by Connie Hall
The look quickly reminded her not to forget he was first and foremost a gleaner, a charming one when he tried, but one none the less. And in a few days he’d have to kill again to stay alive if he wasn’t going to Sehsola. “I wouldn’t worry. The females there will be all over you,” she said, hoping to lighten the uncomfortable moment.
He smiled and said, “This sounds more promising by the moment.” The jocularity left his voice. “So, they must be hard up like me to be in this dimension.”
“To be honest, they were a threat here on earth, like you, and the Guardians sent them there.”
“Hmmm, desperate women in paradise. What more could a guy want?”
“Sunscreen, mouthwash, a locked door,” she said.
Ethan chuckled. Nina only smiled sadly.
They reached the cave entrance, and she paused long enough to listen. She didn’t hear or feel anyone inside, so she pulled aside the branches that hid the opening.
The smell of incense and burning herbs met her. Damp cold air wafted from the dark abyss of the cave’s inner recesses. Outside light could not penetrate it. Takala had explored those depths as a child, but no matter how much she tried to convince Nina to go with her, the primordial magic she sensed in the bedrock frightened her. She felt it teeming now, strumming against her mind. She had learned to tune it out, and she did so now, but she couldn’t stop the shivers. One shook her body as she paused before a magical circle of stones and said, “We need to build a fire, and then I’ll call Koda.”
“Who’s Koda?”
“My temperamental spirit guide.”
“I heard that.” Koda’s voice projected through the air, rather than in her mind. Energy whirled into a writhing mass as his bear body materialized. Today he sparkled with the brightest aqua she’d ever seen. He really was beautiful. An attempt to impress Ethan, no doubt.
“Well, it’s the truth,” she said as she went over to a corner of the cave and scooped up an armful of kindling.
“I always do as I am commanded.” Koda looked upward toward heaven.
“I hope this transfer has been okayed.”
“Yes.”
“And after we’re done here, please appear before Quinton and tell him I kept my word.” She wanted to add “And if you see Kane still alive, let me know.” But it would have been like losing him all over again, and that was too painful. “I shall.”
“Good. Then let’s get to it.” Nina arranged the wood inside the stone circle. She reached for a lighter that was left in the cave, but Ethan said, “Allow me.”
He narrowed his eyes at the kindling and concentrated. Suddenly it burst into flames.
Nina turned to Ethan. “Are you ready?”
He nodded.
She might have hugged him, but a touchy-feely goodbye didn’t seem wise. Instead, she nodded and walked around the circle of stones, chanting an exchange prayer in the Maiden Bear’s primitive language. Koda joined her. The acrid smell of magic coursed through the cave, pulsing against her body. Spirals of smoke curled up and formed huge hands with long undulating fingers.
“It’s time. Jump.” Nina pointed to the inner circle.
Ethan hesitated at the flames and the filmy fingers for only a moment. Then he said, “Thank you, Nina Rainwater. I’ll never forget this kindness.”
“I’ll always remember you.” And your brother. Tears swam in her eyes, blurring the flames and the smoky images.
Ethan leaped into the fire. The fingers closed around him and for a moment held him aloft.
Koda jumped into the circle, encompassing Ethan and the fingers within his large mass. They disappeared in a whoosh.
The fire went out, and Nina stood there, alone, rubbing her arms. For a moment she had forgotten about Kane, but the emptiness of never seeing him again fell on her like blocks of iron. She dropped to her knees, covered her face and cried.
An hour later, Nina walked into her grandmother’s kitchen.
Empty.
“Grandmother!” Nina called out.
She wasn’t used to entering Meikoda’s house and finding it empty. She was the old Guardian and high priestess. Meikoda’s wisdom and indomitable strength drew the Patomani people to her in droves, especially the women of the high council. They were all powerful shamans and related. It wasn’t unusual to find her aunts, great aunts and cousins, all twelve of them, crowded into the kitchen in the throes of studying ancient spellcasting or levitating, or just plain playing toothpick poker. Today it was still as death.
