Soul Whisperer (17 page)

B
ess left the Montana horse ranch and flew home, her thoughts a wide churning ocean of uncertainty. Could Cesar really be her soul mate?

Below her the patchwork of farm fields began to give way to the spine of the Rocky Mountains. If she flew hard and rested little she should reach him in four days. As she flew, her anxiety grew and it took some time to recognize the warning that prickled her neck was different than her instinctive survival sense. Could she be picking up some danger directed at Cesar?

Bess called out her fear to the sky, hoping she was close enough for Tuff or some other of her people to hear her rising panic and be waiting when she arrived.

Bess pushed her tired wings to greater speed. What was happening to Cesar?

 

Cesar escaped the ghosts, but he knew that they were still out there, following Nagi's orders, pursuing him.

The Spirit had sent them the instant he perceived a threat to his offspring. Bess was right all along. They were the children of Nagi. Were they also the threat she believed?

What powers would they have?

He wanted to make contact with Nagi's Halflings, but did not want to risk meeting their sire or protectors again.

In the meantime there were three humans who were now possessed, trapped by the ghosts who inhabited them. To his knowledge, only the Seer of Souls could free them, but according to Bess, she was in hiding from Nagi.

Was there another way to free them, other than death?

He needed to speak to his Council about the ghosts and Nagi's misuse of men. He called Holly Black Hawk and told her what had happened. She seemed remarkably unsurprised.

“Keep this quiet. We don't want a panic. Leave it to the Council to handle the possessed men.”

Cesar had a bad feeling but he agreed to do as she asked.

Over the next two days, he tried Bess's place several times and even risked returning to the forest where he had first met her, but he found no sign of her.

This morning, as he made his coffee, his cell phone rang and he snatched it up, glanced at the number and then released the breath he held in a frustrated blast. It was not her, but the liaison at the Council who coordinated which cases merited his special talents.

There had been a disturbing death at Fisherman's Wharf, and it wasn't long before he reached the crime scene.

On his way past the press and the bystanders, a man called to him.

“Detective Garza.”

Cesar scanned the crowd, finally identifying the one who had spoken, by his stillness and the twin braids poking out from beneath a white straw cowboy hat.

“Tuff?”

Cesar motioned to the young officer on crowd control to let Tuff pass.

Cesar thumped him on the shoulder of his dusty denim shirt in greeting, feeling hopeful for the first time in days.

“I'm glad to see you,” he said, and then had a dreadful, stomach-dropping thought. “Is Bess okay?”

Tuff's easy smile never faltered.

“Don't know. She sent out a distress call, but I can't pin down her location, so she must be traveling. The signal is getting stronger so she's close.”

Cesar looked toward the sky.

“Hoped maybe you'd know where to find her,” said Tuff.

Cesar almost repeated Bess's words that she never wanted to see him again, but he held back. Instead he shook his head. “She left.”

“Well, she's headed back.”

Could it be true? Cesar wanted to believe, but he also did not want his hopes dashed again.

He returned his attention to Tuff. “How did you find me?”

“You were leaving as I pulled up to your building. I followed you. Man, you drive a little crazy.”

Cesar had been too preoccupied to consider someone might have been trying to follow him. He gave an apologetic grin and extended his hand.

“Thanks for coming.”

Tuff looked at his offered hand and made him wait a moment before taking it. When the Skinwalker drew his hand back, wrinkles furrowed his brow.

“Your heart is hurting you.”

Cesar guided Tuff past the young officer, now staring quizzically at them. There was nothing wrong with his heart. He was healthy as an ox.

“I think you got a bad signal. My heart's fine.”

“Maybe heart isn't right. Maybe I should say that your soul is hurting you.”

Cesar's sure step faltered and he came to a halt beside the Skinwalker.

“What do you mean?”

“I can feel emotional pain as well as physical. You feel like a man who has just lost someone in death, as if you are grieving a great loss.”

Cesar did not want to explain to Tuff about the fight he and Bess had or how much more he missed her than he had any right to. But somehow it made sense that Tuff read his pain as mourning. Cesar feared he'd miss Bess for the rest of his life, but he was damned if he knew how to make her forgive him for something that was unforgivable. If he couldn't give himself absolution, how could he expect anyone else to?

“Hey, can you hang back here a little until I get the body read? Then we can go someplace private.”

“I think we better wait for Bess. Her signal is strong and she's not injured, but she's jacked about something. Don't know what.” He let that hang as if to ask if Cesar did.

