Keeper

by Kim Chance

I tried to look at Ty, but the wind was howling around us, whipping my hair into my face. I tried in vain to wrangle my hair into place, but the wind was impossible and the rain was starting to come down so hard that it was like tiny nails pricking my skin. It was dark, but overhead angry clouds swirled together. Panicked, I scanned the surroundings for some kind of shelter from the storm.

  Ty shouted, but I couldn’t make out the words over the wind. A flash of lightning split the sky about us, and I shrieked. Ty grabbed my arm and pulled me close, his lips at my ear. “Lainey!” he shouted over the storm. “I think you’re doing this.”

  “What?” I cried. Had I heard him correctly? I wiped the rain off my face and leaned forward. “What did you say?”

  “The storm! It’s you, Lainey!”

  I shook my head. He wasn’t making any sense. Ty grabbed me by the wrists, pulling my hands up in front of my eyes. A startled cry erupted from my lips.

  Tiny sparks of green light flashed like lightning between my fingertips.

  “No!” I wrenched myself away from Ty. “No!” I stared at my hands, then looked up at the clouds rotating dangerously above my head. “What do I do?” I cried as a loud crack of thunder echoed across the trees. “Ty, what do I do?”

  As if in response, a streak of lightning struck a tree several feet away from where we were standing. Wood splintered everywhere as a large branch crashed to the ground. I shrieked and nearly tumbled to the ground. Ty shouted again, and gestured with his hands, but all I could focus on was the fear shooting through my entire body. “I don’t know how to stop it! I don’t know what to do!”

  The physical storm and the torrent of emotion raging inside me were too much. I turned away from Ty, covering my face with my hands. I just want it to stop. Please let it stop.

  A loud peal of booming thunder shook the ground. Accompanying bolts of wild lightning streaked across the sky.

  I would’ve collapsed, but then there were hands gripping my shoulders. Ty pulled me closer, trying to shield me from the violent wind. I could tell from the vibrations in his chest that he was talking, but his words were lost to the storm. Despite the fact that the earth whirled around him, he radiated steadiness.

  Taking deep breaths, I closed my eyes and leaned into Ty, trying to block out the storm. I refused to allow myself a peek at my hands to see if the light was still dancing between my fingertips. Instead, I forced myself to take deep breaths, keeping my eyes squeezed shut. Just breathe, Lainey. Just breathe.

  “That’s it,” Ty’s voice murmured in my ear a few moments later. “It’s almost over. Just relax.”

  Opening my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the sky. The rotating clouds were scattering. The wind, though still blowing, was no longer a howling gale, and the rain had dissipated to a light sprinkle. I turned to face Ty. His blue eyes were wide and fixed on my face. “Are you hurt?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think so.” I disentangled myself and took a few steps away. I looked around; the sky was clearing, and the stars were peeking out brilliantly overhead. The only evidence of the storm that remained was a few mud puddles, the damp smell of the trees, and a palpable humidity.

  “But how?” I looked back at Ty. “I wasn’t trying to—” Realization smacked into me. “This isn’t the first time it’s happened, either.” I remembered the warmth that had spread across my skin as the rosebud had started to bloom, the feeling of strange acceptance as the plant came to life before my eyes.

  Ty’s eyebrows rose. “You mean the dryad?”

  “Well, that, but earlier today in the graveyard. I made a dead rosebush bloom. I wasn’t trying; it just kind of happened.” My mind flipped backward through my memories, and I gasped. “The red lights . . . and the clock. The morning of the SATs. That was . . . me.” I stared at Ty, my mouth hanging open. “Is it possible that every weird, unexplainable thing that’s happened to me the last few years . . . was my fault?”

  I staggered backward. “But those were small things. I just nearly unleashed a freaking tornado on top of us.” My voice was getting higher and shriller the more I talked. In the distance, there was a low rumble of thunder.

  “I could’ve killed someone, and I don’t even know how I did it!” I bent over, clutching my knees for balance as a rush of vertigo had me swaying on my feet.

