“Never,” Willow retorted, and then laughed as I tickled her, trying to squirm away.
I was laughing, too. But it died on my lips as I rose my head, looking to the window. The snow had finally stopped and outside was a murky, dense night. Since the weather had warmed up somewhat, thin fog was coiling up from the snow.
“Are you going to let me go so I can finish?” Willow asked.
I heard it again. A soft footfall and my hackles went up.
“We have to go,” I said, squeezing her arms as I looked down at her.
Willow’s eyes flashed and her lips went tight. Drawing to her full height, she asked, “What is it? Who needs their ass kicked?”
A glow went through me even as my uneasiness increased. “I don’t know. Something’s wrong, though. I can hear something moving outside.”
Willow shook her head and then pulled free of my grip. “But the wards are holding, I’m pretty sure.” She stared out the window and then went rigid. “I think I saw someone.”
“Pale Eyes,” I snarled. “Willow, get dressed. We need to get out of here, now.”
“Burr, we can’t survive a night out there with Sorvang waiting on the other side of the wards. And in the freezing cold.” Willow gave me a calculating look. “Why can’t we drive them off?”
“Usually I could,” I grunted, pulling her with me out of the kitchen and towards her room. “But you know I can’t.”
“I can,” Willow said coldly.
“Really?” I asked her, as a wave of anger rushed through me. Both at Willow and myself. I’d spent the last two days acting like there was nothing wrong, forgetting about my brothers, Willow’s brothers and Sorvang. Not to mention my screwed-up abilities. “Do you know why the Skinwalker uses Pale Eyes?”
Willow shook her head as she pulled on a sweatshirt. “Easy prey?”
“For him, maybe. For us, not so much. Do you know how hard it is to fight them? The Skinwalker is using our compassion against us. Even when one pulled a gun out on Cree, he hesitated to attack back. And he’s lucky the bullet only grazed his thigh.
“One had a knife to Hazel’s throat once,” I rushed on, keeping a sharp ear on the outside. It was eerily quiet now. “Ben didn’t hesitate to fling himself at it, but not to kill. Never to kill. Just to knock him aside.” I paused and rubbed my face. “It’s not like fighting demons. Some part of you can sense their entrapment, their pain and confusion. It’s awful.”
Willow yanked on her socks and gave me a look. “I’ll do what’s necessary to keep you safe, Burr.”
“As would I, Lolo, but a victim of demon dark arts? You think you could, then?” Her gaze dropped. “No, you know you couldn’t, as I know you couldn’t. Humanity and compassion, that’s what works against us, but that also is what defines us.” I sighed. “Why else would we fight?”
When Willow looked back up, her eyes were red and she smiled. “You sound like Uncle Aspen.”
I smiled back. “Thank you. Now let’s go. Pack some extra socks and I’ll get a bag of food.”
“Where are we going to go?”
“Away from here for now. Maybe just to edge of your wards.”
“Can you hear anything now?” she asked.
“No,” I said. “I heard them in the distance, but now it’s all quiet.”
“So what’s the plan exactly?” Willow said as we moved into the kitchen and I grabbed a handful of power bars, stuffing them in her backpack. “Why are we packing?”
“Just in case we get stuck in the woods,” I muttered.
“So we have clothes and food, but no tents, no blankets?” Willow pointed out.
“I can always sniff out a cave.” I grinned at her. “We’ll keep each other warm.” Willow rolled her eyes as I continued. “Listen, you told me you have a decent snowmobile. We fill her up, then head for town and find someone you can trust to let us lay low. Someone who hopefully has a working phone.” I made a face. “I’m starting to think our troubles getting a message in or out is not simply due to bad weather. Let’s hope Fox and Juni managed to get a hold of Aunt Sil or…”
I trailed off as the words hung unspoken between us. But from the look in Willow’s eyes and the way her mouth went tight, I knew she was thinking the same thing.
Done packing, we snuck out onto the dim patio and quietly pulled on our outside gear. Willow stuffed her pockets with extra gloves and hats. When she stood up, she came over to me and draped a scarf around my neck, taking care to tuck it in, and I smiled at her.
