White Shadows (18 page)

Hugging her granddaughter, Seeing Eyes smoothed her hair. “We have to accept the gifts the spirits give us. What did you see?”

“A rock, but bigger than Gray Rock.”

“And did you see your aunts?”

She nodded. “They were inside the rock.”

Seeing Eyes took her granddaughter by the hand. “Let us go tell your grandfather what we have learned.”

Hoka Luta moved cautiously through the trees. He’d been so close he had nearly killed Clay Blue Hawk, but his first shot had missed. He sneered. Not his second. A third would have found its mark, but someone had been close enough to allow Clay to escape.

Angry at his own impatience, he stared at the arrows lodged in the trunk of the tree. He should have waited, followed Clay Blue Hawk to be sure he was alone. But he’d allowed his elation to cloud his judgment. He’d lost control, and now he had no choice but to report to Winona’s father.

If he did not show up as planned tonight, Hawk Eyes would wonder. Staring up at the arrows too high for him to retrieve, Hoka Luta didn’t dare give the chief any reason to doubt his loyalty.

Tired from nearly constant travel with little sleep, he made his way around the lake, keeping to the deep shadows among the pines until he reached the white mounds of stone.

It was too risky to go any farther, so he went deeper into the foliage. He’d been hiding in the bushes high on a hill when Hawk Eyes had unexpectedly returned to the area and spotted Clay Blue Hawk’s trail, then the blood on the ground.

He scowled. The old man was supposed to be camped a short distance away. Hoka Luta had waited for them to leave so he could look around on his own. Lifting his head, he stared at the towering rocks.

His old friend was there somewhere. He felt it. Knew it. But he didn’t dare explore on his own. There were far too many places for an enemy to hide. So he decided to wait. And as he waited, memories from his past circulated. But instead of bringing regret or sadness, they fed his feelings of betrayal.

Clay Blue Hawk’s father had betrayed them all, and destroyed Henry Black Bear. His battle had never been with the man who’d once been his best friend—not until Clay Blue Hawk had shot his father and brought about his death.

With nothing but bitterness inside him, Henry had avenged his father’s humiliation and, ultimately, his father’s death. But he’d failed all those years ago. Soon, though, he’d take care of Clay Blue Hawk. Then he’d be able to live the life he’d spent so much time cultivating.

And with Jenny far out of reach, there would be no other witnesses to his murderous past. He frowned. He should have killed the little girl instead of selling her. He hadn’t given her a thought until the reemergence of Clay Blue Hawk.

Hoka Luta grinned. Even if Clay lived, even if he lost Winona and had to move on with his life or make a new life for himself, Hoka Luta had the satisfaction of knowing that Clay would never find Jenny.

Restless and edgy after two days of inactivity, Night Shadow dressed and reclaimed his knife. He was not going to stay in bed any longer—no matter what his bossy Golden Eyes said or threatened.

“You are not strong enough to be up.” Winona refused to move out of his way.

A few minutes ago she’d tried a different tack. He eyed her curves. Not even the lure of having her lie with him could keep him inactive any longer. His arm ached, but at least it was healing, and he would not suffer permanent damage.

Night Shadow refused to look at her, afraid she’d talk him right back down onto the pallet. Truthfully, his knees were wobbly, and his arm ached fiercely, but he was a man, a warrior, and there were things that needed doing.

He’d enjoyed Winona’s tender ministrations over the past few days. For the first time in many long years he’d felt cherished. But it was time to take charge.

“You question my abilities?” He grabbed the water skin, then strode around Winona to where his weapons rested against the wall.

“How can you even think of going out? My father may not have left. Henry might still be out there. Wait for the others to come. It is not safe.” Winona followed him. Her arms were crossed across her chest, her eyes shadowed from fatigue and worry.

“We need water.”

“Then I will go.” She moved fast. She yanked the water container from him and stepped away. “You were nearly killed last time.”

Night Shadow whirled around. “No! You will not.” He held out his hand.

Winona battled silently with her eyes. He glared. She stared and held the pouch behind her back. “If you leave, I will follow.”

Night Shadow narrowed his eyes. “You will stay here.” He paused. “I need you to keep watch from above. Warn me if you see movement.” He thought that idea ingenious. He’d never admit it to her, but already he was tiring, and the last thing he wanted was to argue with her or upset her. But he was a warrior, and it was his duty to provide.

Since losing his parents he’d denied himself any relationships but a few close friends. He’d spent all his energies on surviving, then planning. Glancing around him, he saw the makings of a home. A few days ago that would have sent him running.

Life had taken a new twist for him, a meeting and merging of paths. He was still getting used to the idea of those two paths, the past and the future, the man and the warrior, becoming one.

Winona lifted her brows. “And what signal would I give? Shall I stand up and wave my hands and shout for you to come back or hide?” Sarcasm edged her voice.

“Your word, Golden Eyes.”

Winona refused to meet his eyes. Instead she walked around him and busied herself sorting through the supplies.

“I am waiting.”

“You will have to wait a long time,” she said, annoyed. “Do you forget that had I not disobeyed last time you would be dead?” She cleared the huskiness from her voice. “I will not give a promise I do not intend to keep.”

