Thunderstone

by Barbara Pietron

Her tightly wound emotions eased a bit in the warmth of his smile. She allowed a small laugh. “’Yeah, but do I have a point?”

  He reached out, hesitated, and then cupped his palms under her elbows. An odd gesture until Jeni realized why he didn’t take her hands: skin-to-skin contact.

  “Premonitions are something to consider, but shouldn’t be taken too literally. The farther into the future the event is, the more likely things will change.”

  Jeni nodded. Ice’s explanation further alleviated her concern and her brain switched gears. The heat that spread from his hands felt full of promise.

  “What I like,” he said, running his fingers up her arms and back to her elbows, “is that you’re worried about me.” His touch sent tingles radiating up to the back of her neck and her breath caught in her throat as she watched him. The moonlight cast blue highlights on his hair and reflected chips of gray in his fragmented irises.

  “I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you…or anyone…because of me,” Jeni said.

  “You can’t blame yourself for this. It just happened.” He stared out into the darkness. “Some people believe they need to seek out their destiny; I believe destiny finds you. You had a part to play in this and you played it. Maybe it was time for you to discover who you really are.”

  Jeni sighed. “I’m glad you came back tonight.”

  Ice looked into her eyes. “I want to try something.” Not waiting for a reply, he slid his hands down and gripped her hands. He watched her face curiously.

  Jeni squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them slowly.

  “Nothing?” Ice asked, grinning.

  “Nothing,” Jeni confirmed. “How come?”

  Ice released her hands. “Here’s the embarrassing part.” Apprehension lined his forehead. “I have to…uh…give in to my instincts.”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “To make it so you don’t see visions when I touch you.” He took a deep breath and moved closer. “It’s kind of a long explanation, but now that we know it works I really just want to kiss you. Just promise to stop me if I cross a line.”

  Jeni frowned in confusion. His statement evoked at least a dozen questions, but apparently he didn’t intend to let her ask any. He rested his hands on her shoulders for a moment then slid his fingers deftly up her neck to her jaw. “I trust your judgment,” he murmured, and then brought his mouth down on hers.

  Nervous and stiff, Jeni had one palm flat on his chest, ready to push him away at a moment’s notice. But when his arms slid down around her waist and pulled her closer, her hands naturally migrated to the back of his neck. All her senses came alive. The softness of his hair caught in her fingers, the musky smell of his skin, the faint taste of cinnamon, the heat at the small of her back; they all coalesced into one sensory experience.

  Lost in the moment, she had no idea when he slipped his hands under the edge of her shirt. Eventually though, she became cognizant of his hot fingers directly on her skin. She pulled back. “Ice,” she whispered.

  “Mmmm.” He kissed her neck.

  She extracted her fingers from his hair and moved her hands down to his biceps. His breath on her neck radiated shivers in every direction, and part of her asked why she wanted to stop him.

  Because he trusted her judgment.

  Jeni gently pushed away, taking a step back.

  Ice straightened, dropping his hands to his sides. He had a wild, animalistic look in his eyes. Jeni watched warily, but the look soon faded. “Whoa,” he exhaled.

  Jeni gave him a shy smile. “We could sit by the fire.”

  “I’d like to, but I should go.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “Will you put your number in my phone? Maybe we can avoid any more miscommunication.”

  Though it seemed kind of pointless since tomorrow was her last day here, Jeni entered and saved her number. Maybe he would call or text her after she went home. Before returning his phone, she called her own number and then hung up so she’d have his number in her phone.

  “There’s something else I wanted to ask you about,” Jeni said as she handed him his phone. “When you told me the legend of Itasca, didn’t you mention someone who protected humans?”

  “Nanabushu. Yeah, his father the West Wind sent him to earth to take care of the people. A lot of our myths are about him.”

  “So, if the monster is real, what about Nanabushu? Won’t he…do something?”

  “It’s said that after the Europeans came, Nanabushu left.”

