Spirits in the Park Read Online Free Page B

“Though it happened before I was born. Tackapausha will not let us forget it.”
    â€œDo you know what happened to Olathe?”
    â€œNo one has ever mentioned her,” Soka admitted. “I will ask my mother; after all, apparently this Olathe learned our magic from her. Of course my mother will wonder why you ignore her warnings and risk your life by coming here. This park is filled with many dangers. We Munsees are not the only inhabitants of this park, you know. You are lucky I was the one who found you, and not someone, or something, else.”
    Rory took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Being chased by assassins was nothing compared to trying to talk to the girl he liked. “You know I’d hoped I would see you again . . .”
    Suddenly Soka shushed him, glancing around furtively. “Put the necklace away,” she whispered. “I think I heard something . . .”
    Rory stuffed the wampum in his pocket. He joined Soka in scanning the trees around them. A rustle in the bushes made him jump and he prepared himself to protect Soka from whatever was coming. The sound came closer and closer until the bush right before him began to move . . .
    A squirrel ran up to them, chattering. Rory relaxed, laughing at his foolishness.
    â€œLook at us, all worried,” he said, nudging her. “It’s just a squirrel.”
    But Soka wasn’t looking at the squirrel. She was staring past it at the man stepping through the brush into the clearing. Rory’s stomach dropped.
    â€œHello, Tammand,” Soka said, taking a small step in front of Rory as she greeted her brother.
    â€œSoka,” he greeted her stiffly. “Chepi, here, told me you’d been sneaking off.” He held out his arm as the squirrel ran up the elm and leaped onto it. “I wanted to see for myself. And look what I find.”
    â€œHey, we’re just talking, that’s it,” Rory said, not wanting Tammand to get the wrong idea. Soka’s brother was an impressive fellow. He stood straight and tall, lanky and muscular. The Munsee’s hair was greased into a Mohawk, with a slight ponytail interwoven with feathers hanging down his back. But it was Tammand’s face that sent shivers down Rory’s spine. A tattoo of a snarling dog adorned each cheek, so lifelike they threatened to leap off Tammand’s face and chase Rory down the path. Soka’s big brother was no one to be trifled with.
    â€œAre you following me?” Soka demanded.
    â€œI simply set Chepi on your trail, for your own good,” Tammand replied sternly. “And I am glad I did. This is a great prize.”
    â€œI was just telling him to leave!” Soka told him. Tammand shook his head emphatically.
    â€œNot when the fate of our people rests on his scrawny shoulders.” He reached for Rory. “No, you must come with me, Sabbeleu.”
    Shocked, Rory pulled away. “I’m not going with you.”
    â€œYou are too important to let loose like a wild turkey,” Tammand insisted, irritated. “I will take you back to Tackapausha and he will decide what to do. Do not worry. I know what Mother thinks, but her fears are groundless. Tackapausha does not want to start up the war. He only wishes to make Mayor Hamilton pay for his crimes. He and the murderer Harry Meester. They were the ones who wronged us. Tackapausha knows this; he is not reckless. He only wants justice.”
    â€œNo!” Soka replied. “Mother told us not to trust Tackapausha, especially with Rory.” She grabbed Rory’s arm protectively, sending a shiver down his spine.
    â€œWell, she is wrong,” Tammand insisted. “And I will not bow to family over my sachem any longer. You are coming with me, Sabbeleu.”
    Despite Soka’s grip on his arm, Rory had no illusions about her protection. Tammand was bigger and stonger than he was, and Rory knew he was in a lot of trouble. He should have listened