The Whispering of Trees

By C.Y. Bourgeois

Teenager Aggie Ksisak longs to be normal, but her coming of age includes a legacy as the most powerful Inupiat Eskimo shaman in history.  Aggie enjoys the feisty discussions with her spirit guide, a sassy bowhead whale, and finds learning to be a shaman fun.  Until it isn't.  Until the night her dreams are invaded by a demon spirit who threatens to destroy her and everyone she loves. 

A year later, as she finally begins to accept her powerful birthright, her world is shattered by alcoholism, sexual abuse, and death.  The demon insists everything is her fault.  In her weakened state Aggie believes him and rejects the only thing that will help her recover. 

By accepting her destiny and embracing her powers of spiritual healing Aggie has the ability to save herself and rise above her fear, humiliation, and shame.  But why should she? 

Teenager Aggie Ksisak longs to be normal, but her coming of age includes a legacy as the most powerful Inupiat Eskimo shaman in history.  Aggie enjoys the feisty discussions with her spirit guide, a sassy bowhead whale, and finds learning to be a shaman fun.  Until it isn't.  Until the night her dreams are invaded by a demon spirit who threatens to destroy her and everyone she loves. 

A year later, as she finally begins to accept her powerful birthright, her world is shattered by alcoholism, sexual abuse, and death.  The demon insists everything is her fault.  In her weakened state Aggie believes him and rejects the only thing that will help her recover. 

By accepting her destiny and embracing her powers of spiritual healing Aggie has the ability to save herself and rise above her fear, humiliation, and shame.  But why should she? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.Y. Bourgeois
• Release date: Apr 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386073789

C.Y. Bourgeois

As a means to cope with my grief after losing my dad to Parkinson’s Disease in 2006, I began to write. Subsequently, I wrote and published The Concrete Gnome and my debut YA novel and 2013 Paris Book Festival award winner, Visions of You. In 2015 my second YA novel, The Whispering of Trees was published, winning the 2016 Maxy Awards, Best Children's-Young Adult category and Five Gold Stars from Reader's Choice. I recently completed the first installment of my middle grade series entitled, The Secret Sisterhood of Ninjas, Book I: Dragon Dojo, and am working on the sequel as well as several other projects.

Book preview

1.

The air in Aggie’s room crackled with static electricity and the hairs on her arms, and the nape of her neck stood at attention. She had just closed her eyes and snuggled into her pillow with her life-long friend, a Mr. Maple Tree stuffed toy, when her lids flew open. A nightlight-sized glow sparked to life in a corner of the ceiling. She sat up and watched as the light grew brighter. It began to spin as a portal about the size of a basketball opened between the realms of the living and the dead. Her spirit animal’s sparkling, multi-colored portal brightened and opened like a pinwheel into a spiral galaxy, lighting up her room and her eyes. Her lips curved into a smile in anticipation of another lively interaction with the whale. Then her hands fisted, and her smile morphed into a frown.

Aggie flinched when the lights of the galaxy sucked in on themselves and turned black. She held her breath. The static crackled and fingers of light shot out from the middle of the dark vortex.

SeeSee? Is that you?

She screamed and wrapped her arms around her head when a black sperm whale flew at her from the oily depths, his tattered tail, fins, and teeth dripping with blood.

She moaned and pushed back against her headboard when he opened his mouth, and viscous sludge boiled out of his gaping black maw along with words she couldn’t comprehend but carried a clear threat.

She clutched her blankets to her chest when his breath assaulted her. It smelled of death. I will end you. He smashed his bloody teeth together. Red mist sprayed towards her.

She threw her hands up to ward it away.

Blood ran in rivulets and dripped from his ragged tongue.

She whimpered. Go away.

Flames danced and flickered from his flared blowhole. He turned his head to stare at her with blistering red eyes. He opened his mouth again, and this time, his words reverberated in her room. I will end your world. Then he raised his head screamed with the fury of a thousand demons, filling her room with the sounds of hell.

Aggie tried to climb out of bed, but her thrashing legs tangled in the covers. Her arm shot out, and she banged her funny bone into her nightstand. SeeSee, help me! Her eyes wide and reflecting the black lights spinning above her, Aggie clutched her elbow as the not so funny shock of pain coursed through her arm.

