Chapter 41
As Lucky led Tempest across the river bottom, he kept watch, not only with his eyes but with his senses. They were at the center of the spiderweb now. He could feel it tighten around them, drawing them inward.
Spread out to the north and west, the Mounds cast long shadows in the last rays of the sun. Crawdaddy, Haig, and who knew how many others were out there, but it was a big area. Lucky figured Crawdaddy would ride from one of the central Mounds to another in his hunt for the Soleil Wheel. And Tempest.
But Lucky wasn't going near the ceremonial center. He'd been in the area before he went to Delaware Bend and he'd spoken with the farmers. A Choctaw Freedman had led him to the Mound set at a distance from the others. It rose to a rounded peak with three smaller attached rounds spreading southeast. Animals had dug into one side and exposed artifacts from an ancient culture. He'd touched a string of freshwater pearls and a broken piece of pottery, and then the farmer had reverently put them back and re-covered the hole. If the Soleil Wheel was anywhere, he figured it would be in that burial Mound.
“Are you seeing ghosts yet?” he asked.
“No. It's very still and quiet here. Peaceful.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “And yet, there's power, a subtle hum that vibrates over this whole area. I can feel it up and down my spine. Do you?”
“No, not like that. But I feel the energy, deep and old.”
“That's what Crawdaddy wants, isn't it?”
“Yes.”
“I don't think he can get it.”
“Why not?” He glanced over at her in surprise.
“This was a religious ceremonial center for hundreds of years, and the power feels as if it's permeated down deep into the soil and rocks and water.”
“What about the Soleil Wheel?”
“It might be at the center of the power.”
“Do you suppose the ghost of a Grand Sun guards it?”
“A what?”
“Their primary chief, or leader, was called the Grand Sun.”
“Over time, there must have been hundreds of them, so it's possible. Yet I wonder why there would be a guard. It's so peaceful here, as if the people grounded their energy deep in the Earth and simply went away.”
“I suppose that's possible.” He rode close to her. “I'm taking you to the burial Mound. If Crawdaddy ever found it, he'd loot it, pick over the contents like a dead animal carcass, sell what he didn't want, and keep the rest.”
“Is that the Mound ahead? It's big. If the Soleil Wheel is in there, how will we ever dig it out?”
“First, we need to know it's there. If it is, we'll lead Crawdaddy away. Later, we'll come back for it.”
“If it's near the surface, we may need to go ahead and get it to keep it safe.”
With the sun nearing the horizon, Lucky stopped his horse in the shadow of the Mound. “They can't see us here from the ceremonial center.”
“I don't notice anything. I'm not sure I'm going to be any help.”
“Let's walk up close.”
He quickly dismounted so he could help her, but she was already down and walking toward the Mound. He ground-tied both horses, and then followed her at a distance. He watched until she turned and beckoned him forward.
“No ghosts. Nothing,” she said.
“How is that possible?”
She shrugged, glancing around. “No Moon Rattler, either.”
“Surely we didn't come all this way for nothing?”
“I don't know.”
Suddenly loud shrieks and frightened cries broke the stillness in the ceremonial center.
Lucky grabbed her hand. “Stay low.” He led her up the side of the Mound until they reached the top. He hunkered down so he was less likely to be seen. She knelt beside him.
“Oh,” Tempest said in a breathy voice. “There they are.”
“Who?”
But his words were forgotten as he watched a torrent of fire blaze up from the eye of the ceremonial center as if a tornado was connecting heaven and Earth. A dozen or so men on horseback hollered and struck their mounts with reins and spurs as they galloped away in all directions. And the entire area appeared bathed in a fountain of blood.
“What an astonishing sight,” Tempest said.
“I bet it's scaring people for miles around. And Crawdaddy's lost his men. I hope he took off with them.”
“You asked about ghosts.” She pointed toward the funnel of fire. “There they are.”
“Where?”
“They
are
the fire. I see people swirling and weaving and flying with long wings on their arms.”
