The blade flashed as it reflected the violently wavering torch light. Joseph Binyon threw back his head and lifted his voice in a haunting cry.
As Ben watched, the woman came out of nowhere, flinging herself at the monster with unbridled fury, and Ben knew it was time to act.
He started out of the trees like a runner off the block, but he feared he was too late as the blade lowered out of sight.
*****
Glenn fought to keep from being tied down to the wall but Joseph had overpowered him with very little effort and now he lay helpless, struggling desperately against the chains that held him.
He couldn’t see her, but he knew Maeve was lying unconscious on the ground a few feet away and he didn’t know what to do.
Glenn felt a fear like he had never known begin to creep in to surround him. It would hold him hostage and squeeze the life from him until there was nothing left but a faint quivering beat of his heart.
But only if he let it. He absolutely would not die. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to let Maeve die either.
Glenn struggled to pull himself free and to his astonishment, felt one of the stakes give way. He pulled again. Yes, it was definitely loose and if he just pulled a little harder he could gain the freedom he needed.
*****
Maeve groaned and sat up, trying to clear her head and focus on the foggy images surrounding her.
Terror gripped her and for a moment she sat frozen, unable to move or breathe as she watched Joseph standing over Glenn’s prone figure.
Maeve jumped up and ran at Joseph as if possessed by a demon. An unholy scream issued from the depths of her soul and she attacked, grabbing him by the hair and tearing at his face with her fists and her nails. There was a satisfying crunch as the cartilage in his nose gave way, and she was filled with a lust for blood that she would never have thought possible. But the need wasn’t for just any blood, it was for Joseph’s.
*****
Glenn knew he had to get loose and help Maeve, his only thought to defend the young woman who had placed herself squarely between him and the grim reaper.
Giving one final heave, his arm swung across his body, suddenly free of the weight that had bound him to the Earth. He reeled in the chain and grasped the heavy stake dangling from its end.
Joseph’s face was bleeding profusely, the moist darkness of his blood glistening in the light of the flames. Joseph was so angry that he literally picked Maeve up by the neck and shook her like a dog with a rat.
“How dare you!” Joseph roared, incensed that a mere woman, even one with her extraordinary powers, would dare to attack him like a wild animal not once, but twice, in the same night.
“Dad, look out!” The warning came from Joseph’s left, and he jerked his head around to see Carl running toward him out of the dark.
But Carl wasn’t alone. There was someone racing toward him and Joseph stared, fascinated, as the warrior with the long dark hair screamed and attacked his son.
Sensing the other presence at the same time, Joseph swung his body around to face the new threat, astounded at the sight of the apparition rushing at him through the flames.
*****
Ben hit Joseph with everything he had, barreling into him with his shoulder, heedless, just as Maeve had been, of the knife Joseph still held in his hand.
Joseph was as solid as the trunks of the trees that grew around him and it seemed to Ben that the blow barely registered. Joseph simply took a step back and lifted his arm to slash at the being who would challenge his right to this sacrifice.
*****
Maeve heard Carl cry out, and she looked up from the ground where she had fallen to see Jason hurtling head long into battle. Her air was momentarily cut off, her throat closing around a scream that never came. She was so afraid for him!
Ben was coming at Joseph and Maeve pushed herself to her knees just as the two collided. Joseph stumbled back and, as he raised the knife to strike, Maeve reacted, throwing her body at the only part of him she could reach. She hit him in the back of the legs and Joseph fell backward over her, landing hard on the ground.
Glenn knew he had only one chance. Swallowing the bitterness of the bile rising in his throat, he buried the stake deep into the back of Joseph’s neck.
*****
None of them had even noticed the lights of the SUV that came charging out of the night like an avenging dragon. Clark skidded to a stop and ran forward, aiming his revolver at the two struggling teenagers.
“Stop! Don’t make another move.” He was screaming and moving his weapon back and forth between the two boys and the group of people gathered at the wall.
Distracted by the shout, Carl took advantage of the opportunity to throw a punch at Jason that knocked the wind out of him and landed him on the ground. And then Carl was off and running, skidding down the steep slope to put as much distance as possible between himself and the devil on the rim above.
Clark fired into the night and heard the crashing of brush as the boy fell. He couldn’t be sure he had hit his target but a search would have to wait until he was sure the rest of the situation was under control.
*****
How could this have happened? Joseph was lying on the ground staring into the tempest that raged above him. The clouds raced across the sky to devour the glowing disk that hung motionless, powerless to defend itself against the horrendous onslaught.
He, too, lay motionless, unable to feel his limbs or to defend himself against the coming of death. He guessed he should be thankful that there was no pain, at the very least he should be grieving and afraid, but he was devoid of emotion as he waited patiently to join the other spirits that called to him from the dark.
The events of the past few days floated like mist through his consciousness, and he tried to focus on the one elusive thing that had changed the course of his destiny.