A bright multi-colored spiral appeared in the opposite corner. The light intensified until Aggie could stand it no longer and covered her eyes. The demon screamed again, this time in agony as his black spiral faded in the dazzling wake of the spirit whale’s galaxy and he exploded into a million black and red sparks that hung in the air for a second and then fizzled out. Aggie moved her hands to her ears, but his screams echoed until she realized the screams reverberating around the room were coming from her. She clamped her mouth shut, and silence filled the void.

Aggie? Honey? Are you alright? Her mother threw the bedroom door open, and a shaft of soft yellow light washed over the floor and lit on the bed, reflecting on her daughter’s wet face.

Aggie, fearing she’d lost her mind, swung her terrified eyes drink in the sane image of her mother. I’m okay, Mom, she gulped, holding back the sobs throbbing in her chest. She rubbed her aching wrist and pushed damp, tangled hair from her face where it stuck in the sweat and tears soaking her face and nightgown. Something caught the corner of her eye, and she looked up. SeeSee’s blue, violet, green, and gold galaxy spiraled in the darkness above her bed, so bright she dropped her lids to shield her eyes. Distant stars twinkled; silver clouds of space dust coalesced and floated, each particle reflecting the soft colors like diamonds, dazzling in their brilliance.

Her mother turned in the direction Aggie looked and frowned.

So beautiful, Aggie whispered wiping the backs of her hands across her wet face.

Your whale? Sonja pulled the chain on the bedside light. The quirky little tree lamp lit up the bed and nightstand on which lay an old, dog-eared copy of Alice in Wonderland. She peered into the shadows lurking at the edges of the lamplight. I wish I could see it.

Aggie’s lips formed a sad little smile. I wish you could see it too.

Her mother’s eyebrows furrowed as she scrutinized her daughter. Why were you screaming? You are not usually afraid of the whale.

Aggie hesitated. She didn’t want to scare her mother, who already had a hard time accepting the idea her child was a shaman and talked to an invisible whale among other things. I had a nightmare before SeeSee came. It was nothing. I overreacted. She held her breath and smiled up at her mother. Sorry I scared you.

Aggie peeked through her eyelashes as her spirit animal, a glowing, translucent bowhead whale, about the size of a cat, materialized and swam free of the galaxy to float in front of her. The whale’s soft eyes pierced hers, and if whale’s had eyebrows, SeeSee’s would have been raised high enough to sit on top of her head. Her voice rang in Aggie’s brain, Oh dear, lying to your mother. Whatever shall we do with you, child?

Sonja continued staring at her so Aggie dropped her eyes and said, I think a cup of Sleepytime tea would help.

Sonja stood and contemplated her disheveled daughter.  She nodded. I will be right back. She turned to go and then stopped. Turning back to Aggie, she said, Are you certain you are alright?

I’m fine. Aggie’s smile muscles cramped. I’d like that tea now if you don’t mind.

Of course. With a sigh and a small shake of her head, Sonja went to make the tea.

Aggie watched as her mother left. Then keeping one eye on the doorway, rounded on the whale. Why did you let him come? Why didn’t you help me? she demanded in a stage whisper.

I am here to help you now, young shaman, the whale said, conversing aloud now that they were alone.

Finally. And I keep telling you, I don’t want to be a shaman. Aggie crossed her arms and frowned.

As I have told you before, you have no choice in the matter. It is your fate, decided long ago. Also, you must understand, The Black carries with him a very powerful dark magic, and I must fight my way through it to get to you.  I wasn’t able to disrupt him until you woke up. I am here now, child.

Better late than never, I guess, Aggie said.

The whale’s spine stiffened, and she glared at the pale, sweat-drenched girl. So young, she thought. A momentary twinge of sympathy softened her response. Aloud, she said, why must you always be so rude? We are trying to help you.

I’m sorry. I –

You are always sorry. She flipped her tail and stars splashed around her in a glittering wave. But this time, I will forgive you so I may deliver The Earth Mother’s message.

Well, gee thanks. That’s big of you.

SeeSee aimed a baleful eye at Aggie. Why must I be charged with such a snotty shaman? Am I being punished? She twisted her mouth, exposing a row baleen, and huffed. The breath steaming her blowhole carried away any remaining shards of sympathy.

