Grace Before Dying Page 6

  I felt sick. Sickened by what had occurred. Gray Cloud knew that my child was his. The question now remained whose child was Kinta carrying? My father’s or Gray Cloud’s?

  He could not become chief through me so he went another way.

  I see you, evil one. But you will not win. I will find my son and I will gain back the trust of my tribe. I am willing to play the long game, Gray Cloud. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to stop you. To end you. To curse you once and forever.

  “I submit to your will, Old Face, as my father, and my chief I do so. But I say to you before all these witnesses, before all of these gathered against me,” I stared at Gray Cloud and Kinta to make sure they knew that I knew about them. “I will not marry until I am ready to choose. I know the laws of our Creek nation, father. My son has been taken from me, stolen by this woman. I gave no permission. I did not relinquish him. Evil has been plotted against me. But as you command, I will leave your tent. Look to your wife, Old Face. Kinta has lied to you, my father.”

  My first few steps were wobbly, but I quickly found my footing. I did not bother taking either a blanket or any of my personal belongings. None of the treasures that I collected over the years meant anything to me anymore. My arms were empty and my son was gone. If he was even alive. Somehow, I would force Empty Arms or another of those barren witnesses to tell me the truth, to confess to me what had happened to my flesh and blood. To my child. As if the heavens wept with me it began to rain. As I stepped through the open door of the tent, my father did not stop me, but glared at me hurt by my words.

  No more hurt than I. My father had turned against me. What spell had Kinta woven to confuse his mind, to cause him to strip me of my happiness?

  That must be it. Some sort of spell work. It was known that Gray Cloud had been- and was- a great Shaman. I smiled briefly as I heard the tribe whispering behind me. Only it wasn’t my name on their lips, but Kinta’s. At least the seed had been planted. No, I would not leave my tribe yet. Not until I knew where to find my son and not before I destroyed my enemies.

  I walked around the camp, but there was nowhere for me to go. Those that saw me coming closed their tent flaps to me. Other homes were already closed and the rain continued. My heartache grew, but I could not summon enough tears to stave off my misery.

  I wandered for some time and considered my next step. I needed to eat, I needed to think. I needed my son. And from somewhere deep within my soul a guttural scream burst forth. I cocked my head back and continued to shriek at the heavens as I sunk to my knees. I could not say how long I remained in that position, but when I finally came to my senses I was deep in the mud. The rain fell harder, but I did not die, I did not break, and I could cry no longer.

  A warm hand was in mine. I blinked through the rain and saw my cousin, Tall Feather, standing before me. He had a plain face and was not as tall as most of the braves in our tribe. People often overlooked him, me included.

  “Come with me, White Fire. Come, cousin.”

  With everything in my being, I wanted to go with him and eat and rest. Tall Feather was a kind man and he would be kind to me. I made no promises. I offered him nothing and neither did he. We would likely not marry. We had never even spoken of it, but he knew the truth about Gray Cloud and me. He had always known the truth.

  “I have changed my name, Tall Feather. Others will call me White Fire when once again they speak my name, but I want you to know my true name. And you must call me by this name when we are alone. Do you agree?”

  Tall Feather nodded once and waited in the rain beside me.

  “Call me Red Revenge for that is who I will become.”

  With a grim expression, Tall Feather squeezed my hand and I accepted it as his acknowledgment. This was no formal affair, but I felt it the honorable thing to do. He must be warned. Inviting me into his tent and offering me his hospitality was one thing when my name was White Fire, but I was White Fire no longer.

  I was Red Revenge and there would be blood.

  Chapter Nine—Lily

  My hair smelled like vanilla and strawberries. I loved Katrina’s swanky shampoo collection. I’d have to ask CJ to take me shopping, too, if I could remember the brand. Katrina suggested I take a picture of the bottle to make sure I got the right one. I wasn’t normally one to go for high-end hair care, but my hair smelled so good and it wasn’t bushy at all. That stuff was like a miracle cure. Maybe I would put in a little more effort into my looks. At least once in a while, on special occasions. When I thought about it. But I’d probably never wear eye makeup. I wouldn’t even know where to start. Aunt Carrie Jo offered to take me makeup shopping a hundred times, but I always refused.

