Valo

by Jonathan Kuiper

  “Wait a second,” Keira stepped closer to the shelf.

  She noticed a remarkable resemblance to the sea lion statue and to the oversized wooden Canadian goose figurine resting on the lower shelf.

  “Fish Eater? Tally? It can’t be.”

  Dropping her bag on the floor, Keira looked again at the shelf and then around the room. It was downright eerie.

  Shaking off the coincidence, she couldn’t help herself and took down the goose for a closer examination. Turning Tally over, there were the initials she didn’t expect to see. They were Lane’s.

  “How can this be?”

  Kissing the goose on the lips, she placed him back in his spot and looked again at the room. The desk in front of the window was exactly where she placed hers. If her new typewriter had been there, she would have sworn it was her exact room.

  Falling back onto the bed, Keira kicked off her shoes and grabbed an awaiting pair of bear slippers.

  Sniffling at this turn of events, she noticed a weathered envelope on the bed. Her name written in black bold letters was smeared.

  Flipping the envelope over, there was a small note written hastily, obvious from the crude coarse hand writing.

  “I thought you might want to see this. Dad.”

  Excited yet scared, Keira tore open the envelope and took out the folded manila sheet of paper.

  Unfolding the paper, she didn’t recognize the hand writing, until she read through the letter.

  My Darling Keira,

  It is with a heavy heart I left you to face the biggest challenge of your young life. If you are reading this, just know and believe that I wasn’t meant to be taken from you or your father. This world we live in is a complicated one, far more so than I ever imagined. I’m sure you have seen and know as much if you are reading this today.

  In my life if there is one thing I have learned to be true, it simply is that even the ones we hold dear and love, aren’t always the ones we can count on to see us through those darkest times, the darkest hours that keep even the strong at heart awake at night. I’m not trying to fill you with despair, but with the hope and valo, that you are strong enough to see through any challenge and obstacle on the road ahead.

  Have faith, dear one, and know that the Great Mother foresaw this journey for you, even before you entered this world. There will be an end, just like there was a beginning. I fear I should be sharing more about what lies ahead, but what a mother fears is far different than what her growing daughter would deem prudent and necessary. Just know that I am with you always. My love is part of you now, just as it was the day you were born. Don’t ever doubt yourself, no matter how bumpy the road ahead may be. We all believe in you. I believe in you.

  Your devoted loving mother,

  Roohi

  Keira held the paper to her nose, taking in the faint scent of her mother’s perfume. She couldn’t put into words the emotions she felt having read those words. How they ended up here was a question she would ask shortly. In the meantime, she looked around her room for the evening. There was no other place she wanted to be and the bed was beckoning.

  Chapter 8

  Keira could feel her stomach growling – well, shouting would be a better term. She was snug underneath a pile of quilts with her head resting against a plush oversized pillow.

  “I don’t want to get up,” she moaned.

  She was toasty warm.

  “But I need to get something.”

  Reluctantly, she kicked her left leg out from underneath the covers, and thought about how quickly it would take her to eat and then rush back to sleep.

  Sitting up, Keira ran her left hand through her long locks of black hair. She spotted the familiar digital clock radio on the nightstand. The red LED lights must have been playing some kind of joke.

  “How unsurprising,” she said from the comfort of the bed, seeing that it was only 2:30am.

  Keira tossed the afghan off her body. Her slender frame stumbled out of the twin bed. She slid her feet, already encased in wool socks, into the pair of fake bear paw slippers. Her plaid pajama bottoms kept her legs warm, and unlike at home the air in the room was tolerable enough that she didn’t feel a chill through her t-shirt.

  Still she noticed the frost-covered window pane and wondered how cold it was outside.

  Quietly, she opened the door, and walked out into the dimly lit hallway. There were no lights to guide her way, but between her new found abilities, and a very distant kitchen overhead light, she made her way without incident.

  The kitchen was enormous, twice the size of what she and Lane shared in Gilmanton. Between the island in the middle of the kitchen and the farmhouse sink, she thought she was in a house of luxury. Upon seeing the stainless steel appliances, including a restaurant-sized refrigerator, Keira was more than overwhelmed.

  She didn’t know where to start. Her stomach continued to grumble, so she set out to finding a plate and then opened the refrigerator to see what treat she could eat before going back to sleep.

  To Keira’s surprise there was a stick of pepperoni and some Velvetta cheese.

  “Did I put this in here?”

  Shaking her head, she couldn’t remember what happened to the food she had hastily thrown in the truck.

  Taking out the pepperoni and the cheese she put them down on the counter. After opening a few drawers, Keira found a cutting knife.

  As she sliced into the pepperoni, Riley appeared in the kitchen, a little worse for wear. His hair was downright unruly and he appeared disheveled. Still in the same clothes he arrived in, he did not look rested or in good spirits. This was in complete contrast to Keira, who despite only a few hours of sleep looked renewed and invigorated.

  “What are you doing up?” Riley stared at Keira from across the kitchen.

  “What does it look like I’m doing grumpy? I’m hungry. It was time for a quick bite.”

