“The day keeps getting better. Would you like a cup of sage tea?”
“I’m gasping for a coffee.”
“No problem. Let me guess. White with extra sugar?”
“How did you know?”
“Oh, let’s say it’s a gift I have. Come on through. Have a seat.” Tatya pointed at the kitchen stools. “The kitchen table and chairs are arriving in a day or two.”
Forked Lightning parked himself and watched as she brewed coffee.
He must want something, Tatya thought. He wouldn’t be hanging around otherwise because he looks really uncomfortable. “How’s Changing Sky?”
“Fine. He isn’t getting any younger.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” She snapped, irritated at his cryptic statement, as she poured coffee into a mug, and added the required three sugars along with a generous dollop of milk.
Forked Lightning shifted. “Nothing.” For a second he seemed about to say something but decided his drink was more fascinating. “Listen, I need a favor.”
“Go ahead, but I can’t make promises till I hear what it is.”
“I have a close friend whose broken leg isn’t healing. Would you take a look? Changing Sky says you’re an excellent healer.”
He spoke openly, honestly, and Tatya saw what it cost him to ask her, even though it had been his mentor’s suggestion. “I’ll take a look, but I can’t guarantee success. Okay? Finish your drink while I get my stuff.” The shelves would be here when she returned.
Ten minutes later they were flying along the empty highway south. Forked Lightning’s driving left much to be desired in Tatya’s view. But then many young men appeared to enjoy the buzz of speed, and she wasn’t about to play mom and reprimand him. Instead, she gritted her teeth and held onto the bag in her lap.
“Is the break in your friend’s leg above the knee or below?” Tatya hoped having to answer might slow his driving.
“Below. The lower shin. When they took the first x-rays, the doctors said it was a clean break. Nothing complicated, and it should have been straightforward for the bones to knit together, but they haven’t. Adahi is a were, a member of my pack, and supernaturals heal fast. He should have healed by now, but something’s not right.”
“Changing Sky’s had a look?”
“No. He said to fetch you.”
Mmm... that must have hurt your pride, thought Tatya, taking care to hide the smug satisfaction she felt.
Forked Lightning sped up as they flew past the road leading to the reservation.
Tatya had assumed everyone in Forked Lightning’s pack would be living on the rez, but perhaps not. Her knowledge of werewolves and their customs was non-existent. As had been her information about vamps before Vanse and Angelus entered her life.
They continued driving for a good half hour before turning onto a dirt track that led into the Gluskap Forest. Forked Lightning followed the track as it became even fainter until it finally stopped in front of a large log cabin squatting, almost hidden, under the overhanging branches of nearby trees.
Two cars and a beat-up truck that reminded Tatya of her old vehicle were parked outside. She followed Forked Lightning up the steps to the porch.
“Say nothing till I’ve introduced you. Most weres are suspicious of non-pack members in a sensitive situation such as this, and especially if you take into account your distinctive perfume.”
She was about to snap out a smart response but a premonition shivered over her skin. Hopefully, Forked Lightning’s vouching for her would be enough. “Okay.”
“Wait here a sec.” He rapped on the door and disappeared inside.
Typical, Tatya reflected. Invites you along and leaves you hanging. She heard the low rumble of his voice, and others raised in response, but couldn’t make out the words. If she wasn’t allowed to treat the man, Forked Lightning would be in a difficult spot. Would he assert his authority and insist on following Changing Sky’s instruction against their wishes or allow his pack members to decide? She wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.
Abruptly the discussion stopped, and Forked Lightning opened the door and beckoned her inside. Something in his expression alerted her, and she tightened her shields. As she entered, she was glad she had as they deflected the strong waves of aggression aimed at her when she walked through the door.
She glanced around the cabin. Her first impression was that it was basic to the point of poverty yet spotlessly clean. The floorboards in what must be the main living area were unvarnished. A well-worn couch, a small cabinet, a few family photos, a couple of wooden chairs, and a TV completed the furniture. In the far right-hand corner, the kitchen was comprised of a two-ring hot plate with a gas bottle attached, a small fridge, and a couple of cupboards. She presumed the door on the left led to the bedrooms and bathroom.