“You are not leaving my side,” she said, her voice slightly harsh.
“No chance.” I pressed a quick kiss to her lips and then gestured with my head for us to leave.
Outside, the cold seemed to hit all at once and I shivered. Silent as shadows, we stole across the yard to the shed and Willow went inside first. I gave a quick look around and then followed her.
The silence was starting to fray my nerves. Uneasily I wondered if it was here, then stopped myself. I had to focus on one step at a time.
Willow was almost done topping off the snowmobile and then glanced at the doorway and grimaced. The snow was nearly at knee level and she shook her head.
Patting her on the shoulder, I flexed and she whacked me, then began to roll it forward with my help. Close to the door, we lifted the nose together and propped it on the top of the snow. It sank and refused to budge as we tried to shove it forward.
Nudging Willow out of the way, I dug deep, praying my strength would show up, and heaved. Nothing happened. Clenching my jaw, I tried again and power flowed through me. Lifting up the snowmobile, I got it out into the yard and pushed it forward.
Quickly Willow pulled the double doors shut behind us. I was in the driver’s seat when she turned around and she made a face.
“Get on,” I hissed softly.
“When is the last time you drove one of these?” she hissed back as she climbed on, her arms wrapping around my waist. “When you were seventeen?”
“Last year or so,” I whispered back, though I wasn’t exactly sure. “Get ready. I’m sure they’ll come as soon as we go.”
Willow nodded as I turned it on and hit the throttle. It roared to life, the front lights cutting through the night as we lurched forward. Frowning, I studied Willow’s front yard and then hit the brake.
“What the hell, Burr?” Willow whispered. “Why did you…”
She must have looked over my shoulder at the front yard. Standing there, like a collection of statues, were a handful of Pale Eyes. I didn’t understand how I hadn’t heard them until I glanced at the ground. The snow was becoming slushy and soft, muffling their footsteps.
“What are they doing?” she asked, a tinge of nervousness in her voice.
“Waiting,” I said grimly as I tried to spot the quickest way through them without running someone over. “Waiting for their instructions.”
Revving the engine, I cut it hard and drove us around the other side of her house. Instantly they began to move, running after us, and I heard Willow yelp.
“Damn, that is creepy,” she said, barely audible over the rush of the wind. “Go that way.”
Nodding, I headed for the road, even as my instincts began to niggle at me. There’s no way the road won’t be blocked.
Yelling back to her, I asked, “Is there another way besides the road?”
Willow’s voice sounded worried in my ear. “Yeah, but it’s dangerous. We have to cut through the mountains and hope that none of the passes are blocked. And it adds about four hours.”
“We don’t have a choice. Tell me where to go.”
“Head northwest, right towards those woods. There’s a path,” she told me. “You should have let me drive, I know these woods.”
Realizing she was right, I braked hard and got off. “Quick, now.”
She moved forward and I was about to get back on when she cried out, “Burr!”
I was knocked to the ground by a tall, gangly man. For an instant my heart stop
ped as I saw the dark hair, but it wasn’t Juni. It’s not Juni!
Hurling him off me with a snarl, I kicked his feet out from under him as he reached in his jacket. My fist flew out and connected with his jaw. Unconscious, he slumped in the snow and I grimaced, wanting to tear apart that Skinwalker with my bare hands. I hate this!
But looking up, I saw shadows moving towards us and I jumped onto the snowmobile behind Willow. “Go, go!” I called out.
Instantly we shot off, heading into the dark woods. I had an impression of snowy branches, creaking trees and a narrow, white path twisting and turning. The air got colder as we went deeper into the mountains and I knew the instant we passed through the wards. Willow’s entire body went rigid as she glanced from side to side.
“Just watch the path,” I told her. “I got this.”
Glancing around, I kept an eye the cliffs and trees for any tell-tale signs of Sorvang or the Skinwalker. Hours passed and neither appeared. The woods remained empty and dark.
My body was growing stiffer by the moment holding onto Willow, and my side ached. Eyes growing heavy, I had to force myself to stay awake, but more than once, my eyes fell shut. We must have been driving for almost three hours at this point.
Suddenly I was enveloped in cold and I opened my eyes onto white snow.
