The man nodded, rubbing his bleeding nose. “I apologize again for what I did.”
Stephan tossed him a towel.
“I brought a map of the area and marked possible places to check. But I think we should have Kizzy and Lilly check it over. They might get a clue which area to search for the boy.” Stephan spread the map on the table as Soaring Eagle came over, studying it with Kaapo Lakely.
“Do you know where we should start the search, Soaring Eagle?” Dark Horse asked. “What route do you think he would have taken, considering he would be trying to stay out of view.”
“My name is Blue Carp, and if I know my son he’d stick to this route,” the man he’d just punched informed him, pointing to a line on the map.
“Sorry, but he didn’t go that way. He went some way that was…forbidden?” Lilly said, as she and Emma handed out sandwiches.
“My son wouldn’t go into the old burial grounds,” Blue Carp snapped.
Dark Horse spun, picked the man up by the collar, and shook him. “I’ve had enough of you. Get the hell out of my sight. That is the second time you have disrespected my woman. Next time, I won’t hesitate to use my knife. Tom Cat take, him home while we search for his son. If you have any influence, I suggest a serious chat with him.” Dark Horse threw the man away from the table. Tom Cat took Blue Carp’s arm and led him away.
Kaapo Lakely frowned at the man’s retreating back. “That man has never before gotten out of hand like this
Soaring Eagle placed his hand on his shoulder. “Dark Horse?”
Dark Horse turned to the man he considered his father. “How can I lead these people if I want to kill one of their own? I won’t be able to stop myself if there is a next time.”
Lilly hugged him tight and said, “I think Emma can fill all of you in on Tom Chris’s family. I have a feeling we are going to have him living with us also if what she says is true.”
“What?” Kaapo Lakely glanced at Emma. “Speak, child. I would like to know why this is going on.”
Emma moved in closer to him, and Dark Horse reached out, pulling her to his side. “There is nothing to be afraid of. What is going on, Emma?”
“The only reason why Chris Tom went home was to check on his mom. His father is a very violent man. I don’t know how many times Daddy patched Chris Tom up because he didn’t want to cause trouble.”
“Emma, does he hit his wife?” Dark Horse asked.
“Chris Tom protected her. I haven’t seen her lately, though, and I asked about her. That’s what set him off tonight,” Emma said.
Kaapo Lakely tapped his staff. “Dover, follow them back to his house, and make sure you check on his wife. If there are any signs of problems, take her to your home.”
“It will be done. We had no idea.” Dover left.
“He’s a family member. I don’t know how this can happen?” The old man sagged, suddenly seeming worn down.
Dark Horse nodded. “Even we have those who have given up or chosen the wrong path. But right now, we concentrate on the boy. Then I’ll make sure to see what this man has done and if he can be helped.” But inside Dark Horse just hoped the mother was still alive. The boy would need her.
For the next hour hours, over two hundred men and women searched for the boy, till his own Lilly called out with Kizzy right next to her.
They stood on a small hill over the ancient burial site, knowing it would upset the others if they were to set foot into the burial grounds.
Running Wolf approached. “What’s up, Little Gypsy?”
“Over there by that oak. Lilly and I have been trying to figure out what the hell it was, but I swear that oak tree has moved over the past hour,” Kizzy told them.
Lilly placed her hand over Dark Horse’s. “Look to the left, on the ground. There used to be a grave there, not a hole.”
“How the hell did we miss that?” Dark Horse placed a kiss on Lilly’s cheek.
“Most likely the branches. It took us a good hour to figure out what was going on. I mean, we didn’t even feel the ground moving from here,” Kizzy grabbed a bottle of water out of the case on the ground.
“Stay here, you two. Let’s hope we have found the next entrance to the tunnels. If it is, they are massive.” Dark Horse trotted down the hill with Running Wolf. Soaring Eagle and Kaapo Lakely met them at the bottom.
The four of them circled the hole, staring down into it as a man brought over flashlights and rope.
