Fugue Macabre: Bone Dance

by C. J. Parker

  “Bobbie?” Tabatha emptied the bowl into the sink.

  “Yeah?” Bobbie’s head ached with fatigue.

  “How many wolverines are there around these parts?”

  “If you’d asked me this yesterday, I’d have said none. But we now know Omeda’s one.” She locked gazes with Tabatha. “Why?”

  “I think Ionna’s a wolverine.” Tabatha held her silence as if working something out in her mind. “Who is Omeda’s mother?”

  “Agnes’s sister.” Bobbie thought Tabatha was trying to hand her the pieces to the puzzle, but so far, they were all blank.

  Tabatha leaned against the sink. “Could Omeda and Ionna have the same daddy?”

  Pushing herself away from the counter, Bobbie walked away. “Keep Rhonda in here. No matter what you hear. It shouldn’t be too long. Take care of Ionna.”

  She slammed against the screen door only to have it blown shut in her face. The wind had grown in intensity bending the trees sideways with its strength.

  Agnes sat on the ground, face in hands, sobbing. “I’ve loved him since I was a teenager.” She doubled over and sobbed so hard her whole body shook. “I didn’t know. I swear.”

  Bobbie’s jaw clenched. “Didn’t know what, Agnes?”

  “Wolverine. I didn’t know.” She sniffed loudly.

  “Who is he?” Bobbie tried to remember the Outsiders the clan had befriended over the years and which one it may be.

  “He used to work at the marina in Slidell.” Agnes looked into Bobbie’s eyes. “He doesn’t care that I’m a badger. Doesn’t care that I’m fat. He loves me.”

  Bobbie gritted her teeth. “What is his name, Agnes?”

  “No!” Agnes shook her head. “You’ll hurt him.”

  “Why would I hurt him? He’s a shifter.” Maybe a rogue? “All I want to know is why he’s hiding from us. Why isn’t he living with his own kind?”

  “Because your daddy sent him away.” Agnes’ tone changed to the low rumble of hatred. “Said he wouldn’t let no Outsider try to take the power.”

  “What are you talking about, Agnes?” Confusion tangled and tripped over any answers she tried to form. “What power? From who?”

  “I’m not sure.” Agnes pressed a finger to one side of her nose and cleared her nostril onto nearby grass, then repeated the other side. “I heard the fight, but it didn’t make no sense.”

  A gust of wind nearly knocked Bobbie off her feet. “Agnes, Omeda and Ionna are wolverines. I don’t know of any around here. They have to have the same father.”

  Agnes pounced to her feet, her features twisted with rage. “He wouldn’t have done that. He never loved Jacinta. He wouldn’t have had anything to do with her. And when she had Omeda, Jack left her. Said Omeda wasn’t his. Then Jacinta up and left me to raise her.”

  The screen door opened and Tabatha walked out with an animal at her side. The wolverine collapsed on the grass under the shade of a gum tree, her tongue lolling.

  “She’s a bit high on the medicine.” Tabatha rolled her shoulders as if to release some tension. “But she’s going to be fine.”

  “No! I won’t believe it.” Agnes turned away, refusing to look at her daughter.

  “The proof is right there, woman.” Bobbie jabbed her finger toward Ionna. “Now, what is his name?”

  “Verdun.” Agnes cringed as if she expected to be struck.

  Unfortunately, the name didn’t ring a bell, and that worried Bobbie even more. She thought she knew all the old timers in these parts. “Where is he?”

  “He was with the men in the woods. But he ain’t one of them,” Agnes hurriedly added. “He was trying to find out what they were up to. He couldn’t be one of them. He loves me.”

  “Which one was he?” Kangee asked as he rounded the corner of the house.

  Agnes wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “The one Cuda called Scarface.”

  Alarm shot through Bobbie as her gaze met Tabatha’s.

  When Kangee spoke again, there was no difference in the cadence in his voice, as he examined his thumbnail. “Any idea how he got his scars? I mean a wolverine is pretty fierce. Can’t see too many that would get the upper hand.”

  “A wolf attacked him when he was on a hunting trip in Montana.” Sympathy oozed from Agnes. “Makes no difference to me, I still want him.”

  “And what about Ionna? You want her?” Tabatha sat beside Ionna and raised the girl’s head onto her lap.

