Wind and rain pounded against the wide windows of her bedroom. Normally the sound would comfort and lull her into sleep, but for some reason Veronica jolted awake. Her eyes flew open and she pushed herself up against the soft pillows with a gasp. She frowned toward the window, squinting in the darkness, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Rain lashed and streaked across the glass while wind howled angrily beyond. She was safe from the elements though.

She shoved her ...