  “He left people to fend for themselves?”

  “Well, he created the Thunderers to watch over us—spirits that travel with thunderstorms, in the form of huge, eagle-like birds. Thunderbirds.”

  “Oh. Like the car.”

  Ice chuckled. “Well, the symbolism is taken from our lore. Anyway, spring through fall, thunderstorms come through to look after us. Only the Thunderers can defeat the underwater manitou.”

  “But they haven’t defeated him yet?”

  “Sure they have. But he always comes back.”

  “Always?”

  “Always.”

  “Like a psycho killer in a slasher movie,” she muttered. Ice chuckled, but Jeni was thoughtful. “So, can you ask the Thunderers to help you?”

  “I’m sure Nik’s planning on it.”

  “Good.”

  “I’m picking Nik up at the hospital first thing in the morning. I’m not sure what’s going to happen after that. But I’ll see you sometime tomorrow,” he assured her.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.” Ice dipped his head and barely brushed her lips with his. Jeni watched as the darkness swallowed his retreat.

  Suddenly, a s’more sounded awesome. Only two of Jeni’s aunts remained at the fire and they appeared deep in conversation. Since they might not have known that Ice was ever here, there was a good possibility she wouldn’t get caught in an uncomfortable discussion.

  In the middle of toasting her marshmallow, Jeni heard footsteps and looked up. Oh, fabulous. Tyler entered the ring of light and sat down one chair away from her. As much as she hated a half-toasted marshmallow, Jeni contemplated slapping the s’more together and taking it in the house.

  Then to her dismay, her aunts got up. “Should we leave the s’more stuff?”

  Both she and Tyler shook their heads.

  Once the sliding glass door slid shut, her cousin turned to her.

  Jeni hastily assembled the s’more. A weak plan, but it was all she had. It was hard to talk and eat at the same time.

  “So?”

  “So what?” Jeni crunched into the treat.

  “Why was he here? What did he say?”

  She took her time chewing and swallowing. “It’s none of your business.”

  “Wrong. This morning it was none of my business, but if you remember correctly, you dragged me into your business. I must’ve been nuts to agree not to tell anyone about this…this…craziness, because now I feel responsible for your safety. And I need to be sure that you’re not going ghost hunting with this dude.”

  Jeni took another bite, reflecting that it was impossible to eat a s’more slowly since it crumbled as soon as you bit into it.

  Oh how she regretted asking Tyler to drive her to the hospital. What had she been thinking? Now he was right, as long as he kept her secret, she had to tell him what he wanted to know. Jeni sighed, licking her lips. “He came to apologize. They’re going to handle the situation. Without me.”

  He gave a curt nod. “Hey, Jeni?” The accusatory tone was gone and replaced with genuine curiosity, which compelled Jeni to meet his gaze. “Do you believe all this stuff about a monster on the loose and you being a priestess or whatever?”

  In his car at the hospital, they didn’t have a discussion; it was more like a confession. Jeni had alternatel
y blurted out and choked on the story. When she was finished, Tyler started the car and drove back without a word—probably fearing if he pushed the conversation any further, she would lose it. His perception was correct; her emotions had balanced precariously on the knife-edge of control.

  “All I know,” she said in a low voice, “is when I shook Ice’s hand I saw some kind of vision. And then the dream I had—with the stone—I’ve never had a dream so vivid; so realistic. I’m definitely going to investigate our family’s roots when I get home.”

  She sat back in the chair and popped the last bite of s’more in her mouth, asking herself what she did believe. “As far as an underwater monster or spirit, as they call it…” she shook her head, “I don’t know what to think. But I had a weird dizzy spell when I fell in the water that day. And a man has died. And Nik…” she shrugged, “…They believe it Tyler. They take it very seriously. So I guess I’d have to say I do believe—because they do.”

  Tyler stared at her for a minute, as if trying to read her mind. Then he broke eye contact and stared into the fire.

