Page 62 of High Noon

Tremew, staying silent throughout our exchange, pursed his withered lips together and inhaled from the pipe before blowing another billowing breath of smoke toward the pair of us.

The woman trailed her fingers over my head and face, muttering words in a low, soothing voice. She turned to Kohana and gave him an answer. From his reaction, it wasn’t good.

“She said that would depend on you. She can see you are a strong woman. A fighter.”

My heart was caving in. I don’t want to die! Outside the cramped confines of this tipi, I knew Enoch was hearing all of this. He would know. Titus and Maru wouldn’t be able to hear, though. Maybe I should just tear the thing out of my hand now and forget about it. If I was going to die, it wouldn’t be because I smashed into the earth, or because Kael or Victor got ahold of me again. I could at least choose to live the way I wanted for however long I had left.

I swallowed, but a thick knot built in the back of my throat, making it difficult. Tears stung as they built and fell. Tanuk silently watched my tears, studying the paths they made down my cheeks.

Tremew blew more smoke into the air between us. Tanuk watched it billow. Her eyes widened, and she began to speak rapidly. I sat up straighter, wiping the tears from my eyes and waiting as Kohana soaked in all she said.

Just as suddenly as she began, she went silent.

He turned to me. “She said that you can stop the death.” Tanuk gestured to the tipi’s flap, to the spot I knew Enoch occupied.

I knew what she was implying, but… “No. I don’t want that.”

Tanuk inclined her head respectfully. She took my hands in hers, looked at me, and began to speak softly again. Kohana translated when she paused.

“Kangi belongs in this world. He was spared. But the ones Kangi bites rise up against nature. They were never meant to be. You are wise not to choose that path for yourself. Nothing lives forever. Even Kangi will someday pass away from this earth, and those who are granted an extension on their lives will have to answer for all their deeds at the time of their death. Those who live long lives have more opportunity to follow wrong paths. They will have much to answer for.”

“Did you tell her about your visions and mine?” I asked him.

Kohana inclined his head. “I had to. I hope you understand. The safety of the people I love is at stake. As soon as she heard, she asked to see you and speak with you.”

I nodded, unable to talk.

“Kangi is waiting for you outside, unless you have anything else to ask the healers.”

“What about my friends? Will they make it back home to our time?”

Tanuk listened as Kohana gave her my words. She motioned to Tremew, who drew from the pipe again. Her eyes unfocused, she tilted her head to the left, and then began to speak.

“Your world is very different,” Kohana translated as she spoke. Tanuk grimaced and gave Kohana words for me. He cleared his throat. “She does not understand much of what she sees, but the warriors – your friends – will be there. Blood will be spilled on the grasses and stone. So much blood…” he trailed off.

Tanuk inhaled sharply.

“What?” I asked.

Kohana questioned her, adding, “She sees you there, too.”

I sat up on my knees. “How? Are you saying I make it back?”

Tanuk begun to speak rapidly, and she and Kohana went back and forth for a long moment. “She says there are two paths before you. One leads to death and peace; the other leads to life, but also to darkness and destruction.”

“I choose peace. And death.” Tanuk looked at me like she wasn’t convinced I was being honest. She might not believe me, but there was no question in my mind. I didn’t want to be turned into a vampire. Not for anything or anyone. I didn’t want that. I wanted to be me, but beyond that, I couldn’t imagine how dangerous I could be with fangs and a thirst that couldn’t be quenched. Thinking about me like that was a true nightmare.

I thanked Tanuk and Tremew and stood up. Kohana held the hides back for me to exit. “Thank you, Kohana. For coming to get me, and for translating.”

He inclined his head, still watching me warily. Outside, Maru and Titus waited. Their conversation stopped when I stepped outside, but by the way they were smiling, they didn’t know.

And from the look on Enoch’s face, he heard everything. His eyes flicked to my friends.

I shook my head slightly. I needed a minute to process what I’d learned. Maybe she’s wrong. But then again, how did she know about the pain in my head? She said it would spread from my head to my heart, but for the most part, I felt fine. Leaning in, I whispered to Kohana, "How often are her visions accurate?"

"She has never been wrong," he whispered back.

I felt deflated, or maybe defeated was a better way to describe it. For now, I just wanted to forget ever having met her. I wanted to forget the spring, the nightmarish visions, the freakish prophecies, and then get my friends and Enoch and leave this place far behind. Kohana strode to Enoch, and while they discussed a separate matter regarding a few settlers in the region, I went to talk with Maru and Titus.

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