THERE IS MOVEMENT AT THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY. A soft blur of gray moves behind rocks. Then the blur takes shape and steps into the open.
A wolf looks up at me with calm, intelligent eyes.
A thrill of eagerness, of anticipation courses through me. Sani's messenger.
Wolf comes closer. Not threatening. Her eyes shine into mine. She stops at the edge of the porch, waiting. I come down to meet her. She brushes under my hand until it rests on her back.
The ground tips and begins to spin.
A vortex of sight but no sound. A sensory barrage of color without shape. A rainbow gone mad.
Colors fade. The spinning slows, stops. Wolf is gone.
I'm standing in the middle of a circle. Alone.
Vision clears.
Not alone.
All around me, twelve ancients sit, their solemn faces reflecting wisdom, understanding, knowing. They are naked except for loincloths of leather, beaded and tied with thongs. Their faces and bodies are old, creased with age, but exuding vitality and warmth. They each hold a long, slender stick carved with symbols-a tree, a mountain, a stream. Others I don't recognize in my ignorance.
For I am more aware of my ignorance than I have ever been. I am humbled to be in the presence of such power. We are not in the cave. I don't know where we are. It's open ground and all I see around us is earth and sky.
In the center, Sani. He rises, takes a step into the circle, squats back down, motioning for me to do the same.
As before, I follow his example, folding my legs under me.
"You have made a decision," he says.
My heart thuds with sudden fear. Not for what I am about to ask, but because I have so little right to ask it.
"What is it?" His gentle face reassures me.
"I will not ask for ortality to be restored. Not for me."
He catches the subtle nuance of my last words. "What are you asking?"
"I ask that Sarah be returned to her son. She is dead because of me. I can face any challenge. I am adult and vampire. There is a little boy who lost his mother and aunt. If I can lessen his pain, I will bear the consequences."
"The consequences?"
"Grant me twenty years. I will do all in my power during that time to rid the world of those vampires who would destroy it. I will make sure my successor is like me-a protector. I ask nothing else."
Sani is silent. Probing his heart-or mine? I can't tell. He lets nothing show in his expression.
Finally, he says, "It is always sad when young ones die. Mary betrayed her sister and tradition. Her alliance with George Long Whiskers led to their deaths. Whether or not you were here, they would still both be dead."
"No. They would be alive if I hadn't persuaded Frey to bring me here."
"Can you be sure?"
"Does it matter? I am sick that John-John is alone."
Sani takes my hands in his. "I cannot grant your request. Sarah has been buried in the Navajo way. She has traveled this path. That you would ask in her name is a tribute to your spirit. I know your fears for the boy, but he will not be alone."
I close my eyes for a moment, sadness overwhelming me. I wanted to give John-John his mother back. I failed. In my heart, I suppose I knew I would. I square my shoulders and raise my face to meet Sani's gaze.
"Then I have made the only decision I can. I will remain vampire, protector. I only hope someday to be wise enough to know what is right and to have the courage to fight for what is right."
Sani's eyes shine into mine. "Follow your heart in all things and you will not go astray."
His grip on my hands loosens, but I don't let go. "Tell me," I ask. "Why did you agree to meet with me?"
He smiles, patting my hand. "You have respect for the Navajo. For the old ways. There is too little of it, even among our own people."
He rises, takes my hand, pulls me to my feet. "You are a soldier-a guardian. Don't fight your nature. Embrace it, learn from it. You have an important role to play. You've just begun to understand how important. You seek love, for yourself and others. It is understandable. But seek knowledge, too, and through it, understanding. There are many factions, many battles ahead. You will be the ambassador to bring all sides together. That is the gift of the Chosen One."
He lays a hand on my head, a blessing.
And a farewell.
Just like before, I don't have time to process his words or respond. Sani is gone. The scene around me melts into a blur.
The next moment, I'm back on the porch.