CHAPTER FIFTEEN AN UNEASY ALLIANCE #3
“Alright,” Kade said. “Out with it. You’re dying to say something to me. I can see it on your face. So, out with it.”
“I don’t want to start an argument or push you away,” Greyeagle said.
“Free pass,” Kade said. “I can tell this is personal. Hit me with it, already.”
“You really want to hear it?” asked Greyeagle.
“Wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t,” Kade retorted.
“Fine, you asked for it,” Greyeagle said. “What did you do to me?”
“What the hell do you mean?” asked Kade.
“I think you know damned good and well what I mean,” Greyeagle replied, his own anger rising.
“Seriously, I don’t,” Kade said. “Unless you’re still pissed about me knocking you out.”
“That’s part of it,” Greyeagle admitted, “but it’s not all. While I was out, you did something to me.”
“All I did was put you in your car and leave you a note,” Kade said. “I wanted to leave you butt-naked with your ass hanging out the window, but Raven told me to stop being childish. Anything beyond that wasn’t me. So, tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll see if I can fix it.”
Greyeagle stared at him for a moment. He could always tell when Kade was lying, and he wasn’t.
“I haven’t been able to shift since you knocked me out,” Greyeagle admitted.
Kade stared at him in disbelief. That was a huge admission of weakness. Kade knew he could capitalize on it, and there wouldn’t be anything Greyeagle could do about it. For a moment, he considered it. Then he thought of the young boys just a few yards away and changed his mind.
“I didn’t do anything to you, Will,” Kade said. “I’d never take something like that from you.”
“Then what the hell happened to me?” Greyeagle asked.
“If I had to guess,” Kade said, “I shook your confidence in yourself. You’re used to being the biggest, baddest thing around. I took you down with one punch. That had to hurt. Kinda like counting coup.”
Greyeagle sat there for a moment, thinking it through. He clenched his jaw as he thought, running it all through his mind.
“That would explain why the Inipi didn’t help,” Greyeagle replied.
“Does your pack know you can’t shift?” asked Kade. “If I couldn’t shift, I’m pretty sure my pack would turn on me.”
“Mine wouldn’t,” Greyeagle replied. “And yes, they know. We’re more than just a pack. We’re family.”
“Hmmm,” said Kade. “That’s interesting.”
“I’m more than the Great Wolf,” Greyeagle said. “It took losing that to make me realize it. So, with or without it, I’m still going after the Ma’êstse-hóhkeso.”
Kade thought about that for a moment before speaking.
“I bet you are,” Kade said. “Why is it that you can still make me think you’re the stronger of the two of us even when we both know I’d win in a fight?”
“Because real strength comes from the heart, the family, and the life you build,” Greyeagle replied.
“Maybe,” Kade said.
“Do you mind if I ask you another question?” asked Greyeagle.
“Go ahead,” Kade said.
“Why did you do it?” asked Greyeagle.
“Do what?” asked Kade.
“Kill that schoolteacher,” said Greyeagle.
“I didn’t kill her,” Kade said. “Who do you think helped me find the rituals for the Makhótaneo’o?”
“Then who killed her?” asked Greyeagle.
“The cop I killed,” Kade explained. “He was sent there to stop her from teaching forbidden knowledge. I was too late to stop him. He tried to kill me, so I put him down. I didn’t know what to do, so I ran. I knew no one was going to believe me.”
“I would have,” Greyeagle replied.
“Would you?” asked Kade, his expression growing darker.
“Yes, I would have,” Greyeagle answered. “Kade, I always believed in you.”
“Then why did you go along with my banishment from the tribe?” asked Kade.
“The Tribal Council insisted on it,” Greyeagle replied. “Grandfather and I spoke out against it, but we were overruled. I had no choice.”
“You could’ve come with me,” Kade said softly.
“No, I couldn’t,” Greyeagle said. “We thought you were dead. Killed in the shootout with the FBI.”
Kade stood there for a moment, letting it sink in.
“And if I’d contacted you,” Kade said. “Would you have come with me?”
“Honestly?” asked Greyeagle. “I probably would have at the time. I was angry with the Tribal Council. Why do you think I stayed away so long?”
“Then let me ask you something, brother,” said Kade.
“What’s that?” asked Greyeagle.
“Why don’t you come with me now?” Kade asked.
“Why don’t you come home?” asked Greyeagle. “Knowing what I know now, I’d be willing to bet I can get the Tribal Council to remove the banishment. We can also clear your name.”
“Let’s get back with the wood,” Kade said, changing the subject.
“Before this is over,” Greyeagle said, “we’ll both have a lot of decisions to make. I want you to remember that we all still love you when you make yours.”
“Even the Great Jay Matoskah?” asked Kade.
“Especially him,” Greyeagle replied.
“Then I’d like to hear it from him,” Kade said. “He’s barely spoken to me since we got here.”
“I think he doesn’t know what to say yet,” Greyeagle replied. “You know him. He does things in his own way and time.”
“Some things never change,” Kade said. “Now, let’s get back with this wood.”