by Jami Gray
Even though Cheveyo understood, he offered, “Maybe he’s out visiting.” A common thing for most who served as medicine men, since their roles were not restricted to simply healing the bodies, but also nurturing souls. When she nibbled on her lower lip, obviously unconvinced, he dug a little deeper, “What aren’t you sharing?”
She gave a half-hearted shrug. “Nothing, it’s just…I can’t shake the feeling he might be in trouble.” She winced. “Problem is, I can’t tell if it’s just me being paranoid or not.”
Her indecision made him pause and study her strained features. Small, but there were signs that the last couple of days had gnawed at her confidence.
He straightened, walked to her, and grabbed her hand. “Considering everything that’s gone down, I vote for driving out to Danny’s and checking for ourselves.”
She took one last look at the room and her fingers tightened against his. “Works for me.”
For the second time that day, Cheveyo pulled the SUV into a long driveway. This time, they were on the opposite side of town, nestled at the foot of rolling Kachina Peaks area. Afternoon sun played over the yellow flowers lining the paved roads and the areas between the scattered homes in the meadow. They pulled in behind a well-preserved truck parked next to a classic ranch style home. A simple white fence outlined the surrounding space and included a horse minding its own business. A small barn peeked from the back edge of the fence.
Tala peered out the window. “Truck’s here, so if he’s not, he has to be close by.”
Cheveyo turned off the engine, then twisted in his seat to look back the way they came. “I’m not seeing anything strange which would indicate Hadley beat us here.” He straightened and asked Tala, “Did you?”
She shook her head.
“Guess that’s something.” He opened his door and got out. When Tala met him at the walkway, clearly scanning their surroundings, he asked, “How’s the gut?”
She met his gaze even as some of the lines around her mouth eased. “Still twitching.”
They moved along the walkway and up the three short steps to the porch spanning the front of Danny’s home. A pair of solid wooden rockers stood guard by the wide window blinded by heavy sun screening, a squat tree trunk serving as a small table. Chevveyo went to hit the doorbell when the warm weight of Tala’s hand on his arm stopped him.
“The buzzer’s broken,” she warned.
Heeding her, he tugged open the screen door, using his shoulder to hold it open, and then rapped his knuckles against the wooden surface. His breath stopped when the heavy door swung quietly open under the negligent pressure.
Now it was his stomach’s turn to knot. “Dammit.”
Next to him, Tala caught his quiet oath and shared an uneasy look. Without speaking their magic rose, joined, and began searching for possible traps. Even as their magic came back empty, Cheveyo called out quietly, “Danny, you home?”
Silence answered, not the quiet of welcome, but the quiet of waiting. Unfortunately, he couldn’t determine what it was waiting for. There were no signs of potential traps, but even more strange, no signs of personal warding.
He looked at Tala in silent question. Correctly reading him, she explained, “He doesn’t use wards. Said he rather depend on his neighbors for warning.”
Cheveyo leaned to the side to look behind her, pointedly taking in the fact that Danny’s nearest neighbor was barely within shouting distance and only if they were listening for said shout.
Tala’s hand pressed against his chest, bringing his attention back to her. She was trying not to smile. “Not those neighbors, Cheveyo.” She nodded her head to his right.
When he turned to follow, he found himself staring at a wide-eyed rabbit quivering in the bushes just beyond the edge of the porch.
“Those neighbors,” she clarified.
Shaking his head, he said, “Unless it’s sporting a serious pair of fangs, I’m thinking Danny might want to consider a security upgrade.”
“You know Danny. He doesn’t like locked doors.” Slipping in front of him, she used the flat of her hand to push the door wider. “Danny, you around?”
When nothing came back, she stepped inside, leaving Cheveyo to follow.
Casting another look at the fluff-tailed guard, he told it, “Pipe up if the wicked witch appears, will you please?”
He got a nose twitch in reply.
