Keeper

by Kim Chance

  The hard look on his face said it all. My knees weakened again. “But why?”

  “It must be the Scavengers. Only they would resort to something like this. They must be trying to draw out magic-

  wielders—only someone with a lot of power could stop the fire.”

  “Well, then, we have to do something,” I shouted over the noise. “There are people trapped in there!” I held up my hands, the green lightning already crackling between my fingertips.

  “You can’t!” Ty shoved my hands back down at my sides. “It’s too dangerous. We need to get you out of here, now!”

  “We can’t just let them die!” I screamed at him.

  He stared at me, his face a mixture of emotions. “We don’t have a choice. If the Scavengers find you—”

  “There’s always a choice.” I gripped his arm, my fingers digging into his skin. “You taught me that.”

  We stared at each other, a silent showdown of wills, until a new wave of screams—this one from a different direction—filled the air.

  The vendor and game booths nearest to the maze were starting to catch fire. The flames licked through the cheap fabrics covering the wooden structures and ignited them like kindling. The fire was spreading through the fairgrounds, and in minutes the entire place would be a maelstrom of flames.

  Including . . .

  “Oh my God! Maggie!”

  I was running again, willing my feet to fly as I shoved back through the crowd of people trying to exit the grounds. The Ferris wheel operator was doing his best to move and unload the pods as quickly as possible, but the other attendants had abandoned their posts, and the flames danced along the metal piping, scorching the polished metal black. Maggie’s pod was still high in the air.

  “Maggie!” I screamed her name and ran faster.

  “Lainey!” Her face appeared over the side of her pod, her eyes wide. “We’re not moving fast enough.”

  “Don’t worry!” I shouted over the noise. “We’re gonna get you down.”

  Ty had already run over to the Ferris wheel operator. They were arguing, and Ty’s hands were clenched into fists.

  “It’s too hot,” the man was saying, his face dripping with sweat. “The controls are overheated. We’ll never get them down before the flames spread.” He wiped a hand over his ash-streaked face.

  Ty looked like he wanted to punch the man. “In minutes, this whole place is going to be nothing but ashes. You need to get them down now. The wheel could tip.”

  As if in response to his words, the Ferris wheel began to groan and creak, the metal protesting the heat of the flames.

  “Ty!” I shouted. “We’re running out of time!”

  Embers were falling from the sky like snow. I hissed as one landed on the back of my neck. The Ferris wheel operator took advantage of the distraction and shoved past Ty, running toward the exit like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs. Ty swore and started to run after the man, but then dashed over to the operating box and stared at the controls.

  “I’m not sure how to work it,” he said, when I ran over, coughing on the smoke.

  “We don’t have any more time!” I shouted. The sound of sirens was louder now, but as I stared at the empty corner of the fairgrounds where we were, I knew they’d never get to us in time. The remaining people on the Ferris wheel were wailing for help, but it wouldn’t come.

  “Lainey! Help us!” The sound of Maggie screaming my name tore at my heart.

  Sweat dripped down my neck as I moved to where I could see her leaning over the side of the pod, panic written all over her face. “We’re coming, Mags. We’re gonna get you down, I promise.”

  The Ferris wheel groaned louder this time, the creaks and pops making me jump.

  I looked at Maggie’s face for a second longer before making up my mind. I held out my hands in front of me, the green lighting already growing. “Ty!” He turned to look at me. “I have to! We don’t have any other options. I have to save Maggie!”

  Ty’s face was conflicted, but he nodded to me and pulled me over behind the tall metal operator’s booth. “No one can see you,” he said, peering around the small building. “Okay, if you’re gonna do this, now’s the time.”

  I nodded and pushed up my sleeves. I had no idea what to do; I hoped some sort of instinct would kick in.

  The nerves must have been showing on my face because Ty grabbed me by the shoulders, looking deep into my eyes. “You can do this, Lainey.”

  “I know.”

  Stepping around Ty, I faced the blazing cornfield and closed my eyes, holding my hands out in front of me. I had no real idea how to go about summoning my powers, but this seemed right, so I went with it.

