Spirit Walker, page 4
Rolling over I retch, before getting to my knees, gasping to catch my breath. So, like Idunn to make an entrance in such an over-the-top manner. Legs like rubber bands, I clutch the cabinet, dragging myself up, swaying. My body heats as if on fire, a burning tingle running the length of my arms and legs, swirling across my chest, circling my neck. My shocked gaze takes in the many runes that blaze to life all over my body.
My eyes fly to Brakken in disbelief, needing confirmation this is happening.
“Brakken?” I choke out in question.
Still laying on the floor, his head thrown back as if in pain, a rumble builds in his chest, exploding into a roaring laugh, like a crazy man. I eye him warily.
“Tell me this shit is true!” I demand, my eyes once again running over my runes.
Each delicate rune throbs with my pulse, glowing. Fearing they will fade; I don’t dare look away.
Brakken, his own runes flaring bright, climbs to his feet, throwing his arms wide. He cries out to the gods, his voice strong and true. A prayer thanking the Gods fills the small room.
Finishing, he turns to me, his face euphoric and whispers exultant.
“She’s… returned.” He heaves a shuddering cry, falling to his knees once again, breaking down.
Hours later, we’ve managed to confirm with the others. They too felt the pulse of her awakening, their runes also glowing with new life. Now we just need to figure out how. We make the decision to check the Cairn first, making certain it’s still masked and protected. I volunteer for this as I know the area best, anyway. Meanwhile Brakken is working to crunch the data and figure out what this means, attempting to work out a time frame for how long we have. Carr cuts his expedition short, but he’s in deep country and it will take him a few weeks at least to return. Fenmore is doing… what Fenmore does. I shake my head to clear the visual I get of him in a field somewhere picking flowers for a girl he’s painting. The visual gives me a chuckle recalling a day just like that, the girl being ours, Idunn.
As I jump in my truck, rubbing my runes, I gun it out of Brakken’s estate, heading for the Cairn. It’s a simple two-hour drive from here, so I have plenty of time to consider everything. My mind churns everything round and round. Was it the wording? The ceremony? What changed? Why now? I have so many unanswered questions, making it impossible to think about what happens next. As I drive my eyes take in the view, tree’s zip past a slight mist in the air making everything smell of wet earth. I wonder what the Cairn will be like, I hope no one has broken into it. That could be one reason for the awakening, I suppose. I growl at the thought of anyone desecrating her tomb. As this thought makes me speed up, my phone rings, making me sigh in frustration. I pull over to take the call, surprised when my section chief Jake’s voice fills the line.
“We’ve got a missing person.” His voice gruff like a two pack a day smoker.
Swearing under my breath, I grit out. “Where?”
“North Vista, along the Winter Springs trail head,” he tells me. Surprise fills me when he says this. That’s in range of the Cairn. Excitement floods through me at the probability.
“Jesus, what’s someone doing out that way?” I shake my head at the foolishness.
“It’s a Her.” He states dryly, “And you're gonna love this. Her friend sent her on some trumped up Zen-walk.” Jake’s sarcasm is thick, causing me to chuckle.
“All right, so what do we know?”
“Her friend, Valarie, bossy little thing...” He mutters continuing “reported her missing yesterday evening. Search teams are up in the area but no one’s there to organize them and you know how that goes,” he mumbles.
“I’m on my way.” hanging up I turn back to the road speeding up. An hour later, I’m pulling into the parking area for Winter Springs. My mood plummets as I’m greeted by chaos. Various volunteer teams are lining up, grabbing last minute supplies as they loiter about. Jake’s set a control center up near the trail head. Spotting him, his face red, bent over a table looking at a map, I know he’s not happy about something. People around him wave their arms, asking him questions. Glancing up, I notice clouds moving in. This weather won’t hold. That’s not helpful. Parking, I stalk over to Jake as everyone falls silent.
“First, let me thank you all for showing up. I appreciate it. The weathers turning so we don’t have much time to search. Jake will advise you about the missing… girl?” I propose, gesturing to Jake as he steps forward to brief everyone. This is bad. Tuning him out, I frown as I take in the various people milling about, eager to start traipsing all over the woods. Too many. I’ll have to direct them away from the Cairn and travel up there myself before anyone else.
