Destiny bit down hard on her lip and stubbornly remained silent. Fortunately, the incisors had receded. She had enough sins on her soul without adding Mary Ann to the list of her victims.
“Please answer me.” Mary Ann opened her arms wide. “I don’t understand why you won’t talk to me. What harm could there be in telling me if you were hurt that night? There was blood all over you, and it wasn’t from me and it wasn’t his blood.”
Destiny felt tears burning in her eyes, clogging her throat. Her hands clenched into two tight fists. “It wasn’t my blood. You don’t owe me anything.” The words were strangled, barely making it past the lump in her throat. It was partially the truth. Mary Ann’s attacker had not put a scratch on her. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t there earlier, before he hurt you.”
“He would have killed me. We both know that. My life isn’t the only thing I have you to thank for. You’re the one who leaves me the money for our safe houses, aren’t you?” Mary Ann pursued. “And our women’s recovery programs.”
Destiny leaned against the wall, tired of pain, tired of being so alone. There was something incredibly warming and soothing about Mary Ann. “It’s no big deal, it’s just money. You do all the work. I’m happy to help in some small way.”
“Come home with me,” Mary Ann said. “I’ll make us tea, and we can talk.” When Destiny remained silent, Mary Ann sighed softly. “At least tell me your name. I feel your presence often and think of you as a friend. What would it hurt to tell me your name?”
“I don’t want the ugliness of my life to touch you,” Destiny admitted softly. The night was enfolding her as it always did, gently whispering to her so that she saw its beauty despite her determination not to see anything good in it.
“I’m not afraid of ugliness,” Mary Ann persisted. “I’ve seen ugliness before, I will again. No one is meant to be alone in the world. We all need someone, even you.”
“You aren’t making this easy.” The words were wrenched from Destiny, almost a sob. “You don’t know how evil I am. There is no redemption for me. I should never have allowed our lives to touch, not even for a moment.”
“I’m very grateful that you did. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, and I have much to live for.”
Destiny pressed her palm to her mouth, ashamed that her hand was trembling. “You’re different from me. You’re good, you help so many people.”
Mary Ann nodded her agreement. “Yes, I do, and without you, I would never have been able to help another woman or child. You’ve done that, not me. I couldn’t have saved myself; I’d be dead right now.”
“That’s twisted logic,” Destiny pointed out, but she found a small smile hovering on her lips in spite of the pain knifing through her. She had heard Mary Ann talk with other women many times, her voice always gentle and understanding. Mary Ann always knew the right thing to say to set her clients at ease. She was using that same gift on Destiny. “My name is Destiny.” Her name sounded strange to her own ears, it had been so long since she had heard it. Saying it aloud was almost frightening.
Mary Ann smiled, her teeth very pretty, her smile contagious. “I’m so pleased to meet you. I’m Mary Ann.” She stepped forward and held out her hand.
Before she could stop herself, Destiny gripped the outstretched hand. It was the first time in a very long while that she had touched a human being. Her heart slammed painfully in her chest and she jerked away, sliding back into the shadows. “I can’t do this,” she whispered. It was too painful to look into those clear eyes, to feel Mary Ann’s warmth. It was easier to be alone, to hide in the shadows, forever a night creature.
Mary Ann stood quietly, faintly shocked by the extraordinary beauty of the young woman hiding in the shadows. She was smaller than Mary Ann had first thought—not short, but not tall either. She had lush curves, but her body was sculpted by muscle. Her hair was thick, wild, a mass of dark silk. Her face was arresting, her eyes enormous, haunted, long-lashed and mesmerizing. They were a vivid, brilliant blue-green, holding shadows and secrets and unimaginable pain. Even her mouth was sculpted and inviting. But she had much more than physical beauty. There was a subtle allure that Mary Ann had never seen before in a woman. The voice was musical, mysterious, compelling. Mystical. Everything about Destiny was different. Unexpected.
“Of course you can do this. We’re only talking, Destiny. What’s the harm in talking? I was feeling a little lonely tonight and I knew I had to see you.” Mary Ann took a step toward the shadows that held Destiny, wanting to ease the terrible despair on that beautiful face. She had seen trauma many times, but those enormous aquamarine eyes were haunted beyond anything Mary Ann had ever known. Those eyes had seen things that should never have been seen. Monstrous things.