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  “I am not a child any more. I do not need you to tell me what I can do or how I should feel. I am not going to marry Garland. Tomorrow you may talk all you want, but I will not give into you and this absurd marriage arrangement.”

  “You best remember your father’s position within the clan, Cleo. You will not degrade this family because of your selfish ways.” Ernestine raised her voice.

  Cleo opened the door and stepped onto the porch. She pulled the door shut on the vardo.

  Cool refreshing air surrounded Greta. The moon barely lit the abandoned semi-circle of the caravan. Orange embers smoldered in the stone communal fireplace where the gypsy clan cooked the evening meals and held their nightly dances. The ground around the fire was indented from the gathering of the gypsy dances.

  “Do this, Cleo, don’t do that, you must remember your father’s position with the clan.” Cleo clenched her teeth together. “Why can’t I make my own decisions, mistakes, and learn like other people my age?” She stomped down the path to the clearing the clan had named Cherished Silence. It was where most of the gypsies went for privacy. The slight jingle from the coins sewn to her long, layered skirts mingled with the crickets and the frogs of the bayou. Twigs snapping under her bare feet were almost unheard compared to the menacing words she spoke.

  Greta followed quietly. Cleo didn’t seem to care if anyone heard her. She was too caught up with anger.

  “Greta always gets everything she wants. Like Thaddeus Porter, the dream man of every young woman in the camp. That nasty witch, Greta, why is she his chosen one? She even makes good money on her fortune telling, crystal ball, and reading of the cards. My parents never let me dabble in magic. They said only certain people are chosen to conduct that kind of business. ‘You just don’t have it in you, Cleo. You are better at dancing, Cleo’. I don’t want to dance for everyone. I only want to dance for Thaddeus, just like Greta gets to. He should have been mine… not hers!

  “I’ll show everyone! Madonna will help me. She’s my only friend. She’s even taking the time to teach me the magic I am forbidden to practice.”

  Greta glanced up in time to avoid a tangled web of moss dangling from the limbs overhead. Very few stars twinkled their way through the treetops. The stench of soured water floated from a pool trapped between a few boulders along the lake edge. Greta slipped behind a tree as Cleo stepped into the Cherished Silence clearing. Her nose wrinkled, and she held back a sneeze. Raising her hand, she rubbed her brow and then let her hand fall to her side.

  “There has to be a way to stop this outrageous marriage,” Cleo whispered to the dark of night. She paced around the circle. The crickets quit chirping, and the frogs stopped croaking.

  A sliver of fear ran down Greta’s spine. The banshee wail raised the hair on the back of her neck. A thick gust of wind whipped up loose dirt in the clearing. Rustling from the underbrush on the opposite side of the tree line drew Cleo’s interest. She caught her breath when a tall gaje emerged.

  Twigs and moss hung from his tangled blond hair. Mud and muck caked halfway up his trouser legs. The wooden handle of a knife protruded from the top of his boot. Four rabbit skins dangled from his large hand. The material of his shirt stretched across his broad chest.

  Greta’s heart picked up a beat. Cleo was inviting trouble. If the non-gypsy made any kind of threatening move, then Greta would have to call for help. She waited and listened to see what would transpire between the two.

  Something about the non-gypsy intrigued Cleo despite his filthy appearance. Cleo obviously didn’t think of him as an enemy. He wasn’t the banshee Greta had expected to see. He looked friendly enough.

  “Well, what have we here?” His voice was low and soothing. He had taken a few steps inside the clearing before he stopped.

  Greta glanced around. Even though her heart picked up a beat and her knees wobbled, an overwhelming calm settled over her. The gaje’s musty body odor mixed with fresh blood and mildew encased him. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. He swiped his free hand down his pant leg leaving a greasy line of grime, and then he offered it to Cleo. The gaje shifted his weight to one foot as Cleo refused. His gaze turned tender and full of excitement.

  “I’m Cleo Little. What’s your name?”

  Greta couldn’t believe Cleo’s easy manner around the stranger. Didn’t she realize what kind of dangerous risk she was taking? Not only for herself but also for the clan.

