Dark Heart Wolf - Haley Weir Page 0,49

rise. When Jesse Porter brought the slave girl here, I knew the purity of her form would allow me to possess her. And in return, I led the Skadegamutc to the coven of witches.”

Charlotte stood up from where she had sat on the stairs. “You led her to Kaia and the others? What will she do to them?”

“Kill them, of course,” Ruth chuckled. “And then she will take their power and grow stronger. The Skadegamutc may not be able to fight you now, but she will be strong enough soon. The great reign of the wolves will end, and all will be set right.”

Mary Ann approached Ruth, stepping past Charlotte. “Nothin’ will be right, and you know it. The Skadegamutc used you. These dark spirits only know how to bring pain and sufferin’. Your people will never flourish. The spirits seek to destroy everythin’, not just us.”

~*~

She reached out and offered her hand to the young woman standing before her. Mary Ann could not bear to look into Ruth’s eyes and see someone else staring back at her. “Your people suffered. They were killed and sold into slavery, right? Well, the same thing happened to Ruth. This girl has harmed no one, and yet she has been scorned because of ignorance. But she didn’t have magic to protect her; she didn’t have an evil spirit to barter with. And once again, someone else has taken away what little control she ever had.”

Something flashed in Aani’s eyes. Mary Ann continued to walk forward. "Why should I be forced to wander the cold planes? You have seen it, haven't you? You have walked amongst the dead flowers and stared up at the sightless sky."

"Yes, I have."

"Then, you know that it is a hollow, merciless existence." A tear rolled down her cheek. Aani shook her head. "I can't go back there. I can't walk through the endless glade and hear the cries of my people. The trees…"

"The trees that are bare and white as snow? I remember, Aani. But this is not the way to avenge your people. Sam, Boone, Jesse, and Wesley are not their fathers. They shouldn’t be punished for mistakes they didn’t make.”

“Those men are no saints.”

“Maybe not, but they’ve suffered enough for the things they’ve done in the past.”

Aani grew quiet. She turned and looked at her brothers.

“Please,” Mary Ann begged. “Let Ruth go. Let her go, and I will put your spirit to rest. You will be honored and know peace. But...don' t make her suffer in darkness anymore. Let us avenge you and put an end to all of this. You have my word."

Tears welled in Aani’s eyes once more, and Mary Ann embraced the young woman. Ruth collapsed against her, completely unaware of what had taken place. Itsá looked to Mary Ann and nodded his head respectfully. Gabriel cast his gaze to the ground and stood motionlessly. He turned and walked away after a moment and Itsá went after him. Jesse helped Ruth into the house, and Beth eyed him suspiciously. “Why is Jesse so close to her?” Beth asked.

“Jesse has a better heart than you know.” Abigail dragged Beth and Charlotte inside.

Suddenly, Mary Ann stood with Sam and Boone beside her.

“That was a nice thing you did for Ruth, Mary Ann,” Boone said. “Not many folks would have stepped in like that, but I’m proud of you. I’m proud of both of you. Never in a million years did I think you and Sam were ever goin’ to make it this far. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve been wrong about the two of you bein’ together.”

“Well, we’re gettin’ married if you want to make it up to us by payin’ for everythin’.”

Boone punched Sam in the arm and snorted. “I already pay for everythin’.”

Mary Ann joined them in their playful banter and then followed Sam inside. The table was set by Charlotte, who had pitched in to make supper. Wesley hid his grimace well behind a smile while everyone else openly voiced their unhappiness with the blackened meal.

“Dang, Charlotte! Did you just toss the roast in the fire and hope for the best?” Jesse exclaimed. “Looks blacker than the bottom of my boots after I’ve been walking in the mines.”

Charlotte glared at Jesse, but he winked impishly.

Sam and Boone bickered about one thing or another. Either the green beans were too soggy or Charlotte put too much pepper in the potatoes. Beth set her plate on the floor and let her weasel have at