“Will that set the crops and fields ablaze?”
“I doubt if it's a fire that burns. Do you suppose they're doing that to run off Crawdaddy?”
“Maybe. He wants to steal their power, their bones, and the objects buried with them. But how would they know?”
Tempest jerked around and looked at him. “What did you say?”
“How would they know?”
“No. You said,
âThey're Grand Suns. They know all.'
”
“I didn't say that.” He clasped her hand. “You must have attracted a ghost.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “You asked about the Grand Suns. Now we know they are still here.”
“And they're creating that fire tornado.”
“I don't see a ghost, but I'll try to communicate.” She squeezed his hand. “We're here to protect the Soleil Wheel. Is it here? Will you help us find it in the Mound?” She hesitated.
“Watch the Grand Suns.”
“I am. I can hardly believe my eyes.” Lucky was so focused on the amazing sight that he could hardly think of anything else.
“I mean that's what I heard in my head.”
He glanced at her, and then frowned as the Soleil Wheel on his chest started to burn. He rubbed at it, trying to ease the discomfort.
“I feel it, too.” She massaged the place over her heart. “Lucky, what is happening to us? I thought I was only going to speak with ghosts.”
“I wish I knew. I didn't bargain for any of this.”
“What do we do now?”
“See if the ghost will explain what is happening here.” He leaned forward to get a better look at the fire funnel that continued to light up the sky. He would probably never see anything like this again.
“I'm not hearing anything. And . . . Lucky!”
Caught off guard, he turned to see her sliding off the Mound. No. She was being jerked off the side. He leaped to his feet, cursing his distraction, and reached for her.
But he was too late.
Chapter 42
Tempest struggled as somebody tugged her backward by her ankles. She was flat on her stomach and completely vulnerable. She couldn't believe she'd been caught totally by surprise, but she'd been focused on the ghosts. She grasped at grass, dug her fingers into dirt, and tried to kick free. Nothing helped. She felt a hard jerk, and then she went over the edge, rolled down the side, and landed in a heap at the bottom.
Someone leaped down beside her, kicked her onto her back, and jerked her S&W out of its holster. She shook her head, trying to clear it, and stood up. She leaned back against the Mound for support, worrying about Lucky's fate.
Haig stood before her with his Colt pointed at her belly. She didn't know whether to be more upset with him or herself. She'd had the high ground, but she hadn't kept watch on her surroundings. If she'd even heeded the warning in her Soleil Wheel, she might have had time to draw her revolver.
“Looks like I hooked me a big fish.” Haig tossed her .32 to the side.
“Why didn't you run with the other outlaws?”
“For one thing, I'm smart. For another, Crawdaddy hired them as decoys. He was waiting for you. Once you got here, all we had to do was follow. Thanks to that fire show, it was easy to sneak up on you.”
“Where is Crawdaddy?”
Haig grinned. “Taking care of a little business named Lucky.”
She felt her blood run cold. She could only hope that Lucky had been alerted in time to escape.
“For such a sweet, refined little lady, you sure turned out to be a harridan. I'd shoot you here and now if it wouldn't cost my hide. Crawdaddy will tire of you soon enough, and then I'll get his leavings. By the time I'm done, you'll be begging me to put a bullet in you.”
“Haig, you're nothing but a big mouth.”
“Strumpet! You're nothing but a pisspot adventuress. I've a mind toâ”
“Control your base impulses,” Crawdaddy called. “Everything is about to fall into place.”
Tempest glanced up to see Lucky walk toward her with his hands in the air. Crawdaddy was right behind him with a Colt pointed at Lucky's back.
She felt her heart sink in despair. If she had done something different, maybe they wouldn't be in this situation. But the time for that was over. She had to think of a way to save them now.
“Lucky, allow me to thank you,” Crawdaddy said. “You saved me the trouble of finding the lovely Tempest and bringing her here.”
“You're too late,” Lucky said. “She's part of my Sun Rattler clan now.”
Crawdaddy clicked his tongue against his teeth. “My old friend, I'm going to miss you.”
