“Your brother is dying, Coyotes. Give him to me and it will be a merciful death.”
“Go to hell,” snarled Cree, leaping forward and glaring at him across the space.
“How can it see us? We should be protected in this space,” I said to Rayner as I stood up next to him. This close, I could see his face was drawn and eyes shadowed as he gave Cree a worried look, then gazed down at me.
“I think it was a lucky shot,” Rayner said grimly. “Although it does seem that the normal rules and protections don’t always apply to this monster.”
Howls rose and Sorvang appeared out of the wood, marching with keelut on either side of her. Lightning cracked across the sky as her face darkened with rage.
“Skinwalker, I am in no mood for your machinations,” she snarled. “Leave.”
He held up the necklace and she glared at him. “A temporary truce to take care of our mutual problem?”
“He still has it,” I gasped, moving forward, and Rayner caught my arm.
“We’ll get it, Willow.” He moved towards his brothers. “Ben, Hazel, I think you should stay here with Burr, Willow, and Fox. Let the rest of us drive them off. Crowfoot, as soon as they are far enough away, come back here and guide them back to the White-Eagle’s.”
“I should be helping you,” Ben protested.
“You’re needed to protect right now. Trust me, I don’t think you will want for a fight by the end of this day.” Turning, the wind lifted his hair and Rayner sighed. “I am weary of this game. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to end it.”
Lightning cracked again and Fox grabbed my hand. “Willow, I should help fight.”
“We need you to protect Burr,” I said, watching as the three coyote shifters moved forward, Big Bear on one side, rolling his shoulders and Crowfoot on the other, striding with his hands in his pockets. As soon as they reached the barrier of the sacred space, the air seemed to ripple.
For a moment, the five of them stood there and the winds stilled for a moment. It was almost as though Sorvang and the Skinwalker weren’t expecting them so soon. Then they were off and running, Cree a dark blur as he moved towards the Skinwalker, Wes all but vanishing from sight as he followed, and Big Bear roaring as he shifted. Crowfoot was next, leaping into the air in a twirl of limbs and taking off with a raucous cry.
Burr started forward, but Ben and I held him back.
“Easy there, big brother,” Ben said, laughing. “You tell me when I need to let others fight for me. Let me do the same.”
“Ben,” Hazel said softly. “I have an idea. But I think we will need Kalin.”
“Your funeral,” Ben said bluntly, glancing back at her. “Or mine, rather, since Wes will yell at me, not you.”
“You’re both infuriating,” Hazel replied and closed her eyes. In another second she was gone.
Fox let out a yelp. “Where did she go?!”
“Montana,” Ben gave him a crooked grin. “New party trick she just picked up last month. It’s handy, but it doesn’t always work quite right.”
“What do you mean?” Juniper asked curiously, gazing at the spot where Hazel had been.
“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. And for right now, she can only bring Kalin with her. We think it has something to do with–” Ben flushed and fell quiet. “Ah, never mind.”
Talk about all this later. Willow, we need to get you and your brothers somewhere safe, Burr said, getting up and shaking out his fur.
In front of us, the Skinwalker had changed into a hunched four-legged creature, its skin blackened and burnt and eyes wide with malicious intent. Crowfoot was darting down at it, while Rayner and Wes circled it, snapping and driving it back.
Meanwhile Cree and Big Bear were moving quickly through the keelut towards Sorvang, who was retreating further and further. Big Bear was tossing the demon dogs with ease and one by one they vanished.
At that moment, Crowfoot came back and let out a soft cry, winging to the Southeast. Moving quickly, I grabbed Juniper and Fox, while Burr followed and Ben took up the rear.
“Go as fast as you can,” Ben urged.
Slipping and sliding, I kept a tight grip on Fox and Juniper as we rushed through the woods. It was hard walking, the snow was deep and thick, and Burr struggled behind us. Ben had shifted and was running from side to side, keeping his nose to the air.
I had a rough idea of where in the mountains we were and I grit my teeth. Walking at this pace would take us too long to get back. We’re still about a mile away!
