According to Legend (19 page)

“Yes, I came to you as Half-Breed. I was performing a duty born of love, my first duty—to protect my only child,” he said as he knelt beside me and unlocked the shackles.

I threw my arms around him in an embrace of welcome and relief.

“Oh, Father, I can’t believe it is truly you.” Warm tears ran down my cheeks.

“Yes, my child, it truly is.” He reached up and dried my tears.

“How could I not have realized? I should have known.”

“I could not tell you and for that I am sorry, but now is not the time to speak of this,” he said as he moved to retrieve the dog collar from the chain, “We should never have come here, never stepped out of our inner circle, and now it is the time for us to leave this place.”

As we hurriedly made our way back up the passage I asked, “Father, how is it you can be Half-Breed?”

“I have taken this form to come to this time only to protect you. The wolf who guards Moheeladeck is the rightful Half-Breed. He is the true Spirit of the Wolf, I merely took his form as I knew it was one you know and trust, but we can take the form of any creature under the sun, my daughter.”

“How is this possible?”

“Daughter, when you are in full control of the powers you possess you will understand.”

My legs ached from walking on the uphill slant of the path, but finally we approached the door back into the museum.

“Let us go quickly and be away from here,” he said. “But once you open this door, I will again assume the form of the wolf.”

“Why?”

“Our enemies do not know who I really am. They think I am a wolf and as the wolf, I can remain by your side to protect you and can change form when necessary. This knowledge will help us maintain an element of surprise when danger again comes to us.”

“Do you really think David is one of them?”

“He delivered you into the hands of our enemies.”

“But he whispered—”

“I heard what he whispered. I do not know if you can trust him. What does your heart tell you, my daughter?”

“My heart tells me to trust him but his actions have proven otherwise.”

“Trust your heart for it will never lead you astray,” he said. “Now, child, open the door.”

Everything Emanudeck said made sense to me. But as much as I loved and trusted my father, I was starting to miss my friend and faithful companion Half-Breed, the wolf who made me laugh and protected me.

I reached for the knob and nudged the door open. All was quiet as we exited out into the darkened hallway. We crept back to the side door where we had come in, and I opened it. It wasn’t until I heard the soft buzz that it occurred to me that as a museum, all the doors would have been connected to an alarm system, all exits would have surveillance and our presence in the museum never was unnoticed. I expected an alarm to go off but nothing happened. Our enemies were either getting overly confident and sloppy, or they were allowing us to escape, but why? The two of us found ourselves back out on the street along the side of the museum.

Do you not wonder why they have not tried to take the stone from you?
Half-Breed asked.

I never gave it a thought. Why do you think they haven’t taken it?

I do not believe that they know the full extent of the power it possesses and I believe that they wait for you to lead them to the cave.

David made his way back to the door at the top of the stairs, heading back down into the cavern to help Pam. It was a risky move and there would be serious retribution if he helped her escape, but he had to. He was torn between a sense of duty and the feelings he had for the girl being held prisoner down in the bowels of the museum.

He held a flashlight in one hand and with the other he opened the door leading down the rickety stairs into the dungeon. He stomach lurched at the thought of Pam being chained down there in the dark. He turned the flashlight on and shined it down into the cavern, expecting to see Pam sitting on the dirt floor chained to the wall, looking small, scared, and angry. He had mentally prepared himself for the sight that would sicken him to his core, but was shocked to see the empty chains and shackles lying on the floor where the prisoners had been restrained.

“They’re gone? How?” he said aloud.

Had Mr. Harvey doubled back and taken them somewhere else?
How could he find out without tipping his hand to Harvey? He flashed the light to the table where he had left the keys and another flashlight. They were gone. Suppose Mr. Harvey hadn’t moved them. Suppose Pam was in the process of making an escape. He couldn’t call any attention to that and thwart her efforts. The only thing he could do was keep quiet and try to contact Pam later on. Would she still trust him? She had to. She had to understand he was trapped. He had no choice.
I will make her understand
, he thought as he turned off the flashlight and closed the door behind him.

Mr. Harvey spoke into his cell phone. “You were right, he did go back to check on her, but you will be pleased to know that he didn’t go down into the cavern to rescue her as we feared he might. He’s proven to be more of a man than I ever thought he was. I never thought he would live up to his destiny. I’m impressed. Now what? Okay, we’ll let it play out and watch him for the time being. Do you think she’s bluffing, or do you believe that she doesn’t know the location of that cave? Yeah, I don’t believe it either. Let her stay down there for a while and maybe she’ll be more willing to talk.” He laughed. “I’ll check on her in the morning and get back to you. Until then.” He hung up and stuffed the cell phone into the pocket of his jacket. It was then that he noticed the surveillance light go on indicating that the side door had been opened. The girl must have escaped, and although he didn’t know how she could have, there wasn’t any other explanation.