  He looked curiously at her, the outfit, her slippers, and even the pepperoni she was cutting into.

  For the most part, she ignored the boy and finished her slicing. Placing each piece of pepperoni on the plate with a piece of cheese, she put the plate in the microwave and hit the one minute cook button.

  “Do you want me to make you something?” Keira reluctantly asked.

  He shook her off. “I don’t like this place. I’d rather starve.”

  “What are you talking about? It’s awesome. My room is just like home and for the first time in days I feel comfortable again.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m sure you do. Everything we want is at our disposal. That’s what happens when you stay with a witch.”

  “Oh stop. She’s my mother’s friend. I’ve known her since I was a little girl. Why do you have to ruin this?”

  “If I didn’t know you had to rest and the fact the Great Loon wouldn’t see us at night, we would have kept going. Birchard forced me to stop here.”

  “Maybe he knows what’s right.”

  Keira opened the microwave door right before the alarm went off. She grabbed the plate and took a long whiff from her concoction.

  “Enjoy the meal Keira, hopefully it’s not your last.”

  She sent Riley the dirtiest look before she bit into the first pepperoni and cheese treat. She was not disappointed with what she made. It was delicious and just what her stomach needed.

  Grabbing another morsel, she spoke up and said, “Now you’re going to walk away because I’m not listening to you. Give me a break Riley. You’re ridiculous.”

  “Far from it, Princess, I’m the only one here that can see the big picture.”

  “Oh yeah, I forget your parents told you everything that’s going to happen. Clearly they told you well enough so you could get stabbed by Bilal.”

  Keira kept her distance from the teen. She held on to her plate and remained on the other side of the island.

  Riley’s eyes widened. He pushed his hair away from his eyes.

  “I see how grateful you are. You have no idea what I’
ve done to get you here.”

  “Here we go. Getting me here?” Keira laughed, “What about Luza?”

  Keira wasn’t in the mood to tolerate anything at this hour of night. She took another bite of her food and waited for his rebuttal.

  “What about her? You wouldn’t be you right now without her. Don’t forget that Princess.”

  “Like I could forget the animal inside of me now? Thanks for doing me a favor,” Keira raised her tone.

  “You could at least be grateful, for buying you time, for keeping you safe.”

  Keira looked into his doe colored eyes and wondered if there really was a time that she felt something for the teen. His presence irritated her, so much so she pushed her food away from her.

  “I’m not stupid Riley. I also see how you favor her in every discussion and situation. It’s obvious. That has nothing to do with me and I don’t care. You’re just harping on the fact you’re a lousy protector.”

  “I got you this far,” Riley said crossing his arms.

  Keira waved him off and said, “Fumbling around in the dark if you ask me.”

  “It would have been easier if you hadn’t gone off on what’s his name in the restaurant parking lot?”

  “Do you really want to go there deer boy?”

  The usually passive Riley nodded his head. “Sure. I can handle the truth better than you can.”

  “I don’t think you can. You’re still harping on the fact I called you a coward. I wouldn’t have had to do anything, had you taken care of things.”

  “Since clearly you knew how to take care of things. Leaving a defenseless boy on the ground covered in blood was a sound plan. You’re an idiot. Do I need to remind you of the boat? The pool? If you’re not careful you’re going to get us all killed.”

  She was taken aback by his honesty. Whether true or not, his words were hurtful.

  “No I’m not,” Keira said softly.

  “You’re going to get us killed Keira because you don’t think things through.”

  “Screw off Riley.”

  Unable to be in his presence any longer, she left her half eaten meal on the counter.

  Riley could feel the tightness in his chest after this heated exchange. Part of him wanted to run after Keira and apologize, but the other part felt that he was right. Her continued behavior was putting them at risk. Someone had to say something to her, and that someone had to be him.

  * * *

  Slamming the door behind her, Keira didn’t care who she woke.

  “What right does he have to say that to me? Get people killed? I wish I never met him!”

  She stormed down the front steps and out into the rock covered driveway.

  “Another man from Perucica with a big mouth,” Corky said.

  “Another?” Keira turned towards the calming voice of her hostess.

  Wrapped in an afghan, Corky sat on a bench at the edge of the driveway.

  “Riley’s dad is a piece of work too. They never do fall far from the tree. Cheer up love, you’re not going to get anyone killed, well at least intentionally.”

  Corky laughed. It disarmed Keira so much so that she laughed with her.

  “I’m serious. Now come here and have a seat with me.”

  Keira shook her head and smiled.

  “There’s a reason why more deer are killed than any other animal on the roadways.”

  “Why is that Corky?”

  “Because child they hesitate. They freeze up in the light. Can you think of any animal, that runs away more than a deer? Tell me if you do.”

  “I suppose not. I often see them along the highway near Gilmanton, always on the road side, many meeting an unfortunate end. But how does that have to deal with Riley?”

  Corky reached out and patted Keira’s knee gently. “Genetics entails who we are. Does it not? Did your father run from Bilal?”

  Keira shrugged. “Of course he didn’t. Bears don’t run away when there is protecting to do. They run towards the trouble. What about a catamount?”

