The Man from Forever

by Vella Munn

  What did he mean by that? But if she acted too curious, that would only feed his overactive imagination. Pretending a disinterest she was far from feeling, she wiped the back of her hand over her forehead and said something about how hot it was. Fenton agreed.

  “I don’t suppose you want to tell me what you’re doing out here?” he said after a silence that felt laced with tension and danger.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “About why someone who has already been given the grand tour of Fern Cave would come out here again when she knows she can’t get in on her own.”

  “You’re letting your imagination run away with you, Fenton. Look, why don’t we both lay our cards on the table? You want to wrangle an introduction to Dr. Grossnickle through me, don’t you? In fact, you’re thinking that knowing me might lead to working for the Alsea project in some capacity.” When he didn’t say anything, she planted her hands on her hips and shook her head. “I don’t have that kind of pull. Neither does Dr. Grossnickle. Both of us are university employees. If you want to be part of things, you need to talk to them. I wish I could help you but—”

  “Not anymore, Tory.”

  “What?”

  “I’m no longer interested in Alsea because something much better is happening here.”

  Fear raced through her, numbed her to what she should say or do next.

  Fenton held up his binoculars, taunted her with them really. “I’m no fool, Tory. Almost from the first I didn’t buy your excuses for staying here. There’s something else going on.”

  “Is there?”

  “Yeah. Something, or someone.”

  Her throat constricted, leaving her incapable of speaking. “Let me tell you what I saw today,” Fenton went on. “I followed you. I’m not going to deny that. After some of the other things I’ve seen you doing, I’d be a fool not to keep my eyes and ears peeled.” He held the binoculars up to his eyes and made a show of focusing on something in the distance.

  “What did you see?” she asked. The time for evading and avoiding had ended. She needed to learn everything she possibly could.

  “You. You weren’t there for the longest time. I searched. Believe me, I stared through those damn things until I thought I was going to go blind. I almost turned around and left, but I didn’t because you had to be somewhere, and I was going to find out where or die trying.”

  Find out where she’d been? Just the thought of Fenton stumbling across Wa’hash made her sick. “I hope the senator will understand why you weren’t attending to business.” She shouldn’t taunt him, but the man had pushed her against a wall and striking out came instinctively.

  “Oh, I think he’s going to be delighted—if I decide to let him in on this. Let me tell you who I did see while I was waiting for you to appear.”

  No! No!

  “A naked man, nearly naked anyway. That ‘ghost’ that people keep talking about, the one that’s got Black so stirred up. He was pretty damn far away. Even with these—” he indicated his binoculars “—he wasn’t much more than a speck. But he was there. He was!”

  No!

  “You’ve got nothing to say, Tory?” His superior smirk spread over his face until she itched to rip it away. “Yeah, well, maybe you don’t. What is it? Who is he?”

  He didn’t know, not really. Not yet. Carefully monitoring her every movement, she cocked her head slightly to one side. She could only pray he’d buy her casual stance and not sense the turmoil she felt inside. “Not much more than a speck, did you say? Are you sure you’re not letting your imagination get out of control?”

  “No!” Fenton insisted. Still, she thought she caught a little doubt in his eyes. “There’s got to be something to all these ghost rumors. There’s just got to be.”

  “Ghosts? Come on, Fenton.”

  “Don’t give me that! You’ve been all over this place, jeopardizing your job, acting—acting mighty strange.”

  He didn’t know anything for sure. She had to remember that, build on his uncertainty. But how? “What do you mean by strange? Just because I like to spend time out here by myself? Look, I’ve had some pretty intense dealings with people lately. A lot of pressure. I needed some R and R.”

  “I don’t buy it.”

  Fenton reminded her too much of a bulldog. “I can’t help that.” In an effort to let him know she’d grown tired of this conversation, she made a show of playing with her car keys. “What are you going to do? Tell either Dr. Grossnickle or the senator that I’ve been off communicating with some, some what?”

