Spy High (18 page)

But in the meantime, I’d hope for the
best and get my ass out of there before I got caught.

The short traverse to my tent felt
interminable as I crept quivering through the cold darkness step by
cautious step. Back in my tent at last, I stowed my gear, pulled
off my boots, and fell into bed fully clothed.

An irritating sound nagged at the edges
of my consciousness. I groaned and flapped my arm in the direction
of my alarm clock, but I failed to find a clock or silence the
noise.

“Storm!” Orion’s voice bolted me
upright, blinking stupidly. “You’re not sick again, are you?” There
was probably good-natured teasing in his tone but the humour was
lost on me, drowned out by the clanging of the Spirit bells.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled. “Coming.”

Staggering out of bed, I scrubbed both
hands over my face to remove any traces of nocturnal drool. My tent
was bright with daylight and a glance at my watch assured me that
it was nearly eight AM.

Just over four hours of sleep. Fuck my
life.

I pulled on my jacket and plodded
out.

Orion’s smile dissolved into concern at
the sight of me. “Are you sure you’re not sick?” he asked. “You
look terrible.”

“Oooh, flattery; thanks,” I snarled.
“I’m great. Fan-fucking-tastic. All I need is a nice brisk run on
an empty stomach while the f-” I stifled a second f-bomb. “…while
the Earth Spirit tries to explode my brain with those fucking
bells.”

I sighed. I should probably be proud
that only two f-bombs had slipped out, and not as a description of
the Earth Spirit.

“Come on,” I added and jogged down the
path, leaving him standing behind me looking uncertain.

A few moments later he caught up to run
beside me. “Storm, are you mad at me? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to
insult you, I just meant-”

“I’m not mad,” I interrupted. “Just
tired. Had a crummy sleep.”

“Oh.”

He didn’t sound convinced, but he
dropped it. We jogged the rest of the way in silence, and I
accepted my mat from Aurora and headed for my assigned floor
space.

The gong roused me from a bizarre dream
involving tapioca pudding and a purple chainsaw, and from the
disapproving looks I received from the other commune members I
gathered I’d been snoring. Shuffling out behind the rest of the
group, I tried to convert my expression from mutinous to
apologetic.

As we wound silently through the
forest, my foul mood began to dissipate. Shafts of sunlight
filtered through the forest canopy, gilding the leaves and ferns. A
riot of birdsong floated on the pearly air and the spicy aroma of
cedar completed the sensory feast.

Drawing a deep delicious breath, I
eased the lingering tension out of my shoulders and began to plan
my day.

As soon as I was unobserved I’d check
to see if my tracking device was working. If it was, I’d have one
less thing to worry about. Then I’d take a nice innocent ramble
through the forest with my binoculars and bird book, ending up at
Skidmark’s bench.

When we arrived at the field I filed
obediently to my assigned quadrant. Kneeling, I continued my
deliberations.

After I finished evaluating the
renters’ territory I’d continue my exploration and find some
alternate routes to use while reporting to Stemp. I’d been lucky so
far, but I wouldn’t tempt fate by continuing to use the same route
every time.

But first some breakfast…

My stomach growled at the same time
Aurora brayed, “The blessings of the Earth Spirit are upon you”. I
mumbled the prescribed response and rose to wander back to the main
building, still deep in thought.

After my report to Stemp was completed
I wasn’t sure what I should do. Continue to track Orion, certainly,
but maybe I should search his tent, too. I blew out a breath.

If I was a real agent I’d have a plan
already, along with contingency plans depending on what I
discovered. Meanwhile, I’d better make sure Orion didn’t have any
reason to suspect me…

“Hey, Storm.”

I managed not to jump when Orion spoke
behind me. Damn, I wished he’d stop doing that.

I managed a smile. “Hi, Orion.”

He fell into step beside me, studying
my face with a worried frown. “I’m really sorry about what I said
this morning. I didn’t mean to be insulting.”

“It’s okay.” I summoned a grin and
bumped my shoulder against his. “You know what they say; the truth
hurts.” He smiled, shaking his head as if to protest, but before he
could speak I added, “And anyway, I’m sorry I was so grumpy. I was
still half-asleep. I feel a lot better now. I enjoyed this
Calling.”

His smile quirked into mischief. “I
heard you enjoying the Calling in the main building. It sounded
like you were sawing logs.”