“I'll be back. Anybody bothers you, just mention my name. Okay?”

Tuff nodded and then parked his butt on a yellow
fireplug, gazing at the activity a few feet farther on. Cesar strode away, feeling better with the distance. That buffalo rattled him. Something about his calm and his perceptiveness put Cesar on edge. It was like dealing with Mind Walkers. There was no way to mask the truth, when they could snatch it from you with a touch.

Cesar's heart sank as he recognized the familiar scene. The body lay stretched out on the pier, beneath the bank of windows of a popular seafood restaurant. She had rolled to her back and lay in death, with legs splayed in a vain attempt to birth her babies. A third mother. If it was twins again that meant there were six Halflings now.

Why hadn't she gone to a hospital? Was that part of the directions Nagi had left with these women? The others had found a secluded spot in the forest. But here, on a busy stretch, there must have been witnesses. Why were the police not called until after it was too late?

Surely her screaming must have brought a crowd.

He looked at the now-familiar rupture in her abdomen. Cesar glanced around. Where were the twins?

They had been born here in plain sight and they'd be hungry. Great Spirit protect us, they might kill anyone here just to feed their voracious appetites.

Cesar didn't need to read the body, but he did and experienced the woman's death, just as he had with the two other mothers. This one believed that she carried the immaculately conceived child. Somehow, her confusion, mental instability, religious fervor and Nagi's suggestions had led her to believe that she carried the Lord's son.

He stood and looked back to where he had left Tuff.

“You done screwing up my crime scene?” said an unfamiliar voice.

Cesar glanced up at a man in a suit who stood, hands on hips, glaring. Had to be the lead on the case. “Yeah, thanks.”

“There are more of these?” asked the detective, pointing at the body.

Cesar nodded.

“Shit. We gotta find this guy.”

Cesar stood. “Doing all we can.”

The detective scowled. “Next time wear some gloves.”

Cesar extended his hand. “We haven't met. I'm Garza.”

He didn't take it.

“I know who you are. You're one of the SOBs with the Bureau. You guys took everything we got on these killings. Well, how about some reciprocity?”

He couldn't if he wanted to. Even the F.B.I. couldn't know what had actually happened here.

“You'll get my report.”

This crime, like the other two, would go unsolved. How many more women had Nagi impregnated? And where were the newest twins?

B
ess saw the flashing lights of the police cars as she swept over the bay and into the city. The sheer number of units on the scene made her veer toward the pier on the chance that Cesar might be there. She could not explain the dread that held her heart, except that her instincts were good and they whispered to her of peril.

Instead of Cesar, she found Tuff, inside the police barricade, sitting on a fireplug as if he were waiting for a bus. She landed before him and he grinned.

“You are such a beauty, Bess. I hope you know how lovely your feathers are today. Each one shimmers like a rainbow of green and magenta. I heard your call from a long way away. My heart is glad to see you well.”

She looked about. Officers came and went, photographers, various men in suits. There were far too many of them to give her the privacy she needed to speak or change to her human form without them seeing her.

“Cesar?” She chortled.

Tuff thumbed toward the end of the pier. “Over at the crime scene. He asked me to wait.”

There seemed no emergency. Bess suddenly felt foolish.

“You could change in my truck, but I'm not sure we could get back inside here.”

Bess was in the air an instant later, and soon spotted Cesar, who was stopped at the end of an alley and was staring at something she could not yet see. Had they killed someone? Had they finally crossed the invisible line that humans and Niyanoka drew between killing and murder?

She landed close behind him and glanced about, seeing only the deserted space between two large green Dumpsters to the right and a similar set of Dumpsters and refuge on the left. Bess quickly transformed, stilled for a moment by the zip of current that radiated through her body as she changed to her human form. An instant later she turned her feather cape into a black denim jacket, knit sheath top and trousers hemmed at her ankle since she elected flats instead of her usually elaborate footwear.

Cesar turned toward her, most likely drawn by the flash of bright light that accompanied her transformation.

“Bess!” His handsome smile lasted an instant to be replaced by a dipping of his brow as his gaze returned to the sound that had held him.

She now heard it, as well. Something was inside the Dumpster. Bess felt certain she knew what it was.

“The twins?” she asked.

He nodded. “I'm afraid so.”

They turned in unison toward the thumping, tearing
and scratching sounds. The black plastic lid flew up, revealing one small ash-gray creature swallowing the remains of a fish head. The yellow eyes scanned the ground before it and stopped on Cesar and Bess.

