Long Snows Moon

By Stacey Darlington

A young socialite finds herself hurled from her comfort zone of luxury and self-denial into the esoteric world of animal magic. When her pet wolf/husky hybrid, Long Snows Moon, plummets from her car window to the forest below, Devon Danforth must explore the haunted woods to find her. During her drunken stumble through the forest, Devon finds love in the arms of Jameson Jordan, the Native American girl she met as a teen during a family skiing vacation. During her sexual awakening, Devon discovers her own animal nature and her wild family lineage.

This title is published by Melange Books LLC and is distributed worldwide by Untreed Reads.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Untreed Reads
• Release date: Jun 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781612356389

Stacey Darlington

Stacey Darlington loves mythology and magic. Her interest in the supernatural began in early childhood. Her family consists of Shamans, Healers, and Psychics. Stacey practices energy healing and Earth Magic. She also teaches classes on totem animals and does guided meditations. She believes this planet is a gift from our creator and all things contain messages and resources from our personal god. Stacey challenges you to look for the mysteries all around you. If an animal come to you to share its wisdom, will you listen? Stacey works as the Medication Manager at an assisted living facility in Florida. She does this to honor her elders for their wisdom. She uses her holistic hand and her silly sense of humor to spread love and dispel their fear as they transition from this realm to the next. Music is another of her artistic mediums. She enjoyed some local fame with her original band, Jerusalem Cherry, where she wrote all of the songs and lyrics. Now she plays guitar and bass for fun. As for Stacey's love of mythology, she favors the Greek myths, with Medusa as her all time favorite. She enjoys writing for the junior audience and has done well with her book, Athena's Curse. Stacey gives lectures at schools and events to promote literacy. She is also an upholstery artist and enjoys creating original works of art Her dog, Mavis, inspired her novel, Long Snows Moon. Mavis is, by Stacey's own words, is one magical beast.

Book preview

DARLINGTON

A young socialite finds herself hurled from her comfort zone of luxury and self-denial into the esoteric world of animal magic. When her pet wolf/husky hybrid, Long Snows Moon, plummets from her car window to the forest below, Devon Danforth must explore the haunted woods to find her. During her drunken stumble through the forest, Devon finds love in the arms of Jameson Jordan, the Native American girl she met as a teen during a family skiing vacation. During her sexual awakening, Devon discovers her own animal nature and her wild family lineage.

Dedication

This book was inspired by and dedicated to my Mavis.

Sixteen years and four months was not long enough.

July 1997 – November 2012

Special thank you to Lorenzo Alisande Martinez

Alisande, this is my thesis for you. You changed my life.

I hope it makes you proud. May the gods bless you.

Table of Contents

Long Snows Moon

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Epilogue

About the Author

Previews

Prologue

Her night vision was excellent. From her vantage, she noticed a mouse scurry under a root. Perhaps it sensed her presence and feared her. Her mission was not about a mouse, she was there to observe a transformation. She was a sentry, a protector, an ardent spectator. She was quiet and invisible. She was empathic.

She watched Devon Danforth topple down the embankment, then her drunken spill into the woods. She suppressed a maternal urge to help. Devon would be more afraid than comforted by her presence, besides, to soothe was not her purpose.

The forest floor seemed offensive against Devon's backside. The bloody gash on her forehead crystallized from the frigid winter air. Her ragged breath formed a cloud as she gasped from the bumps and bruises she gained from her fall. She strained to distinguish the unfamiliar sounds around her, the rustling of leaves, and the hoot of an owl. She was a city girl with her non-sensible shoes and her flimsy garments. She’d grown into a beautiful woman, of course, she had, but she was scattered and lacked discipline. She needed to learn.

A lewd root made her yelp. She used a low branch to pull herself up. Her eyes were wild as she searched the dark woods for foe. Beauty paid no homage to this goddess this night and the haunted forest did not give a damn what she looked like.

The occasional sounds of civilization receded, no more headlights, or winking taillights. The clouds coveted the moon and begrudged a single wish in the sky. It seemed Devon had nocturnal vision because she screamed when she noticed the bear towering above her.