  “Makeup isn’t my thing,” I told her at the beginning of the school year. I may have to revise that declaration.

  “We could straighten your hair, Lily. I bet your hair is gorgeous straight.” Katrina clapped her hands as she glanced at me in the mirror. “Let me do it! It will wash out with your next shampoo. Come on, what do you say?”

  “I say you are far too excited about this,” I picked up my phone to answer yet another text from Bryan. Why in God’s name had I kissed him? I mean, it wasn’t even a real kiss. Just a cheek kiss. I was the scandal of the school now.

  “Okay, bestie. Put the dang phone down and spend time with me. Your boyfriend can wait.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” I corrected her as she flicked on her flat iron and began sectioning off my hair with bright pink hair clips. “Ouch! I’m tender headed.” We were doing this, whether I wanted to or not.

  She grinned at me in the mirror. Her eye makeup was smeared, we’d been laughing our behind off and it was late. Must be past midnight at least. I felt tired. Too tired to be straightening my hair, but as this was my first sleepover in my entire life- except for staying at Aunt Rachel’s or Detra Ann’s with baby Chloe, I wanted to make the most of it. And as a dream catcher, I had to make sure not to make it my last.

  Aunt Carrie Jo gave me some tips last night. “Don’t sleep too close to anyone. You sleep on a pallet or in another bed. Make sure there’s enough distance between you two so you don’t accidentally peep in on her dream. And if you do happen to see her dream, text me first. Don’t tell anyone what you’ve seen. People freak out about that kind of thing. Take this with you. It’s hematite, a stone that will block negative energy in a small way. It won’t completely stop the dreams, I don’t know what will. I’ve never been able to figure that out, but it will give you some protection. Also, don’t forget to say a prayer, a quiet prayer. Ask God to protect you in your dreams. I will pray here too.”

  All of her advice, although helpful, saddened me. I didn’t want to have to worry about this kind of thing. Why can’t I be like most girls? Just worry about getting my period at the wrong time, or trying to pass finals.

  “I used to not like you, you know. And here we are best friends. I’m straightening your hair. You’re telling me about dream catching. How weird is that?”

  I laughed at that truthful observation. “I didn’t think much of you either, but we’re cool now. Let’s not dwell on the past.” I said hopefully. A thumping upstairs shook the chandelier above us. I glanced up cautiously but didn’t mention it. There was a party going on in Katrina’s brother’s room. A party of one, I guessed, because there was no one else there.

  A few seconds later I heard Mrs. Valentine yell up the stairs for him to turn the music down. He did as she asked, but not politely. If I’m not mistaken he called her a name or two. Not nice names either. I suddenly missed home. We didn’t swear at our house. Nobody called anyone names. Even when we got mad at one another.

  “Just ignore the jerk. That’s what I do. Every day, girl.” With careful fingers, Katrina lifted a small section of hair and slid the hot iron over the hair. It immediately straightened and shimmered. “Oh my God! Look at that! Your hair is gorgeous! Ugh, I’m so jealous. Let’s do your whole head!”

  I stared at my hair in the mirror. W
ow, that was neat. I’d never had straight hair before—it was so long and shiny. I couldn’t wait to show Aunt Carrie Jo. I was going to have to snap some pictures of this. “I love it, Katrina. I have to get one of these straighteners! Let me try!”

  “Sure! Grip it here and slide it down. That’s it. Girlfriend…you are beautiful!” I rolled my eyes at her description of my appearance. She was joking of course. I was no beauty queen, but I kind of liked this new straight hair look. Trying it at home though? Not sure about that, but maybe. “Where did you buy this gizmo?”

  “It’s Orr’s. I snagged it from the upstairs bathroom. He’s such a queen—I mean he has three. I think he got it at Polly’s Beauty Shop, but you can find them anywhere that you buy blow dryers and such.” I glanced at her in the mirror. I never heard of a guy straightening his hair, but then again what did I know about teenage boys. Not much. Except some of them liked holding hands.