Oops, Aggie whispered. She unfolded her arms and held them wide. Sorry. I’m sorry, SeeSee. What’s Emma’s message?

Here’s our tea, Sonja announced as she strode through the doorway bearing a tray with two steaming mugs and a small plate of buttered toast.

Aggie dropped her arms and like a disgruntled smoker, SeeSee blew out more steam out the top of her head. She flipped her tail, turned and dove into her stars. The whale and her galaxy faded away.

2.

Sonja entered Aggie’s room balancing a small tray loaded with two steaming mugs and a plate of toast.

Sweetheart, are you sure you are alright? She set the tray on the bed at Aggie’s feet and sat next to her. She smoothed the damp hair back from her daughter’s forehead. You seem to be fine now.

I am. Aggie sniffed and pulled her knees into a hug to quell the shakes seizing her since SeeSee disappeared. But as hard as she tried, she was unable to hold her voice steady, and it quavered like that of a pre-pubescent boy.  

So, it was just a bad dream? Sonja handed her a mug and a triangle of toast.

Aggie nodded. Yep, that’s it. But I’m good now, Aggie said, as they munched toast between sips of hot, sweet tea. This is good. Thank you.

Sonja placed one hand on the book she and her daughter shared. She tipped her head and studied Aggie.

She knows I’m lying. It was just a nightmare. I’m okay, Aggie added at her mother’s skeptical look. She thought I need to talk to Mr. Billy, but said, When is Dad coming home?

The firm lines of Sonja’s face relaxed into a smile. She caressed Aggie’s damp cheek with a gentle hand. He’ll be home tomorrow afternoon.

Aggie smiled a genuine smile, and Sonja took in a deep, full breath.

Is Uncle Sam with him?

Yes. Sonja’s smile disappeared as her full lips pinched into a thin, hard line. Your father helped him out as usual but –, she clamped her mouth shut.

What? Aggie’s eyes brightened with interest.

Sonja smoothed her daughter’s hair, pushing it back off her forehead. Never mind sweetheart. Try to go back to sleep.

Will you stay with me for a little while?

I thought you were fine. Sonja’s eyes narrowed. Are you sure that whale did not frighten you?

No Mom, she didn’t scare me. Aggie sighed and, under the cover of her eyelashes, rolled her eyes. Mr. Billy explained all that to you. She’s one of my shaman spirit guides.

I know what he said. Sonja smoothed Aggie’s damp hair. And you know I do not understand the whole shaman-slash-spirit-whale thing.

I know you don’t get it, Aggie said, her voice dismissive.

I just do not understand why she would do this to you. Sonja leaned back, her spine stiff and straight. Joseph Billy has some explaining to do.

It’s not his fault, Mom. Aggie shook her head and tried to quell the exasperation in her voice before continuing. Besides, I told you; it wasn’t SeeSee who scared me.

Sonja’s eyes widened. Then what –?

Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Aggie set her cup down on the tray and slid down in bed. Will you sing to me? She pulled the blankets up under her chin and blinked up at her mom.

Sonja’s spine went limp. Oh, my love. Of course, I will. She smiled as she pulled open the covers and scooted under them to lie next to Aggie. She leaned on one elbow, her green eyes soft and moist as she looked into mirror images. I love you so much.

I love you too.

Close your eyes now.

Aggie sighed as her mother began to sing in her soft, sweet voice the words to a lullaby that, over the years, they made their own. At fourteen and three-quarters, she was too old for lullabies, but – She sighed.

"Hush-a-bye, sweet Aggie, on the tree top;

When the wind blows the cradle will rock;

When the bough breaks you will not fall;

The tree will hold you, my love, cradle and all.

She snuggled into her mother’s side. Her lips curved into a smile as she stepped through the doorway and into the land of sleep where she spotted Emma and SeeSee. She waved.

The Earth Mother smiled and waved back, SeeSee showed off her teeth and batted a flipper into a glittering pool. A breathtaking display of star-laden fireworks shot out around her.

Aggie sighed and whispered, So beautiful.

Sonja smiled and continued singing.

What did you want to tell me, Mother?

Another time, my child, another time. For now, you must sleep. The Earth Mother waved her hand again, and trees appeared. Thick emerald forests, legions, and legions of them stretching as far as the eye could see. The trees, tall and stately, cool and green, bold and brave and alive like the Ents in Lord of the Rings, surrounded Aggie, guarding her dreams.

