Awakening the Beast (7 page)

“Your father told me last night that you’ve learned a great deal from him. He’s quite proud of you. From what he tells me, you’re more like Coret than me. He says that you’re a healer. I can’t believe it. I mean… I think it’s wonderful that you have such an amazing skill. I—”

Illiana saw that she making an effort, but her mother was not very good at it. She held up her hand. “Mother, I appreciate that you’re trying to mend the rift that neither of us knows how to cross. If you spoke to Ranolo, then you understand I’ve learned a great many things and there are events happening to me I don’t fully comprehend. I think we both have to admit we’re too much alike and want what we want, but we both love one another.”

Lelana chuckled and sliced the bread on the table. “I think that’s best. What was the dream you had last night?”

She took a slice of bread and picked a few bits off of it. Illiana struggled to recall all of the details of the dream. All that stuck with her was the sense of urgency she carried from it. “I don’t remember all of the minute details, but Christopher was there. He was out of sorts and downtrodden. I’ve never seen him that way before. Jalisa was there, too. I suppose that means he took her for a mate after all.”

The wolf had always wanted Christopher for herself. Knowing that the other man she had loved was mated to another hardened her heart. Ohanzee had filled the pit in her soul where Christopher had been, but he never left her thoughts. She had only pushed him to the back of her mind. She had loved him since they were children. They had been friends for as long as she could remember. When she was initiated into the pack, Illiana thought that she would be able to have him and Belik. Then the pack council had not allowed it, she had left.

“You still love him?”

She glanced at her mother. “Of course I do. A day doesn’t pass, when I don’t think about him.”

“And this new man, Ohanzee, you love him? I see how he looks at you. The same way that Belik does, they worship you.”

“And I worship them. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for them. We’ve all been good for one another and it’s changed us. I’m sure Christopher has changed, too.”

Her mother slid her hand over hers. “He never took Jalisa for a mate. She has become one of his best warriors.”

“What happened?” Illiana asked.

“The cougars and the vultures slowly gained our trust. Then they took over the villages, working into the community until it was too late. I never noticed it. They came in the night and overwhelmed the wolves. Ravens might have beaks and claws, but we’re no fighters, nor do we have warriors among us. The vultures are bigger than us and their claws are sharper.”

“They feed on carrion.”

“In bird form yes, but as humans they eat things mostly rare from what I saw. They’re bullies. I tried to make peace with them, but they set fire to the Mother Tree. We panicked. I panicked. I flew away from my people, heading west. I remembered Coret’s vision about you leading us. I knew I had to get here fast. I stopped by this lake at night and was near a fishing village. I thought about going there, but all I saw were men and figured it wasn’t a good idea. The next day I started across the water. For four days and nights I continued until I came to the other side. I roosted there until a storm brewed and blew me off the tree. Your father found me collapsed from exhaustion. Here I am.”

It was a miracle that her mother had found her. Should she believe her aunt’s vision? What did her mother expect her to do? Her mother had suffered a lot.
How am I going to tell my mates the one thing I
have
to do? There’s no other choice…
Illiana thought back to her dream of Christopher. It seemed he was calling for her. The wind had heard his call and had brought the answer to her. Maybe it knew how much she was tied to Christopher. Or maybe it was all based on the elusive fifth element that her father had told her about. If that were the case, could she control it as well? Was it the same element that her aunt gave herself over to? She shook her head with too many questions barraging her mind. She did not know where to start.

The one goal that was clear was that she had to get back to the forest.

Chapter Six

Ohanzee sat outside, soaking up the rays of the sun. His work was laid out before him with a chisel and a piece of amber he was carving for his niece. Every time he concentrated on the stone, his mind was drawn back to the rumbling earth. When he reached down into the soil to speak to the element, the earth did not answer any of his questions. It did not even want to help him search of any stones that he could use in his projects. The smoke from the mountain had grown thicker by the day. Unease hung over the village. They all waited for their leader to give them some information that might alleviate their fears.