  “This is Orr’s straightener? What?”

  Katrina shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “As I said, lots of guys do it, but to be honest, he’s like truly a weirdo. Straight up weirdo and not the cool kind like us. Orr is my stepbrother by the way--not my actual brother. I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I used to wish that I did, but then my mother remarried Orr’s father and I don’t wish that anymore.”

  “I never met your stepfather. Is he home tonight?”

  “He split on us and left Orr behind. He takes it out on us even though he needs my mother to support him. I wish he’d get a job and help out. That’s what I’m going to do, as soon as I’m old enough to get one.” Katrina touched up a few of my frizzy sections and then sprayed my hair with some delicious smelling concoction. She unplugged the straightener. “Can I tell you something?”

  “Sure you can,” I said as we settled down on her bed. I was going to sleep on Katrina’s giant bean bag tonight, but I wasn’t tired yet. Orr continued slamming crap around upstairs too. Now and then I caught a glimpse of myself with straight hair. I couldn’t believe how different I looked now.

  “Orr makes me nervous, Lily. You know sick I was back when you and I had our discussion. I’ll never forget that. You knew and I told no one--not even Cammie. They said I was going to die, the doctors I mean. Someone poisoned me, but in small doses, enough to kill me over time. Thanks to Mom I’m okay. Orr used to tell me he wanted me to die. He said that he was going to kill me. I think…I think it was him. Orr poisoned me, Lily.”

  Was she kidding? I couldn’t imagine saying something so horrible to a sick person. “I had no idea, Katrina,” My smile vanished as I tried to absorb this information. “I’m glad you’re okay, but why is Orr still living with you guys?” I tried to ignore the prickling of hair that crept up on my arms.

  “Because we can’t prove any of it. Not in any legal sense. And honestly, I think Mom doesn’t want to believe it. She says it had to be accidental like I accidentally poisoned myself. Yeah, right. But we have no idea how it happened. None at all. Except for my guess, it’s Orr.”

  I swallowed at the idea of being poisoned. Why would Orr want to kill Katrina? What was happening? I glanced over my shoulder thinking maybe Orr or Mrs. Valentine had appeared in the open doorway. It felt as if someone were standing there, hovering just beyond sight, but there was no one there.

  Katrina must have sensed the same thing because she walked to the door and closed it behind her. She didn’t stop there either. She slid a chair under the door so no one could get in the room without us knowing. Was this a regular thing? What had I gotten myself into by staying the night here? Mrs. Valentine was nice enough and Katrina’s home was cool and modern. It had neat gadgets everywhere, like lights that dimmed with the touch of a keypad. Nothing like Seven Sisters. However, I wasn’t entirely comfortable about the prospect of sleeping in a house with a potential poisoner.

  I suddenly realized Katrina was working up to asking me something. Something I hadn’t expected her to ask. It would have been nice if she’d just bite the bullet and say what was on her mind.

  “You know I can burn things, Lily. I can set things on fire for real. You were right about that. I can’t tell you how many times I just want to burn him up. I set his homework on fire once, but Mom knew it was me. She knows about my abilities, but she doesn’t approve of me using them.”

  “How does it work? Is it like the movie? Do you know the one with the girl that burns up the world? I’ve never met anyone who could do what you can. How do you control it?”

  Katrina smiled as she turned on the bed slightly and stared at the candle on her nightstand. I watched her as she waved her finger to silence me. “Just watch. You’ll see.” She leaned her head down, her deep brown eyes focusing on the white candle. Nothing happened for a full thirty seconds, but then it began to smoke ever so slightly.

  And then a flame popped. The wick lit and even light began to burn. Katrina sagged slightly and closed her eyes. I watched and waited as my friend recovered from the exertion of starting a fire.

  “It takes a lot of energy to make even a small flame. That’s the truth, Lily. I can’t do it all the time either. It’s not like the movie. I don’t burn up places when I get mad, but I can do some damage. Orr knows about me. He knows and he’s afraid.”

