THE AGENI SERIES: AMA ANGENI

by Yyanna Leigh Michaels

  Digging my free hand into the ground, my fingers sunk lower until dust turned into moistened clay. I could feel my body’s core stir at the contact and began to draw the moisture out of the clay. The more I absorbed, the stronger I could feel myself grow.

  The creature’s head lifted staring above me, and it withdrew. It freed my injured hand and as it retreated his blood shot eyes remained fixed on whatever hovered over my head.

  Tiny droplets of moisture fell against my face forcing me to look up at what had it so terrified and I inhaled sharply. From as far as I could see, droplets of water floated around us. I watched as each droplet solidified into deadly ice daggers. The daggers shot forward as if discharged from a revolver impaling the creature… killing it instantly.

  I sat on the cool ground in horror, but my shock was short-lived. For in the distance, another wail was heard, followed by another. Jumping to my feet, I took off running. I saw the path up ahead and made my way for it when I was struck from behind. Crawling on my knees, there was another beast identical to the last one. Getting ready to cower from its attack, my knees came into my chest. When I didn’t feel anything happen, I opened my eyes to see the creature gasping before falling over…dead.

  What the…

  Large teeth snapped narrowly missing me on one side followed by another creature appearing on the opposite side of me.

  Holy shit!

  Ok…If this necklace was supposed to be protecting me, why the hell isn’t it doing anything now. Just then a blast of light filled the forest and the two creatures screeched before turning into dust.

  Stumbling to my feet, I spun in circles. I could hear more in the distance. There were too many of them and I don’t know how much more luck I had fighting those things until it ran out.

  Not knowing where to go, I panicked.

  Suddenly, I was grabbed around my waist and pulled into a dense thicket. A hand clamped over my mouth cutting off a scream.

  “Shhh…Elowehi.” I heard in my ear behind me.

  I was so happy to see him, I could have kissed him!

  Heavy breathing could be heard nearby. I held my breath not wanting another confrontation with any more of those things.

  Please keep moving, I prayed.

  For what seemed like forever, my prayers must have been heard for all that could be made was the whistling of the wind. I tried to see if I could still feel the presence of that dark figure coming but I no longer was able to sense any danger.

  Gawonii’s hand released me and he slipped out from our hiding place leaving me alone. I bit my nails, anxiously, waiting for him to return. Soon his hand reached back in grabbing mine.

  “Come.” He ordered. He didn’t have to tell me twice. I followed with no argument as he led me deeper into the forest.

  I tried to calm my fears. Honestly, I really didn’t know this man even though everything in me was telling me that I needn’t worry.

  “Where are you-”

  “Silence.” He ordered again, pulling me along behind him. My lips clamped shut keeping up with his crazy pace.

  It wasn’t too long until we came to an open field where stood a homestead cabin that he dragged me towards.

  Gawonii pulled me up the porch steps and through the front door. Once inside, he let go of my hand turning on the lamp. My eyes grew wide taking in my current setting. Inside was very simple, but clean. Various Indian artworks were sprinkled around the cabin adding color and character. There was a sofa and a chair in the main room that they stood in. No television.

  A fireplace took up most of one of the walls with a collection of bows and arrows, guns, and even swords aligned above the mantle.

  There were no pictures and one small table that held the lamp that filled the small room with light.

  There was a soft cadence of a chant.

  Spinning around, I saw Gawonii chanting over the door. I actually was able to get a good look at him now that we were safe inside. He no longer wore the tunic he donned during the ceremony…he was bare-chested; his back tattooed with tribal markings. When he finished, he faced me, his gaze condescending. Folding my arms over my chest, I wished I could find someplace to hide from his disapproving glare.

  “What did you do to me tonight?” I blurted out. The expression on his face remained stoic. Turning his back on me, he walked into the small kitchen disappearing for a split second then reappearing with a bottle of water, a bandage, and some salve. He thrust the opened bottle in my hand.

