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People of the Wolf(23)

By:W. Michael Gear


"I've found my way in storms far worse than this."

Her stomach muscles clenched tight, as though her body knew something her mind refused to believe. Instinctively, she huddled as far back in the corner as she could. "Why, then?"

He stretched out, crossing his long legs at the ankles. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Why?"

He smiled, shaking his head. "We've never had a chance to talk, just the two of us."

A ferocious gust of wind blasted into their shelter, snow frosting their faces and sizzling in the flames. Dancing Fox threw up her arms as a shield. Raven Hunter brushed at his robes, then softly blew on the dung again.

"Are you going to drag me back?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice even.

"I haven't decided yet."

"And when will you?"

"Are you in such a hurry?" He lifted his hands, mocking amazement. Then he turned to look at her, an earnest seriousness in his eyes. "But then, I've always admired that about you. You remember when your father gave you to Crow Caller back at the beginning of the Long Dark?"

'' How could I forget?''

He looked out at the blowing snow, the world turning charcoal now as the Long Dark settled on the land. "I wish-I could."

She shuffled her feet, the hunger knot in her stomach growling at the smell of meat. "What do you—"

"Remember when I came back?"

"You had Grandfather White Bear's hide. The one who killed and ate Throws Bones."

He nodded. "It was for you. For your father. I... I would have asked for you then." His lips trembled suddenly before he tightened them. "If . . . well, if you'd have had me."

Words froze in her throat. He couldn't be serious. There'd barely been three amiable sentences between them in her entire life.

"But you were already in Crow Caller's robes. Nothing remained to be said." He sniffed and leaned back. "Funny how things work out. Especially between my brother and me. You loved him. Our parents, Seagull and Seal Paw, they loved him. And why? Hmm? Everything he does is only half there. You know? Like he's only half in this world."

"Is that why you hate him so?"

Raven Hunter nodded. Softly, he said, "Yes." Then he laughed. "Only we'll see. Things have changed. Flies Like

A Seagull is gone. I have killed Grandfather White Bear. I am about to become the greatest man among the People."

"Bold of you."

"But true." He checked the meat and shifted to look into her eyes. "And I want you with me."

She bit her tongue, wary, heart thudding in her chest. The sincerity couldn't be mistaken. A shining Power was there. He'd meant every word.

"But Crow Caller. He'll—"

Raven Hunter shook his head slowly. "Not me, he won't. And I know what he's done to you. I've heard him at night. Heard your whimpers. I'll never hurt you like that."

Off balance, she swallowed hard, a curious breathlessness in her chest. "I . . .1 don't understand. ..."

"I want you for my woman, Dancing Fox. I've killed Grandfather White Bear for you. Crow Caller is a foolish old man. One I'll need, true. But foolish nevertheless. I can handle him."

"But his Spirit Power—"

"You don't seriously believe that, do you?"

"j "

"Think about my offer. That's all I ask." He smiled, cocking his head. "I would make you very happy. Keep you fed. Make a place for you among the councils of the People. You could do no better."

"And if I decide not to?"

He sighed heavily. "I'll have you in the end. It will be more difficult for both of us, but I won't lose. Of course, I'll have to take you back to Crow Caller, but—"

"I'm not going."

"Oh, I think you are."

"No, I'm leaving as soon as the storm lets up."

"Consider . . ." He steepled his fingers, frowning seriously. ' 'You have no one left. Your father was your last living relative except for some uncles and cousins in Buffalo Back's band. If I take you back, Crow Caller will denounce you, curse you horribly, and everyone will be afraid of his threats. You'd be an outcast, shunned. You'd be reduced to begging for scraps—whatever charity the People might have."

"Maybe."

"After that," he continued as if he hadn't heard, "a man

can take you any way he wants." He looked at her soberly. "Any man . . . any time."

"You'd do that to me?"

He filled his lungs and sighed. "I could. I probably would." He shook his head slowly. "It's a funny thing. Something I'm not sure I can explain well, but as much as I love you, I couldn't stand the thought of you in Light's bed."