“Burr!” Willow’s voice was frantic in the distance and I heard the snowmobile engine cut out. “Burr!”
I groaned as she rolled me over onto my back. “Five more minutes?”
“Oh, God, Burr. Are you okay? You idiot!” she snapped.
Wincing, I sat up and my entire body ached. “Yeah. Sorry, my bad.”
“We’re almost there, come on.” Willow pointed at the sky. “Look, dawn is coming. Just hold on a little longer.”
Slinging an arm around me, Willow tried to pull me upright, then staggered and fell into me. I shook my head. “You’re exhausted, too. Come on. A minute to breathe. Eat.”
Going over to the snowmobile, she rummaged through her bag which we’d tied to the rack, and pulled out two bars. Tossing one to me, she leaned against the snowmobile and gazed up at the sky. It was a pale, dreamy silver, beginning to be shot through with hues of lavender and rose.
“I can’t believe this is happening again,” she muttered.
Standing up, somewhat gingerly, I limped over and sat next to her. Wrapping an arm around her, I whispered, “No, it’s not. I’ll be fine.”
Swallowing, Willow nodded and said in a low voice. “You will be.”
“I do think I need rest. Is there anywhere we could go for a little while?” I asked, rubbing my face. “God, why am I so exhausted?”
“It is a reminder,” said an old and crackling voice.
We both jumped, Willow pulling a gun out of nowhere and aiming it around at the woods. Before I could even process that, a small, hunched figure appeared on that path. It was swathed in gray and blue, with a furred hood and bony fingers gripping a staff.
“Don’t come a step closer,” Willow warned, releasing the safety and cocking it.
“It’s not a Pale Eye,” I whispered.
“That will go right through me, girlie,” the old creature clucked. “I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to warn you.” She hit the staff on the ground. “Shifter, Sorvang still has you in her web.”
“Who are you?” Willow demanded.
Sighing, the little woman pushed back her hood and wind rushed around us. We both drew in a breath. Her face was wrinkled and there was a dark scar across one side of her face. The other side was tattooed in a pattern of lovely swirls and mountains. Yet her dark, fathomless eyes, filled with ageless wisdom, gave her away.
It was a Wind Dweller. A spirit of the high air of the mountains.
“Like all White-Eagles, you’re impatient,” the Wind Dweller said. “If you were a bit more like your mother’s people, Willow, you would have known me for what I was.”
“I’m sorry,” Willow lowered the gun and her head. “Please forgive me. I didn’t realize – you’re right. I know this is no excuse, but I’m afraid for–”
“Your young man, here, yes I know. Burr Santana. How a Montana Coyote Shifter wound up in my mountains is a tale I’d like to know.” Her eyes twinkled. “Although I know some of it. Quite romantic, I must say.”
“Do you know what happened to me?” I asked. “And would you tell me?”
Her robes ruffled like irritated feathers and the Wind Dweller shook her head. “Only bits and pieces. A few weeks ago, a shadow stole across the land, but then it vanished quickly after. Foolishly, we assumed all was well. And then Sorvang appeared.” The Wind Dweller shuddered. “How she got out, I do not know. But I do know one thing – she is after you, Coyote, and she will destroy this valley in order to find you. You’ve noticed the storms, I presume,” she finished dryly.
“Got out?” Willow asked as she stowed the gun away.
“Three thousand years ago, Sorvang was banished to the Deadlands. Imprisoned there and rightly so.” The Wind Dweller made a face and the wind hissed around us. “Even for an aarsrivak, she is insatiable and cruel. Once she terrorized this land.”
“Do you know who let her out?” Willow asked.
“I think I know,” I said, my stomach clenching. “I think I brought this darkness to Torlieu.”
“Well, don’t take too much credit, young Coyote,” the Wind Dweller harrumphed. “It’s not like you let her out. But, these storms! It’s Sorvang!” The spirit became agitated and the tress around us swayed in the wind. “She has taken up residency in my mountains, she lassos my young breezes and whips them into frenzy. The valley cannot survive this much longer. That’s why I’ve sought you out. I managed to mislead her – away from you two – but that won’t last much longer.”