  “Drink. It will help heal you.” He took my hand and began to apply the ointment which smelled to high heaven on my hand.

  “You didn’t answer me.” I replied, forcefully, tired of people avoiding my questions. “What did you do to me tonight? You and…and that woman?”

  Gawonii finished tending to my hand and I had to admit that it felt a little better. I took another sip of the water which with each swallow, I could feel my body become stronger.

  “Sit!” He ordered…for the last damn time. Walking up to him, I pointed my good finger into that sexy chest of his determined that I was going to let him know that he was not going to be pushing me around.

  “Who do you think you are that you can talk to me like that?”

  Both eyebrows on his bronze face lifted along with a hint of a smile on his lips. Nothing could have prepared me for what he said next.

  “Your husband.”

  Chapter 6

  Uyehi

  “My what?!” I cried.

  I had no trouble sitting down then.

  “One thing you will learn, Ama, is that I do not enjoy repeating myself, but I am not insensitive to the fact that all of this is unfamiliar to you. So, I will do my best to show patience, but I implore that you learn quickly. To answer your question, again… I am your husband.”

  I shook my head in disbelief. Jumping up, I paced the floor. “Ok! This is a joke, right? You and Kasey…you guys are trying to get me to loosen up…have a little fun after almost drowning, right?” I headed to the front door laughing. “Good one! Nice Kasey!” I yelled. “You can come on out now! You got me!” My hand touched the handle on the door to open it.

  “Do not go out that door!” Gawonii yelled, knocking me away for the door. I fell onto the floor staring up at him then I found myself being lifted up into the air and deposited onto the sofa. “This is not a game! And I am not joking. Chitsa-Yona is not here and she is no longer your guardian. I assumed the role when you became my wife.”

  I hopped off the sofa again. “Woah! Wait! When did I become your wife? And who the hell is Chitsa-Yona?”

  He walked away from me, his jaw working, expressing his annoyance. “She is Kasey to you.” I sat back down. “You became my wife this very evening when you accepted my proposal.

  “Your proposal? When?” I cried incredulously.

  Although he was serious as the day he was born, the smile that broke out on his face showed his amusement in my confusion.

  “Think Ama.” He said.

  My mind went back to his dance, him falling to his knee in front of her…his extended hand…AND her acceptance of the offer to join him.

  Christ! Kasey or Chitsa-Yona or whoever the hell she is, I was going to kill her!

  Gawonii laughed. “You will not harm Chitsa. She has only done what she was told and has protected you for those many years you have known her.”

  My mouth hung open unable to believe what just happened. Now it all made sense. “You CAN hear people’s thoughts!”

  Now… I was angry.

  He nodded. “Only yours because we are connected. We were fated to be together before our birth. When you had arrived here, I felt your presence. I knew when you were watching me while I danced, and I knew when you were frightened in the field. I couldn’t always hear your thoughts. It would come at times…mainly when you were displeased with me. Now that we are together, it will get stronger.”

  I stared at him like he just grew three heads trying my best to absorb all of this craz
iness in. Then laughter bubbled up out of my chest.

  “Oh wow! Oh wow!” I stammered. “I really must have hit my head hard the other day.”

  He turned his back on me taking the ointment he used on my hand back in the other room. I followed him determined to end this charade.

  “Ok. I know you are lying about us being married. I never signed any papers, there never was a priest, and I never said, ‘I do!’”

  “In front of witnesses, you accepted my proposal. There is no paperwork. Under our law, our marriage is binding…and very real.”

  I threw up my hands, frustrated. “Where is Kasey? I want her to tell me. If she can say exactly what you had told me with a straight face, then and only then will I believe you…and then determine which one of you I kill first.” The necklace started to burn into my skin again. “Damn this thing!” I muttered fighting to get the clasp loose.

  Gawonii grunted something unrecognizable. “It is apparent this is a lot for you tonight. Let us get some rest and we will continue in the morning.” He started to walk away from me then he stopped in front of a door. “Once you accept who you are, Ama, the pain you feel wearing the atsanvdo will cease.”

