Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World #1)(30)

“They are naayéé’ ats’os,” Ma’ii says. “They will help you in your task.”

I wrack my brain for stories and legends that involve hoops and come up blank. But the colors of the hoops give me a big hint. “These are directional hoops, aren’t they? East is white, south is blue, west yellow, and north black. And this one,” I say, turning the multicolored one in my hand. All colors, all directions. “Where did you get these?”

“Where they came from is of no consequence.”

I know a dodge when I hear it. “You don’t want to tell me?”

“Their origin is entirely irrelevant. You should concern yourself with what they do, not where they came from.”

“Okay then, what do they do?”

“Do you know the story of First Man and First Woman?”

“Vaguely.”

“I see Neizghání neglected your education just as he neglected your bed.” He raises a hand to hold off my protest. “I shall tell you a story, Magdalena, if you will listen.” He pauses, hand still raised. Waits until I nod.

“Long ago it is said that First Man and First Woman were fashioned from the ear of a cornstalk. First Man from the white corn, First Woman from the yellow. They were covered in buckskin cloth and then Ní?ch’i blew across them, giving them life. It is that breath of Ní?ch’i that made them human, just as it makes you human.”

“I don’t—”

“Ní?ch’i is the sacred wind. The giver of life. I want you to go to Canyon de Chelly and use the hoops to bring me the breath of Ní?ch’i.”

“Oh.” I pause. “Is that all?”

“Yes.” He smiles, indulging my sarcasm. “A reasonable request for someone of your talents.”

I almost laugh, more amused than irritated at this point. “He’s a god, Ma’ii. I can’t capture a god. I’m just . . .”

“A monsterslayer?” He clicks his teeth. “I’m not asking you to capture him. Just his breath.” He claps his hands. “Come now, Magdalena. Where is your sense of adventure? Your thirst for a challenge?”

“Let’s just pretend that I say yes. What are you paying?”

“Ah.” He smiles, thin lips curling at the edges, but his eyes are cold. “What is your heart’s desire, Magdalena? What is it you truly want most of all?” He glances out the window, then back to me. “I could make the handsome boy in your motor vehicle fall madly in love with you.”

“No.”

He taps his chin theatrically. “More’s the pity. Let’s see . . . Would you like to see Neizghání again? I could arrange it.”

My heart speeds up a little, but I don’t trust the trickster with anything that involves Neizghání. “No,” I say, but my refusal is slow out of my mouth, and Ma’ii sees it.

He shrugs. “Very well. Then that leaves only the girl.”

I sit back, surprised. Does he mean Atty? “What about the girl?”

He leans in, his voice a whisper. “Such a monster . . .”

My stomach drops to my feet and my throat closes. Does he mean me? But how could he know what Neizghání said to me at Black Mesa? What I told myself on that mountain in Lukachukai? To hear it out of his mouth is chilling.

He rises up from his chair, pushes himself forward until his face is only inches from mine. “The sad truth you do not wish to face, Magdalena, is that sometimes the ones we call our heroes are the greatest monsters of all.”

My fist is swinging before I even understand that I’m moving. But I only connect with air, as the place where Ma’ii’s face was a fraction of a second ago is empty. He’s back in his chair, but I’m up out of mine and halfway across the coffee table between us when I hear my front door open. I ignore it, launching myself at the Coyote, hands reaching to wrap around his throat. But he’s not there and I crash, bad shoulder first, into the place where he was sitting. Send the chair toppling over with me in it. Thump to the ground in a heap of rage. I try to push to my knees, but my feet get caught in that damn blue tablecloth and I fall back down flat on my ass. Bang that damn shoulder against the edge of the table. The fight goes out of me and I scream, “Ma’ii!”

I’m answered by a canine chuckle, then Kai’s voice as he asks, “Am I interrupting?”





Chapter 13


Kai’s standing in the doorway bearing a brilliant smile, a straightened tie, and empty hands. No shotgun. It’s probably a good thing he doesn’t have my shotgun. I would be sorely tempted to use it.

His smiles fades around the edges as he takes in the scene. Me on the floor, untangling myself from the chair with a mouthful of curses. Coyote leaning against the entrance to the hallway, an oversize smile showing off predator teeth.

“Is everything okay?” Kai asks.

“Obviously not,” I say. I stand up and right the chair, brush off my leggings, and try to put my dignity back in order.

He nods. “Okay. Should I go back to the truck? Give you guys some alone time?”

“Absolutely not!” Ma’ii says cheerfully. “Magdalena and I were discussing a mighty quest on which she will embark on the morrow, but the very thought has sent her over the edge of reason. She obviously needs some time to contemplate such a great charge.” He looks over at me and I give him the finger. Two-handed. He turns back to Kai. “In the interim, we shall become acquainted, young Kai Arviso.” Ma’ii looks back at me. “Magdalena. In your rash show of violence, you upended our coffee.” He sounds heartbroken.