“He’s hurt, Wind Dweller,” Willow said softly. “I have to get him healed. That spider witch did something to him.”
“Bound his gifts with her dark arts, yes. I can see that.” The spirit sighed and the wind echoed it. “I feared as much. I could hear her cackling up in the caves.” She pointed at a tall peak in the distance. “Knew it boded no good to hear the dip of a brush.”
“Do you know how to break this binding?” I asked.
“Is not your mother Nikita an angakkuq, Willow?” The Wind Dwelller was looking at Willow in curiosity and annoyance. “You should have the gifts, too.”
Willow’s fists clenched. “Nothing I do works!”
“That’s not true, Lolo,” I said, gripping her wrist. “You did something that helped me shift back. And your touch drives away the pain from the mark.”
“The mark?” The Wind Dweller came closer. “What does it look like?”
“A straight line on top, which goes down and comes up and over as a triangle. When I first saw it, it looked like it was drawn there with ash…” Willow’s voice trailed off as we looked at each other.
“The Skinwalker,” I said. “He let her out and gave her something to bind my powers.”
“Blood of an Ash Walker, I bet,” the spirit said grimly. “One of my winds scented something foul three weeks ago.” She gave me a wondering look. “How are you still alive? That blood should have eaten you from the inside out.”
“I’m fine,” I retorted “Willow must be keeping it at bay.”
“But not for long,” the Wind Dweller replied. “Ash Walker blood is poison for shifters. It’s poison for most creatures, even me. Although a notable exception would be an aarsrivak.”
“We have to get you to Ben,” Willow said, clutching at my sleeve. “Before it’s too late.”
“I dunno,” the Wind Dweller shrugged and the wind whirled up the snow in little eddies. “If Nikita’s daughter wasn’t able to do anything, would another healer? May be a dead man walking.”
Willow whirled on the spirit and snapped, “Don’t say things like that.”
“Hey, I don’t want him to die. He’s a good man and connected to all the airs. Plus, he’s easy on the eyes.
Otherwise I wouldn’t have wasted my time.” The Wind Dweller sounded affronted.
“We’re wasting time standing around jabbering!” Willow exclaimed. “Let’s go.”
“Sorry, Wind Dweller, she doesn’t mean it,” I said, patting Willow’s fist gripping my shirt. “You’ve been more than helpful, thank you.”
“Yeah, thanks I guess,” Willow muttered.
“Will you give us cover until we get further away from here?” I asked politely, wishing I could muzzle Willow for five minutes before she brought the wrath of the mountains on us.
“Of course. I was going to do that anyways. Just promise me you’ll come back and get this pest out of my lands!” the Wind Dweller exclaimed.
“I promise,” I said solemnly, and the spirit smiled at me. “Before we go – is there anything else you can think of that we need to know? Your information has been so helpful. I don’t know what we would do without it.”
“Really, Burr?” Willow muttered. “Flirting, now?”
“Oh, if I were a few thousand years younger.” The spirit fanned herself. “Well, I’ll say this. I don’t much always care for the humans in my valley, but they’re better than most. Care about the wilderness, don’t litter too much and take care of each other. I don’t want them to get hurt.” She paused, wringing her hands, while her staff floated next to her. “Oh. And my misdirection won’t last for much longer. You’re outside White-Eagle lands – Sorvang can find you now. But she won’t wait. Like I said, she’ll just start destroying the valley to make you show your face.”
I nodded, my heart squeezing as I glanced over at Willow.
“Thank you, Wind Dweller,” Willow managed to get out.
“Humph. Don’t be surprised if I knock a few shingles off that new roof of yours for that lip, girlie.” And with that, the spirit vanished in a whirl of snow, as the trees above danced in a frenzy and then went still.
“Really, Willow?” I turned to her. “You had to mouth off to a helpful spirit?”
“Humph.” Willow mocked the spirit’s tone. “How do we even know we can trust her?”
At that moment, a tree creaked overhead and snow landed in a pile on Willow. She gasped and shook herself off as I unsuccessfully tried not to laugh.
HOTSHOT BROTHERS: Coyote Shifters Page 44