  I have to do something. I have to help those people. I have to save Maggie.

  A deep warmth was beginning to spread throughout my body, and a strange tingling sensation—like a thousand tiny pinpricks—licked across my skin. An electric flow of energy began to course through my veins, enveloping my senses and taking over my self-control.

  The heat from the fire burned my face and skin, and glowing embers fell from the sky, singeing tiny holes into my sweater. Sweat poured down my back, and glistening beads of perspiration fell down the sides of my cheeks.

  I have to do this. I have to help them.

  Over and over, I said the words carefully and with purpose in my mind. My hands ached as the lightning between my fingers grew brighter.

  I’m going to do something. I will help those people. I will save Maggie.

  Overhead, the sky erupted with an explosion of light. Lightning streaked across the darkness, its silver fingers reaching and stretching to every corner of the night sky. Deafening peals of thunder boomed across the valley, accompanying the streaks of light, and a strange wind began to blow.

  I raised my shaking hands in the air. A force unlike anything I’d ever known took hold of my conscience and dominated my every thought and action.

  My hands began to glow, the light as bright as the flames themselves. My whole body convulsed, and I heard Ty yelling my name, but I couldn’t stop.

  I cried out in a mix of exhilaration, terror, pain, and pure adrenaline as a huge pulse of energy shot through my entire body and out through the palms of my hands.

  My cry seemed to echo across the valley, and suddenly the heavens opened up and torrents of rain began to fall.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  As the wave of energy left my body, I sagged and struggled to stay upright. I barely felt the raindrops on my skin. All at once, the overwhelming energy had completely evaporated, leaving me drained and depleted.

  “Easy now,” Ty said, helping me to the ground.

  “Ty,” I croaked, my throat both raw and dry, “where’s Maggie?”

  “I’ll get her. Wait here.”

  I leaned against the wall of the tiny building, breathing deeply. Had I done it?

  Several minutes passed. I was too exhausted to move, but the sounds of bustling activity filled the air. Footsteps approached the building, and then Maggie’s face appeared.

  “Styles?” she asked, her voice quavering.

  “Maggie!” I winced a little as the movement caused a stabbing pain in my temple. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She knelt down and squeezed my hand. “All thanks to you. Ty was able to get everyone down. You saved us, Lainey.”

  My brain was fuzzy on the details. I looked at Ty. “It worked?”

  “It worked,” Ty said, his voice strained. His face was a hard mask, though he offered me a tiny smile. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay . . . I think.” I was exhausted, and every inch of me ached, but I was otherwise unscathed. I whipped my head toward the corn maze. A gentle rain was still falling, and the air was thick with smoke, but the orange haze was gone. “The fire?”


  “Extinguished. Every last bit of it,” Maggie exhaled, breaking into a smile. “You really did it, Lainey.”

  I looked to Ty for additional confirmation, and he nodded, though his face was still grim. A wave of relief rushed over me. “Are they okay? The people that were in the maze? Everyone else on the Ferris wheel?”

  Maggie nodded. “I think so. I heard someone say there were injuries, but everyone was lucky.” She leaned over and squeezed my hand. “You saved them, Styles. It was so amazing. You conjured this huge storm, and in minutes, the flames were all out. They’re calling it a miracle.”

  I sucked in a deep breath; the relief I felt was so tangible it was almost as if I could wrap my arms around it. I’d saved them, saved Maggie. Warmth spread through my body, and I smiled. “Well, it wasn’t just a miracle. It was magic.”

  “Do you think you can stand?” Ty held out his hand. His eyes darted back and forth, and his shoulders were tense and rigid.

  “The Scavengers. Are they still here?” I asked, allowing him to pull me to my feet. The movement unsettled my equilibrium and I swayed, but Maggie moved quickly to my side. “I got you, Styles.”

  “Yes, I think so. We need to get out of here.” Ty peered around the building shielding us from view.

  “Did they see me?”