Sighing, he crossed the threshold, letting the screen door close behind him. Unlike Hadley’s place, there was no skin crawling miasma creeping around nor was there any obvious signs of violence. In fact, there was a half drunk cup of tea sitting on a folded napkin next to a book spread eagle on an end table next to an easy chair. The light on the table still burned.
With the open floor plan, Cheveyo could see the kitchen and dinning room just beyond the wide archway.
Tala disappeared down the hall.
If Cheveyo remembered correctly, the house wasn’t very big. The living room, the kitchen-slash-dining room, a laundry room off the carport, two bedrooms down the hall and a bathroom. Which explained Tala’s quick reappearance.
“No one’s here,” she confirmed. “And nothing seems out of place.”
Cheveyo walked across the burnished hard wood floor and the scattered rugs in traditional Navajo patterns. He dipped a finger in the tea. “Cold,” he confirmed.
She spun in a slow circle, and, when she was once again facing him, a puzzled frown marred her face. “His truck is here. There’s no evidence of struggle. No fouled magic. So where the hell is he?”
Cheveyo headed into the kitchen, taking in the teapot on the cold stove, the plate and fork resting in the sink, and a neat pile of mail tucked on the counter. He dismissed those and focused on the phone hanging on the wall. A phone which was still attached to a hard line. Change came slow to most Kyn. Next to it was a note pad and a stubby pencil on a string.
An idea sparked, and he went over to the note pad. He ran his fingertips carefully over the blank paper. Sure enough, though nothing was written on it, he could feel the dips and curves of previous messages. He used the pencil to lightly cover the blank page and reveal the remnants of writing.
He tore the sheet off and brought it over to Tala. “Recognize this?”
She took the paper from him and went over to the patio door, angling it so the light would fall over it. “They’re the ingredients for medicine bundles.”
The medicine men, or Hatałii, spent a lifetime mastering a few chants, but they were skilled in the use of herbal remedies. Yet each remedy, or medicine bundle, was unique and Cheveyo couldn’t place which one used the items listed. “Any idea of which one?”
She worried her lip as considered. “No, but a couple of these help ease nightmares, and this one is for protection.” She looked up. “You think he was called out to heal someone?”
“Maybe, I don’t know.” He was grasping at straws, but it was all they had. “Where would Danny go to perform a ceremony?”
“He has a spot he uses up the canyon.”
“Say Hadley convinced him she needed his help with a healing, is it close enough to get to on foot?”
Tala shook her head, but movement out in the pasture caught her attention. “But he could go on horseback.” She unlocked the patio door and rushed out to the deck. She came to a stop at the railing her hands curling over the edge as she scanned the backyard.
Cheveyo followed and stood next to her. “What are you looking for?”
“Danny has two horses. The paint is missing.” Excitement lit her eyes. “If Hadley lured him out, he’d take his paint. There’s a reason his truck is still running all these years later, and it has nothing to do with magic.”
Even though a simmer of the same excitement bubbled in his veins, he cobbled it with caution. “Before we start chasing a possibility, do me a favor and call his phone.”
She didn’t bother with questions, but simply followed his directions.
Sure enough, an echo of the
ring sounded from inside the house. He motioned for her to stay on the line as he went back inside, tracking the phone. He found it tucked in a drawer near the fridge. He held it up so Tala could see it.
She hung up, her earlier excitement bridled by worry. “He never takes his phone when he heads up the canyon.”
Which only added weight to their nebulous theory. “Is it reachable by car?”
“No,” she crushed the fragile hope. “It’s three hours by horseback, maybe four by foot.”
“Time’s not on our side.” Catching her expression, he asked, “What are you thinking?”
She held up her phone. “Do you know how to track someone’s phone?”
Considering he was the Chief Information Officer for Taliesin Security, which provided a legitimate business front for the Northwest Kyn, it seemed like a redundant question. “You want to track Hadley’s phone.” Something he should have thought of first, if he hadn’t been so wrapped up in the other threats they were constantly fielding. It was a long shot, but a good one to check out.
She answered, even though it wasn’t a question. “If she’s got on it on her, why not?”
