Part 13 (2/2)

The drumming and chanting grew louder now as she felt herself sink into the flesh of her own body.

Annja opened her eyes and felt incredibly light and refreshed. Dancing Deer's voice trailed off. So did Joey's drumming.

After a moment, Dancing Deer opened his eyes and stared right at Annja. ”Did you have a pleasant journey?”

Annja smiled. ”I don't know what happened to me.”

Dancing Deer nodded. ”I think you do, actually. You were the one to whom your friend has the strongest connection. As such, you were the one to take the journey. Not I.”

”You mean I spirit tracked her?”

”I don't know,” Dancing Deer said. ”Did you?”

”I'm not sure.” Annja frowned. ”There was a lot of darkness.”

”But you know where to look now, don't you?” Annja closed her eyes and then smiled. ”Actually, I think I do.”

Chapter 8.

Dancing Deer looked at Annja closely. ”Be careful. You are still learning to trust your instincts. At this point, it can be very dangerous to be too trusting or too little trusting. Do you understand?”

Annja frowned. ”I...I guess I do.”

”You need only trust in the spirit that moves in all things. The Creator will guide you to what you seek.”

The sage smoke had ceased billowing from the bundle and all that remained were the blackened bits of the herb in the dish. But Annja could still smell the sweet scent in the air.

Joey got up and took the dish to the kitchen. Annja could hear him was.h.i.+ng it before he once again returned to the living room. ”You ready to go?”

Annja rose from the recliner, feeling as if she'd been asleep for hours. She stretched and heard her back creak a bit. ”I guess so.” She smiled at Dancing Deer. ”That is one comfortable chair you've got there.”

Dancing Deer grinned. ”And as soon as you're gone, I'm going to fall asleep in it.”

Joey gave his grandfather a hug. ”Thanks for your help.”

Annja could see the pride in Dancing Deer's eyes as he hugged his grandson. ”Don't be gone too long or I'll worry.”

”You don't need to,” Joey said.

”You're all I have left. I don't have a choice but to worry.”

Joey stepped back and nodded. Then he turned to Annja. ”Let's go.”

Outside, the night sky was filled with stars not overshadowed by the brilliance of the moon in the western sky. Annja picked out several constellations and marveled at how much she could see.

”Annja?”

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