According to Legend (26 page)

My hands were shaking. I sank into my bed as I dropped the phone.

“Is there trouble?” Moheeladeck asked.

“No. I sold the house and it appears I have to move out quickly.”

“That is good. Now you can come back and remain with me.”

“I can’t. Not yet. I have to talk to David.”

The mere mention of the name made Moheeladeck’s body rigid, and his hands balled into fists at his sides.

“No, no, you misunderstand,” I said.

“I understand perfectly.”

“No, you don’t. The person that is buying my house is the doctor who signed David’s mother’s death certificate. You see, David believes that his mother was poisoned and he has been trying to find information about this particular doctor, but it appeared that the doctor had vanished. As it turns out, that same doctor is the person interested in buying my house.”

“I don’t like the sound of this,” he said.

Just then, my cell phone rang again.
Oh for the love of God
, I thought. This was getting annoying. “Hello,” I barked into the phone.

“Hello, dear, this is Agnes, Agnes Warren. Am I calling you at a bad time?” she asked.

“Oh no, Mrs. Warren. Well, actually, yes, I do have a few things going on right now but it’s fine.”

“I won’t keep you then. I just wanted to tell you that the museum committee dinner is set for tomorrow night at my house. Can you make it? Say around six o’clock?”

“Oh, well, I don’t have my calendar with me at the moment. Would you mind terribly if I called you back in a little while?” I needed to buy some time.

“No, not at all, dear. I’ll hear from you later on. I truly hope you can make it.”

“Okay, Mrs. Warren, I will call you. I promise.”

I hung up the phone and heaved a heavy sigh. Why did contact with Mrs. Warren make me so apprehensive? Things were starting to unravel fast and my nerves were fried.

I had to talk to David. The hurt look on Moheeladeck’s face nearly killed me. “I’m sorry, but I have to let him know.” I dialed his number and wasn’t surprised to find the call went directly to voice mail. “Hi David, it’s me, Pam. Look, I need to talk to you. I have just found out that Dr. Harvey is in town and I thought you would be interested. Call me.” I hung up.

“Maybe you should send me back to the People until you can sort out your feelings.” Moheeladeck was still standing in the same position, with his hands in fists at his side.

“My feelings have nothing to do with this!” I snapped.

“Don’t they?” he asked.

I knew I had overreacted and didn’t need to snap at him.
What is wrong with me? Is it the guilt? Is it true that I really don’t know my feelings?
I closed my eyes for a moment to collect myself. I stepped toward him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just a little overwhelmed right now.” I put my arms around him and he put his around me, but held me away from him, as if he wanted to keep some space between us.

The catcher was vibrating madly over my heart. Its motion, which was usually a comfort to me and a reminder of my love for Moheeladeck, suddenly seemed to be pointing out its disapproval of my feelings for David. The more I tried to ignore it, the stronger if vibrated. I wanted to silence it, like I wanted to silence my conscience. I would be better off without it for now, I thought.

“I have an idea that may make things easier for me.” I paused. “Since you are here and you will not need to summon me to you in my dreams and I won’t need to summon you to me, why don’t I take the catcher off? That may help me sort things out.”

“What will you do with the stones?” he asked.

“I’ll let you wear it for a while,” I said as I slipped it from around my neck and handed it to him.

“I don’t like the idea of you without the protection of its powers.”

“You are here to protect me so I shouldn’t need it.”

“It is yours to command. The powers belong to you. I cannot possess it,” he said as he slipped the catcher back around my neck. I knew he was not going to help me through this decision. He was right. It was mine alone to make.

“I love you enough to abide by any decision you come to, my Princess. Does he?”

“Our plan is coming together perfectly. I knew the boy was a wimp.” Mr. Harvey spoke into his cell phone. “According to Williamson, he’s panting after this girl like a dog in heat. Yes, yes, we have everything in order. We’ve been monitoring her every move. We’ll be ready to close in once we have her in position. That’s your job. She knows the location of the cave, despite her denials.

If the cave is where you believe it to be, we can use the tunnels and be ready to strike. Once we have her at the cave, we can do away with her and let Williamson get rid of the evidence. Yes, he’ll take care of that part. You know how much he loves the kill.” Mr. Harvey gave a low and nasty laugh. “He is a sick, sadistic bastard, isn’t he? But I did promise him he could do as he wishes with the girl before he finishes her off. I think he’s looking forward to that more than he is looking forward to finding the treasure. Do you think she’s going to come to the committee dinner? Good, good. Just make sure you get her to agree to go to the site of the dig. We’ll take it from there.”