“What do you mean?” Tempest asked.
“I mean that once he's dead you'll be available to the next Rattler strong enough to take and hold you.”
“No.” She felt as if her life would end if Lucky died. How could she ever have thought she didn't love him? He was everything to her. She put a hand to her stomach as if to protect their unborn child.
“I can easily rid you of his get,” Crawdaddy said.
Lucky lowered his arms, clenched his fists, and started to turn toward Crawdaddy.
She had to stop him or he'd be shot dead before her eyes. “Crawdaddy's right! We're caught, good and proper. Why fight it?”
Lucky stopped and stared at her.
She felt relief race through her. If Lucky would only follow her lead, maybe she could make a way out for them.
“Tempest, if you give me what I want, I'll be happy to give you the best of everything,” Crawdaddy said.
“Do you have a necklace and ring for me?”
“Yes.”
She reached up and unclasped Lucky's necklace and took off his ring. She tossed them at his feet, but didn't look at him. Instead, she focused on Crawdaddy. “You've got more power than Lucky, don't you?”
“Yes.”
“I like power, lots of it.” She put her fingertips over her heart. “But what about my Soleil Wheel?”
“You have one, don't you?”
“Yes, but it's not connected to yours.”
“I don't think we can change that.”
“I think we can.” She took several steps toward Crawdaddy. “And then we can just send Lucky on his way. We don't need him, alive or dead.”
“You may think you're smart, but I'm smarter,” Crawdaddy said.
“Can't you give me what I want?”
“I can give you anything you want.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lucky stiffen. If he tried to stop her, they might both end up dead. She glanced at Haig. He held his .45 steady on her. Finally, she looked beyond them all. Moon Rattler stood there, a serene smile on her lips. She pointed at the Soleil Wheel over her heart and then at Crawdaddy.
Tempest had to take a big chance. She had to trust Moon Rattler. She had to trust Lucky. She had to trust herself.
She smiled at Crawdaddy. “Let me touch your Soleil Wheel and mine at the same time. If our powers blend, we'll know we can make a good team.”
“Of course, our powers will work together.”
Tempest slowly unbuttoned her blouse, and then spread it wide to reveal her Soleil Wheel. “Are you afraid to try?”
“I'm afraid of nothing.” He glanced at Lucky, and then back at her. “If we do this, will you put on my ring and necklace? No questions asked?”
“Yes. And Lucky may go free.”
“We'll see about that,” Crawdaddy said. “I'd like to feel your power. Haig, guard Lucky while I take care of Tempest.”
“I'm not sure that's a good idea.”
“Do as I say.” Crawdaddy holstered his Colt, unbuttoned his shirt, and revealed his Soleil Wheel.
She took a deep breath, not wanting to go near him. She was afraid of what she might feel and afraid of what he might do to her. Yet she knew of no other way to save Lucky.
“Come here.” Crawdaddy motioned for her.
She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and walked over to him. “I'll put my hand on your Soleil Wheel first.”
“And then I'll put mine on yours.”
She stood as far away as she could and still touch him. She reached out and laid her palm flat against his bare flesh. He felt cool to the touch.
He moved closer to her and placed his hand so that he caressed the upper slope of her breast.
She wanted desperately to jerk away, but she forced her body to accept his touch. She grew dizzy as her mind whirled in a kaleidoscope of colors and she gagged on the stench of something rotten. She lost her balance and braced against him with her hand, struggling to clear her mind and remain separate. Yet he was sucking her into him, drawing out her power, her will, her love . . . and Lucky came to her, bracing her with his clean, clear strength. She began to rally.
“You're mine!” Crawdaddy cried out in triumph.
Tempest looked past him at Moon Rattler, who held up her hand, palm out. Tempest intentionally bumped into Crawdaddy as if she no longer had the strength to stand and twisted them so that he faced Moon Rattler. She fought hard to break the internal connection with him, and then jerked her hand from his chest. She quickly stepped back so that he was directly opposite Moon Rattler. She heard the ominous rattle of a rattlesnake.