These people could never afford private health insurance—and if the bone wasn’t knitting together, the injured man would suffer much longer than necessary. Why was it those in need were squeezed the most?
Tatya could barely see the patient. Two young men, one in his early twenties, the other in his late teens, stood barring her view. Judging by the similarity in looks they must be the couple’s sons. An older woman with graying hair pulled back into a braid down her back, stood behind the couch. Canines had a powerful sense of smell, and by their body language, the crossed arms, legs apart, she guessed they were picking up the scent of vampire off her. Yet they’d be confused because it was mixed with demon and human blood. As Forked Lightning had told her when they first met, I don’t know what you are.
“This is Tatya, Changing Sky’s pupil. He has absolute trust in her skills and sent her to cure your husband. Tatya, this is Adahi, his wife Weeko, and these are his sons.”
Wow. Saying that must have cost him a whole slice of pride, Tatya thought, hoping she could deliver seeing as how he’d set the bar pretty high. “Could you get them to move aside?” she asked. Even with her shields up, the high levels of anxiety radiating from the group were a tad daunting. Tatya played the submissive game. She wasn’t going to lie on her back with her arms and legs in the air, and throat exposed, but she bowed her head.
Forked Lightning glared at them. “Well, you heard.”
The two young men moved next to their mother, emitting a virtually subliminal snarl. The scowling continued, but if not willing to turn their aggression button off, they at least dialed it down to low.
Which was stronger, family or pack loyalty? She had to get this right; there was no room for mistakes.
The injured man lay on the couch, his leg in a cast covered with tribal symbols for health and warding against evil. He was older, had gray hair, and his face was etched with misery. He appeared to be asleep, but Tatya sensed he was fully conscious. As she kneeled next to the invalid, the woman started a soft chant. Tatya recognized the prayer, it was one Changing Sky had often sung to the healing spirits when working with the sick.
Adahi cracked his eyes open a slit. “Anything you can do. Just ignore the pups.” He gave a thin smile.
“First I’m just going to find out what the problem is. Show me where it feels the worst?”
He pushed himself up onto one elbow, a tight grimace on his face as he moved. “The break was here.” He pointed to a spot on his calf a few inches below the knee. “The docs said it should take between three or four months to mend, but weres recover in half the time it takes humans, and it should already have healed. But it’s been more or less five months since it happened, and if you can’t fix the problem, I must have another operation to break the bone and reset it. They don’t know why it hasn’t healed. The x-rays show nothing wrong.” He flopped back, exhausted from the effort of talking.
Tatya could see the man was terrified. Not of her, but of not healing, of ending up crippled and incapable of working and supporting his family. “Try to relax. Focus on your breathing.” She pushed a slight glamour into her voice, just enough to encourage him. “Close your eyes i
f it helps.”
Adahi obeyed, and his shoulders loosened and the tense lines around his mouth eased.
“Good. Concentrate on the in and out of your breath.” Tatya opened her shields and scryed his aura. Dark gray lines scored his auric haze, and a dense greenish-yellow band lay next to his skin, signs of a psychic infection. She massaged her hands against each other, pulling on her power till the band of vivid light was solid enough for her to see. Bit by bit, moving her hands apart, allowing the band to stretch and more power to dribble in, she positioned them either side of the cast. Starting at the knee, she moved her hands along his leg, searching for whatever was preventing the bone from knitting. Almost immediately she flinched as a sharp barb pricked her fingers, and she saw the problem. A sliver of bone that should have shown up on the x-ray, had been sheared off during the original accident. The bones had mended, but the minuscule shard was embedded at an angle in a crack at the break line, preventing the bone from healing and causing the pain. Surgery to open up his leg, remove the obstruction and reset the bone had a high cost—health-wise and financially. If she could remove the obstruction, which didn’t look difficult, it would save Adahi a lot of suffering.
She turned to Forked Lightning. “Do they have any whiskey?” She told him what she’d discovered. “Removing it will be painful, but not as much as another surgical procedure and he’ll feel better the minute it’s gone.”
