“Any peyote involved?”
“Some.”
“Warlords are not allowed to take recreational drugs,” Jake said.
I shrugged. “Your choice.”
Jake frowned and cocked his head to one side as if he was listening to someone. “I have Zarek’s authorization to use peyote in shaman rituals.”
“How often does Zarek listen into your conversations?”
“Not often.”
I cocked a disbelieving eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“He listens in on critical missions,” Jake conceded.
“And he considers locating Trayon’s mate a crucial operation?”
“He does. The treaty with the Askole is too important to risk.”
I shuddered. “I’d hate to have them as enemies.”
“The Askole were the Coletti enemies until Sariel ended up on the same penal colony as Zarek. They joined forces to escape and have been allies since,” Jake advised.
“I bet they annihilated the penal colony.”
“They did and freed all the prisoners.”
“I would have loved to have seen that.”
“There are some old vids in the archives you can watch. The academy instructors showed them when I was in training to become a warlord. Once we find Jia, I’ll let you watch them.”
“It’s a date, and I’ll even bring the popcorn.” I said, bringing the shuttle in for a landing. “Don’t forget to pack some tourist gear. We need to blend in with the other sightseers.”
“Yes, my lady.” Jake teleported away.
I linked with Uncle Jesse. “I’m gonna need the sweat lodge, do you have time to heat up the stones?”
“I do,” Uncle Jesse replied.
You’re the best, and I’ll be piloting a fancy black shuttle. Do not shoot us.”
“And here I’ve been wanting to try out my new surface-to-air missile,” Uncle Jesse quipped.
“Does Father know you’re buying things from the military surplus store again?”
“Hell, no, but Samuel say you and that Coletti warlord are mated.”
“He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“Do you love him?”
I rubbed my forehead. “Maybe. He’s growing on me.”
“Once I saw his aura, I knew the Coletti wouldn’t stop until you were his,” Uncle Jesse said.
“Why didn’t you warn me?”
“It wouldn’t have stopped him from claiming you.”
I let out a long sigh. “True. Jake’s very persistent.”
“You’ve been alone for too long.”
“I have Father and you.”
“We’re not enough. You need to open your heart to love.”
I rolled my eyes. “Have you been trolling those online dating sites again?”
“Yellowhorse needs a car towed. I’ll talk to you later,” Uncle Jesse said and broke our link.
Crap. He was. The last time he went on the Everlasting Love site he got conned out of three thousand credits.
Jake popped in with a duffle bag. “Let’s go commune with the spirits.”
Chapter Twelve
Our sacred place was deep inside Canyon De Chelly. The towering red sandstone cliffs held the remains of an ancient Anasazi cliff dwelling. At the base of an overhang of rock was a traditional cedar log hogan.
Carefully avoiding the cottonwood trees, I set the shuttle down on the bank of Black Rock Creek and shut off the engines.
Jake stared up at the cliff dwellings. “Amazing. Are those petroglyphs?”
“They are. Father has been studying the Anasazi’s rock carvings for years.”
“The tourists must love this place,” Jake said.
“The only ones allowed here are shamans and elders.” I lowered the ramp and stepped out of the shuttle. “Can you feel it?”
Jake raised his face to the sun and smiled. “Energy. Peace. Well-being.”
“Correct. This is a holy site that can awaken your soul, increase your power and allow you access to the esoteric plane.”
“You’re talking woo-woo shit?”
I laughed. “In a way. Many ancient spirits still reside here.” I gestured toward the hogan. “Enter at your own risk.”
“Warlords like a challenge.” Jake grabbed my hand and headed for the hogan.
“After Father rescued me, he brought me here to keep me safe from the bounty hunters.”
“Let me guess. They found you anyway.”
“They did. They bribed one of the tribal members to guide them.” I smiled grimly as memories of the ancient ones attacking the intruders flashed across my mind. “It was my first introduction to spirits manifesting.”
“The first?”
“I had seen Uncle Max and my mother go into the light, but these ghosts assumed physical forms and damn could they fight.”
Jake hugged me. “Must have been pretty damn scary for a five-year-old.”
“I wasn’t afraid of them. I knew they were here to protect me, and I’ve been talking to them ever since. The biggest surprise was when Father called down the lightning. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a shaman like him.”
“And you are,” Jake said.
“I don’t have all of Father’s powers. Yet.”
Jake stopped at the entrance. “Are you sure about that?”
“I am.” I opened the door and stepped inside. The room contained an old potbelly stove, a handmade pine cabinet, a table with a lantern and two beds.
Jake examined the Navajo blankets covering the beds. “Nice workmanship.”
“Thank you.”
“You made these?”
I grinned at Jake’s surprise. “Weaving’s great therapy and it soothes the soul.”
“You’re full of surprises.” Jake planted a gentle kiss on my mouth. “Did the spirits teach you?”
“Nizhoni, a master weaver, taught me. She had a thing for Father.”
“Did she manage to snare him?”
“No. Father’s heart will always belong to Chooli.”
“Chooli?”
“His wife. The Tai-Kok captured her.”
“God.” Horror filled Jake’s eyes. “Was she alive when they took her?”
“She was, but Father brought the ship down before they could butcher her.”
“Better a quick death than being eaten alive. I lost my parents to them.”
The raw pain in Jake’s voice had me hugging him tightly. “Never forget. Our grief gives us the strength to do what is necessary. Vengeance will be ours.”
Jake stroked his thumb down the side of my face. “I helped exterminate the Tai-Kok. Now the Rodan must be brought to justice.”
“And they will be.” Jake understood what it was like to lose someone you loved and the burning need for retribution. No matter how long it took. “Did you catch the Tai-Kok who murdered your parents?”
“No, I was too far away. Kaylee witnessed everything.” Sadness filled Jake’s face as he added, “She went a bit nuts and single-handedly slaughtered the monsters, but she wasn’t able to save our parents.”
“Damn and I bet
