Blood Moon (Entangled Select Otherworld) by Lisa Kessler Page A

“Look at me.”
    As an elder of the tribe, I couldn’t refuse her request, but I took my time, rebuilding what remained of the battered wall around the rising tide of emotions. Slowly, I turned her way.
    “Our Stone Mother shed enough tears to fill a lake for her lost children.” She stood up and placed a bony hand on my forearm. “If she awoke today with the choice to go back in time knowing she would lose them, do you think for one minute she would choose not to have children at all?”
    I pondered her question and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
    “You are as stubborn as a mule.” She groaned. “She would give them life all over again, because never loving them is worse than loving and losing them. We don’t know how much time one spirit will spend in our lives, but love is too precious to hide from it. A chance at real love is worth the risk.”
    “That sounds noble, but the reality is she’ll cross over, and I’ll be left behind, alone, only this time I might not be able to claw my way out of the pit.” I sat down again. “Fate has a vicious sense of humor.”
    Chloe came and settled beside me. “Fate gave you a gift by placing this woman in your path. Even if you won’t get the chance to grow old together, not everyone finds the one who will make them whole. Feeling complete, even for a short time, is worth treasuring.”
    “Why are you so convinced Nadya is the one to make me whole?”
    She took my hand, her expression softening. “Because you brought her to the Stone Mother. You let her believe she invited herself, but she doesn’t know you as well as I do. No one on earth could convince you to share this place. You wanted her to see it.”
    Did I? I’d brought Nadya to Pyramid Lake before I discovered she was my mate. It hadn’t been instinct. I just couldn’t bear the thought of sending her away when she looked so lost.
    Would I have cared if she were anyone else? Probably not. I gave Chloe’s hand a squeeze. “Tell me about the Dream Walkers.”
    Her eyes brightened. Any chance to talk about our ancestors lit her up like a lighthouse. “They mastered the art of journeying through their dream state, to comfort and heal another person. Their spirit travels without their body. Our tribe hasn’t had a Dream Walker in generations. Why?”
    “I don’t have time to explain.” I stood and went to the door before she could pin me down with more questions. “I’ve gotta ride over to the garage and get some sleep. Aren’s getting married tomorrow.”
    She came over and gave me a hug, her voice soft against my ear. “Be open, Osa. It is the only way to heal.”

    I rode over to the Stone Mother and turned off the Harley. Sitting in the silence, I looked up at her bowed head. Loving someone enough to weep a lake’s worth of tears was something I understood, even though I’d never allowed myself to cry.
    When our parents were killed by the drunk driver, Gabe wept, and I closed my heart. I told myself I had to be strong for my brother. For the rest of his life, I stood tall, holding him up as best I could.
    And when Adam told me a jaguar murdered Gabe, my heart shriveled up and died in my chest. I tried to cry for him, but I didn’t remember how. Maybe I never knew.
    I walked closer and sat at the water’s edge, staring up at her. “Chloe says I need to open myself, but I don’t know how.”
    The lake lapped against the stone of her legs. This was nuts. Did I seriously think she’d answer me? I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. When I opened them, I kept my focus on the smooth water.
    “I felt her pain, Mother. She needed me and somehow I went to her in my dreams. Will I be able to help her again?”
    I paused and glanced up. A hawk circled above us and finally came to land on the natural rock pyramid beside the Stone Mother. Hawks were a sign from the other side, bringing messages from our ancestors.
    As a child, I never questioned the omens and animal guides, but losing everyone I