  Uncertainty again flickered in Fenton’s eyes. A moment later, it was gone, replaced by rigid determination and anger. “You think I’m going to make a fool of myself, don’t you? At least that’s what you’re hoping. But how do you explain why you spent the night on Schonchin Butte—without so much as a sleeping bag or flashlight? You weren’t alone. Damn it, you weren’t alone!”

  He doesn’t know. Don’t forget—he’s fishing. “Wasn’t I?”

  “No, damn it. Something’s happening around here. Something that can’t be explained. But he exists. I saw him today.”

  “He?”

  “Yeah.” A frown flickered across his features. “Maybe he’s some deranged joker, but I don’t think so. You wouldn’t be looking and acting the way you are if he was just some nut case.”

  “And how am I looking and acting?” she asked, although that was the last thing she wanted to do.

  “Like someone who’s seen a ghost. Like a woman with a lover.”

  The rest of the day passed in a blur. Part of it was, Tory knew, because she’d spent too much time out in the sun. But that wasn’t all of it, not by a long shot. Like someone who’s seen a ghost. Like a woman with a lover. Fenton was still trying to find the pieces of the puzzle; she didn’t dare ever forget that. But his curiosity, his determination to get to the truth of things, seemed to know no bounds. Now that he’d actually glimpsed Loka, he wouldn’t quit until he had proof of his existence that he could take to the press, that he could exploit.

  Unless—

  For the first time since she’d returned to her cabin, Tory faced up to what she was doing. Although it had taken her from late afternoon until dark to make the hard decision, she’d finally finished packing her duffel bag. She was ready to leave.

  She had to. It was the only way she could ensure Loka’s safety.

  Heart hurting, she walked over to the nearest window and stared out at the just-emerging moon. It seemed to have been waiting for her before spreading its soft silver light over The Smiles Of God.

  She loved this land. Without her knowing how it had happened, it had found a home deep inside her. Lonely and desolate to those who didn’t understand its magic, it appealed to her in a way no other place ever had. In so many ways, the lava beds had never left that harsh winter of 1873. Yes, there was the park headquarters with its easy communication with the rest of the world, but as soon as she left that, the past reached out to absorb her. To enrich her.

  And maybe the truth was, the spell had been cast by Loka, Eagle, Wolf, Grizzly, Kumookumts and Kiuka.

  How could she leave?

  Because she didn’t dare stay. Because that was the only way she could hope to protect Loka.

  Loka, who was more important than Wa’hash.

  She tried to turn away so she wouldn’t have to look at the moon and the world painted by it, but she couldn’t. She loved her parents, deeply respected Dr. Grossnickle, was grateful for good friendships, had thought herself in love a few times in her life. But nothing had ever felt like this.

  Loka was her life. Savage and primitive, wise beyond her comprehension. Part of this land, the essence of Native American spirituality.

  Their hearts had touched, blended, and because of that, she’d been able to step into his world. She’d seen Eagle and heard Wolf. Sensed what of himself Kiuka had left behind. Learned of Kumookumts’s power and wisdom. Fallen in love.

  And now she had to le
ave.

  Despite her awful resolve, several more minutes passed before she forced herself to turn from the window. Spotting the two eagle feathers still on her bed, she wove them into her hair, crying a little at the memory of how they’d gotten into her possession. While she was packing, she hadn’t allowed herself to think about where Loka might be tonight. Now she did. If he’d changed his mind about not putting an end to the threat she represented, he might be waiting outside right now. Still, she couldn’t believe that.

  For at least the fourth time, she reached for the bag that held her scant possessions. Then she looked around, trying to imagine Loka in here. He’d indicated little interest in the cabin’s interior, making her guess he’d explored it while it lay empty and found little to interest him. Still, she’d like to show him some of the improvements in housing that had become commonplace since his time. The idea of taking him to a city boggled her mind. She tried to imagine him walking down a street flanked by skyscrapers, stepping into an elevator, riding in a car, but the images only made her shudder.

