Fugue Macabre: Bone Dance

by C. J. Parker

  Tabatha returned to the journal and read the lines she’d have to chant.

  Damn, I should have memorized this stuff before now. This is no time to embarrass myself in front of my friends, and it damned well isn’t the time to screw anything up.

  She drew herself to her knees and placed the book in her back pocket when she heard the whoosh of flame behind her. Everyone gathered around the metal sheet, trying to keep the wind from blowing it away. Horizontal rain pelted their backs, but Tabatha noticed they managed to keep it from hitting the mixture. She helped smear the paste onto the metal sheeting. Aetheria laid a long handled hoe to the side and placed her foot on the handle to keep it there.

  Tabatha lifted the metal sheet with the concoction over the flames with the men’s help. “Do not inhale the fumes. Move away.”

  Derek pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it to Tabatha. She held it against her mouth and nose, and, for a short moment, she allowed herself to draw in his scent of English Leather aftershave and man. Picking up the hoe, she raked the mixture back and forth until it became gray grit, then a powder. Troy, Derek and Kangee carefully pulled it from the fire, touching only the cooler corners and placed it on the ground.

  Tabatha’s head spun from just the little bit of the powder she’d accidentally inhaled. “When it’s cooled enough to handle, fold the sheet in half so we can dribble a fine line inside the circle Troy made. Try to keep it dry until it hits the ground.”

  Rhonda knelt at the edge of the sheeting, closed her eyes and rocked back and forth. Within seconds, the heat had dissipated. “You can handle it now.”

  “Good job, Rhonda.” Troy’s lips turned up in what appeared to be a satisfied smile.

  “How close are they?” Tabatha glanced at Bobbie.

  Bobbie lifted her nose into the air. “The Outsiders must be having a hard time. The muck and debris is probably slowing everyone down.”

  The sound of the metal being bent by Derek and Troy caught Tabatha’s attention. “Don’t let any of the powder get on you.”

  She rushed to the fold at the front and used the hoe to knock the powder away from the edge. “Walk it over to the circle. Don’t spill any of it. We have none to waste.”

  Tabatha guided the tip over the line. “Rhonda on one side, Bobbie on the other. Let the men carry the weight of it. Guys, hold it at an angle so it will drop out evenly.”

  Tabatha inhaled deeply and lowered the T-shirt over her mouth and nose again. “Beautiful Belladonna, blur their sight and disorient their thoughts. Master Hemlock, rob their strength and weaken their resolve. Holy Monkshood, steal their air, no oxygen can they have.” Her voice came out in a muffled mumble from behind the T-shirt.

  The metal sheet was within three inches of filling the complete circle when the flow stopped. Rhonda and Bobbie hit the sides harder and Derek and Troy lifted the sheeting at a sharper angle. But no more residue came sliding down.

  “Damn!” Tabatha ran the full circle until coming to an area where the powder was deeper than the rest.

  Troy reached down with his bare hand to dredge out a bit of it.

  Tabatha pushed him away. “Don’t touch it. Everything I called for will strike you.”

  She grabbed a leaf from the ground, pulled the tails of her shirt out from her jeans and searched for a dry spot, then wiped the leaf as free of moisture as possible. She scooped a bit of the mixture from one spot then another. Carefully, she walked over to the empty section and gently scattered the last grains. When the two halves of the line joined, it burst with so much heat and power it blew everyone backward knocking Tabatha on her backside.

  Derek rushed to her side.

  “It is done.” She sagged wearily. “It won’t stop them from entering, but they will feel the effects. It’s the only advantage I can offer us.”

  “When they cross over the line…” Rhonda pointed at the circle, “…if the rains aren’t too heavy, I can cause a ring of fire to block them.” As if by command of Rhonda’s words, the sky opened up again and rain drenched them.

  “We have a problem.” Troy choked on the sudden downpour. “Your people are still too far away to get here in time. The cats are closer. How will they cross the barrier?”

  “They can, but they will feel the effects of the magic. This will make them vulnerable,” Tabatha answered as Derek helped her to her feet.

  Aetheria walked the edge of the circle and nodded her approval. “Your weapons will be freed. The Spirit Warriors will be bound to your service. But you must ask before they can join the fight.”

