Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

unpleasant memories. The window of what had been

my room was dark. All the curtains had been drawn,

the panes becoming mirrors reflecting the dismal,

cloudy sky.

The servants came to greet me first. Curtis

looked shattered, his blue lips trembling; Miles looked

stunned, his cheeks cold, his eyes distant. Even Rye

looked very old to me. Bereavement had aged him

quickly; he and Tony Tatterton had been together for

so many years.

Drake approached us soon after, ignoring Luke

and coming directly to my side of the car.

"How are you, Annie?"

"I'm fine, Drake." I was determined to be my

mother's daughter and keep my dignity and strength. "It will all begin soon." He leaned closer to me.

"Do you know who is here? Who is alive after all?" "Yes."

He recoiled with surprise.

"You do?"

"If you would have let me talk to you calmly

instead of accusing me of being ungrateful and

accusing Luke of terrible things, I would have been

able to tell you I had met him here and he was the one

who called Aunt Fanny and told her to come to get

me."

"But . . why?"

"Because he saw what was happening, Drake.

He knew some of the things you refused to see," I

said, not attempting to hide my anger.

Drake glanced at Luke and then turned to me

again.