Gunther leaned down and grabbed one of Serena’s long, thick braids. “I got ’er, boss!” he said laughing.
With a whimper, Serena felt herself being pulled against the miner on horseback. Pain radiated through her scalp as he continued to hold her captive with her braid. No! This couldn’t be happening! No! She tried to fight, but each time she tried to kick out at Kingston or to claw or scratch him, the miner who had her braid jerked on it, throwing her off balance.
“You Irish witch,” Kingston breathed savagely as he grabbed her flailing arm. “You’re mine!”
With a cry, Serena realized that she must stop fighting if she was going to save her baby. Kingston’s gloved fingers sank deeply into her flesh as he pulled her toward him with a triumphant grin on his mustached face.
“D-don’t hurt me,” she pleaded. “My baby…my baby…”
“Shut up!” Kingston placed one hand behind her neck and dragged her toward his horse. “Mount up.”
Serena shakily climbed into the saddle, one arm stretched protectively across her belly. Kingston quickly mounted behind her. He dug his spurs into the heaving flanks of the gelding, and the horse leaped forward with a grunt, foam dripping from the sides of his open mouth. She clung to the saddle horn, afraid that she was going to fall off. Kingston’s arm went around her like an iron band, hauling her against his tall, lean body as they rode at a furious gallop up the hill and away from the village.
Tears froze on Serena’s lashes as she saw twenty men on horseback join Kingston. How had he found her? Oh, Great Spirit, she prayed, help me, help me.
* * *
Deer Woman watched covertly, pretending to be just as upset as the rest of the village as the miners rode over the hill and disappeared. She hid her smile beneath her hand as she silently said goodbye, once and for all, to Cante Tinza. Kingston had given her many blankets, trading beads and dried buffalo meat for telling him about the red-haired wasicun. On the way home from the miners’ camp, she had stored all those valuables in an cave well-known to the Lakota, where she would retrieve them at a later time. If she had brought them home, everyone would have questioned where she had been, and Deer Woman wanted no one to know.
Standing at the entrance to her parents’ tepee, Deer Woman saw the distraught faces of the elders and heard the cries of the youngest children. Kingston had promised not to hurt her people, and he had held to his vow. Pleased, she walked over to Black Wolf’s tepee. Dawn Sky would now need a new mother, and she planned on being there when Black Wolf returned from the hunt. Barely able to contain her joy, Deer Woman ran quickly between the tepees and people to take her rightful place as Wolfe’s wife.
* * *
Kagi began a sad, long howl. Wolf was roused from a light sleep among the thirty Lakota warriors who had bedded down for the night. Scowling, he saw the black female wolf on the hill above them. She howled forlornly. That was unlike her. A chill worked its way up his spine, and he sat up to digest the sense of dread he felt.
Instantly, Wolf thought of Cante Tinza. He knew without a doubt that Kagi was invisibly bound to her spirit and sensed her moods no matter how far apart they were. Throwing off the robe, Wolf stood up.
Tall Crane, who slept nearby, rolled over. “Wolf, what is it?“ he asked thickly.
“I’m going back to the village,” he told his friend grimly, picking up the cottonwood saddle and blanket.
Rubbing his eyes, Tall Crane sat up. “What?”
“Kagi howls. I feel as though something bad has happened. Perhaps to Cante Tinza. I do not know, but I must find out.”
“Well—”
“I must go now. I will see you upon your return,” Wolf said. The snow was barely ankle deep, and Wolf knew he could make rapid progress on Wiyaka throughout the night. As he approached Wiyaka, Kagi came bounding off the hill. She wagged her tail fiercely, whining and pacing around him and the horse. The wolf’s antics only increased the sense of urgency he felt. Quickly, Wolf mounted the mustang and turned her south toward the village, which lay a day’s travel away. Something was terribly wrong, and as he urged the mare into a gallop across the white, wintry meadow beneath the full light of the moon, Wolf had never before felt such dread.
* * *
Deer Woman smiled but quickly swallowed the smile as she heard shouts announcing Black Wolf’s unexpected arrival. Somehow, he’d found out! But how? Standing up, she waited tensely, gripping the buckskin she worked upon for a new pair of moccasins for Black Wolf. Outside, she could hear several of the elders telling him of Cante Tinza’s kidnapping. What would he do? Deer Woman put her quill work aside and smiled over at Dawn Sky, who played without interest with several deer bones. The child had cried endlessly, no matter what she had done to comfort her.
