Passing a few groups of girls chatting in the open area of the girls wing under the fake dimming night sky ceiling, I considered what my father had told me as we had finished our conversation.
“Quil, does anyone know what you are because of this Jack?” He had questioned.
Opening my mouth, I considered his question. I think I was still recovering from the shock of his calm tone as I numbered who heard what was said in the hall.
“The principal, Jean and Delphine know for sure but...” My voice trailed off and my father spoke up briskly.
“But?” He asked, knowing my words betrayed the realization I had had in that moment.
“I don’t know. Keten was imprisoned by Jack, he may have been told but I haven’t asked him.” I said, realizing this startling factor.
“Humm,” my father had huffed, “Well, if you trust him then ask if he said anything and if he does know, you can explain. But Equila, this is not a tiny matter to take as though it is simple and light. I hope you see the deep ramifications of your actions.” His tone was hard and I could imagine his face and his eyes as they looked ahead and would not look to me.
Looking to the ground, I lowered my voice, even if I had been given privacy to talk with him in another room I still glanced around.
“I really am sorry dad, I just...” Clasping my eyes shut, I tried again, “I see now why you care and watch so much of what we do. I’m sorry for not trusting your rules more.” I said honestly.
His sigh that echoed over the glass made me smile as he came back on the line,
“I forgive you my dear. Just don’t go and worry me much more, alright? Your father can’t take calls like this all the time. Let alone, knowing I have that boy, Keten to meet when I come to get you at the end of the year.”
I’m one hundred percent sure my cheeks were on fire as I tried to move past the thought of my father meeting Keten.
“Aright, I love you and be safe.” I had told him and after already warning him of the Earthen Brethren watching us, he promised to be vigilant and internally, I did too.
Dashing out the girls wing and moving down the hall, my hair flew behind me like I was in Skyjump beast form. I felt happy knowing I could forget about some of my worries tonight. As I neared the library I considered the fact that I had not been alone with Keten since the incident and so, in turn, had not brought up the subject of what Jack had said beyond the little Keten told us.
Slowing my pace as I came to the doors I considered I was slightly glad that Zac and Alissa, as well as the whole school, seemed to take the fact that Jack disliked me and was an Earthen Brethren who wanted revenge on common people as wel as Skyjump’s was what they told everyone he said and it was a good thing everyone bought it.
Coming to a stop before the doors, my mind faltered on the fact that Jack was still missing. We now had authorities at the school day and night and Jean promised me they were watching for Jack and also Lucy to try anything, which was all well and good but my fears still held within me.
“No, not for tonight.” I said, softly looking to the door and with a deep exhale I reached and pulled for the door but it did not budge.
Stopping to look at it, I pulled again, when suddenly I realized there was an opposing force, letting go of my grip on the door, it swung inward and I slammed right into someone.
“Sorry…” I stopped as I pulled back and Keten looked to me with worry though it vanished instantly.
“I’m the one who’s sorry, but I thought you might be late, not trying to keep me captive.” He chuckled, his hair longer than before, swayed over his strong brow. “Was this payback?” He asked as I stepped back with a smile.
I laughed and shook my head,
“No, just a klutz who is terrible at time.” I said as he held my shoulder with a grasp that now looking back was nothing like the fake Keten’s hard grip.
“Terrible at time maybe, but I don’t see a klutz.” He breathed kindly with a warm smile.
That dumb red burn started to crest my cheeks and biting my lip, I turned to the side and motioned out the door as I hoped I looked alright, even if my dress was plain and my hair was down.
“Are we going somewhere?” I asked sheepishly.
Nodding, Keten came out of his slightly dreamy gaze looking to me and put a hand to his neck like I knew he did and again I loved seeing the little things that I knew was the real Keten.
“Yes, of course.” He said and then looking up he smiled deeply and for the first time I noticed he had on nice pants and a school emblem jacket what was tarnished silver and fit him very well. “But you have to be blindfolded.” He teased, pulling a bandana from behind his back.
Shaking my head, I looked at him with a scowl that was threatening to turn into a grin.
“Why?” I asked. “I have seen every place in the school.” I said and rolling his eyes kindly Keten stepped forward.
“You may have seen the place before, but I want it to mean something and would you just let me or not?” He asked with a laugh.
I had no fear of Keten now as I saw too many things that were My Keten to make me feel afraid as I finally held up my hands.
“Fine, but I don’t see why I’m doing this.” I said as he put the blind fold on and I folded my arms before me.
“That’s the point, Equila.” Keten said with a sigh as I felt his arm loop though mine.
