Wolf Dance

by Wolfdance(Lit)

  Justin took a seat at the bar and it was obvious that his being there set the Nugget’s patrons on edge. A few people got up and left, casting nervous glances over their shoulders. This didn't seem to faze Justin in the least. Mrs. Lambert served him a beer. Olivia Lambert’s face was set in an emotionless mask; it was only her eyes that darted about nervously.

  Justin placed some money on the bar. Picking up his glass, he turned around, his eyes coming to rest on the young woman in the far corner of the room. A hint of a smiled played on his lips as he made his way to where Laura and her boss were seated.

  Justin pulled up a chair next to Laura and flashed her one of his dazzling smiles.

  Jessup’s curiosity peaked, but he nodded politely to the stranger who sat at their table.

  "So, Miss Ellison, did you take my advice and get your vehicle repaired?" His exotic eyes seemed to be able to pull her right into them.

  "No ... ah ... I haven’t gotten a chance yet, but I’m sure I’ll get around to it soon," Laura stammered, a little upset that she found it impossible to muster as much nonchalance as he appeared to possess.

  The room felt as if it was charged with energy which only she could feel. Laura wondered what it was about some guys that could take a normally assertive woman and turn her to jelly. But that was not quite true. Scanning her memory, Laura could not come up with a time that a man had ever affected her in this way.

  Justin drained his glass and set it on the table in front of him. The smile he gave Laura bordered on seductive.

  "I sure hope so. I might not be there to rescue you next time." He rose from the chair with the grace of an animal and walked to the door. Turning back in Laura’s direction, he nodded and then was gone.

  Jessup’s gaze was full of questions, but all he said was, "How about a drink before we leave?"

  Laura nodded.

  Jessup motioned to get Mrs. Lambert’s attention. "Two beers," he told her.

  The woman brought two frosty mugs of beer to the table. She was a little rougher with Laura’s when setting it down. Laura was not sure if it was just fancy that made it seem as if the woman’s eyes contained a little more hostility than what they had a few moments before.

  "How do you know Justin?" The woman’s eyes narrowed on Laura.

  "I had some mechanical problems yesterday and he was kind enough to help me." Laura thought the woman’s behavior was getting stranger by the moment.

  Olivia’s eyes widened as if the very idea shocked her. "He did, huh?" She became quiet as if she needed to think about what Laura had just told her. "Well ... in any case, I'd steer clear of him if I were you."

  "Why’s that?"

  It appeared as if Mrs. Lambert wanted to tell her something of some importance but changed her mind. "He’s just no good, that’s all," she muttered instead.

  Once they were back out in the bright midday sun, the past few moments felt more like a dream. Laura took a deep breath hoping it would help to clear her head.

  Jessup patted Laura on the back. "I wouldn’t pay any mind to her. She’s probably just crazy. Most folks around here seem to have a few screws loose."

  "I never noticed." Laura smiled.

  * * * *

  Under different circumstances, Laura might have found it enjoyable to be sitting here in conversation with such an attractive man, however, at the moment she found herself becoming very angry.

  "Sheriff, we have two people who have disappeared from the same area at about the same time. I don’t know about you, but I find that a little strange. Isn’t it about time that the Sheriff’s Department looked into this?"

  His baby-blue eyes were full of skepticism. "If you will file a missing person’s report, we will do what we can. But really, Miss Ellison, the only problem there seems to be is that he is a little late showing up at your corporate office. I really think you might be jumping the gun a little," he winked at her.

  Paul Moss often used his blond good looks and charming smile to disarm suspects and witnesses alike, but it was not working on this hellcat.

  Laura glared at him. "Then explain to me, Sheriff, why he would leave all his personal belongings and skip out on the rent he still owed for the cabin he was staying in? Not to mention, the Chief of the Beaver Creek people is missing as well."

