think being with you is helping with that.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Can I get you a cup of tea or something?”
“I’ll get it. Here, cover up,” Derek said, handing her the lap quilt that was lying on the back of the loveseat. Then, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed two cups out of the cabinet. Cara felt slightly bemused at how caring and take-charge the two brothers were. Did they know how much alike they acted?
The tea was soon made, and Derek handed her a warm cup. She blew on it absently as he settled back on the loveseat with his own cup.
“You and Raven are very much alike. Why does he always seem so upset at you?”
“It all started with a prophecy our foster father had,” Derek said. “Isanti Quiet Thunder is our tribal shaman, and he has mentored us in Shadow-walking since we were young. I think Raven was fifteen or so when Isanti got sick. He had a high fever, and we were all afraid that he might die. He was hallucinating, out of his head, if you ask me. Raven and I brought him water and food, though he didn’t eat. The only way to get the water into him was to dribble it into his mouth while we wiped him down. On the third night, he suddenly sat up in bed and pointed at Raven. You are the beginning, he said. You will find the woman who will lead the others in our tribe to their true mates. If you fail, the Shadow-walkers will pass into legend. Scared the shit out of me. Oh, sorry about the language.”
“What did he mean, exactly?”
“Hell, if I know. But Raven took the words to heart. He wouldn’t even look at a woman for the longest time. I’m not sure he isn’t a virgin.”
“I don’t think . . . that is, he seemed experienced. Uhm . . .” Cara stammered, feeling her face warm.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“I’m not embarrassed.”
“Cara, your face is bright red,” Derek said, chuckling. “What I was trying to explain is that the prophecy messed with Raven’s mind. The future of the tribe is dependent on him. He takes responsibility for everything that involves the tribe. What’s worse is everyone lets him. Why should they worry, when Raven will do it for them? Our foster father gave him Isanti, Inc. He is in charge of everything and everyone.”
“That seems like an awful lot to heap on one person.”
“Exactly. Don’t get me wrong. Raven is honest to a fault. He didn’t even take a salary until we all insisted. He needs to relax, have some fun. Take a vacation. You can show him how.”
“Me?”
“Cara, he needs you. I guess we all do. You are the answer to the prophecy.”
“I think you’re being a little melodramatic, don’t you?”
“Maybe,” Derek said, shrugging his shoulders. “So what are you going to wear to your special dinner tonight?”
“What am I going to wear?”
“Well, it’s a special night. You want to look good, right? Do you have another dress like that slinky red one you wore to the awards banquet?”
“Well, I did go shopping last week.”
“What did you buy? Come on, spill.”
Cara smiled conspiratorially. “I’ll guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”
§
Raven walked out of Shadow and into his office, rubbing his arms to help warm up. He had forgotten his coat at Cara’s. Joe was already in the office, waiting for him with a cup of coffee in his hand.
“Here,” he said, pushing the mug into Raven’s hands. “I figured you would need to warm up some.”
“What is this about Fred being killed?” Raven asked, in a hurry to get back to Cara and his proposal.
“His body was found in the park next to Amanda’s apartment. He was shot in the heart at point-blank range.”
“Amanda Patterson’s apartment? Was she there at the time?”
“No, Amanda had been picked up by the local police about an hour before the shooting, giving her a sound alibi. But it could have been one of Adar’s group, probably cleaning up loose ends. David Lear was found dead in his apartment this evening. Our best guess is that one of the terrorists saw Fred at Amanda’s apartment, and when they couldn’t find her, they followed him into the park and killed him.”
“Such a waste,” Raven said, shaking his head. “Why was Fred at Amanda’s apartment? Did you send him to pick something up?” Raven could tell that Joe was deeply