“Tyler?” she called in a loud whisper as she rounded the bend. “Nik?”
Although her light didn’t reach the opening ahead, she could detect a shadow, blacker than the grey hole. She breathed a sigh of relief and quickened her pace.
“No! No!” Someone shouted.
Jeni was about to break into a run when the beam of her light glinted off of something metallic.
“Jeni! No!”
She recognized Ice’s voice and stopped dead in her tracks. Her flashlight illuminated the head of the monster in terrible clarity. Its eyes examined her with malevolence, as if it knew her purpose here. Scales grated the rock wall as the creature leisurely padded forward.
She stood, frozen, watching it stalk her. Then her eyes rose and focused between its horns, where Ice’s form hovered; prey caught in the sights of a gun.
Except she was the prey.
And Ice held up a weapon.
She wanted to run. What was Ice waiting for?
A crack of lightning answered her question. The creature cringed and in the illuminated entrance Jeni saw Ice draw his arm back and throw. She watched the object fly end over end along the monster’s back. Dropping everything, she rushed to catch it.
The lightning terminated, leaving Jeni blind. Reaching to where she imagined the object might be, she opened her hands. A hard surface grazed her left palm before Jeni heard a smash followed by the scatter of broken pieces.
Thunder boomed and she snatched her light from the ground. The creature remained frozen in place. Jeni swept her light over the floor of the cave, confused.
The ground was littered with rocks. What did Ice throw?
Wait. She trained her light on a tube-shaped rock.
Of course, the thunderstone!
She scrambled for every piece of stone in that odd shape until she heard the metallic scratching resume. Dumping the handful of rocks into her jacket pocket, she turned and fled into the cave knowing there was nowhere to hide.
Ducking under the rolled barrier, Jeni paused in the cavern opening. She side-stepped and pressed herself to the wall, her heart pounding wildly. She wondered if a broken thunderstone did her any good. She didn’t even know how to control the monster. Was she supposed to shout commands to it or make mental suggestions?
She turned off the flashlight.
Underwater lynx. Feline. Did that mean it could see in the dark?
Too many questions. Too much she didn’t know.
Her breath came in short, ragged bursts as the sound of metal scraping dirt and stone grew louder. Her thoughts raced. A simple plan. A simple plan.
Maybe it could still work.
Jeni slipped the flashlight in one pocket while reaching into the other to gather the largest pieces of thunderstone. She gripped them tightly. Then, she slid her empty hand beneath her raincoat and into her back pocket. She curled her fingers around her pocketknife and drew it out.
The sound emanating from the passage changed in pitch and Jeni pictured the monster rounding the bend. She opened her pocketknife.
The cave went silent.
No, that wasn’t true. She could hear the creature snuffling at the opening to the cavern.
Tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes and she clamped her mouth shut, terrified she might let out a whimper. She gripped the stones tighter in an effort to steady her trembling arm.
Here goes nothing.
Closing her eyes, she willed the spirit to the pool in the center of the large chamber. It was a water creature. Surely it wanted to get back in the water.
She thought about the feel of cool water on hot skin in the summertime. The silkiness of currents surrounding your body. The relief of rinsing away abrasive sand and dirt.
Jeni heard the creature slink forward, and pictured it slithering into the water. The thought that it would sniff her out presented itself and she desperately pushed it away.
She repeated her mantra: cool water, silky currents, cleansing liquid…willing the spirit to forget all else.
It continued to creep. Jeni nearly sobbed out loud when she heard the splash of the first paw. Breathing through her nose, her lips pressed together, she poured all of her will into the stone.
When her ears detected the lumbering body sinking into the water, she stepped sideways, feeling for the framework with her open knife still clutched in her fist. Her trembling hand followed the carved rock up and over the feather barrier. She felt for the rawhide Tyler had used to truss it.
Slipping the knife under the string, she blindly sawed while straining to hear any sign that the creature had changed its mind and was coming back. Suddenly, her hand flew up and the curtain fell as the hide gave way.
She spun and fled, fumbling for her flashlight, expecting to see someone—anyone—coming to find her. Finally, light on, she rounded the bend and began to run flat out.
In Jeni’s mind, the terrific flash and boom computed as thunder and lightning so she didn’t slow. There was a moment of confusion as she was pummeled by hurtling rocks and debris; then everything went black.
There is no death, only a change of worlds.
—Chief Seattle, Suquamish
Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.
—Don Talayesva, Hopi
Chapter 16
Jeni dragged herself up to hands and knees, disoriented and confused. The flashlight, still lit but barely visible in the haze, lay a few feet away. She retrieved it and swept the beam through the dust-clogged air. Coughing, she put her arm up to her face, breathing through her sleeve.
Who lit the dynamite?
Didn’t they realize she was still inside?
Illuminated by her light was an enormous pile of rubble: rocks, earth, and tree roots.
In the settling dust it was impossible to see more than a few feet in front of her. She shuffled away from the debris, and as the passage curved, her brain cleared and processed her situation. An acid feeling of dread bloomed in her gut.