“Give me a second, and I’ll need her number.” He used his phone and pulled up a customized app he used for work. “Okay, give it to me.” Tala rattled off the number, and, within minutes, he cursed. “It’s not pinging, which means she’s got it turned off.”
Disappointment tightened her lips, but she shrugged it off. “All right, then, moving on to option number two.”
Curious he asked, “Option two?”
Despite the situation, she managed to give him a mischievous grin. “How long since you went horseback riding?”
Chapter Thirty-One
Cheveyo’s answer to Tala’s question was years, but much like riding a bike, it wasn’t a skill you forgot, especially if it once served as your preferred transportation mode. After finding camping supplies in Danny’s barn, he and Tala made sure to bring along the basics. Thankfully, when Cheveyo dutifully checked in with Chay, he got voicemail. After leaving a comprehensive message which included where they were heading and why, plus a request to have Chay or Wyatt check out Hadley’s office and a warning not to leave Teagan unprotected, he climbed up behind Tala, and they got underway. It was mid-afternoon and chances were high they’d be spending the night up the canyon.
After the first hour, Cheveyo’s ass was numb, but the ride up provided a cherished respite. There was something about riding with Tala in his arms that soothed the ragged edges of his soul. As the peace of the surroundings seeped in, his underlying anger and frustration at what life was currently dishing out, slipped away creating a moment out of time.
Tala leaned back, relaxing in his arms as she rode with natural grace. “I’ve missed this.”
Catching the wistful note in her voice, he bent his head and nuzzled her ear, offering comfort. “Me, too.”
She turned into him with a small smile. “As much as I hate what brought you back, I’m glad you’re here now.”
The sincerity in her voice warmed his heart. He lifted his head, hands relaxed on the reins, and used his knees to help guide their mount up the non-existent trail. “Maybe when this is finished, we can take a few days for us.”
“Think we’ll be able to ditch everyone that long?” she teased.
“I remain hopeful,” he drawled.
The rest of the ride was uneventful, but it left Cheveyo with memories to tuck away.
They were getting close to where Tala thought Danny could be, when a rustling brought their horse to a standstill, his head coming up as he mouthed the bit with nervousness. Tala lost her comfortable seat and straightened. Cheveyo touched her shoulder in warning to stay silent. Another noise, then a soft neigh cut through the tense quiet.
Cheveyo dismounted, and, ignoring the protest of overused muscles, glided forward. He was careful to move quietly as he wound his way through the trees. Catching sight of something moving ahead, he stopped and waited.
Another soft chuff and then a riderless paint broke through the foliage. Not wanting to startle the horse, Cheveyo moved out of the trees slowly, murmuring reassurances. The horse sidestepped anxiously, but his ears flicked forward, and, eventually, he stretched his neck out to nuzzle Cheveyo’s offered palm.
“That’s it,” he murmured as he gently laid his hand on the quivering neck and stroked, despite the knot of dread twisting his stomach. No doubt this was Danny’s horse, and it being here with no Danny in sight, did not bode well. “How’d you get out here on your lonesome?”
The paint stood under his comforting hands, his muscles jumping despite Cheveyo’s care. There was no saddle and the simple leather reins were badly frayed, as if the animal had torn free from wherever it was tied.
Cheveyo worked his way around the horse, checking for any injuries. Just below knee height were some scratches, probably courtesy of the more hardy, low slung bushes crouched along the trail. As he continued his inspection on the other side, he pulled up short at the brown smudge just above the paint’s shoulder. It was too dark to be dust. He scratched the edge of it with his nail, it flaked off.
Blood.
Since there was no injury to account for it, he was fairly certain it belonged to Danny. Gathering the reins, Cheveyo led the horse back to where Tala waited, still sitting on the other horse who let out a welcoming neigh when the paint stepped into view. Cheveyo stopped by the shoulder of Tala’s horse. Her eyes were dark with worry as she looked down at him.
Before she could ask, he said, “No signs of Danny.”