He ran his fingers over the stone one last time, but his mind remained cluttered. Illiana had been quiet the past couple of days. Her mother had recovered from her arduous journey. It was all a matter of time before Illiana said they were going. Ohanzee did not know what they would find. All he knew was that he would do whatever Illiana wanted and make sure she was safe.

“How are you finding the earth these days?”

Ohanzee glanced up and saw the shaman looking down at him. “Not very cooperative.”

“Yes. I’ve been finding that myself. Illiana and I went deeper than we have before and it wishes to remain silent. I still don’t have control over it. Every time I hone in on it, all I can feel is the heat of the fire flowing deep under the mountains. I fear what will happen to the village and the surrounding two-natured clans.”

“You know when this great event will happen?” Ohanzee asked.

“I don’t know exactly, but soon. I was going to address the village today to let them know what I have discovered. Anyone with the ability to speak with the earth will feel the disruptions, intense stubbornness, and anger flowing within the soil. Have you spoken to her?” Ranolo asked.

He shook his head “No, but she’s waiting for the right moment. Maybe she’s waiting to see if we’re going to object to going back with her. I don’t know.”

“Will you go with her?” Ranolo leaned against a large rock and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Of course. I’m not going to let her get hurt. It sounds like her home was completely overrun and her people are overwhelmed by invading tribes.”

The shaman sighed. “Illiana will know what to do when she gets there.”

“Is that a prophecy?” Ohanzee wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that.

“Not really. Just a feeling. I don’t think that Lelana showing up and the phenomenon with the quake is the rising of otherworldly powers.”

“Why? What’s the connection between the events and her powers? I know you’ve been training her. Illiana said that she went deep, but she was holding something back.”

“I’ll tell you what I told her. If she doesn’t take control of the elements, all of them, then they’ll control her. It will drive her mad. If you see it happening, you and Belik will be her only salvation. You can keep her grounded.”

Ohanzee felt the warmth drain from his face. His mate had an extraordinary gift, but he did not realize it was that volatile. How could he and Belik get her back if she got lost to the powers within her? If she did embrace her abilities, what would it do to her? He might lose her either way. “Thank you for the warning.” He gathered up his carving implements when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Ranolo’s expression was serious. “Remember they can be triggered by something that hits her on an emotional level. It will be swift. I don’t yet know the extent of her gifts. She’s a healer, too. If my grandmother was alive she might know.”

“What about asking the elders or the shamans of the other villages?”

Ranolo stroked his chin. “Illiana and I have discussed her learning with one of the other tribes, but with Lelana’s arrival there’s no chance of that happening. Go, I’m about to gather the people. You should get Illiana.”

Ohanzee rolled up his work in the leather protector he had and tucked it under his arm. He did not like the sound of the shaman’s advice. The wind blasted around him. Some birds cried out above him. Several eagles and hawks carried bundles in their claws while they circled the village. Members of the tribe who lived on the outskirts of the territory must have heard Ranolo calling them in using the elements.

Lelana was tending to the herbs along the side of their house. “Hello, Lelana.”

“Hi, Ohanzee. I was telling Illiana you should plant some mint here. I always had some growing in window boxes. It’s tough to believe that Illiana’s living on the ground and not in the trees. It’s even more surprising to see Belik on the ground.”

He sighed, trying to get along with Illiana’s mother. “Belik and Illiana were supposed to have the house with Christopher with his wolf pack on the ground, correct?”

“True, but that didn’t happen because the pack didn’t accept Illiana as his mate. They built an aerie. Christopher was always uncomfortable not having his paws on the ground. He stayed in the trees with her anyway because he loved Illiana.”

“Just as Belik stays here with us.”

“Ohanzee, I know you don’t have a fondness for me. I understand, but I hope in the future you might. Illiana loves you, but are you willing to share her with another man?”

Illiana stepped out of the hut with Belik. Ohanzee smiled and kissed her lightly on the lips. Her dark hair was done up in a bun showing off her gorgeous neck. He wanted to have all of her right there, but knew better. “Hello, beautiful,” he murmured against her ear.

