Shadow of My Heart (Shadow-Walker Tribe Series) (10 page)

Cara placed her hand over his mouth to stop him. “Answer the phone. I’m not going anywhere.”

Raven reluctantly reached for the phone, while Cara slipped away and into the bedroom.

“Raven? It’s Gwen. I know you’re busy, but I think you need to come to the ranch. Dad is acting very strangely. He goes out to his studio and doesn’t come out for hours. He isn’t eating. I’m worried.”

“All right, Gwen. Calm down, honey. Cara and I will Shadow-walk tomorrow. We’ll be there in time for lunch. Is that soon enough?”

“Thank you, Raven. I know now isn’t a good time. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was important.”

“I know, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Gwen never asked for anything. She was really upset.

“All right. Goodbye.”

Leaning his head against his hand, Raven groaned. Was he ever going to get some alone time with Cara?

“Is something wrong?” Cara asked, standing in the bedroom door.

“That was Gwen. She’s worried about Isanti. I need to go out to the ranch tomorrow. Will you come?”

“Of course, Raven. Don’t be silly. Besides, I wanted to talk to Quiet Thunder. Is he all right?”

“I honestly don’t know. He can be strange at the best of times. But I owe him so much. We all do.”

“Not to change the subject, but I think I need to do some shopping for Shadow-walking-proof clothes.”

“Gwen and Lindy will know the best places to go. But I did order a couple of things for you.”

“You did?”

“If I give them to you now, will you promise to model them for me?”

“I don’t see why not. Where are they?”

“Here,” Raven said, while taking two boxes out of the closet by the door. He handed them to Cara.

She walked over to the entryway table and lifted the first box top to find a red-silk lace bra and panty set. The other box contained a matching set in black.

“I don’t think these are going to keep me very warm.”

“No, but they will keep you covered. No more walking into the clinic naked. We can shop for the outer layers after we see Isanti. Just wear a pair of jeans and a cotton shirt. I have a leather coat you can wear.”

“I need shoes. All I have are these tennis shoes, and they will fall apart in no time.”

“You can borrow a pair from one of the girls until we get you some of your own.”

“Does that mean you will be carrying me through Shadow tomorrow?”

“
Tehila
, I will carry you through hell if you ask me to.”

Chapter Ten

Raven held up the leather coat for Cara to slip into before turning her and reaching for each button.

“It’s always cold in the Shadow Dimension,” he said, enjoying his task of pushing each button through its hole, his fingers brushing against her breast. “You need to stay alert and keep where you want to go uppermost in your mind. People have gotten lost in Shadow and were never seen again.”

“If it’s so dangerous, why do you go in?”

“We are going to travel in a few seconds what it would take twelve hours to drive in a car. Saving that kind of time is worth the risk, don’t you think?”

“I guess I can see the benefits.”

Raven took her hand and walked over to the corner of the room where the shadows were thickest. Releasing her, Cara watched in fascination as he crouched down and felt around near the floor. Finding what he was looking for, he pushed both hands into the shadow and then stretched them apart. He continued to stretch them apart as he rose up from his crouch.

“You have to open the door big enough to walk in. But once through, you always need to close it behind you,” Raven said, taking her hand again.

Cara followed Raven into the Shadow Dimension and, while he closed the door behind them, looked around in amazement. Cold hit her first and seemed to sink into her bones. The other times she had come through Shadow, she had been injured, but this time she wanted to take it all in. Here was another whole world, writhing with black wisps of mist and shadow. But at the same time, she could see Raven’s apartment dimly as if looking through a dirty window.

She opened her mouth to speak, but wisps of mist flowed into her mouth, and she started to cough. Her lungs hurt from the cold.

Use telepathy while in Shadow. It is much more comfortable,
Raven sent into her mind, as his arm surrounded her waist and he lifted her into his arms.

Focus on the front porch of the ranch house. See every detail in your mind, the railing of the porch, the siding of the house, the window, the front door.

Cara did as she was instructed and could see the image Raven held in his mind of the porch. Then, there was a sense of movement, the mist flowed around them, and instead of Raven’s apartment, Isanti’s front porch could be seen on the other side of the Shadow barrier.

Raven lowered Cara to the ground and moved to the side of the porch that was in shade. He quickly opened a door, and they walked out of Shadow and onto the porch.

“That was amazing,” Cara said, rubbing her arms and shivering from the change in temperature, while Raven closed the door behind them.

“I’m glad you think so because I travel this way all the time,” Raven said, before moving to the front door and knocking lightly.