Crawdaddy cried out in pain, grabbed his chest with both hands, staggered several steps, and then went down on his knees. “No! Not my Soleil Wheel.” He moaned and groaned, rocking back and forth, and then fell forward on his face. A rattlesnake's head appeared from under his chest, tongue flicking in and out, and then the viper slithered away.
Moon Rattler closed her fist as if she'd caught an object. She nodded at Tempest, turned, and walked off with the rattlesnake beside her. Soon, they disappeared into the twilight gloom.
With Crawdaddy no longer a threat, Tempest quickly turned back to Lucky. Haig still had him pinned with his Colt. She walked over and stood beside Lucky, feeling sure she could make Haig see reason.
“I suggest you ride out of here,” she said.
“You hellcat!” Haig turned on her and pulled the trigger.
She felt Lucky push her aside, but he was too late. A burning pain seared her side and she crumpled to her knees. She saw Lucky tackle Haig, and they wrestled to the ground. As the men fought, she knew she needed to help Lucky, but she felt woozy and disoriented. She put a hand to her side and felt moisture. She'd been shot, but she couldn't let that keep her from stopping Haig.
She remembered that Haig had tossed aside her .32. She glanced toward where it had landed, but was shocked to see Crawdaddy struggling to his feet. How was he so strong after a rattlesnake bite? She had no time to figure it out. Now she had two desperate men to stop. She had to do something quick. She tried to crawl to her S&W, but couldn't find the strength. She needed to help Lucky, but she was feeling dizzier by the moment. And she had to find a way to defend herself against Crawdaddy.
When she looked back, Lucky was grappling with Haig over a six-shooter. They fought, rolling back and forth, first one on top and then the other. She was terrified that Lucky was going to be shot. When she heard the discharge of the revolver, she caught her breath, not knowing who had been hurt.
She reached out toward Lucky, feeling tears sting her eyes at the thought of losing him. After a long moment, Haig slumped back against the ground beneath Lucky. And she sighed in relief.
“You cost me my Soleil Wheel!” Crawdaddy stumbled up, brandishing his Colt.
She jerked back, trying to scramble away from him, but she couldn't gather the strength.
He pulled open his shirt. “Look!”
She felt horrified at the sight. Instead of a Soleil Wheel, he had a red, round burned area with two bloody puncture wounds of a snakebite in the center. All of it was swelling and blackening into a dangerous mass.
“You've been snakebit over your heart. How are you still standing?” she asked.
“I'm a Rattler.”
“There's a doctor in Skullyville.”
“I don't need a doctor.”
Tempest felt even more shocked at his words. “Maybe the doctor can help Haig.”
“There is no help for Haig.” Lucky got up and walked over to them, holding the Colt .45.
“Dead?” She tried to feel something, sadness or regret, for the man who had started so much change in her life. Yet Haig had already been gone from her a long time and he'd hurt her too much to mourn.
“He died as he lived, by the gun,” Lucky said.
“Maybe he'll find peace,” she added.
“Who cares,” Crawdaddy said. “I'm in pain andâ”
“It's all finally becoming clear, isn't it?” Lucky asked.
Crawdaddy looked hard at Tempest. “Yes, I see it now.”
Lucky nodded, smiling.
“Tempest, you're the one who let the Grand Suns loose.” Crawdaddy pointed a finger at her.
“I don't know anything about them.” She tried to make sense of the conversation, but she was seeing black spots and not thinking well.
“Look at that!” Crawdaddy waved his revolver in the direction of the fire tornado. “That's the power of the living Soleil Wheel.”
“Yes,” Lucky quietly agreed, keeping his six-shooter aimed at Crawdaddy. “The Soleil Wheel was never in the Mound.”
Both men looked at Tempest.
“It was always in the heart of this woman,” Lucky said.
Tempest glanced from one to the other, touched the Soleil Wheel over her heart, and then slipped into darkness.