  Agnes spared a half-second glance at the wolverine and then shrugged. “She’s mine.”

  “Head to the shelter, Agnes, your boys are waiting for you.” Bobbie turned away speaking over her shoulder. “We’ll keep Ionna here. Then we’ll bring her to the shelter with us.”

  Agnes stomped her foot. “Why can’t I bring her with me?”

  Tabatha glanced up. “She’s too weak. She’ll need to be watched for a couple of hours to make sure she’s okay.”

  Aetheria turned the corner and the somber look on her face told Bobbie she had already known the truth about Ionna. “Kangee, the last car is loaded. Tell Jacob to empty out and come back for the rest of us.”

  Rhonda stepped out onto the porch. “The storm is moving again. Winds are up to one hundred and fifty-five. It’s still heading toward us, though they say it might veer a bit east. We’ve still got the storm surge to worry about.”

  Aetheria glanced around at the others. “You need to gather what you’ll need to take with you.”

  Bobbie drew in the scent of the coming rain before she followed her friend into the house. “You knew, didn’t you?”

  “I suspected. Not much goes on around here that escapes my notice.” Aetheria sighed. “But now isn’t the time. You’re armed with the information. You’ve got things to do. Get the girl back in bed and feed her some meat. Rare. She’ll sleep hard.” She turned to Tabatha who had joined them. “She would have died without your pills. For your help, we thank you. I have no doubt you saved that child’s life.”

  “Move it.” As if the gods themselves agreed with Bobbie, thunder and lightning streaked across the sky and rain lashed against the windows. “Now!”

  Chapter Twenty

  Kangee sent off the last SUV filled with the remaining villagers and a pickup loaded to capacity with food and water. A pounding rain fell, wetting everything. His ears reached for noise. Birds and animals gone, not a sound permeated the silence, common preceding a storm. Every nerve in his body reacted with the gust of wind and the rustling of overhead leaves. Looking back at the village, he fought his indecision, return to be with the others or investigate those in the swamps. If he could find out more about the strangers, what they were up to, who was helping them…he might be more help leaving Bobbie and the others for now.

  Kangee lowered his head, releasing his control over his animal. His skin grew hot and tightened around taut muscles and feathers sprouted forward. Wings spread wide in place of arms, talons replaced toenails—a sharp beak hardened his lips. He shook off the distress of the shift and leapt into the air, rising above the treetops in search of the intruders he had smelled earlier.

  He sailed on the wind’s current, weightless but not carefree. In the distance, he could see the first dark clouds fronting the storm. Each gust of wind stronger than the next roared in his ears and made it hard to control his flight pattern. He returned his sharp gaze to the ground, searching.

  He saw them, six maybe seven cars, at least eight men. Three women. Omeda, now back in human form, Jebez and Agnes, he realized with a closer look. Kangee drifted downward, landing in a treetop as close as he dared and still able to hear their words. He crouched close to the trunk of the tree, to help camouflage his five-foot body height and black feathers among the limbs and leaves.

  Kangee followed Omeda’s gaze fixed onto her father’s face. The left side of his face was perfect, giving anyone who dared to look long enough a glimpse of the handsome man he could have been. The other side had purple scars that ran down his right ey
e and pulled the lid downward making it impossible to close completely.

  “No one goes near Bobbie,” Omeda shouted. “And Kangee isn’t to be harmed. Is that clear?”

  Kangee nearly snorted with disgust. Omeda was delusional if she thought he would turn to her.

  Agnes twisted her hands and darted glances from side to side. “You’ve got to let me get our daughter out of there, Verdun.”

  Scarface gave a curt nod. “Then, go get her, woman. Why the hell did you leave her behind?”

  “They wouldn’t let me take her.” Agnes’ whiny voice grated on Kangee’s already frayed nerves. “Said she was too weak to be moved right now.”

  “No child of mine is weak.” Verdun grabbed her shoulders and turned her away from him. “Go back. Bring her to me.”

  Agnes ran into the swamps without a word.

  “Simpering fool. She has to die.” Omeda spit on the ground and swiped at her rain soaked hair.

  “That’s not your decision, is it?” Verdun didn’t spare her a glance.

  “Why do you want that fat slob? She’s nasty.” Omeda shivered as if in revulsion.

  Verdun bared his teeth and grasped Omeda’s neck between his fingers and thumb.