  “How did you?” Keira raised her eyebrows. “No one knows.”

  “I know your mother, child,” she laughed and continued to rub Keira’s leg in a motherly fashion.

  “But that happened this morning.”

  “You really think from all you have seen so far that word would not spread about multiple mountain lion sightings? Come on. You don’t have to be ashamed.”

  “You’re up here in the middle of nowhere. How would you know? You don’t even have a television or a radio.”

  “That’s true, yet I know a lot of things and I have a lot of visitors.”

  Corky moved away from the teen and motioned to the glowing eyes in the darkness looking back at their direction.

  “The owls and foxes?” Keira shook her head. “That’s not possible.”

  “What that they know of the King’s daughter? Do you know how long we’ve been waiting for you to claim your right? This isn’t some accident.”

  “I don’t get it. How could word have spread so fast?”

  “Good news always travels fast; especially among the loyal, those that love your father and mother.”

  “I’m sure it was just Birchard. He has a big mouth.”

  “Child, by the time he arrived, I had everything ready for your arrival. I knew you were coming when the three of you drove out of the parking lot at Diana’s Baths.”

  “Are you a faerie?” Keira took a step back.

  Corky made a calming motion with her hands. “No I’m not one of those meddlers. You think Riley is a pain in your backside, spend more time with those two-faced, self serving interlopers. They know better than to come here.”

  “What are you?”

  “I can assure you that I won’t be on all fours howling at the moon later tonight. Although that can be arranged if you need a laugh.”

  Keira took another step back. She balanced one hand on the bench and looked towards the woods and all the eyes observing their conversation.

  “Riley said you were a witch.”

  Corky let out a boisterous, thunderous laugh. “And my house over there will rise up with chicken legs in the early morning. First of course I will need to boil Luza and throw you in the oven,” she paused and sighed. “I need to give him a good whack on the side of the head. No Princess, I am far from a witch.”

  “Are you Waliyah?” Keira whispered, “The Great Mother?”

  “Now you are getting a little warmer, but no I am not. I fear if I was Sohon would have taken it upon himself to erase me from this place. I don’t know if there is a term for what I exactly am.”

  Not once did Keira feel afraid during their exchange. The more Corky spoke, the more she felt unconditional love and power emulating from the woman. There was an invisible blanket of comfort wrapped around the teen as she stood in the darkness, speaking with her hostess.

  “Wait so you’re safe from Sohon?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know if I’m safe, but I’m not on his to do list. There would be too much heat from the others if he turned on one of the shepherds of the forest. Even those who follow him would not come here, because they would pay a serious consequence.”

  “Shepherds?” Keira repeated to herself. She looked closely at the woman and briefly got lost in her luminescent green eyes. “So you would kill them?”

  “You are a funny child. You know that? I’m sure there is a likelihood I could, but that’s not what I meant. Should anyone, any animal, any being wish to end my for the most part pleasant existence, those I have shown kindness to will exact a severe toll on those who have done me harm.”

  “That’s a nice way of saying they’ll be killed.”

  Corky smirked. “I suppose so, but hey when you care for all the animals of the wood, you aren’t an enemy. There is no feud or bitterness, just love. I’m not a faerie who has an agenda. I care for the beasts of the forest and look after the ones our Great Mother leads into this world. She’s the one that Sohon seeks t
o find. She is the life source of all and the moral compass that keeps the balance within the world.”

  Keira lowered her head and took a deep breath.

  “What it is Keira?”

  “Nothing really, I’m just processing. How many 14-year-olds, almost 15, go from knowing nothing their entire lives, to one day having every bit of information thrown at them that turns that entire world upside down? I just went the other day to the cemetery to visit my mother and now look at me.”

  “I know,” Corky nodded.

  “I didn’t intend on getting myself intertwined in some war. I didn’t ask for an Arctic fox to seek me out. I certainly didn’t ask to kill anyone. What does it all mean?”

  “It means you have had a long few days. Anyone would be overwhelmed and probably thoroughly confused.”

  “I just want to be with Dad again and together find my mother.”

  Corky took Keira by the hands and led her away from the bench towards the trees.

  “A shepherd can’t see into the future child. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I do know when your mother helped me fix this place up, now years ago, she did something I had never seen before. I wonder now, even as you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, if you can do the same.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about a unique relationship, one that would let you see and know your mother is always with you.”

  “This isn’t some mumbo jumbo, new age stuff is it? I had those people come to our door. Thank goodness Crowley scared them off.”

  Another boisterous laugh was unleashed by the fair woman. “No, no, and no. This isn’t easily explained. It’s a connection with the Great Mother, more than what other shifters or animals feel.”

  Keira locked her feet in place, frozen. She glanced back at the lodge and wondered if it was time to get back to bed.

  “Isn’t it late to be going into the woods?”

  “They’ll be fine without you. I promise. Granted Riley will be brooding until the sun comes up. Luza on the other hand is in the middle of the soundest sleep she has had since she took on the Great Mother’s task to find you.”