Children of the Dawnland (North America's Forgotten Past Series) by W. Michael Gear, Kathleen O'Neal Gear

looking at me.”
    “Well, don’t worry. It’s quiet tonight.”
    Twig frowned, and glanced at the Stone Wolf. It had started to shimmer, as though firelight lived and breathed in its glassy heart. “Mother, didn’t you feel that wave of power?”
    “I didn’t feel anything.” Mother’s eyes narrowed. “Why? Did you?”
    Wind gusted, and snowflakes fell through the smoke hole. As they drifted down to vanish over the fire, Twig worked up her courage. Finally, she asked, “Mother, would
it be all right if I … I—I know you’ve told me never to go near the Stone Wolf, but could I just talk to it? Maybe hold it for a little while?”
    Mother set her sewing down and walked across the lodge to her medicine bundle. She stuffed the Wolf inside and tied it firmly closed. For a long time, she just stared at her bundle. Finally, she turned back. “Did Screech Owl tell you to ask me that?”
    The way Mother said it meant she already knew the answer. “Yes, Mother. He thought maybe the Stone Wolf could help me—”
    “You are never to go see Screech Owl again. Do you understand? If you’re not careful he’ll send you on a Spirit journey to the Land of the Dead and forget to tell you how to get back.”
    Twig’s heart thumped her ribs. “D-did he do that to you?”
    “Yes, of course. He had the soul of a rat snake at the time, and was so busy trying to stuff a whole mouse down his throat that he forgot I didn’t know how to get back. It’s a miracle I survived. Tell me you understand and you won’t go there again.”
    Twig looked down into the fire and watched the flames flickering. Quietly, she answered, “Yes, Mother. I understand.”
    “And?”
    “And I … I won’t …” It hurt to say the words. “I won’t go see him again.”

CHAPTER 8

    A S TWIG FELL asleep, an eerie glitter started behind her closed eyes, and the dream swept over her like an icy flood … .
     
     
     
    I AM HUDDLING in a cavern filled with blue light. Towering ice spires rise around me, and from somewhere far away, I hear inhuman chanting … .
    Fear clutches at my heart. I start to run, screaming, “Is anyone here? Hello!”
    I race up the icy trail, and when I reach the top, I slip and
fall, landing hard. The sharp ice rips my shirt and tears a long gash in my right arm. Hot blood soaks my sleeve.
    Everywhere I look, glittering, frozen apparitions dance in the curious blue glow. They have no arms or legs.
    “Where am I?” I cry in fear.
    “You are in the future, young dreamer.”
    I sit up, expecting to see the strange woman. But she is not here. Instead, a bizarre creature perches on an ice ledge above me. It has a human body, but wings and a bird’s beak, and its skin shimmers, as though it’s snakeskin.
    I’m terrified, shaking, but I force myself to stand up.
    “Please, h-help me?” I stutter. “Who are you?”
    It gives me a sad smile. “I am Eagle-Man, your Spirit Helper. Do you hear it, Dreamer? Listen.”
    “W-what?”
    At first, all I hear is the roaring wind.
    Then …
    Faint screams creep up from every sparkle in the snow, and fear clutches at my heart. All around me, colors swirl and form pictures. I see Screech Owl’s terrified face and hear Mother shrieking … .
    “What’s happening?” I cry.
    Eagle-Man just smiles.
    A deep groaning rumble erupts, followed by a loud boom! Several smaller booms shake the ground beneath my feet, and I stagger as a strange, orange gleam swells. The blue light vanishes.
    The rumble grows to a roar.
    When I look up, the sky explodes, and torrents of fire consume
the night. As the rumbling, crackling flames roll across the heavens, the Star People vanish, and the entire world glows brilliant orange. A green flaming ball of light rolls right over the top of me; then the earthquake strikes like the fists of the gods. I’m slammed against the ground. The Ice Giants roar and scream as they split wide open. Somewhere in the distance, I hear ice cliffs crashing into water …