Holdin' On for a Hero (30 page)

“In the legends of my people the crystal, Uluhsati, is told of. In times long past there lived a giant serpent, so fearful and deadly that even to look upon it was fatal to man. This was the Uktena. It is said that the body of the Uktena was as thick as a tree trunk and that it had scales that glittered like jewels. On its head was a pair of horns and between the horns was an enormous crystal, the Uluhsati.

“The Uluhsati was a great prize, for whoever could win possession of it would be ensured with success in every activity of man. But beyond that, the Uluhsati endowed its owner with the ability to foretell who would live and who would die. Many sought the Uluhsati but it is neither easily won nor possessed. The light from the magic crystal was so bright and pure that it would befuddle the senses of man, causing him to run toward the Uktena and thus becomes its victim.

“In all of the history of my people there is only one man who succeeded in killing an Uktena and securing the Uluhsati. That man was a powerful Shawnee conjurer, a Cherokee prisoner of war by the name of Oganunitsi. The Cherokee planned to kill Oganunitsi, but he bargained for his life by pledging to seek out the Uktena and secure the crystal for them. He won his freedom with this pledge and was released.

“Oganunitsi searched the length of these mountains and beyond. Along the way he encountered many dangers and faced many trials. But still he persevered. It was not until he reached the mountain known as Cohutta in what is now the northern part of the state of Georgia that he finally came upon the Uktena, sleeping on the mountaintop.

“Oganunitsi set about devising a way to defeat the Uktena. First he dug a circular trench along the mountainside. Then he piled the trench high with pine cones. When this was done he set the pine cones on fire and shot an arrow into the seventh spot on the body pattern of the Uktena.

“The wounded serpent leaped at Oganunitsi. But Oganunitsi was prepared and evaded the attack by leaping beyond the trench of fire. The Uktena writhed and spit its deadly venom in its death throes but Oganunitsi was safe beyond the barrier of fire. At length the Uktena died. Oganunitsi waited seven days, during which time the scavengers of the forest stripped the carcass of the Uktena so clean that only the Uluhsati remained. Oganunitsi took the crystal and returned to the Cherokee, presenting it to them and fulfilling his vow.

“Since that time the Uluhsati has been guarded by the Keepers, of whom I am the last.”

Chance stared at the crystal for another moment then returned it to him. “But everyone knows about it, don’t they?”

Tsa’li shook his head. “Its existence has been kept secret for many years.”

Chance thought about the story for a few moments, idly scratching Wa’ya’s head as she did. Suddenly she looked up at Tsa’li. “But what if it’s not a secret? I mean, surely someone besides you knows about it. Does John know?”

“Yes, he knows.”

“How did he find out? Did you tell him?”

“No.” He shook his head. “He was told by my daughter.”

“Sarah,” she said for clarification.

“Yes.”

“Then isn’t it possible that Sarah told someone else? Maybe someone who doesn’t have the same high morals or scruples that John does?”

“I cannot answer that. What reason would she have for divulging the secret?”

“I don’t know,” Chance murmured. A possibility was taking shape in her mind. “But just for the sake of argument, let’s say that she did. What if she did it by accident, not really intending to give away the secret? If that happened, and someone found out that you had the crystal, then maybe they believed in its powers and decided they wanted it for themselves.”

Chance jumped up as her idea took more definite shape. “What if…” She paced excitedly as she talked. “What if it was Holling and his men who followed her and Wyatt that day? What if it was really the crystal he wanted? From everything I’ve been told, he’s about as power-hungry and greedy as they come. And we know he’s in thick with my father, who would stab his own mother in the back if it made him a buck. So what if they knew about the crystal and followed Sarah to try and force her to tell them where it was?”

She stopped and looked at Tsa’li. His expression didn’t change, nor did he speak. He simply stared at her. “That could be it, couldn’t it?” she persisted, kneeling down in front of him. “I mean, it makes sense. But something went wrong. Something—”

She jerked in shock as an answer came to her. “Walker! That’s it! Walker took possession of Wyatt because Wyatt wasn’t strong enough alone and he killed those men.”

A frown appeared on her face as she considered her own scenario. “We know that two men escaped. But who were they? Whoever they are, they know what happened that day!”

Tsa’li stood, tucking the crystal into a large pouch tied to his belt. Chance stood, watching him for some sign of reaction as he walked into the house. She sat down on the step and propped her chin in her hand. She had to think. Almost an hour passed before he returned. Chance looked up at him as he walked outside, carrying a steaming mug in each hand. She accepted one from him and blew on the hot liquid before taking a sip. It was strong, dark tea of a kind she had never tasted.

“Do you think that maybe the crystal doesn’t belong here anymore?” she asked, still thinking about it. “I mean, it comes from a time that sounds more like myth than reality. And maybe that’s where it really belongs—with the Uktena.”

“What makes you say this?” Tsa’li asked as he took a seat on the steps and regarded her thoughtfully.

“I don’t know.” She shook her head, not sure if she could put into words what she felt. “I guess it’s just that…well, maybe aside from you there’s no one really worthy of safeguarding the crystal. I can’t think of anyone else who could keep it and not be tempted to use it for their own means. Bad as it is to say, I just don’t think there’s anyone selfless enough to resist using its power.”

Tsa’li looked at her with an unreadable expression on his face for a long time. “There was a time when I had hopes that my grandson would be the next caretaker of the Uluhsati.”

“And I’m sure he would make an excellent choice,” she agreed then added, “under normal circumstances. But let’s face it, Wyatt has problems of his own right now. And unless you can tell him how to deal with Walker then I don’t know what he’s going to do.”

She looked down at the cup in her hands for a moment. “I’m really afraid for him. I remember what you’ve told me and I think I understand—at least intellectually. But I still don’t see how love is going to determine the outcome. If love is all it takes then why is Walker still here? I know Wyatt loves his father, you, his people, and me. Isn’t that enough?”

