To Speak of Things Unseen (Hemstreet Witches Book 2)

by Rain Trueax

  At the camp, Elke was back in her human form and dressed. Adolph was watching as he approached. “Why didn’t you return to your wolf form?” he asked.

  “I wanted to see what was happening from my own perspective.” He pulled on his shorts.

  “You know what it was,” Elke said.

  “Rugaru or something who wanted it to appear it was it.”

  “Should we report it?” she asked. He saw she was shaking. Maybe that was normal for her after shifting. It did take energy. He poured them each a shot of whiskey. When Adolph looked at him expectantly, he put food down for him, and the wolf eagerly gobbled it up.

  “And what would we say? We saw this body while out as wolves? I erased our tracks but did you notice there were none ahead of us? Not even hers.”

  “Something dropped her there?”

  “Or planted her.” He didn’t feel as secure in his canyon, as he had remembered, but then in the past, he’d had less enemies.

  “Come here,” he said as he sat on his chair. He didn’t know if he expected her to obey, but she did and settled onto his lap.

  “Rugaru could do it or something like him.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, taking out the knots.

  “Would he have followed me from Mexico, waiting here?”

  “It seems unlikely.” She took a sip of her whiskey. “You know it’s just a name for them. Maybe one has always lived in these canyons.”

  “Always some have disappeared in this canyon, but then that happens in wilderness areas.”

  “It feels safe in here. The horses aren’t acting nervous.”

  “The problem will come when we leave.” He considered how they should go. At least he had his sword, which could kill the monster—if that’s what it was. “And there were those men who were moving fast.”

  “I can shift into a raven,” she offered, lightly kissing his temple, “if you want me to look for them.”

  “Are you joking? You think I’d take that risk with your life?”

  “It’d be safe enough.”

  “If those men have guns, you are kidding yourself.”

  “All right, bad idea.”

  “My bad idea was bringing you to my ranch and then up here. I didn’t think this would happen.”

  “Mitch, I wanted to come, wanted to be with you. We can beat whatever it is—together.” She bent and claimed his lips with a kiss that reached into his soul. He didn’t know if he believed she was right, but he wanted to.

  ><><><

  Without discussing the body or figuring out what they should do, they spent a quiet afternoon. She put on the bikini she had bought and took a shower under the waterfall. The water felt delightful. Avoiding polluting the pristine pool, she used handfuls of sand to wash her body and hair. She wished Mitch would have joined her, but he was deep in thought.

  She got the camera from her pack and took photos of the canyon, the waterfall, wildflowers, pool, Adolph, and the horses. She wished she could photograph Mitch as he sat on a large rock, oblivious to all around him. He was so beautiful, if that word worked for such a rugged looking man. Staying true to her promise, she resisted the temptation.

  As the sun began to set, he fixed another of the dehydrated dinners and opened a new bottle of wine. “Tomorrow we should go back,” he said. “I wish I had worked out something here but…”

  “We can’t leave that poor woman’s body out there.”

  “I know. I am thinking.”

  “I can let my mother know, and she can notify the authorities,” she said.

  “There is no cell coverage in here.”

  She smiled. “It isn’t needed either. Not for our communication.”

  “How would she tell the authorities without giving away our secret? It’s not as though shifting into wolves is that believable.”

  “Or talking wolves,” Adolph added with one of his smiles.

  “What if the two of you start down the trail toward where we came in, and I will ride to the body with an excuse for finding it that I was out for a ride.”

  “Why don’t I go with you?” she protested.

  “Because I want Adolph long away from here with no possible accusations that it was him who killed the woman. I think you should also take Ranger. I don’t have much confidence in how he’d react to the kill site. I’ll ride Traveler.”

  “What if the killer is still there, watching, waiting?” She didn’t like the idea of him going alone and yet she saw the logic to it. Adolph could not be seen anywhere near the body.

  “I am giving you the gun,” he said. “I hope you can shoot.”

  “Not a chance. I have my own weapon, remember.” She managed a smile despite her uneasiness.

  “I just wish I had someone to send with you.”

  “Perhaps me.” The old voice came from the darkness. Although Elke had never heard it before, she knew who it had to be.

  “Grandfather,” Mitch said. She heard the relief in his voice.

  The old man became clearer until he looked like a person of flesh and blood. His features were Native American, that of an old man—obviously his choice, as guides could look as they chose. He looked over at Elke and back to Mitch. “You hooked up with a witch?” he asked with a teasing smile.

  “Her skills come in handy,” Mitch said. “I have missed you.”

  “I know.”

  “Why did you stay away so long? Were you angry with me?”

  The old man shook his head. “You didn’t need me.”

  “I thought I did.”

  “No, you did fine.”

  “You aren’t angry about the book?”

  “No, but I worry about you. I don’t want you to join me on the other side any sooner than is meant to be.”

  “Me either.”

  “So now, what do you want of me?”

  “Go with her and Adolph, make sure they get safely back to the ranch and guard them, in case this turns worse.”

  “You know what this is?”

  “I am guessing Rugaru followed me up from Mexico and wants revenge for his friends.”