There had been a time in his life when he would have laughed, as his own son would laugh now, at the sight of the small man’s pathetic struggles. But he had learned to appreciate the will of every man to fight and to live no matter the odds.
He had been standing over the sacrifice, intoning the power of the departed souls with the offer of the flesh laid out before him. The scalp he would keep, on the silk rope with the others as he always did, to remind him of the glory that was his for the taking.
The woman had come out of the shadows and attacked him with her fists as she called forth the dark-haired demon standing over him now, waiting to take him away from this existence.
Joseph could feel his life draining away as he heard her voice calling. She had defeated him and now he expected to see her gloating over her victory.
The face that peered down into his was angry and full of hatred for him but at the same time he could feel the compassion that was an inherent part of her nature. He accepted the gift gratefully before he died and did not fear the end.
It was far from over. He would die here having failed to accomplish his dream. But not Carl. Carl would live.
*****
“Glenn, Glenn are you okay?” Maeve grabbed frantically at his shoulders and looked down into his smiling face.
“Maeve, thank God he didn’t kill you.” Glenn’s voice was weak with relief. He grasped her hand and, holding it close to his chest, he chuckled. “I kept thinking, if you died, who would stand up with me at my wedding?”
Maeve gave a small laugh too, but tears were running down her cheeks and she was unable to speak for the lump that was forming in her throat. Avoiding the emotion she felt, she turned her attention to the uniformed man who was jogging toward them with Jason in tow.
“I have to get back to the cabin.” She was sobbing now with the realization that she didn’t know what had become of Torei and Claire.
“The girls are fine now, come on, they’re just fine.” Clark was trying to ally her fears, but he could see that she wasn’t going to accept his simple platitudes.
“I was on the radio bef
ore I got here and the sheriff is up there with them now. He says there are four kids up there and the girls are all unharmed.”
“What about Joe? What about the boy who was with them?” Glenn was still trying to extricate himself from the rest of his bindings but he stopped at the deputy’s words.
“His condition isn’t so good. We have a helicopter coming in to take him to the hospital but they’ve had their hands full tonight and it’s going to be a little while.”
“Get these things off of me, now!” The old arrogance was back but Maeve could see the concern and fear in his eyes.
“Just pull the stakes up and get me on that chopper!” They all responded at once to the demand and Maeve shook her head, smiling to herself.
*****
Chapter 32
Maeve jumped from the jeep while it was still rolling and raced up the path, not paying any attention to the rocks and thorns that tore at her feet. Torei and Claire came bounding down the steps and into her arms where she held them close, quietly giving thanks for the miracle that she had been given.
The storm had blown itself out and the moon shone brightly like a giant orange globe hanging low on the horizon.
Glenn hobbled past them, moving as quickly as he could into the house where he could take over caring for Joe.
Torei pulled herself reluctantly from her mother’s embrace and turned back to look at the girl who stood nervously at the front door.
Maeve walked slowly to meet her, holding her hand out in silent invitation, and the girl stepped forward to accept what she had never known. The loving warmth of a mother’s touch.
*****
Ben stood with Jason near the shed, watching as the paramedics lifted Pete Jameson’s body through the hole in the floor. He wanted to protect his son from the horrific sight but Jason had insisted on being there, using the argument that he had watched the man being carried there and he wanted to be there when they brought him out.
It seemed to Ben that Jason had grown to be a man in the blink of an eye. The events of the past few days had shown him just how strong and capable his son was and he felt an overwhelming sense of pride in the brave young man standing at his side. He reached out and hooked his arm around Jason’s neck, pulling his head close in an affectionate hug.
“You did good, son, you did really good.” His words brought a flush to Jason’s face and he dipped his head in a self conscious manner.
“But that doesn’t mean you’re not in huge trouble.”
Jason lifted his head in surprise. He couldn’t believe that after everything that had happened, after everything he had done tonight, his dad was going to bring up the fact that he had disobeyed him.
“Dad!”
“We’ll talk about it later.” Ben smiled and Jason grabbed him around the neck, pulling his head in close for another hug.
“I’d like to talk with the two of you some more, if that’d be okay.” Deputy Clark was walking in their direction and his expression was strained.
“We’re happy to tell you everything we know.” Ben could sense the grief and frustration in the officer’s posture and he felt sorry for the man.
“According to the girl, the boy who got away, a Carl Binyon, is apparently the one who shot and killed Deputy Jameson.” He was struggling with the fact that if it hadn’t been for his orders, Jameson would most likely be standing here alive.
“Is there anything you can tell me about him or where he might have gone?”
“We don’t know anything about him or the other man. Only what we’ve seen over the past couple of days.”
“He’s crazy, that’s all I know. He was hurt pretty bad and he just kept fighting. I think he’ll do anything to keep from getting caught.” Jason was finally showing some fear now that all the action was over and Ben began to feel protective all over again.
“Are you saying there hasn’t been any sign of him since he took off at Land’s End?” Ben couldn’t believe that a badly injured boy had just disappeared without leaving a trail of some kind.