  “Daddy, don’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” Omeda curled at his feet when he stepped away. She whimpered and crawled over to kiss his feet and legs.

  “That fat slob raised you when your mother couldn’t stand the sight of you.” He kicked her away. “She is my woman. My woman! When I rule, she will rule. You best keep that in mind.”

  Jebez offered Omeda a hand, but she slapped it away. “Get away from me, Outsider.” Verdun turned his back on both of them and walked away.

  Omeda’s face switched from contrite remorse to pure hatred.

  Verdun shoved the bald man to his left out of the way. “Where are the others, Sagar?”

  The man scrubbed at his head with tight fists. “About half an hour away, I’d say.”

  Verdun smiled. “Might as well wait in the car. Getting ugly out here.” He reached down and grabbed Omeda by the collar of her blouse. “Come on, girl. You can wait with me. Keep you out of trouble that way. Jebez, get out of here. This isn’t your fight. You’ve done what we paid you to do.”

  She got into her Saturn and waved out the window. “You know how to get in touch.”

  Kangee waited until they were in the vehicles and then released the tree branch and lifted into the air. He hovered, tumbling an idea over in his thoughts to wear away the rough edges. Last Christmas when a cat clan had wandered into camp demanding Elsu give up his territory, Elsu had kept his cool and instead found the cats a home they would be satisfied with. “We will be as one in peace and in war.” Isn’t that what the cats promised Elsu?

