HOTSHOT BROTHERS: Coyote Shifters
Page 45
“I think that proves it,” I said, waving to the sky. “Come on, before you piss off the trees or something.”
Chapter 14
It was well after dawn when we got to Eska Killure’s, an old friend of my family. She lived on the edge of town, perched high upon a hill with a breathtaking view of the valley.
But when we got there, it was dark and abandoned looking. A pit was forming in my stomach as we walked up the stairs and knocked.
Peering in the windows, Burr shook his head. “You said people live here?”
I nodded. “Eska.” I could picture her in my mind: tall, rangy, and with a scarf wrapped around her head. “She has two grown children who live here with their families, too. It’s usually overrun with people… Her daughter just had a new baby. I can’t imagine where they would be.”
“No one is here, Lolo.” Burr was looking drawn and tired. “Should we break in?”
“No need.” I walked over to a brick jutting from the wall and pulled it free. Behind it lay a key. “Here,” I said, handing it over, and Burr unlocked the door.
Inside, I was struck by the chill of the house. It was clear no one had been there in days. And when we walked into the kitchen, I shuddered. Things were laid out as though Eska were coming right back.
“Something is wrong,” I murmured, walking over to the phone. It was dead.
“Maybe they lost power and went to another house, Willow.” He squeezed my shoulders reassuringly as he walked into the living room and collapsed on the couch. “Would you mind…?”
For a moment, I stared at him, then I hurried over as he shrugged out of his jacket and rolled up his shirt. The mark had flecks of soot around it and I tried not to scream as I touched it.
The first time I’d seen the black dust coming away on my fingers, my mind had leapt to the Ash Walkers. But I’d crushed it immediately out of fear. I couldn’t go down that path, face that part of my past right now. Then I bit my lip.
“What if my brothers go back to the house and we’re not there, but the Pale Eyes are?”
Burr’s breathing had eased and he had his eyes closed, lying back on the couch. “They’ll be fine,” he said. “Fox is a shifter. Plus, I’m hoping… Aunt Sil and your mom will be with them.” His voice was weak and now I was crushing down rising panic.
The Wind Dweller’s words cut through my head. Is not your mother Nikita an angakkuq, Willow? You should have the gifts, too.
She was right of course. Juniper and I had both inherited healing abilities from our mother’s side of the family. And my father’s side had healers, too.
Staring at my hands, I saw them start to shake and dug my nails into my palms. Then, moving closer to Burr, I knelt down and placed my hand on his side. Eyes squeezed shut, I willed the mark away with all of my might.
“Your face is going to get stuck like that, you know,” Burr remarked a few moments later and I reluctantly opened my eyes. “Lolo. It’s okay. Don’t blame yourself.”
The mark was still there and I yanked down his shirt. “I hate feeling like this. Helpless.”
“You’re not,” Burr said quietly, as he sat up.
“Really?” I whirled on him, tears in my eyes. “You heard what that spirit said. I come from a long line of angakkuq’s! Inuit healers, Burr. Powerful and revered. You’re either born with the gifts or not. But for some reason, my gifts aren’t working! And it makes me feel weak.”
Burr reached forward for my hands and pulled me towards him. “You are not weak. You know this. You’re tired and maybe a little scared for me, but you’re not weak.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and sagged into him. “Burr, I feel like I’m losing you. Slowly. Hour by hour. Minute by minute. And it’s killing me.”
He didn’t respond to that, only hugged me tightly and shook his head. A moment later, he pulled me down on the couch next to him and tweaked my nose. “We should rest.”
“You heard what that Wind Dweller said. It won’t be long until Sorvang finds us.”
“A quick nap will do us both wonders,” Burr replied.
Since I’d been up all night driving and weaving through the woods, I nodded. Plus, I was so comfortable, snuggled here against Burr, locked away from the rest of the world.
“If Eska found us, she’d be so proud,” I said drowsily. “She’s a wild child like that.”
“Good to know,” Burr chuckled.