“Her name is Andie. Red hair wearing jean shorts, a white sweater already missing for twenty-four to thirty hours.” His voice drones in the background as I study the map, building a plan.
Quiet settles, drawing my attention as I realize he’s turned it back over to me.
“Right, we will search the North Ridge.” My finger points to the area on the map. Everyone leans in, eyes focusing on the map as I hand out positions, directing the various teams away from the area of the Cairn.
“If you spot anything, call out.” I instruct, as everyone breaks off to search. I hike quickly in the direction of the cairn needing to check the spells hiding it before anyone finds it. losing everyone in the woods as I head straight to the Cairn. Hopefully, they locate the girl at the lower altitude, and no one bothers to come this high. That’ll give me time to investigate everything, with no one wondering what I’m doing. My team starts the trek up the slope. Our Grid 8-12 is the higher ascent. We spread out, calling her name at random intervals. The woods are now teaming with volunteers, searching, her name echoing through the area.
I hike quickly to the cairn, finally coming to a rest atop a slight incline that overlooks the area below. My eyes quickly scan the area for any disturbance. This area is filled with towering trees and boulders the size of cars. Nothing appears out of order or disturbed. I breathe a sigh of relief, making my way down the incline to the cairn opening. Weaving around boulders and tree’s I come across the marker for the trail. I slide down the ridge, passing the last few boulders hiding the cairn only to slide to a dead stop in shock.
Fuck, I moan, my eyes glued to the prone body of a woman lying near the entrance of the cairn. She is still as death. Her vibrant red hair glows like a roaring fire in the bright sun. My gaze flies to the cave entrance, now impossibly open, and back again to the woman, her lush curves covered in the ceremonial blue powder of the cairn. Is she dead or passed out? I watch a moment, keeping my breathing slow as I wait to catch any movement. Relief floods me when I catch the soft rise and fall of her chest as she breathes. So, passed out then? This will be hard to explain. Ducking back behind the boulders, I dig my phone out, dialing Brakken. She is unlike anyone I have ever seen, and I know in an instant I’m about to get burnt by this beautiful flame.
“This is bad.” I growl out as a greeting when he answers.
“What?” he replies, instantly alert.
“I’m at the Cairn, there’s a fuck ton of people here searching for a missing girl, who I just found passed out, covered in blue powder,” I pause for effect, and when he sucks in a shocked breath I carry on. “At the now wide-fucking-open entrance to the Cairn!” I exclaim, keeping by voice to a low hissed whisper.
Brakkens breath whistles out of him.
“Yeah, oh and the icing on the cake...It’s her.” I pause again, giving him time to catch up. I’m not surprised when he doesn’t get it.
“Her? What are you talking about... Oh!...Ooohh.” Brakken stammers.
“I can feel the magic pulsing from where I’m stood twenty paces away.” I hiss into my phone. If I grab it any harder, I will surely crack the screen.
“Let me think,” Brakken says. Said so simple, yet it completely unnerves me. Brakken never needs time to “think” Jesus.
“Right? I told you...Bad.” I peep around the boulder I’m hiding behind to check on her, relieved she hasn’t moved.
“Right, no, this is good.” Brakken starts in. I can’t take my eyes off her as I wait for him to explain to me, exactly, how the fuck this is good. I’m two seconds from losing my shit. Typing on his laptop, Brakken starts issuing orders.
“Right, try not to touch her too much. Use gloves. That should be okay. If you make contact before she’s stable, she could draw your animal out. The magic will ebb and flow over the next few days until we can stabilize it. So be careful.” He drones out like he’s reading from an instruction manual, and it gives me pause to wonder, not for the first time, where he gets this shit from.
“Vaun, make sure you get her address. We will need to establish a watch to gauge how long we have.” His breath stops pausing in a moment of silence before he hesitantly asks. “Are you sure it’s her?” his voice falls quiet.
“Absolutely,” I gulp out, awe at the gently pulsing magic waking things in me long held dormant.