“We’ll go down. You are needed in case something happens,” one of the men from Raining Song’s clan volunteered, tying the rope around the tree and lowering himself down the hole, followed by three other men.
One of the men shouted up to them. “We have the boy! He’s going to need medical help, though. He’s not in good shape.”
Dark Horse turned to the medicine man. “Lilly is a nurse.”
Soaring Eagle and Kaapo Lakely both stared up on the hill. “They are both married to you and part of our world. The Great Mother brought her to you. Please have her come help.”
Red Hawk came over with a board. “I’m here, too.”
“You are too exhausted from healing Lilly yesterday.” Dark Horse called, “We need you, Lilly.”
Lilly carefully moved down the hill, with Kizzy’s help.
They pulled the battered young man from the ground.
Lilly checked him out with Red Hawk.
“Broken arm and leg. Don’t know if it was from the fall or not. He’s been beaten up, bad,” Red Hawk concluded.
Lilly wrapped the wounds of the unconscious boy. “He needs to go to the hospital, Dark Horse.”
Red Hawk nodded. “I’ve healed what I can, but he’s too bad for me to do what I need to. In the hospital, he can get the help he needs.” Red Hawk stood, helping Lilly to her feet. Tears ran down her face.
“I still don’t know how a parent can do that to a child.” His little flower wiped a tear away and melted into his embrace “I’d like to take Emma there and make sure he gets set up. Have my friends watch out for him and get him started in counseling, because he’s going to need it if we are going to break this Running Wolf sighed. “I’ll take them to the hospital, along with Emma and leave you to explore the tunnels. We’ll be back in a couple of hours for your report.”
“Yes, sir,” Dark Horse replied. “Lilly, you will listen to everything Running Wolf says, yes?”
She smiled. “Yes, sir,” Lilly repeated.
“Woman.” He yanked her into his arms. “Be safe, my, little flower.” He covered her mouth in a hard, quick kiss, before releasing her to his best friend.
“Relax. I’ll be fine. Plus, I want to talk with the doctors and nurses there about helping us.” Lilly patted his arm and left.
Dark Horse watched them walk away then grabbed on to the rope and climbed down into the hole. What he saw left him speechless.
Chapter Seventeen
Time seems to stand still as history comes to hit you in the face, repeating the failures of mankind and giving them a chance to redeem themselves, will they listen?
Chief Dark Horse
Lilly took a deep breath taking in everything around the ER and realizing she didn’t miss it at all. Oh, she loved the work she had done there and the people she worked with, but now her life had switched direction, Dark Horse.
“Is this where you worked?” Kizzy asked, one arm around Emma who stood between them.
“It is, but it’s weird seeing it now. It’s like I’m seeing it as a different person, if that makes sense?” Lilly shook her head.
“It makes perfect sense. You’ve gone through a life-changing event, you’re different, and your life’s goals and values have changed,” Soaring Eagle came up with Running Wolf. “You have done the boy good, Lilly. Already, he is awake and speaking with your doctor friend, and a number of people have volunteered to help you and Dark Horse.”
“You should be proud of yourself. In a few h
ours you have accomplished much,” Soaring Eagle sounded so much like her father.
“I’m just glad Chris Tom is going to get the help he needs. I’ve seen traits continue on from one generation to the next. It needs to stop now, and I’m very happy my girlfriends are going to help us organize and that they actually believe me. I thought for sure they’d think I was nuts,” Lilly snorted as they all moved toward the doors, heading back to the house.
“I’m afraid things are changing slowly around here already. Even the animals are reacting to the change. Most of the roads around here are starting to crumble. Already the Great Mother is taking things back.” Soaring Eagle stepped outside. “It’s going to storm tonight.”
Lilly could smell the rain in the air. “We get some nasty storms. Maybe it’s going to clean the Earth of all the blood that has been spilled. I always loved sitting out on the porch during a thunderstorm, watching the lighting.”
Lilly got into the van, sitting next to Emma. “It’s late, and I have to say I’m beat. How about some Chinese food for dinner?”