“Very funny.” I said as I started out of the room and heard voices around us and considered what other students might think of this.
When I felt he was leading me in circles long enough just to confuse me I heard voices around me question what was going on. We walked by onlookers whom made me embarrassed, yet with Keten by me I could not feel annoyed.
“I think you have confused the school as well as me, so anytime now.” I said, turning my head to him.
The moment I said the words I felt us walk through something slightly watery and the crystal around my neck warmed, I considered that it might be glowing as I told it to stop when Keten let go of my arm.
“So now where…” I was stopped midsentence as Keten took my blind fold off and before me, in the atrium, was not a soul in sight with lanterns floating back and forth, above and a small picnic and record player set out on the grass.
I smiled bigger than I had for some time as no fear entered my mind.
“That’s what the blindfold was for.” Keten nearly whispered as he grinned at me.
Looking over to him I grinned, my lips agape as I looked back and forth before I could close my mouth and smile at him, planting my hands on his hips.
“Why is no one here?” I questioned and he smiled softly. “How do you do these things?” I questioned, as I now felt completely and utterly safe.
Smiling, he held out his hand,
“Magic.” He said, and snapped his fingers into a blue flame as I wanted to have a good comeback, yet my attention came back to the scene before me.
“You can walk closer to it.” Keten said as I glanced at him, “Unlike magic it won’t all just disappear.” he said motioning and taking my arm again.
Following Keten as we walked under the floating lanterns, I watched them with awe. The lights before were nice but there was something magical about the suspended illumination that made me feel like I was in a fairy tale.
“I would have told you before now had we not been somewhere with other people. You look beautiful tonight Equila.” He said and though I did not blush, I felt the truth of his words lock a place alongside his face in my heart where I considered it might never leave.
“Thank you, Keten.” I said looking down, almost shyly, something I never thought I would do, yet here I felt I could do nothing less.
Keten stopped us and came before me, making my head look up to him and my eyes find his warm and inviting face.
“I really mean it, Quil.” He said, taking his hands and moving one to my neck, he brushed back a lock of my hair from my face and I considered I should have put it in
a pony tail or bun when he smiled again. “And I wish you wore your hair down more often.” He said with a laugh, though I felt his words deep within me.
Pushing back from him with a smile, I pushed back my hair and put my chin up.
“It’s just too good to keep down.” I said in an heiress voice.
Keten laughed.
“Well, I think it’s too good not to.” He said and though he smiled, something crossed his face that made my smile fade.
“What is it, Keten?” I asked, looking to him and seeing that something suddenly troubled him.
Looking up to me, there was a tender kind of notion in his eyes as he again put his hand to the back of his head.
“I should have told you before now but there was never time alone with you that I could. I didn’t know if Zac and Alissa knew but...” he trailed off, looking as if he felt conflicted about bringing it up.
I stepped forward and smiled lightly at him looking up into his strong face.
“About being a Skyjump?” I asked him more calmly, then I thought I could have given away my secret.
He looked to my eyes with a confessing look and I smiled with only one side of my face as I looked away and then back to him.
“I wondered if Jack said something to you.” I said and Keten put a gentle hand to my shoulder.
“When he told me at first, I thought he was just crazy because of how he acted. But after the time he spent saying how dumb I was over and over again to not see you were… It all started to make sense why you are so unique compared to everyone else here.” He said so kindly and lovingly that all I could do was look up to him and smile.
Turning from him and feeling free, I walked towards the picnic set out for us and he quickly followed at my side.
“You’re one of the few who know who I really am because it’s so dangerous.” I said and turning to the side, I looked up to him as he stepped closer to me with a true valor taking his features.
“I promise I won’t tell a soul as long as I live.” Keten said and taking my hands he nodded, “You have my word.”
I smiled and rushed forward hugging him. I felt his arms hold me and with a giggle I felt light and airy. I had no idea until this moment how freeing it was for him to know and for my father to let me choose to trust the real Keten who I knew would never fail me.
Pulling back from him, he looked to me with a smile,
“So, you can turn into one of those amazing creatures?” He asked with a smile.
I nodded with my eyebrows slightly raised as I tried to withhold my grin.
“I’ll show you some time...” I said with an allusive smile, “but that’s not all I can do.” I said and holding up my hand I snapped my fingers and a flame sparked and held above my fingertips.
Keten’s eyes widened, “You can use magic?” He asked with a large grin.
I nodded but then he tilted his head.