“We found traces of blood, and an ear of all things, if you can believe that. We’re notifying all of the hospitals within a two hundred mile radius, but we found the Sheriff’s car along with the Nissan and Makula’s Cadillac down in a shallow ravine so we’re pretty sure he’s on foot. From what you told us I don’t think he can go too far with the injuries he sustained. And if I did get lucky and hit him with that shot he would have to be losing a lot of blood and getting weaker by the minute.”
“Let’s just hope you catch up to him soon. I think we’ll all sleep a lot better once he’s in custody.”
“Well, I guess that’s all I really had.” Clark was scuffing his toe in the dirt, looking back toward the shed where they could just see the sun beginning to rise above the trees.
Ben wanted to go now and be with the woman who had haunted his dreams for the past week, but Clark obviously had something else on his mind. Ben waited for him to get to the point.
“I want to thank you,” he began, still avoiding Ben’s gaze, “for not giving up. Things probably would have turned out a whole lot worse if you two hadn’t been here when you were.” And then he extended his arm and looked Ben in the eye, offering his gratitude and friendship with the shake of his hand.
“That string of pelts turned out to be human scalps. We’ll be trying to find out who the victims were. I have a pretty good idea about one of them anyway. It’s going to take a while to sort this all out. Why don’t you two head on back to town and get some sleep.” And then Dennis Clark walked away into the peaceful morning shadows cast beneath the quaking pines.
Fifteen minutes later, Ben, Jason and the Tidewells drove away from Lost Lake to make the trip back to the valley together.
*****
Carl watched from the shadows where he was laying hidden deep in the trees. He was hurting like a mother but he knew that if he showed up anywhere for treatment they’d turn him in and he would spend the rest of his life in prison. After all, you didn’t just kill a cop and then walk away without consequences. He debated the possibility of turning himself in. He might be able to claim that it had been his father who actually killed the fat guy, but he was pretty sure that Joe had been hiding just out of sight and witnessed the whole thing. If his brother testified then he would be toast for sure and he had no intentions of ending up in the electric chair.
Especially not since his two sicko siblings would get away with the trust fund that their mother had set up for them. Part of that money was his, too and, without it, he had no way of supporting himself.
Carl’s temper flared again and he was filled with a seething hatred that almost caused him to lose it. He wanted to kill them all right then and there but he came to his senses just in time, remembering that he didn’t even have a gun any more.
He could be patient. He would make his way over to the other side of the mountains and get a job for the time being. Then when he was healed and able to regain his strength, he would make sure they all paid for the problems they had caused.
*****
Epilogue
Ben and Dennis stood by the French doors waiting for everyone to be seated so the ceremony could start. As far as they were concerned the sooner it began, the sooner it would be over and they could start celebrating in earnest.
The two of them had just left Glenn after stopping to give him a word of encouragement, though it was obvious that none was needed. Glenn was so happy and relaxed they figured he would just float through the whole thing.
“You’re sure about this?” Dennis was looking seriously at Ben, waiting for his friend to confirm once again his decision to reconcile with Katherine.
“I can’t just throw all those years away without giving it one more shot.”
“Have you told Maeve?” Dennis had recognized the bond between them almost immediately and he still couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that Ben would just walk away from that kind of connection.
&n
bsp; “No, I’ll tell her tomorrow.”
Ben and Jason had spent most of the week with Maeve and the girls while they ran all over town helping Glenn and Lillian with the wedding arrangements.
They had talked at length about the dreams they shared and how strange it all was. Maeve told him about Claire and then about how Torei had helped Faye get through the worst of her illness. Ben told her about his troubles of the past few months and about the challenges that Jason had faced.
All three kids were joined at the hip and Jason was as protective as any older brother who loved his little sisters.
Maeve would understand his decision and he knew that no matter what, she would always be a dear friend to him. Never the less, he felt as if he were losing something vital to his existence every time he considered going back to a life that would take him so far away from her.
“Ben, did you hear me, I said when are you leaving?” Clark had obviously had to repeat the question and Ben realized his mind was wandering again.
Glenn and Maeve walked through the doors and moved over to stand in front of the Gazebo. Ben watched as they passed, admiring her trim figure in the formal tuxedo gown she wore.
Glenn had insisted on Maeve being his best man and, just to keep things completely untraditional, he had asked that all of the kids form a line down the aisle in place of the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Joe was still weak but he said he was recovered enough and besides, he wouldn’t miss Mak’s wedding for the world.
Somehow, in the middle of all the wedding chaos, Glenn had managed to file the official paperwork that would allow Joe and Faye to remain in his custody indefinitely.
Jason, Joe, Torei, Faye, and Claire all looked very sophisticated in their tailored clothes and as Glenn met Lillian to usher her down the aisle, they stopped to kiss each child and thank them for their strength and purity of spirit.
*****
Maeve and Ben sat together watching Jason dance with Claire while Joe danced with Torei. Faye was clinging to Lillian and the two of them looked like they were having the time of their lives.