Talya turned toward her more fully and took her hand. “Your fingers are warm.” She smiled. “But maybe I can help a little. I have visions. I had one of you.”
“Of the future?”
“Not exactly. It’s more like a portrait frozen in a moment of time. Agnes says I’m unusual, but then given your portrait, I’d say you’re even more unique.”
“What did you see?”
“You, as a spectral wolf, glowing with iridescent violet and green, some blue, some pi
nk. It was beautiful. Your wolf face looked flushed as though you’d been racing around.”
Natalie shook her head. “You’ve described the colors just right. Talya, I don’t know what’s going on here. I mean, Grant can build dreamglides. It happened during the day’s sleep following your rescue. And now I have this wolf, a kind of spectral wolf as you’ve said, as part of my being. All this happened since we were together in Kiara’s refuge.”
“You sound like you’re in shock.”
“I am. The whole thing seems so impossible and now this?” She lifted her hand expecting to see her iridescent wolf, but nothing was there, just her normal skin color.
“Is that where you first saw the sign? On your hands?”
“Yes, but it’s not there.”
“What’s troubling you most?”
She chuckled. “You talk like a counselor.”
“I’m reflecting who you are, that’s all. It’s part of the portrait gift. I asked about you at the refuge. They say you’re one of the benefactors there and I applaud you for that. I was so glad when you called. I wanted to thank you again.”
“Well, actually, you have a ghost to thank for getting me out to the Graveyard.” She told her about Renee ending with her recent insistence that Natalie talk to Talya about her wolf-sign.
Talya frowned at that. “I’m not sure how I can help.”
“Can you get rid of it for me?”
Talya laughed. “Even if I could, why wouldn’t you want such a gift?”
“I guess I don’t see what good can come of it.” She then confessed her part in the Fae-Wolf Wars of three years ago. “I know what I did was wrong. I will carry the guilt of the deaths I’m responsible for as long as I live. But I also hate what the wolves did, who they are, their basic savagery which you experienced first-hand.”
“Why did you engage in the Fae-Wolfs Wars in the first place?”
“My closest friend here in Revel was killed during the conflict. Alexis was the sweetest person, the only true friend I’ve had in Five Bridges. I was grief-stricken and wanted vengeance. It doesn’t make it right, but that’s what happened. I told Grant I’d played a part in the wars and he confessed he had as well. We don’t even know each other, and we’ve already done hurtful things. So how can this be good?”
Talya cocked her head. “Do you want to be with him?”
She debated revealing the truth, but there was something about Talya that invited confidence. Besides, Renee suggested she speak with Talya so there must be something to be gained. “More than I’ve wanted anything in my alter life and I hate myself for it. But he and I pretty much agreed not to see each other again because of the wars. Now this.” She lifted her hand once more, but it was still empty of iridescent color and movement. “I keep thinking the wolf-sign will appear, but it doesn’t.”
“It’s new to you.” Talya shifted her gaze to the simple universal altar. Natalie did the same. The chapel didn’t reflect any one religion or belief-system. Above the altar was a large woodcarving of what looked like flowing water. It was mounted on a gray stone wall.
She leaned back in the comfortable pew and waited for Talya’s response. The sense she had of the woman was one of serenity, a very unusual quality in Five Bridges.
Finally, Talya began, “Since coming to Agnes’s compound, which I love, I’ve been asking myself what my purpose is, as an alter fae, in Five Bridges.” She released a sigh but didn’t continue.
Natalie was curious to know what she’d concluded. “Did you come up with an answer?”
“No.” Talya laughed. “Life just sort of happens, doesn’t it? I was a cop before the serum hit and I loved my job. My transformation was a total cliché. The serum was in a box of donuts. Six officers went through the change. Five of us survived, including my husband, and here I am. That was three years ago.”
“I remember the incident. You must be a Border Patrol officer then.”
“I was until my gift kicked in about a year ago. I would be making an arrest and have a vision. I couldn’t control it back then. I got shot on three separate occasions and was asked to step down.”