I nodded off for what only felt like a minute, but when I awoke Burr was gone. Disoriented, I got to my feet and rushed outside. He was standing at the edge of the yard, staring off into the distance. I followed his gaze and sucked in a hard breath.
A massive wall of black cloud was rearing up in the mountains, tendrils of it moving down the distant slopes in a silky and sentient way. Turning in a circle, I saw the same darkness surrounding the entirety of Torlieu Valley.
“No,” I murmured and then I ran to Burr. “We should try to get out of here, now.”
Burr looked down and then out across the valley. “She’s not looking for me anymore. She’s just going to wreak havoc on this place. I can’t keep running, Lolo.”
A clap of fear went through me as the wind picked up. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Willow,” Burr reached for me, but I pulled back. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” I gasped out, stumbling back and putting my hands to my chest. “No, Burr, you’re not sorry, because you are not going to do it.”
“I have to,” he said quietly, not meeting my eyes.
“No you don’t!” I cried out. “You’re hurt. You’re–”
Burr caught my shoulders and looked down at me. The pain in his eyes was too much and I looked away, glaring at the black cloud.
“Willow, these last few days have been the happiest of my life. I mean it. You can’t imagine–”
Wrenching out of his grip, I slapped him across the face and he staggered slightly. “Don’t you dare talk to me like that,” I hissed. “You’re not giving me your own eulogy. I’ll knock you out before I let you leave.” My heart was pounding in my chest. “I will die before I let you go.”
Burr put a hand to his face, his lips twitching, but his eyes were still filled with grief. “I have to do this, Willow. She’ll destroy this place. You heard what the Wind Dweller said. This is your home. These are your friends, your neighbors…”
I glanced across the white hills and mountains, watching them darken in the oncoming onslaught. “That spider bitch,” I muttered.
“Willow, I never wanted to hurt you,” Burr said, his voice tight. “But I have to go.”
“No,” I said, clenching my fists and glaring at his chest. “No! No!”
“I love you,” he said, his voice echoing with a quiet kind of finality that broke me down.
“No, Burr!” I flung myself at him. “Don’t do this,” I begged, as sobs tore free of my chest. “I can’t live without you. I don’t know how I managed so long – but it wasn’t a life.”
Burr’s hands were gentle on my hair and he kissed the top of my head. “You’re strong.”
“I don’t want to be strong,” I said, my tears cold on my face. “I want you. Why am I always called upon to sacrifice? To stay behind and wait? To lose the people I love? Can’t someone else?”
Burr didn’t answer, he just let out a painful breath.
I tightened my grip. “Burr, please. You’re always asking me to lean on you. Now I am begging you not to do this. It’s a trap – or worse. You can’t win this fight. And there’s no guarantee that she won’t unleash this storm on the valley even if you do show up.”
“I’m sorry,” Burr said, pulling away. His lips crashed down on mine, desperate and starving, while his fingers cupped my face and then he stroked back my hair. “I’m so sorry.”
“Burr Santana, if you love me, you will not leave me,” I choked out as he stepped back and I gripped his sleeve. “Please.”
“That’s exactly why I have to g
o, Lolo,” he said in quiet, tender voice. “Be yourself. Be strong.”
“No, Burr–” I tried to hold onto him but he pulled back and then he was shifting into a massive reddish-brown coyote. “Burr!” I screamed.
But he was gone.
And he didn’t even look back.
Seconds or hours later, I was running to the snowmobile, intent on following him. Then I smelled gas and saw the tank had been upended.
“No, Burr, come on!” I shouted, kicking it. Glancing around at the house, I took off around the back, hoping and praying that Eska would have gasoline. Finally, I managed to find half a tank and ran back to the front. The wind was picking up even more as I hopped on and took off into town. Riding in, I stared around. It was like a ghost town.
Did people evacuate? What was going on?
Once I got to the main administrative buildings, I saw the power was still off even here. Resolutely, I swung down and ran to the doors. Peering in, I saw no one, so I backed up and kicked the doors open.
Just as at Eska’s, it was cold and empty here. I found a phone and picked it up. No service. And when I tried to get on a computer, it wouldn’t work.
