Rhea’s truck rode way better than the old beater William had loaned them. Smooth and quiet. Still not as nice as Levi’s demolished car had been, but a welcome change to the alternative he and Paige had been using.
Be thankful you had an alternative, he chided himself. You could still be walking around the res looking for Rhea.
Levi felt grateful that Rhea drove in silence, allowing the miles to roll by quietly. It was better they didn’t talk anyway, given Paige’s unease with him going off alone with the other woman. Foolish girl.
Rhea didn’t fit his type at all. Stoic and somewhat bitchy, the woman radiated a hands-off vibe to everyone in general. Not to mention, he preferred blondes and, most importantly, Rhea just wasn’t Paige. Paige didn’t need to worry, but a little “perceived” competition couldn’t hurt. Might even play into his favor. Or more likely blow up in my face.
He frowned, not sure how this situation might help him. He needed Paige to stay, but found himself uncomfortable with attempting such deception. He didn’t play these games for a reason, not liking that kind of manipulation.
“What?” Rhea asked.
Levi snapped out of his contemplation. “Huh?”
“What are you frowning about?”
“Nothing.”
“Didn’t look like ‘nothing,’” Rhea protested. “Does danger wait for us?”
“Probably, but that’s not what bothered me.”
“Is it about Paige?”
“Can you read minds or something?”
She grinned. “Don’t have to. Easy to figure that one out.”
Levi crossed his arms. “She plans to leave when this ‘Headless Man’ business is over.”
“Change her mind.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “Yeah, been working on that one. How?”
Rhea glanced over, looking him up and down. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
He laughed. “I wish it were that simple.”
“Could be simple.” She shrugged with a laugh. “If you’re any good, she’ll stay.”
He scoffed. “Did you learn about relationships from a cave painting?”
“You’ve already slept with her, then?” Rhea arched a brow. “And you’re not any good?”
Levi had never wanted to punch a woman before, but this chick kept pushing him to cross that line. “Yes, we’ve slept together. From what I could tell she had a good time.”
“But not a good enough time...”
“Is this why you brought me out here?” Levi asked, throwing his hands in the air. “To belittle me?”
“You have little to do with my reasons,” she answered.
“Somehow, I doubt that.”
“I’m trying to protect my people, and my family.”
“Well, who doesn’t want that?” Levi had reached his limit with this woman and her vague bullshit. “I’m not the one who wanted to find you witches. I just want to be rid of this phantom that’s plaguing my family. I’m more than willing to do that without you and yours.”
“You’d die.”
“Maybe, but at least I wouldn’t have to put up with this crap.”
“Don’t be such a baby. I’m only having a little fun.”
Levi chuckled in disbelief. “You have a twisted sense of humor.”
“It’s true, I don’t appreciate you and your companion bringing trouble to my home, but she’s a witch, and that buys her some slack. Besides, we need her to stay.”
The more this woman talked, the more confused Levi became. “Paige believes you guys have the answers she’s been looking for. I have my doubts, but I’m willing to go along for now. I just want to get rid of this monster, and then we’ll be on our way.”
“She might feel differently about leaving.”
“I’ve already told you, she’s leaving. That’s her decision.”
“And I told you to change her mind.”
Levi grimaced. “I get that you want her to stay, but I’m not helping you to change her—”
“It’s not only for our benefit, and we don’t want just her,” Rhea interrupted. “We want both of you to stay, if that’s what Paige wants. And you do want to be with her, right?”
Yes, he did. More than anything, even more than getting rid of The Headless Man. But he couldn’t force her to stay, as much as he might want to, and he wouldn’t let these witches force her either. They’d proven friendly so far, but their true colors would shine when the time came for Paige to make a choice. Levi hoped that moment wouldn’t lead to a confrontation… hell, he hoped she decided to remain with the coven, at least for a little while, if only to have more time with her. The situation would play itself out, and he’d finished with this Doctor Phil crap.
“Which elders did you want to speak with?” he asked, changing the subject.
Rhea narrowed her eyes, but didn’t press him further. “A medicine man named, Little Hawk, and his wives.”
