Spirits Collide, page 23
part #2 of Evil Awakened Series
“And next time, bring your friends,” Joanne said, hugging her.
“I promise.”
Jim walked her back to her jeep. “If you need help, you call me, I’ll hear you through the mist.”
“Even though the house is pretty far from the woods?”
He nodded. “I have pretty good hearing. But even if I don’t hear your call, I’m pretty sure they’ll let me know.”
Pamoon followed his glance upward until she saw a small group of ravens and a Golden eagle perched on the branches.
Smiling, she looked back at Jim and raised her left hand. Jim did the same with his scarred palm. Their palms touching, their fingers interlaced, they repeated in unison, “A blood oath cannot be broken. And will not.”
A few tearful moments later, Pamoon was on the road home.
51
New Beginning
It was late by the time Pamoon returned to the reservation, so she was surprised that everyone she knew and loved was gathered at White Eagle’s when she stepped inside.
“What’s wrong?” she said, looking at everyone. She eyed the faces of Ayas, Celia, Nuna, Tihk, and Tsomah, as well a contingent of Seminoles including, Micco, Holata, and Opa, but couldn’t read their expressions.
“There is nothing wrong,” Tihk said, stepping forward, “everyone just wanted to wish you a safe journey—”
“And a safe return,” Nuna added.
“You will return, right?” Tsomah said. “I mean, someone has to keep your hair from looking like a rat’s nest.”
Pamoon laughed at her remarks. “This is my home. You—Cree and Seminole—are my family. I promise, I . . . we will return.”
“Any idea how long you’ll be gone?” Nuna said.
Pamoon opened her mouth to say she wasn’t sure, but Opa spoke for her. “Kiche’s path is not her own. She will be gone for as long as it takes. We will keep the campfires burning until she returns.”
Pamoon, Ayas, Celia and Scout stood facing the Y-shaped tree. Tracing her palm across the bark, Pamoon read the words etched into the tree. “A battle won, yet a war remains. Heaven and hell clash in a turbulence known as earth. Enter and claim your destiny.”
“That sure is special,” Celia said, sarcasm dripping like syrup with each word.
Pamoon glanced at her friends, smiled, pointed at the opening into the mist and commanded Scout. “Kwaskohti.”
Scout jumped through the Y of the branches, Pamoon and the others right behind.
There is a Battle of Two Wolves Inside Us All
One is evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, lies, inferiority and ego.
The other is good. It is Joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth.
The wolf that wins? The one you feed.
—Cherokee Proverb
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Acknowledgments
This book and series would not be possible without Magic Quill Press. To Kim, Joe, Keri (Alchemy Book Covers), and everyone at Magic Quill, thank you for believing in me and this series.
To my Beta-readers: Lyn Askew, Carolyn Walkden, Lollie M, Paula Howard, Julie Cummings Carter, and all the teens who have helped make Spirits Collide come alive, a huge thank you! You are amazing, and I can’t wait to work you again soon.
To my readers, who have followed me as I jump genre to genre. None of this would be possible without you. I’m humbled by you.
Also By The Author
Sinclair O’Malley series:
Sin (Book 1)
Painted Beauty (Book 2)
Phantom Squad series: (Including Trilogy of the Chosen)
Cornerstone
Phantom Squad (Prequel to the Trilogy of the Chosen)
Trilogy of the Chosen:
Cursed Blessing (Book 1)
Cursed Presence (Book 2)
Cursed Days (Book 3)
The Kiche Chronicles:
Evil Awakened (Book 1)
About the Author
Mark Adduci, writing as J.M. LeDuc, shares his love and life with his wife, Sherri and his daughter, Chelsea.
Blessed to have had a mother who loved the written word, her passion was passed on to him. It is in her maiden name he writes. J.M. LeDuc’s first novel, “Cursed Blessing,” won a Royal Palm Literary Award in 2008 as an unpublished manuscript in the thriller category and was published in 2010. The rest of the Trilogy of the Chosen: “Cursed Presence” and “Cursed Days” followed in 2012, as well as a novella, “Phantom Squad”—a prequel to the trilogy. “Cornerstone,” the continuation of the Phantom Squad series was published in 2013 to critical acclaim. Two years after its original publication, “Cornerstone” became a #1 Best Seller on Amazon in November of 2015.
“Sin,” the first book in the Sinclair O’Malley series, was published in May of 2014. “Painted Beauty,” the second in the series, followed in May of 2016. The Providence Journal called Painted Beauty “terrific crime noir and the best serial killer tale in a long time.”
J.M. is a proud member of the prestigious International Thriller Writers (ITW) as well as the Florida Writers Association (FWA) and loves to interact with his fans. He can be reached at jm_leduc@yahoo.com, on Facebook on his author page, as well as on Twitter @JMLeDuc1.
J M LeDuc, Spirits Collide