  The old man walked into their camp and sat in one of the chairs. Though Elke knew he could have floated where he wanted, he had totally taken on a human form that looked very solid and surprisingly powerful. She was impressed, with hundreds of questions for him, but this was Mitch’s guide, not hers.

  Nantan looked back at her with another of those quixotic smiles. “And you, daughter of your mother and father, with the strength of them and your grandmothers—what do you want to know?”

  “Is this the same Rugaru as Mitch confronted in Mexico or has this one lurked here outside the protected canyon and been here for centuries?”

  Nantan chuckled and looked at Mitch. “Beautiful and smart. Adolph was right. She’s a worthy mate for you, grandson. Don’t let foolish doubts cause you to lose her.” He then looked back at Elke. “It is not the same one. The one in Mexico went farther south to Central America to stir up what he can there. Someone wanted this one here.”

  “A demon?”

  “Someone.”

  “Why did he kill the woman?” Mitch asked his expression dark.

  “I don’t waste time trying to sort out the logic of monsters—some of whom have none. I can guess though.”

  “And that would be?”

  “She was with two men. They ran when they saw what attacked her. They will be afraid even to admit what they saw. Who would believe them? Perhaps they were cowards, but then they had no tools to take down one such as him.” He looked back at Elke. “You do.”

  “You mean I should do it?” Elke asked, as Mitch simultaneously snapped, “Not a chance.”

  “He will run from you,” Nantan said looking back at Mitch. “He’s had instructions.”

  “And that is?”

  Nantan shrugged and looked back at Elke. “Perhaps, she was to be drawn here and killed. It was revenge for what her father did to their kind.”

  “Do you kneow my
father?” Elke said suddenly realizing what she most wanted to know. “Is he a guide now?” She wanted to think he was, that he could help them.

  Nantan shook his head. “I cannot tell you all of what goes on-- especially that you could find for yourself,” he said as he smiled and looked toward the canyon rim. “He is not a guide though.”

  “Reincarnated then?”

  He shook his head. “Ask no more questions about what you can find for yourself when you need to know.”

  That sounded like all the spirit guides she’d ever known with their answering questions with questions or batting away hers as though she already had the answers. She knew one thing. If her father had not reincarnated and wasn’t serving as a guide, it meant he had remained a ghost. He was free-acting and could be anywhere, doing anything. Instead of aiding others, he could be working for his own interests. What would those be? Once again, she thought how little she had known him.

  “You believe I was manipulated into bringing her up here?” It was obvious Mitch didn’t like that idea.

  “Or fate.” The old man shrugged. Fate was a term she’d heard often-- as an excuse for making no earthly sense.

  “Do you believe Rugaru was after Elke?” Mitch asked, interrupting her train of thought. Nantan shrugged. “How do we keep her safe and get her out of here?”

  “She could just dematerialize if she wishes. He’s not so clever as to know she’d just be gone.”

  “And then keep killing any woman who comes along this trail,” she said knowing that was not an acceptable option.

  “Until Mitch is gone at least,” Nantan agreed.

  “And then he waits for more victims. We can’t leave him here,” Mitch said.

  The old man shrugged. “Guess you don’t want my advice this time either.”

  Mitch tightened his lips. “All right, I do need your advice.”

  “Rugaru does not know what we say. He is manipulated by the demon world, but they cannot hear what happens here. In that, you were wise to come here, grandson.”

  “I hoped to talk with you by coming here,” Mitch admitted. “I never imagined I’d be putting Elke in danger. I thought I was keeping her safe.”

  “She was already targeted. She knew that-- didn’t you, gal.”

  She nodded. “My family, and it’s gotten more difficult.”

  Nantan chuckled. “Witches are often regarded as bad by my people, but some are good. Your family lives like Apaches with using magick only for good. Your father though… he’s another story.”

  “You aren’t suggesting my father is a bad man or ghost or whatever he is doing now?” She felt horrified at the very idea. It was not possible.

  “Ain’t I?” Nantan asked meeting her gaze without flinching. “I don’t tell you what you want to hear but only what I believe is truth. Your father chose his own paths. I will say he believes it is for good. Despite that, he is drawing to his family the same sort of trouble as Mitch drew to himself through the foolish book.”

  “So what do we do now about this canyon and the one doing evil here?” Mitch asked. His eyes were troubled, his lips set in a grimace.

  “You ready to listen now?” The old man’s smile was mocking.

  “If I was not, I’d not ask.”

  “Fine. So, don’t run off. Leave Adolph and the horses here, where they are safe. Send Elke to the corpse. It will draw Rugaru. You go with her. Together, you defeat and destroy him.”

  “I like that idea,” Elke said pleased at the way it felt.

  “I don’t,” Mitch disagreed. “What if she is hurt?”

  “And what if you are?” she argued.

  “I started this.”

  She laughed at him. “You honestly believe that? If so, you have more ego than I thought.”

  She saw by the expression in his eyes that he didn’t like that, but he didn’t argue with her either. “So how do we proceed?” he asked turning back to his grandfather.

  Chapter Twelve

  “My suggestion is you wait for morning. Rugaru has already seen you there.” He looked at Mitch. “He will be scenting her when she approaches.”