He’d heard the name before, but not about the polygamy. “Wives?”
“Don’t ask me,” she answered, with a negating hand. “I’d have killed him a long time ago if he was my husband.”
Levi laughed, having no doubts that she would have. “We should start with them first.”
“We?” Rhea frowned. “What about your grandfather?”
“I want to hear what Little Hawk and his wives have to say, and it’s getting dark. Family tend to be more forgiving about late-night intrusions.”
“Speak for yourself, but whatever. To Little Hawk’s we go.”
They ended up on the outskirts of the reservation by around seven o’clock. Although dark, visitors should still be welcome. Little Hawk’s place looked like William’s, except for having two trailer homes instead of one and more junk scattered around yard.
Rhea came to a stop next to a rusted-out motorcycle. “Give me a minute to announce us, okay?”
“That’s fine,” Levi replied. “I don’t feel like getting shot for trespassing anyway.”
She snorted, and got out of the truck. She’d left the car running and the headlights on. Her shadow stretched across the yard and onto the side of the trailer home. She climbed a set of steps and knocked on the door.
The blind in the window tilted to the side, revealing the silhouette of a woman. She barked something at Rhea, but it was impossible to make out over the hum of the engine. Rhea held her hands together in some sort of plea as she spoke. Eventually, the door swung open. Rhea waved at him to come, and then she stepped inside.
Levi turned off the ignition and tucked the keys in his pocket. Crisp, cool air hit him as he stepped out of the truck, similar to the night of the attack. His breath fogged before him as he approached the front door. The yellowish light that came through the doorway was warm and inviting, yet he hesitated. He’d never been a big believer in shamans and medicine men, though he understood the part they’d played in ancient societies. His gripe wasn’t about the leadership role that such people commonly held. It was the trickery and mysticism they used to achieve those positions of power. Some would argue that guile and deception were sometimes necessary for the overall betterment of the community. Maybe. But when would the fog of deceit clear so everyone could see the truth? Who possessed the right to decide what truths all would share?
“Are ya gonna just stand out there in the cold all night, or are ya comin’ in?” an old woman’s voice called out harshly.
“Yeah, you’re lettin’ all the heat out!” another ancient woman barked.
Levi snapped out of his contemplation. The time for second-guessing had passed. His concerns would have to wait for another time. He quickly shuffled inside, closing the door behind him.
Despite his misgivings, he found the living room as cozy as the light had promised. Many symbols of protection adorned the walls, even more than at his grandfather’s place. Dreamcatchers, painted animal skulls, and tokens covered every surface, including the ceiling. Most of the artwork consisted of ancient tribal designs.
“Well don’t just stand there like a knob, sit down!” A woman that could have been a hundred years his grandfather’s senior gestured to a worn-out recliner. She’d been the first one to yell at him through the doorway. Her snow-white hair sat atop her head in a messy bun; a few stray hairs dangling in front of her cloudy eyes. She tightened a bright red blanket around herself with a look of contempt.
Levi had to duck to get to the chair offered him. He managed to navigate through the clutter without banging his head. “Thanks. My name—”
“We know who ya are, boy,” the other woman barked; the second one that had yelled at him. This one had two long, salt and pepper braids overlapping each shoulder. The wrinkles indenting her leathery features were almost as deep as the other woman’s, but not quite. Her clear eyes narrowed with sharp scrutiny. “Surprised you’re still alive. That wraith huntin’ your family is a dogged son of bitch.”
Levi stared at her, dumbfounded.
“It happened a long time ago, boy,” the hawk-eyed woman continued, ignoring his astonishment. “Meoquanee could see back then, though still an old hag.”
“Shut up Awinita, ya scrawny Nav-a-hoe,” the blind one retorted. “Charlie never would have taken you for a wife, if ya hadn’t spread those knobby knees of yours.”
Awinita sneered in contempt at Meoquanee. “Well, if you hadn’t gotten down on your knees and—”
“Ladies!” Rhea yelled, holding her hands up. “Please. We need information about Levi’s history, not yours.”
Both of the old women crossed their arms and harrumphed at the same time.
