"Either a memory or a premonition." My keeper sat down on the edge of the bed with his elbows resting against his knees. "Why do you ask?"
"When we approached the forest earlier, I recognized it from my nightmare." I tucked my clothes into my lap as I sat down on the carpet. "Just before the desire to run into the trees hit me."
"Then perhaps the spirit here has been contacting you for far longer than either of us realized." Cyrus went silent for a moment. "In the clearing, you talked about old magic. A ritual which always goes wrong. Yet, in your dream, you are shot."
"Because the ritual turned me into a monster." I spoke without thinking. "I was captured after I'd murdered a staff member."
"Eva, are you still with me?"
"Yes." I waved away his concern. "I promise, Stick, it's still me. But that part about the spirit leaving something behind? I must have gotten his memories."
It was like putting together a puzzle when you only had one piece at a time. I shook my head, jolting my towel free in the process.
"I need to speak with Ash. Will you come with me?"
"Of course. Who is Ash again?"
"The Native American I met yesterday." I took the hand he offered me and let him lift me to my feet. "Give me two seconds to get ready. I'll meet up with the others later."
"It's close to six o'clock now."
"Then we'll have dinner with him. Elliot will understand. If he doesn't," I shrugged. "I'll deal with him later."
"Eva, wait."
Cyrus pulled me until I was pressed up against him. He caressed my jaw as he bent his head down to kiss me. The longer we embraced, the weaker my knees became. I pulled away to catch my breath, but I didn't go far. Cyrus tugged my hair free from the towel to run his fingers through the knots. I looked up to see his expression was one that mirrored my own.
"I meant what I said, Little One. I love you." He brushed his kiss along my jaw, then the side of my throat. When he reached my ear, he finished his thought. "For all your stubbornness. For your demanding behavior. I adore you."
I had tilted my head to the side, but turned it into his to return his affection. I reached up to caress the stubble on his jaw. I closed my eyes as if I were trying to memorize his features, but I didn't have to. I knew when Cyrus was close simply by how secure I felt.
"I.." I swallowed down my desire as I opened my eyes. "I love you, too, Stick. For all your irritating ways. For how damned determined you are to keep me safe. I adore you."
We lost ourselves in each other as we resumed our embrace. Finally, Cyrus released me. "Go, darling girl. Go and finish getting ready before I change my mind."
"Or what?" I shivered as he traced circles across the back of my neck. "Perhaps I've been working too much. I think I've earned a night off."
"Not here. Not in this tainted place." Cyrus pressed his lips against my cheek. "Now go. I am dangerously close to throwing you on that bed despite my reservations."
I ran back into the bathroom, threw on my clothes, and did what I could with my hair. When I was somewhat presentable, I met Cyrus at the door. I don't know how he did it, but my keeper was calm. Reserved. As if the last few minutes had never happened.
I felt my cheeks burning from the delicious memory of it.
"Ready?" He offered me his arm. "Last chance. You sure you don't want to hide out in here?
"Yeah. You're right. I have to figure this out, Stick. Thank Apollo I have you with me."
"Always."
I squeezed his arm as we walked to the dining room. When we went inside, I caught sight of my companions laughing it up with a couple who looked better suited for a vampire movie than Montana in July. Dark dress, full pinstripe suit, lace collars - with enough makeup between the men and the women to outfit an entire cosmetics counter. I groaned when I realized who they were.
The folks from American Gothic. The magazine doing the spread on me tomorrow morning.
My day just kept getting better.
I plastered a smile on my face while we approached the table. "Hey, Elliot. Joey. Who are your friends?"
"Eva, meet Violet Chambers and Elijah Dickerson. They are with American Gothic magazine."
"Oh, of course!" I released Cyrus just long enough to shake their hands from across the table. "I didn't realize I'd be seeing you so soon. Elliot asked me to do the shoot a few days ago. I thought I'd have months to prepare."
I saw the two of them look between each other. As for Elliot, he took a massive swallow of the beer he was drinking. I threw my newest producer a look that spoke volumes. I knew he had set me up. And I was not going to make this easy for him.
