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“I’m Johnny,” he said, tossing his waist-length ebony hair, to his back, “and this is my grandfather, Artrese. I told him you were coming and that you needed a Midewiwin. Do you speak the language?”
“No.”
“Then I will interrupt for you. Please come out back to the fire circle.”
Donja followed, a bit nervous and now that the events were falling into place, her stride faltered and she wanted to run. Spirits, ghost and anything to do with the afterlife spooked her. Then she thought about Scarface and the dangers facing her family. She swallowed her fear and forced her feet to move.
Must find a way to save them.
Out back of the shack, Donja and Makayla took a seat on a rock wall that circled a blazing bonfire. Donja took a breath, the heady smell of cedar and ash wafting.
The old man, bent toward the shoulders with a hoppy gait, conversed with Johnny who pointed to Donja and spoke in their native tongue.
Donja cringed as the old man approached her. He eyed her up and down and then without warning, he plucked a hair from her head. She shivered, clinging to Makayla as the old man made his way back to the fire.
“Now tell me of your fears,” the young boy blurted.
Donja nervously retorted. “I fear for my family’s safety and I seek protection.”
“From what?” Johnny asked.
“A creature so evil, few if any would believe.”
Johnny and the old man gibbered back and forth, the elder’s eyes locked upon Donja.
Finally, Johnny asked. “For which members of your family do you seek protection?”
“My mother, brother, stepfather and her,” she said pointing to Makayla.
The elder once more approached Donja, took her hands and examined her palms. He raised her hair from her neck and examined the back of her skull as well as the site where Torin had bitten her. He twisted her face, studying her profile and then he lifted her eyelids, searching intently. He grasped her upper lip and examined her gum lines, then backed away and spoke to Johnny.
Johnny listened to the old man, his face a mix of fear and disbelief. Finally, he cut his eyes to Donja as the old man began to chant. “He says you are in great danger due to your blood lineage. He said forces are joining against you and that your life hangs in the balance.”
Donja rose to her feet and Makayla joined her side. “Am I going to die?”
Johnny fell silent his eyes on the old man who was chanting in native tongue.
“What is he saying?” Donja asked hysterically.
Johnny ignored her as if in a trance.
The elder’s chants intensified. He skewed his face, dancing in circles with animated arms over his head. Suddenly he stopped, eyes on the blazing fire, mumbled incoherently and tossed the hair from Donja’s head to the flames.
Johnny, who looked as if he had seen a ghost, turned to them. “He says that one of the seven Miigis, who are known to our ancestors as Radiant Iridescents, has cursed your blood lineage.”
Donja shook her head innocently though she doubted she looked the part. “I don’t understand?”
The boy moved around the fire, to a point, then stopped. “He said the spirit Miigis who roams the land in search of you and your Chippewa bloodlines, is powerful beyond human comprehension. He said many have died…all female… all possessed by this Miigis who is more ancient than the trees or mountains, as deadly as the bear or cougar and as needy of you as the air provided by the earth mother. He said you must desert this land as did the other females of your blood clan else you will be taken and if not killed, transformed unto evilness yourself.”
“And what of my family?” Donja asked
Johnny and the old man conversed back and forth. Finally, the old man shook his head as if suddenly afflicted by some unseen force.
Johnny turned back to Donja. “He says that depends on the decisions you make. He asks that you leave and never return for fear of inviting death to his home.”
“But I need guidance.” Donja pleaded. “My family’s in danger. Please, ask him to help me.”
“Go!” Johnny commanded, suddenly hostile as he took a step toward them.