“Bugz, you can’t come in here right now,” her mother’s voice said.

“You can’t come in the sweat on your moon. It ain’t right,” the traitor said. Bugz resisted the urge to scream. She’d heard enough from this woman already tonight. Surely even she could see that this wasn’t a time for her posturing.

“She’s on her time? She’s going to make us all sick,” one of the men exclaimed.

Bugz cradled her brother’s head. His forehead felt too cold as she brushed the hair from his face. Tears welled in her eyes.

“Bugz, don’t,” her father said. “You know you can’t come into the lodge, not even the doorway.”

“Shut up!” Bugz shouted.

“Don’t talk to your father that way,” her mother scolded.

The traitor spoke up again. “You’re disrespecting your body bringing yourself in here like that. Your body’s too powerful to be around these men. Think of them. Think of their well-being.”

“No!” Bugz spoke through tears. “I’m not going to listen to your stupid rules while you ignore my brother. Waawaate’s lying here lifeless and all you can think about is the fact that I’m on my damn period.” This silenced Summer, Frank, and the others. Bugz sobbed and bowed her head, covering her brother’s face with her hair. Liumei bit her bottom lip. Bugz shuddered as she took a deep breath.

Waawaate stirred and blinked. Bugz felt his body come back to life as though he were returning from the promised land. He sat up and Bugz rubbed his back. Embarrassed more than anything, Waawaate assured the group he’d had no vision. Liumei recommended they take him to the hospital.

“After the sweat,” Waawaate said. “We’ve got three more rounds to do.”

“You sure?” Frank asked.

Waawaate nodded.

“Alright, at least let me grab the rocks then.” Frank crawled out of the lodge to grab the pitchfork. He barely looked at Bugz as he passed. She seethed.

Bugz helped Waawaate back into the lodge and took a seat beside him. She could feel the stares of all the other Anishinaabe people in the lodge. The traitor’s mouth was agape.

“I’m not leaving,” Bugz said. She began to pray.

CHAPTER 35

In the depths of Lake of the Torches, the Behemoth targeted Mishi-pizhiw in his sights. The giant beast slept soundly, curled like a house cat. Still, the Behemoth knew he couldn’t take his shot. His fire would bounce off the underwater demon’s back and only awaken him in a foul mood. From there, based on how the last few Clan:LESS raids had failed, the Behemoth assumed he’d end up dinner for the pissed-off leviathan. He lowered his sniper rifle.