Hanging up I stuff my phone in my back pocket as I edge around the boulder, pausing to gaze down at her.
She starts to move and fearing I will startle her, I quickly ask “Are you Andie?”
She jumps, her gaze flying up to me making me catch my breath. Her eyes are glowing electric blue. I’m frozen, unable to think of a single thing to say. Her delicate hand comes up to shade her eyes as she tries to take me in, the sun warm on my back.
“Oh, sweet heaven, have I died, and this is Jesus?” Her voice a sweet tinkle of amazement as her eyes climb to my face. Her question makes me chuckle as I step closer, drawn like a moth to a flame. Bending down, my eyes assess her injuries, taking care not to touch her. She’s stunning, even covered in the ceremonial powder. Her voice, as she answers my questions sends a little shiver up my spine. Oh Idunn, you are a fickle bitch, I think as I take in this beauty who’s oblivious to how her life is about to change. My magic uncoils reaching out to hers as if wanting to dance. Jittering and pulsing at the newly awoken magic that is its long-lost match. My spirit bear roars to life, demanding to drop in and lick her in greeting, tickling her like he used to. That would traumatize her for sure. My protective side flares to life, forcing him back, keeping him in check. I snap on gloves and set to work getting her bandaged and ready for transport. We need to get out of here before anyone else comes up here looking. I can’t have anyone else finding the Cairn. Thankfully, she agrees to let me carry her down, that being the easiest and fastest way out of here. I grab her up, bridal style, her face flaring red as she squeals in surprise. I set off down the trail.
Within a few minutes we make it to my team, who sets upon her in their normal way as I lower her to the ground. They work to get her on the stretcher when she startles us all, a scream rushing from her throat as her arms and legs thrash about. I panic, jumping to her rescue because if she loses the magic inside her, she will level this area.
“Back off. Back off!” I order, grabbing her head in my hands as I force her gaze to mine. Nodding to her, my voice soft and gentle, I call to her, watching as her eyes go to my lips. My team moves out of the way, leaving her in my care as they gather up supplies and start to move away.
“Steady, ástin mín.” I say to her, keeping my voice low, “You're safe.” I repeat this to her, reassuring her, helping her to calm down. I run my thumbs over the tears gathering under her eyes as she returns to herself. The world pinpoints, my eyes flashing, my bear dangerously close to emerging, the need to comfort and protect overwhelming. I see the moment she returns, embarrassment flushing her cheeks a brighter pink. “There you go, you’re safe,” I whisper above her, my lips so close to hers making me hunger to taste her.
“I’m sorry,” she croaks out, breaking the spell. My hooded lids take in her pink tongue, flitting out to lick her dry lips. So beautiful. My beautiful girl, what has happened to make you thus. As she calms, I assure her, “I can carry you down, Andie. We won’t put you on the stretcher again,” and I move off her, now she’s calm.
Everyone gathers the supplies, heading down ahead of us. I scoop her up to carry her going against rules, but I’m beyond caring now. I am ruled only by what will be best for her. When we arrive at the trail head, a flash of pink fur with blond hair comes running straight to us. Slamming into us, her arms clinging as she sobs. She’s doing the ugly cry thing, but on her it is somehow cute, and I know in an instant this is the friend Jake spoke of.
“We need to get her to the ambulance.” I break in on their brief reunion.
Her friend’s face pales “Oh yes, yes, hurry up!” She commands, barking like a little chihuahua as my eyebrow arches high. Andie gives a light chuckle as I turn, carrying her to the ambulance. She gazes up at me, giving a little shrug of her shoulders, her smile growing wide.
Entering the ambulance, I inform the medics of her panic at being tied down and a run down on injuries. As I finish, her friend grabs my hand jumping up to give me another hug. I halt her with my hand, tugging her to the side. “She’s going to be traumatized and confused. If she needs anyone, have her call me please?” My voice kept low as I hold out my card to her. Her brow arches as she takes me in, a sly smile forming as she snatches the card.
“I’ll make sure she calls you.” She gives a saucy little wink, tucking my card in her pocket before turning on her perfect little spiked heel to return to Andies side. Her glare cowers anyone who looks at her as she protectively holds Andie’s hand. I smile, knowing she’s in excellent hands, at least for the moment.