“Is it?”

She considered it for a moment. “Is this like the old biblical thing? Love thine enemy?”

Tsa’li’s lined face rearranged into a ghost of a smile. “It is not just a biblical thing. It is universal.”

Chance wasn’t sure she followed him and so despite the fear of appearing dense she voiced her questions. “Okay, so we all should love everyone. I can follow that. But what if it was Holling and his men who killed Sarah and Wyatt is just now remembering? If that’s true then not only did they murder his mother, but set him on a course that is coming close to destroying him!”

“Did they?”

Chance looked at him like he had lost his senses. “How can you even ask that?”

“How can you not? Do you truly believe that it was those men who charted Wyatt’s destiny? Or was his destiny written long before? What of your own? Whose hand wrote your destiny? Your mother, your father, Wyatt?”

“No.” She shook her head, “I don’t think that. And I suppose I agree with you. Someone once told me that destiny is something that is recorded for us by the universe, but that each of us has free will to chart our own course. Even now I’m not sure it makes sense, but something inside me tells me it’s true. So, I suppose I can’t blame Holling for what happened to Wyatt, any more than I can blame Walker. But that still doesn’t answer my question. How much love is enough? Can Wyatt overcome the dark half that resides in him or will it consume him?”

“That is not for me to say.”

“And what of the crystal?”

“The crystal will reside where it is meant to. When and if it becomes time for it to return home, it will leave. Until then we protect it from those who seek to use its power for evil.”

“Return home?” Chance’s memory was jogged by the phrase. “You mean as in where you originally came from? Is that where the crystal originated?”

“What do you know of where my people come from?”

She set her empty cup down on the step and stood up. “A long time ago Wyatt told me about something he read that was written by a Cherokee from Oklahoma. He said that the Cherokee believe they originally came from somewhere in the Pleiades. I think he said it’s called the Seven Dancers. Is that right?”

Tsa’li nodded and smiled at her. “You may have white skin, but your soul is of my people. I am pleased that my grandson saw the wisdom of taking you for a mate. You will help him find the path to freedom.”

Chance extended her hand to him and he grasped it firmly in his. “I hope you’re right,” she said, her voice was almost a whisper. “Because without Wyatt my life would be too empty to bear.”

* * * * *

Wyatt was just getting ready to leave when he heard a car pull up out front. He walked outside and saw Iris Waters getting out of a blue Ford Taurus. She was dressed in a very tight and extremely short white leather skirt and a sheer white top that was stretched tight across her breasts which were visible as the white leather jacket she wore parted.

She smiled seductively as she walked up to the porch. “I was just leaving,” Wyatt said before she had a chance to speak. “I have to go to Bryson. My father isn’t here, so I guess you’ll have to come back later.”

“It’s you I wanted to see.” She walked up the steps and stopped just inches from him. “We need to talk.”

“It’ll have to wait.” He started to walk around her but she grabbed his arm and stopped him.

“Running?” she asked, rubbing her breasts against his arm.

“No.” He pulled free from her grasp. “Just busy.”

“This is important,” she insisted. “There are still a lot of questions being asked about what happened that night at Black Gap and unless we have some very convincing answers, there’s still a good chance that charges could be brought against you.”

“We’ve already been over that.” He stepped back from her. “Besides, Tom’s already dropped all the charges. He said it was behind us and he won’t go back on his word.”

“I’m sure he won’t. But he’s not the problem. Winston Holling’s attorney called me this morning and said that he’s going over Sheriff Smith’s head. He’s calling in some markers with some big boys at the state capital. So, unless you like the idea of spending time in jail, you’ll make time to talk—now.”

Wyatt ran one hand across the stubble of beard on his chin and frowned. “Fine, but can we talk later? I need to get this window replaced and I’d prefer to wait until my father and Chan—and Miss Porter get here and—”

Iris burst out laughing, effectively stopping him. “What’s so funny?” he demanded.

“You.” She giggled and moved closer to him. “You’re afraid.”

“Afraid? Of what?”

She ran one finger down his chest. “Of me.”

“That’s absurd!” He moved away from her as he spoke.

“Is it?” Her tone implied she didn’t believe him.

“Of course it is.” Wyatt was beginning to feel foolish. He had been shot at, attacked with a knife, swum through snake-infested swamps, shark-filled oceans and survived minefields and explosions. There was no way he was going to be intimidated by one woman.

“Then prove it,” she challenged him.

“I don’t have to prove anything.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“Fine.” She tossed her hair. “Have it your way. You’re scared to be alone with me. Is it because you’re scared Miss Porter will get mad? Is that it? She’s jealous of me and you’re afraid if she finds out we were alone she’ll think something happened? Is she that unsure of you? Why is that, Wyatt?”

“What do you want?” he barked, tired of her taunting and wanting to shut her up.

“I want you to show me exactly where you went that night after you left me standing in your father’s backyard. I want to see the route you took and I want you to walk through what happened when you reached Black Gap, step by step.”

“Why?”

“Because only by knowing what really happened can I come up with a defense.”

“All right,” he replied, checking his watch. It would take a couple of hours, but at least it would get her off his back. He looked at her, taking in the white high-heeled boots. “You’re not exactly dressed for hiking.”

“Don’t worry about me,” she said and waved her hand in front of her. “After you.”

Wyatt walked down the steps and started around the house with Iris right behind him.

* * * * *

Chance entered the house through the back door. “Wyatt? Hey! Anyone here?”

“Just me.” John walked in from the hall.

“Where’s Wyatt?”

“Don’t know. George dropped me off after the morning council meeting and his Jeep was gone. There’s a car in the drive.”