“But he’s in trouble,” she finished grimly.
He tugged the paint closer and pointed out the blood smear. “Not sure if he left it deliberately, but since it’s the only unexplainable mark, I’m going to say yes, Danny’s in trouble.”
“Which makes him bait.” Tala scrubbed both hands over her face and blew out a hard breath. “How the hell did she ambush him up here? Her car was at her house, we have the only two horses…” She trailed off, her frustration obvious.
“I think we can cross off broomsticks, but I’m betting Hollis had some form of transportation that didn’t include paws.”
Understanding sparked, and she muttered, “Motorcycle.”
“Probably,” he confirmed.
Tala’s horse shifted, and she laid a calming hand against its neck. When it settled, she met Cheveyo’s gaze. “It’s illegal to bring motorcycles up here.”
He arched a brow. “I don’t think Hadley’s sweating the legalities right now, awéé.”
She gave him a gimlet eye. “I’m sure she’s not, but considering all she’s done, I think it’s safe to assume she’s waiting for me.”
“Us,” he corrected, no give in his tone. “She’s waiting for us.” Because anyone with half a brain cell wouldn’t be able to miss the fact there was no way he’d let Tala ride to Danny’s rescue without him.
“What the hell is her problem?”
Despite Tala’s understandable anger, there was a ribbon of confused hurt underneath her muttered question. One he couldn’t ignore. “Jealousy.” He cupped the back of her calf, drawing her focus. “You have the position she wanted within the Kyn.” Based on her puzzled expression, he figured the time for delicacy was long gone and tried to soften the brutal edge of truth, “She’s always wanted what you have.”
“Jealous or just selfish, it still doesn’t explain her depth of betrayal.” Tala’s temper wasn’t easily soothed.
He studied her pale face, and it hit him with bruising force that he couldn’t afford to leave the woman he loved emotionally vulnerable, because Hadley was the type to capitalize on just such a blind spot. As much as it sucked, it was time for some cold, hard truths. He couldn’t stop his hand from tightening on Tala’s leg.
Tala wasn’t anyone’s fool and her gaze sharpened even as a shadow of reluctant knowledge swam beneath. “You promised,” her voice was soft, but carried the bite of reprimand.
He had, and he wasn’t about to break his vow to give her only the truth, but it didn’t make this easier. “When you and I were together, Hadley made it clear that she would be a better fit for me than you.” He held Tala’s gaze, refusing to look away. “I turned her down, and, within a month, you let me walk away without an argument.”
She sat atop the horse, statute-still, yet, in her eyes, he could see the ugly reality began to sink in. Finally, she tore her gaze from his and stared unblinkingly out toward the forest. Her hand fisted on the reins and the horse shifted, taking her from his reach.
He gave her space, understanding his simple statement was the trigger of an emotional avalanche.
After talking to Tala a couple nights ago, it wasn’t difficult to stitch the pieces together. His rejection of Hadley coincided with the emergence of his and Tala’s emotional drift. Unlike Tala, he wasn’t blinded by years long friendship. He wondered if Hadley hadn’t been whispering insidious doubts in Tala’s ear during that time. Based upon Tala’s current reaction, he had a feeling the answer was yes.
When her voice finally came, it carried an arctic chill. “Damn her.”
There wasn’t much more he could add to that, so, instead, he mounted the paint. Bareback wasn’t fun, but it would help speed up their arrival.
Tala maneuvered her horse alongside until their legs brushed. “You never said a word.” Her words carried a faint accusation.
Refusing to let the past interfere again, he held her gaze and gave her truth, “There was no reason to do so. Her offer never held any temptation for me.”
She studied him carefully. “But it did influence your decision to stay.”
That he couldn’t deny. “It made me step back and reexamine our relationship, so yes, that’s when I knew I had to give you room to grow. That decision I wouldn’t take back.”
“Fine.” It was reluctant but accepting. She leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips before straightening back up and giving him a sidelong look. “But the next time some female hits on you, I want to know.”