Levi almost laughed. They could have been feuding sisters, fighting over a boy. I guess some things never change, no matter the age.
The thought made him realize the absence of the “boy” they fought over. The cantankerous pair and Rhea had been the only people in sight when he came into the room. Could be the old man had already gone to bed. “Is Little Hawk here?”
“He’ll be no help to ya,” Meoquanee answered.
“Half outta his mind, he is,” Awinita continued. “You’ll wanna talk to Catori. She’s the one who can help you.”
“How many wives does Little Hawk have?” Rhea asked, bewildered.
The old pair looked at each other, even though one of them was blind, and started to cackle. After a few perplexing moments of laughter, Meoquanee wiped the tears from her milky eyes. “He couldn’t handle another woman, dear,” she wheezed. “We’ve practically put him in the grave, just the two of us.”
“Catori’s his sister,” Awinita followed, wiping away tears of her own. “If anyone knows ’bout your family’s troubles, it’s her.”
Levi sighed in relief. He didn’t understand how these women might know anything about his family’s curse. At the moment, he didn’t care. If they could help in any way, he’d be thankful. “Where is Catori?”
“Oh, she’s dead, dear,” Meoquanee replied. “We’ll have to commune with her spirit.”
She said it so matter-of-factly that Levi nodded in agreement before he realized what he was doing. “Wait, you have to do what?”
“Not to worry, we talk with her all the time,” Awinita said. “Everything’s already in place. We just need a little blood to get things started.” She took a gnarled cane from beside her chair and ran it across the round coffee table in front of them. Used napkins, soda cans, candles, and a remote control fell to the ground in a flourish. Underneath all the debris, a mystical symbol of some sort had been etched into the table’s surface.
The swirling patterns and circular shape of the design reminded him of Paige’s work. These women had to be witches as well, or something similar, but now wasn’t the time to open an inquiry. He couldn’t help but think, however, that maybe the parlor tricks and smoke-screens had more truth behind them than he’d given them credit. Paige and her new friends offered proof anything could be possible.
“Blood?” Levi managed to ask. “Whose blood?”
Awinita clicked her tongue. “Pretty, but not very smart, is he?”
Rhea snorted, while Meoquanee giggled.
Levi glared at the three of them. “Okay, so how much of my blood do you need?”
“Oh, just a drop or two,” Meoquanee answered. “You won’t even know it’s gone.”
“Give us your hand, dear.” Awinita urged him with a wave from across the table.
He looked at Rhea, skeptically. “I’m not sure about—”
“Don’t be such a child,” Meoquanee interrupted. “Ya want to end the curse, don’t ya?”
Rhea shrugged with indifference. “Your call.”
Levi grimaced. “Thanks for the input.”
Begrudgingly, he offered his hand over to Awinita. The old woman gently took hold of his wrist, and pulled out a dagger from underneath the table. Feathers and small bird skulls dangled from the leather-wrapped pommel. The blade and tang appeared bone, though Levi couldn’t say whether animal or human. Before he could question its origins, Awinita ran the sharp edge over his palm, opening a huge gash in his skin.
“Jesus!” He tried to yank his hand back, but Awinita’s grip had turned to iron. She twisted his wrist over and slammed his palm down on the center of the symbol. The etched lines on the tabletop seared his flesh instantly.
“Rhea!” Levi yelled, trying to pull his hand away to no avail.
The young Native American woman leapt onto his back, holding him in place. She whispered into his ear as he struggled to free himself. “The pain is temporary. You must endure it to find the answers you seek.”
“Damn you!” He yanked his arm wildly, but the table itself held him fast. Tendrils of smoke began to seep out from under the sides of his hand and climb into the air. The pungent odor of burning flesh filled his nostrils. Panic and fear rushed to the forefront of his mind.
The women, including Rhea, chanted words he couldn’t understand. A fog of pain and confusion had fallen over him. Nothing mattered, except freeing himself from the wicked symbol that now pulsed with life.
The magic pulled at his soul, not unlike what the Headless Man had done to him in the car the night before. A tearing from within made him scream, and then all the pain stopped.
Just like that, the agony disappeared.