“Yeah, oops.” I gave him a rueful
smile. “I hope the Earth Spirit will forgive me.”

“The Earth Spirit is benevolent. I’m
sure you’re forgiven.”

We walked on for a while. When he spoke
again there was a tiny undertone in his voice that made my paranoia
spring to attention. “Maybe you didn’t sleep well last night
because you were hearing things outside your tent. I woke up
thinking I’d heard something prowling outside. Maybe the cougar
paid us a visit.”

I managed a sickly smile. “Maybe.
That’s kind of scary, to think it would come right up to our
tents.”

“Yes.” His brow furrowed in concern. Or
something that looked like concern. “I know you like roaming around
in the woods, but maybe you should stay closer to the encampment
for a while.”

“Mm,” I said, stalling. Inspiration
struck. “I’m not too worried about it,” I added. “I was talking to
Moonbeam yesterday and she said I’m under the Earth Spirit’s
protection as long as I wear the bracelet. She said none of the
Earth Spirit’s creatures would harm her, so I’m probably okay. I’ll
just be extra-cautious.”

Orion’s furrowed forehead puckered into
an outright frown. “I thought you didn’t believe in the Earth
Spirit.”

I gave him my blandest expression. “I
had a talk with Moonbeam yesterday and I feel badly about not
keeping an open mind. I’m trying really hard to be more accepting
and get to know the Earth Spirit the way she wants me to.”

It was his turn to murmur ‘Mm’, and I
got the distinct impression he wasn’t pleased. As if realizing he’d
given away his lack of enthusiasm, he turned a megawatt smile on me
and squeezed my hand. “That’s great, Storm, I’m really glad you’re
trying. You won’t regret it. Finding the Earth Spirit was the best
thing that ever happened to me.”

I smiled back and seized the
opportunity. “You said you’d found out about the Earth Spirit
online. Where did you find the information? I’d like to read up on
it a bit.”

“Oh, uh…” He hesitated for only a
moment. “I can’t remember now, and I left all my technology behind
when I came here so I can’t even look up my browser history. You
could try searching ‘Earth Spirit commune BC’ and see what you
get.” His smile brightened even more. “Or I could share what I
know…” He trailed off, his gaze flickering down to his toes as
though remembering our aborted make-out session. “Uh, or I know
Moonbeam and Karma would love to talk to you about it…”

“Thanks,” I said. “Maybe I’ll do that.”
The wheels turned inside my brain for a moment, and I added,
“Actually, that’s a great idea. I could spend more time with them
and really get to see how the Earth Spirit works in their
lives.”

Not to mention it’d give me an excuse
to stay close to them.

“Uh, yeah… Great idea.” Orion’s smile
was distinctly anemic. “Well, uh… I guess I’ll see you later.”

“Yep, see you.” I gave him a megawatt
smile of my own.

He turned off on the next trail, and I
strode toward the main building with a spring in my step. So far,
so good.

Munching my granola and yogurt a while
later, I eyed the other occupants of the kitchen and wondered if
Moonbeam and Karma had eaten already. I had been hoping they’d come
to the kitchen after the Calling the way they’d done the previous
morning.

The temptation to peek at my little
tracking unit was strong, but I didn’t dare. As soon as I finished
breakfast I’d find out whether my nocturnal skulking had paid
dividends. And if not, I’d have to try to retrieve the tracer…

My heart leaped as Moonbeam and Karma
strolled into the kitchen, affectionately entwined as usual. For a
moment I wondered if they’d been ‘celebrating’ the Callings the way
Orion had attempted to celebrate with me yesterday. That would be a
good joke if their whole reason for conjuring the Earth Spirit was
to get laid in privacy while the rest of the commune devoutly
meditated.

As if sensing my cynical thoughts,
Moonbeam turned her otherworldly blue gaze toward me. Flushing, I
imagined a steel door rolling down between us and gave her a smile
I hoped was innocent.

She smiled back, and the two of them
collected their breakfast before making their way over to my
table.

“Good morning,” Karma greeted me in his
rich bass. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”

“Beautiful,” I agreed. “Have you been
out enjoying it?”

“Just for a short while,” Moonbeam
said. “After we finished the Earth Spirit’s rituals.”

“What exactly do you do when there’s a
Calling?” I inquired with my best show of interest. “I’ve been
thinking about our conversation yesterday and I’d like to try to
understand the Earth Spirit the way you do.”