  Kangee’s mind made up, he flew as fast as his wings and the winds would allow. He believed he could make it there and back in the allotted thirty minutes. Kangee prayed the enemy wasn’t early and that the cats could make it to the village in time, but not before Kangee had time to explain to Bobbie who they were and that they were needed.

  ~~~

  Bobbie stood over Ionna watching as her first shifting ended and the last of the fur vanished under her skin. Tabatha sat on the edge of the bed beside Ionna running her hand over the girl’s hair and neck. Aetheria stood at the window staring out, at what Bobbie had no idea. Rhonda sat in the corner of the room, keeping to herself but Bobbie was sure she took everything in, in her own quiet way.

  Aetheria drew Bobbie’s attention back to her. “Agnes will come to take Ionna.”

  Bobbie searched the tree line, but saw no one. “How do you know?”

  The old woman waved her hand as if dismissing her question. “A mother will come for her child. Even a bad mother.”

  Ionna sat up, shook her head and fell on her face. She giggled. “Momma is with that man, huh?” She rolled on her back and stretched out lazily. “He’s bossy. Always telling Momma what to do, where she can go and when. No man’s ever gonna tell me what to do.”

  Ionna rolled her neck, the sound of bones popping sounded overly loud in the silence. “I think men are too much trouble, don’t you Bobbie? Always wanting something, but not giving nothin’ back in return. Make babies and run off, that’s what they do. I’m hungry. We got any hot dogs?”

  “Wouldn’t you rather have a nice steak?” Tabatha touched her forehead. “I think your fever is about gone.”

  Ionna moved her eyes slowly as if having trouble focusing. “I love you, Tabatha. Momma didn’t want you to give me those pills, but they made me feel good.”

  “Took the edge off, did they?” Tabatha laughed softly.

  “Did you hear me?” Ionna shouted. “I love you.”

  Tabatha drew her into a hug. “I love you too, Ionna. A whole bunch.”

  She nodded. “Okay. Just wanted to make sure you knew.”

  Tabatha glanced at Bobbie with tear-filled eyes. She drew the child into her arms and smoothed the damp hair out of her face. Bobbie feared Tabatha was growing too close to Ionna for her own good.

  Tabatha laughed quietly. “Now I know. Want to know a secret?”

  “Yeah, but don’t say it too loud.” Ionna brought her finger to her puckered lips. “Everyone can hear us.”

  Bobbie laughed. “I doubt there are too many secrets between Tab, Rhonda and me.”

  Tabatha smiled. “It will be between the four of us, okay? If I ever have a daughter, I’d want her to be just like you.”

  “I’ll be your daughter. Bobbie let Lexie be hers, and she really isn’t. You could do the same. Mr. Derek won’t mind.” She nodded and fell forward. “He likes me, I can tell.”

  Bobbie knelt down to gaze into Ionna’s eyes. “Honey, you have a mommy. You’re Agnes’ little girl. She loves you. She’s not going to just offer you up for grabs.”

  “Damn right!” Agnes stomped into the bedroom, rage twisting her expression. “Is this what you think? I’d give up my daughter to some Outsider? Get up, Ionna. You’re coming with me.”

  Tabatha shook her head. “Agnes, I would never do that.”

  Agnes shoved Tabatha aside. “I said, get your ass up and come on, Ionna!”

  “No.” Ionna shook her head and pushed herself unsteadily to her feet. “I had my first shift. I’m a grownup now. Isn’t that what you said? First shift, not your problem anymore.” She took one step forward and stumbled two steps back.

  The sound of Agnes gritting her teeth ran a chill down Bobbie’s spine. “Come along or I’ll drag you out of here by your hair.”

  “Do not let her have the child.” Aetheria’s voice was quiet but powerful. “Agnes will take her to your adversaries. The child will become a pawn to use against you.”

  Bobbie stood and paced a circle around Agnes. Was it right to keep Ionna from her mother? No, but Bobbie would be damned if she’d let the hag take the child to her father. “You’re not dragging her anywhere. Ionna can make her own decisions now. She’s free to choose as she will.” Bobbie stepped between the girl and her mother.

  Agnes stared out into the rain-soaked, and now deserted, common ground, wringing her hands.

  Bobbie’s gaze darted toward the tree line. Who was waiting? Watching? “Agnes, why do you want her out of here so badly? The storm, or is it something else?”

  “The storm.” Agnes swallowed hard. “What else?”

  “He’s not coming, Agnes.” Aetheria turned away from the window and walked closer. “He waits for numbers, others to fight his battles for him. He wants to rule, but is too weak or cowardly to face the Spirit Warriors to claim what he believes is his birthright.”

  “He’s not a coward! It is his birthright. He should be king.” Agnes spit at Bobbie’s feet.

  Rhonda jumped from her chair and came to stand at Bobbie’s side. “I think I remember Bobbie telling you if you spat on her floor again you’d be licking it up.”

  The woman bared her teeth and snarled at Rhonda. She shifted her gaze back to Bo
bbie. “There has never been a queen. Tattoo or not, she is nothing. You think Aetheria will protect you because you’re the favorite, but you’re wrong. And you two with your special magic,” Agnes sneered, “you’ll be as useless against my Verdun as the old woman.”

  Tabatha stood facing Bobbie. They raised their arms in the air, tattoos touching above Tabatha’s head, their eyes never leaving Agnes’ face. Flames circled their wrists, slowly enveloping the three of them from head to foot in a cocoon of blazing fire. A finger of flame shot out and touched Aetheria’s cheek. It was too late to protect her friends now. They were in this to the bloody end. Bobbie was surrounded by danger. On one of side of her stood a man she’d never met, who wanted her dead simply because he wanted to be king. On the other side stood Cuda, though she was beginning to believe his opposition was fading, his loyalty to his uncle lessening. But she could not be sure.

  Then there were the Guardians. “I should send you two home.”

  “We stand as one.” Tabatha didn’t sound like herself, almost trancelike.

  “And fight as one.” Rhonda’s voice was stronger. “The flame of our trust is something that will not die out.”

  Bobbie watched them, as one they lowered their arms, and the fire died down to a steady blue glow around them.

  “Go, Agnes.” Bobbie shook her head. “Find your lover and tell him I’m waiting. If he wishes to enter the Council House and ask the Spirit Warriors for supremacy over Clan Moran, I will not stand in his way. Should they deem him king, I will step down.”

  “No.” The woman’s eyes widened, her mouth gapping in horror. “You’ll kill him. You won’t give up the power. You’re just like your brother.” A strange smile twisted Agnes’ lips. “Verdun confronted him, but Elsu sent him away. He had to pay. You’ll pay like him and the same price, too.”

  Bobbie yanked the woman forward by her hair, staring eye to eye. “Are you saying Verdun killed Elsu?”

  Agnes tried to free herself from Bobbie’s grip, but Bobbie held on tightly. “Let me go. You have no right.”

  “You will answer my question.” Bobbie’s body shook with rage. Did she finally have the answer to a question she’d been asking since her brother’s death? Who and why? She swallowed the lump in her throat and clenched her teeth. “Did your half-breed lover murder my brother?”