Page 4 of Citiali: Teach
I smile and reach to the side of him opening the door. “He’s here, Pres. Everyone will be at dinner.” I smile knowing he sees it now.
“Fuckin’ know-it-all.”
Prez Knight laughs putting his arm over Hemy’s shoulder. “I’m starving. Even with Justice pushing, it was a long flight.” Everyone follows them talking about Justice getting us here in record time.
I pull Atohi in for a hug before he’s pushed back by Brothers excited about food.
“Yona and Kana’ti are outside with the younger kids waiting for Hemy. They’re pumped for this.” His excitement is probably felt by everyone close.
I’m glad my uncle is out there so I don’t have to hunt him down.I let Atohi go and step back. “So are you. I see your path, Atohi. It’s right and it’s starting.”I feel his doubt and sit while the last straggle out.
He talks in my head. ‘Shielding here. And if Andrew doesn’t agree or ignores my counsel?’ He’s stronger than I was at his age.
I smile. ‘Ping him.’ It’s what Ginny called a nooggie from the inside. We’d do it as kids.
He laughs, shaking his head no. ‘I’ll get shot for shit like that.’
Shaking my own head, I disagree. ‘No,you’re his teacher. Respect is earned so if you do that shit when it’s not warranted, your counsel won’t be heard or taken seriously. First time he walks away, ping him, drag him back, freeze him, but make sure he knows this isn’t a fuckin’ game. Lives depend on his understanding Indian heritage. He grows, Atohi. He’s going to be that leader we saw. Now it’s your job to get him there. Do that however the fuck you can, but you do it.’
He nods thinking about that. “How did you see you?” My brother sees entirely too much from me.
Pushing it away as irrelevant, I stand and pull him out the door. “Mucimi showed pieces of visions. Justice too. It’s weird as hell but I like knowing it’s right for us again. You could throw shit like that at Andrew too. Every once ina while, show the good or bad. Let him know his path is set and he’s making it, or however you define that kind of shit.”
“I will, Citiali. I saw what happens if he doesn’t make it. We’ve already lost too much, but Wohali feels closer than ever before, the great spirit must agree.” He’s cute.
We jog down the stairs. “I think so. We’re getting stronger. I like meeting at the reservation. Call when you need me but keep every night open so we have that.”
The crowd is under the portico that spans the length of the building on this side. I shake my head and take a step to the side as Enoli jumps on Atohi’s back.
“Atohi, Pres Hemy said I’m teaching Andrew with you! You’re his second now.” The Brother is fourteen but small for his age.
I throw a little ping and pull Enoli off Atohi.
Atohi gives his buddy a look. “Yeah. Elders are here. Chill or you’re not anywhere close to me.”
Enoli rubs his head as he looks around with wide eyes. “I thought this was like a Sunday dinner.”
Atohi smiles up at me. “You pinged him.”
“Yeah, you’re up, little brother, keep them in line.” I laugh at his surprise then the smile that replaces it as I walk toward Putam, Jacob and Alder. I love being a big brother to the kids here. I’m going to miss this, butAtohi is ready to take his place.
I feel energy and know it’s Zeke, but I don’t see him. “You are too, Brother. Justice and the Protectors are honored to add you to our crew.” He speaks words in Cherokee.
Shocked, I spin and give the Brother a quick hug. “Thanks, Zeke. I see it, but hearing you say itout loudin my native tongue will be a memory I use to remind me on those days of doubt.”
He holds my forearm at the Great Spirit sign and it feels like that touch is a direct line to my back, which feels as if the ancestral marks are in motion. The feeling doesn’t stop when he steps back or when I’m touched from the side.
“You won’t have many of those, Brother. Alder wants to talk to you. He has an Indian hologram board you need to be added to.” Jacob wants to keep everything moving. I note his words feeling relieved. The Protector of the Three was worried, but I feel none of that now.
Putam laughs and pulls me toward Alder but the honor of hearing Zeke’s words for me has me replaying them. I have a feeling it’s the first of many times I’ll replay them. I’ve neverheard him talk before. I smile. I’ve never gotten a prediction from Jacob either.
This is right, I feel it right down to my bones and smile. We’re back on our path.
Chapter One
Citiali
“Asgina,” I growl rolling out of bed. Before I’m at the door, I’m dressed and have my hair ponytailed. Annoyed as I open the door, I smile when I have to look down to see the small girl with energy rolling off her. “The archer, I’ve heard you’re a handful.”