"At any rate, I will meet you here first thing in the morning. Will you do the photos first or the interview?"
"We'll have you in makeup and costume first while Elijah interviews Leyton." Violet piped up. "Then we will switch it up. We'll get a few shots of the two of you together, and we'll call it a day."
"Leyton?" I glanced over at him. The poor man would have been grateful he was blind if he could have seen how he was dressed. Cowboy hat, jeans; even a button down plaid shirt. "I didn't realize he would be joining us tomorrow."
"He is your co-host, is he not?" Elijah winked in Elliot's direction. "Perhaps you have forgotten given the distractions you have found here at Kentauros."
"Ah, the distractions." I rolled my eyes in Cyrus' direction who was trying to hide his laughter behind a fake cough. "If you mean the ghosts and the possessions and just general nastiness, then yes. We've had quite a few distractions."
"Why don't you sit down, Eva? You can't be comfortable standing behind me like that." Elliot raised his eyebrow at me, which meant he was telling me to behave. "We'll have the staff pull up an extra seat for you."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm actually looking for someone I interviewed yesterday. I need him to clarify a few of his answers for me."
"How exciting!" Violet clapped her hands together. "May we tag along? We could watch you work. It would be helpful for our piece."
"No."
"Sure, why not?"
Elliot and I responded at the same time, but I got the final word in.
"No. I don't think that's a good idea. Elliot, Joey, I'll meet you back here in an hour. I might have some information for you."
I was already walking away in case they decided to argue. Or before Elliot overruled my decision. When we were safely out of earshot, I leaned over to whisper in Cyrus' ear.
"Did you get a load of their fake British accents? That was almost painful."
"Almost, dear girl? I was afraid my ears were going to start bleeding." Cyrus chuckled for a second. "Where is this Ash you wanted to speak with?"
"I'm not sure. I didn't see him in the dining room." I stopped in the hallway leading to the lobby. "I think he said he was in room 204."
"Let's go."
We went up to the second floor, found his room, and after five minutes of knocking, we gave up. When we returned to the lobby, I saw a familiar face behind the counter.
Daniel Ortez. Perfect.
I jogged over to the counter and leaned against the rough wood until he finished the phone call he was on. When the man saw me, he frowned.
"Ms. McRayne." He looked me over. "Erin told me what happened. Are you alright?"
"Yes." I nodded. "Listen, I need to speak with you. In private."
"If you were hurt, don't think for one second you can sue Kentauros. Despite what you might think, I read the contract. I know you signed away any liability the hotel would have if you got hurt on the grounds."
"Look, I'm not hurt. And I'm not going to sue your damned hotel." I tapped my fingers against the wood. "But the families of the people who disappeared? They might not be so generous when we expose the fact that there is a massive unmarked graveyard on your property."
Daniel looked between me and Cyrus before opening the door behind him. "Let's talk in my office."
"That's better."
I swept past him to enter
a room much like the lobby. It was dominated by dark woods and even darker furniture. I dropped down into one of the two chairs on the outside of his desk until he joined me.
"Whiskey?" Daniel took out two glasses, poured in the amber liquid, and handed me a shot glass. "I might need it."
"None for me." I took the glass and passed it over to Cyrus. "Look, how familiar are you with the clearing at the end of the Horseman's Trail?"
"Plenty. I grew up here, remember? Been running through these woods since I was a kid."
"That's where the graveyard is." I frowned. "Well, maybe graveyard is the wrong word. There are no markers or flowers or anything. But I know the bones are buried in the center."
"How?" Daniel took a gulp of his liquor. "Did a ghost tell you that?"
"Yes. I want you to dig them up. The souls here deserve a decent burial."
The man choked on his next sip. It took me a minute before I realized why. He was laughing at me. When he was able to speak, he sat the glass down. "Ms. McRayne, surely you are joking. I am not going to dig up one of the best spots in that forest because a ghost told you about some old bones."