The entrance flap of the tepee was jerked aside. Deer Woman leaped to her feet. “Black Wolf, I greet you.”
Wolf glared at her. “What are you doing here?“ he demanded, breathing hard. He put the flap back into place. Going over to Dawn Sky, who gave a cry and opened her arms, he picked up his daughter.
“I’ve come to help, of course,” Deer Woman soothed. She came over and patted Dawn Sky’s small back as the baby clung to Wolf and sobbed. “Your daughter needed me.”
Looking around, Wolf muttered, “I thank you for your help. I intend to leave as soon as I can pack enough food for the journey. Will you look after my daughter while I am away?”
Mouth falling open, Deer Woman stared up at him. “Away? Where?”
Gently, Wolf eased the child from him and gave her to Deer Woman. “I go to rescue Cante Tinza.”
“But—”
“She is my wife,” he reminded her as he knelt down and pulled the parfleche saddlebags toward him.
“They will kill you if they see you!” Deer Woman cried. She quickly put the child down and moved to Wolf’s side. “Don’t go, Black Wolf! She is not worth it! Don’t you see? Kingston wanted her back. He had claimed her in the first place.”
Jerking a look up at Deer Woman’s distraught face, Wolf snarled, “Claimed her? He raped her against her will, Deer Woman. That is the full truth of the matter. No, she is my wife. It is my duty to save her.”
“What if he has killed her already?“ she cried. “All you will be doing is walking into his trap, and he will kill you, too!”
Wolf stood and placed the saddlebags across his shoulder. He took the heavy buffalo robe and draped it across his other arm. Wolf could barely stand the thought of his wife—the woman he loved so fiercely—dead. His voice turned hoarse. “If Kingston has killed her, he will pay with his life.”
Tears stung Deer Woman’s eyes and she gripped his arm to prevent him from leaving. “You can’t go! You have Dawn Sky! What of our people? You are our medicine man. What happens if we need you? Where will you be? Are we so easy to forget in place of that red-haired wasicun!”
Angrily, Wolf shook off her hands. “Are you heyoka, crazy, Deer Woman? She is my wife! She carries our child in her belly. What kind of husband would I be if I stood by idly and allowed her to be kidnapped? You speak foolishly, girl. Stay and keep my daughter safe.“ Then, Wolf left.
Deer Woman sobbed. She placed her hand against her mouth to hush her wailing and to dam the tears pouring down her cheeks. Outside, she heard Wolf’s horse gallop away, and she knew without a doubt that he rode to his death. Kingston had warned her that if anyone came after the red-haired witch he would kill him.
* * *
Serena sat on the edge of the bed, tense and waiting. Kingston’s log cabin was one of the largest and finest in the miners’ camp. The room was chilly, and she shivered. There was a feather bed and a pine dresser in the small room, and the floor was bare. Her body still ached and throbbed after last night’s brutal ride. She gently massaged her belly, praying to the Great Spirit to let her daughter be safe within her. An iron shackle had been placed around her wrist, and the chain fastened to the poster bed. The chain was just long enough for her to get up and walk a few fe
et.
Lucinda, the negress slave who served Kingston, quietly entered the cold room. She bore a tray of steaming food. The woman was hardly any older than Serena. Her hair was wrapped in brightly colored red cloth, and her dress was made of gingham. She closed the door and quickly made her way over to Serena.
“I brought this for you, Miz Serena.“ Lucinda placed the tray on the bed. “Now, you gotta eat, no question about it.“ She placed the tray on the bed beside Serena. “Mah master said to feed you and get you outa those Injun clothes. Ah’ll bring the dress he wants you to wear later. Now, eat. Eat!”
Fighting back tears of terror, Serena grabbed Lucinda’s long, thin hand. “Please, help me escape, Lucy! Help me!” She saw the girl’s round face grow afraid, and her eyes widen.
“Why, Miz Serena, ah cain’t do that, you know that. Master Kingston’d have me beat within an inch of mah life with that leather strap he carries. Uh-uh, ah cain’t help you as much as I might want to. Jest eat, or Master Kingston will beat me. You know how he is if his orders ain’t followed….”