  A streak of lightning flashed across the sky, and there was another low rumble of thunder. Ty looked up at the sky and then back at me. “You have to calm down. I think it’s reacting to your emotions.”

  “Calm down? I don’t think I can.” Raindrops pelted my shoulders.

  Ty quickly walked over and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Lainey, look at me.” With one hand, he pulled my chin up so that he was staring into my eyes. “It’s going to be okay. Just breathe.”

  I mentally urged my lungs to function, and using Ty’s eyes as an anchor, I took a few deep breaths, forcing my mind to go blank.

  After several long minutes, Ty broke his gaze and glanced around. When he looked back at me, he was smiling. “See? You just can’t freak out.”

  I looked around. Ty was right. The rain had disappeared and the sky was clearing once again. I exhaled sharply. “My powers are linked to my emotions,” I stated, not really needing the confirmation.

  “Yes, it would appear that way.”

  “Well, that’s just great,” I groaned. “Not only do I have power that I can’t control, but it’s influenced by my emotions.”

  I began pacing, throwing my arms around as I ranted. “What kind of sick joke is that? Is the universe trying to make me go completely insane? I’m a teenage girl! It’s in my genetic code to be a big ball of mess! How do I know the next time I get stressed out, I’m not going to accidentally blow up a building or turn the entire swim team into goldfish?”

  “I doubt you’ll blow up any buildings, Lainey,” Ty replied, his face kind. “But turning the swim team into goldfish? That I might like to see.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “You just have to learn how to control it,” Ty continued.

  “But how?” I twisted some of the water out of my ponytail, eager for even the smallest sense of normalcy.

  He shook his head. “I’m not sure. But you’ll figure it out. You have to . . . I’ll help you.”

  I groaned. “There’s just so much about all of this that I don’t understand. I’m trying to make sense of things that shouldn’t make sense.” I looked over at Ty, almost pleading. “I’m a witch. My uncle is a Faerie. You’re some kind of magical bodyguard. I have lightning that apparently shoots through my fingers when I’m overwhelmed. It’s absolutely crazy! This kind of stuff just doesn’t happen in real life, and it certainly doesn’t happen to me.”

  “You make it sound like a death sentence.”

  “Well, isn’t it? There are people out there who would literally kill me for my powers. Powers that I didn’t know I had and certainly don’t want! Am I just supposed to accept all of this with a grain of salt? Don’t I get a say at all?”

  “I won’t try to tell you what to feel,” Ty said. “But have you stopped to think that maybe all of this is what was meant to happen? I mean, what if your destiny is something bigger than even you imagined?”

  I was at a loss for words. Ty’s sapphire eyes stared deep into mine, and for a moment, he looked much older and wiser than his eighteen years.

  “But I’m nobody,” I whispered. “There’s nothing special about me at all. I’m just . . . Lainey.”

  “Well, Lainey Styles, I haven’t known you for very long,” Ty said, “but from what I can tell, you’re far from being a nobody. Besides, no one can tell you who or what you’re going to be. Destiny or not, you get to choose.”

  Ty was silent for a moment. Then he reached out and took my hand. “The point is, you can do this, Lainey. I know it. I mean, come on,” he continued, the half smile cur
ling on his lips. “How many girls do you know who can create thunder like that? Maybe I should start calling you Thor.”

  “You sound exactly like Maggie.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you . . . for helping with the storm.”

  “You don’t have to thank me for anything. You were the one who stopped it. It was all you.”

  “I’m also the one who started it.” I sighed. “But you know what? I don’t want to be the kind of girl who finds out her life is about to change and just freaks out about it. I’m angry, don’t get me wrong, but the sooner I stop yelling and start accepting that this is what my life is going to look like from now on, the better. Like you said, the universe has a bigger plan for me than I have for myself, right?”

  Ty nodded. “Just remember, it is your choice.”