"I am deadly serious." I had to bite my lip to keep from saying what I wanted to. "Think about what it would do for the hotel if you found them. How you would be championed as a hero by your community."
"Think about the expense of renting the bulldozer. Think about the federal red tape I will have to go through thanks to your discovery being - technically - on government lands. Think about..."
"Ok, ok. I get it." I raised my hand. "It'll be a lot of trouble. But we can always go to the police. They can force you to act where I can't."
"Oh? And what are you going to tell them?" Daniel was still laughing when he stood up. "Go work on your pitch, darlin', cause nobody is going to believe a ghost told you where their bones are. Not here. Not anywhere."
For a moment, I felt like screaming. I ran into skeptics all the time. Hell, I used to be one myself. But Daniel Ortez was the most damnable, most stubborn man I'd ever met.
"Fine." I snapped. "I'll do that. But don't be surprised if all this comes out on the show."
"I hope it does. It'll be more publicity for me."
I stormed out of the office with Cyrus right behind me. When we reached the lobby, my keeper clicked his tongue against his teeth.
"Want me to go back in there? I'll set him straight."
"No. Then we really will be facing the Great Falls Police force." I shoved his shoulder lightly. "Besides, one fight is enough for you today."
"Well, if you're sure." Cyrus sighed. "Alright, fearless leader. What now?"
"We still need to find Ash. I need to talk to him about the ritual." I glanced out the large windows to see that dusk had fallen. "Do you think he could be on the grounds anywhere?"
"Possibly. The weather is nice tonight."
I saw Erin come through the main doors and smiled. The girl seemed to know everything and everyone here. I waved in her direction while calling her name.
"Erin!" I all but jogged over to her. "Hey. Can I ask you something?"
"Hey, Eva." She wiped her hands on the legs of her jeans. "What's up?"
"Are you familiar with Ash? The Native American who is staying here? I need to speak with him."
Our hostess tapped her fingers to her chin before nodding. "Of course I do. He comes here all the time. He's Cree, I think."
"Really? Do you know where I can find him?"
"Probably out in the stables. He keeps horses here."
"Can you take me out there?" I glanced over at Cyrus. "I mean, I know you just came in and all, but I have no idea where to go."
"I am meeting Joey for dinner, and I'm already late." Erin scrunched up her nose. "It's not far. Take the right path down until you see the brick building that says Arena One. It's right across from it."
"We should be able to find that." I nodded. "Thanks, Erin."
She gave me one last smile then left us in the lobby. For his part, Cyrus held open the front door and gestured outside.
"Here's hoping we find your Native, Little One. And that he can give you the answers you are looking for."
"I hope so, too." I frowned when I walked outside. "This whole thing makes no damn sense, Cyrus. I'm starting to think Hera was right when she said she cursed me with nothing but madness and confusion."
"Perhaps, but perhaps not." Cyrus took my arm. "It'll all come together soon enough. The truth can only stay buried for so long. Sometimes, you just have to work for it."
Chapter Eleven
We found Ash in the stables, just where Erin said he would be. He was brushing a horse and humming a song I'd never heard before. Despite the massive beasts housed in the stables, and the smell of animal sweat, the large building was peaceful. Comfortable. I could see why so many people came here. It wasn't just because of the horses or the beauty or even the famous trails Daniel Ortez boasted so much about.
Kentauros was a place to rest. You could escape from the world and never miss it.
I hated to interrupt him, but I'd trekked all the way out to the stables. I wasn't going to go away without some sort of clarification. So I knocked on the wall and announced who I was.
"Ms. McRayne?" Ash poked his head out from a low door. His horse snorted at me when I approached them. "What a pleasure! What brings you out to the barn so late?"
"I was looking for you." I leaned against the neighboring stall until its occupant nudged the back of my head with its nose. I jumped despite myself. "Can I talk to you?"
"Of course." The older man stood, rubbed his animal's neck, and joined me in the hallway. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing. Everything." I sighed. "Look, I'm hoping you can shed some light on the events of the past few days."