Tuff trotted out of the alley and skidded to a halt.

“Bess? What's…what in the wild world?” he said. “Is that what attacked you?”

“Not that one, but yes.”

The creature gave a yowling cry and its twin popped up from the garbage, holding the red claw of a large lobster. Both the newborns remained where they were, still and watchful. Simultaneously, they began a low growl.

“Back up,” said Cesar.

They all did. The growling ceased. Both of Nagi's newborns tumbled from the Dumpster and rolled onto their feet as nimble as acrobats. One stepped forward, the other back. It was the female again who approached in an aggressive mock charge, followed by an immediate retreat.

“They don't want us here,” said Bess.

“Well, we can't leave them for the humans to find,” said Cesar.

Tuff nodded. “Someone will see them.”

The female sniffed the air, then huffed and began a series of rapid jaw snaps.

“She's hungry,” said Bess.

“And afraid,” said Cesar.

Bess grabbed Cesar's arm. “We've got them cornered. We need to give them a way to escape.”

The female made another charge, trying to get past Cesar to Tuff. Cesar spread his arms like a basketball player and stepped between her and Tuff. The little female could not be more than two feet tall, yet it was
trying to attack a full-grown human. But as Cesar moved, the female retreated again.

“Why didn't it attack me?” asked Cesar. “Why, Tuff?”

Bess and Tuff exchanged a knowing look, but it was Tuff who spoke.

“Maybe she smells buffalo.”

Cesar took his eyes off the two little newborns, now huddled beside the open Dumpster yowling to each other like cats, recalling that the other twins had also attacked Bess and refrained from attacking him even when they had the opportunity.

“You think they recognize what you are?”

“Maybe,” said Tuff. “Or maybe she just recognizes I'm not like you, because she only stopped when you stepped between us.”

“Could they think I'm like them?” Cesar asked.

“They're not human,” Bess reminded him. “And neither are you.”

“Maybe they can see auras or scent the difference between us and humans.”

He'd said “us” she realized, making no distinction between Niyanoka and Inanoka. Bess felt her heart squeeze in gratitude.

“You might be right,” Bess said, nodding. “But I think they can tell the difference between our races.”

Cesar flashed her a worried look. “I need you both out of here. I might be able to communicate with them,” he said.

“And they might kill you.”

Tuff was already turning to go.

“Wait,” said Cesar.

The two infants now huddled together, facing them, their big yellow eyes shining like twin moons, as they
gave off little yips and chortles. Bess noticed that one of them had wet cheeks. Was it crying?

Cesar pulled out his cell phone and punched the buttons. “This is Special Agent Garza. I'm sending out a man. His name is Tuff. He's to bring my car to the alley between—” Cesar glanced up at the buildings and the restaurant names, printed on each rear door “—DiMondos and Gradies.” He paused to listen. “Yeah, right away.”

Cesar snapped the phone shut and dropped it in his front pocket. Then he turned to Tuff.

“Maybe we can get them out of here without the humans seeing them.”

“Worth a try, I suppose,” he said.

“Bess,” said Cesar, “Go with him.”

She kept her eyes on the dangerous things, feeling an odd mixture of empathy and envy at their tears. They were quite obviously frightened. Still she kept her head.

“The fear makes them more dangerous,” she whispered.

“Then step out of sight, into the alley. You can still see me, but they can't see you.”

She nodded her acceptance of this. Bess had only just found him and was not ready to lose him again.

“Remember they can fly,” she said as she backed into the alley, worried she would be just a few steps too far away to defend him.

Tuff continued on, returning to the pier and then disappearing from her view.

Cesar dropped into a squat in the dirty alley and began to speak in low, soothing tones, extending his open hand to the little Halflings.

There was a howl as one of the twins charged Cesar. Bess rushed forward as Cesar staggered back. The
black billowing cloud swept past him as the creature took flight.

She reached Cesar too late, but the twin did not strike. Instead it flapped around the space, enclosed on three sides, and then shot up and over the roof. The little male remained on the ground, hopping from one leg to another, reaching for the sky and howling.

Finally the arms dropped, the narrow shoulders sagged and its head sank forward so the pointed chin touched the smooth gray skin of its chest. Cesar took a tentative step in the male's direction. It turned its head just enough to watch him approach, the wide unblinking eyes pinned on Cesar.

Cesar opened his arms, closing the distance to three feet. Bess held her breath, readying herself to launch at the thing with all she had if it so much as pointed a claw at him.