  Gareth’s words echoed in my thoughts: A person’s destiny is not a concrete certainty. There are people who live their entire lives and never fulfill their true purpose. Free will and choice, you see, are powerful tools of alteration. A simple choice can change everything.

  “It’s my choice,” I whispered. “I have a choice.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded, squeezing Ty’s hand.

  He reached out with his other hand to cup my cheek, running a thumb across my cheekbone. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  We crossed the tracks and started walking to where I’d parked my car.

  A familiar sensation filled me, tugging at me as we walked. I stopped, my wet shoes sinking into the mud.

  Josephine stood a few feet away.

  Her eyes, both lovely and sad, were trained on me. She didn’t speak this time, but we stared at each other—a thousand words between us.

  I don’t want to be afraid anymore.

  The words echoed all around me, mimicking the fire that burned in her eyes. When it ignited inside me, I knew I’d never be the same again. I took comfort in that tiny spark; it was small, but steadily growing warmer.

  I have a choice.

  Too many decisions had been made for me, but no longer.

  It’s up to me. It’s my choice.

  Like molten steel in cold water, my resolve was forged.

  I gave Josephine a tiny smile, finally understanding. It’s my choice, and I choose my destiny. I won’t walk away.

  I didn’t need confirmation, but as I turned away, I heard a soft word in my ear.

  One last time, my name whispered in the wind.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  I pulled the car into its usual spot in the driveway. With the exception of the porch light, the rest of the house was dark. Gareth must have gone to bed.

  Feeling more than a little relieved, I got out of the car and made my way inside. I couldn’t avoid him forever, but I just wasn’t ready to face him again. Gareth’s deception had cut me deeply, and while the events at the train tracks had afforded me a small sense of clarity and acceptance, the truth was still just as painful as it had been when I’d fled the house hours before.

  My wet shoes squished around my toes as I tiptoed upstairs trying to make as little sound as possible. Crossing the hall to my room, I walked inside and shut the door silently behind me.

  “Hello, Lainey.”

  I whirled around. A figure sat in the darkness, silhouetted by moonlight. Swearing, I fumbled for the light switch on the wall and grabbed the baseball bat I kept beside the bed. Gripping the wooden handle, I flipped the switch, bathing the room in bright light.

  Gareth sat in the armchair by the window staring at me. The dagger I’d seen earlier was resting across his knees.

  “Oh my God, Gareth! You scared the crap out of me!” I said, loosening my grip on the Louisville slugger.

  “I scared you?” Gareth’s eyebrows shot up. “You’ve been gone for hours. You wouldn’t answer my calls, and I had no idea where you were. I was about to have Serena perform a tracking spell when Maggie finally called back and said she spoke to you. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

  “Well, no need to worry anymore,” I spat. “I’m home now. You can go.” I hadn’t meant to sound so cold, but the sight of him had refueled my anger.

  “Lainey . . .” Gareth trailed off and hunched over, pinching the bridge of his nose.

  When he sat back up and looked at me, pain and concern were etched all over his face. “Lainey, I—” He broke off as a rough sound choked him.

  I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. I was absolutely furious at Gareth for keeping the truth from me, but as I watched him wrestle with his emotions, it was obvious that, real uncle or not, he cared about me. I suddenly felt very small.

  Sighing, I propped the baseball bat back against the wall and plopped down on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry I ran out like that,” I said. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I just needed time to process everything.”

  With a sigh of his own, Gareth nodded. “I get it, I do, but you can’t go running off like that. It’s dangerous. Now more than ever.” He ran his fingers through his hair and leaned forward, his eyes pleading. “I know you hate me right now, but I swore to protect you, and you have to promise never to do that again.”

  “I won’t.”

  Gareth, relieved at my words, sank back into his chair. “Thank you.”

  I watched him for a few moments. “I don’t hate you,” I whispered, struggling to keep my own emotions in check.

  He looked surprised. “You don’t?”