  “Why morning?”

  “Time to prepare. The dark of the moon works in Rugaru’s favor, not yours. Light benefits you unless you wish to go as a wolf.”

  “I need to use my sword. So human,” Mitch said. Maybe his grandfather was right, and he didn’t need him. He didn’t feel that way.

  “Other wolf shifters have killed them,” Elke said.

  “Perhaps they were more experienced in fighting as a wolf than I am.”

  “Let me go,” Adolph requested with a wolfish grin.

  “Not a chance. You guard the horses. Keep this canyon safe.”

  “I’ll go as a human,” Elke said, “unless you need me as a wolf.”

  “No, I think better human also,” Nantan said. “Look innocent, as though out for a hike. If he’s after you or even all women, he will be waiting. Rugarus are vicious hunters but stupid too.”

  “Good,” she said and to his surprise, she looked almost eager.

  “He’s dangerous,” Mitch reminded her.

  She smiled at him and his grandfather. “Then I better get rest.” She crawled into her tent.

  “You will follow her? His grandfather asked.

  “She did not invite me.”

  “She is good woman.”

  “I know.”

  The old man grinned. “Even if she is a witch.”

  “And a warrior.”

  “She’s good as a wolf too,” Adolph quipped. “If she’d just stay one, I’d take her for a mate.”

  “Thought that was how you were thinking,” Mitch retorted.

  “I’m not a dumb wolf.” Adolph snickered.

  “One more thing for you to think on, grandson, for when this is settled here.”

  “What?”

  “Something made this canyon open territory for the demons to draw Rugaru to it. That means a human. You understand that.”

  Mitch considered his words. “I hear you.”

  “You will need to find that person before you go back to Tucson.”

  “And I am going back?” Mitch asked with a laugh. He knew he had to, but once again wondered at his grandfather. The old man claimed he didn’t read minds, but how did he know so much?

  “Just find the answer to that puzzle as to who betrayed you, or your land here will not be safe with you gone.”

  Mitch nodded. He lay on top his sleeping bag as Adolph curled alongside him. He didn’t know where his grandfather slept, but he released the questions and problems to the night and slept better than he had expected. Light came before he expected it. He dressed in shorts and tennis shoes before he built up the fire and put on the coffee. His grandfather might’ve been around, but he didn’t see him.

  When Elke came out of the tent, she was in shorts and a tank top. Her hair was braided in a long queue on her back. He handed her a biscuit along with a cup of coffee. “You sure you want to do this?” he asked still concerned if this was safe for her, as he began breaking camp. When they finished with the monster, they’d have to head back to the ranch.

  “Of course.” Tying on tennis shoes, she gave him a bewitching smile that distracted him from what he should have been thinking. “The sooner the better.”

  “You take care of her,” Adolph warned as Mitch belted his sword and sheathe to his waist. Mitch winked at him as he pulled out the sword to swing it a few times and loosen up. A few minutes later, he and Elke entered onto the mainstream.

  “You will be careful,” he said. “You told me you’ve never fought a monster.”

  “Is there something I should know?”

  “Mostly not to take anything for granted. They may not be smart, but they are crafty. They didn’t hang around this many centuries without having some tricks.”

  “You’ll be there.” She didn’t seem as worried, as he thought she should be.

  “But not close to you, where I wil
l want to be. I don’t like it but have no choice, or Granddad seems to think he won’t come out.”

  “Rugaru doesn’t have psychic powers?”

  “It would appear not or not that great.”

  “You should drop back now. Aren’t we getting close to her body?”

  He reached for her and pulled her into a tight embrace as his lips descended and claimed hers. “Don’t take any risks.”

  She smiled and brushed his jaw with her fingers. “I won’t. You need a shave, did you know that?”

  “When we get back to the ranch.”

  With that, she was gone, striding rapidly up the streambed acting as though she was on a recreational hike. He let her go ahead a bit but not so far he couldn’t hear her walking. When she stopped, he assumed she was near the body. She let out a scream.

  He saw the burst of energy as he ran forward, his sword out and ready to use. When he saw her, the beast was beyond and hunched down, now looking wary. When Rugaru saw Mitch, he tried to turn. Another energy bolt stopped him. Mitch lunged with the sword. As the monster turned, he shoved the sword into its body as it bit at him. His next stroke lopped off its head. In moments, it turned from a living form to a pile of ash and minerals.

  “Is there only one?” Mitch asked as he looked around.

  Elke had moved toward the ash pile. “It’s all I saw.” She looked around. “This is seriously weird. The body is gone.”

  Either the monster had consumed it, or something else had moved it. There would be nothing to report to the authorities. Poor woman. He wondered if her friends would tell anyone what they had seen. Or would they convince themselves, they’d seen nothing.

  An unearthly shriek turned him toward it. There hadn’t been just one. He saw Elke trying to turn and knew she’d not be in time. He threw himself between her and the charging Rugaru just as the claws came out and ripped his skin. His sword was upright, and he thrust it forward with all his might, felt it enter the beast, hewing it in two. As with the other, the energy changed, as it dissolved into a pile of ash, some kind of plasma, and glistening minerals.