“Well, well, there is much more to you than I anticipated. I have underestimated you my dear, but rest assured, I will never make that mistake again.”

It was dark when we got back home. I pulled the car into the garage and with a heavy sigh, closed the door behind us.

“Half-Breed I don’t think it’s a good idea to turn on any lights. We don’t know who may be watching us.” I grabbed the flashlight from the glove box and we made our way into the kitchen.

We should have a look around to be sure no one is waiting to ambush us.

Ambush us? But, Half-Breed, we have a great alarm system.

Do not underestimate your enemies. They have ways to sneak under your security.

My stomach knotted at his suggestion.
You’re probably right, Half-Breed. We better have that look around then.

We crept through the house checking one room at a time. A deep snarl came from Half-Breed and the hair along his back stood rigid. I jumped at the sound and gripped the flashlight.

“What is it?”

Nothing. I am practicing my fiercest growl in case we meet with danger.

He certainly looks fierce. I wouldn’t want to tangle with him
.

I did not mean to frighten you, Princess.
He smiled then, that wolfish grin that showed so many teeth.

“Oh, Half-Breed?” I sighed, longing for the safety and comfort of Moheeladeck’s arms.

I know, Princess, you wish to be with him.

Yes, I know that is my true place and somehow at the end of all of this, I will find a way to remain there. But I can’t think about that now.

As we made our way upstairs to the bedroom, my cell phone rang. David. I didn’t answer. He had betrayed me and I didn’t know if I could ever trust him now. But I knew I wasn’t ready to talk to him yet.

The damp mustiness of the dungeon clung to my skin. “Half-Breed, I’m going to take a hot shower. You can go to bed, but please try to stay alert.”

Yes, Princess, I will keep watch.
He headed back toward the bedroom door.

“Where are you going?”

Downstairs to guard the door.
He turned and with a swish of his bushy tail, romped down the stairs.

I left my clothes on the bathroom floor and climbed into the shower. The hot water ran over my body and rinsed away the stench of the dungeon, washing away the stress of the day. Scenes of the day played through my mind. I was deep in thought and had not realized that my hand rested upon the dream catcher when my thoughts drifted to Moheeladeck once again and how much I wish he were standing here with me in the shower.
Oh, if only he could be here now
, I thought. A light flashed, startling me from my reverie. I opened my eyes and gazed at my tan body, the curve of my belly, my hands, but not my hands, her hands, and there he stood, naked, real, and everything that I wanted. How was I to know I could summon the man I longed for with a mere thought?

He drew me into his arms. The warm water rushed over our bodies. I gazed up into his dark eyes and he smiled down at me.

“I enjoy that you are able to summon me, but I enjoy it even more so when you stand under a waterfall wearing nothing,” he said as he lowered his head and brought his lips to mine. The warmth of the water running over my skin mixed with the warmth his kiss and stirred my blood. My arms wound around his neck, my fingers tangled in his hair. His hands ran down my back.

I still held the soapy washcloth in one hand and ran it over his naked chest. He had always been the aggressor in our love making, but tonight, I would be the one taking charge. I needed to feel powerful and in control of my life. He must have sensed that. I ran my hands up over his chest through the soapsuds. A slight moan escaped his lips.

“Emm, you like that, don’t you?” I asked, my voice husky with desire and the power of being in control.

“Yes,” he answered in a hoarse whisper.

I slid my soapy hand down over his tight stomach. “Then you’re going to like this a lot more.” My hand slid lower.

“You’re right, I do.”

I pushed him back up against the shower wall. The water rinsing the soap off his broad chest ran in tiny rivers down his well-toned body. I ran my tongue over his chest leaving a trail of burning kisses as I moved lower. A moan of pleasure escaped his lips. I raised my eyes to watch him. He gazed down at me, his eyes hooded in passion and lust. Somehow in the reaches of the memories I shared with Takshawee, I knew he had never experienced this. I stood up and turned off the water and, taking him by the hand, led him to the bed.