At least she could slip in without anyone hitting her with a hundred questions.
The front door opened with a loud thump. It crashed against the door stop and bounced a few times. A signal that her sister, Takala, had just entered. She had superhuman strength and had never really mastered it. Her grandmother had replaced the front door countless times. Takala barreled over, around and through anything in her way.
“There you are, Buddha.” Takala bounded into the kitchen like a cyclone, yet managed to maintain an air of pride and arrogance in her stiff back and shoulders. “How was the job?”
Nina was still stinging from the moniker. She hated it, but if she asked Takala to stop calling her Buddha, her stubborn sister would just do it more. “Uneventful,” Nina said, not wanting to discuss Kane.
Nina took in Takala’s garb. She was in her Kate Beckinsale Underworld regalia. Her long legs were encased in tight black leather pants and knee-length boots with three-inch heels. Nina didn’t know how she walked in those things. She’d fall flat on her face if she wore them. But they served a purpose. Takala kept a switchblade in the right one. A black leather greatcoat fell down below her calves. A tie-dyed T-shirt was knotted at the waist. A spiked black belt slanted across her hips. Silver hoop earrings flopped near her cheeks and matched the layers of silver necklaces falling down her chest and the many bracelets on her wrists. She wore dark plum nail polish and matching lipstick that would have looked horrible on anyone else. On Takala, it only enhanced her plump lips. Takala was a private investigator, and she said she dressed to impress her clients with her toughness, but Nina knew she just liked the attention of flashy clothes. Takala was much fairer than Nina, and her chestnut hair, highlighted by dirty-blond streaks, was wild and all over her head and shoulders. She had the tousled look down pat.
“You won’t believe what I just heard.” Takala headed for the refrigerator, her boots clicking on the linoleum. Because of her strength, her metabolism was always in overdrive and she ate constantly. “Where’s Grandmother?”
“Grocery shopping—aren’t you interested in my news? You’ve been gone almost a week—I thought you might want to know what’s happening around here.”
“I do.”
Takala pulled out a chunk of cheddar cheese, grabbed a paring knife from a drawer and began cutting off chunks and stuffing them in her mouth. She had a mouthful when she actually looked at Nina, actually seeing for the first time. Takala had one green eye and one blue. Meikoda had nicknamed her Lioness with Two Colored Eyes. Other people, who were brave enough, just called her Two Colors. Both her eyes were trained on Nina now. “Good grief, Buddha, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Yeah, right. You always go around with mole eyes.” She laid down the cheese and grabbed Nina’s wrists. “You’ve been crying. These are cuff marks.” Takala pulled down Nina’s turtleneck, and Nina jerked back, but not soon enough. “No way, girlfriend! Hickies! I didn’t think you were into bondage. I didn’t think you were into anything—wait a minute. You’re not a virgin anymore.” Nina blushed.
Takala laughed out loud. “Hallelujah! Welcome to the world of lust. Now spill everything and don’t leave out one juicy morsel.”
Takala had always been too nosy and observant and annoying, but Nina loved her for being all those things. “Tell me your news first.” Nina pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down, dreading what she would be forced to tell Takala just so she could have some peace and quiet.
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Takala picked up the cheese again and cut off a chunk. “Oh, Akando just told me Aden’s getting hitched to a time jumper named Hannah Gray.” She stuck it in her mouth, rolling her eyes in bliss at having something so tasty to chew.
“Really. A time jumper?” Nina couldn’t help but sound incredulous. She’d never met one, only heard the legend of them. They were human vessels created for the Guardian to use to jump between dimensions in the pursuit of evil.
“Yeah. I heard she’s pretty, too. And guess what else? She’s a first cousin we never knew about. Tansy’s daughter.”
“Wow! I never knew she’d gotten pregnant, or even had a boyfriend.”
“Grandmother told me that when Aunt Lena found out Tansy was pregnant, Lena forced her to go to a Catholic home for unwed mothers. Lena made sure no one found out and swore Grandmother to secrecy.” Takala hacked off another chunk.