  Paul appeared a little agitated but he attempted another smile. "Maybe your employee plans to come back. Did that thought even cross your mind?" He was becoming very impatient and wishing he could end this interview.

  He thought about the fresh apple pie and coffee that awaited him at the Cougar Inn, and just maybe he could manage a few moments to get to know that cute little waitress who just started work. The thought brought a smile to Paul’s lips.

  Fire blazed in Laura’s eyes. "Do you find something amusing?" Her voice was like ice water, bringing him back to the present. "I know where you are staying, Miss Ellison. I’ll be in touch as soon as I have any information." Paul stood, letting her know that their meeting was at an end.

  * * * *

  Lengthening shadows made the thick forest appear even more foreboding than it already did. The further the road took her into the mountains, the higher her tension mounted. She had been under the impression that Beaver Creek was not far, but maybe she had been wrong.

  Her trip into Acton had produced no results. The employment service had been as uncooperative as the sheriff had been. They had politely told her that they would be unable to place her with any employees because no one wished to work for Duccini. The man whom she had talked with had not put it in quite those words, but close.

  Cresting a hilltop, Laura brought the Bronco to a stop. Leaving the engine running she got out and scanned the area for any sign of Beaver Creek. The road curved sharply to the right, past a small cemetery that was enclosed by a very old wrought-iron fence.

  Sighing, she got back into the vehicle and continued until reaching the cemetery. From here the road forked away from the one she had been traveling, but there were no road signs.

  The road veered off into the midst of thick pines which blocked out the last of what remained of the sun. Suddenly cast into deep shadows it occurred to her that the road appeared as if it had not been used in a hundred years. A chill crept over her and she brought her hands up to rub some warmth into her arms.

  Again she thought how strange it was that there were no road signs, but of course all the roads in the area were unpaved. Maybe they hadn’t heard of road signs yet? Laura’s thoughts became increasingly cynical as weariness settled over her.

  The first indication that she was close to Beaver Creek, came in the form of a lone cabin that sat in the middle of a small meadow. Though it looked as if someone might live there, it appeared abandoned at the moment. In the next instant, the road brought her to an ancient looking bridge that crossed a large river.

  Laura brought the Bronco to a stop. Her eyes scanned the old wooden structure and she wondered if she dared chance crossing the bridge. Just on the other side of the river she could make out a few log buildings. Laura slowly eased the vehicle onto the bridge. She could hear the wood creak beneath the weight. She held her breath, not daring to release it until she was safely on the other side.

  The road curved again, taking her to a cluster of several buildings. Though Laura caught a glimpse of a couple people, a ghost town atmosphere prevailed.

  Somewhere a dog barked and in several places, lines were strung between trees. The clothes that hung on them danced in the mild breeze.

  Laura came to what looked to be the town’s main road. She crept slowly down the street as she studied the town in fascination. Throughout the village, tree stumps had been carved in the images of various animals. There didn't seem to be any business establishments, with the exception of a trading post. Across from this was a large building. The sign hanging above the entrance identified it as the council hall.

  Laura didn't wonder at the unfriendly looks she received from Beaver Creek’s few visible residences.
She had been told that they were not fond of outsiders, especially anyone connected with the Duccini Corporation. Thinking that the council hall was as good a place as any to begin looking for someone who might be in charge, she stopped the Bronco near the building’s entrance.

  Trying the door, she was not too surprised to find it locked. She knocked but didn't really expect a response. Laura had just raised her hand to pound on the door again when a voice from behind stopped her.

  "There’s no one in there, ma’am." The Indian boy stood with his arms folded, his stance somewhat defensive. Laura guessed him to be about twelve years of age.

  "Could you tell me where I could find someone in charge?"

  "Old Chief is gone." The little boy shrugged his shoulders.

  "Where did he go?"

  Again the boy shrugged his shoulders, but his large brown eyes gleamed with a mischievous light. "You’re one of the others, huh?"

