The Rising Moon (12 page)

“
I’ve already made it clear to him, that there’ll never be anything between us,” I assured her. “Why don’t you just tell him how you feel?”

“
I don’t know,” she replied ripping at the dried grass beneath her feet.

“
Well how else are you going to know if he feels the same about you unless you talk to him?” We both looked over to Ryan, who made his way through the glass doors at the sound of the bell.

“
You really think I should?”

“
Well I can tell you this much…he was hypnotized by you the other day when you danced at the powwow. You should’ve seen how he couldn’t take his eyes off of you. I may not know Ryan for as long as you have, but I know there was something there,” I assure her.

“
Really?” she asked with tint of pink on her cheeks.

I nodded with a smile.

“
Maybe you’re right. I should talk to him,” she said. “And Lia…I’m glad we had this talk and sorry I’ve behaved like a total bitch. I know see why everyone likes you.”

I smiled, “so we’re friends now?”

“
Friends.”

After school, Ryan stood waiting for me by my car. I looked over at Emi who stood outside her car with a group of friends who surrounded her as if she’s some kind of celebrity. She looked past them and stared back at me, with a warning reflecting in her eyes. I walked past her tall and strong not once taking my eyes off of her and showing no sign of intimidation. She gnashed her teeth and I felt her eyes rake over me with disdain as she wrapped her arms across her chest.

“
So, have you changed your mind about staying at the ranch?” He asked noticing Emi’s threatening stares.

“
I already told you I’m not leaving John alone.”

“
Fine, I’ll follow you home then,” he said as he headed toward his truck.

Suddenly the images I saw earlier of the black bird came into mind.
Was it a warning?
It had to have been a warning. Ryan told me that shifters had special gifts. I think I just discovered mine. Perhaps the bird I saw in the vision was Ryan. I had to find a way to keep him from following me tonight.

“
Don’t follow me home tonight.” I urged him. “I’m going to be fine.”

I could tell by the look on his face that I was not convincing enough.

“
You’re not going to talk me out of it,” he said.

“
Oh, come on! I’m warning you, if you want to remain friends, then you better not follow me home tonight. I mean it.” I had to resort to threats in order to keep him from following me home. Especially, because I had plans to meet with Lyle at Ramira’s funeral tonight. I shoved the key into the ignition and felt the car rattle to life.

“
Lia, listen to me---.”

“
I’ll call you,” I said as I waved out the window and sped out the parking lot.

∞∞∞∞

When I arrived home, John was sitting in the dark living room watching T.V. and drinking a can of beer. I plopped on the couch beside him. He was watching a classic Clint Eastwood movie. I scratched my throat, trying to get his attention but he just took a sip of his beer. I rested my elbow on the side of the sofa, cupping my chin in my hand. I sighed loudly and looked at him from the corner of my eye, but he didn’t look over at me.

I felt like a toddler, trying to get her father’s attention after he’s had a hard day at work, and all her dad wants to do is relax.

I attempted to get his attention one more time. I leaned back on the couch, sinking into the large, oversized pillows. I chewed on my finger, nervously thinking of a way to begin a conversation with him. Finally, I just breathed out, “Did you hear Ramira’s dead?”

“
Yup,” he replied than took another sip of beer.

I blinked hard and long. I wanted to talk to him like old times, try, and hold a conversation with him for more than two minutes. “Will you be going to the funeral tonight?” That was such a stupid question. I knew very well that he wouldn’t be going, but I asked anyways.

“
Nope,” he replied never taking his off the T.V.

I sat staring at him, at his aging face and the blank look in his blue eyes as he watched the screen.

I wrapped my arms across my chest. I wondered if he knew Veena was a shape shifter. And if he did, did he know I was one too? I assumed he didn’t know.

I took a deep breath, “have you ever heard Veena mention a friend by the name of Galilani Wahya from Wind River?”

The mere mention of Ani’s name took his attention away from Clint shooting at some bandits on the T.V. screen. He sat up looking uncomfortable. His eyes were wide as he pressed his thin lips together, “yea and why you asking?”

He squeezed the can of beer tightly, his knuckles turned white from the grip. I swallowed hard, and sat up as tall as I could trying not to sink into the cushions with fear.

“
She told me Veena was my aunt.”

I wasn’t sure what his reaction was going to be, so I leaned slightly back. I crossed my right leg over my left one, and began to rock my foot unsteadily back and forth.

“
Why would she go and do that for?” The tone in his voice sounded disappointed. He knew! He knew all along that Veena was truly my aunt. His nostrils flared and three deep creases appeared on his forehead. He took a long sip of the beer and slammed the can on the side table.

“
Veena made her promise she’d never tell. It’s just like that witch to dishonor the wishes of the dead.”

I quickly leaned over to him and placed my hand on his arm.

“
It’s alright. I’m not upset with Veena for keeping it from me. I’m sure she had her reasons. Did you know why she kept it from me?”

“
Not really,” he replied with tears filling his eyes. “All I know was that you were so broken when she brought you to live with us. I asked her why she never told you and she said she had her reasons and so I just went along with it.” He lifted his hat off his head and ran his fingers through his sweaty, wet hair, “she eventually was going to tell you everything. She wanted to tell you after your eighteenth birthday, but she died taking the secret with her. I never told you, because I felt it wasn’t my place to tell you and because…” he paused for a second. “I was afraid you’d be so mad at us that you’d pick up and leave.”