3.

Dad, Aggie yelled. She dropped the hockey stick she was using to knock tennis balls off the front stoop and into a bucket lying on its side in the small, well-kept front yard. She trotted down the steps and reached up to hug him around the neck. She giggled as John Ksisak swung her around.

Hi, sweetie. I missed you. He smiled at her, white teeth gleaming in his coffee- colored skin.

Dropping back to the ground, she said, How was your trip? How’s Uncle Sam?

The trip was fine, and so’s your uncle. Wow, you’re getting so big. He held her at arm’s length. You must’ve grown an inch while I was gone.

She laughed. You were gone all of four days.

Well, I swear you grew. I can’t believe you’re almost fifteen already and as tall as your mom.

I know. Can you believe that? Pretty soon I’ll be fifteen going on sixteen, she grinned and began whistling the tune from The Sound of Music, Fifteen Going on Sixteen.

John groaned. Very funny, Aggie. His warm, brown irises pulled together over the bridge of his nose, and he stuck his tongue out.

She giggled. And my plan is to tower over her someday. She grimaced, lifted her arms up, and hooked her hands like witches’ claws. Her emerald eyes sparkled.

She smiled again, and his heart did a little flip. Hey, don’t rush the birthdays, he said as tears prickled behind his eyes. Thank you, God, Aggie is so perfect and so beautiful. Thank you for my daughter.

What’s wrong?

Nothing sweetie, I’m just happy to be home. Let’s go and see what Mom’s doing.

She’s making supper.

What are we having?

Aggie smiled and winked. "Our favorite, pasghetti, she said, deliberately mispronouncing it like she’d done when she was little, and meatballs."

Mmm. He watched her as she ran up the steps, opened the blue door of their small modular home and dashed through. He swallowed hard to dislodge the lump stuck in his throat as he wiped his eyes and followed her into the warmth and garlicy aroma of their bright yellow kitchen.

Mom, Dad’s home, Aggie said, running up to hug her mother from behind.

Sonja turned from the stove where she’d been stirring a pot of bubbling, aromatic red sauce to return the hug from the front. Over Aggie’s shoulder, she smiled at her husband.

Hi honey, I’m home, he said with a smile and a wink.

Hello love, she said and reached over her daughter’s head for a kiss. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Now go and wash up you two. She gave Aggie a little nudge and turned back to her sauce.

Okay. Aggie turned to her dad. Race you to the bathroom.

You got it. He paused for a second to give her a head-start. It was the fair thing to do as she was, for now, still the shorter of the two. But not for long, he thought. Our little girl is growing up, he said. Soon she’ll be fifteen.

He shuddered and closed his mind to dark thoughts involving teenaged boys. So far we’ve been lucky, but that can change in a heartbeat. He squared his shoulders and took off after her.

Yes, we have, Sonja said. She raised her voice over their ruckus as they laughed and galloped through the house. Do not forget Aggie, Mr. Billy is coming over after dinner for a lesson.

She chuckled as she stirred and then tapped the wooden spoon on the side of the pot. She laid it in the pink-with-purple-polka-dots clay spoon holder that Aggie had made her for Mother’s Day in the fourth grade. She touched it with her finger and smiled. Thank you, God, for our happiness.

She bent to check on the meatballs browning in the oven. Everything is perfect.

John walked back into the kitchen, sidled up next to Sonja and kissed her neck. She smelled of garlic and tomatoes and the warmth that radiated out from where his lips touched her made its way down his neck, simmering as it came to rest in his lower abdomen.

Oh, by the way, he said, his breath coming in short, hot bursts. I invited Sam over for dinner tomorrow. I hope that’s okay?

Sonja stiffened and pulled away. She stared up at him, lips tight, her eyes darkening from emerald to jade, and his body cooled as though dunked in a vat of ice.

4.

The evening sun perched atop purple clouds skimming low on the horizon pushing bright fingers through the thick woolen layers. Sparks shot off the gray water of the Chukchi Sea. Chunks of ice and water sprayed heavenward as the bowhead whale breached and smacked the surface on her way back down.