She scrambled to sit, tried to stand but fell backward, again, victim to the rogue root. She huddled on the ground and trembled, waiting for the bear to make its move.

Fumbling with numb fingers, she untied her monogrammed scarf from around her neck. She waved it in the air as if the bear would see it as a flag of surrender. The bear did not surrender. Its desire was instinctual.

Chapter One

Jameson sprinted through the woods trying to outrun her thoughts. She dodged branches and leapt over roots, with the agility of a cat. Her braids streamed behind her, the winter air made her blush. Her backpack clattered against her back echoing her heartbeat.

Rubek joined her on the narrow path. He loped beside her, nudging her thigh with his muzzle to go faster. She laughed. As if she could outrun a wolf. She burst ahead and left him in a hail of pebbles and dirt.

Is that all you’ve got? Jameson glanced back to taunt the wolf. Rubek was gone.

She trotted the rest of the way, letting her muscles cool down as she entered the clearing. The truth was she could outrun a wolf. It was Kai’s gift.

The way the late noon sun angled through the trees made the clearing light up like a stage. She paused and marveled at the beauty of the makeshift graveyard. Jameson noted on her watch the precise hour as time tended to slip when she entered the sacred woods.

She stood above the grave, squinting as the sun dazzled the crude headstone. It shimmered, a dubious diamond in the snow. She stared at it for a while before opening her pack and arranging her paints. She had been considering changing the headstone for something much grander, but time also slipped when she was not in the woods.

The monument was no larger than a human skull, yet it had remained in place tucked beneath Elk’s Pass Bridge for five years. Rooted and grounded above the spot she’d planted her beloved pet, Ripe Berries Moon. She preferred the word planted because it brought about the expectation of rebirth.

Jameson was overjoyed when a stem sprouted above the grave the first year she returned to commune with Berry. By now, that sprig stood hip high and as wide as a cheerleader at her ten-year reunion. She’d be damned if the sapling wasn’t sporting tiny red berries.

She was always reluctant to visit the burial site. Her mother insisted she must walk the medicine wheel. It was part of their tradition. The wheel gave a person a chance to reflect on previous mistakes. It was an opportunity to complete lessons. Jameson wobbled along this part of her life’s wheel five times and each time lost her balance.

If you refuse to change, the world will force change upon you. That was one of her mother, the late great Doctor Joann Jordan favorite wisdomisms. Jameson could believe it, even preach it, but was having a hard time relating it to her life. Especially when accepting death, and, death did chase her. It always had.

As painful as it was for her, Jameson benefited from their passings. The animals she helped cross imbued in her their magic. She was sure-footed as a mountain lion. She was as strong as a bear and as gentle as a fawn. She ran as fast as a wolf and moved with the swiftness of a snake.

Jameson thought of Rubek and smiled. She spread out a blanket and arranged her paints and canvas. She sat with her back to the overpass, allowing herself a broad view of the shadowy woods beyond the clearing. Soon dusk would steal her good working light so she began her ceremony. She put herself into a warrior pose and concentrated on her breath.

It was her favorite time of day, between Shawnodese and Mudjewkeewis, to Jameson a mystical time. She stared at a knot in a tree, ignoring the burning pain in her thighs. She sank deeper into the pose as snowflakes dappled her hair and kissed her freckled face. Her leg muscles began to quiver. She took a deep breath and held it as if she were about to submerge under water for longer than she could bear. She let the memory hit her with both barrels.

Bang the gunshots, the bloody snow, and shrill screams, distant and haunting. She forced herself to embrace the dark ache, to face the anger that cast monstrous shadows in her mind. Jameson gasped and opened her eyes before the monster became her. A snowflake blended with her tears. She felt it roll down her cheek. She moved into mountain pose and thanked the sky.

A rabbit bounded into the clearing.

Jameson sat on the snow and beckoned the rabbit. She rubbed her hands together to gather the necessary heat.

The rabbit hopped into Jameson’s lap and snuggled against her, passive and peaceful. It was obvious he hadn’t come to die. As she stroked the rabbit, she listened to his wisdom.

