Chapter Twenty-Two
Michelle held on to Carly’s hand, her heart pounding with everything she’d just been told. Logan was a shifter, and the cat, a familiar.
Carly continued to stare at a place beyond Michelle’s shoulder. “You’re really here…”
Utah moved beneath Michelle’s bottom to peer over her shoulder. “My name’s Utah. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carly.”
“Likewise,” Carly mumbled, her eyes huge and unblinking.
Michelle released her hold on Carly’s hand and switched her gaze to Ben. “Are you a shifter too?”
“I’m a familiar, only a bit different than the feline there.”
“Different, how?” Michelle asked.
“Psycho keeps his feline appearance when his presence isn’t needed. I, on the other hand, can take many forms.”
Michelle swallowed hard, glancing back at the cat.
“Show her, Psycho,” Ben rumbled.
The cat jumped from Carly’s arms.
“In the bathroom,” Logan growled, narrowing his eyes at the cat.
Michelle sat rooted to Utah’s lap as the cat trotted off down the hall and disappeared from view.
Seconds later, a tall, gorgeous man with midnight-black hair and yellow-green eyes appeared at the edge of the living room, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.
Utah stiffened beneath Michelle.
“Psycho?” Michelle whispered, feeling as if she might faint.
Carly was instantly on her feet. She knelt before Michelle and took hold of her hands. “It’s okay. I know what you’re feeling. I felt the same way when I first learned that there were other beings on the earth with us. But they’re here to help. They won’t harm you. You have my word.”
Michelle nodded numbly, never taking her gaze from the gorgeous man wearing the skimpy towel. “He’s real, isn’t he?”
But she knew. She’d seen the evidence with her own eyes.
Carly squeezed Michelle’s fingers, drawing her attention down to Carly’s upturned face. “He’s real, as is Logan and Ben.”
“And your baby?” Michelle’s mind wanted to rebel against the thought, but something inside her knew the answer before Carly spoke.
“Grayson is a shifter as well.”
“I thought you would say that.” Michelle turned her gaze back to Psycho, her mind scrambling to believe what stood before her.
Carly let go of Michelle’s hands and returned to the sofa. “Psycho’s real name is Kyle, and he’ll be staying with you until this Strangler is caught.”
“Like hell,” Utah practically snarled, moving Michelle off his lap and gaining his feet.
Kyle smirked before meandering back to the bathroom. He returned a moment later in the form of the black feline.
Utah moved to Michelle’s side. “I’m sorry, but you can’t seriously be considering allowing that thing to stay here.”
Michelle pinched the bridge of her nose and faced the group on the couch. “This is a lot to take in. I need some time to process it all. Besides, I thought Cassie sent you here to check on me because of Utah. You’ve seen that he’s not here to hurt me, so what’s the point in Psycho staying here?”
“Malik is the one who called us about Utah. But then we heard about the sheriff’s daughter and decided it would be a good idea to bring the feline with us. Besides, what’s Utah going to do if the Strangler decides you’re his next victim? He’s not even alive!” Logan exclaimed, flicking his gaze to Utah. “No offense.”
Utah crossed his powerful arms over his chest. “Neither are Cassie and Malik, but I doubt you swung by their coffins to offer up the cat before coming here.”
Psycho hissed from his perch next to Carly.
Logan got to his feet. “Malik and Cassandra can take care of themselves. Neither of them are in any danger from the Strangler. Michelle, on the other hand, is.”
Michelle stepped between the two men, watching as the cat scurried down the hall to the bathroom once more. “Utah’s right, Logan. I can take care of myself. I have him here to keep an eye on things, and I also have a pistol that I keep with me at all times.”
“I don’t like it,” Logan persisted, glancing at Carly for obvious help.
Ben spoke from his seat on the couch. “Did you see the news about the sheriff’s daughter? That was only about five miles from here. Too close to home, Cherokee.”
“I know about April. Utah is the one who saved her life,” Michelle pointed out.
Carly gasped, Logan’s mouth fell open, and Ben pushed to his feet.
Kyle sauntered up the hallway. “How is it that a spirit saved that girl’s life?”
Michelle explained as best she could what Utah had told her about his abilities, ending with, “He got to her in time.”
“And how is it that you are able to see him and Carly isn’t?” Kyle pressed, coming farther into the room.
Utah answered for her. “She carries the White Buffalo totem.”
“I’ve heard of that.” Kyle adjusted his towel and studied Michelle closely. “So, that’s why they refer to you as Cherokee. You have Native American blood running through your veins.”
Michelle nodded. “My mother is Cherokee.”
“And your father?” Kyle persisted. “Is he Cherokee as well?”
“I never met my father. But from what mother has told me of him, he had light hair and blue eyes.”
Kyle swiftly apologized. “I’m sorry. It was not my intention to pry.” He turned to Carly, Logan, and Ben. “The White Buffalo is sacred to the Native Americans. It is believed that those who are born with this totem are the bringers of the light, the builders of the bridge. Their medicine is to cross between planes.”
Michelle’s heart began to pound. “My mother told me some of this. I never really understood what it meant. To be honest, I still don’t.”
“May I?” Kyle asked before reaching for Michelle’s hand.
With a hesitant nod, Michelle accepted his outstretched palm. “How is it that you know so much about this?”
Kyle held her gaze. “My grandmother was Cherokee, and she too carried the White Buffalo totem.”
Michelle stood completely still as Kyle continued. “White Buffalo is the totem for one whose life path is to awaken the souls of others. Yet in order to fulfill this role, she needs first to find the light within herself. The light within will illuminate the process of discovery and lead you to the doorway between planes, the gate where the blue road and the red road intersect.”
He took a deep breath before continuing. “Your soul has been gifted the blessing of White Buffalo totem through your actions of selflessness in previous incarnations… In your ability to integrate the many aspects of yourself into one, in the current life, as you seek truth and understanding. But with this gift comes great responsibility, for the commitment is to build the bridge between planes so that the lost might cross.”
Michelle pulled her hand free, her mind whirling with all she’d been told. Though Lani had attempted many times to educate her daughter about her gifts, Michelle had never truly listened. She listened now. “So, Utah is here because he needs my help.”
Kyle glanced at Utah before returning his attention to Michelle. “More than likely.”
“If you all will excuse me,” Michelle numbly whispered. “I think I need to be alone.”
The trio on the couch stood, concern evident on their faces.
Carly wrapped her arms around Michelle as Logan and Ben headed for the door. “We didn’t come to upset you, honey. We truly want to help.”
“I know, Carly. And I appreciate it, but I’ve got it covered.” At least, she prayed she did.
Kyle was the last one to the door. He stopped and pinned Michelle with a serious stare. “We’re a phone call away.”
Michelle opened her mouth to thank him, gasping as a black feline suddenly stood in the place where Kyle had just been.
The cat slinked out the door, leaving the towel to pool in the entrance.