The Alchemy of Desire (24 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“I bet she’s going to be hard for you to give up once you go home.” Cager broke the thin layer of ice on the water bucket and reached for the shaving soap. “Hell, I got a hard-on seeing her sleeping in there, knowing she was wearing nothing under that blanket.”

Diah stirred the porridge and pretended he didn’t hear. His breath froze in a white cloud, and thick frost coated the trees and grass, making them sparkle like diamonds as the first rays of the sun hit them. Winter was coming and their time on the plains was growing short. He’d weighed his options with Oni and he’d finally reached his conclusion. After everything they’ve been through, he couldn’t leave her. “I was thinking about asking her to marry me.”

The metal cup clattered against the rocks when Cager dropped it. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

Diah grinned. “Nope. I love her and I can’t think of anyone else I would want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“But she’s a half-breed. You can’t just waltz her into polite society and introduce her as your wife. And let’s not forget the fact she’s a coyote part of the time. How are you going to explain that one to Mom?”

“Who says I’ll need to?”

“Diah, let me explain to you how things work. Women like her are no different from the quadroons and octoroons in New Orleans—fun to play with, but not marriage material. Have you given any thought to how she would be shunned? And what if you have children? Or, excuse me, pups, since they’d be part coyote.”

His hand tightened around the spoon and his pulse began pounding in his temples. Leave it to Cager to undermine his happy thoughts. “How many times do I need to ask you to stop talking about her that way?”

“I’m just telling you what everyone else back home is going to think.” The razor scratched against his beard. “That is, of course, if she says yes.”

“She loves me, too. Why wouldn’t she say yes?”

“Because she’s not as naive as you are. She’s been caught between two worlds her entire life.”

Would she refuse him? A hard lump lodged in his throat and he swallowed to try to push it down into his stomach. Could he tolerate her rejection?

Neither one of them said anything more about it. By the time Oni joined them, his courage faltered. Perhaps it would be best to wait until he knew how she truly felt before he asked her.

When he looked up at her, the haunted glow of her eyes nearly knocked him off his feet. She looked like she was walking to her own execution. “Oni, are you feeling well?”

Cager’s gaze flickered between the two of them. “It’s too early for her to show any signs of being knocked up, so get that worried expression off your face, Diah.”

Anger threatened to boil over inside him, but her cool hands instantly soothed him. “I’m fine. Just tired. I had trouble sleeping last night.”

“Even after we…?”

She smiled, but it seemed forced. Shit, had he been reading her affections for him the wrong way? “I’m just worried about what will happen once we find what you’re looking for.”

“If you’re worried about that curse bull, don’t bother. It’s probably nothing more than a story to keep people from killing the freak of nature.” Cager took a sip of coffee and winced before tossing the contents on the nearby brush.

“You don’t believe in it, even after everything we’ve encountered so far?”

He crossed the campsite and stood inches away from her face. “No, I don’t. I believe in facts, in what I can see. Hell, I’m not even sure the White Buffalo even exists, so why should I be worried about some curse if I kill it?”

Her eyes narrowed. “You
wasichu
are so eager to ignore the legends.”

“That’s because they’re nothing more than legends.” Cager’s hand wrapped around his wand.

“How can you say that? You dismissed my warning about the
tonwan
and look what happened. You nearly got all of us killed.”

“It was probably no more than an elaborate spell cast by your tribe to kill us. Like demons, curses are not real. They only hold power if people are stupid enough to believe in them.”

Diah stepped between them. “Arguing is getting us nowhere. Oni, what are the legends?”

Cager rolled his eyes, but she grew quiet and sat by the fire. “Long ago, there was a time of famine. The chief of the Lakota sent out two scouts to hunt for food. One day, they saw a figure in the distance. As they came closer, they realized it was a beautiful young woman in white clothing.

“One of the scouts was filled with desire for the woman. He approached her, telling his companion he would attempt to embrace the woman and, if he found her pleasing, he would claim her as a wife.

“His companion warned him that she appeared to be a sacred woman, and to do such a thing would be a sacrilege. The scout ignored his advice.

“The companion watched as the scout approached and embraced the woman, during which time a white cloud enveloped the pair. After a while, the cloud disappeared, and only the mysterious woman remained.