  All her life the gypsies had heard about the gaje. Stories of how evil they are and didn’t want to understand or accept the gypsy ways were too numerous to count. Greta watched as Cleo stood in front of the man, flirting openly like she tossed the warning of the clan aside. It was only one man. What could he do? If she screamed, the clan would be in the clearing before he could get away. Cleo seemed to be gazing into the gaje’s soft blue eyes. His yellowed teeth gaped beneath his upturned lips.

  “Robert Ray, my fair maiden, at your service. Do you come here often?” He bowed to her, and as he straightened, he waved his large hand toward the clearing.

  “Oh, you mean to Cherished Silence? Yes, I come here often. Every one of the gypsies visits the clearing.” Cleo exaggerated the sway in her hips as she circled around the gaje. She had his full attention. His gazed followed Cleo as she made her way to the other side of him.

  Greta’s stomach twisted in a knot. She couldn’t understand why Cleo was blatantly drawing this outsider into her evil web. A dark fog wrapped around the gaje as Cleo circled around him. “What kind of service do you provide, Mr. Ray?”

  “Any kind of service a beautiful woman like you would require.” Robert Ray didn’t sound right. Greta covered her mouth to quell the gasp rising in her throat. Cleo had cast a spell on the unsuspecting Robert Ray. He would be functioning under Cleo’s command until Greta could find a way to counteract the curse.

  Cleo continued to circle the man. Just one touch, one kiss, or any kind of physical involvement with this man and she would be banished from the clan forever. Greta wanted to warn the man. She wanted to scream at him to back away from Cleo’s grasp. But Cleo’s hands were close, within inches of his body. She ran them up and down him as if she were tracing his aura. Changing him, pulling his soul into her as if he were nothing. The longer she worked her dark magic, the more he became her puppet.

  “What kind of payment do you receive for your services?” Cleo cackled after she spoke.

  “Well, my darling Cleo. That would be up to you. I usually ask for gold, but we can work something out.” Robert Ray had an evil, scheming smirk on his face. He no longer seemed like the friendly, harmless gaje who entered the clearing.

  Cleo eyed the man. “If you help me, I’ll see you get all the gold you want. She crossed one arm over her chest and perched her other elbow on it. “Hum. Maybe we can do business. I’ll meet you back here in a few days.”

  Cleo drew in a deep breath, and her gaze followed as Robert Ray turned and departed down the path from where he came. As he retreated, Cleo whispered, “I can use the gaje to get what I want. And the first thing is out of the marriage my parents arranged.”

  Chapter Five

  A rush of footsteps approached Thad from behind. He whirled around as Doriya stopped a few steps from him. The wrinkles across her face deepened, and her gray brows furrowed. “Has something happened to Greta?”

  “No. I came to see if she was with you.” The old Shuvihani scanned the camp.

  “I haven’t seen her since the dance last night. She was walking to her vardo.” His words quivered.

  “That was the last time I saw her. Have you checked with Andrew and Rhonda?” Doriya placed her hand on his arm.

  “No. I’ll check with her father, you ask her mother.” Thad headed off one way as Doriya went the other.

  Thad’s heart pounded. Where could she be? He didn’t think Cleo and her evil friend would take Greta from the camp. He stopped in front of Greta’s friends resting under a shade tree.

  “Have any of
you seen Greta today?” They all shook their heads. Thad sent a telepathic message to Doriya to advise her.

  I, too, am getting nothing from the people. No one has seen her today. Doriya sounded confident in finding Greta. Both called out telepathically to Greta at the same time. There was no answer.

  Greta knew she wasn’t supposed to go or do anything without one of us. I made sure she understood that last night. I can’t believe she would disobey. Thad couldn’t stop the sinking feeling in his gut. His hands shook. A shiver ran down his spine.

  Greta! Please answer me or Doriya. We are worried about you. Panic built in his body. He hastened his steps to where Andrew was working. “Andrew, have you seen Greta this morning?”

  “Not since she left to do laundry. She woke her mother and me to tell us where she was going. Is something wrong?” Andrew turned around quickly.