Instead it bent its knees and leaped like a tree frog, latching long, spindly legs about his waist and clasping skeletal hands behind his neck.

Bess stepped forward to drag it off, but it did not bare teeth to bite Cesar's exposed neck. Instead, it simply pressed against him, burying his face in beneath its own bony arm and Cesar's muscular chest.

She stopped her advance and stared, dumbstruck at the sight. This enemy was holding on to Cesar like any child in a parent's arms.

Behind her headlights flashed as the gray sedan pulled into the alley. Bess stepped aside to let Tuff pass.

“He wants to go to the forest,” said Cesar.

“How do you know that?” she asked.

“I don't know. I just do.”

“But you're not a Mind Walker.”

“Perhaps it is not my gift but his.”

Bess stared in wonder as she realized she knew nothing of these beings, their mission or powers.

Cesar walked toward the car as Tuff exited. “Hope the buffalo scent doesn't stir him up.”

“He's hungry. You smell like food. He says you look like his mother, but you are not like her.”

The male grasped Cesar's chin and turned his face to meet his stare.

“He says I'm not like her, either.”

Bess took a step forward. The thing bared his teeth.

“He doesn't like you. Your scent is of the air, but also of the dead, like his mother.”

“Is he talking about the Spirit World?” She turned to Tuff. “Do you smell death on me?”

Tuff shook his head.

“Maybe,” said Cesar, “you should both follow me in Tuff's truck.”

She didn't want to, for her instincts still hummed a warning. There was danger here, but the boy-child did not seem to be the cause. What then was making her instincts jangle like a ring of keys?

“We'll follow. But don't lose us.”

Cesar sat in the car, holding the child of Nagi. After a few minutes of murmured conversation he managed to get the infant to release him, but the newborn then sank into the space between the passenger seat and the glove box, huddling and shivering as if he were freezing to death. Bess peered in.

“He's afraid,” said Cesar.

“Can he understand your thoughts?” she asked.

“Not sure.”

Bess straightened. “We'll follow you. Maybe you should cover him up until you get on the road.”

“Yeah, good idea.” He reached behind the seat and pulled out his trench coat, then draped it over the boy.

One little hand reached from beneath the shroud, his wicked claws puncturing the upholstery.

Cesar patted the tiny gray hand and then put the car into Reverse.

“I'm not sure about this,” said Bess.

Tuff motioned at Cesar. “He is.”

She and Tuff hurried back to his battered pickup and climbed in. Cesar passed them. Tuff followed.

“Are you getting any kind of a warning sign?” Bess asked.

“Besides yours?” He glanced at her then returned his attention to the street. “Nope.”

The early-morning traffic was largely moving into the city so their ride from downtown to the bridge was relatively painless. Bess kept her attention on the empty space beside Cesar, half expecting his passenger to emerge.

He didn't. But Cesar did throw his coat over the seat when they had cleared the Golden Gate.

Bess stared at the rear end of Cesar's car.

“Wait a minute. That's not his car, is it?” She squinted. “I never noticed his plates, but the color is different. Isn't it?”

“I never saw
his
car before.”

“I think it was navy. But that one is gray. Where's his car?”

“Maybe that's a cop car?” offered Tuff.

It was a long forty minutes to the state park and not the first time she wished she could carry a cell phone with her.

“You have a phone?” she asked.

Tuff shook his head.

They continued down the hill into the coastal valley where the giant redwoods grew amid the warm Pacific mist. Cesar returned to the same parking area where they had met, the trailhead for several nice hikes and one dead body.

Bess just wanted Cesar's passenger out of his car.

Cesar's brake lights had barely flicked off before Bess was out flinging open the rusty door and hopping from the truck.

Cesar stepped out of the car and held open his passenger-side door.

“Any trouble?” she asked.

“None.”

“Why here?” she asked.

“He chose it.” Cesar looked around.

She knew as well as he did that it was their responsibility to see that no humans discovered the existence of the Halfling races. But who was responsible for telling the little creature now huddled on the floor mat?

The tension in Cesar's jaw and the way his eyes darted from one spot to the next definitely put Bess on edge. “What's wrong?”

“I had some trouble here yesterday.”

Bess moved closer. “What kind of trouble?”

“I saw Nagi and two more Halflings.”

“Nagi!” Bess now searched the shadows for anything that moved. “He knows that I know the Seer. This may be a trap to flush her out.”

“It may be. So let's get him out of the car so we can go, before those ghosts come after me again.”

Bess sucked in a breath. “What ghosts?”