  He walked through the door to the other room. Going after him, I persisted on knowing more. They had this habit of saying these things to me but not actually telling me the answers.

  “Why do you keep calling me Ama and what were those things out there? You just can’t start explaining this hell I have been dropped into then walk away.”

  I stopped when I walked into the room that had a large poster-sized bed. Besides a chair, it was the only piece of furniture in the room.

  He stood by the chair closing the shutters on the windows. “I can and I will. You can wait until morning.” He began to untie the leather cord that held up his pants. “Ama is your name. You were born with that name. I do not know you as Lailah and I will no longer call you by that human name.”

  My hands planted themselves on my hips. “You are an arrogant son of a bitch. How about this…I don’t know this Ama and I will not respond when you call me that.”

  Gawonii’s eyes met my face, his strong gaze seeking out to humble me. The calmness on the outside didn’t match the storm that was brewing behind those opaque pupils.

  “I am a patient man, Ama. I will protect you, care for you, give us children, and I will not abuse you. But I will not tolerate an insolent wife. So, if I were you, I would be mindful of that.” He warned.

  I rolled my eyes. And what the hell was he going to do? I wish he would lay a hand on me.

  This time his expression showed amusement. “Let’s just hope you never find out?”

  Ugh! This mind reading thing is going to be annoying. He turned away from me letting his pants fall to the floor.

  For the love of…He was naked! Completely…gloriously, and I be damned… deliciously naked. I turned my back to him, my cheeks engulfed in flames.

  A slow tingle traveled up my spine like at the festival giving a feeling as if someone were touching me. I spun around to see a knowing smile on his lips.

  “Did you…?” But I knew the answer just by his expression.

  “Come to bed, Ama.” He said, unashamed. Swallowing, I looked from him then to the bed and walked out.

  I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Sitting down on the sofa, I stared down at my once beautiful wedding dress wishing that I had known that today was going to be my wedding day. Pulling what was left of the flowers that survived the forest scuffle out of my hair, I glanced over at the door wishing this time for an escape, but there were horrible things on the other side that only Gawonii knew how to protect me from.

  After about an hour had past, I looked back at the door to his bedroom. The room was now dark, and his breathing was steady as he slept. Refusing to cry, I cradled my injured hand, tucked my legs into my chest, and fell asleep.

  

  The next morning, the sun filtered through the window gently waking me from a satisfactory slumber. Sighing, I buried myself under the soft blankets providing warmth on this chilly morning. Sinking deeper, I hated to leave. I don’t remember ever lying on anything so soft and I surely don’t remember the sofa feeling this soft. I rolled over and the cotton sheets rubbed against my nipples triggering an excitement down below sending my mind back down memories lane when Gawonii mind-fondled me igniting a sexual chain reaction inside my body. My hands reached up brushing across my sensitive nipples secretly wishing it were his hands when my brain plummeted back down to reality.

  Blankets? Nipples? I shot up to find that I was in his bed. The air hit my skin causing my nipples to harden even more than they were in the coolness of the room now that the blankets gathered down around my waist. Quickly pulling the blankets up to cover my breasts, I scanned the bedroom. It was empty. Lifting the sheets, I peeked under them to see what I had already realized. I was completely naked. All except for the necklace still attached to my neck.

  I looked around the small room for the dress I wore last evening but there was no sign of it. I wrapped the blanket around my body as tightly as I could and shuffled out into the sitting area.

  How dare he undress me without my permission? My mind ran with all kinds of thoughts. Did he take advantage of me? Was it good? And why couldn’t I remember any of it?

  Out in the sitting room, I looked around but no Gawonii. Walking over to the window, I saw him standing on the last step of the porch naked from the waist up and it looked like he was talking to someone. Cracking open the door a bit, I peered out to see Kasey!

  Throwing open the door, startling Kasey…not so much Gawonii, I stomped down the stairs passing Gawonii straight towards that lying, back-stabbing, secret-keeping, ex-best friend! The fear on Kasey’s face only added to my temper. She threw up her hands trying to ward me off.