“The remaining scout was frightened and began to draw his bow, but the woman beckoned him forward, telling him no harm would come to him.

“As the woman was fluent in Lakota, the young man decided she was one of his tribe and came forward with his eyes lowered. She pointed to a spot on the ground where the other scout’s bare bones lay. She explained that the Crazy Buffalo had compelled the man to desire her and she had annihilated him.

“The scout became even more frightened and again drew his bow.

“At this time, the woman explained that she was
waken—
holy—and his mortal weapons could not harm her. She further explained that if he did as she instructed, no harm would come to him and that his tribe would be blessed.

“The scout promised to do what she instructed. She told him to return to his encampment, call the council and prepare a feast for her arrival.

“The woman’s name was Ptesan Wi, which means ‘White Buffalo Calf Woman.’ She taught the Lakota many sacred rituals and gave them the
chununpa,
the sacred pipe which is the holiest of all our worship symbols. After teaching the People these things and giving them her gifts, Ptesan Wi left them, promising to return.

“She walked off in the same direction from which she had come, outlined against the red ball of the setting sun. As she went, she stopped and rolled over four times. The first time, she turned into a black buffalo; the second, into a brown one; the third, into a red one; and finally, the fourth time she rolled over, she turned into a white buffalo calf.

“The White Buffalo disappeared over the horizon. As soon as she had vanished, the buffalo appeared in great herds, allowing themselves to be killed so the People might survive. And from that day on, the buffalo furnished the People with everything they needed—meat for their food, skins for their clothes and tepees, bones for their many tools.

“The White Buffalo is the most sacred living creature to the Lakota. It is the embodiment of Ptesan Wi. To harm her would curse you to the fate of the scout who was filled with desire for her.” Oni paused and cocked her head. “I guess the closest thing you
wasichu
could compare her to is your Virgin Mary.”

Diah let out a low whistle when Oni finished her story and sat next to her. If there was any truth to the legend, maybe they should just leave the White Buffalo alone. “No wonder you didn’t want to lead us to it at first.”

“Legend or not, we still have to kill it and take that skin to Lamont, or he’s going take out his revenge on Mom and Hannah. That’s the real threat, not some Sioux legend.” Cager tossed his belongings into his pack and loaded it on his horse. “And Oni, you’re going to take us to it like you agreed. You’re still our guide. I didn’t hire you to fuck my brother until he’s forgotten the real reason why we’re out here, even though that’s what you’ve been doing.”

Diah couldn’t control his rage any longer. He rammed into his brother. They fell to the ground and he swung his fist. It smashed into Cager’s face and the resulting cry of pain satisfied the anger inside. His brother swung wildly in retaliation, catching him on his mouth.

“Stop it, both of you.” Oni dug her nails into Diah’s shoulder and pulled him away from Cager. “You’re grown men, not children.”

Diah wiped the blood from his lip. “How can you stand there and let him talk to you that way?”

“I think you broke my nose.” Blood flowed down Cager’s face, and the bridge of his nose formed a crooked angle.

“He’s an ass, Diah. We both know that.” She glared down at Cager. “If that’s what you want from me, then I’ll find it for you. But I’ll be damned if you drag Diah down with you.”

She spun on her heels and ran away. Before she passed the first pine tree, her body seamlessly shifted into a coyote.

Diah’s jaw fell as he watched her change. Unlike the golden light that rippled down her body when the healer forced her to shift, this was almost instantaneous. He couldn’t tell where Oni ended and the coyote began. Her stride didn’t break as she went from two legs to four and disappeared into the woods.

Cager’s eyes widened. “What the hell?”

“Shut up and get on your horse. I don’t want to lose her.”

“Her trail will be easy to follow.” He wiped the blood off his face with his sleeve and winced when he touched his nose. “We can’t leave our gear behind.”

Diah looked to the trees and then back at the camp. He hated to agree with his brother, but he poured the coffee over the fire and ignored the growling in his stomach when he tossed out the porridge. The tepee collapsed as Cager shrank it with a spell, and he secured it to his saddle. Within five minutes, they were packed and ready to go, but he feared it was five minutes too long.