Suddenly Crowfoot paused and then came speeding back, urging us to the left. But it was too late. In an instant, the glassy gaze of Pale Eyes shone out from the woods. I stumbled back, shoving Fox and Juniper behind me.
“My thanks for keeping Sorvang occupied.” The Skinwalker appeared in front of us, swinging the crossbow in one hand and gripping the necklace in the other. He was back in his human form and blue eyes glittered at me. “How about a trade, Burr?”
Burr stepped up next to me and growled.
“I’ll stuff Sorvang back in her nest in the Deadlands if you come with me,” the gleam in its gaze became fanatic. “Your precious White-Eagles, your Willow, will be safe.”
“No.” I stepped forward and folded my arms. “You sick bastard, you’re not going to screw with my family anymore.”
“Oh no?” It chuckled, gaze flicking to behind me then it looked at its hand. “You know, I was there that day. It was truly horrifying. I still remember what it sounded like when your mother screamed as your father fell.”
My mind went blank with horror and the knife slipped from my grasp. Burr was in front of me, his fur on end, and a painful rumble was emanating from him. Juniper caught me around my shoulders and I glanced back to see his face was white, his eyes bright with tears.
“It was the first time I truly appreciated the ability of the Ash Walkers to destroy,” the Skinwalker continued. “I’ll never forget it.”
I looked back at the Skinwalker, eyes gleaming red now and the air crackled around us. Rearing up from the shadows, five Ash Walkers glinted from between the trees. One reached out and wrapped a claw around a tree closest to us, setting it ablaze.
“Yours isn’t power,” Juniper spat suddenly. “It’s corruption. Pollution and death.”
“Oh, listen to you, spouting your Auntie’s teachings,” the Skinwalker cooed. “I’d hoped that maybe your nasty little diatribe the other day at your sister meant you were more like me, Juniper White-Eagle. But just like her, you’re a disappointment.”
“How could you have heard that?” Juniper asked, his grip tightening one me.
“The necklace,” I said, eyes on it now. “You were lying when you said it’s of no use.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” it mused, now pacing, and Burr snarled.
“Where is Fox?” Juniper suddenly hissed in my ear and I turned to see that my other brother was no longer behind me. Ben gave me a bewildered look and I stared up to see Crowfoot was circling above us.
Turning back, everything seemed to move in slow motion. I saw a red streak launch itself from the snow and slap air at the Skinwalker’s astonished eyes. Then Fox twisted in the air, jaws snapping on the necklace, before landing and nimbly darting towards me.
A black arrow missed it by a hairbreadth and the Ash Walkers started forward.
Fox was next to me, handing me the necklace and panting. His face was wet with tears and his gaze fierce. “Heal him, Willow,” my brother ordered as my fingers closed around it.
Meeting the eyes of the Skinwalker, I crushed the necklace into dust and then blew it away.
Chapter 17
Energy flowed into me in a single rush and the pain from my side vanished. In an instant, my memories came flooding back as the binding fell away.
I saw the night at the bar, being ambushed by Sorvang and drugged. Then I saw her wielding a paintbrush, drawing on my side, laughing as I gasped with the agony of it. Darkness followed,
stumbling through the storm and snow after she let me loose.
I saw the headlights cutting through the night, then heard the sound of footsteps and then I lost consciousness.
Willow’s presence was all around me now, cool and as refreshing as spring rain.
“You almost won, Crooked Man,” I said, standing up as a man and glaring at him. “You were clever, using the past as a weapon against us. Using my guilt, my fears and hopes against me. But as always, you like every twisted creature that has turned its back on the simple and the good and forgot one thing.” It drew back as I smiled slightly. “Love.”
“Love?” Fox whispered with a laugh and I heard Willow shush him.
Glancing back, I winked at him and then gazed at Willow. Her face was streaked with tears but her eyes were full of fire and adoration. She nodded at me.
“You are going to regret dragging the White-Eagles into this,” I said. “This is not a family to be trifled with.” Behind me, I heard Ben move closer, then I sensed, rather than heard, my other brothers approaching. A knot formed in my throat as I thought I could feel Helaku, Aspen, and Santana standing there as well. “You tried to drive wedges into my family and instead you made us stronger. Made me stronger. Because of you – old wounds are healed.” I snorted. “Makes you wonder who’s pulling the strings here. It certainly doesn’t seem to be you.”