Stepping back, closing the doors to the ambulance, I bang the door and watch as they drive away.
Returning to my truck, I grab the bag of potions Brakken had ready and head back up to the cairn to secure it. Tonight’s going to be a long night.
~ Andie ~
Not in the mood for soup, we elect to order takeout. While we wait, Val’s searching through her laptop, researching what’s going on with me as I stare blankly into space, my mind whirling so quick I don’t even land on a specific thought. Her fingers fly over the keyboard. She’s a wiz with computer shit. Me, not so much. Technology hates me. I’m the girl that gets lost even when she uses a GPS.
“Ahhaa!” she blurts, startling me, a grin forming as she spins her laptop toward me. I glance at the screen, an image of some dull brown cave with red designs on it.
“Blue, and bigger.”
Val’s on a mission now to “fix” it. I get she feels guilty but come on, how could you know any of this shit would happen? Now every five minutes she’s showing me different images off her computer and asking me weird ass questions. “Am I seeing numbers? Is my vision doubling, shuddering, shimmering?” … and on and on.
She gave it a rest during dinner but started right back in once we finished. Now I’ve gotten to the stage where I just nod absent minded, tired of thinking. I don’t want to think anymore.
Rising from my spot, Val’s face falls as I lean in to hug her. “I’m sorry, I’m really tired.” I say, struggling not to inhale her hair as she pats my back. “I’m going to bed,” I add, leaning back, forcing a smile for her. It doesn’t work for a minute. She knows me too well. I can feel her watching me hobble to my room.
Sliding into my bed, I let out a sigh, curling in. The exhaustion settles in my bones as everything catches up with me. Burying my face in my pillow, I let the tears fall. There’s no way I am going to tell Val how scared I am and the awful details of what happened in the cave. Alone in the dark, I can be honest with myself and admit I am just beyond freaking the fuck out.
Am I going to die? Did that poison me? Now I’m just a walking bomb.
I sob in frustration. There are just no words to explain anything that took place on my little Zen Forest walk from hell. How would I even describe it? Maybe I hallucinated. I decide to just go with that for now. Once I’ve settled that, my mind quiets, no longer running on playback over and over. I settle a pillow over my head, closing my eyes to sleep, but all I see is the cloud swirling, rushing for me. Growling, after what seems an hour of trying, I sit up, sleep nowhere to be found. I give up clicking on my light, grabbing my tablet by my bed. Google is my friend. Especially at one am.
Searching for “strange images” all I see are strange people dressed up for kinky cosplay. Good for a giggle, but not useful.
Next, I try “Cave writing” and scroll through images. It’s close but not quite. The resulting images are more American Indian cave drawing than anything else.
Tapping my fingers on the screen as I think of different terminology, it pops into my head.
Typing in “Cave Symbols” I click through the images. Scrolling down the many pictures, I’m on the sixth page when my heart stops in my chest. There! Despite the aging particles on the photo clearly taken a long time ago, sits a stone. Decorated with etchings and blue markings, it looks quite like what I saw on the wall where my hand had touched. I click the image and follow the link. “Old European”. What in the world? That can’t be right…But it looks like what I saw. The only difference was how the symbols were lit up in that phosphorescence electric blue. Like my eyes did in the mirror. I frown at that thought, popping in to join the fun circus in my mind.
Setting my tablet aside and clicking off my light, I snuggle back down, waiting for sleep to take me. Blue smoke swirls behind my lids. At least I have an idea what the writing might be. One question answered. “Runes.” I marvel as I drift to sleep.
Chanting and humming wake me. I’m back in the cave, or rather walking into the cave. There are people oddly dressed gathered around. Long robes with hoods. I’m nude, which makes me pause, but I’m not embarrassed. I feel like I recognize and care for each person here. Making my way to the hooded figure waiting at the front, I kneel, bowing my head.
The floor has been covered in blue powder. Swirls and lines are drawn through it sending prayers to the God’s and telling the story of this Gifting Day ceremony. My steps alone have disturbed the artwork as befits the person being honored.