  “Lailah…there is a whole explanation for this! I promise you!”

  In my head, as I stormed towards her, I envisioned wrapping my hands around her pretty, little neck and squeezing the life out of her. I had not reached her when Kasey dropped to the ground clawing at her neck.

  “Lailah!” She screamed. I heard her scream, but I could not see past my anger and her betrayal. I wanted her to suffer just as I suffered last night. At that moment, Kasey clutched her hand screaming again.

  Gawonii grabbed me. “Stop it! You will kill her if you do not.” He shook me until I looked at him releasing the connection I had with Kasey which I truly did not understand that I had, but for some reason, I knew just how much pain she was in and how much more she could handle until I did kill her.

  Now angry at Gawonii, I went to push him the hell away from me when he suddenly flinched, stumbling backwards. My eyes grew wide taking a few steps away from him. Gawonii didn’t go down but his surprised reaction turned lethal.

  “You will never use your gifts, in that manner, on me again! Trust me, you will regret it.” He warned.

  Ignoring him, I stood my ground. “Where are my clothes?” I said now seething. “I’m getting out of here. I’ll find my own way back home.” I started to make my way back to the cabin.

  “You cannot go back, Ama. This is your home.” He said behind me.

  “And you’re a nut job!” I threw back without pausing.

  “He’s right, Lailah.” I heard Kasey chime in still sounding as if she was trying to get over the pain. I spun around.

  “I will never believe or trust you again. How could you bring me here and do this to me?”

  Kasey took a step forward but fell to the ground again. Gawonii knelt next to Kasey to help her but soon became frustrated.

  “Stop this. She saved your life, Ama.”

  “Lailah…” I corrected. “Whatever, I’m out of here.” I went to leave again.

  “If you leave…you will die.”

  It was then that I stopped and listened.

  Gawonii stood up, continuing. “If you leave this valley…IF you leave me, you will die.”

&n
bsp; I turned to him. “You’re lying,” I accused but something in me believed that he was not.

  “No, he’s not Lailah. That disease was killing you and I couldn’t heal you any longer. It had spread, completely overtaking your body. The elders came when I called to help try and sustain it until I could get you here. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have even made it here the first day.”

  The office visit!

  Kasey struggled to her feet. “You felt it when you got here, Lailah. You were…are stronger. You can’t tell me this isn’t the best you’ve felt in years. Look, I couldn’t tell you the truth. You would have never believed me. None of us could have known that your body would succumb like it did and as quickly. All of us were taken by surprise. You were not shown to be here until another two hundred years.”

  “TWO HUNDRED YEARS!!!” I laughed hysterically. “And how were you going to keep me alive for another two hundred years? You guys are really believing this crap?”

  “Ama, you… this body, is over six hundred years old. Your spirit is over four millennia.” Gawonii elaborated. I looked from Gawonii and Kasey but when I saw neither one of them crack a smile, the smile I wore slipped away. I searched for the ‘gotcha,’ but none came.

  “How? Why? When did…?” Feeling dizzy, I lowered myself onto the steps trying to rationalize everything. All I knew is that I had to get out of there. Now!

  Standing up, I went for the door. “I’m going home.” I told them. Gawonii was blocking my way the second the words left my mouth. “Get out of my way,” I ordered.

  “You are not leaving. I will not allow it.”

  “Move!” I demanded more fiercely this time. “You can’t hold me here.”

  Gawonii glowered at me but it did not matter how scary Gawonii looked blocking my way to freedom, I was going home. My emotions must have thought that was the ok sign to challenge Gawonii because I saw him flinch again.

  Gawonii towered over me angrily, his jaw working trying to compose his frustration with me. “This is my last warning. Do not use your gifts on me again. I am your husband not your enemy. Our disagreements will not result into abusing the gifts the gods have given us on each other. I will not say it again, Ama…you will not leave.”