Do not cry, my sister, you do not have time for self-pity. You must realize that is the nature of your grief. You, as one of the chosen humans should understand this. The past is a story. You must live in the moment.

The rabbit scampered for the woods casting furtive glances, knowing and ever conscious he was prey.

Thank you, my brother, she whispered. Be careful this is a dangerous world for you.

We are all prey to something. The rabbit nodded before he disappeared into the darkening woods.

That’s true. Jameson blinked back her tears, accepting the implication of the rabbit. He represented action and growth. He would not tolerate depression, defeatism, or self-pity.

If the rabbit thought her worthy of his medicine, the least she could do was accept it. Jameson set up her canvas and began selecting her bold colors. It was time to make a change. This year she would accept her pain.

Thank you, Brother Rabbit, she hollered. She grinned as her voice echoed back. Liberation was at hand. She felt free and giddy.

She shaded her eyes as her raven descended from the bridge railing above. It landed on Jameson’s backpack and fixed her with its black eyes.

Have you been up there the whole time? Jameson asked.

The bird ignored her and groomed its wing.

Jameson smirked. Keep your secrets, it’s what you do. I, however, am free. Free as a bird. I am bursting with energy and light. I have a good feeling about the upcoming year. I found the missing ingredient in my mother’s secret recipe.

The raven squawked and settled on top of Jameson’s winter hat. Jameson grinned at it as the bird peered over her forehead.

I’m thinking about getting another dog, too.

On the overpass above, a reckless car careened across the icy bridge. Jameson knew the squeal of tires overhead signaled another out-of-towner cutting through to Salt Lake City. The locals were skilled drivers on the ice and snow. They knew how to accelerate into the slide resisting the urge to smash on the brakes.

She ignored the traffic, adjusted her bird hat, and set about her task. It was her tradition to paint the landscape at this time, each a visual journal as she charted the subtle changes in the land. The raven relocated to Jameson’s knee and preened one of her braids.

As she mixed the colors, images of Berry filled her mind. Jameson sensed the puff of Berry’s excited breath. She imagined hearing the distinctive howl intrinsic to the wild breed. Jameson promised herself she would not cry. How long could a person mourn a dog? The truth was Berry hadn’t been an ordinary dog. She had been her best friend, her constant companion and saw Jameson through the disturbing and sudden passing of her mother. Dogs the quality of Ripe Berries Moon didn’t just fall from the sky.

She put down her brush to rub her eyes. The raven hopped to her opposite knee. A shriek from above made them both jump.

Jameson peered up at the bridge some seventy yards above. Get off the brakes, you weekender.

The SUV above careened along the metal railing, screeching like Snow White’s wicked queen. The vehicle fishtailed causing the rear bumper to smack the railing with enough force to eject its contents from the rear-seat passenger window. The object tumbled out and fell like a bird tossed from its nest. The raven did flee, and Jameson ducked for cover but wasn’t fast enough. The flailing object slammed on top of her and pinned her to the ground. She gasped for breath trapped beneath a blanket of fur, bones, and teeth.

Jameson remained still, to a degree because she couldn’t move but mainly because she didn’t know what the animal was. She struggled to breathe under its weight. She was aware of its ragged breath on her neck. The animal moaned and tried to raise its head but collapsed against her. Jameson’s skin crawled when the animal howled in despair. She wrapped her arms around the creature that had fallen from the sky and whispered words of comfort.

You are whole. You are healed, and you are safe.

When her hands were hot, Jameson caressed the animal’s soft coat, white and wet as the falling snow.

Be still, my sister.

Jameson shivered, chilled by the family resemblance. She glanced over at the tree that stood atop the grave where she had planted her precious pet. This wolf hybrid had not fallen from sky. It had come home.

Chapter Two

The raven came in for a closer look, its eyes black glistening.

She looks like one of ours, doesn’t she?

The bird hopped onto Jameson’s forehead and squawked.

The dog peeked up at the raven with eyes so blue they were almost translucent. Jameson gasped.

The raven nipped the dog’s snout and flew up to the bridge, perhaps to see if the inept driver had gained control over the SUV. It would only be a matter of time before the driver realized their cargo was missing. She would investigate the accident later, but her immediate focus was to get the animal somewhere safe and warm. She had survived an unthinkable fall.

