getting each other. Everything is at st