The boat spun faster, and Cordelia grew even more dizzy and feared she would black out.
She couldn’t. She needed to hang on to the boat.
Darkness descended as the wind whipped up and thunder rumbled above.
Cordelia ducked her head and held on. The darkness wasn’t just outside, but it was fighting to gain control of her.
Waves battered the boat, and water splashed on her dress. Soon the boat would fill and there would be nothing she could do.
Her throat closed as the pain in her chest became nearly unbearable.
She would not fear.
She must overcome her fear.
Instead, memories assailed her.
Adriana disappearing beneath the surface, her grandfather yelling at her and saying the most awful things. Horrible things, so horrible that she couldn’t sleep and worried all the time and then her governess taught her the calming.
She must breathe and calm.
Except that wasn’t the reason she had that governess.
It wasn’t about the water.
It wasneverthe water.
Cordelia’s breaths came heavier as a truth from deep down inside welled up within.
It was never the water.
She wasn’t afraid of water.
Cordelia lifted her chin and stared up at Miss Perkins who had her arms raised, no longer spinning the boat. Her hair was wild as her dress pressed against her.
Storm clouds swirled above her and lightning flashed.
“You’ll never win!” Cordelia yelled, not certain if Miss Perkins could even hear her.
Chapter 23
Damon watched helplesslyfrom the shore as the boat holding Cordelia spun faster and faster.
She had to be terrified. This was her biggest fear and Damon needed to get to her.
Miss Perkins stood on a hill swirling her finger to stir the water, but what sent chills down his spine was her smile. She was gleeful in harming someone.
“Edward, go to Madam Boswell and tell her what has happened.”
“My sister is out there,” he argued.
“Madam Boswell needs to know what is happening,” his mother yelled.
Edward didn’t argue a second time and took off running.
“You need to do something,” Damon yelled. He wasn’t angry at his mother, but he hated being helpless. The woman he loved could very well die if someone didn’t reach her.
“Girls, we need to get closer to her.”