“Hello yourself. How did the carving go?”

“It didn’t. The earth’s still grumpy from the quakes the other day. Every time I try to talk to it all I hear is groaning. While carving I saw your father. He said we should all gather in the square with the rest of the village.”

“Okay. Let’s go,” Belik said.

Lelana dusted her hands off on her dress and Belik took Illiana’s hand. Ohanzee stashed his tools inside the house on a small table and joined everyone. They made their way through the crowd until they were at the front. Ranolo’s expression was haggard. The shaman was worried. The people were talking amongst themselves until he put up his hands to quiet them.

“Everyone, please. You’ve all been patient and waited for me to come to you with answers. The earth is unsettled as all of you who have the ability to communicate with it know. It’s not likely to improve any time soon. The quakes we felt are only going to worsen and the smoke coming from the mountain will thicken. There’s nothing we can do to stop it.”

“Why are the elements angry with us?” one woman asked.

“How do we know it won’t stop? The elements could be lying.” Tormec, his sister’s mate, sneered.

Ohanzee gritted his teeth at the man and some of the folks seemed to be just as exasperated with him.

“People. Everyone. I know you’re worried, but the elements do not lie. Illiana and I went deep within the ground. We found a living river of fire rising up and arguing with the earth. This has nothing to do with us, but it’s a war with the elements, within nature.”

“Illiana, is there nothing that we can do?” another villager asked her.

She unclasped Ohanzee’s hand. A surge of pride gripped him knowing the other villagers looked up to her. Ranolo nodded and she stepped into the circle of villagers. He could see her ruling over the tribe one day. It was where she belonged.

“It’s true. The elements are warring amongst themselves. If we interfere then it will only make things worse.” She glanced to her father.

Ohanzee saw something pass between them. His brow furrowed. Whatever it was, it was not a good thing. The air whipped around the both of them, then died down.

“You need to be prepared because the river of fire will come up through the mountains. It’s slowly working its way to the surface. Since the village is not directly in the path of the river it may not come this way. However, there will be more quakes and other natural events that will occur. I don’t know what will happen first, but we must be ready for the worst.”

“When will this happen?” another person asked.

“I don’t know. We don’t know,” Ranolo conceded. “I’ll keep my ear to the ground. There’s no need to panic.”

The crowd began to disperse, leaving them all alone with a few stragglers who peppered Illiana and the holy man with questions. When they were done, Ohanzee slipped his hand around her waist. “You did wonderful handling all the attention.”

She smiled. “They just want to know what’s going on. Speaking of plans, you know I have to get ready to go back to the forest.”

A cold chill gripped him. “I know.”

“When are we leaving?” Belik inquired.

She glanced at her father. “I have to say here. They’re counting on me and you have to go back and see how your people are doing. I’ll be here when you get back.”

Illiana turned back to her mother. “Are you ready to travel?”

Lelana nodded. “I’m fit for it.”

“Good. Then we leave in two days. I assume that gives everyone enough time to gather the supplies we’ll need for the journey.”

“There’s one other thing that we have to think about,” Ohanzee stated.

Illiana glanced at him so he could see the questions in her eyes. “What is that?”

“I don’t want to cross that lake again in any boat. I know it’s quicker than walking around it, but maybe we should fly,” Belik said.

Ranolo shook his head. “I don’t recommend it. It’ll take four days and nights to cross the lake if you fly. There’ll be no rest for you. The best way is to go around it.”

“By boat it only took us two days and nights to get across it. And years before you came across it, Father,” Illiana indicated.

“I stayed close to land. We’ll work it out before you leave. We all need to get some rest. In the morning we’ll discuss your travel plans.”

“I understand. Can I ask you something?” Illiana stepped closer to her father.

“Sure.”

“I’ve been hearing this song. I don’t really know what it is. It’s in my dreams like right before I wake up. It’s something related with fire. Have you heard anything?”