Still in the thrall of Willow’s energy, I clenched my fist and focused on drawing the air away from the Ash Walkers. Each one of them clawed at their throats, their fires going out with oxygen and crumbled into ash.
The Skinwalker swiveled its head around and then glared at me. “How? You’re not even in your shifted form.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I grinned. Wes, Cree, and Rayner burst out from the woods, followed by the lumbering Big Bear. “But perhaps another time. Right now, we’re ending you.”
“I don’t think so,” the Skinwalker snarled, but I could see real fear in its eyes. More Ash Walkers appeared and then Sorvang did as well, surrounding us on two sides.
Shifting, I launched myself at the Skinwalker, who slid away, Ash Walkers moving forward.
Do not let him escape! He’s still weak from Lake Mead.
Whoa, Burr? Cree’s voice echoed loudly in my head and I winced, along with Ben. How is this possible?! Hello? Hello?!
You don’t need to shout, Cree. Wes’s voice was quiet and controlled as he streaked by at Sorvang. I’d thought we’d taken care of this monster. She’s even more cunning than the Skinwalker. Only pretended to be defeated.
Burr and I will handle the Skinwalker. Ben, you go with Cree, Wes, and Big Bear. Crowfoot, come with us. Rayner sounded agitated as he came up next to me, panting.
Sounds good, agreed Crowfoot blithely.
I’ll tear that aarsrivak to shreds, Big Bear rumbled.
Is no one going to talk about how we’re communicating in our MINDS?! Cree exclaimed, pawing at his ear in the distance. Can you hear what I’m thinking? How is this possible?
Later, Cree, I shot at him and he flinched. Just know that it was Willow’s doing.
What about me? Came an eager, anxious voice. Fox.
I looked back at him as Rayner and Big Bear rushed by me. Protect your brother and sister.
That’s it?! He gave me a grumpy look.
That is the most important thing there is right now. You three are in more danger than you realize. Sorvang wants you and the Skinwalker will use you to get her back on its side. Now go!
The Skinwalker had moved behind the approaching Ash Walkers, now spewing smoke and setting more trees on fire. With ease, I pulled the air away from the fires, snuffing them out. I’d never been able to manipulate my ability like this and again I felt a fervent gratitude towards Willow. Rayner, Big Bear, and I drove the Ash Walkers back.
As we did so, the Skinwalker vanished, but I knew it wasn’t far off.
Burr! Sorvang is gone! Wes suddenly called out. I think she’s gone after the White-Eagles.
Rayner and I looked at each other and took off. Cree, come on.
You all go. Crowfoot and I will handle these keelut. Big Bear growled.
But – I started to say.
Go! An aarsrivak’s thirst for revenge is second to none.
Running through the woods with my four brothers at my sides, I felt a wild exhilaration mixed with fear. But it was good to be back with the five of them. Cree streaking ahead, Rayner at my left, and Wes pulling ahead on my right. And Ben covering our backs.
We’d never run so fast and so seamlessly before.
Then, ahead of us, the forest erupted in a blaze of smoke.
No! I thought, now moving so fast I was catching up to Cree. We were now at the edge of the White-Eagle lands and I could sense the wards up ahead.
Sorvang was outlined against the flames. An Ash Walker stood on either side of her. Face twisting with fury, she glared at the three White-Eagles and Willow was glaring right back. Juniper was erect, his gaze darting around for a way out and Fox was bristling.
Cree went for one Ash Walker, while Wes went for the other. Ben, Rayner, and I darted towards Sorvang, but she knocked us back with a blast of wind or energy, I couldn’t tell which.
Wincing, I picked myself up when suddenly two people appeared from behind us.
“Oh, here you guys are,” Hazel said in relief.
“Jesus, I think I’m gonna be sick,” Kalin moaned.
Kalin?! Wes roared and we all cowered. Why is she here?!
“Did you hear something?” Kalin asked.
“No,” Hazel said blithely.