  I squeezed her hand. “Good. Cause if you’re right he needs to be afraid. I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. What do you need me to do, Katrina? I know you want to ask me. Just ask.”

  My hair crept up again and my heart burned in my chest. I knew. As sure as my name was Lily Rose Stuart.

  “I want you to look in his dreams, Lily. Tell me. Tell me if he did it. I have to know. I need to know and nobody can tell me but you. Please?”

  My shoulders slumped at the idea of intruding in Orr’s dreams. I didn’t even know the guy and even though Katrina had confidence in me, I wasn’t sure that I could do it. Not unless I slept closer to him.

  And there was no way I would do that. Never in a million years. There was a way though. I’d done it before. Katrina’s hopeful expression made it difficult to say no. What if she were right? What if Orr wanted to kill her? I couldn’t have that on my conscience.

  All of the joy from our exciting night vanished as I faced the prospect of invading a near stranger’s dreams. Aunt Carrie Jo would not approve of this. Not in a million years, but she wasn’t here, I was and I had to do this for my friend. After all, it was a matter of life and death.

  “I’ll go with you if you show me how, Lily. Please?”

  I shook my head. “No, I can’t risk that. I’ll do it, but I need a few things. And I need you to watch over me. You have to make sure I wake up. Promise me?”

  Suddenly, Katrina hugged me up in her arms and I hugged her back.

  Too late to turn back now.

  Chapter Ten—Amara

  I recalled the phone conversation perfectly. “No, Carrie Jo. Nothing is happening here. Gracefield is quiet.” Except for a few things, like finding pioneer clothing laid out on my bed again and seeing the white mist materialize in my kitchen. But other than that, nothing.

  Isn’t that enough?

  “You don’t understand, Amara. I can’t leave things undone—she knows about me—and you. Setting Gray Cloud and No Name free was not the end of this mess. White Fire had a child, a boy. Gray Cloud knew about the child. She’s reaching out to me, here at Seven Sisters, leaving those painted ibofanga stones around here. I think she needs to know that he’s okay. I’m not sure. I’m just guessing at this point, but I am dreaming about her. I need to come there, to Gracefield, to get a better grasp of the dreams. To see more, and maybe get the answers.”

  “I haven’t seen any such stones popping up here, Carrie Jo. I buried them all down by the creek, just like the shaman told me. I may have missed one or two, I mean there were simply dozens, but I can’t imagine how that stone would have gotten to your place.”

  I had to admit that was a tad bit worrying. Stones migrating to the Stuart property? That was a
clear six-hour drive, much less how long it took to transport there through the spirit world if one were to believe that. But did I believe it? I had always believed that the most logical answer was the correct answer.

  Wait a second…wasn’t it entirely possible that Carrie Jo’s niece Lily brought the rock there? Maybe stole it from here? That was the kind of thing kids did, right? I probably would have taken one home if I were a kid if given a chance.

  But then again, Carrie Jo didn’t have to help me those last two times. She didn’t have to do any of it, but she did, and at great danger to herself. Was I going to turn my back on the dream catcher now? Of course not. But I was ready for all of this to be over. All of it. No matter what my heritage, First Nation, or otherwise, I didn’t want any part of dream catching.

  Never again. My sister-in-law, rather ex sister-in-law, had recommended that I work with a reiki master to learn how to get the dreaming under control. I remember what I told the woman. “Please help me. Let this be over soon. I have a life to live. I don’t want to deal with the past anymore.”

  But I would help Carrie Jo. No doubt I would do that. She wouldn’t be here until this evening and my friend from the hospital, Gennifer was stopping by and she’d be here any minute. This would be her first visit to Gracefield and I wanted her to like the place.

  I couldn’t say why except, I did.

  What wasn’t to like? The house was beautiful, and it had character. Admittedly though, it also had a few dilapidated spots. I had roof repairs, sheetrock removal, and other things on my honey-do list. Honey-do-this-for-yourself list, that is. I was kind of happy about the thought of that. Doing things yourself gave one more ownership, more of the ability to choose paint colors, pick out the flooring. I didn’t have to make any compromises on this place.