  “Doriya came looking for her. Greta is supposed to stay close to one of us for a few days. Cleo is causing trouble with her. I’m sure she is fine, wherever she is. Thank you.” Thad turned back the way he came.

  “Check with Rhonda. She probably knows where Greta goes to wash,” Andrew called after Thad.

  Ask Rhonda where Greta goes to do laundry. Andrew said she left early this morning.

  Meet me at Serenity Clearing. The path Greta takes connects to it. Doriya’s breathing labored along with her words. Thad broke into a run. He met Doriya just before she got to the path leading down to the river.

  “I hope she is safe. I haven’t detected Cleo or Madonna in the area.” Doriya hurried down the path ahead of Thad.

  “Cleo was with her parents. They were headed to their wagon.” Thad followed the quick steps of the Shuvihani.

  The roar of a small waterfall drowned out the silence. Specks of water splashed off rocks, making a rainbow in midair. A basket sat on the bank. Clothes were strung across branches of the bushes to dry.

  “Greta!” Thad glanced around. A peaceful calm washed over him. His talisman warmed at his side.

  There was a stirring under some brush. Thad turned to the sleeping body of Greta. He ran over and shook her shoulder. Greta’s eyes opened lazily. Then she sat up. “What’s wrong?”

  “What are you thinking, Greta? I told you to stay close to me or Doriya. The first thing you do is go off by yourself without a word to either one of us.” Thad pulled her to her feet.

  “I told my parents where I would be. You must have talked to them to find me.” Greta straightened her shoulders.

  “I am going back to camp. I’ll leave this to the two of you.” Doriya turned toward the path and disappeared around a bend.

  “Can I not trust you to follow my request? Have I made a mistake in believing you would do as Doriya and I ask? You know how much danger you are in, and still you run off like some rebellious kid.” Thad rubbed his forehead.

  “Don’t order me around, Thad. I didn’t thind—”

  “No, you sure didn’t. Cleo and Madonna are out to harm you. I cannot believe that you, a wise Shuvihani, would do something so…so…stupid.”

  “Oh. Now you think I’m stupid? That’s the meanest thing I have ever heard come out of your mouth. If you’re going to continue to berate me Thaddeus Porter, then I have nothing more to say to you.” Greta yanked clothes from the bushes and tossed them in the basket.

  “I never said you were stupid. I meant that was a stupid decision you made by coming here by yourself. Doriya was worried about you.” Thad reached out to Greta.

  “What about you, Thad? Were you worried about me too? Or did you just follow along to appease Doriya?” Greta’s golden brown eyes darkened.

  “Of course I was worried about you. Greta, I don’t like to worry about what the two evil spirits can do to you. Don’t you understand? I wouldn’t be so angry if I didn’t love you.” Thad lifted her chin with his knuckles.

  “I cannot just push my chores off on someone else. I must work to eat the same as you and everyone in camp.”

  “I’m glad you’re alright. I was so scared. I didn’t know what I would do without you. When Doriya came to me…Greta, I have never been so terrified in my life.” Thad gazed into Greta’s eyes. Her face softened.

  “I’m sorry. I know I’m in danger. More so than you. Thad, Cleo met with a gaje last night. I have to know what she’s planning, so we can stop her. I can’t let her hurt anyone in the caravan.” Greta turned back to gathering the clothes.

  “How do you know this?”

  “After you and Doriya left me, I saw Cleo, and I followed her. She went to the clearing. She met a gaje, and I think she put some kind of spell on him. When he left, he wasn’t the same as he was at first.” Her warm soft hand rested on his forearm.

  “Why would you follow her?”

  “She had a fight with her family over Garland. She refuses to marry him. I didn’t want her to hurt him, so I followed her to make sure she didn’t. I’m sorry, Thad. But we have to do something to stop her before she hurts someone.”

  Thad gazed up at the sky. He shook his head. “Did she know you were following her? Where was the dark witch?”

  “No. Cleo was angry, and I didn’t see Madonna on the trail. Cleo never looked back. As the gaje was leaving, Cleo said something about Madonna helping her get what she wants.”