In denial, she peered down the passage and when the feather barrier appeared in the glow of her flashlight, she confirmed what she already knew.
She was trapped.
Her heart sped up and the ball of dread exploded into full-blown terror.
She was imprisoned inside the cave with the monster!
Heading back the way she’d just come and jogging now, Jeni rounded the bend, desperately shining her light everywhere.
What was she looking for? Another way out?
She laughed crazily. The panicked sound scared her even more.
She needed to get a grip.
A rumble reverberated throughout the cave and Jeni froze, sweeping the beam of her flashlight around the passage, expecting more falling debris.
Nothing.
She drew in a shaky breath. Ice for sure knew she was in here.
Why hadn’t he come after her?
He would get her out. She just didn’t know how long it would take.
Or how long the batteries in her flashlight would last.
Jeni shuddered at the thought of complete blackness. Even so, the biggest concern was the manitou. Her hand drifted to the pocket full of pieces of thunderstone.
She had no idea if she’d controlled the creature or if she’d just gotten lucky.
For her own sanity, she had to believe she was in control because the only thing between her and the monster was the barrier.
A woven blanket.
Made of feathers.
***
Raindrops splattering on his face jarred Ice from his stupor. No, not rain—Tyler stood over him, fingers dripping. He extended his hand and Ice grasped it, his head swimming as he came to a sitting position. Ice blinked in confusion.
Tyler’s face was dirt-smeared and he used his sleeve to bl
ot a bloody lip. “That guy won’t be bothering us anymore.” His eyes darted around, taking in the state of the surrounding area and his forehead creased. “Where’s Jeni?”
Ice looked toward the cave.
It was gone.
He scrambled to his feet, disoriented.
“Where’s Jeni?” Tyler repeated.
Ice spun in a circle. Nothing looked right. He stumbled down the shoreline a few feet trying to get his bearings. Lightning flashed, making him squint for a moment. “The cave,” he choked out. “What happened?”
“That idiot had a detonator and blew the cave before I decked him,” Tyler growled loudly over the thunder, then grabbed Ice’s arm in desperation. “Tell me Jeni’s not in there.” He pointed to the jumble of debris.
Ice’s eyes widened in horror as memories flooded his brain and events clicked into place. Jeni, the thunderstone, the beast’s tail catapulting him into the embankment.
Tyler must’ve read the answer in his eyes. “Are you telling me she’s trapped in that cave?”
“It’s worse than that,” Ice mumbled. “The manitou is in there with her.”
“WHAT?”
But Ice was already at the pile of rubble. He began hurtling rocks, sticks and stones in every direction. “She was coming…saw her light…Mish…the manitou…I didn’t hear it until it was too late…it was already inside before I could warn her. I threw her the stone. Then…it hit me. Oh God, we’ve got to get her out!”
Tyler had already joined him and they worked feverishly at the blockage. “Is Nik okay?” Tyler asked.
“I don’t know,” Ice’s voice was grim as he glanced in the medicine man’s direction and then back at the debris. Lightning lit the scene. They’d made minimal headway. “If it starts raining, this will be impossible,” he muttered.
“We need help or tools,” Tyler said. “I know where I can get a shovel pretty quick.”
Ice nodded.
Tyler climbed the bank and was gone.
Ice angrily blinked tears from his eyes. Jeni would be okay.
She had to be.
***
Jeni sunk to the ground, her back against the cold, stone wall. She drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. The sobs she’d so far managed to hold at bay bubbled up from deep inside and she hung her head and let them go.
Ironically, despite everything that went wrong, Nik’s simple plan had come to fruition. Jeni coaxed the monster into its prison, the barrier was in place, and the entrance collapsed.
Only instead of Nik, Jeni remained inside—positioned to act as guardian.
Destiny finds you.
Is that what this had been all about? Had she been drawn here to fulfill her fate?
Screw fate! She didn’t want this.
Jeni rested her forehead on her knees, breathing in hiccupy breaths, tears soaking into her jeans.
She’d wanted to help, wanted to fix what she’d screwed up—make it right. Well she’d succeeded, right?
Things happen for a reason.
At least she’d met Ice; known him even for a short time. She reached for the painted stone hanging from her neck. Her fingers rubbed the cool surface and she thought about the picture painted on it.
Itasca.
Jeni could really sympathize with her right now. Here she was, trapped below the earth, sobbing. She wondered if Itasca had loved a man before she was forced to become the bride of the ruler of the underworld. That would make her sad story even more tragic.
She heard a rumble and this time, as the ground vibrated, Jeni realized it was thunder. She found a tissue in her pocket and blew her nose. Crying had helped clear the dust from her eyes and nose, though the dirty, mineral taste clung to the back of her throat. She leaned her head back against the wall, one hand still clutching the painted stone like a talisman, the other curled around the broken shards of thunderstone.
A soft, fluttering sound made Jeni sit up straight. She flicked her light in the direction of the noise. Movement caught her eye and she breathed a sigh of relief when she spied an owl perched on the pile of rubble. It closed its eyes and shied away from her light.