“Dammit!” I swore, slamming my fist down on the desk.
Rushing back outside, I swung the snowmobile around and roared out of there. On the way, I still saw no one and I was starting to get a gnawing feeling in my stomach.
Debating what to do as I came to the edge of town, I glanced down the way that would lead towards the city, to where my brothers might be, and then the road to my house.
They’d said two days at the most. They could be there right now. We hadn’t even left a note.
Maybe the best thing to do was to go back there. If they weren’t there, then I’d leave a note and head into the mountains. I needed my father’s rifle. I cursed myself for not bringing it. The bullets in my handheld were not blessed.
Swinging the snowmobile around, I floored it, willing the miles to go by. As I’d told Burr, the way through the woods added four hours onto the trek. This way it only took two.
I kept looking up at the sky, praying it wouldn’t clear, praying Burr had come to his senses and trying to choke back my tears. Anger and fear vacillated in my chest.
I didn’t even say “I love you” back, I thought.
Finally, I was pulling up to my house and saw no Pale Eyes lurking about. While that sight relieved me, I also saw no other snowmobiles. Where are you two?
Rushing inside, I hastily shrugged out of my coat, but didn’t bother to take off my boots. There was no paper in the kitchen and I ran to my room.
I was rooting through my desk when I heard the door open and close. My heart leapt at the heavy tread. He came back!
“Burr?” I rushed into the kitchen and then stopped dead, reeling and hitting the wall.
“Sorry to disappoint,” said a voice filled with a strange, unfamiliar accent. It was almost musical, but there was a jarring note about it that made my stomach clench.
A smiling blonde man was sitting at the bar. He was tall, with a narrow face, gray-blue eyes and wide shoulders. Yet in that blue flickered a hungry gleam and his smile became cruel.
That’s not a man. My hand flew to my gun and pulled it out.
“Hello, Willow White-Eagle,” it said, grinning at me. It knew.
“Get out.” My heart was hammering in my throat. “I don’t know how you got in here–”
“Same way I did at your auntie’s,” the man replied, chuckling. “Dear, dear, I thought she would have come up and here and fixed that. Must have thought you all were safe so far from me.”
Horror and repulsion were rising in me as our eyes met. “You’re–” I choked on the word.
“Always nice to be recognized right away.” The Skinwalker let out a laugh and I shuddered. “Yes, I’m your beloved’s greatest enemy and all that.” It sounded almost bored. “Will you put that gun away? No blessed bullets – won’t do a blessed thing.”
“Sure about that?” I asked, firing one straight between its eyes.
In a motion too fast to be seen, its hand shot up and caught the bullet between two fingers. “I heard you had a temper. Yes, those White-Eagles – what a passionate and protective family.”
“What the hell do you want?” I demanded.
“Oh, now that is a very long story.” It gazed at me. “But a cup of tea would be nice.”
When I didn’t move, it shrugged and snapped its fingers. A small china cup appeared on the counter in front of it and it took a sip. “Earl Grey. Would you like some?”
I shook my head, slightly impressed in spite of myself. Like magic. What is this thing?
The Skinwalker gave me a measured look. “You have a lot of raw talent, Willow. And yet you waste it patching up wild animals that will probably wind up bagged and tagged anyways. It’s always the same with you heroes.” Its mouth twisted on the word. “Too busy saving the world to have any fun.”
“The price for that kind of fun is not one I’m interested in paying,” I spat. “There is only so long you can pervert power. The universe always balances itself out.”
“You’d like to think that, wouldn’t you?” it asked mildly. “Makes dealing with your family’s tragic deaths a lot easier.”
I swallowed. I should have known better than to try to outwit a creature like this.
It flicked its eyes over me. “Such a waste. But you’re too stubborn to give in to power. Now your brother Juniper…”
“You leave him out of this!” I said, starting to shake with fury and fear.
“I’m just saying he’s a reasonable young man. Bright. Full of promise.” Its eyes glittered. “Isn’t it terrible to have talented siblings?”