A howl rose from the next hill and he knew it was Oni calling them. His pulse raced as he kicked his horse forward to follow it. He refused to let her go.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Oni raced through the trees and her anger began to subside. If Diah hadn’t jumped on Cager first, she would have. The arrogant son of a bitch had it coming. She almost regretted pulling Diah off him.

She stopped in a clearing and looked down the hill. They were packing up the camp. Good, maybe they wouldn’t follow her. She wondered how long it would take for the curse to be fulfilled. If she had enough time, she could kill the White Buffalo and bring the hide to them.

Every ounce of her being revolted at the idea of doing such a thing. It was wrong to kill such a sacred creature, but if she didn’t, he would. And she couldn’t watch him be reduced to a pile of bones. She howled at the thought of it.

Clouds rolled across the sky as the day wore on and a cold wind ruffled her fur. She ran deeper into the hills. She would awaken to snow tomorrow if the weather continued like this through the night. Yet another reason to stop dragging her heels about this. The sooner she found the White Buffalo, the sooner they could return to their warm homes in Mississippi and not be at the mercy of the harsh Dakota winter.

She sniffed the air and smelled a herd of buffalo upwind. She took a few steps in that direction, but then other scents filled her nostrils. Gunpowder. Humans, but not Diah and Cager. She sniffed again. There was something familiar about it. As she followed it, she recognized its source. Hinkle.

Keeping to the trees, Oni crept closer until she heard voices.

“The damn buffalo better be here,” Hinkle said. “I’m getting tired of freezing my ass off. Any signs of one, Stiles?”

“No, sir, but we’ll keep scouting for it.”

“Good, and if you see anyone else, shoot them on sight.”

Oni’s breath froze.
If the soldiers stumbled on Diah and Cager…

“But, sir—”

“Are you questioning my orders, Sergeant Stiles?”

“No, sir, but shouldn’t we warn them first before shooting?”

Oni exhaled the breath she’d been holding. Thank the stars someone had enough common sense to see Hinkle’s madness.

“Now listen to me, Stiles. If you dare question my orders again, I’ll have you court-martialed. I want that hide and I’m not going to share it with anyone else.”

Oni peeked through the brush at the sergeant’s face. It was clear the way his mouth formed a tight line that he wanted to refuse to follow those orders, but the prospect of facing a firing squad kept him from doing so. “We’ll keep looking for it, sir.”

She ducked behind a sapling when Stiles passed. He began barking out orders to the other soldiers, who scurried deeper into the woods.

Hinkle grinned and took a sip from a silver flask. The remains of the afternoon sunlight highlighted the scars on the side of his face. The burns caused his hairline to recede well past his mangled ear and his lopsided moustache appeared almost comical. But the mad glow in his eyes burned with more intensity now and she knew he would stop at nothing until he got what he wanted.

Her heart pounded and she retreated from the area as quietly as she could. She had to find Diah and Cager before the soldiers did.

She retraced her steps, pausing to sniff the air and study the ground for any sign of them. The wind still carried the scent of the buffalo herd, which she could easily find once she warned them. A whiff of Diah’s shaving soap lingered nearby and she turned in that direction.

She heard them before she saw him. “Let’s face it, Diah. We’re lost.”

“No, she came this way—I’m sure of it.”

“Let her go and follow me up this bluff so I can figure out where the hell we are.”

She laughed as she shifted. Just as she thought. Tenderfooted Easterners. They were helpless without her. “I know where we are.”

Their heads simultaneously snapped in her direction and Diah’s arms wrapped around her faster than she could blink.

“Thank God you’re all right, Oni. I’ve been worried sick about you.”

His embrace chased away the chill and distracted her from the real reason she’d found them.
Stars above, can I truly bear to be separated from him after knowing the comfort of his arms?

She pulled away. “I’m fine, but you’re not. Hinkle and a group of his soldiers are nearby. They have orders to shoot first and ask questions later.”

Cager’s jaw fell slack. “Shit! You mean I didn’t kill him at Fort McKeen?”

“No, but you left him with some nasty burns. Half of his face is gone and I have no idea of the extent of the scars under his clothes. But he’s still determined to find the White Buffalo.”

Diah refused to release her hand. “What do you suggest we do, Oni?”