  Jeni considered her sticky hands. As she opened her mouth to say she was heading inside, her phone rang. Licking her fingers, Jeni pulled the phone from her pocket.

  Ice? She shot a glance at Tyler. This was going to be awkward.

  What you see with your eyes shut is what counts.

  —Lame Deer, Lakota

  Chapter 9

  About ten minutes after Ice left the resort he got a call from Nik. The medicine man didn’t bother with a hello or any other pleasantries. “Did you give the dream stone back to that girl?” he demanded.

  “No.” The exasperation in the medicine man’s voice took Ice by surprise. “The last time I saw it was in your room at the hospital. It was on the nightstand.”

  Nik swore. “It’s not here. But that’s not the worst news. Ice, the stone figure is gone.”

  “Gone?”

  “Stolen. Had to be. It was wrapped in a cloth, in my duffle bag, under some clothes. Obviously, someone was looking for it.”

  “Who?”

  “Who else knew about the statue?”

  Ice thought for a minute. Roffe from the Gas and Go? No, that was ludicrous.

  Nik answered for him. “The manitou.”

  Ice felt like a rock dropped in his stomach. “But…how…” he sputtered.

  “He’s a spirit of the water realm; the statue was in the water. He felt its power when it roused him from years of slumber.”

  “But Nik, the manitou couldn’t have stolen the statue from your room.”

  “You’re right about that. But the creature’s cunning has always made him a formidable foe; he can be most persuasive. Many humans have fallen for his promises, not realizing until it was too late that they would pay a price greater than they’d imagined. Regardless of the bargain’s clever wording, the monster’s currency is always human life.”

  “Someone is helping him.” The vast ramifications of the statement overwhelmed Ice’s ability to consider each possibility. The monster’s reach was no longer limited by water. His wrath could be anywhere; touch anyone. Ice’s heart rate quickened and each beat sent fear radiating through his veins. “What—” he choked, “what are we going to do?”

  “Nothing right now. I have to assume whoever took the statue also took the dream stone. Any plan we come up with might be foretold. Already we’ve lost our first line of defense; we can’t afford to lose the element of surprise as well.”

  Ice groaned.

  “Don’t forget, medicine stones can only be used by someone with a link to the spirit world. The chances that the manitou found such a person so quickly are slim. But if the dream stone is used, we’ll know because it’ll return to me. Truthfully, that would be the best scenario. Once the stone is back in my possession, we can plan without fear of our strategy being discovered. Also, I may derive clues from the stone about who has used it and where it’s been.”

  “And if it doesn’t come back?”

  “That’s trickier. I can formulate plausible scenarios but I can’t choose nor share the plan of action with you until the moment before we execute.”

  “So we’re in a holding pattern.”

  “Exactly. It’s a waiting game. You might as well get some sleep. I’ll call you if the stone returns.”

  “Okay.” Ice ended the call but didn’t put the phone down. The thought of someone out there doing the monster’s bidding unnerved him. The statue wasn’t the only thing in the water that day. Jeni bled in the river. What had Nik said about the manitou’s vengeance? He’d go after the bloodline of his captors. Knowing the power that woke him could also subdue him…wouldn’t the creature also try to eliminate those who might try to capture him now? With the statue taken out of play, would the manitou be after Jeni next?

  Ice didn’t know what his chances were of getting Jeni on the phone, but it was worth a try.

  “What, you wanted to make sure I gave you my real number?”

  The sound of her voice steadied him somewhat and Ice managed a laugh. “No. Why? Did you consider it?”

  “Not for a second.”

  “Hey,” Ice’s voice got serious, “I guess this could’ve waited until tomorrow, but I feel really bad about it.”

  “About what?”

  “I just spoke to Nik…uh…I’m really sorry Jeni. Your statue has disappeared.”

  “What do you mean disappeared?”

  “Stolen. Nik had it with him at the hospital…hidden. Someone was looking for it.”