“Wher—” Jeni coughed and cleared her throat. “Where did you come from?”
The owl flew a ways down the passage.
Jeni traced its path with her light.
Was it in here when the entrance blew up? Had to be.
It fluttered a little farther away.
Unless there was another way in and out of here? With nothing to lose, Jeni rose and followed the owl.
When she was in sight of the feather barrier, she stopped. The owl ducked around the obstacle and flew into the cavern.
“Sister.” The voice came from nowhere and everywhere.
Jeni gasped, shining the flashlight around her. She frowned. Was it a trick? Was the manitou trying to lure her to the other side of the barrier?
She stood perfectly still for what seemed like a long time. The only sound she heard was the impatient fluttering of the owl. She stepped close to the barrier and peeked around it. Her light reflected off the undisturbed surface of the pool.
Convinced she’d imagined the voice, Jeni directed the beam around the large space and eventually found the owl, perched in the hole across the chamber.
“You seek guidance?” The voice came from right beside her and Jeni jumped, swinging her light to the left and retreating until her back was against the wall. She stared, wide eyed, at the specter in front of her.
The Indian girl looked to be about Jeni’s age. Her jet-black hair hung loose over a hide tunic. She smiled gently at Jeni. “You’re not sure what role you play.”
Jeni was speechless, and amazed to find she wasn’t afraid. Contrary to her smile, the girl’s eyes reflected a profound sadness. She sat and motioned for Jeni to do the same.
When Jeni was seated cross-legged across from her, the girl regarded her, eyebrows raised.
Jeni asked the question most pertinent to the girl’s statement. “Is it my destiny to be the guardian?”
“It is true that you have met with destiny here, priestess.” The girl put emphasis on the last word. “Although whether this is your first walk with spirits or your last, is up to you.”
“But without a guardian…”
“The soul of the guardian must be given freely.” The girl’s eyes took on a hard edge. “But much like me, you have been captured; trapped against your will by the designs of a selfish god.” She put her fingertips on her chest. “I, for his desire.” Her hands extended to Jeni. “You, for his vengeance.”
She sighed, eyes downcast. “Whatever his reason, it is ultimately about power: exerting it, displaying it, or acquiring it.”
Jeni shook her head slightly. “I don’t understand.”
“Forgive me. This is what you need to know. To be the guardian, you must want to stay here—if that is your choice, it will save your soul. Should you merely die here, you give in to the quest for vengeance. Your soul will fuel the force that seeks you and yours.”
Jeni opened her mouth but the girl held up a hand to silence her. “You have a third choice—life. Save yourself, warn my people that the underwater manitou is not under guard, and go on to become that which you are destined to be.”
“Save myself?” Jeni asked.
The girl nodded. “There is a new spark in your heart to which you have pinned your hopes, but awaiting rescue would be your demise. With no guardian, once the Thunderers have gone, the barrier will no longer contain Mishebeshu. Only by facing your deepest fears will you find salvation.”
The girl stopped to contemplate a distant roll of thunder. “You have much to think about and little time to make a choice: life, death, or guardianship.” She stood. “Choose wisely.” With sorrowful eyes, the girl smiled at Jeni and backed out of the flashlight’
s glow.
Jeni directed the light down the passage and her head reeled with disorientation. She expected to see the corridor leading back to the blockage; instead her light fell on the pile of rocks and rubble.
Jerking the light all around her, Jeni realized she was sitting in the same spot she’d been when she sat down and cried.
Had she ever left?
Another roll of thunder, quieter this time.
The significance of seeing an owl was not lost on Jeni.
Did she have a vision?
Her hand still clutched the stone at her throat.
Itasca. Had to be—the girl said she’d been trapped here by a selfish god.
Considering the events of the past few days, Jeni didn’t find it too hard to believe Itasca might visit her in a vision. Right now, she was willing to go on a little faith.
Jeni wished she had the courage to choose guardianship, to accept a noble and honorable death. To be honest, it wasn’t just courage she lacked—it was certainty. She believed in her heart she had more to do—that the events here were just the tip of the iceberg.
She’d only just begun to find out who she was.
So, if she couldn’t be the guardian and didn’t want her soul taken in vengeance, she had to get out of here. Itasca was right; Jeni counted on Ice to come to the rescue. But it wasn’t up to him.
It was up to her.
By facing her deepest fears.
Jeni looked around.
Wasn’t she already surrounded by her fears? Trapped in a dark, closed space?
Thunder rumbled again—muffled.
“With no guardian, once the Thunderers have gone, the barrier will no longer contain Mishebeshu.” Itasca’s words reminded her she was running out of time and she rose to her feet. If she waited here, she’d be trapped; at the monster’s mercy. Jeni set off down the passage, stopping to retrieve Nik’s medicine bag.
She knew where she had to go. What was scarier than where she was now?
Somewhere smaller.
And blacker.
Power comes from the heart…
your head will run away from you,
but your heart is always with you.
Thunderstone Page 17