  Ty shook his head. “No, I made sure of that. But . . .” He stopped, listening to something too low for my ears to hear.

  “The Scavengers are here?” Maggie squeaked, struggling to support my sagging weight.

  Ty moved to my other side and wrapped a strong arm around me. I leaned against him, trying to relieve Maggie. “Yes. The fire was magical,” I explained.

  “I can’t be sure,” Ty continued. “But there are three men that keep looking in our direction. One of them is wearing a black hat. I think the smoke is confusing them, but they keep sniffing the air.”

  My heart nearly stopped. “They’re tracking me.”

  Ty nodded. “I think so.”

  “What are we gonna do?” Maggie squealed. “If we try to run they’ll see us.”

  Lainey.

  I jumped at the sound of my name, but I wasn’t afraid—I’d know that voice anywhere. Josephine. I turned, and there she was, standing a few feet away, her fierce gazed locked on my face.

  “Is it them?” I whispered. “Did they find me?”

  Josephine nodded gravely.

  Lainey. Her voice inside my head was growing louder. Lainey! My name whispered over and over until it was as if Josephine was shouting in my mind.

  I sucked in a breath and gripped the front of Ty’s shirt. “Ty, we have to go now!” I grabbed Maggie’s hand, yanking her close. “Josephine’s here to warn me. It’s definitely Scavengers.”

  Ty’s face was serious, his features hard and focused. “Right.” He turned to Maggie. “We’ll have to try to outrun them.” He tightened his grip around my waist. “You ready?”

  Maggie nodded, wrapping her own arm around me, my weight supported between them.

  “Okay then . . . now!”

  We began to run.

  The gravel parking lot was fairly empty. I glanced around, desperate for a cop or anyone who might be able to help us, but now that the fire was out, the authorities were herding people back toward the main entrance, taking down statements and checking for injuries. Most people were moving back toward the carnival grounds, while we were moving away.

  Flashing red and blue lights illuminated the sky. Ty stuck close to the tree line, trying to stay hidden in the shadows of the parked cars. My head was throbbing, and though he and Maggie were trying to be gentle with me, the jostling from the running wasn’t helping.

  We stopped behind a large pickup truck, all of us out of breath. “It no use. I can hear them behind us. They’re too fast,” Ty said. He peered out from behind the truck and swore. “We’re out of time.” He grasped Maggie by the shoulder. “Think you can get Lainey to the car?”

  I could see from the hard lines on his face what he was planning. The protection of my hands, my blade, and my life . . . is yours.

  “No,” I said, gripping his shoulder. “No knights on a white horse, remember? We do this together.”

  “It will give you a better chance of getting away.”

  “Yeah, and it will give you a better chance of getting hurt . . . or worse.”

  “Well, we have to do something,” Maggie said. “No offense, Styles, but you’re kinda heavy.”

  “I can help you.” I ignored her and turned to Ty. “I’m not gonna let you face them alone.”

  “Um . . . Styles?” Maggie piped up. “I’m not saying to send Pretty Face to his doom or anything, but, um . . . you can barely stand up.”

  I opened my mouth to protest, to declare that I was okay, but the argument died in my throat. “I’m fine, really,” I tried, but I was fooling no one.

  “Remember, being my Calling means I stand beside you,” Ty said, his eyes shining with gold. “But in cases where you can barely stand—”

  “I’m fine,” I broke in, stronger this time.

  “But in this case,” Ty continued, unconvinced, “it means I give you a head start.”

  He stared at me with such intensity I knew there was no other choice. “Okay.”

  Ty looked to Maggie. “You got her?”

  Maggie nodded and readjusted her arm, supporting my full weight now.

  “You’ll only get one shot,” Ty said. “Get ready.”

  My erratic pulse was booming in my ears, but the vertigo was dissipating. I tried to steady myself as much as possible. Beside me, Maggie tightened her grip.

  We waited, pressed against the cool metal of the pickup. Peering over Ty’s shoulder, I nearly choked when I saw the man in the black hat from earlier. Two other men I didn’t recognize, one with long, stringy hair and the other with short, cropped hair, flanked him on either side. They were trying to act casual, but the leader was muttering under his breath, pointing directly at the truck we were crouched behind. They were getting closer.