“It’s too bad Lena cared more about appearances than she cared about Tansy and her grandchild. No wonder Tansy looked so sad before she died,” Nina said, remembering she’d never seen a woman look so forlorn in her life.
“And Lena, too. Now we know why.”
Lena had died right after Tansy. Nina had always thought Lena died of a broken heart from losing her daughter, but there was a lot more suffering involved. “Poor Tansy. Have you met Hannah?”
“Not yet. Grandmother has. She suggested we have them over for dinner tonight.” Takala popped another wad of cheese in her mouth and ate it in two gulps, then said, “I had thought you and Aden might hook up, but now—”
“Why did you think that?”
“I don’t know. He seemed to single you out.”
“He’s just a friend.” Nina had always liked Aden and his wife. Two years ago he lost her in a car accident. Nina had babysat for Aden’s two children when he needed help, and she might have thought herself attracted to him, but he hadn’t seemed interested in any woman, including Nina. She suspected he was still in love with his wife. Long ago she had pigeonholed him into the “just friends” category. She was happy that he’d found someone to love again. When she thought of love, Kane appeared in her mind and she felt that sharp knife in her gut.
Takala cut another slice of cheese. “Now spill your news. Who’s the dude? Was he a good lover? Must have been, if he seduced you.”
“Anyone ever tell you you don’t have a subtle bone in your body?”
“Thank goodness.” Takala, not at all offended, grinned with cheese between her teeth. She was well aware of all her shortcomings and avidly accepted them. “And you don’t have to be such a prude about it. I’m just trying to find out what’s been happening with you.”
“I know.” Nina wished some of Takala’s audacity would rub off on her. “It’s just I really don’t want to talk about it.”
“No problem.” Takala waved the knife and cheese through the air in a dismissive gesture while trying to read Nina’s expression with little success. Something in her steadfast gaze hinted that Takala wasn’t about to give up and she’d broach the subject later. “Want to hear what I’ve been doing?”
“Working on a case?” Nina asked. Takala’s last case caused two hit men to abduct her, and they had come very close to killing her.
“Not at the moment.” Takala hesitated and set down the knife and tiny hunk of cheese that was left. She played with the bracelets on her wrists and looked uncomfortable about something.
Takala rarely held back anything, and Nina knew she was hiding something major, even catastrophic. “So?” Nina prodded her.
“I’ve been looking for Mom.”
Nina’s eyes widened and her jaw fell open. When she could speak again, she said, “Why, Takala? She’s been out of our lives for years. I don’t even know what she looks like. If she wanted to be with us, she would have contacted us. This is a terrible idea.”
“Don’t you ever wonder about her?” Takala asked with an empty hollowness in her voice.
“I used to, when I was little and I’d see other kids with their mothers bringing birthday cupcakes to school. Now, I don’t want her in my life. We have each other and Meikoda. That’s all we need.” Nina hadn’t thought of her mother since talking to Kane about it. She’d been ambivalent about it most of her life, but knowing Takala might actually find their mother put an entirely different perspective on it, one she didn’t want to meet head-on. Even thinking about it made her stomach churn. “Have you told Fala about this?”
“No.” Takala played with the bracelets on her wrist.
“Because you know she won’t go for it. And I won’t, either. If you find her, I don’t want to know about it. And don’t tell Grandmother—you know it will hurt her. Our mother was abjured. We can’t even speak her name.” Their mother was supposed to have taken over the powers of the Guardian, but she’d left the tribe and all her responsibilities on Meikoda’s shoulders—including raising her three children, and that’s why she was disowned by her people.
“I know. I wouldn’t do that to Grandmother.”
“I wish you wouldn’t go stirring all this up now.”
“You don’t remember her—you were too little. But I do. I guess I need closure. I need to know if she’s still alive.” There was a catch in Takala’s voice. She gulped back the emotion glistening in her eyes and said, “I just want to see her, tell her about us and Fala’s wedding and mine.”
“Your wedding?” Nina’s jaw dropped even farther than it had with the last boom Takala had lowered on her. It took a moment of frowning at Takala before Nina asked, “You’re marrying someone?”
