The Retirement

Fred smiled at Matt’s comment. “Abby is a warrior, and it’s not in the stars for her to die on the island tomorrow. She has a full life ahead of her, and she’ll be back.”

“How can you be so—” Stephen stopped midsentence, watching a shadow pass in front of the moon. “Did you see that?”

“Something moved across the moon,” added Cassie. “It was too big to be a bird. It almost looked like a parachute.”

“It was a cloud,” stated Matt flatly.

“That was no cloud, Dad,” protested Cassie, “you need new glasses.”

“It’s the spirit of the Wolf Clan coming to take revenge on those who have transgressed on our sacred ground.” Fred was looking unusually proud of himself.

“I think the two of you have been smoking some ceremonial herbs,” said Stephen as he carefully got up and stepped past the two older men to get to the open window in a nearby dormer. “I need to get down to the bar to help Nathan with the crowd.”

“And I’m going with you,” said Cassie, carefully following her cousin, “because you’re going to make me a very large, strong drink.”

The two older men watched until the cousins disappeared into the open window. Matt looked at Fred and asked, “Spirit of the Wolf Clan?”

Fred smiled, continuing to look at the stars. “Be respectful, paleface; I’m a medicine man, a mystic, of the Wolf Clan, of the Mohawk Nation. Besides, it was just as good as your cloud explanation.”

“Better,” answered Matt with a chuckle, “because it’s somewhat true. I have a feeling that some very nasty things will be happening on that island come morning.”