“She?” I asked, silently counting backwards.
He nodded. “Yes, Adsila. She was the bear—or beast, as you had called her.” Utsi resumed laughing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me! That … that …” I paused to compose myself. “She was the bear? And the pool?”
I caught a lop-sided smile appear on the boy’s face, and I instantly knew my answer. He was never in any danger that day.
“And what would have happened if I’d failed?” I asked, but I stopped him from answering by throwing up my hands. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
He laughed as a young boy would, and I started walking again, letting it go. I knew that I should have been furious, and I wanted to throw a mini tantrum, but all I felt was warm and fuzzy feelings thanks to my walking partner.
We continued walking before Utsi turned to me. “I’d overheard my mother talking to my uncle. They’re afraid of what Mohe’s reaction will be when he sees you.” My ears perked up, and I listened. “Do not be afraid. I will be there, and he will listen to my uncle. I know you will show his people that you are not to be feared.”
“Well, kid, you have a lot more faith in me than I do in myself and even your uncle, rather. He doesn’t feel that I can do it.”
“No, that’s not true. He believes that you’re not the same Ama, he had battled before. He’s afraid that Mohe’s people will target you and that in defense, you will hurt someone.”
I chewed on my bottom lip, still giving him all my attention. “But how are they ever going to know I’m not who they think I am when he keeps me locked away? How am I ever going to learn about myself and this new culture I’ve been dropped in?”
“He does not hide you away because he’s ashamed of you. Nor does he do it as a means of punishment. He hides you to protect you. Why do you not know that Your Highness? He’s doing what a husband should: protecting you. You’re being hunted, and you’re not safe. Your return was premature and your body weak. You cannot fend off—”
“Utsi, Eliqu.” Enough.
I nearly plowed into the wall that was Gawonii. Utsi stood very still with his head down.
“Uyo ayelvdi edutsi.” Sorry, Uncle.
I narrowed my eyes at Gawonii, but he avoided eye contact with me and turned away. I wanted to hear the rest of what Utsi was telling me. Finally, someone was talking, even if it was a ten-year-old boy. I’d just need to find a way to get some time with Utsi when Gawonii was nowhere around.
“We are almost there,” Gawonii said, walking again. “I am going to need Utsi to walk up front with me. Mohe will most likely have his scouts out and they will see us coming.”
“Scouts? Really? Are they really that primitive?”
“You have your officers of the law in your big cities; we chose to remain as simple people. Although it is a Native American reservation our ancestors were forced on, we control who and what comes in and out. It may look primitive to you, but we don’t see it as you do. It is simply our way.”
A loud whistle sounded from the trees above. Gawonii held up his hand, listening, and then a figure dropped down out the trees beside Utsi.
Kasey no longer looked like the Kasey I once knew. The longer we stayed here, the more she’d changed into who she really was. “We’ve already been spotted, and Mohe is awaiting our arrival,” she said. “He is very curious about Lailah and why she is accompanying us.”
Gawonii sighed. “As he should be. Let’s go so we are under his protection for the evening.” He gave Utsi a little shove, and we were off.
About an hour later, I could see civilization up ahead just as the sun was setting for the night. We had made it in time before dark, much to my relief. I’d had my share of dark and creepy forests for a lifetime.
We hadn’t yet made it into town before we were met by a deeply tanned man dressed in loose fitting jeans, a black shirt, and a vest. Long, handcrafted earrings dangled from his ears, matching the feathered hairpieces that were woven into his braid. He looked past Gawonii as we approached to stare at me. It was difficult to read his expression in the waning light, though it was clear he wasn’t happy for the little surprise.
I guess this must be Mohe, I thought to myself. The closer we got, I noticed that he wasn’t as tall as Gawonii and much older in age. He was guarded by five scary-looking men, who didn’t appear afraid of anything. Not even two immortal spirits on their land.
Mohe stepped forward to greet Gawonii.