The front door opened quickly, and Gwen stood in the entryway, looking worried. She hugged Raven tightly.

“Thank you for coming. I’m sorry I dragged you away from work,” Gwen said.

“I took the week off, Gwen. It’s not a problem, really,” Raven said to reassure her. “Cara needs your help getting Shadow-walking clothes and shoes. Can we come inside? I want to get her warmed up.”

“Oh, of course. Forgive me, Cara. Come in. I have hot water on for tea,” Gwen said, stepping back and ushering them inside. She closed the front door and smiled faintly, before turning and leading them into the kitchen.

Raven kept his hand on Cara’s back, escorting her to a chair at the table, before kneeling in front of her. He picked up one foot and rubbed it vigorously, warming and massaging each toe, before moving to the other foot.

“I’ll get you a pair of slippers,” Gwen said as she hurried out of the room.

“Are you warming up? Let me get that cup of tea for you,” Raven said, rising and moving around the kitchen.

Cara had to admit that she was still shivering slightly and felt cold all the way to her core. Raven seemed fine, and she felt kind of jealous at how well he handled everything. It wasn’t every day you walked through another dimension.

He stood at the counter, pouring water into a cup. The sun from the window made his black hair shine. As Cara’s eyes traveled down from his hair, she took in the cotton sweater and black jeans that hugged his luscious behind before moving to his muscular legs and black cowboy boots. The man was eye candy of the highest order, and he was hers.

Warmth suffused her face as he glanced back and caught her ogling his butt. Shadow hadn’t stolen all of her warmth after all. Raven could make her hot all over quicker than a hot beverage ever could. His eyes lit up, and he smiled, while bringing the tea over to the table and placing it in front of her.

Lowering his head, he kissed her lightly. The contact brought more warmth rushing to the surface, and her lips tingled from his touch. She reached up, grabbing his sweater and holding him to her as she licked his lower lip. Deepening the kiss, she tangled their tongues together. The sound of Gwen returning to the kitchen and clearing her throat convinced Cara to release Raven. Sighing, she picked up the tea and took a sip.

“I brought you these slippers. I have two pairs, and this one is the newest.”

“Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate your letting me use them. All of my shoes would disintegrate in Shadow,” Cara said, sliding her feet into the leather, fur-lined slippers.

“I know of a couple of stores where we can shop for shoes. But it means traveling through Shadow to reach them. You can borrow a pair of my shoes when we’re ready to go. Maybe Lindy would like to go with us. She’ll be home this afternoon. We can make it a girls’ day out. Ana is out of the country, or she would come too.”

“That sounds like fun, if Raven doesn’t mind,” Cara said, looking up at him.

“Of course, I don’t mind,
tehila
. I’ll give you girls the company credit card. Just don’t go too crazy.”

“Three women out shopping? That would never happen,” Cara said before they all started laughing. She liked Raven’s foster sisters. It would be fun to spend time with them.

§

Now that the women were on their way to go shopping, it was time to find out what was going on with Isanti. Gwen was right in saying he disappeared into his studio for hours at a time. He hadn’t appeared for lunch, even though Gwen had knocked on his door and called him.

Raven felt as if he needed to beard the lion in his den. Running his hand through his hair, he walked down the path to the small two-room building Isanti used as his studio. Raven knocked loudly and waited. Would Isanti answer? When no one appeared, Raven knocked again and then called.

“Quiet Thunder, open the door. We need to talk. Isanti, you are scaring the girls. Open up.” Should he Shadow-walk in? If Isanti didn’t open the door soon, that was plan B.

Moments after, Raven finally heard shuffling on the other side of the door, the deadbolt was pulled back, and the door opened. Isanti Quiet Thunder stood there, his silver braids reaching almost to his waist. He looked Raven up and down, before turning and walking back the way he came. Raven sighed and followed him inside, then turned and closed the door.

“What are you doing in here that you cannot come out to eat?” Raven asked as he walked among the tables covered with everything from bows and arrows to herbs and cauldrons. On the back wall stood a desk strewn with papers, and Isanti walked over and sat down at the desk. Picking up a pen, he scribbled in a book open in front of him.

“I wasn’t hungry,” Isanti said, turning to look at Raven. “The girls worry too much. Where is Little Mother? Did she come with you?”

“Gwen took Cara shopping for clothes that are Shadow-Dimension proof. They will be back late tonight.”

“Hhm, women shopping. I hope you can afford it.”

“What is going on, Isanti? What are you doing in here?”