  You belong here where the wind blows and carries the scent of sage. Where Eagle can always find you and you can reach out to him. It’s lonely—oh, Loka, I know how lonely you are. But you’re safe here.

  Refusing to give in to the tears she knew would incapacitate her, she opened the door and stepped outside. The wilderness surrounded her. From here, she couldn’t see so much as a single man-made light. The moon was full, giving her an accurate if muted view of the trail leading to civilization. She could have turned on a flashlight, but she needed this final experience—these last minutes alone in Loka’s world.

  I love you. I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve fallen in love with you and everything you represent.

  I will never forget you.

  Both owls and coyotes were singing their ageless songs tonight. Remembering Loka’s explanation that they warned of danger, she tried to find something to fear in the sound, but coyotes and owls were such a natural part of this land that she couldn’t.

  She was going back to the Oregon coast where what everyone concurred was the discovery of the century waited for her, but the prospect did nothing to lighten her heart. Although she would again be surrounded by the people who’d become friends as well as colleagues, she would feel more alone than she did tonight.

  You have your past, your people’s spirits, Eagle and Kumookumts. I have…nothing.

  “Tory.”

  Although his was the only voice she might ever want to hear, she nearly turned and ran. She’d already said her silent goodbye to him, had somehow found the courage to leave the lava beds. How dare he force her to go through that agony again?

  “You leave?” he asked as he emerged from the night, his voice both a shaft of lightning and the faintest touch of a downy feather.

  “Yes.”

  She waited for him to ask why. When he didn’t, she guessed he already knew. To make this easier, she tried to tell herself he must be glad, but that was before he stepped close enough to take the duffel bag out of her hand and drop it to the ground.

  The moon—an artist’s brush really—caught him in all his wild glory. His form spoke of endless strength, of oneness with his world, but he wasn’t just a warrior who had somehow survived beyond his time.

  He was also the man she’d fallen in love with.

  “I have to.” She hated the telltale emotion in her voice, but she couldn’t hide what she felt.

  “Because you must go to that other place?”

  “No, not that. Not only that.”

  She didn’t want his hand on her shoulder, his thumb tracing the sensitive side of her neck. And yet, this last touch might make the rest of her life bearable. “Tell me.”

  Tell you? How do I begin?

  “Fenton saw you today. He isn’t sure, but if I stay here, he’ll keep following me. Eventually he’ll know.”

  “Today? I did not see him.”

  She told him what binoculars were capable of, warning him that from now on he had to be careful of every move he made. He listened in silence, and she could only guess at his thoughts. Did he think she wanted to tell him about yet another invasion on his privacy?

  “He’s dangerous, Loka.”

  “Yes.”

  She expected him to tell her he wanted to kill Fenton. When he didn’t, she realized he was no longer a primitive warrior. Or maybe the truth was, he’d never been a killer, merely a proud man facing danger and threat in the way he’d been taught, the only way he understood. He knew she abhorred violence, and that one violent act would invariably be followed by another.

  Leaning into his hand, she took him in inch by precious inch. That she could have fallen in love with him was utterly impossible, and yet it had happened, and she didn’t question the insanity or sanity of that. They—a general’s great-greatgranddaughter and a Maklaks warrior—had met across time. Their hearts, hers at least, had learned that his beat the same as hers. That was all that mattered.

  Tonight it was everything.

  She couldn’t tell him more about her hard decision to leave, couldn’t break the spell by asking him what he was going to do with the rest of his life.

  She could only step toward him.

  He’d known she was going to do that. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been ready for her, wouldn’t be offering his arms and strength. Wordless, they clung together. She swayed with him, not quite a rocking motion, far from being in control. She needed the taste and feel of his lips, but that could wait. For now it was enough to absorb his essence.

