Chapter 100

“Daddy?” Her soft voice was terrified. “What happened?”

“Hey baby.” Carl’s voice softened. “How are you feeling?”

“Are you going to leave me now?” Her voice quivered, and I heard Carl choke up.

“Not yet, baby. But soon.”

My eyes finally started to clear. “He will never truly leave you, young shaman. That I can promise. Our ancestors live on through us. And he will watch over you.” The voice was softer, and when my vision fully cleared, I held her face in my hands.

“Amy…you promise?”

“I promise.” I kissed her head and she sighed.

“I saw what’s to come.” Her voice was stronger. “I know my daddy will go, but you will be there with me. Every step of the way.”

“Of course, I will.” I didn’t even think about it. I promised to take this baby in.

“Amy!” My mom cut in. But Carly looked up at her.

“I know my daddy asked you, but you have your own path, and she and I have our own.” Her voice was so much older than it should have been.

I looked at my mom. “She’s right. I don’t know how we know, just that she is.” I looked at Carl. “You feel it as well.” He just nodded. I turned back to my mother. “It seems we have a lot to talk about.”

I watched her swallow and then nod. “Yes, I think we do.” She turned to Carl. “We have to go. We have spent too much time here as it is. But I will come back tomorrow.”

Carl shook his head. “Don’t bother, I’ll be leaving tonight.” He hugged Carly closer. “Can you call Gavin for me?”

My mother shivered, but I pulled out my phone. I dialed my father’s number. “Amy? Is everything okay?” His voice came over the line and I felt a part of my soul settle. Every time I leave him and the pack, I leave a part of myself back there.

“Yeah daddy. Everything is okay. I have a favor to ask you.”

“Whatever it is, it’s yes.” He chuckled. “You know I could never say no to you.”

“Please. Just listen.” He heard the seriousness in my voice, and his chuckle trailed off.

“Okay baby. What can I help with?”

“Have you ever had a feeling?” I stumbled over my words. I didn’t know how to explain it.

“I need more of an explanation, Amy.”

“Have you ever met a shaman…”

“Your mother introduced you to Carl?” His voice was surprised. “How is the old bastard?”

Carl chuckled. “I’m good, Gavin.” I hit the speakerphone and my father’s surprise filtered through. I saw my mom sag against the shelf at his voice.

“Carl, it’s good to hear your voice.” They went through the idle chitchat that people do, and then my father steered the call back to the matter at hand. “This isn’t why you called, is it?”

“No.” Carl’s voice was frank. “I need your help.”

“You need my help? And you convinced Amy to help you?” He sounded a little taken aback.

“No daddy. I had…” I looked at Carl. “I don’t know what happened.”

“She had a vision of sorts.” Carl tried to help.

“A vision?”

“Is that normal with your line?” Carl hedged his bet.

“Not with me, but my grandmother did.” My father became quiet. “What did you see?”

“Destruction. Death. The end of our kind,” Carly and I said together.

“What is going on, Amy?”

“Carly’s come into her power.” I watched as Carl tried to push down his feelings.

“Whose Carly?” My dad asked.

“Carl’s four-year-old daughter.” I looked down at the girl, but she shook her head.

“I’m four and a half.” Her little voice made me smile.

“Oh Carl. I am so sorry.” My dad comforted him, but he was already shaking his head.

“Nothing you should apologize for.”

“What can I do?”

“Grandma’s cabin…They need to go there.”

“It’s a burnt husk baby, you saw that for yourself.”

“Carl will rebuild it with Carly. When the cabin is done…” I trailed off, I looked up and met his eyes. He gave a small nod. Carl knew and understood that as soon as the cabin was rebuilt, his time was up.

“We can’t stay here.” Carl put out.

“You are more than welcome back.” My dad was quiet for a moment. “Does your mother know? I don’t want her to be surprised by this. I don’t want to hurt her.” I watched as a tear slipped down her face and she turned away.

“Yeah daddy, she knows.” I looked back at Carly. “If Carly falls into the wrong hands, then everything we are trying to protect will fall.”

“I understand.” He was quiet. “This is becoming a bigger mess than expected, faster than I expected.”