Serena glumly looked down at the feast set before her. Lucy was the cook and housekeeper for Kingston. Of course, he raped her when he felt like it, too. The negress was trembling in front of her, and Serena nodded. “I’ll eat,” she promised wearily. “I don’t want to see him beat you, Lucy.”
Rolling her eyes, Lucy whispered, “Praise the Lord! Ah’ll be back in jest a little while with your new dress.”
Serena stared at the food, not hungry. She worried about losing her baby from the arduous journey. Even more, she wondered what Kingston was going to do with her. Would he rape her even though she was pregnant? With shaking hands, Serena forced herself to eat. She had to eat to keep up her strength, because no matter what, she would defy Kingston just as she had before.
Finally the day was closing, the winter light weak through the mica window. Serena sat, waiting. The hours had dragged by, and she had refused to replace her elkskin dress with the one of calico that lay at the foot of the bed. All the memories of Kingston haunted her. He had always come at night—a candle in his hand as he silently entered her darkened room. He would do the same now.
When darkness was complete, Serena still sat on guard. When she heard the latch to the wooden door move, she gasped softly. Kingston entered, taper in hand, and the light chased away some of the darkness. He wore calf-high black boots, gray trousers and a white shirt with ruffles. The collar was open, revealing the dark hair of his chest.
Serena watched him warily, her stomach knotting with fear. Kingston was more than six feet tall, with swarthy skin and black hair slicked back with bear grease. The clothes he wore, Serena realized, were the finest his considerable gold could buy. He was in his early thirties, and he ruled the miners’ camp like a king—his authority undisputed. Blackjack’s henchmen were everywhere, shooting anyone who didn’t abide by his laws.
Kingston placed the taper on the dresser, turned and rested his hands on his narrow hips.
“Still defying me, witch? Lucinda brought you a dress to wear. Now, I want you out of those smelly Injun clothes.”
His voice was raspy, and every nerve in Serena’s body sizzled in terror when he spoke. She watched as his blue eyes grew shadowed. He slowly approached her. Although her mouth was dry, Serena dredged up the words she had wanted to ask him since he had kidnapped her. “Why have you done this, Kingston?”
His mouth formed a lethal smile as he leaned nonchalantly against the poster bed. “Why?”
“You nearly killed me and threw me away to die two years ago. And now, after all that time, you came after me. Why?”
He curled back his smiling lips and flashed his yellow teeth with a snarl. He wanted the witch frightened. “As if you don’t know,” he taunted.
“Know what?“ Serena cried, her hands protective across her unborn baby. “What have I done to you?”
“Acting was always your best card to play,” Kingston sneered. He reached out, grabbing her by her hair. “Pretend no knowledge, will you? How stupid do you think I am? Do you think if you play dumb I’ll think you’re innocent?“ he rasped, his face inches from hers. His hand tightened in her hair. She gave a cry and tried to push him away. “Bitch!” he roared, and forced her down onto the bed on her back. His hands sank into her shoulders, pinning her against the feather mattress.
“Still don’t know?“ he demanded angrily.
“No!” Serena cried. It was impossible to move. Her breathing was ragged, and so was his. She saw the fury, the crazed wildness that glazed over Kingston’s slitted eyes. “What did I do to deserve this?“ She could smell the foul odor of whiskey on his breath, and it made her gag.
With a curse, Kingston released her and straightened. “Actress until the end, aren’t you, Serena? God help me, but I still find you desirable after all you’ve done to me and my family.“ He glared down at her belly. “You’re carrying an Injun’s brat.“ With a snort, he said, “I was hoping you’d lose it on the ride here, but you didn’t. Well, it doesn’t matter. You can stay chained to this bed until the brat’s born. Then, I’ll give him to one of my negress slaves to wet-nurse. Soon as I can, I’ll sell him.”
Serena struggled to sit up, a gasp tearing from her. “No! Don’t sell my baby! You can’t, you can’t—”
Kingston smiled a little, pleased with her reaction. “Tears, my dear Serena? Are they real or fake? It doesn’t matter.“ He jabbed his finger at her. “You came back here three nights after my men had dumped you at the river. You came back here for revenge. You set fire to my house, you bitch!” His voice cracked. “You killed my son and my wife, damn you! You’re nothing but a vengeful fury in a woman’s form.“ He loomed over her and watched with satisfaction as she lifted her uncuffed arm to try to protect herself.