  Bertha hugged each of them. “Aetheria, Troy and I are not allowed help you with this. We must leave you now.” She smiled at Tabatha. “I have been watching the men in the woods. They are clumsy and weak.”

  Aetheria shook her head. “Troy has vowed his servitude to Rhonda. He may stay.”

  Bertha laughed. “I should have known. So be it.” She took Tabatha in her arms and whispered in her ear. “I am with you always. All you have to do is call my name, and I will be by your side.”

  “Be safe, Bertha. That’s all I need from you.” The idea of losing Bertha nearly ripped Tabatha’s heart from her chest. She was the one constant in her life, the one person who hadn’t hurt her. “I love you, Bertha.”

  “I know, baby girl, I know.”

  “I have another question.” Troy glanced around him. “How do we get out of this ward ourselves?”

  “Tabatha,” Derek started, “has to break the chain of power.”

  Tabatha watched as Aetheria and Bertha crossed over with no ill effects and released a sigh of relief. “Where’s Ionna?”

  “She sleeps.” Aetheria gestured with a wave of her hand toward the house. “We will take her to the tree house with us. She will be safe.”

  Tabatha’s relief was palpable. “Pray for us, Bertha.”

  Bertha turned and smiled. “Always, baby girl. God always listens to our prayers.”

  Tabatha waited until she couldn’t see them anymore. She was thankful they were going to the tree house where they would be safe and would protect Ionna.

  Without a word, everyone took their places beside their mates. Tabatha’s insides twisted and rolled.

  “Hey guys.” Rhonda looked down at her feet. “I have to pee.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “What?” Bobbie shouted. “Why didn’t you think of that before we trapped ourselves in here? Good lord, Rhonda, only you would have to pee at a time like this.” She searched around the circle of magic holding them prisoner, yet giving them a measure of safety.

  Snorting with laughter, Troy turned his back to Rhonda.

  “I can’t break the ward, Rhonda.” Tabatha ran her fingers though her wet hair.

  Derek shook his head. “Go behind the fire pit. We won’t watch.”

  “Come on, guys. I’m kidding.” Rhonda laughed so hard tears filled her eyes. “I know this is serious, but they’re not here. We may have a couple of hours yet. Calm down.” She sat on the wall of the fire pit and stretched out her legs. “We can’t stand around all tensed waiting for the sword to drop or we’ll drive ourselves crazy.”

  The rain stopped as suddenly as it had started. “That didn’t last long,” Tabatha mumbled. “Thank God.”

  “Guess this was all a false alarm?” The baritone voice from the woods sent Bobbie’s heart racing in an instant. Kangee placed his hand on her shoulder.

  “It’s Hylton, the leader of the cats.”

  Hylton stalked toward them, muscles rolling, eyeing each in turn but stopped at the ward line and backed away. He squinted suspiciously at them. “What is this?”

  Bobbie returned his once over. Six foot of muscle and sinew, Hylton’s tawny hair hung to his hips but lifted in a gust of wind. His green stare held an intensity she understood all too well. He bore his responsibility on his broad shoulders.

  “Hello, Hylton. I’m Bobbie Luckman.” She raised her hand to take his but thought better of it when the first ting
le of magic from the circle touched her fingertips.

  He bowed low. “Queen Moran, isn’t it? I met your brother prior to his death. May I express my condolences on your loss? I, too, feel less without him.”

  Bobbie allowed herself a moment of grief before walking close to the edge. “Thank you. I understand you had become friends.”

  He nodded, and he glanced down at the narrow line on the ground separating them. “What is this?”

  “It’s a ward to slow down the men who are coming. Unfortunately, you can’t cross without it affecting you, too.” Bobbie glanced behind him hopping to see an army. “Why are you alone?”

  “I had just returned to my village to make sure all my people had left and was told of your troubles.”

  “Troubles?” Bobbie smiled ruefully. “Yes, that would pretty much describe it. Seems we have a spy or two among us, and they informed our enemies when we would be vulnerable. Will your cats come back to help?”

  “On their way. It may take fifteen minutes or so for them to make it the rest of the way. But they will come. We owe a great deal to your brother and, in his stead, you. Do you intend to keep his promise?”