Moving back towards them, I shifted and threw up a wall of wind at Sorvang.
“Whoa, Burr. You’re not dead! Yay!” Kalin grinned at me, shaking back her thick braids. “You should know your brothers are a hot mess of hotshots without you. Bickering and moping. It was a sad, pitiful sight.”
“I can imagine.” Sorvang was still fighting back and I looked at Hazel. “Did you figure something out?”
“Yes, I think so.” Hazel paused and then pulled out the moonstone. I gaped at her. “I know! It’s risky, but that creature is starting to draw more and more energy to her. I can sense it. She’s already conquered the spirts of this mountain, who knows what she’ll do next? We have to get her back to the Deadlands.”
“Can we do that here?” Ben asked, shifting and panting as he appeared next to Hazel. “By the way, Wes is furious.”
Kalin rolled her eyes. “Of course he is.”
“I had to bring her,” Hazel said, biting her lip. “She’s the only one who’s ever been able to tap into the energy of it. And Willow, come here please.”
Willow stepped over and gazed down at the moonstone. “So, this is what you’ve been keeping secret.”
“Not out any mistrust,” I said quickly.
Hovering a hand over it, Willow raised her eyebrows. “I can see why.”
“I’m hoping your blood will act as a trigger, because of your father.” Hazel was explaining quickly, lifting the stone. “I’ll ground it, Kalin you awaken it and Willow you focus it.”
“But I’m not–” Kalin went white. “I’m not like you guys.”
“Yes, you are,” Hazel said calmly. “Don’t think. Just feel. Focus on Wes and your sister. Remember what happened at the lake.”
I watched Kalin’s face darken and she nodded. “Okay.”
Willow lifted her hand, then glanced over at her brothers. “We should get them out of here.”
“No!” Juniper snapped. “We have just as much of a role here as you do, Willow.”
“Please just go!” Willow said, her voice cracking. “If this doesn’t work–”
“Come on, Juni,” Fox said, shifting back and pulling on his brother. “Mom and Aunt Sil are probably worried sick.”
With a tight nod, Juniper and Fox took off at a run.
Willow moved towards Hazel, her long dark hair blowing about her face. Hazel’s eyes were blue and serious as she
held up the moonstone and Kalin blew out a long breath.
There was something ancient and familiar about that pose, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Ben and I stepped back. Cree, Rayner, Wes – retreat! I called out.
Rayner, who had been throwing out lashes of fire at Sorvang, darted back, as did Wes and Cree. Pure white light shot out of the moonstone, before splitting off. Three beams that caught the two Ash Walkers and Sorvang.
The Spider Demon screamed, her form contorting and hunching, legs scrabbling for purchase, but the white-blue light was consuming her.
Then she was gone, along with the two Ash Walkers.
“Whoa,” Kalin said, stumbling back and looking at her hand. “I don’t think we sent them anywhere.”
“They were destroyed,” Willow said slowly, staring at the spot where they’d been and then at me. “Could this work on the Skinwalker?”
“Leave it to some badass ladies to kick some serious Spider-Demon butt!” Cree crowed as he shifted back and jumped in the air.
I smiled, reaching for Willow when I froze and she did too.
At the same time, we both looked left and began to run. I didn’t even bother to shift back, legs churning until we came to where the tree line fell away. In the distance, I could see the White-Eagle house in the gathering dusk, lights shining out in welcome and smoke rising from the chimney.
But ahead of us was Juniper, struggling against the Crooked Man, who was back in his tall, twisted form, red eyes blazing as he held the crossbow at Juniper’s throat. Fox, lying on his side nearby, was a pitiful red lump.
“Juni, Fox!” I caught Willow’s arm as she rushed forward and her voice cracked. “Let them go.”
“Gladly.” The Crooked Man grinned. “I only ask for someone in return.”
“Fine–” I started to say.
But the Crooked Man interrupted me with a violent jerk of his head. “You’ve served your purpose, Coyote. And you’re right. I did underestimate you all. Especially her.”
I pushed Willow behind me. “No, take me.”
HOTSHOT BROTHERS: Coyote Shifters Page 47