“Welcome, Angeni.” Mohe’s voice was deep as he acknowledged Gawonii, his hard demeanor disappearing. They clasped hands and hugged. Mohe’s eyes flitted from me back to Gawonii until he finally noticed Kasey’s presence.
“Ah, beautiful Chitsa-Yona. A pleasure to see you again.” He nodded his head at her. Kasey took a couple of steps towards the chief and bowed slightly.
“It is nice to see you again as well, Chief Mohe. We have brought Utsi, as you requested.”
She moved to the side to bring Utsi forward.
“Good, good,” Mohe said, his interest not in Utsi. “Thank you.” His curiosity obviously getting the best of him, he walked past Utsi to get closer to me, observing the tattooed markings on my skin. “Who have you brought with you, Gawonii?” He motioned for one of his men to come over. “Wesa, give me your light.”
The one named Wesa, whose hair was completely shaved off, handed him a flashlight he carried on a belt. Gawonii remained tight-lipped, not making a move towards me. I should have been afraid when Mohe flashed the light on my body and stared at my markings, but I felt overdosed with the feelings of peace. I saw the moment that Mohe knew who I was; his eyes opened wide in amazement. He immediately grabbed my arm,
“This can’t be,” He brought my arm up to his face. “These markings cannot be correct, Gawonii.” Mohe re-read the permanent spiritual ink on my body over and over. “But how? And when?” He dropped my arm to face Gawonii. “This is a joke, my friend. You tease me with this tasteless prank of my enemy.”
Enemy? Now wait, I thought.
Ama …
“I am not your enemy,” I blurted out, ignoring Gawonii. Instantly, all five men pulled out their weapons on me. They weren’t able to get near me before Utsi jumped in front. Gawonii and Kasey pulled out their weapons as well, but there was no need. All five men except for the chief fell forward, asleep. I swear Utsi had the coolest ability.
Barely batting an eye at his fallen companions, Mohe came closer to me, ignoring Utsi. “And you defend her as if she hadn’t forced your own hand against her, Gawonii? Had you forgotten what she had done to my wife, my people … your people?
The stone faced look on Gawonii’s face wouldn’t reveal his true feelings on what I was hearing. “No, I haven’t forgotten, Mohe. And I apologize for this upsetting intrusion on our behalf, but it is necessary.”
The veins in Mohe’s neck looked as if they were going to pop. “Necessary for whom?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“For all of us.”
Glaring at me, unconvinced, he allowed Gawonii to continue speaking.
“We’re here to help. I am confident that she can help your daughter with Utsi’s assistance, proving to you and your people that she is reformed.”
The older chief closed the rest of the distance between him and me until I could feel his breath on my face.
“Is that so?” His eyes roved over my features. It was quite annoying, but I stayed in my spot, unmoving. “Do you think that just because your spirit is in a new body that it pardons you from the sins your former self committed?”
I met his harsh gaze with my own, unafraid. “My former self does not dictate who I am in the present. I think differently, I feel differently. From all that I keep hearing, I care about life differently, and I should be treated as such.”
His eyes widened. “Oh, should you now? What keeps me from requesting your death again?”
“My husband,” I smirked, then gave a soft chuckle. I heard a cough beside me, and I looked ov
er to see Kasey shaking her head, hand over her mouth. Mohe smiled as well.
“No not quite, though I am fond of Gawonii and his opinions. See, besides not knowing how powerful you yet are, what keeps me from having you brought up in counsel and request for your execution is the information you have provided me by your own admission. You and Gawonii have bonded.”
Mohe dismissed me, walking over to Gawonii. “You have sacrificed your heart’s desire for all of our livelihoods.” He patted Gawonii on the back and took hold of Kasey’s hand. I grinded my teeth together at the display of affection he gave the other two. Utsi placed his small hand in mine, sensing that Mohe’s words had hit a sensitive spot with me. Were my feelings that obvious?
Relax, priestess. I warned you of this before we started on this trip. It will take time for him and his people to warm up to you. And still, there will be prejudices.
But yet you allow it, I replied, seething mad.
