Herman walked to the foot of her bed. “I go beyond the Western medicine. I turn to faith healing and spirituality. I’ll chant and bring back the balance in your life. Since you’re injured, your body is out of sync. Medicine can cure the surface, but the chants, the medicinal herbs, and the ceremony will bring Father Sky and Mother Earth together again. When there is disharmony, the tie between the sky and earth is broken.”
“You know, theHataliiis a tradition among the Navajo and has been for centuries. The medicine men must train and apprentice for years before they can go out on their own. They are gifted with the power,” Steel said as he squeezed her hand.
“Okay. I’ll open myself to it. This is important to you, isn’t it?” She smiled at Steel.
“Yeah. I tried with Chenoa, but she lost her faith and the ability to hope,” he said softly. “I can’t lose you.”
Herman took out a crystal, a large turquoise stone, two feathers, and a leather pouch. “These are my tools. I will chant as I perform the ceremony. That will heal you quicker and make your life better in the future. Your injuries were not of your choice or doing, but your life was out of balance before your injuries. Your personal injury could have been the error from lack of judgment or an unintentional contact with harmful creatures. When you are once again aligned with the universe, then you will be protected. I merely act as a facilitator that transfers power from the Holy People to you to restore balance and harmony.”
“What’s the crystal for?” she asked.
“It’s a powerful stone that breaks through the clutter around us and shines up, so the turquoise can unite the earth and sky, bringing together male and female energies. The feather lets all your worries, all imbalance, all tension fly away as if on the wings of an eagle. After the chanting, you will drink the tea made of sage and wild buckwheats that are in the pouch. Then you will sleep deeply and peacefully as they heal your physical wounds and work in harmony with your spirit.”
During the ceremony, the medicine man’s clear voice sang out the words from the ancestors of the tribe. His soulful wails touched Steel, who held Breanna’s hand throughout the ritual.
When it was finished, his mother went over to Steel. “I’m very happy about you and Breanna. I told you that my dreams never fail me.” She hugged him quickly and then left with Herman.
“What did she mean about her dreams?” Breanna asked as she pulled the sheets under her chin.
“Get some rest. That’s a story for another day.” He leaned over and kissed her deeply. “I love you so much. I’m never letting you go.”
She closed her eyes. “I love you too. I can’t imagine what life would be like without you,” she mumbled as she drifted off to sleep.
The herbal tea had kicked in; she’d be sleeping for hours. He quietly shuffled out of the room. When he jumped into his SUV, his body was on fire, fueled by hatred as he left the reservation and headed to the clubhouse. He’d make sure the crooked cop felt the intensity of his rage and the bottomless gulch of his sorrow.