  Laura attempted to make some kind of sense out of the boy’s question, but could not. "What others?" she asked.

  "You’re one of the bad ones!" His eyes widened and he stepped back from her.

  Finally understanding that he must be speaking of the Duccini people, Laura returned to the previous line of conversation. "Do you know who’s in charge now?"

  The boy just stared at her. It was obvious that he had no intention of answering her.

  "Do you know where I can find Justin?"

  A flicker of surprise entered his eyes, but his voice betrayed no such emotion. "He be here or there. You never can tell about Justin." The boy dashed off before Laura could ask him any more questions.

  Was the whole population around here so hard to get along with? Frustrated, Laura returned to her car and out of curiosity she drove through the rest of the town. What there was of it, she thought.

  She spied buildings scattered all through the trees. Small roads and paths went off in every direction. There were obviously many more people here than what there had first appeared to be. Laura shook her head. The place was weird.

  From out of nowhere, fear descended and she began to shiver. She experienced the unsettling feeling that she was being watched—no, not just watched--but stalked. No longer curious, Laura pointed her car in the direction of the bridge but was stopped short by the image that met her at its entrance. Her jaw dropped, and a mixture of fear and wonder took hold her.

  It was by far the largest cat she had ever seen and oddly enough it resembled a jaguar, though she could have been mistaken due to the fact that she had only seen them on nature programs. But if her memory served her correctly, she was sure that jaguars didn't grow this large. The cat started across the bridge, stopping to look back at Laura, as if it were waiting for her to follow.

  Laura eased the car onto the bridge, flinching when the wood groaned beneath its weight. The jaguar continued and Laura followed close behind. Several changes reeled through her mind at once, but the foremost was the change in the air. The air became thick with humidity and very hot. Then the sight before her began to sink in one little detail at a time.

  Had she somehow taken the wrong bridge? She was absolutely sure that this was not the way she had taken into town, but at the same time she had seen no other bridges. Instead of pines and meadow, she appeared to be in some sort of jungle. None of the plant life was native to this part of the country.

  While taking in all these facts, Laura noted the small path which the jaguar had taken into the jungle. Indecision held Laura motionless. Should she return to Beaver Creek and try to get her directions down right, or should she follow the cat as it appeared to be attempting to entice her to do?

  This was all so unreal. Laura was thinking that at any moment she would wake up safe and sound in her Santa Fe apartment, but the sudden sting of an insect bite discounted these thoughts as merely wishful thinking.

  Bringing the Bronco to a stop near the place where she’d seen the cat disappear, Laura gazed at the opening of a path that’s entrance was all but blocked by dense foliage. The jungle path was dark and untouched by the sun’s rays.

  Laura looked sharply toward the harsh sound of scraping against metal from the other side of her car. A scream caught in her throat. Reason told her that the distorted creature who peered at her through the thick glass of the car window could not possibly exist, its features shifting back and forth from animal to human. Gripped with fear, her mind reeled, pulling her into welcome darkness.

  Laura’s eyes fluttered open, but she quickly clamped them shut against the glare of the sun. There was a light tap on her shoulder and she screamed, instinctively jumping away from the intruder.

  Justin kneeled next to the open window, resting his arms on the door. "Are you lost?" He smiled.

  Disoriented, Laura was not sure if she was still sleeping or if she had finally returned to the world of reality. Looming pines had replaced the trees of the jungle and behind Justin she saw the small cabin that she had noticed earlier. Dizziness swept over her, followed by nausea.

  "I don’t feel too well," she croaked. "I must have fallen asleep or passed out."

  Justin opened the door and helped her from the car. "You should rest." He motioned to the cabin. "This is my place, you can rest here."

  Laura let him lead her to the small, rustic cabin. The structure seemed very old, but the interior was dark and cool, cutting the heat from the fading sun. Justin lit an oil lamp. The soft light revealed the cabin’s simple log furnishings. A large stone fireplace dominated one whole wall and on the floor in front of the fireplace was a bear skin rug. He directed her to a sofa and helped her sit.