He still couldn’t move his hand, but the horrid burning had ceased. His mind spiraled away from the insanity that would have surely claimed him. He then tumbled into the present.
The trailer had transformed. A darkness had descended upon the room, with only a solitary source of light to hold it at bay. The glowing form of a young woman floated in front of him. Wisps of azure smoke coiled around her like a translucent shield. Specks of light shimmered down from some unseen place far above.
“Ask your questions, boy,” Meoquanee ordered, her voice muffled and distant.
“I...” he began, but suddenly realized he had no idea what to ask. Shock and pain had stripped away his purpose, and his mind still reeled from the experience. He racked his brain for focus, and found a glimmer of something. He’d come to find protection for someone. Someone other than himself. A woman. Paige.
Levi straightened, remembering his reason for coming. “My name is Levi Walker, and I seek to banish a creature called the Headless Man. Can you help me?”
The young woman stared at him. Her eyes glowed the same brilliant blue as the smoky tendrils that danced around her. “I know this name, Walker,” she replied in a hollow voice. “Your ancestor came to me, looking for help. I could not help him. I cannot help you.”
“Please. You must know something?”
“I can only tell you about the past. There is nothing I can do about your future.”
Frustration crept into his desperation. He fought against it and spoke through gritted teeth. “I’d be thankful to hear anything you have to say.”
“Your great-grandfather had the love of two women; an Indian woman and a white woman. He was promised to one, but loved the other.”
Levi had learned some of what the spirit shared from his grandfather, but that last part didn’t sound right. “What do you mean ‘promised to one, but loved another’?”
“Your great-grandfather was married, but loved another.”
“What the fu...” He couldn’t believe it. The way his grandfather had told it, the whole affair had been just a fling, not love. Perhaps he was misunderstanding what she was saying. “The woman my great-grandfather loved, what was her name?”
“Agnes Hanover,” Catori’s spirit answered.
Levi’s heart sank. His great-grandmother’s name was Bly Walker. “This white woman, Agnes Hanover, is the one my great-grandfather saved?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to her?”
“The Headless Man devoured her.”
Well, at least his grandfather had recounted that part correctly. “Was she the one that cursed our family?”
“That, I cannot say. The Headless Man possesses a powerful shroud. It shields the malicious spirit’s origins and doings, even from my eyes.”
Dizziness struck, leaving Levi reeling and nearly falling to the floor. He grabbed the table with his other hand to steady himself.
“Let go, Levi,” a faint voice urged, practically a whisper.
He ignored it. “How do I kill the damn thing?”
The spirit’s eyes flashed. “I cannot help you.”
“Tell me!” he demanded, his patience at an end. He hated feeling as empty-handed and helpless as he’d started.
“You must come with me if you want to learn more.” The emotionless, glowing orbs bore into him. “Come with me.” She offered her hand.
“Levi! Let go of the table!” The distant voice grew stronger, more urgent.
He looked back and forth from the spirit’s hand to the strobing symbol that had summoned her. He couldn’t see the table, but he knew it was there.
“Come with me.” The spirit knelt closer. “I have answered all I can. Now, you must come with me.” The desire to take Catori’s hand pulled at his heart and soul. She seemed to promise more than just answers. She offered solace from the pain of Nova’s loss.
Levi blinked and shook his head. “I have more to do. I can’t come with you.”
The spirit’s demeanor distorted with rage, drenching him in a jarring, white neon light. “Come with me!” she bellowed.
He tore his hand away from the symbol, covering his ears.
The screaming and blinding light ceased, as if waking from a bad dream.
Once again, Levi found himself in Little Hawk’s living room with the two elderly women and Rhea. He fell to the ground, shivering.
Rhea threw a blanket over him. “Are you okay?”
He glared up at her. “I’ve been better.”
“I’m sorry.”
She actually sounded remorseful, but that didn’t ease Levi’s temper. He clambered to his knees. “What the hell was all that about?!”
Meoquanee and Awinita started cackling. The blind one finally wheezed, “Feisty, wasn’t she?”
“She wanted to take me to the other side!”
Awinita nodded. “She did indeed. Most of ’em do, the tricksy bastards.”