Well, it’s a good thing I cushioned your landing, she said.

Jameson was gentle as she rolled the dog onto the snow. I’m going to take you to my home. I will make you comfortable and safe. I promise I will find your owner.

The dog moaned and glanced at the overpass.

I know but it’s much too steep here to climb. I will hike up through a trail. But, first let me take you to my place to make sure you’re okay. Let me put my paint things away.

The dog picked up one of Jameson’s paintbrushes in her teeth.

Jameson grinned and accepted the paintbrush. You’re brilliant and resilient.

She barked once in agreement.

Do you understand me?

She barked once.

What is yes?

The dog barked once.

What is no?

She barked twice.

Wow, that’s amazing. Jameson laughed.

The dog barked once.

I’ll bet someone is missing you like mad.

The dog barked once and yowled at the overpass in despair. It made the hairs on the back of Jameson’s neck stand up.

I will find your owner, Jameson soothed. She dropped to her knees and hugged the animal, feeling a deep familiarity in her. She and her mother sold a good many wolf hybrid pups over the years. Chances were good this dog was one was one of theirs.

The dog returned the hug and began to pace, barking and watching the overpass.

Jameson stuffed her blanket and brushes into her backpack. That is one fancy collar you’re wearing. Diamonds? You are a bit overdressed for the occasion. Come on, my place isn’t far at all.

Jameson felt a hundred eyes upon her as she led Moon along the path to Elk’s Pass Sundries. She knew he watched them from his place within the trees. Jameson learned to smell him as he smelled her. Her heightened olfactory sense was a bequest from Berry when she crossed.

At least there’s going to be a full moon tonight, Jameson observed as they crunched along the gravel drive.

The dog barked at Jameson with earnest.

What, moon?

She barked once, her bright eyes shining.

Is your name Moon?

The dog barked once and stomped her foot.

Jameson knelt and cradled the dog’s face in her palms. She returned Moon’s luminous gaze as she braced herself for the answer. Berry had birthed three litters, each one born under a different Moon. Are you Strong Sun Moon?

Moon barked twice.

Frogs Return Moon?

Moon barked twice.

Jameson sighed. She bit her lip and looked at the dog. Wanting and not wanting to ask the final question. The wanting won.

Are you Long Snows Moon?

Moon barked once and Jameson blinked back her sudden tears. I wanted to keep you, she whispered. I know who bought you. Oh my god, this is astonishing. You have come home. You have come home.

Moon covered Jameson’s face in kisses in obvious agreement.

My name is Jameson Jordan.

Moon barked once as if she knew.

Chapter Three

Jameson’d put a ‘be back’ sign on the door when she went to the grave-site. She had well exceeded her promised return time. She took the sign off the door and dropped her backpack behind the counter.

Welcome to Elk’s Pass Sundries. My store and my home all rolled into one. Come on in. This is where you were born. Well, you were actually born out back in my mom’s greenhouse but you and your sisters stayed in here with us.

Moon followed Jameson through the store. She sniffed at the beef jerky at the end of the food isle.

Want a piece?

Moon barked once.

This is my mom’s famous recipe which she passed down to me along with a mountain of others. Do you remember my mom, the famous Doctor Joann Jordan? Or Crazy Plant Lady as I used to call her.

Moon barked once.

Oh, come on, now you’re just being polite.

Jameson chuckled as she tore off a hunk of jerky and gave it to Moon. She sat on the stairs that led up to the living quarters. Moon flopped down beside her and gnawed on her treat.

You don’t really remember my mom, do you?

Moon got up and headed to the front of the store. She went behind the counter where the cash register was. Jameson watched as she stood on her hind legs and nudged a framed photograph of Jameson’s mother.

Jameson shivered.

Moon padded back to her and accepted Jameson’s reward.

You are amazing.

Moon barked once.

I miss my mother every minute of every day. It’s hard to keep her work alive. Do you know she held degrees in Psychology and Botany and she was an M.D? She could really cure plants, get it? Jameson shrugged when Moon ignored her. "It was a pun. Never mind. Come on let me