  “Why wo…body want…would know?

  “Jeni, you’re breaking up.”

  “Ice can…ar me?”

  “I’m barely getting anything. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Ice looked at his phone. The call was dropped.

  Shoot. He would’ve liked to warn her to be extra careful. But at least he knew she was safe at the cottage for tonight.

  ***

  “The reception here sucks,” Jeni said as she moved closer to the fire. She might have been able to talk to Ice a little longer if she’d been willing to venture out in the dark, but she’d only made it just outside the circle of the fire’s glow.

  She knew Ice was in his car though, and since the connection was clear at first, she thought he might be driving out of range anyway.

  “I know. I have to stand on the dock to use my phone.” With a large stick, Tyler spread out the remaining logs from the fire.

  Jeni expected him to go in after she took the call. She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she was glad he stayed. “I gotta wash my sticky hands.”

  “Yeah, the fire will just burn itself out now.”

  Jeni went straight for the bathroom. She rinsed her hands and then hopped in the shower. The hot water on her back made her think of Ice’s hands and a warm flush swelled inside her. Then she thought about his call.

  By the time she finished drying her hair, she’d made a decision. She put on her pajamas, got into bed, and turned out the light. No reading tonight, she had other plans. Sliding a hand under her pillow, Jeni curled her fingers around the dream stone.

  At the hospital, furious with both Ice and Nik, she’d made sure her jacket hit the nightstand, and snatched up the blue stone. She didn’t intend to use it; she just wanted her collateral back.

  Had she thought of it when Ice was here, she would’ve given it back to him. Fortunately she hadn’t remembered the stone until she was in the shower, because now that her statue was gone she wondered if her premonition might be accurate. If she slept with the stone tonight, would she have the same dream?

  Nik and Ice couldn’t ignore the warning if she had the same dream twice.

  But it wasn’t the same.

  Jeni was at the site of the car wreck outside Itasca State Park th
at she’d seen with her dad and uncle on the way to the Wilderness Drive. She recognized the speed limit sign the car had barely missed and saw the large white scar left on the tree, where the vehicle had struck. The car, though, was gone.

  A blue light bobbed at the edge of the woods, waiting for her. She turned and followed it into the trees.

  There was no path as she made her way through the forest, but the plump crescent moon, high in the clear sky, helped light the way. She emerged onto a blacktop road. The light floated on the other side and she crossed to pursue it. Not much farther along, the light stopped moving. Jeni advanced toward it, expecting it to continue on its way. The light simply hovered. She looked around, noted the large amount of logs scattered on the ground, then spied something else.

  A trap door.

  The blue glow hung directly over the door in the forest floor and then slipped through a crack into the space below. Jeni grasped the metal ring and lifted the door. It opened easily and without a sound. She kneeled at the edge to look inside.

  The space appeared to be an old cellar. The light flitted around the small chamber, coming to rest in a corner.

  In the area illuminated by the light, Jeni saw a stone—a shape she recognized.

  Feline. Horned.

  The underwater manitou.

  The statue!

  Without thinking, she dropped inside the space. Its walls were made of stone and dirt, but the blue light cast an ethereal glow.

  Crouching down, Jeni reached for the stone figure. But just as she was unable to pull Ice from the jaws of the underwater monster, she couldn’t pick up the statue. Her hand passed through it.

  “No…” Jeni cried, recoiling as her voice split the silence.

  The sound woke her up. She stayed still for a moment, wondering if she woke her grandma. At first all she could hear was her own pounding heart, but eventually detected even breathing from the other bed. Propping herself up on an elbow, Jeni reached for her book light on the nightstand and clicked it on.

  She breathed deeply, replaying the dream in her head.

  Though she knew the stone was gone, she looked under her pillow then pulled back the covers and got out of bed. The dream stone had shown her where the statue was or where it would be and then returned to its master. She’d call Ice first thing tomorrow and they’d find the trap door in the woods.