“I think so.” Her throat tightened beneath a surge of self-disgust. “No. I know so.” Her voice strengthened. “But his spirit was freed from his husk. We had the releasing ceremony—twice. Here on base and back on theBrenahiilo.He should be laughing with family around the campfires of our ancestors. Not wandering Shadow Mountain.”
She expected disbelief, followed by an explanation of grief and its effects on the mind. But that wasn’t what he gave her.
“Maybe he remains to watch over you and Gracie. To make sure you both are thriving before he moves on.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “You believe me?”
A simple nod, followed by an even simpler, “I do.”
“Do you see him, as well?”
“No...but I didn’t birth and raise him. I didn’t love him. He didn’t love me. He’d have no reason to keep watch over me.”
The blizzard circling her soul went silent and still. She’d told nobody of her belief that Daniel was still on base, certain they’d think her grief-crazy or soul-sick. It felt good to share her certainty. It felt good to be believed.
“Then Gracie and I will thrive. Release him from his worry.” Tears thickened her voice. But her eyes remained dry.
Silence fell as they resumed walking, but it was a comfortable silence—even comforting. When they reached the cafeteria, theyfound Gracie inside. Only then did Muriel realize she’d forgotten to call her. The visitation of Daniel’s spirit had driven everything from her mind.
Gracie’s gaze bounced between Muriel and O’Neill when she saw them. Coldness flickered in her eyes. “What are you two doing here?”
Muriel knew the question wasn’t what they were doing. Thewhatwas obvious. Gracie’s real question waswhythey were together. She ignored her daughter’s reaction. “I was just about to call you, see if you were free for lunch.”
“No kidding.” Her face flattened, smooth as an ice sculpture. “I’ve already ordered.” She turned toward O’Neill, her expression thawing. “When did you get back?”
“An hour ago.” His focus shifted from Gracie to Muriel and back again. “Ran into your mom at the clinic.”
Gracie didn’t respond to that, although a hint of entreaty flickered across her face. “When can we resume my training?”
“Tomorrow. I need to meet with Wolf and Cap today.” He turned to Muriel. “What time are you returning to base tomorrow?”
“Why does that matter?” Gracie asked.
Muriel stood frozen, feeling like she was tied to a train track, with the engine screaming toward her.
“Your mother will be joining us from now on for our self-defense lessons.” O’Neill said.
His voice was deliberate and unyielding. He’d noticed Gracie’s resistance to the idea. And rolled right over it.
This was not going to turn out well...at least for Muriel.
“No kidding,” Gracie said again, her tone neutral.
She’d obviously noticed her father’s refusal to let her dictate his decisions.
But the seething glance their daughter sent Muriel belied her mild tone. She was not happy about Muriel’s encroachment on her time with her father.
Not happy at all.
Chapter fifty-three
Day 48
Shadow Mountain Base, Alaska
The scream, primal and shrill, half-human, half-feline, followed Aiden out of the dream and into his bedroom. He jolted up in bed, the shriek ricocheting off the walls and ringing in his ears, until it faded back into the nightmare. His heart jackhammered, trying to break through his ribs. He fought the damp sheets tangled around his legs and clawed his way up, until his sweaty back was braced against the headboard.
“Jesus!”He fought to steady his breathing, raking shaky fingers through his hair.