Not to mention I’d really like to know
where they went during a Calling, just in case…

“Oh, Storm Cloud Dancer, that’s
wonderful!” Moonbeam leaned down to hug me. “I’m so glad you’ve
decided to open your heart to the Earth Spirit.”

“Why don’t you join me?” I gestured to
the empty chairs across from me. “We can talk about it while you
eat breakfast.”

“Thank you, dear, that would be
lovely,” Moonbeam replied, and they both seated themselves and dug
into their own granola.

“Actually,” Karma mumbled around a
mouthful before swallowing and continuing with more clarity,
“There’s something we wanted to discuss with you anyway.”

“Oh, not at mealtime, Karma Wolf Song,”
Moonbeam objected. “It’s bad for the digestion.”

I gulped my last mouthful along with a
lump of trepidation. “It’s okay, I’m finished. What did you want to
talk to me about?”

“Well…” Karma shot a look at Moonbeam’s
perturbed expression before continuing, “There was a bit of a
problem at the garage yesterday.”

“Oh.” I donned my best ‘really, that’s
too bad, but nothing to do with me’ expression.

“Yes, one of the renters…” Karma
hesitated with another glance at Moonbeam. “The one you call
Ratboy… apparently attempted to install spark plugs in the truck,
damaging it in the process.”

“Oh.” Guilt flooded me as Moonbeam’s
Gaze of Truth locked with mine. “Um, I’m sorry, I think that was
partly my fault,” I mumbled.

“Ratboy indicated it was entirely your
fault,” Karma said. “Which I find difficult to believe since you
were nowhere in the vicinity.”

“That little…” I stifled my urge to
enumerate Ratboy’s many undesirable qualities and took the high
road. “It wasn’t entirely my fault, but I’m partly responsible. I
told him to make sure he didn’t mix up the wires, but I should have
explained it more thoroughly.” The guilt rose again. “Was there
much damage?”

“Skidmark says he’ll have to pull out
the engine and overhaul it.”

“Oh, shit. I’m really sorry.” I
clutched a couple of handfuls of hair in chagrin. “I’ll pay for the
damage and help him fix it. It’s hard work to pull those big V8s
and he’ll probably need a hand.”

“Payment won’t be necessary, dear.”
Moonbeam patted my hand. “Our young friend should have asked for
assistance, or at least clarification. But I do believe Skidmark
would appreciate your help.”

“I’ll go and talk to him right away.” I
hesitated, my remorse tempered by my sudden recognition of an
opportunity to discuss Skidmark’s sabotage from an oblique
angle.

“Do you think he’ll actually let me
help?” I asked. “I got the feeling… um…” It didn’t take much acting
ability to look uncomfortable. “Um, I think Skidmark is a little…”
I trailed off.

“What, dear?” Moonbeam’s wise eyes
looked through me. “Please tell us what’s bothering you.”

“Do you think Skidmark might be a
little…” I stopped, then started again. “Have you noticed any
changes in his behaviour lately?”

“No, dear, why?”

“Well, he just seems to arbitrarily,
um… do stuff to the vehicles…” At their puzzled expressions, I blew
out a breath. “I think he’s intentionally sabotaging them. Or else
he’s getting a little… forgetful. Or something.”

“Oh…” Moonbeam and Karma exchanged a
glance before Moonbeam leaned toward me, lowering her voice.
“Please don’t mention it, dear. He’s done that ever since he came
here as a very young man right after fighting in the Vietnam War.
He gets extremely anxious if he’s not in control of all the traffic
in and out of the commune, so we simply pretend we don’t notice
that the vehicles never run unless he’s just ‘fixed’ them.”

“Oh.” I sank back in my chair, my heart
clutching. “Oh, shit. Poor Skidmark. I must have really upset him
yesterday. I’m sorry. I won’t fix anything again without asking him
first. And I won’t bring it up.”

“That’s very kind of you, dear.”
Moonbeam gave me her luminous smile. “Now…” She swallowed the last
of her breakfast and rose. “You were asking about the Earth Spirit,
and I know just the person to instruct you. Aurora Peace Rain!” She
beckoned across the kitchen and Aurora hurried over. “Storm Cloud
Dancer would like to learn more about the Earth Spirit.” Moonbeam
gave us both a smile. “Do enjoy your time together.”

With that she and Karma withdrew,
leaving me at the mercy of Aurora and her voice.