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engine sputtered,
refusing to jump to life. Jack’s face fell into an expression of confusion. He
turned the key again. The sound of grinding gears filled the air as the engine
declined to turn over. Slamming his hand on the steering wheel, Jack let out a
curse.
    “The Jeep won’t start.”
    “Auwe.” Kalama rolled her eyes heavenward in
annoyance and shook her head. “Let me look. Pop the hood.” Kalama stepped down
from the lanai. She waited for the soft click letting her know that Jack had
indeed done as she asked. Lifting the hood, she peered through the darkness at
the engine.
    “Can you see anything?” Jack asked, coming to stand beside
her and leaning down, his body brushing against hers.
    “Jack, I need you to run into the house and get the
flashlight out of my backpack for me.” He nodded, turning and bounding up the
stairs back into the house. Kalama waited until his tall frame was completely
out of sight and climbed into the driver’s seat. “ Makuahine , you start
this car right now.” Kalama’s voice as she spit out the command. Taking a
fortifying breath, Kalama cranked the key in the ignition. Nothing.
    “Don’t mess with me. I’m mad enough at you as it is. Start
this damn engine,” Kalama said, her voice a low hiss in the night air. Twisting
the key once more the engine finally roared to life. The sound of running
brought Kalama’s attention up from the dashboard. Jack stood on the lanai,
flashlight in one hand and an amazed expression on his face.
    “How did you start it?”
    “Magic.” Kalama shrugged and smiled. Jack walked down the
stairs and took her place behind the steering wheel.

Chapter Five
     
    Once Jack’s Jeep was out of sight down the road, Kalama
walked back into the house she would inhabit as long as she was needed in
Hawaii. But first she had to discover what was really going on. Shutting the
front door firmly behind her, Kalama locked the latch, and strode into the
living room. Her eyes darted around the interior, searching. She put her hands
on her hips, annoyance clearly written on her face.
    “Mother, get your butt out here,” she said gruffly into the
air. Kalama cocked an eyebrow as the old woman from the side of the road
sashayed from the back bedroom.
    “You shouldn’t speak to me so harshly,” the old woman said,
coming to face Kalama.
    “You deserve it, messing with Jack’s car like that.”
    “He should have given me a ride.” The old woman’s voice was
youthful and strong, a complete contradiction with her grizzled appearance.
    “Cut the crap, Mom.” Kalama folded her arms across her chest
and waited. “I know he should have, but he’s one stubborn man. He refuses to
believe in you or magic. He’s a man of science.”
    With a twinkle in her dark eyes, the old woman’s wrinkled
visage began to melt away. The heavily lined flesh smoothed to a fine,
burnished bronze. Snapping black eyes were no longer dull and graying with age.
The snowy white hair turned inky and lengthened down the woman’s back. The
white muumuu morphed to a lush crimson. The woman grew a foot in that instant,
causing her to tower over Kalama. Kalama couldn’t stop the grin from lighting
up her face.
    “Now, that’s the Pele I know.” She stepped forward into her
mother’s welcoming embrace. Pele gathered her daughter into a powerful hug.
    “I have missed you, kaikamahi’ne . You’ve been too
long from your home, from the islands and the power of Kilauea.” Pele took in
Kalama’s face. She brushed a wayward lock of hair from Kalama’s eyes.
    “I know. I’m sorry. I did come as soon as you called.”
Kalama pulled back from her mother’s embrace.
    She’d been on the side of a mountain, thousands of miles
away. Her mother’s voice, regal and strong, had drifted on the breeze. Two
words had caused Kalama to bolt upright on that desolate mountainside. Help
me. As a fire guardian it was her duty to protect Kilauea, but as Pele’s
daughter her duty was