Pushing him down onto the bed, I rolled him over onto his back. I thought he was a very willing subject until he pulled me down on top of him and in one fluid movement, rolled over so that he was on top.

He lowered his lips to mine, his kiss frantic with passion. As his chest met mine, the stones united and we were surrounded by the throbbing energy of their magic. We were determined to drive each other over the brink, and it didn’t take long. I screamed with ultimate pleasure and realized that I was raking my fingernails down his back. He moaned deeply, and then drifted into silence.

“That was incredible,” I panted.

He smiled down at me.

“You are so perfect, Moheeladeck.” I reached up and ran my hand through his long hair. “I can’t remember what my life was like before you were a part of it.”

“I have always loved you. When you had been promised to me even before we were wed, I loved you. I dreamed of you and the day we would marry. I have never wanted or loved another. You are my Princess.” He rained kisses over my face.

“I missed you. Why weren’t you there last night when I met with Weekatay at the sweat lodge?”

“You needed to find your magic. I would have only been a distraction to you.”

“Oh really?” I answered playfully. “You’re pretty sure of yourself.”

“I am sure of my love for you,” he answered as he planted a kiss on the tip of my nose.

“Did you find your magic?” he asked.

“I think so, but I have yet to learn its full extent and how to use it.”

We were lying in each other’s arms, snuggling and enjoying just being together. “Can you stay?”

“As long as you want me to.”

“Well now,” I said, rolling over so that I was lying on top of him again. “That depends on how fast you rebound.” I leaned down to kiss him.

We made love again and fell asleep in each other’s embrace. It was peaceful and wonderful and I felt so safe being held in his strong arms. I had a dreamless sleep, or, if I dreamed, I didn’t remember. Then again, being here with him was like a dream.

Half-Breed trotted into the room at sunrise, whining.

“What is it, Half-Breed? What’s the matter, boy?” I asked.

David is walking up to the front door and is about to ring the bell
.

The ringing doorbell echoed through the house.

What is your plan now, Princess?
Half-Breed asked.

I have no plan. Let him ring. I’m not answering. He will go away eventually. He deserves to sweat it out
.

I thought you were going to trust him.
The sarcastic tone in Half-Breed’s voice felt like a slap across the face.

I don’t know that I can now.

“What should I do?” I asked, turning to Moheeladeck.

“What did Emanudeck advise you to do?” he asked glancing toward Half-Breed.

“He told me too follow my heart,” I whispered.
Moheeladeck knows Half-Breed is Emanudeck
? I wondered what else Moheeladeck knew but was not telling me.

He put his fingers beneath my chin, lifted my face, and searched my eyes. “What is your heart telling you?”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “I want to trust him but he betrayed me. How could he tell me he is in love with me and then lead me right into the hands of my enemy?”

“You said he asked you to trust him. Perhaps he had no choice but to go along with them at the time but had a plan. Perhaps he is all that he claims,” Moheeladeck answered.

“You have no problem with the fact that another man is in love with me?” I asked.

“No. It is not his feelings that concern me. It’s yours. I would only have a problem if you felt love for him also.”

“You know I don’t love him, don’t you?”

He kissed me again. “Yes, I know.”

The doorbell rang again, followed by frantic banging on the front door. “Pam, are you in there? Pam?” David yelled as he pounded on the door.

Good lord, with all that banging, he’s going to set off the alarm.

“Go see where his path leads you. I am only a thought away, my love,” Moheeladeck said, as if he knew this was a path I needed to travel, a path I was destined to travel.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes, go, but before you do, you better cover yourself,” he said with a sheepish grin.

I pulled on a bathrobe and shoved my feet into my slippers. I was about to head out of the bedroom when Moheeladeck called, “Takshawee?”

“Yes,” I said, turning to face him.

“Are you forgetting something? Do you wish to have me remain here, or are you planning to send me back to the People?”

I yelled down toward the door, “COMING!” The frantic knocking stopped.

I sashayed slowly over to my Warrior and placed one hand on the catcher over my heart and the other over his heart. I brushed a gentle kiss over his lips and thought,
Return Moheeladeck to the People,
and he vanished.

Turning, I rushed down the stairs to answer the door.

I flipped off the alarm and opened the front door.

David rushed in and swept me into his arms before I could stop him. “Oh, thank God, Pam,” he said, raining kisses in my hair. “I was frantic with worry. I went back to the cavern to get you out, but you were already gone.”