“Yet you did just that, my sister,” a soft voice accused.

Winona jumped up and whirled around. Spotted Deer stood at the entrance to the main cavern with a warrior.

The young woman walked forward. “You promised to escape if you had the chance, yet apparently you did not.”

“Spotted Deer!” Winona ran to her friend. The two girls hugged and cried. Winona pulled away. “Are you all right?”

“I am fine.”

Narrowing her eyes at the two men who were talking in low tones, Winona pulled Spotted Deer toward the back of the cavern where sunlight spilled over them. “He did not hurt or mistreat you?” If he had…

Spotted Deer shook her head. “No. I was treated well. Like a younger sister,” she added, her gaze going to the warrior.

Thinking of her own changed relationship with Clay, Winona frowned. “Do you care for him?”

“He was kind. I do not think badly of him.” She took Winona by the hand. “And you?” Worry clouded her eyes.

“I too am…well.” She cleared her throat. She didn’t want to go into just how well, or the fact that this might be the last time she and Spotted Deer were together. If Clay sent her back with Dream Walker, she’d never have this chance to be alone with him again.

“Come.” She pulled Spotted Deer back to where the two men were talking. Clay still had his weapons in his hands. She picked up the water skin.

“Now that your friend is here, he can get water and do whatever else needs to be done.”

“I am no invalid,” Clay ground out.

Winona reached out and grabbed his injured arm by the wrist. Clay jerked and bit back a moan.

“I see how well you are. How do you think to climb down the rocks and back up again? If you cannot free yourself from my grasp without pain, then you cannot use your arm. You will ether fall, open the wound or get caught.” She paused. “Or get yourself killed.”

She turned to Dream Walker. “If you are his friend, you will not let him go.”

Dream Walker chuckled. “This captive of yours has a point. I will go for water and check to see who is around. Crazy Fox is following her tribe. Sharp Nose was following Henry Black Bear, who had separated himself from the others. He is the one who stopped Henry from killing you.”

Just remembering how close she’d come to losing Clay made Winona’s heart sink. And to think she’d nearly married Hoka Luta. She had Clay to thank for preventing the wedding.

“Where is Henry now?” she asked. She pointed to the bed of furs and silently commanded Clay to sit before he fell. Then she turned to Dream Walker. “You may sit as well. That way Clay will not feel intimidated that you stand over him.”

Dream Walker shook his head. “I will meet Sharp Nose tonight in a place not far from here.” He bent to pick up his weapons. “I will return shortly.” He walked out, still chuckling.

Winona made Clay lie back down. Pain etched his mouth. She knelt beside him. “I am sorry, Clay. I could not let you go out there. You are not ready.”

Clay opened his eyes. “I am not sure whether to thank you or—”

“I will take the thanks.” Winona covered him. “Sleep to get your strength back.”

Clay growled. “Do not push it, Golden Eyes.”

She smiled and turned to Spotted Deer. Noting her friend’s pale face and wide eyes, she pushed her down to another fur pallet across the cavern. “What is wrong, Spotted Deer?”

Spotted Deer shook her head. “I do not know. My head hurts.” She glanced over at Clay, her eyes wide yet searching.

“He will not harm you,” Winona reassured her. “He is going to have Dream Walker return you to my father.”

“And you?” she whispered.

Taking a deep breath, Winona took her friend’s hands into her own. “I will stay—my choice—with Clay.” Worried about Spotted Deer, fearing her friend wouldn’t understand or might feel betrayed, she lowered her voice. “I love him.”

“What about Hoka Luta?” Spotted Deer’s eyes were wide.

Winona glanced over at Clay, who was already sleeping. “He is the enemy. He is not who he claims to be. His name is Henry Black Bear, and he killed Clay’s family and sold his baby sister. He took us to try to get Henry Black Bear to tell him where to find Jenny.”

Spotted Deer swayed slightly. “The bear,” she whispered, her eyes blurring. “The black bear.” She shuddered.

“Your dreams have returned?” Winona rubbed Spotted Deer’s cold fingers.

Spotted Deer nodded. Her lips trembled. “Every night. They are the same. Yet different. The girl, she calls out a name now.”

Spotted Deer pulled out her medicine pouch and held it tightly in her fist

“What name?” Winona asked. For as long as she could remember, Spotted Deer had been plagued by bad dreams.

“I-I am not sure.” She tried to recall the dreams. The black bear. The child. The older boy. And someone she loved and trusted. Then came the images of her mother and the sounds of screaming and the sight of blood. Then the bear came again. She rubbed at the scar on her knee.

“The bear,” she said, her eyes closed as she recalled hiding from the bear who wasn’t a bear but a boy with a bear head. She hid. Waited for someone…

“Kaa.”

Winona’s eyes were wide. “You’ve always been afraid of bears. You dream of bears.” Winona remembered the time when she was six winters old and a black bear had wandered near their camp with two cubs. She and Spotted Deer had been playing in a shallow pool away from the swift current. All the women and children had fallen silent. Winona had loved the sight of the cavorting cubs splashing in the shallows and the warning stance of the mother rearing up on hind legs.