Emma and Kizzy nodded.
“I have to agree. Today has been one of those emotional roller-coaster type of days. Some good takeout and a glass of wine.” Kizzy grinned. “Know a place you want to stop?”
Lilly smiled and nodded. “It’s on the way back to the house. They are amazing people, too. There happens to be a wine store right next door, but do Running Wolf and the others drink?”
Soaring Eagle shrugged. “Some do. I like a beer once in a while and Dark Horse will drink nothing stronger.”
Running Wolf peered in the rearview mirror. “Most of the men will drink a beer, but none of them will touch hard liquor. We’ve seen too many of our men turn into nasty drunks.”
“I will have the occasional glass of wine to wind down at night or a shot of whiskey when circumstances call for it.” Lilly pointed out the restaurant as they drove down the highway. “Thank God they were far enough from town, at least I hope so.”
She was out of the door when Soaring Eagle grabbed her arm, stopping her.
“Easy there, Lilly. You always allow the warrior to go first, to make sure everything is okay.”
“But I know the family.” Lilly frowned.
“But when was the last time you spoke with them or have been here?” Running Wolf joined them with Kizzy and Emma as two of their men that had followed them on their bikes led the way inside. “From now on, Lilly, you have to take precautions, as Kizzy is supposed to.”
Kizzy patted Running Wolf’s chest. “Yes, I know, especially since the freaks seem to find me all the damn time.”
“That’s because you’re special, Little Gypsy.” Running Wolf bent down kissing the top of her head as one of the men nodded, holding the door open for them.
Inside, Lilly sighed at the damage that had been done, but the couple and their children were fine, trying to get back into business.
After exchanging hugs, and informing them where she was staying, she proceed to order the whole menu, doubled because of the number of people at the house.
With bags of food in hand, they returned to their vehicles. Emma rested her head on her shoulder. “Do you think we could go back to my place tomorrow? I’d like to go through my things.”
Lilly gazed down at Emma. “Are you sure you’re ready for this? We can just have everything put into storage until you’re able.” She squeezed her hand. “There is no time limit, Emma. We have plenty of help here.”
“No, I need to do this. Plus, I’d like to get a few things of Daddy’s.” Emma stared out the window.
“I’ll speak with Dark Horse tonight. I see no reason why you can’t. I’d like to hit a few stores tomorrow, so maybe we can do both things if Dark Horse isn’t busy,” Lilly reached over and squeezed her arm.
“Why don’t we go in the early morning? We can have my uncle Stephan grab a U-Haul for the stuff she wants to keep. The garage has an extra shed that would store any of her possessions and then some. Plus, my uncles have been driving me crazy.” Kizzy grumbled.
“Sounds good to me.” Lilly nodded.
“We might want to wait to see what is going on at the house.” Running Wolf smiled. “Dark Horse has been beeping my phone for the last hour, wondering where we have been. It would seem he’s not liking being apart from Lilly too long.” Running Wolf glanced at her in the mirror, smiling.
“We’ve been gone what four hours, jeez.” But Lilly also couldn’t wait to see the handsome warrior.
“Knock it off. If I’m not mistaken, you had a little fit when Kizzy and I went shopping one day?” Soaring Eagle gave Running Wolf a frown that had him groaning.
Kizzy laughed. “We had so much fun testing each other that night. Now, tell me I know you were seeing something at the ER, Lilly.”
“You are good.” Lilly laughed. “The ER was shut down, abandoned, almost scary, haunting.” Lilly turned to face Kizzy. “Grass was coming up through the floor, and animals were inside. So many machines, medicine still in there and wasted. The only thing with my visions they could happen or not. Time frame I never know, and I hate it.”
Kizzy frowned and peered up at Soaring Eagle. “Did you get anything?”
“Not a thing. I have a feeling Lilly’s gifts pertain to future events. If I’m not mistaken, it’s how the Irons found out about what is going to happen?”
Lilly nodded, a knot in her stomach as tears filled her eyes. “If I’d just kept my mouth shut.”