I shook my hand out of Utsi’s and walked away, wishing I could shut off that irritating intruder in my head. I tried to think of happy thoughts like roller coasters, tacos, and Drama; anything to keep him from knowing how all of this really affected me.
I noticed Kasey waving me on.
I guess we’re on our way into town, I thought as the others walked away. I dragged my feet behind them, taking one last look at the men lying on the forest floor.
Lifting my head, I saw Gawonii waiting while the others walked on. His thoughtful gesture did something to my insides and made me all stupidly weak in the knees. When I stood next to him, his hand covered mine.
“You will be fine,” he reassured me. Forcing a smile, I followed along.
Chapter 17
Truth Be Told
“Utsi, the ever powerful. Our peacemaker,” Mohe gloated once we walked into the little village. “I can bet on my life that my men will be looking for the boy who disabled them without lifting a finger if they make it through the night alive.” He opened up a door to a fairly large home and offered a seat to all of us. I sat down in a nearby chair with Utsi still refusing to leave my side. Gawonii leaned against the frame of the door, crossing his legs in front of him.
“Make yourselves comfortable. I will check on my daughter and take you to see her soon.”
Mohe left the room, my face being the last thing I saw him glare at before rounding the corner. When I felt that he was out of earshot, I turned to Gawonii.
“What happened to his wife?” I demanded. “I’m tired of not getting the answers I need, and I’m tired of being looked at like a monster. Tell me now.”
“Here in Mohe’s home is not the time,” Gawonii said, once again deflecting my request to know the truth.
“Now, Gawonii,” I ordered. “Everything I’ve endured contradicts what you have told me of the reason why I’m here, and that was to save a whole lot of people. So far, all I’ve been accused of doing is butchering them. The other day, I had no clue what happened to me. It was like something or someone else took over my body, and then I could feel that … that whatever the hell it was in my head. I could feel and taste the power, and I wanted more of it. I could also feel pain when you were hurting it.”
Gawonii stormed over to me, taking me by the arm and pulling me over to a far corner. He whispered harshly, “Keep it down. Mohe is already skeptical about your presence here. He is not speaking falsely about bringing you up to counsel and petitioning for your execution. You’re standing here talking about having some type of connection with an ancient evil, and it is not acceptable at this time nor in this place. We will talk later.”
“I didn’t do anything for me to deserve going to counsel. I paid for the crimes I did. And I don’t know anything about that ghastly thing you fought off yesterday.”
“Mohe will try to push that you are and will always be a danger to our community. That is why you must be on your best behavior,” Gawonii said, looking down the hallway where Mohe had disappeared. He turned and looked at me, stress lines in his brow. “And I know you don’t know what you had summoned. All the more reason why I need to keep you guarded at all times.”
“Summoned? This is crazy! I don’t know how to summon anything. That was the same thing that threatened me the first night we were married.”
“Yet you did. Your anger summons it. Unbridled rage is its beacon, and ‘it’ thrives off the raw emotions that you have trouble controlling. That ‘thing’ waits for the day that you welcome it back in, and I cannot and will not allow that this time. If I have to lock you away in the furthest and deepest hole on this earth, I will. I refuse to see you succumb to that thing again. I failed the first time saving you from it, and I will not fail this time around.”
Kasey gave a signal, and we all grew silent. “Mohe returns. Enough.”
Mohe entered the room, staring at Gawonii’s tight grip on my arm. “I see you already have to force discipline on this one, Gawonii. Is she just as corrupt as she was those many, many years ago or does this host curve your Angeni’s appetite for blood?”
I couldn’t have been happier that Gawonii had a good hold of my arm because I almost leapt from my position to knock that smug expression right off his face. Every time I tried to project an image onto the chief, I would get this horrible, splitting headache.
“One good thing about that bond is that you have the ability to render her helpless with a mere thought.”
Oh, right … and there’s that. Gawonii had me on a mental lockdown.