Aggie laughed and pumped a fist in the air, delighted not by the sighting, though unusual this time of year, but because her spirit guide splashed about in the water like a real live whale. Golden lights swirled in her jade green eyes, and she laughed out loud as a jolt of power coursed through her body.

The whale, soft gray with a white bottom jaw, stopped splashing about and swiveled her head. She caught Aggie’s eyes with one of hers, in which a small multi-colored galaxy rotated. She opened her mouth, exposing lavish plates of baleen, and said something in the language of The Elders.

Aggie shrugged and, holding her hands palms-up, addressed her custodian. Come on, SeeSee, you know I don’t speak Inupiaq. I only speaka-zee English.

Yes. For now, said the whale. And you know I do not like that nickname.

Aggie, on the other hand, loved the nickname she’d bestowed upon The Sister Whale the first time she let her into her dreams. Unable to wrap her three-year-old tongue around sister whale, Aggie pronounced it seesee-wah. The nickname, as they are, got shortened to SeeSee and, as they will do, stuck. She loved it because it was cute, but mostly because she knew the whale hated it. Aggie smirked. Well, like I said, no habla Inupiaq.

Child, this is no time for impertinence. Now, pay attention. SeeSee repeated the words, her voice deepening, her tone changing from light and smooth to dark and guttural.

Ice spiders skittered up Aggie’s spine. The harsh tone reminded her of that of the black sperm whale who, just a few nights ago, barged through SeeSee’s defenses and scared the bejesus out of her.

Her shoulders sagged as her sassy façade crumbled. I don’t understand. What are you saying?

Gooseflesh popped, tingling up and down her arms, and she shivered in the warmth of the early evening air. Aggie turned to the man standing several yards up the beach. I don’t understand, and she’s scaring me. I don’t think I like this. She hopped from one frozen foot to the other as ice-cold fingers of water, while caressing her feet, soaked her sneakers. She small fringed and beaded sealskin drum in her right hand rattled as she moved.

The old man didn’t move, choosing instead to remain a safe distance away from the bitter surf. Don’t be afraid. I’m right here. He made circular motions with his hand. Just keep going like I taught you.

Joseph Billy, Barrow Alaska’s current shaman, squinted his eyes and placed a hand on his forehead, shielding his eyes while peering out to scan the skyline. I don’t see anything, he said to himself. Nothing but water and sky. I think the student has surpassed the teacher. He sighed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

Aggie turned back to focus on the sea. She raised the drum to the dark clouds waiting on the horizon and said, Sister Whale, fill me with the power of my ancestors. The drum thrummed as she struck its taught skin with the heel of her hand.

The bowhead appeared again, spy-hopping over the whitecaps. She held the upright position, eyes boring into her charge.

Words filled Aggie’s head, and her voice quavered as she repeated them through stiff, cold lips. Aatauraba Abvibluaq, [Sister Whale] I swear to use the qixa [shaman’s power] always for good in all things.

As she spoke, the old medicine man’s eyes widened.

The cumulonimbus clouds resting on the horizon came alive and, as though angered, boiled up to block out the sun. Land and sea went dark and still while they gathered the wind in their cheeks.

They exhaled, releasing the full strength of their temper. The sea resumed its churning and Aggie staggered with the force of the onslaught. Rollers crashed at her feet and then retreated, leaving behind a gleaming expanse of beach littered with stranded shells and kelp fronds. The winds howled their fury, blasting her with their frigid breath. The rollers returned and, having matured into shoulder-high mini-tsunamis, seemed intent on engulfing her. She scurried out of their reach and shook her fist at the sky while the huge swells crashed, wrapping frigid tentacles around her calves. Black and purple clouds pulsated and howled, whipping her long black hair out and lashing at her face with the stinging strands.

In the distance, where churning storm melded into choppy sea, a whale spouted with a whoosh. A black sperm whale. SeeSee turned and, pinpointing the source of the spout, sank beneath the waves.

Please, not him, Aggie whispered. Heart thudding, breath coming in short gasps, brain screaming, Run, she stood her ground, pounding her drum. Her feet began to move, shuffling and stomping in an ancient tribal rhythm. The sperm whale dove lost to sight and surfaced moments later, so close his eyes burned into her, trapped her and dragged her into their black-as-congealed-blood death spirals.