“I am preparing a book of recipes to give to you and Little Mother. When I am gone, you will be the new shaman of the tribe.”

“When you go is still many years away. But you must take care of yourself. Skipping meals isn’t good for you. As for me being shaman, I would think you could find another more suited to the job.”

“Being shaman is not a job. It is a calling. You are being called. The question that remains is, will you answer?”

“Isanti . . .” Raven didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t take on another responsibility. He needed to spend time with Cara. He was already CEO of Isanti, Inc., and acting chief of the tribe. “Can we talk about this later?”

“If you wish, but soon. I will not be here forever.”

“Come into the house and let me fix us an early dinner. The girls will pick something up on their way.”

“How is Little Mother getting on? Has she recovered from the attack?”

“Cara is doing well, thanks to your potion. But she still fears a life with me. I need to reassure her that she is safe with me.”

“Teach her to Shadow-walk. If you had taught her before, she could have escaped her kidnappers.”

“Don’t you think I realize that?” Raven asked, as he paced back and forth in front of the desk. “I haven’t had time to teach her. I gave her the first lessons today.”

“Do not let guilt come between you. It is not your fault she was taken.”

“Isn’t it?” Raven asked, stopping suddenly and leaning forward on his hands on the desk. “I should have been there. I should have protected her.”

“Red Hawk was there, and he couldn’t protect her. Why do you think you could have done better? Your brother is an accomplished warrior, and he had to withdraw.”

“I would have fought harder,” Raven said, standing up straight and running his hand through his hair. Cara belonged to him. He would have protected her.

“Shame on you, Soaring Raven. You always underestimate your brother. You would have fared no better. He gave his all for her protection. He lost so much blood he almost died. But you never even checked on him until he was already treated by White Fox.”

Was it true? Did Derek almost die, and Raven didn’t even realize it? Raven had been so terrified for Cara, so wrapped up in her emotions that were feeding his own fears. When Katherine mentioned that Derek’s heart rate wasn’t right, it had concerned him. But he had trusted that Dr. Rick would let him know if there was a problem.

“Forgive me, Isanti. I didn’t realize.”

“Do not ask me for forgiveness. It is your brother you must ask. You always try to walk alone. Your brother loves you. Family is important, Soaring Raven. Soon you will begin your own family.”

“Let’s go inside. I’ll call him after I get you something to eat.”

“All right. It seems you will not let me get anything else accomplished tonight,” Isanti said, closing the book on his desk and walking to the door with Raven. “What’s for dinner?”

§

Gwen held Cara’s hand on one side while Lindy held the other. It almost felt as if they were back in grade school, lining up for a field trip and holding hands while they crossed the street. But this field trip was through the Shadow Dimension, and taking chances wasn’t a smart thing to do. Cara didn’t know where they were going, and until she could picture it in her head, it was better just to hold onto Gwen and Lindy. Gwen released her hand and opened a door out of Shadow, before leading Cara out onto a street full of cars. Cara looked around in amazement.

“Oh, my goodness. Are we in Italy?” she asked, gasping.

“Well, one of the safest things to wear in Shadow is leather, and Italian leather is the best,” Gwen said. “I know the owner of this store down on Villa della Spiga who takes special orders for Isanti, Inc. Giovanni will help us find something nice for you. Come on. It’s just a block from here.”

“Lindy, pinch me. I must have died and gone to heaven,” Cara said, clutching her chest.

“If we hurry we might be able to catch dinner at my favorite café in Paris. Come on, Cara,” Lindy said, grabbing her hand and hurrying her down the street.

Cara eagerly followed Gwen and Lindy down the block and onto Villa della Spiga.

“Gwen, are we dressed well enough to shop here? Is that Dolce & Gabbana? Oh, and look, there’s Gucci and Armani. Are you sure we can afford this?”

“Not to worry. Raven gave us the corporate credit card. Come on down here.”

Cara followed Gwen and Lindy into a trendy-looking shop with windows full of leather clothes. As they entered, a handsome older man walked over and started speaking to Gwen in Italian. Gwen answered easily, before turning and introducing Cara to the man.

“This is my future sister-in-law. She needs several outfits.”

“It will be my pleasure,” the man said, switching to English. “Come,
bella
, let me show you some things to try on.”

§

Raven had just finished cleaning up the kitchen when the phone rang. Isanti was in the living room, watching the news on TV, so Raven picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Raven, it’s Joe. I just got a call. General Holland has been shot. He’s in the Bethesda Medical Center. It doesn’t look good. They aren’t sure he’s going to make it. He asked for you.”