CHAPTER FIVE DARKNESS RISING #2
“I understand,” he said softly. “I stood on that edge with you. If you’d fallen, I would’ve gone with you.”
“I know, brother,” Greyeagle said.
Kodiak nodded grimly, then turned and headed for the truck. Greyeagle got back into the Charger and fired up the engine. Sarah slid in from the passenger side and moved right up next to Greyeagle.
“I’m sorry,” Greyeagle said.
“I get it,” Sarah said. “I understand why you had to do it. Just stop closing me out. You never have to hide things from me. I may not agree with you, but I will always listen.”
“Thank you,” Greyeagle said, kissing her on the cheek.
They drove in silence until they pulled back into the campground.
The others were all waiting for them. Grandfather and the boys sat by the firepit, with Black Fox standing nearby.
Greyeagle shut down the engine, glanced over at Sarah, and slowly got out of the car.
Sarah slid out behind him and took him by the hand.
As they approached the group, Greyeagle could see the concern on their faces. He reached up and touched the swollen side of his face and winced in pain.
“Did you at least get in a few shots of your own?” asked Black Fox.
“No,” Greyeagle replied. “He knocked me out with one punch.”
“Kade always was stronger than you,” Black Fox said. “Even as children.”
“I remember,” Greyeagle replied, frowning.
“Did you reach him?” Black Fox asked.
“For a moment,” Greyeagle replied. “But it passed quickly. He doesn’t want to change.”
Black Fox frowned.
“Grandfather,” Greyeagle said. “I have a lot to tell you. We have bigger problems than we thought.”
Greyeagle spent the next half an hour explaining everything that had happened, leaving nothing out. Everyone listened without interrupting, and Greyeagle slid into a chair when he finished. He was physically spent and felt like his head was going to explode.
“First thing we must address,” Jay said, “is why you’re still not healing. If you were struck last night, you should’ve healed long before now.”
“I know,” Greyeagle said. “I can’t explain it.”
“Perhaps he took your power,” suggested Black Fox.
“Can he do that?” asked Mika.
“I do not know,” Jay said. “We don’t know what Kade is capable of.”
“Can you change forms?” asked Mika.
“I haven’t tried,” Greyeagle replied.
“Perhaps you should,” said Jay.
Greyeagle closed his eyes and called on Old Wolf. After a few moments of struggling, he opened his eyes.
“I can’t call on the spirit of the wolf,” Greyeagle said. “Something’s wrong. What did Kade do to me?”
“I intend to find out,” Jay replied. “Jason and I will prepare a sing. Perhaps that will help guide us in the right direction.”
“And if it doesn’t?” asked Greyeagle.
“Perhaps an Inipi will help,” Jason added. “A sacred sweat. After all, that’s how your journey began.”
Greyeagle nodded.
“Then we need to get started,” Greyeagle said. “I doubt Kade will give us much time to prepare before he makes his next move.”
“In the meantime,” Mika said, “I’m going to take Big Bear and the Twins and go ask a few questions with contacts I have on the Rez. Someone has to know something.”
“Think it will help?” asked Greyeagle.
“It has to,” Mika countered. “I mean, yesterday we didn’t even know what questions to ask. With another pack operating on the Rez, someone has to know something.”
“Be careful,” Greyeagle said.
“Don’t worry,” Mika said. “If we find anything, we’ll come back for the rest of you. I ain’t taking this guy on alone if he knocked you out with one shot.”
“Kade’s faster than I am,” Greyeagle said, a note of anger in his voice, “but he won’t do that a second time.”
“That’s what we want to hear,” Mika said. “Now, get your fucking mojo back so we can stop him and his pack before more innocent people die.”
“Agreed,” Greyeagle said.
“I will go with you,” Black Fox said. “If you do run into Kade, he might respond better to me than he will to you. No offense.”
“Hey, none taken,” Mika said. “He doesn’t know me from Adam, but he might listen to you.”
“Don’t rely on that,” Greyeagle replied. “I thought he’d listen to me and look where that got me.”
“You went alone,” Sarah said. “Like an idiot.”
“If anyone had come with me,” Greyeagle said, “it would have been a fight immediately. There wouldn’t have been any chance of speaking. His pack was there, and he sent them away when I came alone. He was ready to fight.”
“Then we must be, as well,” Black Fox said. “Kade has always been the stronger of the two of you, but you were the thinker. He’s impulsive, and that is something we can use to our advantage.”
“Good luck,” Greyeagle replied.
“I think we will all need it before this is through,” Black Fox said.
“Alright, let’s roll,” Mika said. “I want to be back here before nightfall. If they’re planning on hitting us, it’ll be in the darkness.”
“Be careful and don’t go unarmed,” Greyeagle said.
“Dude!” said Mika. “Who do you think you’re talking to? I don’t take a crap without a gun with me anymore.”
“He’s not lying,” Cassie added.
“Hey, it’s only paranoia if they aren’t out to get you,” Mika said.
Kodiak nodded in agreement.
“Alright,” Greyeagle said. “Just hurry back. I don’t like the thought of any of you getting ambushed away from the rest of us.”
“Me either,” Mika said. “See you soon, brother.”
Mika, the Mohawk Twins, Kodiak and Black Fox all loaded up into the Bison and headed back down the road. Once they were gone, Greyeagle turned to Jay and Jason and nodded gravely.
“Now, let’s find out what’s wrong with me,” he said.