  Thad picked up the basket of clothing with one hand and caught Greta’s elbow with the other. “Come on. We need to meet with Doriya and let her know what Cleo is doing. I’m still mad at you for making me worry.”

  “I really didn’t mean to. I just needed time to figure out what I should do about Cleo.” Greta quickened her steps.

  “She isn’t just your problem, Greta. I don’t trust her. If she tells the gaje where we camp, the whole clan is in danger.” Thad dropped the basket onto the porch of the Smith vardo. “We should hurry. Doriya will be starting her lessons with the children soon.”

  Thad led Greta across the center of the camp where Doriya’s vardo set away from the other wagons. They rounded a corner, and the Shuvihani stepped onto her porch. She pulled the door shut and turned to greet her visitors.

  “What brings you here? I thought Greta would stay with you the rest of the day.” Doriya reached for the railing and carefully descended the steps.

  “I’m sorry I worried you. Last night I heard Cleo fighting with her parents, so I followed her to Serenity Clearing.” Thad stood by as Greta told Doriya the story of Cleo and the gaje. “I didn’t go into her mind, Doriya. Everything she said was aloud. The gaje, Robert Ray, he doesn’t know Cleo changed him. He didn’t look like the same person who had entered the clearing. I know he is a gaje, but she changed him. I shouldn’t care one way or the other. It just scares me that if she can do this to him, she can do it to one of her own.”

  “Was there any contact other than talking?” Doriya tilted her head.

  “No. There was no physical contact. Cleo only ran her hands around him, like she was altering his aura. She was flirting with him. He seemed mesmerized. And then he got the evil look.” Greta shrugged her shoulders.

  Doriya walked between Thad and Greta. She stopped and linked elbows with each one of them. “There is nothing we can do about her casting spells on the gaje. If she would have touched him, we could banish her from the clan as unclean. That was a brave thing you did, Greta. Dangerous, but good to know who all she is planning to have on her side. Don’t follow her again.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I understand. I don’t know why she didn’t call on Madonna. I thought Madonna was in her.” Greta scrunched her brow.

  “She is. That is how Cleo transformed the gaje without him knowing. Madonna is not…Madonna will cause Cleo to do things and make Cleo think she is doing them herself.” Doriya pulled Thad and Greta into the circle with the waiting children.

  “Hello, class. Look who stopped by to say hello. Thad and Greta will only be here for a few minutes, and then they must be off to finish their daily chores.” Doriya released their arms and took a seat on a flat rock.r />
  “Hello, class. I wish I could stay and listen to Shuvihani’s stories.” Greta smiled at the children.

  “We must be off to work. I hope you enjoy Doriya as much as Greta and I have.” Thad threaded his arm through Greta’s and led her away.

  Chapter Six

  When Greta’s father had given Thad permission to court her without supervision her heart swelled with happiness. It was a small step, but as far as she was concerned, it was a step closer to their wedding.

  The gypsies danced every night and had special meals and a longer dance on special occasions. The socials helped boost the morale of the clansmen. It may not have been a special dance to the others, but to Greta it was an important moment. She drew in a deep breath.

  Reflections of the communal fire blazed in Thad’s dark brown eyes. His energy flowed from him to Greta. She accepted his power in exchange. She sent her own back to him. He was dancing for her, and she knew it. Their gazes locked as they shimmied and swayed to the gypsy music. Thad’s long fingers flexed and waved provocatively close as if outlining her body. Yet he never touched her.

  With each step, he moved closer. His nearness sent a want, a need, a blaze of passion that pulled her into his heart and soul. He was the one who could make her dreams come true. Greta drew in a labored breath. Her blood pulsed to the rhythm of the drums as she embraced the magic wrapping around them.

  The flames of the fire danced upward and faded into the calm, still air. Smoke hovered in the treetops. She was vaguely aware of any other being in the vicinity. The rainbow of colored skirts and vardos blurred as she twisted and turned. Greta’s movements had become intense with enthusiasm. Her skin tingled, begged for him to reach out and pull her against his muscular frame.