Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance (13 page)

Laura's car, he started down the long wooded drive. His

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

headlights caught movement in the beams, and he was forced

to slam on his breaks.

The wolf stood motionless in the middle of the road. It had

to be the largest one that he had ever seen—at least twice

the size of a normal wolf. Baring its teeth, the wolf's growls

became more violent with each passing second.

In the next instant, it disappeared into the aspens. Paul

understood this had just been a warning—a warning that the

others were paying him a king's ransom to ignore. Paul tried

to disregard the feeling of impending doom, but the message

had been clear and chilling.

The wolf's furious eyes had promised his death if he should

dare to touch her.

On the road to Acton, Laura took time to savor the scenery

around her. The beauty of the land never wavered, though

the landscape changed dramatically. Driving through lush

green mountains graced with towering pines, Laura marveled

at how suddenly the scenery changed to imposing red canyon

walls.

On her first trip to town, she had not taken too much

notice of the land around her, but now Laura could not help

but think what a beautiful and unique place this really was.

For just a moment, she let herself indulge in a harmless

daydream. What would it have been like to live out here

hundreds of years ago—wild and free? She would have had a

man like Justin to hold her at night, to keep her safe from

danger. She could almost feel the chilled night air against her

skin as she burrowed further into the buffalo robes seeking

his warmth.

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

Laura smiled to herself, startled at where her thoughts had

drifted. Justin had somehow gotten a grip on her mind and no

matter how—she tried she could not seem to shake him

loose.

Not since Kenny had someone taken such complete control

of her thoughts. No, with Justin it was much more powerful.

So immersed in her thoughts, Laura scarcely noticed that

she had entered the outskirts of town. She tried to remember

where she had seen the library the last time she was here. It

took five minutes of driving around before spotting it. The

building was minute compared to most libraries, only about

the size of a small house.

A petite, redheaded woman with wire-framed glasses sat

behind the information desk. She looked up when Laura

approached.

"Can I help you?"

"Do you have any history on Beaver Creek and the

Sungmanitu
?"

A queer look entered the older woman's blue eyes. "Yes,

you can look in nonfiction, under Native Americans. When you

get done with that, I'll get you the microfilm of old

newspapers. Look under Lakota migration," the woman

offered as she pointed to the aisle where Laura would find the

books.

A few minutes later, Laura had found what she was looking

for. There was just a brief paragraph—in a single book about

Sioux history. It seemed as if the
Sungmanitu
separated from

their Lakota relatives sometime in the seventeenth century. It

was apparently unknown or forgotten as to why exactly this

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

occurred, but after separation their contact with the Lakota

became virtually non-existent.

The book was not much help—she had already suspected

as much. Laura returned it to the shelf and peered back at

the information desk. Those blue eyes were still staring at her

with something akin to hostility. Laura wondered what it was

about the
Sungmanitu
that brought up so much hatred.

Laura spent the next hour looking through microfilms of

the local newspaper. From about 1889 through 1950, she

found about seventy-five disappearances of both locals and

travelers. All the disappearances occurred within the vicinity

of Beaver Creek. Laura had been biting her lower lip so hard

that it started to bleed. She brought a finger up to wipe away

the blood. Somehow, all this tied into what was happening

now, but how? Why were the
Sungmanitu
so shrouded in

mystery?

Instinctively, Laura knew that the answers lie in their

history. She gathered up her things and returned to the

information desk.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" the librarian

asked.

"No ... Not really. Do you know where I might find an

anthropologist?" Laura asked.

The woman squinted her eyes as if it would make thinking

easier. "If it's just something local you are looking for, the

Shoshone might have someone in their cultural department

that can help you. They are in Riverton. If not, the university

might have someone."

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

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On her way out of town, Laura pulled into a fast food

restaurant that served Mexican food. Thinking that she and

Jessup might as well make a meal out of it, she ordered for

two.

It was late afternoon by the time Laura returned to the

office. She rushed in hoping it was not too late to contact

someone at the university.

Laura dropped the bag of food in front of Jessup and went

straight to the phone. The university operator connected her

directly to the Anthropology Department.

A female voice came on the line. "Anthropology."

"Hello, this is Laura Ellison. I was wondering if there might

be someone in your department that can help me. I'm trying

to get some information on a band of Native Americans who

broke away from the Lakota about four-hundred years ago."

There was a pause before the woman answered. "Yes ...

Dr. Bingham is an authority on the Plains Indians. I'm sure he

might be able to help you."

"Great," Laura cut in.

"Unfortunately ... he is holding class right now. I'll have to

take your name and number and have him return your call."

"Do you know how long it might be before he can get back

with me?" Laura was disappointed.

"No, Miss Ellison, but I will leave the message on his

desk."

Laura hung up after giving the woman her number.

Dismayed, she leaned back in her chair.

Jessup eyed her with concern. "Didn't gain much headway,

I take it?"