“Why are you asking her?”

“Because she knows more about what’s going on around here than we do.” He searched her face. “You’re in charge now.”

She raised a brow and waited for Cager to say something to rebut his decree, but he nodded when she met his gaze.

“Fine, we need to go this way.” She ran toward the scent of the herd.

“Aren’t you going to ride?”

“No, I track better this way.” Before Diah could ask another question, she shifted back into a coyote and led them deeper into the valley. Her ears analyzed every snapping twig. Her nose scoured the ground for any familiar scents. She refused to be caught off guard while she was leading them.

The valley ended at a steep hill and she scrambled up the side. When she was about halfway up, Cager called from below, “Oni, we can’t take the horses up that way.”

She stopped and shifted. “Then leave them behind and follow me.” She sat on a rock and waited for them to catch up. Her eyes scanned the trees in the low light of dusk, and she was tempted to shift back so she could take advantage of the more acute senses she had as a coyote.

“Are you sure this is the best way to go?” Diah panted when he reached her. Despite the cold night, sweat beaded on his brow and she wiped it away.

“Are you suggesting I’m being unnecessarily cruel to you?”

“If he isn’t, I am,” Cager said. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to breathe when your nose is swollen shut?”

Oni laughed. “We’re much less likely to run into any of Hinkle’s men this way.”

“Yeah, because only an idiot would climb these rocks.” Diah slumped over to catch his breath, giving her a good view of the rifle he carried on his back. “How much farther?”

“To the top. From there, I’ll think you’ll be pleased with the view.” She resumed her climb. It would have been easier in her other form, but this way she wouldn’t get too far ahead of them.

When she reached the crest, she grinned. The opposite side sloped gently down to a flat grassy cove surrounded by the hills. The buffalo herd grazed under the starless sky and, although the full moon was concealed, its light diffused through the patchy clouds and illuminated the scene below.

Diah’s eyes widened. “I’ve never imagined such a place.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “We can go farther down, if you’d like.”

Cager frowned. “I see a lot of buffalo, but they’re all brown.”

“Quit griping and get a little closer.”

The air tingled with magic. The White Buffalo had to be in the herd. The only question was would she have the courage to pull the trigger when the time came? “Diah, let me take your rifle so you don’t have to carry it.”
And so you won’t be tempted to fire it and get yourself killed.

His brows knitted together as he stared at her. “I can handle my rifle just fine, Oni.”

Damn it!

They dropped onto an outcropping below, which allowed them a good view of the cove. The clouds parted and revealed the full moon. Beams of light fell on the herd. Then she saw it.

Under the moonlight, the White Buffalo shone as brightly as polished silver. Although it was smaller than most of the herd—hardly more than a calf—Oni’s breath caught as she watched it move with a grace that defied the bulky body. Yes, this creature truly was
wakan.
And if that was the case, then the curse would come to pass as the legends said.

Diah gasped. “Oh my God, it is real.”

“No kidding. And I couldn’t ask for a clearer shot.” Cager reached for his rifle-shaped wand and attached the scope without taking his eyes off the White Buffalo.

Oni tensed and war waged in her mind. What was Cager to her?
Let him kill it.
Then he would die, the pelt would be delivered to Lamont, and she and Diah could live happily ever after. But when she heard the rifle click on her other side, her heart jumped into her throat.

“Stop it, both of you. You can’t kill it.”

“Watch me.” Cager took aim at the White Buffalo.

“No!” She grabbed his wand and tried to yank it from his hands.

His face darkened. “”What the hell do you think you’re doing, Oni? This is what I came here for, and if I need to shoot you first, so help me, I will.” He aimed the wand at her and magic trickled along the orichalcum.

Oni grabbed her dagger and called on her own magic. He didn’t intimidate her.

“What has gotten into you two?” Diah shoved her behind him and pushed the end of his brother’s wand up to the sky. “We’re supposed to be a team.”

“Tell that to your little tart who’s trying to ruin everything.”

For a second, Diah’s jaw tightened and it looked like Cager might get a black eye to go with his broken nose. Then his gaze flickered to the cove and he drew in a breath through his teeth. “Cager, let me borrow that scope. Now.” The last word left little room for argument.