  Laura heard water running and found herself a little surprised that the cabin had running water. Justin returned and handed her a large glass of the cold liquid. She soon began to feel herself again, making her wonder what it was that had just happened.

  "Maybe the heat is making you sick," Justin offered as if he had read her mind.

  Laura smiled. "I doubt it, I come from New Mexico and I believe that it gets much hotter there."

  "Yes, I noticed the plates on your car," he commented.

  Laura shuddered, remembering her dream or whatever it had been. She was not totally convinced that she had fallen asleep on the side of the road.

  Forcing her thoughts into another direction, Laura asked, "Are you one of the Sungmanitu?"

  Justin stood looking down at her, his tallness making him appear to be something of a giant from where she sat. At first Laura thought he might not answer her, his reluctance stirring her curiosity about him to new heights.

  "Yes." His voice was so soft that she had to strain to hear his answer.

  "There seemed to be very few people in town, where are they all?"

  Laura was again met with a void of silence. Sighing heavily, Justin sat down next to her. "The Sungmanitu don’t live here on a regular basis. Our home is really in the Wind River Mountains."

  That tingling sensation was seeping into her skin. His closeness was sending her senses into chaos. It took immense effort to keep her thoughts on track.

  "Why all the fuss about the cutters then?"

  "Though we do not live here all the time, this place is very sacred to us. The clear-cutting could very well destroy us, not just the land." The emotion is his voice was unsettling to Laura.

  Her brows furrowed in confusion. "How’s that?"

  "Maybe someday I will show you." He smiled seductively.

  Laura realized Justin was being evasive, but she could not pull her eyes from his, and she was unable to form the questions that she knew needed asking.

  The eroticism in those strange eyes filled her with visions of sleek bodies, moving in rhythm to the most natural of dances. Her breath quickened when she felt his large fingers grasping her hair. His mouth claimed hers--his lips devouring her sweetness.

  The thought of resistance never entered her mind. His touch was filling her with a burning desire that seared into her very soul. She brought her own fingers up to touch h
is long mane of black hair, moaning when she felt the sharpness of his teeth on her neck. Every inch of her body felt as if it had been set on fire. Her need to feel more of this man was growing in intensity until it was painful.

  Justin moved away from her abruptly. She could clearly see the flames of desire in his golden-black eyes. "I’m sorry," he apologized. "I don’t know what came over me."

  He stood up and the coldness of his absence next to her was like little needles stabbing into her skin.

  Laura blushed, embarrassed by her own lack of control. "I’m just as much to blame." She got up from the couch and busily straightened her clothes in an attempt to hide the bitter disappointment of his sudden rejection.

  Justin’s keen senses picked up on her emotions immediately. He cupped her chin in his hand, tilting her head so that she was forced to look into his eyes. "Laura, I didn't mean to hurt you, but there are things about me that you don’t know." He leaned down to brush her lips with a kiss. "Believe me, tehila, one day you will be very grateful that I didn't take you to my bed."

  His gentle words stung at her pride and her heart. She could feel the threat of tears forming. "You take too much for granted if you think I would have fallen into the bed of a complete stranger." She spoke the cold words as she was jerking away from him.

  Laura left the cabin, not looking back even when she heard him call out her name.

  Justin watched her leave, making no move to stop her when she refused to acknowledge his calls. His stomach knotted with the knowledge that he had hurt her badly, but it was really for her own good.

  Sighing, he moved away from the door once she was out of view. There was something about this woman that drew him like a moth to a flame, but she was a desire that he could not allow himself to indulge in.

  He’d had many lovers, but Laura could not be one of them. He wouldn't let himself use her in that way, for it was a certainty that they could never have anything more. If she knew the truth of the Sungmanitu she would be repulsed, and that was one thing he could not bear to see in her beautiful eyes.