Primal Calling by Jillian Burns

me.”
    â€œA tornaq? ” Serena had forgotten her tea.
    â€œA spirit,” Evelyn said. “He foretold my safe return to my family, and I’ve had visions ever since. I had a vision of you last night.”
    â€œOf me?”
    â€œ Ii. Yes. In my vision you are the snowy owl, hunted by Iñupiat, yet despite the danger, you fly out every night, calling out, searching for your mate.”
    The hairs on the back of Serena’s neck stood up and her skin chilled with goose bumps.
    An owl? What were the odds?
    â€œThis vision means something to you?”
    Serena focused on the old woman again. “No, not at all. I collect owls, though.” She forced a smile. “Isn’t that a coincidence?”
    The shaman stared at Serena. “No coincidence.” Her lips pursed. “You are as stubborn as my grandson. When Maximilian closed himself off from everyone I must pretend a heart attack to make him come to me.”
    Serena’s mouth dropped open. “You didn’t.”
    â€œIi.” Her eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint.
    â€œI bet he was furious when he got here.” Serena could easily imagine his wrath.
    Evelyn shrugged. “I did what I must. Just as I do now.”
    Finally, here was someone who would tell her about Max’s plane crash. “What happened to him after thatcrash? Why did he stay holed up in his cabin all that time?”
    Just as Evelyn opened her mouth to speak Serena held up her hand. “I should warn you I’d like to do a story on this crash, but I won’t print a word without your permission.” Much as it pained her to promise that, her information had to be acquired legitimately.
    One side of Evelyn’s mouth crooked up in a perceptive smile. “I know, dear. But nothing is what you think it is. The owl and the wolf must each choose their path.”
    What? That kind of thing wasn’t going to be very helpful. Maybe the old woman wasn’t quite as reliable a source for information as she thought. But it wouldn’t hurt to ask the questions.
    â€œSo, can you tell me what happened? Does Max know what caused the plane to crash? And what happened afterward that made him a recluse?”
    With a troubled look, Evelyn drew another deep breath. “The trouble was in the air—”
    The front door opened. “Aanaga?” Seconds later Max strode through the kitchen doorway carrying a brown paper sack full of groceries, Mickey at his side. Max stopped short, stared at her and blinked. Mickey had no such compunction. The dog barked, raced to Serena and lifted his two front paws onto her lap to lick her face.
    Max’s expression quickly changed to confusion. “What are you doing here? Down, Mickey!”
    The dog whined and slinked between Serena’s feet as she tried to explain. “I was—”
    â€œThis is low, even for you.” He tossed the groceries onto the counter, closed the distance between them and seized her arm. “I won’t have you harassing my grandmother. If I have to haul you bodily onto a plane, I’ll—”
    â€œErnetuar!” The shaman got slowly to her feet and shuffled over to place a palm on Max’s chest. “Grandson. I invited her.”
    â€œYou what?” His attention on his grandmother now, he released Serena’s arm.
    â€œMax, she is ivabiaqtuq uumifa! ” Max’s grandmother glanced back at Serena, her face full of joy, her smile glowing.
    All color drained from Max’s face at his grandmother’s words. He looked over at Serena, his mouth set. “No.”
    â€œIi.”
    â€œI’m what?” Whatever Evelyn had called her didn’t sound good. “What is iva-bee-ak-tuke ooh-mee-fah? ”
    â€œNo, Grandmother, you’re wrong.”
    Evelyn shook her head. “I am not wrong.”
    She might as well have asked a wall for all the notice Max and his grandmother were taking of her.