“What it is?” He slipped the brass cylinder off.

Diah took the scope and held it up to his eye. “Shit!” He handed it back to Cager, who also looked towards the valley to the east that opened into the cove.

“Jesus Christ, will that man ever die?”

“Hinkle?” she asked.

Cager nodded and let her take a glance through the scope below. Hinkle and two soldiers crept toward the herd with their weapons drawn. Hope filled her momentarily. If Hinkle killed it, then maybe…

“Give me back that scope.”

“But he’s closer than we are, Cager.”

“I know, but we have the better view.” He yanked it from her and reattached it to his wand. “If I have to take him out, I will.”

The sound of rifle shots echoed off the hills. Smoke wafted up from the two soldiers’ guns. Blood stained the formerly unblemished fur, and the White Buffalo slumped forward.

Oni’s heart thudded to a stop and she forced herself to breathe.
Stars above, they just killed it.

Cager’s face twisted in rage. “Goddamn it, that’s my pelt!”

Hinkle aimed his rifle at them and they ducked behind a rock. The bullet ricocheted over their heads. Diah cocked his rifle and peeked around the boulder.

“I wouldn’t do that, sir.” A click sounded behind them. Sergeant Stiles aimed his rifle at Diah’s head.

“There’s three of us and only one of you.” Cager tightened his grip on his wand.

“That’s what you think.” A twig snapped in the trees, and four more shadows stalked them in the darkness.

“Please, Sergeant Stiles, you don’t have to do this,” Oni said quietly.

He frowned, and his gun wavered. “Do I know you, ma’am?”

“No, but I know you’re having trouble obeying Colonel Hinkle’s orders.” She offered a quick prayer to the
Wakan Tanka
that he would show them mercy.

“Have you been spying on us?”

Oni stepped forward, ignoring Diah’s hand on her wrist. The wind stirred the loose hairs from her braid around her face. Ancient magic electrified the air. Thunder rolled nearby, even though it was too late in the year for a thunderstorm. Icy dread trickled down her spine. The curse would come to pass. “Something bad is about to happen because of what Hinkle just did. He has killed something
wakan
and he will not go unpunished by the Ptesan Wi. If I were you, I’d try and find shelter.”

As if to emphasize her point, a hurricane-force gale ripped through the cove. The impact of the wind knocked the air from her lungs and drove her to her knees. Pine needles turned into weapons under its influence, pricking her exposed skin. Diah pulled her closer and shielded her with his body. She peeked over his shoulder at the soldiers crouching low to ground, their faces covered.

The ferocity of the storm increased and the temperature dropped until her teeth chattered. She clung tighter to Diah, wanting to protect him with each beat of her heart.
Are we all going to die here tonight for Hinkle’s actions?

Shards of ice assaulted them from the sky and a thick white fog enveloped them. She could barely see Diah’s face above hers. She reached up, desperate to touch him, to know he still lived. His breath warmed her palm and reinforced her faltering courage.

“Hold on, Oni.” He tightened his arms around her. “We’ll get through this together.”

His words calmed her heart for a moment and she prayed he was right. She’d faced the harsh Dakota winters and lived to tell about it, but this rivaled the
tonwon
attack. Her fingers tingled from fear and her mouth turned dry. But as before, she had Diah at her side. He was right—they would get through this together or die in each other’s arms.

The ground trembled under them as the thunderous rumble of hundreds of hooves rose above the howl of the wind. A stampede. Oni tensed and listened to find out which direction the herd was running. Their height above the cove should protect them, but buffalo didn’t always take the path of least resistance when spooked.

A high-pitched scream pierced the low drone of the storm. Diah squeezed her so tightly, she struggled to breathe. As the shrieks continued, she closed her eyes and imagined the flesh being ripped from Hinkle’s bones. It was the only thing that soothed her terror. The Ptesan Wi was punishing him, not her or those she cared about. At least, she hoped that would be the case.

Then everything halted and an eerie silence filled the cove that frightened her almost as much as the storm. The fog cleared, revealing the almost empty flats below. Oni gasped. Where the White Buffalo had collapsed now sat a woman dressed in a white buckskin dress. She rose to her feet. A beam of moonlight broke through the clouds and shone on her like a spotlight.