“That would have been nice to know before you duped me into”—he waved at the table—“whatever the hell that is!”
“You were safe, boy,” Meoquanee assured, offhandedly. “We sensed your earthly grounding well enough. Ya weren’t gonna leave.”
He scoffed in disbelief, and got to his feet with help from Rhea. “Toying with my life isn’t some game.”
“Don’t be such a spoilsport,” Meoquanee retorted. “Ya got what ya wanted, didn’t ya?”
“Not really.”
The ancient woman snorted. “Well, that’s life.”
Levi stumbled over to the door and opened it. “Thanks for the blanket.”
Rhea followed him out shortly after. What she had to say to those two old biddies, he couldn’t guess, and frankly, didn’t care. It was past time to be gone.
She climbed into the driver’s seat, glancing over at him. “I didn’t think they would take it that far. Again, I’m sorry.”
Part of him wanted to still be pissed, but he was too damn tired. “It’s okay. It wasn’t a complete loss, I guess.”
“What did you see?”
Levi frowned. “You don’t know?”
“Only the one to commune with the spirit participates in the experience. All I saw was you, gazing off into space.”
“We can talk about it later,” he said, uncomfortably. “I’d like to see my grandfather before it gets too late.”
She put the truck into gear and headed off. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to get to William’s trailer. The lights were still on when they pulled up. The place looked the same as it had that morning.
Levi eased out of the truck. “I’d like to do this alone, if you don’t mind.”
Rhea nodded and clicked the radio on.
William answered the door after the first knock. Concern furrowed his brow. “Come in, son. You look like hell.”
“Feeling like it too.” He took a seat on the sofa.
“Coffee?”
“Yeah, please.” He’d left the blanket in the car, so the cold clung to him despite the warmth found in his grandfather’s home. Some coffee would do him good.
“Where’s that pretty girl, Paige?” William asked as he handed Levi a cup.
“We found that Rhea woman. Paige stayed with her new friends.”
“Oh. Who’s outside?”
“Rhea.”
His grandfather frowned in thought. “Are you staying here tonight?”
“No. Look, I’ve got some questions about what happened back when the curse was put on our family.”
“Okay.” William took a seat in his favorite recliner. “Not sure what else I can tell you.”
Levi studied his grandfather. Had William lied about the past, or had he just misunderstood as a child? Hell, Levi couldn’t be completely sure if the spirit had given him the truth either, but his gut said yes. Always trust your gut, right?
Why would his grandfather lie to him about this? And if he hadn’t, what would it do to him to learn his own father had loved another woman all those years ago? Shit.
“What do you want to know?”
Did you lie to me? Levi closed his eyes. “Do you know who put the curse on great-grandfather?”
“I told you, that white woman,” William answered, frankly.
“Are you sure? Did you see her do it?”
“Well, no. Your great grandmother told me.”
“Did she see it happen?”
“I assume, yes.”
“So you don’t know for certain who cursed great-grandfather?” Levi asked, more for his own clarification than as an actual question.
“I was a child back then. I took my mother’s word.” William set his coffee on the stand next to his recliner. He looked over at Levi with genuine confusion. “What is this all about?”
A mixture of relief and dismay played at Levi’s emotions. He felt certain his grandfather hadn’t lied, relaying only what he believed to be the truth to his grandson. Unfortunately, that shifted the deception to his great-grandmother. Perhaps she hadn’t seen what she thought she saw. Considering his own issues understanding the things he’d seen recently, would she have had any less trouble interpreting events?
“It’s nothing, Grandfather. I’m just trying to get my head around this thing.”
“Well, when you figure it out, let me know.”
Levi chuckled. “I will.” He finished his coffee and took it to the kitchen. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll be back with your truck as soon as I can.”
“Use it as long as you need, just bring me some groceries the day after next, or I’ll starve.”
“Will do.” He made his leave, and got back in Rhea’s truck.
“Did you get anything useful,” She asked as they pulled away from William’s trailer.
“I’m not sure yet.” He didn’t know the significance of the information he’d learned tonight, but he had the feeling it would lead to something. He hoped.