Hunter scrambled up, ready to continue the challenge, but Hastiin Sani suddenly appeared at the entrance to the side passage. He cleared his throat and, once he had their attention, looked at Hunter. “I need you at council,” he said, then disappeared from view.

Hunter grumbled softly, “We should pick this up again sometime.” His gaze locked with his brother’s. “Be careful, be smart, and if you need me for anything, I’ll be there.”

“I know.”

Ranger left the cave, climbing down the ladder to the piñon-juniper forest below. The threat of imminent danger stirred his restless spirit. Pausing to zip up his jacket, he gazed at the eagle soaring above him against the backdrop of a gathering thundercloud. Using the supporting power of Wind, the fourth guardian of Sun’s house, the eagle’s flight was unhampered by the violent currents.

Ranger took the eagle fetish he wore around his neck and slipped it inside the medicine pouch. During a mission he always kept the stone carving out of sight in order to safeguard it. Eagle was his spiritual brother. He gazed upward, lost in thought. The eagle, now soaring between the strong up-and-down drafts, had faced his challenge and won. Ranger wondered how he’d fare when his time came. Although he’d been on dangerous missions before, he’d never been pushed to the limits of his skills and endurance.

That would change soon. Many weeks had passed since his brother had led the battle to bring down those who’d stolen a unique antiquity of power, the obsidian dagger, from the Diné. Yet, Ranger had sensed that parts of that struggle weren’t quite over.

Of course he had no proof-except vague rumors…and the whispers of Wind.

Chapter One

Dana Seles placed her grade book into the top drawer of her teacher’s desk, then locked it up for the evening.