The atmosphere in the room became less tense as the brothers realized she was able to help. The older one quickly brought a full bottle of Jack Daniels, uncapped it and handed it to his father.
Adahi tilted his head and tossed back a good few slugs from the bottle. “Okay, little sister. Do your best.”
“Can you hold him? Just to prevent any sudden movement. Here,” she pointed above his knee.
Forked Lightning knelt beside her, placing his hands where she’d indicated.
The brothers stood, one on each side, holding their father’s arms.
“Okay, get ready.” Tatya refocused on the obstacle, directed her power at the chip and began pushing it to the outside of his leg.
Adahi let out a startled cry of pain, and the three men tightened their hold.
Unexpectedly the tiny piece of bone slipped out of her grip, twisted and changed direction.
The patient groaned, his spine arched and his limbs stiffened as the needle-sharp splinter forced its way through muscle and connective tissue.
The men struggled to keep him still.
“Is there something wrong?” Forked Lightning voice was tight with anxiety and the brothers” gazes were fierce as they waited for an answer.
“Let me work,” she ground out trying to gain control of the bone once more. If it cut through a major artery, her patient might bleed to death. Ignoring the slow rise of panic—this wasn’t supposed to happen, hadn’t ever happened with a healing before—she drew more power as she scryed for the splinter. There it was. Somehow it had moved half-way up his thigh. But the luster, which had made it simple to find before, was now obscured by a gray shadow that dimmed as she watched. If she didn’t get the bone out soon, she might not be able to see it in a minute or two. Her intuition that this hadn’t been caused by the accident was confirmed. Someone had interfered, chipping off and bespelling the sliver afterward, making certain it did as much damage as possible if anyone tried to remove it.
Grabbing hold, she inched the fading chip toward the surface again, but it slid out of her grasp several times. Each time it became trickier to locate. Unable to alleviate Adahi’s distress, she ignored his whimpers. The fragment would soon be invisible, and it was heading toward the artery in his groin.
“What’s happening?” The elder son’s face flushed with anger.
Tatya didn’t dare stop and look at them, aware of the jagged dark purple spikes of fear spreading through the room.
“Shush! Let her work.” Forked Lightning hissed.
The bone was nearly invisible, and no matter how many times she had hold of it, shoving it with as much force as she could toward the skin’s surface, no matter how much power she used, she couldn’t get a firm grip, and it moved relentlessly toward its goal. Tatya’s hands were shaking and the ribbon of bright power between her palms quivered as the splinter sucked at her energy. No, no, this couldn’t be happening. She’d not performed any healing for over six months but this... this wasn’t complicated. Her skills were easily sufficient to treat this man.
Adahi lay rigid and the three men kept their hands fixed in place, while his wife continued to chant prayers in a low voice.
Ignoring her trembling hands and her own alarm at the possible outcome, she grasped the flake, now way too close to the femoral artery, jerking the fragment away from danger. But she lost her grip and it was gone. She searched the spot where it had been a second ago, desperate to find it. Any second now it would cut through the artery, and she doubted she had the power to repair such severe damage.
Suddenly the link to Vanse shimmered to life, and vibrant gold energy poured into her. There was the bone, sharp white in her vision, poised to pierce the dark throb of the artery. An odd sensation surged along the link under the brightness, but Tatya had no time to think about it as she grabbed hold of the shard. This time she kept hold, forcing it to the surface, and with a final push, it popped out. She ignored the sense of aching loss as the connection ended. Another thing to deal with later.
Adahi’s eyes shot open, and he stared at Tatya with bleary-eyed relief. “Thank you. Thank you. The pain is gone.”
Tatya patted his leg, searching for the sliver.
“Let me. It’s been a while since a pretty young woman like yourself...” He left the sentence unfinished as he gave his wife a mischievous smile. “Get off me, you three.” As the men released him, he undid his belt. Searching inside his trouser leg, he pulled out an inch-long piece of bone thinner than a needle and held it up to the light. “Small and yet it almost killed me, didn’t it?”
“Yes, and I regret to tell you, I fear this wasn’t an oversight on the part of the hospital. Someone did this on purpose.” She nodded at the bone lying in his hand. “That was hexed.”
