“How come you aren’t together?” I’d asked.
“We came from two different worlds. She was English, and I was Native American. She didn’t think we’d ever comprehend one another.”
I’d continued probing him with questions. “Did you have any children?”
“I had a son. He was a fierce and strong young man, but one day he left me without saying a word.” Lines of anguish creased the corners of Moon Lee’s eyes.
“You didn’t look for him?”
“No, Little Moon, I did not. I know there will be a time when he’ll return to me.”
“Lee, how come you didn’t start a family again, fall in love, and have more kids?”
“Oh, Olivia, your family is my family. That is all I need right now. Keeping you safe is all I need.”
As the memory faded, I blinked my way back to the moment and turned my attention to Grey Feather.
“Chief Grey Feather,” I said softly, rousing him from his seated doze.
He shook his head like a giant bison shaking off the snow. “Yes, child?”
“I knew Moon Lee… Dancing Fire. I knew him in my time. He raised me and trained me, but I never understood his ways. Now I comprehend why.”
Grey Feather slowly nodded.
Marcellious turned to the chief. “Where is Dancing Fire? I want to see him.”
Chief Grey Feather appeared taken aback. “Dancing Fire is in the future, where Olivia is from. Haven’t you been listening to what Olivia has said?”
“That’s right. I’m from the twenty-first century,” I said.
Marcellious’ face drew back in shock. “Are all women in the twenty-first century as bold as you?”
“We refer to it as assertive. Women have gained many rights in my time. They are treated as equals,” I said. “Equal to men.”
Marcellious looked as if he might throw up.
“And yes, my entire life revolved around Moon Lee—your father, the man you know as Dancing Fire. He raised me and cared for me after my mother was murdered. He taught me how to fight, take care of myself, and train others to defend themselves.”
“How did you come to my time?” Marcellious asked.
“I was in danger, and Lee transported me there,” I said. “I believe he wanted us all to be together. The real question is this. After all that has happened and everything we’ve gone through, what will you do about it? Are you going to help us defeat Balthazar?”
I gazed into Marcellious’ unreadable gaze.
He only stared at me without answering.
Olivia
The feast had yielded many answers, but one critical need—Balthazar had to be destroyed. But how?
I opened my mouth to ask Grey Feather.
The chief, who appeared exhausted, held up his hand and said, “Little Moon, we will talk later. Your mind is questioning, wondering, plotting, and scheming. But I am an old man, and I am tired.”
I snapped my mouth shut. “Of course, of course.”
“Hunting Wolf, help me up,” the chief said.