Over dinner I explained the entire Dr. Harvey story to Moheeladeck, and even though he didn’t like it, he finally understood why I felt it was necessary to contact David. I could hide my fantasies about David from Moheeladeck, but Half-Breed knew exactly where my thoughts were, though he said nothing to Moheeladeck. Perhaps Moheeladeck was right in saying that I had to find the answer myself, in my heart. Divakar’s words that had somehow bound us together now ran through my mind and gave me an idea.

“I wonder,” I said aloud.

Moheeladeck raised an eyebrow in question.

“Do you think if you put the catcher around your neck and you kissed me, holding me really close and told me Divakar would no longer be the object of my desire all this would go away?”

“That is not the way it works,” he whispered. “Takshawee, if I possessed the power to control the stones and make the choice for you, I would never be sure of your heart. I would always wonder if you would have chosen him otherwise. This choice has to come from you, from your heart. It is not magic. I cannot make the choice for you. But that I could, I think you know what that choice would be.”

“I hate feeling like this.”

“No more than I. I feel his presence between us even at our most intimate moments. But worse, I fear that his dark presence is going to interfere with the magic of the stones or worse, have some ill effect on our child. I hope that will not be the case.”

Half-Breed’s thoughts urgently interrupted our conversation.
The village is under attack! Weekatay has asked me to summon you back. Divakar’s men have set a blaze around the village. Your lodge is burning and, worse, the widow’s children have been abducted!

A cloud of anger crossed Moheeladeck’s face. He clenched his jaw and his eyes grew dark with rage.

“I must return to the village at once. Takshawee, you must send me back now, quickly,” he said.

I held the catcher in my right hand, and was just about to place my left hand over his heart when he stopped me.

“Wait!” he said as he held my hand away. “David, Divakar, knows I am here with you to protect you. This may be his attempt to draw me back to the People and away from you so that you will be here alone and unprotected. You must accompany me back so that you will not be left vulnerable to him.”

We agreed. I held the catcher in my hands and commanded it to return us to the village.

We found ourselves back in his time, standing close to the central fire pit. Thick smoke filled the air and I coughed as I gasped for breath. The heat of the blaze surrounded the village scorched my flesh, yet the cold hand of fear gripped my heart. We were trapped with the People inside a circle of fire that was closing in on us at a rapid pace.

A figure emerged from the smoke. The widow ran to Moheeladeck. She grabbed his arms and with tears running down her soot-stained face she wailed. “My children, my children were taken.”

“Do not worry, I will find them,” he said.

“How will we put the fire out? We must before it destroys all the lodges and our stores for winter,” I said.

Moheeladeck took charge. “Everyone gather pots and come to stand close together here near Takshawee. Quickly, quickly!” he instructed.

“Takshawee, ask the stones to transport us to the stream.”

I did as he asked and the tribe was transported out of the circle of fire and to the banks of the rushing stream.

The People stared at me in amazement, but Moheeladeck had no time to answer their questions.

“Everyone, fill your pots with water and douse the fire that surrounds the village,” he commanded.

“Wait!” I cried. I remembered seeing an old movie showing a bucket brigade. “Form two lines and pass the pots from one person to the next.”

“Do as she says,” Moheeladeck said.

The People threw their backs into the work, and soon the fire was put out.

Our faces were blackened with soot and we were all exhausted, but Moheeladeck was relentless. He turned to Half-Breed and commanded, “Half-Breed, find the children.”

“I must come with you,” their mother cried. Tears streaked her blackened face and I knew Moheeladeck would not deny her.

My hands moved protectively to cover my own child and my heart clenched with the pain she must be feeling.

“Listen to me,” Moheeladeck said. “I know everyone wants to find the children, but only a few of us will go. Everyone else must remain here and be on guard for another attack. This may not be the end of it. Now, Half-Breed, go.”

The wolf tore off into the woods following what I hoped was the scent. Moheeladeck chose a few braves for his search, but I was surprised when he took me by the hand and started off after Half-Breed. “You are taking me with you?” I asked in surprise, running to keep up.

“Yes, your powers and the power of the stones are valuable. It was my duty to protect the children and I cannot fail,” he said as we rushed through the woods after Half-Breed.

And he did not fail. We found the children not far up the trail, gagged and bound together to a tree. They were frightened, but unharmed.