“Akando, silly.” Takala rolled her eyes at Nina.
“Fala just dumped him for Stephen. I thought he was still in love with Fala. Has he asked you?”
“No, but he will. I feel certain of it.”
Takala was a great private investigator, observant when she was on the trail of a suspect or danger, but when it came to relationships, she was clueless. “I wouldn’t go getting your hopes up.” Nina tried to bring Takala back to reality. “He’s rebounding.”
“But I love him,” Takala blurted as if that should sway Akando’s opinion.
“How many guys have you thought you loved before Akando?”
Nina began ticking them off on her fingers. “There was Jason, Doug, Ernie—”
“Okay.” Takala grew defensive. “They were wrong for me. But I’m sure about Akando. Just because you have a boyfriend now doesn’t make you an expert. When am I going to meet Mr. Right, anyway?”
Nina had been holding back a dam of emotions, but it broke. “Never!” She leaped up out of her chair too fast, and it fell backward. She ran out of the room, bawling.
Takala yelled, “You want me to find this guy and beat the crap out of him, I will! Tell me who he is!”
The only response Takala received was Nina slamming her bedroom door.
Takala shrugged and said to the room, “What did I say?”
Chapter 18
The next day Nina sat in the prayer cave, wrapped in a coat and several blankets, shivering near a fire and avoiding everyone. Takala had badgered Nina until she had to reveal everything about Kane. Immediately, Takala told their grandmother what had happened—but thankfully not about searching for their mother—and now Meikoda was tiptoeing around Nina, shooting her expectant glances and waiting for her to talk about Kane. Meikoda had even made all the special foods Nina liked. But she had no appetite. Meikoda must have had a talk with Takala, because she thankfully hadn’t approached Nina again on the subject. Nina just wanted to be left alone to grieve with her broken heart. She wanted the Quiet Place.
She felt the ancient magic deep within the cave strumming against her nerves as she called for Koda.
With surprising promptness, the spirit guide appeared before her. His diaphanous form shimmered a bright ginger. He hovered three feet off the ground and walked on air toward her. I know you are hurting. I could feel your terrible sadness in the heavens. Even the Maiden Bear ca
n sense it.
I’m sorry to bother anyone. She stared at the fire, watching the flames flicker.
She sent me to help you.
Nina wondered why he’d appeared so soon after she summoned him.
What can I do to lift your spirits? Koda asked, sounding much more obliging than he ever had.
Maiden Bear must have had something to do with his new obsequiousness. Couldn’t hurt having connections in high places.
Nothing—I don’t know. I just hate feeling like this…. Nina paused, looking for the right words.
Koda filled them in for her. Like you’ve lost all interest in life, like you feel suffocated, like you’ll never be happy again?
Yes, like that.
I warned you. He wiggled his bear brows in a superior way.
I don’t need to hear “I told you so.”
It might make you feel better to know that Ethan is safely sequestered in Sehsola.
Yes, it does. What were his first impressions there?
Happy ones. Three she-demons welcomed him with open arms.
She demons were unruly succubi. Nina felt an urge to smile but couldn’t bring herself to give way to it. It’s good to know he’ll be happy.
He sent you his warmest wishes and salutations and appreciation.
Did you let Quinton know Ethan’s fate?
I did, and he thanked you, which caused him great grief and a lot of pride swallowing.
Nina was tempted to ask about Kane, but she couldn’t and not cry again. Koda, I need to go to the Quiet Place. I’m sure after some time there I’ll feel better.
I can’t take you there.
But it’s my place.
I’m forbidden.
Find a way. I know you can. Plead with the Maiden Bear if you must.
Koda wrinkled his long snout and stared at Nina for a long time. Was that sympathy in his eyes? Finally he said, There is one way.
I knew it.
Don’t sound so happy. It’s permanent, Nina. If I take you without permission, you will have to stay in the Quiet Place forever. You’ll be trapped there, and your gift of tongues will pass on to someone else.
