Shaman, Healer, Heretic (41 page)

“Oh,” Livvy said, nearly missing the curb.

She hadn’t thought about the burned out dump for a while and it brought her up short. He was right. She couldn’t live at the Nahual’s house, if the house was even owned by her anymore. She couldn’t sleep on SK’s couch forever either.

He must have seen her hesitate.

“I think it’s going to be all right,” he said, as a corner of his mouth curled into a smile and he tilted his head toward the car. “Come on.”
 

“I JUST WANT to walk you to the door,” said SK as they reached the gate to the building.

Livvy opened it with her keys, barely noticing the spark. Although the Multiverse crisis was over, it might be a while before word had spread through the non-shaman community. It made sense that SK would want to walk her up to the apartment–except for the fact that he was trying to hide a smile and not doing too well.

She half-smiled, half-frowned as they made their way into the building.
What is that sly little grin about?

Although the stairs and hallway looked the same, she realized immediately that her front door had been painted and all traces of the inverted pentagram that she had tried to wash off were gone.

She opened the door and stepped into an apartment that she recognized and yet didn’t. It had been completely redone.

Livvy took a step in, stopped, and then turned to check the number on the door.

“I don’t understand,” she said.

“The Nahual,” said SK, smiling broadly. “She made all the arrangements and paid for everything as well. There was a whole team, as you can imagine, working since you left.” He took a peek inside and whistled. “I guess their real estate investments must be doing well.”

Livvy wandered through the place in a daze. Fresh paint, new carpet, and new furniture. She went into the bedroom. There was a new futon and matching dresser, and when she opened the drawers, her clothes had all been cleaned and put away.

“I don’t believe it,” she whispered.

Then she noticed a carpeted cat pedestal mounted in the corner of the room and a pair of orange ears poking up from the top level.

“Nacho?”

He raised his head, his green eyes only half open, and yawned.

“Nacho!” she exclaimed as she held his little head between her hands.

“New apartment for everybody,” said SK.

Livvy turned to say something to him and noticed the altar next to the dresser. As Nacho pulled away and leapt down to a lower perch, she slowly stepped closer. She recognized most of the objects there. Many of them were hers–small things that hadn’t broken in the vandalism and a few things that been repaired–but there were new additions.

Livvy picked up a small doll from near the back. With its white hair, jeans, and army surplus jacket, she recognized it as herself–a voodoo doll version of herself. She grinned as she realized that Ursula must have made it. A small pair of goggles were on its head, and a tiny amethyst crystal had been strapped over the chest. Livvy gently set it down.

She lifted a sage bundle that was next to the doll. It had been carefully wrapped with a thin leather cord, which also served to hold several glittering amethyst crystals of various sizes against the sage. As she lifted the bundle to her nose and inhaled, she remembered the bundle that Alvina had used at her home.

Carefully replacing it, she picked up the coiled Buddhist mala next to it. She let the long circle unfurl and watched as the tiger’s-eye beads gleamed and swiveled. At the center, a golden tassel emerged from an amethyst guru bead. It must have come from Wan-li.

It was the item furthest in the back, leaning against the wall, that really caught her attention: a small sun kachina, his circular face staring at her. His one leg was lifted in dance, and he held a rattle. Had the Nahual left it?

Finally, as she backed away, something small at the front of the altar glinted. Not quite able to believe what she was seeing, she picked it up and turned back to SK, who was leaning against the doorframe, smiling.

She held it in front of her, in the palm of her hand.

“You got my mother’s ring back?”

“The ticket was in your bag,” he said, hands in pockets, grinning.

“But how did you…”

She remembered the nightmare she’d had on his couch. He’d said that she had been screaming.

“SK, I…” As her eyes teared up, she rushed over, bent down, and hugged him, nearly lifting him off the floor.

“Don’t pick me up,” he said. “I hate that.”

She laughed and sniffed and kept hugging him, but was careful not to pick him up. Finally, she let him go.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Don’t thank me,” he said, adjusting his shirt. “You’ll be working that off.”

She gazed down at the ring, unable to stop smiling.

“In fact,” he said, taking his phone out of his pocket and tapping it. “Seems you’re in demand.”