  “No, I don’t,” I replied. “I’m angry at you for lying to me and keeping all those secrets from me—really angry—but I know you care about me, and I know you’d never intentionally try to hurt me.” I offered a small smile. “It’s been just you and me my whole life. You’re my family, Gareth. No matter how mad I am at you, I could never hate you.”

  Gareth’s shoulders sagged, his eyes swimming with tears. “I didn’t think you’d still feel that way when you found out the truth.” He nervously tapped the sword in his lap. “In fact, after you left, I thought you’d never want to speak to me again.”

  “I didn’t at first,” I admitted, “but now I think I understand why you lied to me. Finding out who I really am, what happened to Mom—it’s a lot to take in. I’m not sure I was ready before now. I’m not sure I could’ve handled it.”

  Gareth nodded. “I never meant to keep this from you for so long. I just wanted you to be happy . . . and safe.” He picked up the blade in his hands. It was the smaller version of the sword I’d seen him practicing with, the dagger he had offered me down in the training room. “I made this for you, you know. I was planning to give it to you when I told you. It’s probably stupid, but I thought it might help you feel less afraid . . .” He blushed crimson. “I really am sorry, Lainey.”

  “I know.” I leaned forward. “I’m fine. But no more secrets, okay? From this moment on, I need to know what I’m up against. There’s still so much I don’t understand.” I exhaled. “It scares me, but I have to know everything.”

  Gareth nodded and placed a hand over his heart. “I promise. No more lying and no more secrets,” he vowed. “I’ll tell you everything I know.”

  “Good.” I gave a tiny smile. “So, can I have it?” I indicated the dagger.

  “Oh!” Gareth jumped up and placed the weapon in my hands. “Yes, of course.”

  The dagger still felt foreign in my hands, but up close, I saw that the blade was engraved with an intricate design of greenery and daisies, my favorite flower. The meticulous design was not only beautiful but clearly one of a kind.

  “They were her favorite too,” Gareth said. “Your mother loved daisies.”

  I ran my finger across the smooth metal. “It’s beautiful.”

  “If you let me, I’d like to teach you how to use it properly. You need to know how to protect yours
elf.”

  I gripped the hilt tightly. It was more than a little strange to be sitting in my bedroom, holding a Faerie-made weapon—and even more so to imagine myself using it—but I nodded my head anyway.

  “Great!” Gareth jumped up from his seat, his eyes wide and bright. “We can start right now.”

  I stifled a laugh at his excitement. This was a side of Gareth I’d never seen before. “How about tomorrow? It’s late, and I need a shower.” I pointed to my clothes, which were still damp from the rain.

  “Right, of course,” Gareth smiled and kissed me on the top of my head. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk more about training tomorrow.” He smiled again as he moved toward the door.

  “Uncle Gareth?” I called out. “Before you go, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  I took a deep breath. “You want to teach me how to use a weapon to protect myself, right? Well, what exactly am I supposed to be protecting myself from?”

  Gareth’s face paled, and his smile disappeared.

  “Serena mentioned that the same person who killed my mother might come after me,” I continued. “I need to know what I’m up against.”

  Gareth swallowed and sat back down in the armchair facing me. The light in his eyes had faded, and his face was as somber as I’d ever seen it.

  With a sharp exhale, he nodded and began to speak. “Centuries ago, there was a war between the various factions of the Supernatural realms. Witches, Lycans, Elementals, the Fey—everyone was involved. Even the Seers, who don’t normally get involved in such things.”

  My eyes widened at Gareth’s words. I shouldn’t have been surprised by anything at this point, but Lycans? Elementals? Was everything real? Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on the story.

  “It was a bloody war, and thousands of lives were lost. It was as if the very fabric of our world was ripped apart, never to be whole again.” Gareth took another breath, as though to steady himself.

  “You see, our world is meant to be balanced, each faction equal with every other. This balance is the only thing that protects us—our anonymity—from humanity. This civil war between the factions was threatening the system. If the humans were ever to discover our existence, an even greater war would be inevitable.”