“Hi, David. Nice to see you, too, and oh, by the way, thanks for delivering me so nicely to Mr. Harvey. How could you?” I disengaged myself, pushing David away roughly. My hands shook with the need to slap him and my breathing sounded like a freight train.

“I had no choice. I told you to play the game and trust me.”

“Did you know all along Mr. Harvey would be there waiting with a gun?” I turned and strode into the kitchen.

He followed. Standing in the doorway, he answered, “No. Well, yes, I knew he would be there, but I swear I knew nothing about the gun.”

“This has gotten out of hand, David. I mean, guns? What could possibly be worth dying for?” I picked up the coffee pot and started to fill it with water. I needed to do something to steady my shaking hands.

He looked at me. “They will stop at nothing to control the power of that stone and possess the treasures in the cave, but for me there is only one thing worth dying for.”

“And that would be?” I stared at him.

“Well, love of course,” he answered as he stepped closer to me, and in a barely audible whisper said, “I would die for you, Pam.”

“I would never ask you to do that.”

“You would never have to. Look, I know I blew it with the whole trust thing back there. I should have warned you that it was a trap, but, Pam, I have to play along with them. I have to let them trust me enough so that I am involved in their planning, so I know what to expect. That’s the only way I can protect you. You are going to have to trust me until I can figure out how to get us out of this mess.”

“I want to, but you’re making that pretty difficult. How do you expect me to trust you now? Trust is earned and now you’re going to have to prove to me that I can trust you again. Until you do, I’m going to have to trust my gut.”

“I guess I deserve that, but I’ll do whatever I have to in order to prove myself to you, Pam, but please keep in mind that I’m still going to have to play their game, so it may look like I’m the enemy.”

“I know,” I answered. My heart was telling me to trust him and that he was telling the truth.

I watched as he noticed I was in a bathrobe. “Hey, did I wake you?”

“Yeah, kind of,” I said, not at all comfortable wearing only my robe.

“So you haven’t had breakfast yet?”

“No.”

“Then why don’t you invite me to stay? I make a great cup of coffee.”

“You’re incorrigible!” I said as I handed him the half-filled coffee pot. “I’ll be right back.”

I ran upstairs and threw on a pair of jeans and a sweater while David made the coffee. When I came back down, I found him making scrambled eggs and toast. We sat across from each other at the breakfast bar sipping coffee and eating eggs. A strangely domestic scene, considering I’d been making passionate love to Moheeladeck moments before David arrived.

“So, how did you get out?” he asked.

Be cautious, Princess,
Half-Breed warned.

“Well, Half-Breed managed to wiggle out of his collar, got the keys off the table and brought them to me. I unlocked the shackles, grabbed the flashlight you so conveniently left on the table, thank you very much, and we went back the way we came. Obviously I wasn’t going to go up the way you and Mr. Harvey had and who knows where I would have ended up if I continued to follow the tunnel beyond that . . . that dungeon.”

“I’ll tell you, that wolf is something.”

I’d like to tell him something! I’d like to tell him to get lost!

Half-Breed, we have to play this game. This was your idea!

“Now what, David? What’s the next step?” I asked.

“I’m sure that I can convince them that I’m trying to get back into your good graces, which shouldn’t be too hard to do, because, well, I am. But they will be watching very closely.”

“I think it would be easier if I knew who ‘they’ were,” I replied.

“Well, we both know Harvey is involved, but beyond that, I’m not even sure anymore,” he said, staring off into space.

He’s not very cooperative for someone trying to gain your trust.

Good point, Half-Breed.

“Look, David, you expect me to trust you but you remain unwilling to give up even the slightest bit of information. I think it’s about time that you share some of your secrets. I have half a mind to kick you out of here.”

“Please don’t. Try to understand, the less you know the better, believe me,” he said. “I told you and you have said so yourself, these people will stop at nothing. They will kill both of us without blinking an eye, and not give it a second thought. The only thing keeping you alive is that they don’t know the location of the cave and you do. Once you lead them to that cave and they have no further use for you, do you think they’ll let you live?”

“No, why would they?” I said, wondering if they knew I was the only one who had the power to use the stones.

“When we were in the dungeon Mr. Harvey said something about waiting for instructions from the true Princess. Do you know who he meant?” I asked.

“No. I know they feel I’m important, and that I somehow have some sort of destiny in all this, but I have no idea who they think the real princess is.”

“I can tell you’re not very fond of Mr. Harvey.”

“In the cave, he said he always thought of me as a wimp and didn’t think I would live up to my destiny,” he said with bitterness and hate in his voice. “No, no I don’t like him.”