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

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She shook her head. "Not really, but I did find out that

they were originally Sioux. But that's where it ends. They

separated from them almost four hundred years ago."

"I don't see what the big mystery is there. From the way I

understand it that kind of thing was commonplace."

"But what isn't so common is the fact that they completely

disassociated themselves from all people. What I want to

know is, why?"

Their discussion ended abruptly when the phone rang.

Laura snatched up the phone. "Duccini, this is Laura."

"Laura Ellison, this is Dr. Bingham speaking. I received a

message that you wished to talk with me."

"Yes, thank you for calling. I was wondering if you might

know anything about a distinct branch of the Lakota. They are

called the
Sungmanitu
."

"To tell you the truth ... I know very little about them.

Nobody really does. The word
Sungmanitu
means wolves or

wolf people. They were driven away by the other Lakota

bands in the seventeenth century. It must have been a

forbidden subject from the beginning, because most Lakota

have never even heard of them, and the old timers won't

talk." He had been talking so fast, he had to stop and take a

break "Consequently, we have been unable to find out why

they were driven away. They keep mostly to themselves and

so far we have been unable to get them to work with any

researchers. It has been impossible to find out much about

them."

"I see." Laura was discouraged. "What would cause a

whole band to be banished?"

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

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"It's hard to say. Could be a number of things. We are

talking about a people with a very strict code of conduct ...

but still, it is virtually unheard of for a whole band to be

banished. That is what is so intriguing about the

Sungmanitu
."

"Thanks, Dr. Bingham ... it's at least a little more

information than what I had before."

"No problem. I wish I could be of more help, but if you do

not mind me asking . . .why all the interest? Most people

don't know the
Sungmanitu
even exist." He was curious.

"Just personal interest." Laura shied away from further

questions.

"Okay, if I can be of further assistance, please let me

know."

Laura thanked him again before hanging up. She was even

more drawn into the mystery now.

"Why don't you just ask your friend about it?" Jessup was

setting the kitchen table with the food that she'd brought

back.

Laura gave him a blank look. The truth was, she didn't

know why she refrained from asking Justin. Only that

something was telling her not to broach the subject with him.

"I don't think he would confide in me," she admitted.

"One thing's for sure, I'll be glad when we're done with this

job. This place is a little too weird for me," he told her.

Laura nodded her head in half-hearted agreement. A part

of her felt as if she would be forever leaving a piece of herself

behind when it came time to leave Wyoming.

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After they finished dinner, Laura rose to leave. "I've been

invited to Beaver Creek tonight and I have to be going so I'll

have time to get ready. It's some kind of annual tribal dance

that they do."

Jessup appeared worried. "You weren't thinking of going

up there alone ... were you?"

"No, I'll be with Justin."

"Oh, no worry at all then," he grumbled.

Laura gave him a wry smile. "I'll be as safe there as I

would be anywhere."

"Like I said, no reason to worry."

"Don't worry, Pops. I can take care of myself. I'll see you

later." She winked.

* * * *

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

Laura stopped by Justin's cabin on her way to Beaver

Creek, but he was nowhere around. Concluding that he must

already be there, she continued.

On arriving, she was immediately taken in by the festive

atmosphere. There were many more people about than there

were on her first visit. Finding a place to park near the trading

post, she went in search of Justin.

As she walked, Laura scanned the crowd hoping to spot

him, but this turned out to be an impossible task. The small

community was as busy as a beehive. Laura looked onto a

very colorful scene. The ceremonial garb of the
Sungmanitu

was exquisite, and conveyed a distinct Lakota style.

The aromas drifting in the air were intoxicating. The

fragrance of burning sweet grass and sage, mingled with the

scent of tanned leather and roasting beef. Laura felt as if she

had been drawn into another time.

Walking north along a wooden plank sidewalk, she caught

sight of an open area that had been made into a dance arena.

Once again, Laura was lulled back to her childhood, and the

many Powwows she had attended on the reservation. She,

Kenny and many of the other children had wreaked havoc on

those events.

The memories brought a smile to her lips. She had been

secure in their poverty, sure that no other child could have

been as loved or as free. What had happened to her? Why

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Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

had she turned from a life that was so ingrained within her

personality, that it actually
was
her
?

Slowly the memories gave way to something else, a feeling

that something was not quite right ... but what? She had

begun to draw attention to herself. That much she'd noticed.

Laura saw only Indian people, but that was not so unusual.

Before she had time to think about it further, there was a

tap on her shoulder from behind. She turned to see Justin's

dazzling smile.

"Hi." She smiled back.

"I wasn't sure that you would really come." He took her by

the hand and they began to walk to the dance area.

"I almost didn't. There has been some trouble down

there." Laura wanted to discuss the sheriff's suspicions with

him, as well as her newfound knowledge of his status, but

knew this would not be the time.

He made no comment and they continued to walk in

silence. Once reaching the arena, she saw that on one side