  Although it was night, his body still held memories of the day’s warmth. Afraid to lose herself in him because she might never again find what she’d always been, she nevertheless drank from him. He seemed more than a man tonight, part and parcel of what this land had always been and what it should always remain. He was a bridge to the past, yet capable of existing intact today. If only he’d let her show him—

  No. It was too late for anything except this moment.

  When his hand strayed from her back to her hair, she realized he’d found the feathers. His hand, so strong and sure, felt like velvet. “You take something of Eagle with you,” he whispered. “Why?”

  Because I have to have something to last the rest of my life. On the brink of tears, she could only rest her hot cheek against his chest. His heart beat scant inches away; she felt as if she held it in her hands. This man, this impossible and wild man, had reached her in ways she’d never imagined. The rest of her life would forever feel empty.

  “I have nothing of you,” he said.

  Could this leave-taking be as hard on him as it was on her? She straightened and tried to meet his eyes. The moon, behind him now, kept his features from her, but maybe it was better this way. She touched the feathers but didn’t try to remove them. “What could I give you? Nothing would have the meaning these gifts from Eagle do.”

  Covering her hand with his, he drew it to his lips. She weakened under the gentle assault of his kisses, lost the strength to fight her tears. There was so much she needed to tell him about why she was leaving, but the words wouldn’t come. Nothing did except knowing she loved him and would always love him.

  “Why did you come back?” she managed. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

  By way of answer, he placed her hand over his heart. She waited for more, waited for the words she would carry inside her forever. Instead, he let the night speak for him. Coyotes and owls continued their haunting songs. Above and beyond and through those familiar sounds came another.

  Wolf had returned.

  Crying openly now, she stood in front of Loka while they both stared at the distant white light that was the moon glinting off Mount Shasta, off Yainax. Loka’s body, maybe even his heart, became motionless as he absorbed the wind-brought message. She tried to match him, but her breath came in unsteady gulps.

  Wolf.

  Eyes on Yainax, she could almost swear she saw a single line of warrio
rs heading upward. They carried bows and arrows, their bodies naked except for loin skins. They followed an elderly man who, despite his slow gait, showed no sign of stopping. She knew. The leader was Kiuka.

  “Loka?” Her voice was little more than mist. She wanted, not for him to tell her that such a thing was impossible, but that he saw the same thing.

  He bent his body toward her, and although she tried to draw his attention toward Yainax, he only looked down at her. Captured her thoughts and touched her heart again.

  Wolf.

  Wolf hadn’t finished his song.

  “You carry magic in your eyes,” he whispered. “I gaze into them and forget everything except you.”

  “I—”

  Harsh, sudden light struck her, shattered the magic Loka had just spoken of. Terrified, she whirled in the direction of the glow.

  “Don’t move! Don’t either of you move!”

  Fenton!

  Chapter 18

  To Tory’s horror, instead of doing what Fenton had ordered, Loka started toward him. Blurting out something unintelligible, she tried to grab hold of Loka, but he was already out of reach.

  “I mean it! Stay where you are.”

  Silent, Loka stalked closer. His right hand moved to his waist. He slipped his knife free and gripped the handle, the blade aimed at Fenton.

  “Loka, no!” she sobbed.

  “Stop. Don’t move!”

  Tory lunged for Loka. She collided with her duffel bag and tripped over it, barely catching herself in time to prevent a fall. Off-balance, she saw that Fenton, too, was armed. He held a pistol in his free hand, the barrel pointed at Loka’s chest. “No!”

  Neither man gave any indication that they’d heard her. She couldn’t be sure, but it seemed that the pistol trembled in Fenton’s grip. By contrast, there was no hesitancy in Lo-ka’s action. Oblivious to any danger, he continued to advance.

  “Stop it.” Her voice sounded weak and ineffective. She again started after Loka, but too much distance separated them. Fenton was obviously trying to blind Loka by keeping the flashlight aimed at his eyes. How much Loka could see she didn’t know, but he seemed guided by an instinct for survival that existed beyond the need for vision. Why he didn’t run she had no idea. Maybe he thought he was protecting her as well as himself.