  Lainey! Josephine’s warning was louder than ever. Lainey!

  With a mighty roar that mirrored Josephine’s cry, Ty launched into action. Darting around the shed, he flung himself at the closest Scavenger, slamming into him and knocking him to the ground. The man grunted, but Ty jammed his fist into the man’s throat, breaking off the sound. He slammed his other fist into the man’s jaw. A spray of blood splintered the air.

  I bit back a scream as one of the other men dove forward, grabbing Ty by the arm and wrenching him free of his fallen comrade. They fell to ground, rolling together. The man was growling and snapping at Ty like a feral dog, his hand tearing at Ty with what looked like long, sharp claws. I lunged forward, but Maggie’s arm pulled me back.

  “Lainey, we have to go!”

  “No, we have to help him!”

  “You’re not strong enough! You need to—”

  Maggie’s voice cut off. Her eyes were wide, her skin ashen. I tore my eyes away from Ty and saw what Maggie was seeing: the Scavenger that hadn’t yet joined the fight—the one in the black hat—was slinking toward us, his face twisted in a savage grin.

  I lifted my hands, but the effort left me panting. “Run!” I shouted, willing my legs to move. My body was still weak, though, and we fled through the rows of parked cars, tripping and stumbling the whole way.

  Behind us, someone laughed, and I said, “He’s toying with us, Maggie. We’re not going to make it.”

  Maggie didn’t answer, but she yanked on my wrist, trying to pull me along even faster. We didn’t even have time to scream when a solid mass came out of nowhere, colliding with us in a tangle of limbs and snarls.

  I was wrenched from Maggie’s hold and slammed into the ground face-first. I sputtered and coughed as the heavy weight on top of me forced the air
out of my lungs.

  Maggie screamed my name, but I couldn’t move or speak. My right arm was pinned underneath my chest, but my left arm was down at my side.

  The dagger! The dagger Gareth had given me was tucked into the waistband of my jeans; the hilt was stabbing me in the hip. If I can just reach the dagger! I squirmed and twisted, reaching for the metal that was just out of reach.

  My fingers were inches from the hilt when the Scavenger yanked me to the side and onto my back, what felt like claws digging into my shoulders. I screamed as the man’s face came forward revealing a pair of round yellow eyes. He laughed, his breath hot on my cheek.

  “Now, now, love. Don’t be like that,” he sneered, tracing the lines of my jaw with a grimy finger. “My God, you smell delicious.” Inhaling deeply, he shoved his nose into my hair. I squealed and tried to pull away, my fingers still clawing for the weapon at my waist.

  Over the man’s shoulder, Maggie’s face popped into view. Before I could scream at her to stop, Maggie let out a yell and launched herself on top of the man’s back, pulling hair and kicking anything in reach.

  I gasped under the weight of them both, and black spots appeared before my eyes.

  The Scavenger was roaring as he swatted at Maggie while trying to keep me pinned beneath him. With an angry growl, he threw himself backward, sending Maggie flying through the air at an unnatural speed. She slammed into a car with a sickening thunk and collapsed on the ground. She did not get up. She didn’t even move.

  “Maggie!” I screamed, but the Scavenger slapped me hard across the face.

  “Quiet! I’ve had enough of these games.”

  My cheek immediately began to burn and puff, and my eyes watered. There was a putrid smell of rotten meat stinging my nostrils, and as I tried to move, a snarl ripped through the air. Teeth grazed my skin, and I screamed.

  When my eyes cleared, I found myself staring into the face of the largest wolf I’d ever seen. I screamed again.

  Then the weight that was pressing me to the ground lifted, and large hands pulled me roughly to my feet. The man in the black hat gripped my arm so tightly I was sure it was going to break. His yellow eyes were glowing now, and his lips were curled up into a snarl revealing a row of sharp canines. Lycan! My mind supplied the word.