I blinked in surprise at how petulant that sounded. And almost childishly lonely. “Why? Do you have siblings?” I asked cautiously.
“Once, I might have.” It grinned at me through a mouthful of sharp teeth. “Now, now, don’t think you can try to trick me. We were having such a nice chat.”
“Well, I’m trying to figure out why you’re here.” I folded my arms. “How about you riddle me this, why did you let Sorvang free?”
“Oh my.” It put the teacup down. “Word does travel fast. Let’s see, I needed an ally up here while I traveled. She seemed eager enough. I never dreamed she’d double-cross me.” I snorted and the Skinwalker seemed amused. “Yes, seems I underestimated her thirst for revenge. But she served her purpose.”
“And what’s that?” I asked.
It smirked. “I think you know.”
“Burr.” Saying his name my heart shudder, like it was breaking apart inside of my chest. Or maybe I was breaking apart.
“Yes, Sorvang was trapped in the Deadlands for some three thousand years. I’m sure one of your ancestors had something to do with it.” The Skinwalker took another sip of tea. “She’s powerful. Knew an old trick of how to bind a shifter’s powers with memory and blood. Knows how the human mind and heart works almost as well as I do.” It nodded at me. “That necklace in your pocket is nothing more than a way for me to find whoever’s holding it. Imagine my surprise when it was you.”
“She did let it go,” I muttered. Dammit, I wondered about that.
“Indeed. Said Burr would hang onto it. Didn’t plan on you.” Its eyes glittered oddly.
“What does that mean?” I asked, my brain scrambling now. I now had almost all the information I needed. Maybe if I could get away, I could find my brothers and get hold of Aunt Sil and she could figure something out.
“Oh, I think you’ll see in time. Now, I’m almost done with my tea, so we should go,” it said.
“Go?” I echoed and my stomach dropped.
“Ah, yes. See, Sorvang has the Coyote. Just as we planned. Only now she won’t give me Burr without you.”
“Me?” I asked, almost inclined to laugh. “What use am I?”
“As of right now, a bartering chip. What I need to get Burr.” It grinned.
&nbs
p; “No,” I said forcefully and the Skinwalker raised its eyebrows.
“Why not? Then you can both be dead and together again.” I glared at the Skinwalker and it shrugged. “Kidding. I’m not going to kill Burr. No, I have a much better plan.” It smirked.
“I will die before I let that happen,” I said between clenched teeth.
“Careful what you wish for.” There was red in the blue-gray eyes now, slitting at me. “I rather like you, Willow White-Eagle. You caused Burr the kind of pain I can only dream about causing. Until now.”
I glanced away, my eyes hot and wet as pain filled me.
“See, Willow,” the Skinwalker stood up and I tensed, “I’ve been planning this for months. Burr is the keystone of the Hotshot Brothers. He keeps them together every time they almost fall apart. In the beginning, he snatched Ben right out of the noose I’d laid in wait for him. He saved Cree’s life and keeps the peace when Wes gets out of hand. I’ve studied them, Willow. For all that Rayner is their leader, Burr should be. And without him, they tumble down.”
“You’re wrong,” I said. “If they love Burr, without him, they would rally. They would do anything for him. You’re orchestrating your own demise.”
Nostrils flared at me as the Skinwalker seemed to hunch and become taller. Its humanity faded into something twisted and cracked, eye sockets deepening and skin graying.
“You’re a foolish girl in love,” it said dismissively. “What would you know?”
“I know you, like all corrupted things, underestimate love,” I said, whipping the gun up and firing it at the lamp above us. Then I threw myself down the hall as it exploded and smoke poured out.
Running into Fox’s room, I ripped open the closet and dug through for his box. I could hear the Skinwalker shrieking and banging down the hall.
Just as my fingers closed over a tube and shoved it into my sleeve, the Skinwalker burst into the room. Red eyes glared at me.
“That was foolish,” it said, towering over me and gripping my chin. “I’d thought you knew better than that, Willow White-Eagle. Now, come.”
Chapter 15