“No, dear. If it wasn’t for you, they would have found out somehow. I believe your warning saved a few people. Remember what your father accomplished in so little time. You couldn’t help if that crooked sheriff took advantage of it. Are you hearing me, Lilly? Or do I need to have to speak with Dark Horse?” Soaring Eagle’s voice dropped.
“Why would you tell Dark Horse I think I caused what happened? That makes no sense. He can’t stop me from thinking that or believing it. No one can.”
“Never and I mean never think they won’t try and convince you otherwise.” Kizzy leaned over and whispered, “It’s better to agree with them.”
“And don’t think we won’t be talking about that later, either,” Running Wolf growled from the front, making Kizzy jump.
Lilly couldn’t help but smile and Emma giggled as Kizzy sputtered, “You’re a pain my ass, literally.”
As soon as they pulled into the drive, Dark Horse came out of the house and headed toward the van, every inch of him a predator and deadly, but he was her Dark Warrior.
The van door opened, and he held his hand out to her. She heard something about being gone, but
Dark Horse pulled her into his arms. “I heard you started to go outside by yourself,” he growled, grabbing a handful of her hair, pulling her head back, and staring down at her.
“Never by yourself, Lilly. You and Emma will always be with someone, no matter what. Is that understood?” he ordered
“What? You have to be kidding. Even on dates?” Emma jumped out of the van, drawing Dark Horse’s gaze.
“What dates? Do you really think any boy is going to come and ask me to go out with you?” Dark Horse smiled, and it wasn’t a good one.
“Hey, knock it off. You don’t need to scare her. Of course she’ll have dates.” Lilly hit his stomach and tried to get away, but his grip on her hair only tightened.
His gaze dropped down to hers. “Only if they have the nerve to ask me, and did you hit me?” He tossed her over his shoulder. “We’ll be inside in a few. Emma, not to worry. We’ll speak further about this.” Dark Horse laid his hand on her ass hard, heading toward the garage.
“You might want to know your Lilly believes she is responsible for what happened to the town,” Running Wolf yelled as Dark Horse stepped into the garage, shutting the door hard as another swat came down on her ass.
“What the hell are you doing?” Lilly hit his butt. “Quit smacking my butt. And to think I missed y
our big lug head. What the hell was I thinking?”
Dark Horse lowered her onto the hood of a car. “That is twice you have hit me, little flower,” he growled, grabbing the bottom of her shirt and lifting it over her head before she knew what he was doing.
“What are you doing? Anyone could walk in here?” Lilly tried to grab her shirt back, but he threw it onto the roof of the car.
“I’m going to show you how much I missed you and explain why what happened to your town wasn’t your fault.” He unsnapped her jeans and yanked them off her. “And if you are really good, I won’t spank you for hitting me.”
Dark Horse stared down at his little flower. By three hours after she left, he’d been unable to concentrate, worried… He had ordered everyone out of the tunnels, telling at them, telling them to return tomorrow when they could see better and had the equipment to explore further.
He ran his hands up her stomach to her breasts and squeezed. “Never in all my life have I felt as empty as when you left. I know it was only for a few hours, but it was too long, my Lilly.” He met her gaze. “I have a feeling this connection is only going to get stronger. I’m going to have to tie you to my side.”
“Dark Horse,” she whispered. “I felt the same way. All I could think about was you. It was like part of me was missing.”
He studied her for a moment. “What’s wrong, little flower?”
“I had one of my visions today in the ER.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I’m scared, Dark Horse, really scared. The place had animals running around it, grass growing through the floor, vines growing up the walls. How can we do this?”
“We have no choice. It’s our destiny, but I promise I’ll be right beside you and any time you need me I’ll be there.” He pushed her back onto the car, and she screeched, glaring at him.
“It’s cold damn it,” Lilly grumbled, and he laughed, covering her mouth with his, tasting a little honey. “I need to be in you, little flower,” he whispered against her lips, sliding his hand down between her legs and finding her damp and ready for him.
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