“I didn’t set fire to your house!” Serena cried out. “How could I?”
“You crawled back here because you wanted to get even with me for throwing you out,” Kingston growled.
Startled, Serena stared up at him. “But I didn’t do it! I swear I didn’t do it!”
He stalked to the door. “I’ll believe you when hell freezes over, Serena. You fought me from the day I bought you from that damnable Irish slave broker. No matter how much I beat you, you always fought back.“ Grimly, he looked over at her face, which was carved with terror. “This time, you will pay as never before. No slave of mine escapes.“ His voice grew hoarse with emotion. “My son is dead because of you. God knows, I loved that boy. He was my life. My life! I had such dreams for Lionel. He was a good boy who was going to inherit all my wealth, all my land someday. But you, you in your vengeance murdered him.”
“But I didn’t!” Serena wailed. Gulping, she pleaded, “Please, you’ve got to believe me!”
He snorted violently. “A miner swore he saw you with a torch in your hand. He saw you throw it through my sleeping son’s bedroom window!” His face contorted. “If I hadn’t been away at the time, maybe I could’ve saved him. My wife, God bless her, tried to save Lionel, but she died in the attempt.”
“I—I’m sorry they died, I really am,” Serena whispered brokenly, “but I wasn’t the one! The Lakota found me the next morning and took me in. I was with them! I wasn’t here. That miner is lying to you!” she cried hoarsely.
Kingston shook his head. “No, I believe the miner.“ He glared at her as he placed his hand on the latch of the door. “You’d best get used to being my slave again. This time, you’re going to be kept chained up all the time. I’ll wait until after your half-breed brat is born and then you’re going to warm my bed every night until I grow tired of you, witch.“ He gave her a twisted smile. “And when I’m tired of you, I’m going to kill you in just payment for my wife and son’s deaths.”
The door slammed shut, and Serena gave a little sob of despair. Kingston was accusing her of killing his wife and son in a house fire! How could he? Serena knew that Kingston constantly cheated the miners, and that more than likely one
of them had done it. Her mind swung from thoughts of escaping to thoughts of losing her baby to a slave trader. She decided that, above all else, she had to think about protecting her baby. And what of Wolf? He wouldn’t return to the village for at least a week.
Slowly, Serena lay down, trembling badly. She pressed her face into the goose-down pillow, eyes shut. Wolf. How much she loved him! What would he do? What could he do? Kingston’s mining camp was bristling with armed miners who hated the Lakota. There were other Lakota here, but only those who drank the firewater or Indian women who had been stolen on raids and kept prisoner for the miners’ insatiable lust. Her heart ached with fear, with loss. Her baby was going to be taken from her! Tears squeezed from beneath Serena’s lashes. That just couldn’t happen. It just couldn’t.
Chapter Eleven
Serena dreaded the coming nightfall. It was her second day in captivity, and Lucy had taken her to another room to wash in a copper tub, and then change into a loose-fitting red robe. A fire was built in Serena’s prison room, and she knew as she sat there shackled to the bed that Kingston was going to stalk her in earnest tonight. Lucy had washed and dried her hair and then brushed until it shone with fiery highlights. Although she had lost her appetite, Serena forced herself to eat.
All of her Lakota clothes had been neatly folded and lay on the dresser. Serena wished mightily for their return, for the cotton gown trimmed with white lace at the throat was thin in comparison and didn’t keep her warm. Would Kingston rape her tonight? She shuddered in anticipation, worried for the baby she carried. What would he do?
Outside the newly built cabin, she could hear the swearing of miners, the braying of their mules and the ceaseless traffic through the mud and snow of creaky-sounding wagons. Kingston’s home sat at the edge of the tent city, two stories tall, lording over his kingdom like a castle.
Later the darkness of the room was driven away by a roaring fire in the fireplace, which kept Serena warmer than before. She worked frantically at the iron cuff that made her already chafed left wrist raw and bloody. She jerked at it constantly, hoping against hope that the heavy chain nailed to the wood of the poster bed would loosen so that she could pull free. Her wrist and forearm were a mass of dark bruises, and her shoulder ached from the constant yanking against the nail that held the iron link in place.
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