Apparently Moheeladeck had been correct. This was Divakar’s ploy, a distraction to get him back to this time and leave me unprotected in mine. He knew Moheeladeck would return to protect the tribe. “I have failed this day to protect our People,” he said with sadness. “I put my desire before my duty and I cannot allow this to happen again.”

“You have returned the children unharmed.”

“The Great Spirit was with us, we were lucky this time. They could have been killed and they never should have been taken. I was lax in my duties as their Chief, their sworn protector.”

I could see the anguish in his eyes. Failure was not an option for this proud man. He was clearly torn by the choice between his duties as Chief of the tribe and his duties to me as my husband. I knew there was no choice to make. He had to be who he was destined to be, the leader of this People and their protector, and I could not ask him to be anything less.

I also knew that I would have to face my enemies in my time without him.

“Listen,” Mr. Harvey hissed into his cell phone, “that bitch is selling her house. Do you think she’s planning on leaving the area or the era?” He let out a sardonic laugh. “How do I know? I, too, have my sources. My nephew, the good doctor, who you may recall was so essential in our earlier plan with your sister, is back in town and is buying the house. Who knows why? Maybe he’s starting to develop a conscience after all these years. I don’t think he ever got over the fact that he caused that accident with the Hastings. If the idiot would’ve done his job right, the entire family would have perished. At any rate, he tells me the transaction will happen shortly, within the next few days so we better move quickly. Now, before it’s too late and she escapes us.”

That afternoon I dropped the real estate contract off at my attorney’s office. I found myself humming and had to suppress the feeling to skip toward the doorway with the lightheartedness that finally everything was falling into place and going wonderfully. That is, until I exited the building and bumped right into David. The hair on the back of my neck prickled and I felt as if I couldn’t breathe.

“Pam, what are you doing here?” he asked with a smile.

My gaze was drawn to that dazzling smile and, as if under a spell, my panic slipped away.

“I had some business here. What are you doing here, David? Are you following me?” My eyes were again drawn to his lips, but I forced myself to focus on who I knew he really was and the threat he posed to me.

“Following you? Ah, well, I was actually going to the bank right next door here,” he said with a tilt of his head indicating the bank building. “I’m sort of surprised to see you out alone.”

“Yes, well, Half-Breed is in the car,” I said, motioning toward my car which was parked in front of the restaurant directly across the street. The window was down and Half-Breed’s head was sticking out. He was glaring at David.

“You know, when I gave you that wolf I never thought he would turn out to be such an excellent watchdog. I’m glad it’s worked out for you and him.”

“He sure is a great dog and good company. I honestly don’t know what I would do without him.”

“You know, you smile when you talk about him and I can’t help but smile too when I look at you.” He flashed his dazzling smile and the butterflies flipped in my stomach.

Did my stomach growl?
I thought in embarrassment.

“I know it’s after four, but have you had lunch yet?” he asked. “I really would like to take you to lunch. I think we need to talk.”

“I agree. We do need to talk.”

“I don’t want you to feel threatened in any way though. We can go over to the restaurant right there near your car so Half-Breed won’t be too far from you. I know that crazy wolf won’t think twice about jumping through a window!”

“I don’t know that what we have to discuss would be appropriate public conversation,” I said. “I would much rather discuss it in private. Why don’t you follow me to my house?”
Am I crazy?
I couldn’t help myself.

“Okay, I’ll meet you at your place.”

I started toward my car and then turned back to him. “You will be coming alone, won’t you?”

“Don’t you trust me yet? Of course I’ll be alone.”

No, I didn’t trust him but worse, I wasn’t sure I could trust myself. Yet, I knew I had to face him and my feelings for him.

When David showed up at my door, he had a surprise. He had stopped at the park and bought a few dozen hot dogs. “I knew you didn’t have lunch and I thought Half-Breed might like these,” he said as he came in.

“I’m sure he will,” I said. “Come on into the kitchen. I think I can dig up some mustard and relish for these.”

“Hey, are you going to that committee meeting at my aunt’s?” he asked.

“How did you know about that?” I said as I dug around in the fridge for condiments.

“Because I’m on the committee. After I started having those strange dreams, I sort of got interested.”

Yeah, I bet you did.

“I see,” I murmured.

“Look, Pam,” he said. “About the other day at the mall, I want to apologize. My behavior was inexcusable. I don’t know what came over me. I would never—”

“It’s okay, David,” I interrupted him. “It must have been quite a shock for you.”

He had never asked me where Moheeladeck was. I realized he already knew.