  “Promise?” Bobbie tried to remember what Kangee had told her. “You mean letting you stay on the land my brother gave you?”

  “I do.” His body tensed as he awaited Bobbie’s answer.

  “Hylton, that land is yours. If you would feel more secure having the deed, once this is over you’ll have it. It’s your home for as long as you choose. My only stipulation is if you decide to leave, the land comes back to me.”

  He nodded again. “So be it.” His gaze hardened, his brow crinkled as he searched each face as if trying to see the depths of their souls. “Which one is the witch?”

  Tabatha released a wearisome sigh. “I am not a witch.”

  Hylton raised his one eyebrow and didn’t appear to believe her. “Then how do you wield such strong spells to hold away those not protected?”

  She withdrew the journal from her hip pocket and held it up. “My grandfather was a great sorcerer. He left me this book with the how-to, sort of like a cookbook. I follow directions.”

  Lexie rushed out of the swamp toward them until Hylton grabbed her up by the waist. “Stop.”

  “Let me down, you big oaf. The man that killed Momma and Daddy is coming.” She kicked Hylton in the shin and scratched at his arms. “Let me go.”

  Stephen tore out of the woods, jumping on Hylton’s back with a snarl of fury. “Get your hands off my girl, or I’ll rip your head off.”

  “Stephen, get off him. Lexie, stop it!” Bobbie huffed.

  Good grief, what next?

  “He’s trying to keep you from the ward. Now, calm down and tell me why you two aren’t at the shelter.”

  “I told you I was staying. I’m not leaving you.” She gave Hylton one last kick before he placed her on her feet. Stephen slid off Hylton’s back and stood at Lexie’s side.

  “Lexie, the hurricane is almost on us. It’s not safe here for you or Stephen.” What the hell did she have to do to get them to obey her?

  The girl’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think I give a shit about some old storm? I survived Katrina. This is nothing. The real reason you don’t want us here is because Scarface is coming.”

  Bobbie turned her attention away from Lexie, and addressed Hylton. “His men will charge into the circle not realizing anything is amiss. We will fight them back to the edge. If they cross back over, they are yours to finish off, Hylton.”

  “And me?” Stephen looked away quickly when her angry gaze met his.

  If Bobbie could’ve gotten her hands on him at that moment, she would’ve broken his neck. “I should have you tied to a tree, boy. I’m furious with you for letting Lexie stay here, much less you staying. How stupid can you possibly be? You’re older than she is. You’re supposed to be smarter than this.”

  He took a step forward, stopped only by Hylton’s meaty forearm. He bared his teeth and snarled. “How successful have you been getting her to do what she doesn’t want to do?” The boy lifted an eyebrow when she didn’t answer. “You stay, she stays. She stays, I stay. That’s all there is to it. You don’t like it, well, there’s not much more you can do about it than I could. But feel free, your highness, to try.”

  “Stephen!” Kangee shouted. “Show some respect.”

  Stephen turned to him, hands fisted, mouth turned down in a frown. “Forgive me, Kangee, but she needs to show a little to get a little.”

  Bobbie stared at Stephen. He was no child but a man protecting the woman he loved. She glanced at the fury in Lexie’s eyes. “Get in the house with Ionna, Lexie.”

  “I will not!” Her face twisted with indignation. “I saw Scarface kill my mom and dad when I was too young to stop it from happening. He’s mine. I’m not a child now.”

  “No! You will do as I say.” Bobbie frantically cursed the ward keeping her away from Lexie. Tears sprang to her eyes no matter how hard she fought them. “You don’t understand. They’ll kill you.”

  “Lexie has the right to stay.” Aetheria walked from around the house and stood at the girl’s side.

  Stunned, Bobbie watched as the old woman wrapped Lexie in her frock and stepped over the line into the circle.

  Terror nearly stopped the beating of Bobbie’s heart. “What are you doing?”

  Aetheria looked down her nose at Bobbie if that was even possible from the shorter woman. “She understands the risks, she may stay.”

  Bobbie’s skin tightened around her muscles. She had never wanted to scratch the old woman’s eyes out in all the years she’d known her but she did now. “I will not have my daughter killed, do you understand me, woman?”