“Why aren’t you taking Mage classes? I thought SkyJump’s don’t have magic?” He asked, looking to me with a smile that I did not ever want to go away.
I motioned to the lanterns and all that was around us.
“I promise to tell you everything, but for tonight could we just enjoy ourselves no matter if I’m a troll or a fairy?” I joked as I felt perfectly happy, knowing I could now talk to Keten freely when we were alone and not hide who I was.
Keten nodded as his softer smile returned and taking my hand he nodded as he leaned down and turned on the old record player that seemed to trump my camera.
“Yes, as long as you promise me I can teach you magic for the rest of the year.” He said with a mischievous grin.
I wanted to say no considering he already did so much at the school but knew he would not take no for an answer as the music started into a refined rhythm.
“Fine.” I said at last and with a smile he nodded.
“Good, now I wanted to make up for what I have heard was a horrible dance from the fake me.” Keten said and before I could say anything, he pulled me forward as I took my bag from my shoulders and let it slump to the ground behind me.
“Keten, you don’t need to make up for everything you know. I’m just happy you’re back.” I said honestly.
Keten took the small of my back gently, compared to Jack. For one moment, I considered how Jean said Jack had been digging holes to the foundation of La’ket within the atrium for some unknown reason. Yet as the words to the song playing filled the air I felt the duet that was lovely and upbeat was nothing like the loud music at the formal as the words seemed to envelop us completely.
My eyes watched him as he swayed, both of us like a ship together on a tide as the chorus started, he let go of my hand and started clapping and before I knew it he took my hand again and a techno beat came in as he rocked his shoulders and encouraged me to dance even though my mind knew nothing of how to do it until this moment.
Taking my hand again he brought me in close as the singers took what seemed our truths and made them something more as he spun me out and with a spin back I came to his chest and with a smile he said wistfully, “Equila, you dance wonderfully.”
I pushed back from him knowing he was just being Keten when he held onto my hand and spun me back to him and with a grin.
“Oh, Quil.” He said with a smile and before I could think he kissed me on the cheek.
Had he not pulled me into a dance again I think I would have collapsed as laughing and smiling I fell back into the dance, not needing to be good at dancing for him.
The lights above and the music with Keten made me realize no matter what I had to face, be it the Earthen Brethren or the questions still left open by Jack’s escape and threat of the impending future, in this moment I had no fear of facing them with Keten, my friends and father with me.
As an old anthem goes; The height is easy, the climb is hard; the thought is consuming but the jump... The jump; is soul.
Acknowledgments
Every book is a journey and this book is no different, there have been times I wanted to give up on not only this book, but Equila’s series. This isn’t an easy passion but it’s a truly rewarding one with many people lining the path to its completion.
To my father, who will always be superman and never lets me give up on my dreams, thanks for not letting me quit, Padray.
For my mother, who though passing on soon after the completion of the second book, loved this one, the last I ever got to read her of my work. She never wanted me to give up on my passions and I don’t plan too anytime soon.
To my new friends and old friends, Meg for being that rockstar who helped me keep going when I needed an inspiring quote and a lot of helping editing and giving me a good laugh with her witty comments beside the edits.
For Carlee, who helps me out with editing and is there for a calming dog walk and Grace, for always being the cheering squad of my work.
Thanks to Niken Anindita who did this amazing cover for the first book and I’m grateful to have found you and excited to work with you for the next two covers.
For Irene Glines, every book will always have you acknowledged in it as without you, I never would have written my worlds and given my characters voice.
Thanks be to God. I admit openly I fear rejection but the big man up above gave me imagination and he continues to show me as cowardly as I think I am, courage is something you gain through your fears.
Thanks to all my family and friends I can’t put on one page, you all help me keep going and I love you all!
Lastly as always, I thank you reader, from the deepest part of my heart, whether I know you or you picked up this story in passing, I am indebted.
You give me the spark to keep writing my stories by reading and enjoying them.
Thank you deeply and stay inspired my dear travelers, until the next novel.
Anastasia Bolinder
Incorrigible fanatic of fantastic things.
When not dreaming up new stories, editing, writing and creating art she can be found
found running around with two dogs and one crazy ferret named Winston.
Find out more about Anastasia and the next book in the Skyjump series at:
www.anastasiabolinder.blogspot.com
Or follow her on her favorite social media: Instagram, under the name
@astarabriarart (her artist nickname)
for art and upcoming story posts.
For exvlusive Skyjump content check out the website at:
https://astarabriarart.wixsite.com/skyjump
To find other fantastic stoires check out https://astarabriarart.wixsite.com/bonebearpress
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