The family looked bewildered. “Who—”
“Leave that with me.” Forked Lightning was their alpha, and he’d take care of them.
“I and my family are in your debt. I’ll contact the hospital tomorrow to have the cast removed. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, let me know. Right, boys.”
“Sure thing, Dad,” they chorused, their long canines gleaming as they grinned.
“You don’t owe me anything.” Tatya smiled. “Sleep now and get well. My payment is seeing you healed. Besides, I’m glad to oblige a fellow student of Changing Sky.” She shot a grin at Forked Lightning.
“Thanks.” His guard was down, and his expression serious “I also owe you for this.”
“Well, let’s hope I never have to call those debts in.”
Weeko took hold of her hand, and leaned in close, her face filled with gratitude. “I have a little of the sight and I can sense the spirits are with you. But be careful when dealing with dark magic. This is for you.” She raised her hands and placed a beaded necklace with a patterned motif at the center around Tatya’s neck. “This gives the wearer protection.”
“Why, thank you.” She studied the motif. “The design’s beautiful.” Tatya left several sachets of herbs with Weeko to speed the healing.
As they drove off, Tatya waved at the two brothers standing on the porch, beaming like kids who had just received an early Christmas present.
“Oh, I forgot,” said Forked Lightning as he dropped her off. “Changing Sky said to tell you he’s had a message from Otakay. The enemy has returned.”
Chapter Ten: Suspicions
Tatya woke at six thirty am, eying the thin gray clouds and drizzle of rain with distaste. It was one of those days when spring retreated instead of advancing, when Persephone preferred the dark comfort of her
husband’s arms to a harsh world without them. Tatya decided to skip the morning run. Another advantage of the mixed blood; her fitness levels appeared unaffected whether she exercised or not.
She finished her coffee. Perhaps the shop should have a few tables and chairs, serve home baked cookies, juices and coffee. She had enough space. Nope. That was a lousy idea as ejecting customers who were chatting over a coffee when she needed to perform a healing would be bad for business. But stocking items such as Tarot cards, incense, amulets, crystals, paraphernalia used by those attracted to the supernatural world, was a solid market. People instinctively understood the world contained more than what they could see and sought explanations and comfort. Who could say which beliefs contained truths and which didn’t? Who had the power to define another’s reality? Many would find her world alien and prefer their own safe little bubbles. Though most would agree demons came in human form too.
On impulse, she dug out one of Eva’s gifts from a box, opening the square of white silk, and took out her new Tarot deck: the Rider-Waite Tarot. Eva was convinced Tatya’s premonitions indicated she had fortune-telling potential. Tatya wasn’t persuaded. Her forewarnings appeared as images, sometimes a single picture, sometimes a montage of scenes as in the introduction to a movie. They served as personal red lights though the nature of the danger was never explicit, simply a heads up, Get ready because something’s coming.
As Eva had taught her, she let her thoughts wander as she shuffled the Major Arcana for a short Celtic Cross reading. What future did she and Vanse have as a couple? That certainly took up enough of her head space. But whatever was happening between her and Vanse had its own course, and wasn’t the priority right now. A chance to discover something that might save someone’s life was more pressing. She set her emotions aside and continued shuffling, thought of the women whose lives had been snuffed out and had her question. Where will the killer strike next?
One by one she laid out the cards. The first represented the past: The Wheel of Fortune indicating a change. Yes, there’d been a lot of that over the last year. The second, showing the present, and placed above the first, was The Fool. Definitely her life as far as the romance department went. The third, positioned above the second indicated the future, was Death and the ending of a cycle. The fourth card, for influences and placed to the left of the second, revealed The Moon. The fifth, horizontally crossing the second, showed the best she could hope for—The Magician. The final card to the right for the outcome was The Tower of Destruction, catastrophe. She studied the spread with a sinking feeling, positive that Eva would agree. Everything here augured an inauspicious future. Could the magician be Changing Sky? Instinct said yes, but how did The Moon connect to the others? If she found time, she’d phone Eva later and get her take on the reading.
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