Behind the Mask Read Online Free Page B

she’d never come this way before.
    Abbi guided Blaze over the dead trunk and through some thick foliage, where a trail appeared, just as she had expected. Her speed gained momentum in direct proportion to the pounding of her heart. She knew exactly where she was going, and she knew what she would find. But why?
    The trail was narrow, barely existing at all between closely rooted pines. But she pressed forward without hesitation. Never had her heart responded so zealously. Never had her spirit felt more alive. Never had she been so determined to overcome whatever obstacle might be put in her path. The trail seemed to go on forever. Then Abbi gasped as a huge, brilliant meadow opened up before her, entirely surrounded by thick pines, except for an ominous rock ridge that rose against the uphill side. Just as she had seen it . The rock wall rose steep and high, covered with thick foliage that ran into deep forest at both ends. Along the top of the ridge Abbi could see thick clusters of trees, oak and beech, where hundreds of crows lighted, cawing in chorus. Abbi knew there was a way to get to the top of the ridge, but after galloping the entire length several times, she began to question her dream. She could see no way up, and she couldn’t recall any specific memory to guide her.
    Abbi finally returned home, disheartened and exhausted. She analyzed the dream over and over, wondering what she might have missed. She slept soundly that night and woke with no recollection of dreaming, but she went without breakfast again and headed up the mountain trail. This time Blaze went almost by his own will, as if he knew the way. When they arrived at the meadow, Abbi examined the rock wall closely. And while she had no recollection from her dream of finding a way through, she knew there was a way, and she was determined to discover it. With some time and persistence, a passageway covered by thick foliage finally appeared under her questing fingers. Abbi ignored the deep scratches on her hands as she fought to push the deep thicket aside, revealing an opening in the rock wall. It was barely wide enough for a horse to pass through and rose steeply on both sides, as if the rock had been split open by the finger of God.
    “Oh, help,” Abbi muttered, unsettled and uncertain. She took a deep, sustaining breath and began climbing on foot through the narrow opening, certain Blaze would hover close until she returned. The climb was mildly difficult, but it only took a few minutes before she emerged onto a plateau in a thick patch of aspen trees. She was still standing there attempting to gather her thoughts when Blaze emerged from the ridge, snorting at her as if to say that she had a lot of nerve in thinking he would stay behind. Abbi mounted the eager stallion and galloped higher up the mountain a short distance, weaving in and out of trees. She was surprised at how quickly she came to a clearing where a mountain lodge appeared. For a long moment she just stared at it, stunned by how accurately she had seen it in her sleep. She scanned the area, finding no sign of life beyond a wisp of smoke coming from the chimney and an immaculate little vegetable garden near the small stable.
    Abbi dismounted and left Blaze’s reins hanging freely, compelled by a force she didn’t understand and couldn’t ignore. She went to the door of the lodge, pausing to look around her. Taking a deep breath, she knocked as loudly as she could manage on the heavy door. Heart pounding, she waited for this faceless man she had seen in her dream to answer. And then what? The possibilities terrified her. When there was no answer, she knocked again. And again.
    Glancing around, Abbi wondered what to do. The feelings that had brought her this far would not allow her to turn around and go home now. Attempting to follow her instincts, she drew all her courage and tried the door handle. It opened so easily that she gasped. Holding her breath, she peered inside, calling in a