“Why are you involved with him then?”

“They are using me, and I’m using them.”

“Do you have any idea what this supposed destiny is, what your part is in all of this?” I asked.

“No. The only thing I know is that weird things have started happening to me lately. I told you about those weird dreams, knowing things, sensing things . . .”

“When did this all start?”

“I guess it all started around the same time I realized I was in love with you.”

I took a sip of my coffee.
Didn’t Weekatay say falling in love awakens the powers
?

“I’m not sure about this, but I think that these things, these powers, may be awakened by falling in love,” I said.

“No way.”

“You said that your aunt did everything in her power to stop you from having a romantic relationship, from falling in love. Could she have known? Do you think she’s involved?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past her at this point,” he said. He clenched his jaw and his hands balled into fists.

“So you don’t trust her?”

“No, I don’t.”

“What part do you think she plays in all this?”

“I don’t know for certain. All I am sure of is that she murdered my mother,” he said with conviction. Unshed tears filled his eyes and he swallowed hard. He glanced away for a moment.

I knew the path I was traveling was dangerous. It was like a movie, a CIA thriller, and I was drawn somehow to the excitement.

“We need to get into her greenhouse and have a look around. Hey, remember when we were in the tunnels and came to that fork?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“Do you have any idea where those other two tunnels go?”

“No. I was only told to stick to the middle one.”

“Who told you that?”

“I don’t know exactly, I get text messages. That’s how I get my orders. No face, no voice, no return number. I get a text message from a mongrel pre-pay cell phone, with a different number every time.”

“David, these people are good and seem to know what they’re doing. We really have to be careful.”

“You’re right, of course.” He grew quiet and thoughtful for a moment, then he said, “I think I’ll tell them that I made up some lame excuse and you fell for it and that I’m back in your good graces. Maybe that will buy us some more time. I can’t even bear the thought of them hurting you. I—”

“I didn’t ask for any of this, but I’m in it now so we’ll just have to go forward.”

“Okay, but only if you’re sure. I would like it a lot better if you went away for a while. Is there any chance I could convince you to do that?” He smiled.

“No!”

“What are you going to do?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” A frown furrowed his brow.

“Yeah, when my mother was alive she used to say ‘When you don’t know what to do, do nothing at all and soon enough the answer will present itself.’ So I’ll follow her advice. It’s always worked for me in the past.”

“But in the past you weren’t dealing with people who were trying to kill you.”

“Yes, that’s true.” I was having a hard time waiting for my attackers to come to me but I wanted to remain calm, especially since I botched it up so badly in the cave by not following my own instincts. It was time to focus, use my abilities, and follow Moheeladeck’s advice. Sitting there with David I felt jumpy, my stomach clenched, and I realized the circle of enemies was indeed closing in on me. Suddenly I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “I need to think,” I said. “I have to go for a hike.”

“I’m going with you,” he said.

“NO!” Panic rose in my throat nearly choking me.

I didn’t want anyone else in the secret place where I had found the other half of the stone, especially not David. Then suddenly, my mind opened like a flower in the warm summer sunlight. I remembered making love to Moheeladeck, the water flowing over our naked bodies and our desire. What had he said?
I enjoy it even more so when you are naked under a waterfall.
Remembering the water and feeling the mist of the falls on my face, my thoughts swirled. Although I had been inside the cave, it was not until that moment that I knew with certainty that the entrance of the cave was hidden behind the waterfall.

I told you that in your heart and spirit you knew the location of the cave, Princess.
Half-Breed’s smug thoughts filled my mind.

“No, David,” I said aloud and more calmly. “I’ll be okay. I’ll take Half-Breed. He has gone with me before. It will be fine.”

“I insist. I’m coming with you and I won’t take no for an answer.”

I didn’t trust David and he was backing me into a corner. I remembered Moheeladeck’s words about the circle getting closer and I felt strangled. Could I bring David that close to the cave? My mind raced for a way to get out of this situation when my cell phone rang. It was the service station that had my car. After a brief conversation, I confirmed my car was ready.

I hung up the phone. "Guess the hike is on hold. My car is ready and I have to go get it.”

“That’s good news, isn’t it?” David said.

Good news?
I thought. Anger boiled in my gut.
How dare he be so cavalier?

“Yes, but tell me, David, who slashed my tires and cut my brake lines?”

“I don’t know, truly, but please let me pay for the repairs.”