I followed him to a room filled with bridles and saddles. He sat down when I began to talk. I told him everything; from the dream to the possession. It took awhile, but when I was finished, the man didn't laugh at me like Daniel Ortez. Instead, Ash nodded as he rubbed a rag over a thin piece of leather.
"So you were in contact with a spirit who is buried on these lands. Do you believe they are buried in the clearing?"
"Yes." I nodded. "I believe they died during some sort of ritual. He mentioned witches of an ancient line. Could that be the Witchery Way you talked about in your interview?"
"It could be, but I doubt it." Ash stopped rubbing the leather to lean forward. "Our magic has its foundation in healing, not death. Only the Skinwalkers use their craft for such evil."
"You said there are new Skinwalkers popping up. Maybe they are recruiting people into their fold, but it doesn't work." I tapped my fingers against the wooden bench I had sat down on. "Does that make sense? Or am I just thinking out loud?"
"No, it makes sense. The only problem with your theory is that those who become Skinwalkers must have studied the Witchery Way in order to be familiar with the gods. They can't just walk in, announce their intentions, and become monsters."
"How does one become a Skinwalker? Is there a ritual? Or do they have to commit a sacrifice to their god?"
"Both." He went back to cleaning what I now recognized as a bridle. "When a practitioner makes the decision to become a Skinwalker, they begin the process of relinquishing their humanity. Their hearts grow cold. Their minds focus on the animal they wish to become. When they are ready, the witch will conduct the ritual to bind themselves to the animal spirit as well as the dark gods."
"Is that when they sacrifice someone?" I frowned. "I told my bodyguard that I had murdered a member of the hotel staff before I died."
"Yes. A victim is lured into the sacred space. Then, right before the transformation, that victim is slaughtered."
"The spirit said multiple bones were buried in that clearing. Could there have been more than one Skinwalker? Or could multiple rituals have been conducted there?"
"It is possible. The clearing just off of the Horseman's Trail has long rumored to be sacred ground
for the Cree tribe, which is not uncommon. We believe our spirits travel by water, Ms. McRayne. There are burial grounds all along the rivers across North America. The clearing would be a perfect spot."
"Ok." I nodded. "What can you tell me about the dark gods?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry." Ash put the bridle aside to stand. "Those of us who do not worship them refuse to learn about them. Such knowledge would be too tempting. Too enticing. I know of their existence, but that is all."
"So you don't learn about them unless you intend to worship them?"
"Correct." He offered me his hand to help me to my feet. "Forgive me, but I fear I must be up early in the morning. Erin has promised to take a group of us old men out for a ride at sunrise. I would hate to miss it."
"I understand."
He started to walk me out, but I waved him away. When the man was gone, Cyrus stepped out from the shadows he had been hiding in.
"Well, oh Wise One?" I crossed my arms over my chest. "What do you think?"
"I think these lands are tainted. And I think we should go back to the clearing as soon as possible. If there are bones there, and we find one, then you will have physical proof of what your spirit told you."
"And Ortez would be forced to act." I nodded. "I like it. But it still doesn't explain the ritual or the Skinwalker. Or even the disappearances."
"Or Tiresias showing up. Or Hera's threat." Cyrus finished for me. "Take it one mystery at a time, Little One. Otherwise, you'll never solve any of them."
"You make me sound like Nancy Drew." I scoffed at him. "Besides, I'm not convinced it doesn't all tie back together."
"Too many strings, not enough knots." Cyrus agreed. "Come on. You are due back at the hotel any moment to meet Elliot, Tiresias, and Joey."
"Yeah, but I don't know what I'm going to tell them." I let my keeper lead me back down the trail we had walked to get to the stables. "I don't trust Leyton, and I'm not sure I trust Elliot either."
"Then say nothing." Cyrus shrugged. "You are under no obligation to talk to them."
"No, but I am obligated to the show. And we only have a few days left before filming starts. I want to have it figured out by then."
The Oracle Series: Volumes 1-3 Page 34