She blinked and staggered back a few steps. She teetered, recovered her balance. She steeled her spine, took in a lungful of cold, salty air, and pounded harder, swaying and stomping in time to the beat.

The sea exploded as SeeSee, with powerful strokes of her tail, erupted from the depths placing herself between Aggie and the black whale.

As the storm thundered and bellowed, knocking his protégé about like a ragdoll, Joseph’s lined face morphed, his shining eyes and smiling lips switched to dark and dry. His face drained of color, and his breath wheezed as the ire of the storm intensified, squalling, thrashing, and battering the girl, as though attempting to flatten her. His eyes sparkled with lights, and his chest expanded as her voice rose above the cacophony in an ancient chant.

The whales met head to head with a terrifying thud. You will not take her, SeeSee screamed. Grey water boiled as the two behemoths thrashed. The Sister Whale screamed out again, this time in pain.

Aggie screamed with her and doubled over. Hands on thighs, sobbing for air, she pushed herself upright and resumed the primeval rhythm.

The old shaman stood rooted in place, mouth agape, as he watched the one-sided battle of his apprentice. He sucked in a lungful of searing, electrified air; coughed, caught his breath, steeled his spine. Hands out, grimacing in pain, he stood straight and tall as he absorbed the outermost, glowing fringes of the potent magic radiating from his embattled protégé until his body convulsed. I am unable to see the dark forces gathered here, he shouted to the winds, I am unable to help her, but I can pray. He pushed himself upright, raised his arms to the winds. Gasping and sobbing, his body lurching with every word, he prayed. I beseech you, Sedna, The Earth Mother, and God, to give Agnesija the strength to overcome. Please, help her as I cannot, to be victorious over the evil raging around her. If a sacrifice is required, take me, a used-up old man, not an innocent child.

Bruised clouds writhed and shrieked. Aggie chanted louder, pounded her drum faster. The blistering heat and glow of the magic cooled, and Joseph’s body trembled. The old shaman hung his head and folded like an accordion to the ground. An abrupt barometric shift occurred and from his inert position, he managed a limp fist pump.

With one last sigh, the clouds deflated, genuflecting to the sun. She emerged to envelope her subjects in the bright golden folds of her rays.

The demon sperm whale howled as SeeSee, glowing in the rays of the sun, slammed him back into the depths of the sea where a dark galaxy waited. He floated down into its cold embrace and vanished.

The world went silent as The Sister Whale dove. Seconds later she surfaced so close to shore that Aggie, thinking maybe she could touch her, reached out. Oh, SeeSee. Her hands grasped nothing but air, and the tears tracing down the sides of her face matched the red gouges bleeding down both sides of the whale’s upper jaw.

Blood dripped from the corner of one of SeeSee’s eyes, each drop a gleaming ruby. Pink mist huffed from her blowhole, and she moaned. She panted, then caught her breath. She locked eyes with Aggie and spoke again in that indecipherable language. Aggie cried out and doubled over, clutching her chest.

Mr. Billy, grunting with the effort, picked himself up from where his body failed him and dropped him to the cold, wet sand. He shambled towards his pupil on stiff, unbending, stick-legs. He stopped beside her, reached down to touch her shoulder. Aggie?

She held up a hand and unfolded herself to stand, straight and tall. She turned away from the old shaman to address the battered whale bobbing in the frothy pink waves.

Aatauraba Abvibluaq, kafiqsixxagikpie. [Sister Whale, I understand you.]

The bowhead nodded and sank into the undulating sea.

The wind gusted, churning the gentle waves into whitecaps that raced ashore, hissing and foaming.

She pushed against Mr. Billy. Don’t let it get me. She broke loose and ran. He followed her as she raced up the beach, away from the liquid tentacles.

What did she say? He puffed as he caught up with her and grabbed her upper arms, gave her a little shake.

Mute, she lifted her eyes to his. Tears amassed and, when he shook her again, spilled over to roll down her wind-reddened cheeks.

The clouds gathered as though in warning and the wind picked up. Aggie thought she heard, How dare you ask, on the wailing winds. Hurricane gusts yanked at her hair and twisted it around the big hands squeezing her arms, tying them together. The sand stuck to her hands and knees dried and broke off in small chunks, falling apart as it blew away like grains of pepper. She tossed her head from side to side. Tears dripped off her chin, and a