  Aetheria’s gaze flashed fire. “Then do your best to protect her, child, but she has a right to serve justice on the man who took her parents from her!”

  “Get me in there.” Stephen frantically paced the line, his eyes darting to find a hole in the ward. “Let me in there, damn it, or I’ll rush it. I have to protect Lexie.”

  “Too late.” Troy glanced toward the swamps. “They’re coming.”

  “Come on, boy! You hit this side, I’ll perch there.” Hylton pointed to a high Water Oak. “We’ll wait for their retreat.” He bared his teeth in a nasty grin. “And scare the hell out of them.”

  He shifted so quickly, he was human one second, a blur of black fur and teeth the next. He leapt onto the lowest limb of a nearby gum tree and over the ward to land on the other side, settling midway up the Water Oak. Looking relaxed, he flicked his tail back and forth, as he ran his tongue over his lips.

  Lexie grasped Bobbie’s arm. “You’ve got to let him in. Please, Bobbie. I know you’re angry with me, but he has no protection out there. I love him.” She slapped her hand over her mouth.

  “Finally.” A slow smile spread over Stephen’s face. “I love you, too, Lexie. I will be back for you.”

  Hylton’s bored voice droned from overhead. “This is very touching, but couldn’t we settle this later?”

  Stephen grinned, and following Hylton’s example, shifted, albeit slower. His eyes never left Lexie’s face as white fur sprang from his pores broken intermittently by black stripes. His ears lengthened, his eyes rounded. The front of his face expanded forward.

  “Oh, my.” Rhonda’s eyes widened. “He’s a white tiger.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “We’ve got more trouble.” Rhonda shifted her weight from foot to foot.

  Bobbie glanced over at Rhonda’s alarmed gaze to where she was pointing. Water rolled in around the house and began to circle the fire pit.

  “The surge is coming in.” A gust of wind slammed into Rhonda, knocking her off her feet.

  A rush of fear-fed adrenaline sent Bobbie’s heart into overdrive. Bobbie grabbed Rhonda, stopping her from sliding across the protective line, the ash circle now floating on the rising waters and not following the flow. The rain started again, a gentle rate at first
then harder as each second ticked by.

  Tabatha withdrew two vials from her backpack and muttered a spell while tossing the contents into an arc over the area.

  Nothing happened.

  Leaning over nearly double, Tabatha pulled the journal out of her back pocket. She slammed the book into the bag and swiped her hair out of her face with an unusual show of anger. “I can’t do a spell in the circle of another. I can’t shelter us from the storm.”

  When Bobbie heard a twig snap to her left, then another in front of her, her heart jumped from high speed to a near stop nearly leaving skid marks on her ribs.

  “They’re here.” Bobbie walked the circle like a caged animal. “You’ve come all this way to kill us. What are you waiting for?” Bobbie cocked her head to one side then the other as if listening.

  Rhonda splashed forward to stand beside Bobbie, her face contorted into a bitter expression of disgust.

  “Look at him.” Rhonda jabbed her thumb in Troy’s direction. “All pasty faced. Big bad homicide cop is afraid. Some help he’ll be.”

  Bobbie slipped her arm around her friend, and stifled an urge to laugh. How Rhonda had changed in the last months. No longer the little mouse afraid of her own shadow. This Rhonda was ready to rumble. Bobbie didn’t know whether to be happy or sad for the innocence lost.

  Tabatha sloshed to her other side. Derek and Troy continued to prowl the boundary.

  “What’s the plan?” Derek crouched low, looking under the trees and bushes.

  “We wait. They’ll either attack or leave.” Tabatha returned her attention to the woodland. “I wish they’d make up their minds.”

  Rhonda choked on the downpour of rain running down her face into her mouth. “Don’t wish your life away, woman.

  Rhonda’s gaze darted from Bobbie’s to Tabatha’s. She started forward but stopped and looked down. The water already reached mid-calf. “This is ridiculous. If someone doesn’t make the first move, we’re going to drown and it won’t matter.”

  Rhonda’s face brightened as a slow smile spread across her face. What the hell was Rhonda up to?