But Spotted Deer had started screaming and hadn’t stopped until her voice gave out. Winona had never understood.

Spotted Deer shook her head. “Not a bear. A person. A game,” she said, rubbing her temples, then her arms. She visibly shook herself. “I do not want to talk about my dreams,” she whispered.

Winona held her breath as she stared hard at her best friend. Bad dreams. A fear of bears. And Clay, searching for his sister, his family killed by Henry Black Bear. No, it couldn’t be. Could it?

Spotted Deer had parents who’d loved her, and she herself had known the girl for her entire life—most of her life. Spotted Deer and her parents had joined their tribe when the two girls had been small.

Frowning, she recalled everything Clay had said. Then the name Spotted Deer had said. “This name you hear in your dreams, say it again.”

“Winona—”

“Say it!”

Spotted Deer closed her eyes, as if trying to hear the name in her head. “Kaa. I see a little girl running. In my dreams I am that little girl.”

“Kaa,” she repeated over and over, her breathing coming harder and faster as the screams in her head grew louder.

She dropped her medicine bag. She’d been gripping it so hard the knot in the leather thong had come undone. It fell to the ground.

Winona bit her lower lip. “Kaa,” she said, drawing out the
aaa
sound. “Clay.” This time she dropped the
L
sound and accented the
aaa
sound. She felt goose bumps break out along her arms.

“Jenny. Does that name sound familiar?” She watched Spotted Deer carefully.

Spotted Deer trembled and held her hands to her head. “Jenny. Jenny. Jenny.” Her eyes flew open. “I have heard that name. Many times.” Over and over she whispered the name.

Behind her, Winona heard a soft moan.

“Jenny.” Clay was restless, as if trying to wake.

Winona leaned forward and whispered in her friend’s ear, “We have to leave. Now.”

“I don’t understand—”

Winona didn’t have time to explain; then it was too late. Clay had woken fully and was staring at them. “I heard her. I heard her calling me. Kaa. Only Jenny called me by that name.” His gaze shifted to Spotted Deer, who was pale and hugging herself.

“Your name,” he insisted harshly. He scooted close slowly, as though what he’d heard were nothing more than another taunting dream.

Spotted Deer backed away. “Spotted Deer…” Her voice trailed off.

Reaching out, Clay grabbed her ankle and gently shoved her skirt above her knees. The girl froze when he traced the most beautiful scar he’d ever seen. He stared at her in wonder. He’d heard her talking of dreams. Bears. And she’d said “Kaa.”

“How did you get this scar?” His voice broke. “Tell me,” he begged.

“A bear.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “A bear chased me and I fell.” Spotted Deer tried to pull away from Night Shadow.

Night Shadow gentled his hold on her as he took in her dark hair and eyes and studied her features. And he saw it: the wide mouth of his mother, the dimple of his sister Catherine and a small dent in her chin—a gift from his father.

His voice turned husky. “Who came after you? Who saved you from the bear?” He tried to keep his voice soft, gentle and patient.

Spotted Deer shook her head. “I-I don’t know.”

Winona bit her lower lip and reached out to take her friend by the hand. “You do. You said the name. I heard you.” She glanced at Clay.

Spotted Deer shook her head but she couldn’t take her eyes from Clay’s.

Clay fingered her long brownish-black hair. Only now did he see it wasn’t the black of the night like Winona’s.

“Who, Jenny? Who always saved you from the bear? Say the name. Say it again. Please,” he begged.

“Kaa,” she whispered, just now putting it together. “Kaa.”

“Yes,” Clay said, tears running down his face. “Kaa. Clay. Your brother always saved you from the bears.” He held out his arms and grabbed his sister when she threw herself into his arms.

“I cannot believe that you were so close all this time.” He restrained himself from firing questions at her. She needed time to adjust. To trust. And that was okay. But right then he needed to hold her for just a moment.

He was Clay. Clay the brother. Clay the man, in love, and ready to take a chance on love and family. Night Shadow was still there, would always be there, but Clay didn’t need Night Shadow to shield his heart anymore.

“Clay.”

He turned to Winona. “We found her,” he said.

She was crying. “Yes, we found her.” She leaned forward. “We have proof,” she said, her voice shaking, her gaze determined. “We have proof. We can go to my father now.”

“No!” Not until Henry Black Bear was dead. He tried to sit, but Winona held him down. “You are a fool. Let me go and find my father. Let Dream Walker take us back. Let me stop this. All of it.”

“No. Henry is my problem.”

Jenny was watching them, confusion in her eyes. Winona quickly explained. “You are the key, Spotted Deer—Jenny. If Clay goes after Henry, our father will kill him.” Her voice broke. “You are the proof that we need to convince my father that Clay was justified in taking us captive.”

Jenny could only nod in wonder. “I have a brother.” She reached out and touched Clay’s face with her hand. “My sister is right. I cannot lose you. If my father…” She stumbled over the word.

Clay smiled. “You have had many fathers and they have all loved you. For that I thank the spirits, for you look well.”

“Then listen to Winona. If our father does not kill you before you can even speak, our brother will.”

“Or Henry,” Winona added. “He can kill you and no one will question his actions. And if you die, it is our word against his.”