“
You’re the only family I have left. I’m not going anywhere,” I replied flashing him a smile.

He smiled back. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a smile on his face. For the rest of the evening we sat on the couch watching T.V. together.

∞
Chapter 17 ∞

I SEARCHED IN THE FAR END of the closet for the black dress I wore at Veena’s funeral. And as I slipped into the knee length dress, I couldn’t help but remember the last time I wore it.

Veena’s funeral was small and simple. John had her remains cremated. And on an early spring morning when the sky was clear and blue we scattered her ashes in the nearby River to always keep her spirit close to home.

I reached for my phone and dialed Lyle’s number, but the call went straight to voicemail. I grabbed my bag and headed to the living room, when there was a loud quick knock on the front door. I was surprised to see it was Lyle. He was dressed in black with his hair wild and rugged. His face was frail as if he hasn’t eaten in days.

“
Are you alright?” I asked.

“
I’m just feeling a little tired that’s all. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I hope you don’t mind me showing up unannounced.” He hunched over holding his stomach.

“
Are you sure, you’re ok? Do you want to come in and rest for a little bit?” I asked, placing my hand on his shoulder and taking a look into his eyes. They were dark.

“
I’m fine,” he replied, standing tall and trying hard to hide the fact that something was terribly wrong.

As we walked, Lyle reached for my hand. It felt cold and sweaty. The dark hairs on his hand and knuckles felt hard and brittle. I rubbed my fingers on them, brushing them flat. He stopped to look at me. He brushed the curls that hung on the side of my face with his fingers, pulling them behind my ears.

“
You shouldn’t hide your face behind a veil of hair.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I felt his heart throbbing beneath his dress shirt and tie.

“
My love for you is as real as the beating of my heart and no one will ever change what I feel for you in here…no one,” he said and then he kissed me. I gave in to it breathlessly as our lips danced together to a rhythm that made me feel déjà vu. As though the feeling of love that was beginning to grow inside me, were once feelings Lyle and I had shared in another time, and perhaps in another life.

Our sweet kiss was interrupted with the keening wails of howling wolves. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood in salute with their mournful cries. There was a knot beginning to form in my stomach…nerves or maybe anxiety. I looked over at Lyle whose eyes were glowing. His breathing was heavy, short and fast. Sweat rolled down the side of his face. I could see a pumped vein, boiling on the side of his forehead.

Is he transforming?
I asked myself.

I took a step back away from him but he reached for me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I could feel the accelerated beating of his heart and his breath on my face, as he fought the urge to join the wolves in their mournful chorus.

Finally, we arrived at the tall wrought iron gates of the Ulric family cemetery. Inside, gathered around a large black tombstone, stood Fenix, Emi and several other men I assumed were the rest of the Ulric brothers. Lyle held me close, protectively as they all stared at me as we made our way in. I swallowed hard and deep as we joined them around the black casket covered in black tulle and adorned with white roses.

Emi didn’t take her eyes off of me. Then, without thinking, I lifted my teeth in a snarl. A low growl that escaped from me shocked us both, causing her to quickly look away from me. The others didn’t turn. They kept their glowing eyes on me as Lyle held me tight as though letting them know that I was his and he was prepared to protect me at whatever cost.

A procession of mourning family and friends trickled into the cemetery. Lyle and I took our seats beside his older brothers. I glanced over to them. They all looked different yet something about them was familiar. Emi sat beside Fenix with her face buried in his chest.

“
It’s going to be ok,” he consoled her.

With everyone seated, the funeral service began in front of the magnificent black coffin that rested on a stone carved platform. Beside the coffin stood an altar with two silver candlesticks with black candles and a silver plate with burning incense that filled the air with scents of frankincense, sandalwood and rose.

Two women dressed in black cloaks walked up to the casket and waved their right hand from the foot of the casket to the head while whispering something I couldn’t make out. Though the ritual part of the funeral was foreign to me, everything else about it was familiar. When the two women took their seat, Fenix made his way to the altar.

“
Welcome families and friends. My name is Felix Ulric, the eldest grandson to Ms. Ramira Lupe Ulric. My grandmother was a woman adored by everyone who knew her well. She was never selfish and always lived for her family. She will be greatly missed and I know that she will live on in our hearts and mind forever. I love you grandma,” Fenix said as he sniffed back some tears.

One by one, mourners that felt compelled to say a few words about Ramira took their turn speaking from the altar. At the end of the eulogies, Emi slowly approached the casket wearing a black hooded cloak similar to the ones the other women wore. She lit the tall black candles on the altar and began to say, “We are children of the moon. From the moon, we came and to her we shall return.”

She raised the hood of her cloak and chanted some unfamiliar words over the casket. I looked over at Lyle who sat with his eyes shut meditating on Emi’s words. The midnight mist that usually crept over the forest floor made its way through the cemetery, carrying along with it the ghosts of deceased relatives who were laid to rest there. I could hear their voices as they whispered through the mist. I buried my face on Lyle’s shoulders, hugging his arm tight. He brushed his face against mine. Our foreheads touched and he looked into my eyes.

“
Don’t be afraid, my love,” he whispered. “They’re taking her home.”