Part of me knew he was dangerous, but another part of me craved that danger.

“I better give some of these hot dogs to Half-Breed before they get cold,” I stammered as my mind got lost in fantasy about David. The catcher was gently humming.

I put the hot dogs in Half-Breed’s dish and he immediately started to devour them. Was he moaning in delight?

“Pam, about the other day, I meant what I said. I want this thing between us, but without the power of those stones. I want it to be because you want it too.”

“I know, David, but I’m a little confused right now.”

He approached me, drew me into his arms and kissed me. Gently at first, but then his kiss grew more passionate and I responded to him as I did the afternoon in my bedroom. I was instantly consumed by a flame of desire for him, a desire I couldn’t control. Placing his fingers beneath my chin, he lifted his head and gazed into my eyes.

“Can you honestly tell me you have no feelings for me?”

“No, I can’t,” I said in a hoarse whisper.

“That’s all I need to hear.” He took me by the hand and led me upstairs to my bedroom. This time he closed the door behind us.

Was this a battle I was doomed to lose? I felt as if I was being drawn to a flame, a flame that I knew would ultimately consume me, yet I was helpless to stop myself.

He was gentle. He reached up and cupped my face in his hands. “I adore you. You are driving me wild with desire for you.”

Half-Breed whined on the other side of the door. His thoughts drifted softly into my mind,
Princess, remember who you really are. Do not dishonor your husband. Do not do this. Do not allow the evil magic of Divakar and his hate and jealousy for his brother come between you and your husband.

Brother?
The word filled my mind, flashing like a neon sign. It took all my will not to speak it aloud.

Yes, Princess. Divakar is Moheeladeck’s brother.

I gently pushed David away from me. “David, I can’t do this. I’m so confused right now that it wouldn’t be fair to you, to either of us. I admit that I do have feelings for you, but I need to sort them out for myself before we . . .” My voice trailed off.

I felt as if I were trapped in one of those dreams where you’re falling. Would I come to my senses before I hit bottom?

A look of genuine hurt filled his eyes. “You take all the time you need. I’ll wait for you.”

He unlocked the door and opened it. Half-Breed was sitting there on the other side waiting for me.
I knew you would do the right thing, daughter.

The sound of the front door closing echoed through the house. I stood there in my bedroom in shock, unable to move.

“Brothers” The word escaped my lips in a whisper. Something beyond my reason was happening here, but what?

“Half-Breed, I have to think. We have to go to the falls first thing in the morning. I have to find some answers and to figure out what’s going on.”

That night, when I was drawn into my dream, Moheeladeck was not in the village. I was greeted by Weekatay. Her long silver braids seemed to glow in the moonlight only adding to her ethereal aura. I looked around for Moheeladeck, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Your husband has gone with a few of the tribesmen to build a fortification that will surround our village and protect us.”

“Where are they? I will go to him.”

“Come,” she said as she took hold of my arm. “I have a story to tell you.”

She led me toward her lodge and I knew there was no point in putting up an argument.

“Sit here on these furs and warm yourself by the fire. I wish to tell you a story of two brothers.”

Two brothers
. In two words she had completely captured my interest.

We sat on furs beside a small fire. She picked up a tiny pouch and tossed some red powder from it into the fire. The flames jumped and danced and a pungent smoke swirled upward. She gazed into the flames for a moment, as if she was struggling to remember and without lifting her gaze from the blaze, she began her story.

“Long, long ago, the Great Spirit had two sons, Glooskap, and his twin brother, Malsumsis. As much as Glooskap was good, Malsumsis was bad and sought the dark ways. So evil was Malsumsis that he took the life of his mother. As the brothers grew, Malsumsis became jealous of Glooskap and sought to strike him dead, and many times attempted to kill his brother. The Great Spirit was saddened and so placed a curse upon the male descendents of his bloodline. The legend is told that the brothers carry the curse of the rivals, and forever after will seek to destroy the other.

It is said that the curse can be broken only if the evil twin were to perform an act of selfless love. To give his life for another.”

“Why do you tell me this story now, my mother?”

For the first time since she began her tale, she raised her gaze from the flames. She took both my hands into hers and looked deeply into my eyes.

“I tell you this now my daughter because the great God, Glooskap, was and remains until this day the father of Moheeladeck and Divakar, two brothers who, because of the curse of the evil Malsumsis, are destined to battle between good and evil.”

I felt like the walls were closing in, I grew dizzy, my heart thundered, and I woke up in a cold sweat sitting in the middle of my bed.