He released my arm. “Mohe, you are overstepping your boundaries as a friend. Ama is still my wife and your high priestess. Show her the respect that is due.” At that, Mohe’s expression darkened but just as quickly returned to normal. I thought I imagined it at first, but then he nodded his head, his eyes never leaving my face. There was no mistaking the glare he gave me.
“My apologies, Your Highness. My wounds are still healing after many thousands of years, and I am in shock at your early return. I am sure Gawonii will share why that is when you have the chance to talk.” He nodded at Utsi. “My daughter … Can we please see to her condition?”
Utsi and Kasey followed Mohe out of the room to tend to the girl. Once they left, I moved away from Gawonii.
“You cannot use your mind control on a chief,” he chastised. I harrumphed.
“Betcha I could, and if you hadn’t interfered, I would have. He deserves it.” I sat down in one of the chairs in the room.
“Just like your former self deserves the hatred he is projecting onto you.”
Without warning, I stood up, walking out the front door to get some air. Being the most hated person around really started to take its toll after a while.
There were only a few people outside, and no one paid me any attention, which pleased me. While I waited, my pastime consisted of kicking up dirt with my toes and gazing at the sky.
It was a clear and beautiful night, the sky untouched by any city lights, allowing the stars to shine bright over my head. It had to be about an hour later when I heard the door open behind me. Turning, I saw Kasey come through the door and come over to me. She appeared tired and worn.
“Is she fixed?” I asked, but by her haggard appearance, she didn’t really need to answer me. Things weren’t going as smoothly as they had hoped.
“No, not quite.” She looked up at the sky with me. “Utsi was able to relax her, but I’m afraid that it isn’t going to be a peaceful rest. Something deeper is plaguing her, and neither Utsi nor myself are able to remove it.”
“You don’t know what’s causing the visions or the lack of sleep?”
She shook her head. “No.” Kasey sat down on the dirt ground, bringing her knees up and hugging them to her chest. I joined her.
“Isn’t there something Gawonii can do? He can hear thoughts and such.”
She laughed half-heartedly. “Lailah, that only works with you, the one he has bonded with. But he is trying to see if he can remove the affliction on his own. Utsi and I are resting to help h
im in a bit.”
“Maybe I can help.”
Kasey threw her head back, letting out a laugh.’ When I went to get up, she stilled my departure. “Not that I don’t think you aren’t able to, Lailah. Mohe is not letting you anywhere near his daughter after what happened to his wife.”
I slowly sat back down, playing with my fingers. “What happened?” I whispered to her, nervous to know the truth of who I use to be.
Kasey kept her eyes glued to the sky as if thinking hard on whether she should tell me or not. “You murdered her. The elders said that she defied your wishes to tell you who the traitors were in their tribe after an attempt on your life was made. She refused to give you the names, so Mohe begged that you spare her and punish him, which you accepted. The rumors claim that seeing Mohe’s unconditional sacrifice for his wife angered you, and you were jealous of his love for her—particularly after Gawonii’s rejection of you. Your punishment for Mohe was to watch his wife’s heart being ripped out of her chest.”
I gasped, mortified. “Didn’t he try to stop it from happening? Couldn’t he fight?”
Kasey shook her head. “No, Lailah. He couldn’t fight it as much as he tried. There was nothing to fight against your power, especially since you willed it for him to be the one to do the deed itself … in front of their daughter. The very daughter that lies in there now, suffering from terrible visions.”
My body went numb as I learned about who I once was, and now I could comprehend why Gawonii hid a lot of the details from me. He was right. I simply didn’t know when to stop pushing. I always needed to know more. I hung my head.
I wish I didn’t know this …
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Tears formed at the corners of my eyes. I tried to brush them away, but I knew when Gawonii sensed my distress.
The door swung open, filtering light out of the house and into the night. He stepped through the threshold, his expression stoic as he looked from Kasey to me.
Kasey stood up, brushing herself off. “I’ll look after the girl,” she said, breezing past Gawonii and going back inside. She closed the door softly behind her. I turned away from him, needing this moment to work through what I just heard.
The Ageni Series: Queen Page 9