She carefully set the ring back on the altar.

“But, first things first,” he said, putting the phone back in his pocket. “What sounds good for–”

“Steak,” she said.

He nodded, smiling. “You know, for some reason, I was thinking the very same thing.”
 

Then, a worried look came over his face.
 

“What?” she asked.

“You have to promise,” he said, suddenly serious.

“What?” she said again. “Promise what?”

“No syrup,” he said. “Please. For my sake.”

His face erupted into an irresistible grin and she couldn’t help but laugh. When he burst out laughing too, she realized they’d never done this before–laugh together. It felt good.

“Come on,” she said, pushing him toward the door.

Just before they left, she paused and stole one last look around.

“Now, about your wardrobe,” SK was saying, behind her.

Livvy smiled as she shut the door. He might be right. Maybe it was time to dress like a shaman.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. Terry Green is a full-time writer, former archaeologist, and budding minimalist. For more information about her and Livvy’s Techno-Shaman Multiverse, please visit
mterrygreen.com
.

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• • • • •

LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR

Dear Fabulous Reader,

I hope you enjoyed
Shaman, Healer, Heretic
. I have to tell you that from the moment I came across shamanism, I knew I’d write a novel. I think my first notes for this book predate it by eight years. I was in grad school, and writing fiction was just a daydream. But the thought of creating something in the ancient and rich world of traditional healing never left.

But one year, as National Novel Writing Month approached, I felt ready to tackle it. The outline came together in a rush. Because I wanted to keep it young-reader-friendly, I didn’t want to advocate hallucinogens. So I went with something I felt comfortable with, and techno-shaman goggles were born. It’s been a fun and wild ride with Livvy ever since!

And while I hope it’s been fun for you too, I don’t really know. If you have a moment, I’d really appreciate your feedback. Feel free to tell me what you liked, what you loved, and even what you hated. I’d adore hearing from you. You can write me at [email protected] and visit me on the web at http://mterrygreen.com.

Finally, I’d like to ask a favor. As you may know, reviews can be tough to come by these days. If you’re so inclined I’d really appreciate a review of
Shaman, Healer, Heretic
. Liked it or not – I’d just be grateful for your opinion.

Thank you so much for reading
Shaman, Healer, Heretic
and spending time with me!

Warm regards and see you on the flip side,

Terry

BOOKS BY M. TERRY GREEN

Shaman, Healer, Heretic: Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman Book One

Shaman, Friend, Enemy: Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman Book Two

Shaman, Sister, Sorceress: Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman Book Three

Shaman, Priestess, Pawn: Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman Book Four

Shaman, Lover, Warrior: Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman Book Five

AUDIOBOOKS

Shaman, Healer, Heretic (Book One) at
Audible
|
Amazon
|
iTunes

Audiobooks Two through Five Coming Soon!

DEDICATION

For Cheese.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many, many thanks are owed to a few wonderful people.

Jesse Steele at the The Editorial Department annotated the entire manuscript in one of its final stages. Her corrections, suggestions and advice were invaluable in moving the story to the next level and saving me from a gaggle of grammar gaffs–though I’m sure I’ve managed to trip myself up after the fact.
 

In the first version of this book, artist Jennifer Albright brought Livvy to life in a way that I could never have envisioned. It was simply a delight to watch her apply both talent and imagination to a character that had once only existed in my head.

In the latest version of this book, author and designer Keri Knutson of Alchemy Bookcovers & Design completely re-envisioned the cover concept and artwork for the entire Techno-Shaman series. Her beautiful work is a perfect fit and I’m excited for readers to see it.

Copy editor David Drazul, after lending his talents on the third book in the series, could hardly be left out of the others. From the paragraph down to the comma, there doesn’t seem to be a sentence he can’t improve.

Finally, my husband and the partner of my labors has in turn been beta reader, critique partner, editor, designer, engineer, and support team. In some magical math that I have yet to comprehend, he makes my burdens less than half because he shares them but my happiness is more than doubled.

Copyright © 2010 M. Terry Green

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, in the real world or the Multiverse, is coincidental.
 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Version 1.5